I usually have a (major) problem with a new love interest just popping in and stepping all over a character's struggles to win someone else. It feels like a cheap resolve. But Akari actually won me over, and I believe that it was a first for me.

It took some time, but I realized that I did think that Ryoga deserved more (and this is coming from the girl who thinks that if a story leads to a sad situation then it better be sad no matter how unfair it is - not the smallest glimpse of sunshine). And it was not as if Ryoga's great devotion to Akane was thrown out the window.

I think that it is great to see a character like Ryoga find someone whom he can shower with love (he has so much to give) and be equally loved in return. Plus points because Akari accepts the part of him that he himself cannot accept (P-chan).

Ryoga & Akari (Ranma1/2) © Rumiko Takahashi