Ranma likes Akane, and Akane likes Ranma.
This much is clear after eleven episodes.
But neither of them is anywherenearthe point where theyd be willing or able to actuallyadmitit.
Neither of them are sure of the others feelings, because theyre not being honest.
Its under these circumstances that their relationship is put to its first true test thanks to Shampoo.
There are some clear problems with this.
First, Ranma is already engaged to Akane.
The lack of honesty between Akane and Ranma exposes them both here.
What makes this scenario frustrating is that Ranma isnttryingto break up with Akane, nor does he want to.
But Shampoo is always around, even sneaking up in his bed when hes asleep.
The optics suck, and theyre all Akane has to work with.
Mind you, she doesnt know shes sleeping almost nightly with a transformed Ryouga.
Ranma can do more to reject and condemn Shampoo, but circumstances never seem to be in his favor.
Perhaps Im being too harsh.
These are a couple of kids completely unaccustomed to romance suddenly thrust into an engagement against their will.
And then Shampoo had to servelightly-browned Ranma P-chanfor lunch.
If shed challenge her to a fight, a fight is what shell get.
The only problem is, Akane is no match for Shampoo.
Ranma knows this, having fought both girls.
Alas, by the time Ranma finds Akane, the fight is already over.
Shampoo took her out with one blow from herchui, and left her passed out in an athletic field.
Two things are certain: Akanes memory loss isnt permanent, and her engagement to Ranma wont remain broken.
