Alright, so obviously, it's no big secret that I am a HUGE Ranma-Akane supporter. (Just ask my husband who prefers Ukyo) *kicks him*. But some poor, misguided, or misinformed people (like said husband) may wonder why.

To put it simply, I love everything about them. How they can go from fighting to being shy and embarrassed in the blink of an eye, how they've fallen in love with each other despite the pressure from their parents, the interference from their suitors, and their own prejudices and pride. The extent to which they deny their feelings can be frustrating at times, but it's thanks to those same moments that when they DO get along, it's so memorable and so great!

I love how Ranma always protects Akane despite her insistence that she can take care of herself. How he can get sad, frustrated, or angry whenever another guy threatens to take her away from him. And, of course, I love how Akane is the exact same way. . .

I love how they both have a variety of suitors and are constantly getting jealous because of it, how whenever they're struggling or worried, they'll quietly think the other's name, and fight to get back to them. I like how there's clear story progression. How they begin as strangers forced together by their parents, to reluctant fiancees who share an attraction, to teenagers sharing the same beliefs and values, who genuinely become friends. I love how their actions and words never quite match: they'll loudly proclaim they don't want to marry but fight for their engagement at critical moments. It further proves how they feel about their engagement and each other.

Despite all of their bickering and denials, it's obvious that they love each other. And although they can't bring themselves to admit it themselves, at least they've realized it on some level, even if they are too shy and proud to say it out loud.

And for those of us familiar with their story, we know their love is strong enough to survive anything.

Even an open-ending. ^_^