In a message dated 11/18/98 10:36:28 AM, Phil wrote:

I know I said that I wouldn't post anymore to this thread, but in this
direction, I just had to add my final comments.

 Okay.  I take it you need evidence then.  :-P.  I don't have the 
original versions, just what Viz has put out in the US.

[snip]

I submit as final evidence the first battle with Mousse. Ranma-chan's 
reach is described as being enough shorter for the difference in height 
to mean the difference between winning and losing. From this I would 
infer a height difference of *at least* ten to twelve centimeters 
between Ranma's two forms. Maybe Takahashi does vary Ranma-chan's height 
somewhat, but on the average Ranma-chan is Akane's height or slightly 
shorter.

I took a step further and checked out my later volumes of Japanese manga,
which ranged from volume 13 to 26 and couple of final volumes.  In the later
volumes, I found out:

Vol. 16 (Zekkyo Competition), Ranma-chan's height seems to vary by three
inches taller than Akane, to Akane's height.

In the cheerleader competion (Vol. 21), though indirect comparison of Ranma-
onna and Mariko, and Mariko and Akane, Ranma-onna's taller than Akane. Also,
during the competion, she same height as Akane in her Kendo gear- but that
doesn't count.

During the bust battle (vol. 32), over several photos, Ranma-onna seems to be
three inches taller than Akane.

Her height varies greatly in volume 34, when her mother appeared. It's
diffuclt to confirm the accuracy of her height, but she mostly shown to be
same as Akane's height or shorter (!).

In vol 36, when Ranma dresses-onna up as obsama (sp?) (mother), she's same
height as Akane, but it's hard to confirm. While they are side-by-side, only
above waist is shown, so...

In manga scans of later volumes, such as Volume 35 and last two chapters of
volume 38, Ranma-onna is repeatedly seen to be slightly taller than Akane or
same height as Akane, especially during the mirror copy saga in Vol. 35.

Overall, Ranma-onna is slightly taller than Akane, and is occasionally same
height as Akane's (but is very diffuclt to confirm). I sueriously doubt that
Akane would be taller than her in any occasion, and if it does happens, then
it's most likely Takahashi's error, or for comedy purposes only.


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