|> I was bothered by
|>the characterization of Cologne.  Although Cologne can
|>be ruthless, arranging for women to be raped, including
|>gang-rape, seems more than a trifle extreme for her.
|>Even though Akane and Ukyou aren't Amazons, I can't
|>see an Amazon leader sanctioning rape as any sort of
|>legitimate tactic.
| I tend to agree.  IMHO, whenever Cologne is portrayed by
|Takahashi-sama, she has a certain ... business-like quality about her,
|much like Nabiki.  She IS ruthless when she wants something (using the
|Cat Tounge to keep Ranma as a girl), but she follows her own code of
|honor.  Therein lies the debate, ne?  What exactly ARE Cologne's
|principles?  She is an Amazon first and foremost.  More importantly, she
|is a/the (?) Matriarch (what exactly IS her position in the tribe?), and
|she takes her responsibilities seriously.  Would she twist the tribe's
|laws to match her own view of a situation?  I believe she wouldn't, but
|there are NUMEROUS fics out there that disagree with me (*grin*  You
|people know who I'm talking about).  In these fics, Cologne is a power
|hungry, slightly deranged, yet brilliant, crafty, and experienced foe.  I
|think one of the best representations of Cologne was in "Descents and
|Inversions."  (BRAVO!  Great fic)  It's hard to say what I mean w/o
|giving away the ending, so I'll just leave it up to you guys and gals to
|read it.  Regardless, Cologne is an extremely traditional woman, and
|(IMHO) she seems like someone who would follow her tribal laws to the
|letter.
| Everyone, please keep this thread going (but don't repeat what's
|already been said).  I've always wondered why various authors decide to
|portray Cologne in such a ... vicious (?) manner.  *grin*  Wow, my first
|ever (well, second) post to the mailing list.  Hope it's
|thought-provoking.  Ja mata!

That, and... well, the Ranma 2096 characterization of her got me to
thinking... probably the greatest crime to an Amazon would be rape...
especially considering the matriarchal construction of the society. So what
Cologne has done is probably the equivalent of hiring hit men, at least in
the minds of most Amazons. Now... I REALLY don't think she'd get that
desperate. She's manipulative, and I agree that she can be rather... shall
we say, "focused"... on her goal... but I don't think that maliciousness
plays a part very much. Obstacles are for killing, true... but not for a
fate worse than death.

That's what I think, anyway. And this is probably turning into a character
debate, so... <gulp>

--G. Falconar