At 11:05 AM 5/18/98 -0700, you wrote:

How does the Hiryu Shoten Ha work, anyway?  I haven't read/watched that far
into the series.

It basically involves the user keeping calm while the opponent grows more
and more flustered (thereby generating 'hot' ki), and keeping the opponent
moving in a circular/spiraling pattern... when the power level reaches its
peak, the user manipulates the opponent's ki with his own, and the combination
to the cool and hot create the whirlwind... sending the one with hot ki into
the air, while the cool ki keeps the user anchored on the ground.  Rough
summary, but generally correct.

I thought ki was a person's life force, just like the similar word 'chi' in
Chinese.

Ki is the actual Japanese word (it's not "chi").  It basically means
spiritual energy, at least as it's used in Ranma and various sundry martial
arts films/anime.  It can also imply mood.

-Deuce