>>80096793I'm pretty sure the point is Ranma maturing to a point to stop following his father's idiotic code of masculinity and realize his mother would never actually make him commit suicide.
He clearly had no interest in Ukyo (even though she's top tier) or Shampoo (same, except for her shitty family), and they both badgered him constantly over something he clearly didn't want to be a part of, and ultimately cost him the cure. Plus, Shampoo already has Cologne, and Ukyo has that trash ninja trap guy.
Akane was always a real cunt to Ranma. I mean, yeah, of course she's canonically the most likely endgame, but we're talking shipping here. So, other than those main three girls, who's really left? Kodachi- who the author clearly forgot about or dropped on purpose immediately? Kasumi, who clearly had a thing for Tofu? Nabiki, who constantly profited off of Ranma's pain and suffering?
Shit, man. Ryoga and Ranma (and sometimes Cologne) are basically the only characters who ever actually got along. Yeah the fought, and yeah Ryoga clearly blamed Ranma for too much shit early on, but come on. They clearly have a mutual respect and tenuous friendship. Ranma never ratted out Ryoga about the P-Chan situation. They fought along side each other numerous times. They share a passion for Martial Arts far stronger than the rest of the cast, by actually training and learning new techniques.
If it helps, you could make Ranma locked in girl form instead of it being a choice. Does it make absolute perfect sense? No, but neither does Tokka or Zutara or Wendip or most other ships.