Message-Id: Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 13:18:57 -0500 From: Richard Lawson To: RANMA@usagi.jrd.dec.com Subject: Re: On seppuku Reply-To: ranma No, it's just that Nodoka Saotome is always around to make sure that Ranma is being raised in a "manly" way, or she will force Ranma and Genma to commit seppuku, as they have sworn to do so. That's why she always carries that sword around. It's also why, for the longest time, Ranma hid his male form from her - a son who turns into a girl might not be considered "manly". Fortunately, when Nodoka did find out, she decided her son was manly enough, even when he was a woman. One of the mangas, though, did show a scene of what might happen if Genma and Ranma were forced to commit seppuku: Ranma and Genma were kneeling in white robes in front of the killing blades, while Nodoka stood over them, sword at the ready. It's this scene that people are discussing - what it means, exactly. Fortunately for me, this was all covered in "Shogun", so I already knew all about how to commit seppuku. Not a fun process, by any means. -Richard rlawson@lss.usa.com "Hello there, Auntie Saotome!" -Ranko (aka Ranma Saotome)