Something I've noticed is how popular Kyoko is among people who have read Maison Ikkoku. The overwhelming majority of the fans of MI that I know are male, and one of the things they often say they like the most about Kyoko is her 'strength'.
Kyoko is a extremely resiliant character, and one of her biggest character traits is her strength as it relates to relationships, which is what this topic is about. I see some striking similarities in the way she defends her decisions to get angry, or be jealous (sometimes for no good reason) with the way Akane acts towards Ranma when she feels their "relationship" is being jeopardized by another girl, or by something Ranma has done wrong.
The difference being, that while fans find this trait charming in Kyoko, its often used as a criticism of Akane, and I'm not sure why. Both can be violent and harsh and jump to rash decisions, but Kyoko is seen as an "ideal woman" while Akane is often trashed as violent, jealous, over-bearing, etc etc.
Why do you think this is? While it might be as simplistic as fans of Ranma 1/2 not being the same 'type' as fans of Maison Ikkoku, I'm not so sure this argument holds up. Both are Takahashi series, and fans of one series are likely to at least be vaguely familiar with the other. These qualities of strength exist in both women, but they seem to be perceived very differently by fans.
You kill anything that moves...and I do value that quality in you. But the next time you disrespect me...I will crush your heart.
Life at Maison Ikkoku
Kyoko is a extremely resiliant character, and one of her biggest character traits is her strength as it relates to relationships, which is what this topic is about. I see some striking similarities in the way she defends her decisions to get angry, or be jealous (sometimes for no good reason) with the way Akane acts towards Ranma when she feels their "relationship" is being jeopardized by another girl, or by something Ranma has done wrong.
The difference being, that while fans find this trait charming in Kyoko, its often used as a criticism of Akane, and I'm not sure why. Both can be violent and harsh and jump to rash decisions, but Kyoko is seen as an "ideal woman" while Akane is often trashed as violent, jealous, over-bearing, etc etc.
Why do you think this is? While it might be as simplistic as fans of Ranma 1/2 not being the same 'type' as fans of Maison Ikkoku, I'm not so sure this argument holds up. Both are Takahashi series, and fans of one series are likely to at least be vaguely familiar with the other. These qualities of strength exist in both women, but they seem to be perceived very differently by fans.
You kill anything that moves...and I do value that quality in you. But the next time you disrespect me...I will crush your heart.
Life at Maison Ikkoku
