The Nature of Love

Review

This next entry is another excellent one, delving deeply into exactly what constitutes love and the nature of sacrifice for love. The people are all presented as humans, flawed, at times self-centered and at other times noble. The events that happen are a logical progression from the events of the first story.

The incredible hostility the Tendo family, Nodoka and Genma show Kentaro is presented very clearly. Kentaro's responds with understanding and honor, things which end up finally touching the hearts of those who initially condemn him.

The final scene of male Ranma offering water to Kentaro that will supposedly will cause him to become female part-time like Ranma is done extremely well. Again, as with most stories I like, the psychological approach of the author is also fascinating and well done.

Synopsis

Three years have passed since the events in Thy Outward Love. Ranma-chan admits to Kentaro that she loves him. He had told her that he could not be just her friend, but wanted to be her boyfriend, and she gradually accepted that.

Their physical relationship went very slowly, each step met with great reluctance by Ranma-chan. They had not yet had intercourse. He had told her he loved her and she had become extremely angry at hearing that. She kisses him and takes him to her apartment but Akane is waiting there.

Akane is very hostile towards Kentaro, and tells Ranma-chan that they have found the cure to her locked female state.

Akane gets Kentaro alone and threatens him, telling him that Ranma-chan (Ranma) is hers and she will hurt Kentaro if she needs to.

When they get to the Tendo dojo Ranma-chan is reunited with Nodoka who is also very antagonistic towards Kentaro. Nabiki and Kasumi are also hostile towards him but Genma actually physically attacks Kentaro who promptly throws him into the pond.

Nabiki tells Ranma-chan that they might be able to get the kettle that can unlock his curse. Nodoka expects Ranma (restored form) to marry Akane, but Kentaro points out that their engagement had been formally ended. Ranma-chan also reveals that Genma had disowned her, effectively doubly-ending the agreements.

Ranma-chan and Kentaro later talk and it's apparent that she still is in love with him.

Akane tries to beat up Kentaro in the dojo but he leaves. Kasumi talks to him and tells him that no one expected Ranma-chan would fall in love and that is one part of the angry directed against him.

Nabiki is the next to confront Kentaro and she ends up yelling at him.

Nodoka is next to confront Kentaro. She tells him that Ranma-chan had told her that she loves him. Nodoka wants to know if they plan to get married. Kentaro implies that he might be willing to get cursed to be a female if necessary which surprises Nodoka.

They end up finding the kettle and Kentaro runs away. Six weeks pass. Akane comes to the apartment. Akane apologizes to him for the way she treated him. She tells him that Ranma no longer loves her and that she and Ranma did not succeed in establishing a physical relationship between them. She also tells him that Ranma is standing outside the door.

Ranma is in male form. He puts a cask of water on the floor and tells Kentaro that it is from the spring that cursed him. He dumps the water on himself, but he doesn't change. Ranma tells him that it was from the spring of drowned man and that either he or Kentaro would have used it before the end of the day. Thus, Ranma has relinquished his chance to be forever male.

Again, they end up kissing.


Back to start of Ranma-chan and Ranko Shrine

Back to start of Ranma section

Back to start of Ranma fiction section

Back to start of Anime Review section

Main Index Page