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