Despite its nudity Ranma still feels like it's meant for a younger audience from the characters and subject matters. I took a browse at Maison Ikkoku also by Rumika Takahashi and the style is different and feels more mature. Maybe it has to do with the older cast and the women wearing make up. It felt like more of a slice of life or coming of age story opposed to comedy? The idea of the cursed ponds/lake is very fun and opens it up for a multitude of gags. In that you see the repeating jokes and the comedy of certain characters through the relationships they build. There are also themes such as Martial Arts and supernatural strength. I can see younger readers relating to both Ranma and Akane. There are definitely themes I have seen carry through the other manga I have consumed or the Korean dramas my mother repeatedly tells me about. I would say parents worrying about money and marrying their son or daughter off. Strange school behaviors and an odd assortment of supporting cast also count. For example, the chiropractor who can seem to fix anything and the figure skating martial arts duo all seem randomized when trying to rationalize their existence by themselves. But somehow, I just accept them because it's a different world full of magical transforming ponds. I think the transition of time is done interestingly by showing landscape or just ending the chapter. I noticed that Akan and Ranma when doing full body poses will break the frames. The whole page is really thought about as a composition and the last panels often beg you to turn the page. There is usually an action and then a result on the next one. It's also interesting that it uses a lot of sound affects that are written out especially when compared to Battle Angel Alita.
There are many things notable about Battle Angel Alita first off is it's use of full page spreads as compositions. It gives it breathing space, but also allows it be viewed as a big moments especially with the amount of detail on the page. There is high science equipments and the armor on the characters that has to be thought out. The hatching on them and the machines is much heavier and gives it a more serious tone. The first page/introduction page called my first memory is quite good in setting the tone and exposition of the chapter. The contrast between adult and young Alita is quite prominent in shape and the panels that surround them. I think it is interesting how it jumps in time and space and it does not explain everything right away. In that sense, it is very good hook and set up for an origin. How Alita looks at the beginning and the end of the chapter? issue? really sets the point of who she was before all this craziness happens.
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