Subject: From the RAAS group....
From: RPM - acct 3/5
Date: 1/14/1996, 2:22 PM
To: fanfic list


I just saw this on the newsgroup and I thought you guys would wanna
have a look at it.

I guess I'll reply to it later...

-Rod M.

=======================================================================

From: talswapr@aol.com (Talswapr)
Subject: [DISCUSS] Comments on Recent Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction

Comments on Recent Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
by Taleswapper

Last fall, I posted a listing of my favorite fan fiction based 
on Ranma 1/2 released over the previous 12 months.  The stories 
I chose were:

"Stepping Stones - Ukyou's Tale" by Benares
"Ranma .05" by Darren Demaine
"Juyza's Lyric" by Stefan Gagne
"Akane por Siempre" by R. Garza
"Girls' Night Out" by Jeffrey Hosmer
"Winter," "Spring," and "Summer" by Joseph Palmer
"Ryouga: The Shampoo Variation" by Mark Latus

I also picked from among older stories three Charter Inductees 
to my Ranma Fanfic Hall of Fame:

"Putting Your Heart in the Right Place" by John Biles
"Ranma's Timeslip" or "Ranma 1/2: Actor in the Mirror" by 
Christian Gadekan
"Ranma 1/2: Kanketsuhen '93" by Richard Uyeyama

I very much enjoyed the resulting correspondence I had with 
fanfic authors (both on and off my list) and readers.  

The last quarter of 1995 was a remarkably fruitful period in 
the production of high quality Ranma fanfics.  These included 
new installments in some of my favorite stories.  Rather than 
wait nine months, I am motivated to share my thoughts on the 
best stories from this period.  As with my "Best of 95" picks, 
my principal criterion for qualifying as a favorite is 
"re-readability." A story has to be sufficiently well crafted 
or interesting that I would not only enjoy it a first time, but 
also be drawn to read it again.  The things that tend to bring 
me back are expertly styled prose, natural dialogue, deep 
characterization, and original plot elements.

Naturally, a story in which I found none of these qualities 
would not deserve a second look.  It is possible, however, for 
a fanfic to have some or all of those good points, yet still be 
uninviting for a re-read.  That's where a second principal 
criterion, brevity, kicks in.  I'll rarely go back for another 
look at stories that are very long and complex, even if I know 
they're good.  For example, while I enjoyed John Biles' "Ranma 
1/2: Lemonade," its daunting length and maddeningly intricate 
and multifarious organization (however deliberate for the sake 
of satire) make unlikely a return visit from this reader.

With these criteria explained, I present my remarks on my 
favorite Ranma fanfics posted since my "Best of 95" list.  
Again, I invite responses  from authors and readers.

"Regarding Ranma" by Jason Ashton

Actually, I don't have much to say about this one.  Ashton's 
writing style, while pleasing and eminently readable, is not 
especially distinctive and does not invite analysis.  The story 
(borrowed from the movie "Regarding Henry") is touching and the 
Ranma character remarkably sensitive, a nice if unexciting 
change.

One other observation: somewhere, someone is probably writing a 
Ranma story that has a climactic scene that looks much like 
Ashton's opening scene.  It just goes to show how far ahead of 
other fanfic authors he is.

"Furinkan Summer Episode 3: Prom Madness! Will you dance with 
me?" by John Walter Biles

The story begun in "Putting Your Heart in the Right Place" 
continues with my favorite installment of Furinkan Summer thus 
far.  More than the first two episodes, "Prom Madness" matches 
the appeal of "Right Place" with similar pacing through 
multiple, though easy-to-follow, plotlines.  Episode 1 was 
almost a self-contained story, with its reverse "Bring Back the 
Brides" plot.  After that diversion, Episode 2 seemed little 
more than a reintroduction to the main storylines, unmemorable 
except for the absolutely hilarious musical chairs scene.  In 
the third installment, however, Biles sets readers firmly back 
in the fun universe he crafted with remarkable fidelity to the 
anime/manga in "Right Place."

This story features The Best Kiss in all Ranma fan fiction, 
surpassing the beautifully crafted and true-to-the-characters 
smooch in Christian Gadekan's "Ranma's Timeslip." Realistic, 
well choreographed, and deeply detailed, Ranma and Ukyou's 
illicit encounter is a moment to re-read over and over.  Part 
of the kiss's appeal is the splendid emotional buildup: Ranma's 
recognition of Ukyou's continuing anguish; her courageous 
persistence in their just-friends relationship; his admission 
of feelings that he buried to consolidate his engagement.  
Biles really nailed this scene.

Thus, pleasingly, the kiss reopens the most intriguing 
storyline from "Right Place": Ranma's ambivalence between Ukyou 
and Akane.  This theme, one of Biles' rare contradictions of 
the anime/manga precedents, was very well explored in the 
precursor story until it was dropped far too suddenly after 
Ranma's big decision was made (made, perhaps not 
coincidentally, after a First Kiss).  Hopefully, the 
ambivalence theme will make a return so that it can be more 
fully probed.

It was also nice to see Mariko in this episode.  I would be 
interested to see Biles' handling of other one-shot characters 
from the anime and manga.  Good use of returning "guest stars" 
was a saving grace in Roy Rim's "Split Personalities."

"Ranma .05 Vol. 2 Part 5: My Love Shall Never Waver" by Darren 
Demaine

My comments from "Best of 95" on the previous installments of 
"Ranma .05" apply here as well.  Specifically, Demaine is one 
of the best writers in the world of Ranma fan fiction.  His 
plots are well conceived and his scripting is artistically 
sound.  That said, I must admit that, although I found "Never 
Waver" to be as entertaining as the rest of "Ranma .05," it's 
probably my least favorite part of Volume 2.  Much of my 
displeasure is caused by Shampoo's pidgin speech, just too hard 
to take in doses as large as we got in this story.  Perhaps it 
would have been better to have all the dialogue in "translated 
Chinese," enabling Shampoo to speak more eloquently.

Demaine was wise to reject use of the hackneyed plot device 
involving misdirected potion.  The manner in which he did bring 
Shampoo and Mousse together was much better, yet vaguely 
unsatisfying.  It certainly did not work as well as Ryouga and 
Ukyou's accidental romance in Part 2.  The pairing of Shampoo 
and Mousse, absent Ranma's death or marriage, may never be 
believable given her clearly established disinterest in and 
repeatedly expressed disdain for the duck boy.

I was surprised to learn from Demaine's post-story notes that 
some readers of chapter 4 felt that "Ranma and Akane were too 
experienced with each other, and that the reason they got 
together was rather shaky."  I thought the plotting of the 
chapter was flawless (especially the overarching story 
concerning Mousse's new technique).  On the "too experienced" 
issue, it seems to me that two extremely successful trysts plus 
the shared trauma of a possible accidental pregnancy provide a 
world of experience for a couple.  As far the asserted 
shakiness of Ranma and Akane's latest coupling: what else could 
result when two people with a sexual history find themselves 
alone together, naked, in a tub of hot water?

"Magical Interludes: December's End" by J.K. Hayashi

Though this story might need a rewrite to make my "Best of 
'96," it is certainly interesting enough for me to re-read and 
to comment on extensively.  The author deserves high praise for 
three of the most fascinating creations in Ranma fanfic: the 
Saotome daughters.  Hayashi ably pulled out of the 
alternate-words concept three new characters that I am eager to 
see developed more deeply.  Their life histories are very 
interesting, invoking what-if speculations about Ranma and 
three possible wives.  Although Hayashi has not devoted much 
prose to giving Ayuki, Keiko, and Midori distinctive 
personalities, the author does give them all plenty of room to 
react to the new universe they find themselves in.

The downsides of this fanfic, however, are profound.  First and 
most important is the awkward overall style of composition.  By 
using a minimalist script style supplemented by long sections 
of unstyled synopsis, the author elects to put little effort 
into imagery, action, symbolism, and the other chores of 
wordcraft that make fictional prose worthwhile for the reader.  
That's too bad, because Hayashi shows promise in at least one 
area: the dialogue reads much better than average, with some 
easily dismissed exceptions (e.g., the Saotome girls' 
unreasonably succinct introductory monologues, most of 
everything uttered by J.D.).  I heartily encourage a rewrite 
because the writing style does not do justice to Hayashi's 
enviable creation, the Saotome daughters.  Ayuki, Keiko, and 
Midori are stars that deserve a better movie.

They also deserve better scenery.  The "magical" backdrop for 
the story is tired and uninteresting.   Its milieu of global 
upheaval, often described in the trite TV newscast format, is 
reminiscent of the crossover "epics" that have plagued American 
comic books for the last decade.  I find entirely unnecessary 
the whole story element revolving around "Magic has come into 
the world" (Wasn't it there already?  Or does Hayashi plan an 
explanation "based on scientific principle" of curses, 
hauntings, enchantments, and other established magical elements 
of the Ranma universe?).  I had hoped that I'd read the passing 
of that part of "December's End" with the departure of the 
unappealing distraction named J.D., who was more an explanatory 
note than a character.  But it looks like the story of Magic's 
advent and effects, with all its comic- book cliches, will 
continue to intrude as part of the new subplot concerning 
Cologne's martial arts battalion.

Of course it's possible that I am viewing this fanfic upside 
down: perhaps it's not meant to focus on the Saotome daughters; 
maybe all that magic prattle is the real story and not merely 
an out-of- control attempt to explain how the girls got here 
(Given my admiration for the very idea of Ranma's daughters, I 
would have accepted any old cop-out explanation); maybe the 
daughters are merely a subplot.  But I've made clear whose 
story I think most deserves telling.

"Lies" by Jeffrey Paul Hosmer

This story leads my "Best of 96" listing so far.  In the 
preface, the author warns readers that the story is scary.  
Reading it, I was not scared but delighted that the suspense 
genre had been so successfully applied to Ranma fan fiction.  
The author has crafted a tale of guilt, betrayal, and 
psychological horror that blends elements of "Fatal Attraction" 
and "The Telltale Heart." Hosmer has an ability, first 
displayed in "Girls' Night Out," to portray the complex 
workings of thought and emotion without using overly 
sophisticated language or structure.

The plotting is ingenious not because of the big surprises, but 
because of how they are unveiled. Too many suspense authors and 
screenwriters take the easy way out: hiding the truth from the 
reader/audience and then springing it on them from out of 
nowhere, going for the easy shock effect.  Far more effective 
and satisfying are the stories in which unexpected truths, or 
genuine hints to them, are revealed less ostentatiously, and 
the readers/viewers can uncover the horror by themselves.  
Because the author pretty much reveals Ryouga's secret at the 
very beginning of the story, the readers are lulled into some 
complacency; we are unprepared for the horrifying surprises 
about the other victim of Ryouga's crime.

The scenes of violence in "Lies" are far more chilling than in 
other self-proclaimed "dark" fanfics, not because of the gory 
detail, but because of the psychological backdrop that Hosmer 
has painted in his descriptions of the combatants.

A couple of almost-amusing lines distract from the 
fascinatingly dark mood of the story, but these are mostly nods 
to established anime/manga continuity and answers to the 
inevitable "But whatever happened to . . . ?" questions.  I 
liked the sudden yet smooth transition to the courtroom 
flashback, done without clumsy, obtrusive introduction.

"The More Things Change" by Rod M.

I almost stopped reading this one after the first couple of 
paragraphs.  I'm glad I didn't.  "Things Change" is this year's 
"Putting Your Heart in the Right Place."  Rod's work matches 
Biles' in scope, in creative extrapolation from the source 
material, and in quality of humor.  The author skillfully 
handles the huge cast and the multiple connected plotlines.  
His prose style, though its tone is too often tongue-in-cheek, 
is competent and readable.

I haven't gotten around to giving "Things Change" a full 
re-read (but I will!), so my comments are sparser than if the 
whole work were fresh in my mind.  As I said, I almost quit 
this file immediately.  I found the "normality" introduction 
unnecessary and rather poorly written.  But then I kept 
reading, I was pleasantly surprised by the excitingly 
fast-paced, chaotic preludes that firmly established the story 
_in medias res_. 

The clumsy introduction aside, the overall story of Ranma's 
life complications transferring to Ryouga was a great idea.  
More importantly, Rod's resulting plotlines were implemented 
well enough to do justice to that idea.  Nicely done is 
Ryouga's relationship with Ukyou and her redefinition as 
Ryouga's "Akane."  The dialogues between the two were some of 
the best passages in the story.  Ryouga's new curse and the 
transitions of Shampoo, Kodachi, and Kunou from Ranma to Ryouga 
are logical and often very funny.  The misunderstanding that 
arose from Kodachi in disguise was hilarious.  The Gosunkugi 
subplots were pretty boring; I ignored them.

The introduction of an irrational rival (which Ryouga played 
for Ranma) for Ryouga produced mixed results.  I have to admire 
Rod's craftsmanship in creating all the characters from the 
silly weapons school of martial arts (is Ryoko the new 
"Ukyou?").  But Ryo is not much of a Ryouga substitute because 
he inspires none of the sympathy that Ryouga deserved as 
Ranma's rival.; Ryo just isn't likeable, or even pitiable. 

"Autumn" by Joseph Palmer

The author I praised as the Best Writer in my "Best of 95" post 
again struts in his stuff in this satisfying conclusion to the 
"seasons" series.  Once again, Palmer treats us to masterful 
imagery and poetic phrasing.  More emotionally intense than the 
previous stories, "Autumn" elicits a more acute response from 
the reader than the sense of comfortable intimacy that marked 
the other seasons.  Akane's reaction to the possibility that 
Ranma might move away, and his clumsy attempts to comfort her, 
truly draw the reader's sympathy.

As in "Winter" and "Spring," Akane and Ranma are drawn closer 
together when they share a memory associated with the seasonal 
ambience.  Palmer's script for that sensitive moment flows like 
natural conversation; you can almost hear her voice cracking.

To the extent that this series had a plot, "Winter" wraps it up 
neatly.  Because the story moves toward a "logical" conclusion, 
rather than merely presenting a romantic "slice of life," it 
lacks some the charm of its predecessors.  That's no flaw, 
since "Winter," Spring" and "Summer" absolutely exploded with 
charm and appeal.  "Summer" is my favorite story in this 
series.  I was touched by the subtle beach imagery, the lightly 
humorous climax, the stirring description of Ranma's simple 
pride in his life's work, and the portrayal of an Akane that 
anyone would fall in love with.

I hope that the conclusion of the seasons series prompts Palmer 
to apply his peerless writing style to other elements of the 
Ranma universe.

"Tales of Ranma & Nabiki" by Jeff Rutsch

After reading the first four chapters of this story, I'm ready 
for a lot more.  I liked the understated alternate-history 
plotline, not as radical as the Elseworlds stories, but just as 
fascinating.  The love triangle in "Ranma & Nabiki" is even 
more intriguing than the Ranma- Akane-Ukyou situation in John 
Biles' stories.  Especially fascinating because of its novelty 
is the principals' active pursuit of each other. Ranma very 
openly declares his preference for Akane and his gladness when 
Nabiki treats him well.  Nabiki makes plain her need for Ranma 
to take their engagement seriously.  And Akane brazenly holds 
out to Ranma the option of changing the betrothal 
arrangements.  Such developments are far more saitsfying than 
the years-long unspoken loves that we anime fans have gotten 
used to.  I'm glad that Rutsch has not sacrificed such plot 
elements to make the story funnier or closer to the "original 
flavor."

The complexities of the triangle relationship are enough to 
fuel this this story.  The author, however, has stated a 
commitment to apply story elements from the existing 
continuity.  It may be very challenging to add other plotlines 
without making the story too cumbersome.  So far, Rutsch has 
handled the introduction of Ryouga well; the character's story 
has folded unobtrusively into the main plotline of "Ranma & 
Nabiki".  Hopefully, when Kodachi, Shampoo, etc. show up, the 
author will do as well.

Rutsch's prose, while not particularly stylish, is smooth and 
easy, without pretense.  The dialogue is well-paced and 
realistic.  Also skillfully handled is the portrayal of 
characters' thoughts, such as the passage where Nabiki 
rationalizes exploiting Ranma for profit.  All in all, "Ranma & 
Nabiki" is well-written enough for me to tolerate the ukelele 
scenes.



In my opinion.

Taleswapper