Ranma and school

[Crescent Pulsar R]

Well, I was bored out of my mind, and slipping in and out of consciousness in my chair, when a page from the manga suddenly appeared before my eyes and I snapped back to the waking world. I didn't get a good enough look to know exactly what the page was, at first, but I remembered what it might be after a moment and found it. It was the first page of chapter three, the morning after Ranma's arrival.

And then an idea struck me when I read:

Ranma: "School?"

Genma: "Well, we are going to be staying for a while."

And I realized, after having gone through two or three discussions/arguments about Ranma's education before (in this forum), that this simple exchange might be the answer for what kind of schooling, and school life, that Ranma had. We know he had to move around often enough, and that their training could even take them out of the country -- by swimming, of all things. Because Ranma questions going to school, and because Genma qualified a reason for why in response, it's evident that they move around often enough for him to not go to school just as often; perhaps to the extent that it's more of an exception (definitely much less consistent) in comparison to his time spent moving around and training.

So, you know. Just thought I'd share. Though I wonder about entrance exams, if they happen to be unavoidable. But I don't know how the school system works over in Japan, back when the manga was started or now.

[Shanami]

To the best of my knowledge, high school is not mandatory nor has it ever been mandatory in Japan, and the entrance exams are also not mandatory. However, in general, everyone takes the entrance exams and goes to high school.

And Ranma is clearly a genius to even pass at his grade level considering the amount of schooling it is implied that he gets. I mean, the only other time it even mentions school in the series is when he went with Ryoga. To be able to keep up at all at the high school level with only small parts of any given year in school previously is utterly ridiculous. And just as importantly, we know that in the past, when possible, Genma signed Ranma up for school where he'd have to fight during the school day (the whole bread feud thing), so its very likely that Ranma never took his schooling seriously. Finally, due to his complete lack of social skills (yay for being raised by an abusive nutjob father), if Ryoga is any indication (though he's kinda nuts) Ranma pretty much just made a bunch of rivals wherever he was, and spent his entire school day fighting (kinda like at Furikan.

Anywho, that's my two cents.

[LawOhki]

Ranma likely had a rather normal schooling, education wise. We know that Ranma had a school uniform while he went with Ryoga. Those aren't cheap, and would be a good indication that Genma took his schooling seriously. Being the cheap ass that he is, would Genma really drop down money for a uniform, and then on top of that pay for Ranma to be in high school if he didn't think it was important?

Of course school in Ranma-verse can get rather violent. Even at Furinkan, the majority of the time, Ranma was a normal student, and then we get instances where everybody takes a break for something crazy like when the Principal gets involved, or when Ranma's class was trapped on the island. We also have a lot of little 'vacation' chapters which totally disregard school and any kind of timeline at all.

Crescent, please provide some evidence that they were constantly moving around besides Ranma asking "School?" I mean, really at that point he was outwardly focused on going back to China for a cure, not remaining in Nerima to be engaged to Akane. If he really didn't want to go, why didn't he complain more? This actually works as evidence that Genma would send Ranma to school whenever they were in one place, it's normal, so he goes along with it.

Back to Ranma's early life, all the events that we do know could have easily fit within school breaks. Genma also being a single parent might even look at it as a way to get Ranma out of his remaining hair a while to send Ranma away for the day, then train with him at night. Or even as suggested he picked schools where Ranma would get into semi-regular fights.

[Konsaki]

IIRC, First and Middle schools are mandatory by law, but High School and beyond are optional. The thing is, most High Schools are private schools, with Furinkan probably being owned by the Kuno family or some other rich family/group/corp, and parents have to pay the school for their children to attend.

On the Ranma side of things, I see him having gone through the earlier school grades somewhere in Japan which is in close distance to 'training areas'. In the early years, I dont see Genma being able to truck Ranma around to the 'expert training areas' which also might explain the more oddball/insane training methods he finds/makes up for his son; catfist, falling from high drops, etc.
Even when older and on the road, I see Genma making Ranma carry some textbooks around, probably the barebones of language, geography and health. There has to be some downtime from training in the day and those subjects would be important to a traveling martial artist. Any other learning might be just 'street knowledge' learned from shrines, landmarkers or festivals; plus a monk here or there.

Really, I see Genma as caring about Ranma's education, though just not wanting Ranma to get distracted from the Art. Plus, another major reason for him to get Ranma into Furinkan is because Akane goes there, which gets them forced together all day at school and then they both come home together to the Tendo household.
I still think Genma is thoughtless though, which leads to a vast majority of the problems he's involved with; the rest being caused by his greed.

[Shanami]

While I can see how Ranma might have been able to attend school semi-regularly not being completely discounted by the training trip, there is also significant evidence that he did not truly attend schools on a completely regular basis. There's simply not enough time in the Japanese school system to have enough breaks for the different trainings that Ranma went through. Unlike the US system, they have a lot less vacation time, and the Neko-ken training alone had to take a few weeks. We also have to get Ranma on top of mountains for the lion's cub training, to a swamp for the thing with the wolves and couch (and correct me if I'm wrong, but wolves are not native to Japan).

They would have had to move around a whole heck of a lot to get Ranma into the different locations for Genma to sell him, and by all indications Genma is a thief and would have had to run from the law repeatedly since there is rarely a point in the manga that implies that he worked regularly. With regard to the school uniform, there's a good chance that it was stolen.

But, more importantly, Ranma seems to only *remember* 2 friends from all his time growing up, being Ukyo and Ryoga. If he had an even decent education, he would certainly have had more schoolmates that he was willing to associate with. I mean, Ranma is by no means antisocial in the canon.

I just don't see it as feasible that Ranma managed to attend school even remotely full time based on the events we know happened and the amount of training that is implied to have happened. Japanese schools are quite insane in terms of workload, and Ranma would not have had time to train to the extent he did as a full time student.

[LawOhki]

While I can see how Ranma might have been able to attend school semi-regularly not being completely discounted by the training trip, there is also significant evidence that he did not truly attend schools on a completely regular basis. There's simply not enough time in the Japanese school system to have enough breaks for the different trainings that Ranma went through. Unlike the US system, they have a lot less vacation time, and the Neko-ken training alone had to take a few weeks. We also have to get Ranma on top of mountains for the lion's cub training, to a swamp for the thing with the wolves and couch (and correct me if I'm wrong, but wolves are not native to Japan).

Aside from the neko-ken at age 10, if those training methods exist at all they do so only in the anime. Neko-ken could have been done during the summer break. If I'm wrong please point out where they exist in the manga.

They would have had to move around a whole heck of a lot to get Ranma into the different locations for Genma to sell him, and by all indications Genma is a thief and would have had to run from the law repeatedly since there is rarely a point in the manga that implies that he worked regularly. With regard to the school uniform, there's a good chance that it was stolen.

Genma gets a job within the first volume of the manga, and keeps it till after Shampoo arrives. With Tofu vanishing, either he lost it, or remained working but Tofu was no longer included. Ranma is seen with a handful of jobs throughout the series. Genma sold Ranma one time to Ukyo's father. If I remember correctly, even in the anime he only sold him two more times, one of which was during their time in Nerima.

But, more importantly, Ranma seems to only *remember* 2 friends from all his time growing up, being Ukyo and Ryoga. If he had an even decent education, he would certainly have had more schoolmates that he was willing to associate with. I mean, Ranma is by no means antisocial in the canon.

Ranma's also rather abrasive, and there's only two people that he's known to spend time with at Furinkan, and their relationship is never gotten into, but they do seem very interested in female Ranma, and Akane. Even commenting that they liked Ranma better as a girl during the cat's tongue arc, and attempting to run off with the mirror clone.

Ranma also barely remembered Ryoga, so he wasn't that great of a friend. He was separated from Ukyo for around 10 years and instantly remembered her just by the name. But Ryoga who he hadn't seen for a far shorter time was a mystery at first. There's also the absence of any other friends. But that isn't exactly evidence that he didn't have any others, only that they weren't in the area or crazy enough to track him down.

I just don't see it as feasible that Ranma managed to attend school even remotely full time based on the events we know happened and the amount of training that is implied to have happened. Japanese schools are quite insane in terms of workload, and Ranma would not have had time to train to the extent he did as a full time student.

The events we know of, Ukyo age 6, Neko-ken age 10, and Ryoga age 14/15, aren't enough to say he couldn't attend school. Ryoga even shows that Ranma was in school a good deal.

[Crescent Pulsar R]

Ranma likely had a rather normal schooling, education wise. We know that Ranma had a school uniform while he went with Ryoga. Those aren't cheap, and would be a good indication that Genma took his schooling seriously. Being the cheap ass that he is, would Genma really drop down money for a uniform, and then on top of that pay for Ranma to be in high school if he didn't think it was important?

If he thought it was important, he would have responded as if it were, not as if he should because they would be in the area for too long. What that suggests is that, if he had any reason for Ranma to go to school, before high school, it was probably to avoid getting in trouble with the law. And, as you say, he's a cheapskate, so Shanami is probably right about him stealing a uniform. Speaking of which, he didn't even bother with that when it was time for high school, and neither did Ranma care for wearing a uniform, either. He doesn't seem to take school all that seriously, either, since he would bother to eat during class, and other such things. Sure, the teacher at the time was easy to distract, but if he cared, if his father instilled a sense of importance in school work, he would have tried to get the class in order so he could get a proper education.

As for a possible insight into his grades, he thought his test score would have been worse (when it was broadcast on TV), but Genma still smacked him on the back of the head and told him to show some shame, anyway. Which suggests that his grades are, most likely, routinely low.

Crescent, please provide some evidence that they were constantly moving around besides Ranma asking "School?" I mean, really at that point he was outwardly focused on going back to China for a cure, not remaining in Nerima to be engaged to Akane. If he really didn't want to go, why didn't he complain more? This actually works as evidence that Genma would send Ranma to school whenever they were in one place, it's normal, so he goes along with it.

The evidence is right at the beginning, when Soun tells his daughters that Genma had taken his son on a voyage of training. A voyage is a long journey, usually to different or foreign places. Not only does the trip to China provide evidence that their training took them to foreign places, but the first chapter of the story where Genma realizes that Ranma has become stronger than him also shows at least one area that couldn't have taken place in Nerima: when he was eating Ranma's food by the ocean. And seeing as, during the series, they've trained in remote areas (the manga even provides odd places of training for people to go to, like watermelon island), it goes without saying that they would have done the same during their training trip.

As for him not complaining as much, we're talking about two things that differ in importance. All you've proved is that he doesn't really mind his father sending him to school, which has nothing to do with how often he does it. But even that doesn't really prove that much because Ranma asks because he didn't expect it, so it wasn't a normal, and thus expected, occurrence. If Ranma has to ask when it seems to be apparent that they'll be in one place for a while, what with the engagement arranged and all, it's actually more evidence that he didn't go to school every time they were going to settle down somewhere long enough.

[Konsaki]

The evidence is right at the beginning, when Soun tells his daughters that Genma had taken his son on a voyage of training. A voyage is a long journey, usually to different or foreign places.

'Voyage'
Noun--a course of travel or passage, esp. a long journey by water to a distant place.
Noun--a passage through air or space, as a flight in an airplane or space vehicle.
Noun--a journey or expedition from one place to another by land.
Noun--Often, voyages. journeys or travels as the subject of a written account, or the account itself: the voyages of Marco Polo.
Noun--an enterprise or undertaking. (Obsolete but probably still applicable during the creation of the manga/translation)
Verb--to make or take a voyage; travel; journey.

Definition doesn't provide evidence that Genma excessively moved around, keeping Ranma from school.

Not only does the trip to China provide evidence that their training took them to foreign places, but the first chapter of the story where Genma realizes that Ranma has become stronger than him also shows at least one area that couldn't have taken place in Nerima: when he was eating Ranma's food by the ocean.

You do know that the ocean is only an hour or so train ride from Nerima, right? I was just there in August and took that train trip.
Add in the fact that Ranma probably didn't grow up in Nerima, barring a short stint in the Boy's school which probably had him traveling in from a neighboring ward.

And seeing as, during the series, they've trained in remote areas (the manga even provides odd places of training for people to go to, like watermelon island), it goes without saying that they would have done the same during their training trip.

Watermelon Island happens during Highschool and isn't applicable to the current topic of Ranma not going to school due to the 10 year training trip. Also, you have to remember that training in the mountains is easy enough, taking a day of traveling at maximum to get to them, less if they lived nearby while on the 'training voyage'.
Keep in mind that not everyone in Japan lives in the Tokyo metro area...

[LawOhki]

If he thought it was important, he would have responded as if it were, not as if he should because they would be in the area for too long. What that suggests is that, if he had any reason for Ranma to go to school, before high school, it was probably to avoid getting in trouble with the law. And, as you say, he's a cheapskate, so Shanami is probably right about him stealing a uniform.

All he said was "school?" that is hardly him going one way or the other. Genma justifies it by saying how they'll be there a while, with the hint hint that Akane would be there as well. Ranma doesn't argue with Genma about it, he just goes, he even has a backpack. Ranma's rather vocal if he doesn't want to do something, why wouldn't he raise a fuss?

Speaking of which, he didn't even bother with that when it was time for high school, and neither did Ranma care for wearing a uniform, either. He doesn't seem to take school all that seriously, either, since he would bother to eat during class, and other such things. Sure, the teacher at the time was easy to distract, but if he cared, if his father instilled a sense of importance in school work, he would have tried to get the class in order so he could get a proper education.

And plenty of college students pay large sums of money for classes and go goof off in them, so what if Ranma occasionally gets distracted? Without looking up specific incidents, I would also wager that the events you're talking about take place between classes.

As for a possible insight into his grades, he thought his test score would have been worse (when it was broadcast on TV), but Genma still smacked him on the back of the head and told him to show some shame, anyway. Which suggests that his grades are, most likely, routinely low.

That's because of a poor translation. Ranma really comments on how he did well, and Genma chastises him for his ego. Akane by comparison got an average grade. Your comment also forgets how Ranma was initially unconcerned that he could get a grade that would embarrass him until Hinako couldn't back him up.

The evidence is right at the beginning, when Soun tells his daughters that Genma had taken his son on a voyage of training. A voyage is a long journey, usually to different or foreign places. Not only does the trip to China provide evidence that their training took them to foreign places, but the first chapter of the story where Genma realizes that Ranma has become stronger than him also shows at least one area that couldn't have taken place in Nerima: when he was eating Ranma's food by the ocean. And seeing as, during the series, they've trained in remote areas (the manga even provides odd places of training for people to go to, like watermelon island), it goes without saying that they would have done the same during their training trip.

Konsaki already ate this argument up, no need to repeat, but he did screw up by saying "10 year training trip" since it was obviously all but the first couple years of Ranma's life. Though I will add that after the first couple volumes of the manga when they start getting into more random events, time simply doesn't pass between chapters except if they are the same arc. So using events after Ranma is in Nerima, doesn't help your point.

[Shanami]

LawOhki made most of the new points I might have thought to bring up. I'd also point out that one doesn't get as insanely good at fighting as Ranma does without having spent an inordinate amount of time training, and school six days a week + homework really wouldn't permit that.

I think Ranma's abrasive personality, which while evidence as to why he might not have made friends, is clearly the byproduct of having not been in social situations very often while growing up.

Also, from the events with Ryoga, it is clear that Genma didn't care about removing Ranma from school at random points in time. They leave in the middle of the semester according to what I remember (it's been a *very* long time since I've watched or read Ranma, so I could be confusing fanon at this point) and that isn't the action of a man who cares to put his son in school regularly or who would bother to make sure Ranma had a stable education. I mean, if he was going to go to school and learn martial arts on the side as a normal person Genma would have had absolutely no reason to go on the trip away from Nodoka anyway. Genma is the sort of person who likes comfort, good food and low responsibility, and staying at home would have helped increase all three.

And I'm done for now.

[Crescent Pulsar R]

'Voyage'
Noun--a course of travel or passage, esp. a long journey by water to a distant place.
Noun--a passage through air or space, as a flight in an airplane or space vehicle.
Noun--a journey or expedition from one place to another by land.
Noun--Often, voyages. journeys or travels as the subject of a written account, or the account itself: the voyages of Marco Polo.
Noun--an enterprise or undertaking. (Obsolete but probably still applicable during the creation of the manga/translation)
Verb--to make or take a voyage; travel; journey.

Definition doesn't provide evidence that Genma excessively moved around, keeping Ranma from school.

Uhhhhh... You did read the definitions, right? The ones that definitely apply, the first three (the fifth is an uncertainty), risk keeping Ranma out of school via either distance, remoteness, or being in a foreign country. Excessively moving around isn't the only factor, you know. And I never suggested that moving around excessively is what they did all of the time, either. Some training stints take different amounts of time, after all.

You do know that the ocean is only an hour or so train ride from Nerima, right? I was just there in August and took that train trip.
Add in the fact that Ranma probably didn't grow up in Nerima, barring a short stint in the Boy's school which probably had him traveling in from a neighboring ward.

Yes, I do know. I was just making sure that the idea that he always stayed in Nerima, with the exception of going to China, was taken out of the way.

Watermelon Island happens during Highschool and isn't applicable to the current topic of Ranma not going to school due to the 10 year training trip. Also, you have to remember that training in the mountains is easy enough, taking a day of traveling at maximum to get to them, less if they lived nearby while on the 'training voyage'.
Keep in mind that not everyone in Japan lives in the Tokyo metro area...

No, it is applicable. I pointed out that such places exist for people to train. Ranma went to Jusenkyo, after all, and the distance alone would clash with going to school. And there's no telling how long they would have stayed in China if they hadn't been cursed or had a run-in with a certain village of female warriors. If Genma's willing to go that far for the sake of training, or try what he did with the neko-ken technique, then it's possible that those aren't the only occasions where Ranma would have to travel so far, or be indisposed by training, to the point where it disrupts his schooling and school life.

All he said was "school?" that is hardly him going one way or the other. Genma justifies it by saying how they'll be there a while, with the hint hint that Akane would be there as well. Ranma doesn't argue with Genma about it, he just goes, he even has a backpack. Ranma's rather vocal if he doesn't want to do something, why wouldn't he raise a fuss?

Because, like I said, his opinion of school (whether he cares about it or not), and how and why Genma makes him go to school, are two different things. If Ranma hated school, then it would make sense for him to complain. It has little to nothing to do with the frequency of him going to school in the past. And if Genma really cared, he wouldn't have responded with such a meaningless justification. Oh, just because they plan to stay long enough? It's not because he doesn't want him to fall behind, or to grow up to be an idiot? What kind of lame reasoning is that, if he really cared? "Because we're going to be here for a while," indeed. If he has any (hidden) reason to really care (since his response hinted nothing of it), it's probably because he'd have to spend time with Akane there, as you mentioned.

And plenty of college students pay large sums of money for classes and go goof off in them, so what if Ranma occasionally gets distracted? Without looking up specific incidents, I would also wager that the events you're talking about take place between classes.

That's a very irresponsible response. I pointed out one scenario where he did it, where he could have decided to help get the class started, and he didn't. What does that say about him and what he thinks of his studies? What, the one time I pointed out was just a lark, or a day when he suffered from multiple-personality disorder, or is it not an acceptable example of what kind of personality he has, and how he applies himself to his school work?

And I'm just taking a shot in the dark, here, but wouldn't refusing to wear a uniform be a act/sign of rebellion?

That's because of a poor translation. Ranma really comments on how he did well, and Genma chastises him for his ego. Akane by comparison got an average grade. Your comment also forgets how Ranma was initially unconcerned that he could get a grade that would embarrass him until Hinako couldn't back him up.

You also forget that Ranma often plays things cool, at first, in those kinds of situations. Like he doesn't care, or isn't concerned. And maybe he doesn't, since his classmates (who may or may not have been under the wrong impression, regarding Ranma's actions) had to ask the time that he had ever cared about his grades.

The other thing is that the "correct" translation doesn't make any sense. How could the translators have gotten "be a man and show some shame, will you," wrong? I mean, "be a man and show some humility, will you?" That doesn't sound right. It makes more sense for Ranma to say that he didn't do as badly as he expected, because it's usually a bad score, and Genma hitting him and saying to show some shame because, despite the score not being as low as Ranma expected (and, perhaps, a score that he himself is satisfied with), it's still low according to the standard or average.

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

Not trying to provoke a fight, but Ranma does get upset when Genma brings up the school thing in the anime - however, his choice of language in that scene makes me pretty certain what he was protesting against was just Genma's trying to run his life for him in general, as opposed to going to school specifically. In other words, he doesn't mind the idea of going to school, what bugs him is that Genma is still trying to make Ranma do what Genma wants and giving Ranma no freedom, which is more irritating then usual because the same thing, just yesterday, brought him to a strange home where he was insulted and physically assaulted. Not to mention that allowing Genma to call all the shots was responsible for afflicting him with an ailment he perceives as highly embarrasssing (I can't recall any times when Ranma has not blamed his curse on Genma, and I'm positive that he directly blames Genma for several of the problems that he does get into because of his curse on some occasions).

Is there actually any evidence that Ranma had been to Nerima prior to the events of the series? I know he was able to lead Ryoga to Ryoga's house, but wasn't that in another area (they did hitch a ride on a train to get there), meaning Ranma may have come close to Nerima while attending Junior High School, but didn't neccessarily come to Nerima itself?

Also, is it possible that he wears the Chinese outfit because it's gender-neutral and he's got his curse, which comes out really quickly during the manga? After all, schools take uniforms pretty seriously, so if you have Ranma-girl wearing a boy's uniform, she'd get into trouble (well, anywhere other then Furinkan, at least). Similarly, Ranma-male being caught in a girl's uniform would make Ranma tremendously embarrassed, give him a very bad reputation, and cause any girls who saw him to beat on him.

[LawOhki]

The other thing is that the "correct" translation doesn't make any sense. How could the translators have gotten "be a man and show some shame, will you," wrong? I mean, "be a man and show some humility, will you?" That doesn't sound right. It makes more sense for Ranma to say that he didn't do as badly as he expected, because it's usually a bad score, and Genma hitting him and saying to show some shame because, despite the score not being as low as Ranma expected (and, perhaps, a score that he himself is satisfied with), it's still low according to the standard or average.

Very easily, the ranmascan translators threw in references and things that weren't there, it still doesn't change what was originally said.

That's a very irresponsible response. I pointed out one scenario where he did it, where he could have decided to help get the class started, and he didn't. What does that say about him and what he thinks of his studies? What, the one time I pointed out was just a lark, or a day when he suffered from multiple-personality disorder, or is it not an acceptable example of what kind of personality he has, and how he applies himself to his school work?

And I'm just taking a shot in the dark, here, but wouldn't refusing to wear a uniform be a act/sign of rebellion?

That's a perfectly valid response, you made a big point on how Ranma not going around and being a perfect student shows that he doesn't give a damn about schooling. And now you're claiming that because Ranma didn't get everyone else in line that also means he doesn't care about schooling.

You didn't point out any times, just a vague suggestion that Ranma would take advantage of a lax teacher, chapters and pages please.

Also, from the events with Ryoga, it is clear that Genma didn't care about removing Ranma from school at random points in time. They leave in the middle of the semester according to what I remember

When during the year Genma took Ranma out of that school is never specified, only that it was after Ryoga had challenged him to a duel, or when Ranma arrives at Furinkan, though that is about ~1-2weeks after Jusenkyo, I don't remember which specifically at the moment. And Jusenkyo was if I remember correctly was about 1 month after leaving school, it's hard to remember were this was mentioned, since most of the time references for this were just "training period".

[three headed dog]

But, more importantly, Ranma seems to only *remember* 2 friends from all his time growing up, being Ukyo and Ryoga. If he had an even decent education, he would certainly have had more schoolmates that he was willing to associate with. I mean, Ranma is by no means antisocial in the canon.

Actually Ranma is secretive as all hell and never talks about himself or his past (Akane even complains about Ranma never telling her anything). He could have had thousands of friends and we would never know because Ranma just doesn't talk about them.

before high school, it was probably to avoid getting in trouble with the law.

At what point in the manga or even the anime has Genma ever cared about the law?

because Ranma asks because he didn't expect it, so it wasn't a normal, and thus expected, occurrence.

I don't get this line of reasoning. Ranma didn't expect it not because it wasn't common but because he was still thinking they'd only stay a little while and then leave to try and find a cure in my opinion.

I pointed out one scenario where he did it, where he could have decided to help get the class started, and he didn't. What does that say about him and what he thinks of his studies?

Nothing since it is only one class, English which is of very little importance to most people in Japan and is not even taught very well in most places. Goofing off in one class that has little to no importance really is not going to cause a problem and he was not the only one who was doing so everyone in the class was doing so as well. Also remember even Akane goofs off (she slept in class multiple times) and cut class with Ukyo in one arc. Also recall in Japan basically doing good on tests is all that matters. You can do extremely poorly in class work or even cut class (very common in Japan since in Japan it is very rare for the teachers to take attendance, most do not, since you are paying to go there and if you don't show up they don't really care particularly if you do well on tests).

Is there actually any evidence that Ranma had been to Nerima prior to the events of the series? I know he was able to lead Ryoga to Ryoga's house, but wasn't that in another area (they did hitch a ride on a train to get there), meaning Ranma may have come close to Nerima while attending Junior High School, but didn't neccessarily come to Nerima itself?

No and Ryoga's house is explicitly stated to be in another ward when Akane gets off the bus to visit it.

And maybe he doesn't, since his classmates (who may or may not have been under the wrong impression, regarding Ranma's actions) had to ask the time that he had ever cared about his grades.

Ranma is extremely competitive and does care about his image. For him to do poorly would be out of character since that would make people think he is dumb (something Ranma would do basically anything to avoid people thinking). In Japan, in real life and pretty much every anime involving schools like Kare Kano (His and her circumstances) or Azumanga daoih, the schools post the students test grades on the walls so the students should have an idea as to where Ranma ranks in the class scholastically (besides students often look at other students grades to compare everywhere).

he thought his test score would have been worse (when it was broadcast on TV)

That is only because the principal implied they were bad. Everything I see points out to him doing at least average like his not caring at first if the principal read them out (since they would not be all that bad) and his statement about how it is impossible he does worse than Tatewaki.

[Crescent Pulsar R]

Very easily, the ranmascan translators threw in references and things that weren't there, it still doesn't change what was originally said.

Whenever online scanlations come up, I always hear how they've got something wrong.

And by "doesn't change what was originally said..." I'm not sure in what way that's supposed to mean.

That's a perfectly valid response, you made a big point on how Ranma not going around and being a perfect student shows that he doesn't give a damn about schooling. And now you're claiming that because Ranma didn't get everyone else in line that also means he doesn't care about schooling.

Sigh. I wasn't arguing that he has to be a perfect student to give a damn about his schooling. And I wasn't claiming that not getting everyone else in line is the reason for why he doesn't care about it, either. I probably should have been more clear with you, but I argued the point from something you said in your first post:

Ranma likely had a rather normal schooling, education wise. We know that Ranma had a school uniform while he went with Ryoga. Those aren't cheap, and would be a good indication that Genma took his schooling seriously. Being the cheap ass that he is, would Genma really drop down money for a uniform, and then on top of that pay for Ranma to be in high school if he didn't think it was important?

I was arguing that, had Genma taken Ranma's education seriously, and thought it important, that would have been instilled in him, to some degree or another, and it would have showed in the classroom. Perhaps not to the point where he tries to organize the whole class (though, if he really cared, he would have helped Ninomiya, as he often does for other people; even strangers), but at least to the point where he checks his own behavior.

You didn't point out any times, just a vague suggestion that Ranma would take advantage of a lax teacher, chapters and pages please.

Well, if it will help... ;/ Let's see...

Viz volume twenty-eight, chapter five. Wherein Ranma is eating during class and Akane tells him to at least do it subtly. The next day he's doing it again.

Viz volume thirty-two, chapter ten. Ranma's briefly shown to be eating in class, again.

That's all that I know, and that's all that there may be. But it should be enough.

At what point in the manga or even the anime has Genma ever cared about the law?

He doesn't. Since school before high school is mandatory, what came to mind was a truancy officer seeing Ranma out of school, during school hours. I don't know what kind of trouble Genma would get into, but at the very least it would be inconvenient and I figure, even though he doesn't care much for the law, he does care about being caught.

I probably should have expressed the thought to begin with. ^^;

I don't get this line of reasoning. Ranma didn't expect it not because it wasn't common but because he was still thinking they'd only stay a little while and then leave to try and find a cure in my opinion.

Sounds like a plausible idea. That could be it.

Ranma is extremely competitive and does care about his image. For him to do poorly would be out of character since that would make people think he is dumb (something Ranma would do basically anything to avoid people thinking). In Japan, in real life and pretty much every anime involving schools like Kare Kano (His and her circumstances) or Azumanga daoih, the schools post the students test grades on the walls so the students should have an idea as to where Ranma ranks in the class scholastically (besides students often look at other students grades to compare everywhere).

But the student's complained about their privacy being violated, so Furinkan may not post the test grades. And if it doesn't, then Ranma wouldn't have to worry about his image in this area, since he would be the only one, aside from anyone he decided to share it with, that would know. I figure that the principal wouldn't show everyone's test scores to everyone if everyone was going to see the scores posted, anyway. I dunno. *Shrugs*

That is only because the principal implied they were bad. Everything I see points out to him doing at least average like his not caring at first if the principal read them out (since they would not be all that bad) and his statement about how it is impossible he does worse than Tatewaki.

Maybe. But he could have acted like he didn't care as a front, in case he managed to stop him, thus preventing others from knowing his score. I mean, if he was confident that his score would be good enough, then he probably wouldn't have gotten worried, or later ask Ninomiya what his score was before the scores were taken away by the balloon.