In fan fiction it is not uncommon for Ranma to start reading books or have him secretly read books, this is used to show his hidden intelligence often. In the manga, Ranma doesn't hide his intelligence and reads often. I'm not going to list every instance but here are some examples of him reading: While sparing with Akane, while waiting for Ryoga to show up before the Shi Shi Hokoudan arc, after figuring out the Moko Takabisha and waiting for Ryoga to show up again, reads dating magazines during the reversal jewel story arc, reading something when Akane made the edible curry, was reading before going to sleep during the time Miss Hinako stayed at the Tendo's (judging by the open book near him while he was sleeping), a manga at end of the master student pill arc, there is a picture Nabiki took of Onna-Ranma sleeping holding a book, etc. There are many more. Reading is one of the most common things he does, he certainly can be seen doing so more than playing video games (shown once in the manga versus Miss Hinako) or watching television (is only seen doing so while others are doing so, unlike Akane or Shampoo whom we see watch television alone).Since I am a voracious reader it is an aspect of Ranma's character I easily identify with and makes sense to me for him to do so. Books are a means of acquiring knowledge such as martial arts (we do see Ranma turn to books for information in the manga), they are a form of entertainment that is portable (something he can do on his training trip when not training or while recovering from injuries), does not require electricity (many other forms of entertainment requires electricity and/or other people to participate with which Ranma would have had limited access to occasionally during his training journey), is easily accessible (books are not that expensive, libraries loan books out for free, people throw away books -in Japan Manga are released in phone book size magazines on fairly cheap paper that are not meant to be kept often times after people finish reading them they are tossed out and Ranma could acquire them by taking them from the trash or people giving them to him once they are finished with them), etc. I can think of a lot of reasons for Ranma to read often and I do not see reasons as to why he would not (particularly since we do see him read often).
What do you think Ranma reads?
Things I think he likely reads are:
*Martial arts manuals - at least one of the times it clearly is a martial arts manual.
*Text books - he is in school and we do see him carrying his school books with him often
*Researching a cure for his curse and other problems - would make sense since we do see him research using books - Dating magazines for tips on dating, a book on Chiropractics after Dr Tofu accidentally hurt Ranma, pressure point charts, etc., and since he wants to cure his curse books would be a good place to start a search.
*Cook books - Possibly at least for a recipe. In the manga he is a pretty good cook and likes to eat so this would make sense.
Beyond those he reads for entertainment. I'm assuming the manga he reads, if nothing else, is for entertainment. What genre do you think he reads? Personally I don't think romance or martial arts themed stories since he gets too much of that in his regular life.
2 comments:
i don't know about the cooking thing, when his father brings akane training with him dosn't he say it was becasue Ranma was a terrible cook (but she is worse).
but then when he cooks with his mom he is a decent cook.
most of what you might randomly see him read (like while waiting for ryoga) apear to be comics (i think, but i guess i never really paid atention to the stuff he fell asleep reading for anything other than it was there, and maybe put him to sleep), which would make sense. easy, active, vivid, and entertaing. plus the writer is a manga writer, she would want a character that would support her job habits, and characters can be used as role models or guides (during world war 2 comic heros like captin america ruotenly gave children instructions to donate their money to the war effort instead of buying a comic book, this earned the war effort countless monies).
If you think about it, with the divorce genteration (in america especialy), boys now look to media forms for a male guide/father figure/"What a man is supposed to be" to replace thier father. Ranma would actually be one of those influenctal figures because he embodies all masculine ideals, but is still sensitive at times. Though i don't think he would normaly be anything other than a big brother figure, or one that children want to emulate, and is seen as cool. So if Ranma likes books, then we should like books.
It is true that Genma does say that but Genma also insults Ranma frequently. Whether Ranma is or isn't a good cook can't be determined by Genma's statements.
Regardless of what Genma said, Ranma does make several meals during the manga all of which were good. The one you alluded to, another time during volume 36(34 VIZ) cooking at Ukyo's, and during the koi-rod story (in which Ryoga even thinks Ranma is a good cook - "It's a shame. You're a good cook and a good fighter, Ranma. But your the only reason Akane and I can't be happy together...and for that you will die!")
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