I'm so sick and tired of people claiming Akane's some dangerous, abusive psychopath—with nothing better to do than torture poor innocent Ranma. First of all, claiming that Akane's abusive is the stupidest thing I've ever heard, not to mention an insult to people who actually do deal with domestic violence in the real world. This is manga. Not real life. And if the premise—boy turns into girl—didn't make it clear, this is a comedy, not a drama. We're talking about a story where ALL the characters are routinely attacking each other: They punt each other through the sky, hurl one another into walls and buildings, use ki-based attacks, and advanced, dangerous techniques that are almost commonplace. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Ranma takes a couple hits to the head with a mallet or some random household object, and people instantly start crying "abuse!"

Ranma has willingly subjected himself to BEE STINGS and PIRANAH ATTACKS just to learn a technique. He has STUCK HIS HANDS into FIRE.

Some girl slapping him is not going to make him crumble.

And if you're going to play the "real world" card, let's be realistic: Any normal girl would hit a guy if he talked to her the way Ranma talks to Akane. That, or break up altogether. Even Shampoo and Ukyo have hit him for saying something rude and insensitive, and they're not around him nearly as much as Akane is; and don't get me started on the way Shampoo treats Mousse. Fact is, if you're going to hold Akane accountable for her actions, then you need to hold ALL the fiancees accountable (Misconception 1).

Plus, if it bothered Ranma so much, why is he constantly going out of his way to make her mad? There are plenty of times where he's shown deliberately picking a fight with her.

Besides, when you get right down to it, most of the trouble they find themselves in, is because Ranma refuses to man-up and make a decision. Sure, he might not be completely at fault for the fiancee-mess, but he's definitely not bending over backwards to get rid of them either (just look at his fight with Mousse, when "losing" would have rid him of Shampoo; or the reversal jewel chapter, where his egotism really shines).

Point in fact: If Akane's abusive so are ALL the characters.