The FFML Reviews List
======================
For the week of: September 12 - 18, 1998
Reviewers: Paul Arezina <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu>
Helen Szeto <Helen@eiw-ca.com>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
This list is sorted by series, and within each series, ordered
alphabetically, according to last names. The synopses here
represent whatever has been sent to us, from Saturday to Friday.
* * * * *
[Ah! Megami-sama!]
- - - - -
Title: Guard the Future, chapter 1
Series: Aa! Megami-sama!
Genre: Self-insert, comedy-drama
Author: Andrew Huang
Email: alhuang@hcs.harvard.edu
Homepage: http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang/
Date Sent to FFML: Sept. 15, 1998
Size: ~17kb
Summary:
Andrew Huang, guardian angel of a goddess. How does that strike
you? An attempt at a different sort of take on the AMS self-insert. In
summary: Things happen to Andrew, very, very quickly. Let's see how he
deals.
{Paul}
Nice set-up, I must admit. And the narrator knows just when to throw
in the little non-sequiturs ("Wow. Death was pretty.") to break up
the seriousness. This is NOT your average self-insert, my friends.
It's rather plausibly written... and I really don't see The Author
showing up at all; "Andrew" strikes me more as Joe Slightly-Above-
Average than anything else. I have very few, if any, complaints. 16
or 17 out of 20, and keep them cranking out.
{Shunsuke}
Not the usual self-insert, it actually rings out as believable. In
terms of readability, this moves quickly and is easy on the brain.
This first part is really all explanations and not events, so it's
weak in that way, but there's a good sense of humour and knowing
how far to go without going over the top. It's certainly better
than most self-inserts.
- - - - -
Title: Friends and Relations (chapter 1)
Series: Ah! Megamisama
Genre: Original/new chaarcter/maybe a little more 'realistic'. Not dark
Author: David Row
Email: davidrow@ryoohki.demon.co.uk
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML: 10th September 1998
Size: about 11 pages...
Summary:
Chapter 1, in which a new relative of the Norns is introduced.
Like Urd, she's only partly a goddess. Unlike her, she's living in hell.
Until she decides that its necessary to take a... vacation. And what
better way than to meet some of your family you've never seen?
{Paul}
All you people out there who have ethernet connections, and those
of you who don't, you'll find you patron demon in this story if you
look close enough. That said, this is actually quite an interesting
set-up. Can't really say much about canon, 'cause this DOESN'T
brush too much with the canon. And there's a nice dash of humor in
it too. Can't wait for the brown stuff to hit the fan. 14 or 15 out
of 20.
{Shunsuke}
This is *nice* characterization, both of the original and the new
characters. The way Ashtoreth and the other new beings are
portrayed fits very well within the settings of AMS/OMG. The fact
that the new characters come from Babylonian myths doesn't quite
fit with the Norweigian original of Belldandy et al, but it's a
better choice than Greek myths since there's no separate hell there.
To me, this is one worth watching for.
* * * * *
[Armitage III]
- - - - -
Title: A Place in this World
Series: Armitage III
Genre: WAFF?
Author: Ukyou Kuonji
Email: ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/ukyoukwnji/index.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 9/17/98
Size: 4K
Summary:
Naomi Armitage's late-night thoughts on her existance and her
'partnership' with Ross. Takes place shortly after the events in
'Polymatrix'
{Shunsuke}
This one does a good job of providing emotion and characterization
and basic details of the series so that you need not know anything
about it. (And a good thing, too, in my case. ^_^) The necessary
details for a non-viewer of Armitage III are short, crisp, and
complete. But the brevity is part of the only problem with this:
there's really not much meat on the bones. It's a taster, but not
enough for a meal.
* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis / Oh My Goddess!]
- - - - -
Title: Once and Future Goddess Chapter 5: A Time of Chaos (v 2.0)
Series: Bubblegum Crisis/Oh My Goddess!
Genre: Crossover, New Character
Author: Nikholas "Radler" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph, radler@tri-isys.com, makoto@smarqweb.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/ofg.html
Date Sent to FFML: 0739H 25 Aug 98 (+0800H)
Size: 52 KB
Summary:
The trouble intensifies as a trap laid for the Knight
Sabers is sprung, catching Leon, his sister and his all-but-forgotten
charge in the fray. The plot thickens as Skuld begins work, and
Genom's sinister new scheme unfolds.
{Shunsuke}
The plot isn't the only thing thickening, so is the melting pot
with everything being thrown in. Things are getting a little too
cramped here. While the writer is good at characterization and
understands how much to tell (such as the bare minimum to explain
Sylvie and Anri being alive), the amount of things makes me worry
if he can keep track of it all.
Having said that, this is readable, and better than the earlier
parts since the author stopped using offhand comments that took
away from the story. It's good stuff if you don't mind several
series being mixed together.
* * * * *
[MegaCrossover]
- - - - -
Title: Mystery Wrestling Kaiju Theater 3000: Coming of Munihousen 1
Series: MSTers: WCW and Kaiju Egia Fic: SM and Overfiend
Genre: Lemon MST
Authors: Flashman, Lynxara, and Dinobot
Email: MXJK67C@Prodigy.com
Date Sent to FFML: 9/19/98
Size: 140K
Summary:
Wrestlers and Kaiju unite to take on the Great Red Serpent's
horror, "The Coming of Munihousen". Fear the mind controling powers
of Porn(tm) and beware of the cucumber.
[The review for both parts follows the synopsis of part 2.]
- - - - -
Title: Mystery Wrestling Kaiju Theater: Coming of Munihousen 2
Series: MSTers: WCW and Kaiju Egia Fic: SM and Overfiend
Genre: Lemon MST
Authors: Flashman, Lynxara and Dinobot
Email: MXJK67C@Prodigy.com
Date Sent to FFML: 9/19/98
Size: 140K
Summary:
The power of Porn(tm) strikes again! We learn just how much
a wuss Tudexo Kamen is. Tremble at the sheer agony that only goes by
the title... "Zeke and Bill."
{Paul}
You know, the problem with this sort of MSTing is that, to fully
appreciate it, one must *shudder* Read The Fic. Even with most of
the naughty bits snipped out by mutual consent, I still found my
mind screaming at the utter and complete stupidity and Just Plain
WRONGness (tm) of it all. And, to be completely honest, I think
that's how the authors felt, too. The riffs... they didn't help
much, I'm afraid. Not much at all. I think there's some sort of
commandment of MiSTing which says that the fic itself has to have
SOME merit for the MiSTing to be tolerable. There WERE jokes, but I
think this fic came as close to breaking the spirits of those who
watched it as any fic ever has... I can only give this about 12 or
13 out of 20... the riffing would have to be Hamdinger-worthy all
the way through for me to rank it much higher than that.
- - - - -
Title: Revelations, a fanfic by Chad Yang
Series: x/Over
Genre: x/Over, FanficFanfic
Author: Chad Yang
Email: nanashi96@hotmail.com
Homepage: (in a week) http://www.nanashimanga.com
Date Sent to FFML: Sat, 19 Sep 1998
Size: 140 K
Summary:
It appears to be spin-off from Long Ngo's Past/Future. Two characters
arrive to make some minor changes to the plotline. The changes start to
have some large repercussions, eventually having great impact on the
ending. To be continued . . .
{Shunsuke}
I much prefer the original; this script style is much more difficult
to read than most. The constant descriptions of backgrounds and
scenes is more than is necessary for the reader, reading some well
known plays will show this. Also, most if not all readers will be
familiar with NGE, so descriptions this extensive should not be
needed.
The flashbacks and jumping back and forth between scenes and time
are done at the right times. This story would be much better and
would be a great read if it were in story format. Nothing is
overdone, and no behaviours or actions of characters are
unrealistic or unusual. I only hope we see a rewrite sometime,
this deserves it.
* * * * *
[Original]
- - - - -
Title: The Dragon's Tower - Part 3
Series: Original
Genre: Orig. - Anime Feel
Author: Andy Skuse
Email: askuse@lonet.ca
Homepage: http://www.Lonet.ca/res/askuse/dragons
Date Sent to FFML: Sept. 07/98
Size: 9K
Summary:
Part 3 - Kajagua investigates the second floor of the mysterious
tower and finds a room filled with ancient objects and weapons of great
beauty and grace. A magic light fills the room, and he is once again sent
to another place and time, but this time he may not be able to get back.
{Paul}
Again... very nice description. But I don't think some of the
formatting you wanted made it through. I can see the room and the
forest clearing very nicely, but the problem I have with this
chapter is the same as the ones before; just as I begin to enjoy
this wonderfully painted world, it's yanked away because the
story's over. Wait a little longer before you post the next few
chapters, hmm? 9 of 10 on the short scale... can't rate it on
anything broader, I'm afraid.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: I Don't Want to Fall...Again
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: One Shot
Author: Florencio B. de la Merced, Jr.
Email: fmerced@pworld.net.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/3641/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: September 19, 1998
Size: 21 Kb
Summary:
Akane goes ballistic after discovering someone else has been cooking for
Ranma.
{Paul}
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Well, perhaps not THAT extreme, but it was rather
humorous, when one reached the end. But getting there... gah. It's
an interesting study in how everyone seems to interpret the
Ranmaverse, and how Occam's razor has evolved to fit into Nerima.
Though one feels a bit of pity for the poor boy... can't manage to
do anything without the tacit approval of one or more fiancees...
which leads me to wonder if this is really as canon as one would
think. 12 or 13 out of 20... it's good writing, I'll grant, but the
few mistakes here and there and the not-quite-right way some of the
character interactions struck me dragged it down.
{Shunsuke}
This was funny, and everything that happens makes sense, I just
can't buy the idea that Ranma wouldn't tell Akane where he gets his
lunch from; even the Baka would realize there's no harm in telling
the truth this time. ^_^
- - - - -
Title: Ranma 1/2: The Princess Bride
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Comedy/Fusion
Author: Josh Green
Email: sort@bucket.ualr.edu
Homepage: http://bucket.ualr.edu/~sort/fanfic/
Date Sent to FFML: 9/14/98
Size: ~60k
Summary:
Ranma and company replace the normal cast of the movie "The Princess
Bride." But several of the players have their own agendas
{Paul}
*pfft* GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This is, if possible, even more
insane than the original movie, and I loved every minute of it. Had
to go over the scripts to make sure... but this is a truly apt
fusion of the original script with standard Ranmaverse wackiness.
A perfect 10 for humor, and 18 and up out of 20 overall.
- - - - -
Title: The Bet - Turning the Tables
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Humour
Author: Ukyou Kuonji
Email: ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/ukyoukwnji/index.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 9/16/98
Size: 18K
Summary:
When there's more than one god of chaos, strange things happen when
they get together. For one thing, all the deities that have come forward to
meet Toltiir's challenge have done so to create the largest effect with the
smallest change. Loki, however, has other plans... but they're all in fun.
{Paul}
Oh dear. *pfft* Now THAT was... different, certainly. But one
wonders... didn't Konatsu's extended family show up at some point
in the manga? That confrontation is likely going to be drastically
different. DRASTICALLY different. Not quite so different as the
huge, sweeping changes one has come to expect from these stories,
but still different. 8 of 10, though... a very extraordinary entry
for this particular series...
- - - - -
Title: The Relic
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Sadfic/crossover
Author: Ukyou Kuonji
Email: ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/ukyoukwnji/index.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 9/7/98
Size: 9K
Summary:
The story of a very special bra and panties from a very special girl
in one of Happosai's previous incarnations. It's a bit anachronistic, but
if
you can get past that...
{Paul}
Anachronistic? Happy's got the Nanban mirror. There IS no such
thing as anachronistic. But even so... this is one of those things
that makes you think, and is sad beyond the scopes of the two
series that spawn it. A very touching little short... 9 of 10 on
the short scale.
- - - - -
Title: When Ranma Was Two (part one)
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Reality, Humourous
Author: Matthew Lewis
Email: maybeso@ican.net
Date sent: 09/15/98
Size: 41kb
Summary:
Instead of getting dunked in SoD Girl, Ranma got dunked in the
SoD Twins, so when hit with cold water there's two of him. This part has
the arrival at the Tendo dojo, Genma with hair, the first day of school,
and encounters with Tatewaki Kuno and Nodoka. Is being twice the man he
used to be before Jusenkyo still enough for Ranma to be a manly man?
{Paul}
Hmm. Yes? Just a WILD guess here, you realize. All things
considered, though, this is actually a look at what MIGHT have
happened in the Ranmaverse had Ranma not fallen into a spring at
all. I'm still looking for an alternate universe fanfic which plops
Ranma (or, worse yet, GENMA) into the Spring of Drowned Holy Man.
This is rather like many other alternate universe fanfics, in that
it starts OUT the same way, but this one diverges from the expected
plot formula a LOT more quickly. That's a fairly good thing. 15 or
16 out of 20... and keep them coming.
- - - - -
Title: Doors Best Left Unopened part 12
Series: Ranma
Genre: Serious/Darkish
Author: Mark MacKinnon
Email: emmack@ibm.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/8225
Date Sent to FFML: Sept.9/98
Size: 68 K
Summary:
After a disastrous start, Tofu and Kasumi try to salvage their first date.
Nodoka offers Ranma some advice about women. When Ryouga doesn't show up to
meet her, an angry Reiko stalks off, unaware that the seductive Lady Wynneth
is hot on her trail. Wynneth arranges a "chance" meeting with her quarry
and uses her wiles to lull the usually wary girl, wanting Reiko under
her spell so she can use her in the fight against Riana.
Where's Ryouga? Lost. Go figure.
{Paul}
Oh good LORD. Tofu's acting sane around Kasumi, Nodoka is going to
make sure Ranma ISN'T married immediately right away pronto, Ranma
and Akane are acting like honeymooners, Mousse is falling for Ukyo,
and Ryoga's caring for someone other than Akane or Akari. (Speaking
of which, where is the breeder of sumo pigs?) This is NOT the Ranma
1/2 we know and love. Call it a tribute to the story and your
skills that Ranma can be so twisted from mainstream and yet have
everything that happens feel... well, I'd be lying if I said it all
felt RIGHT, but... natural. I can't wait until the Forces of
Darkness lock horns with the tightly knit web of friendship that
pervades Nerima. Heck, they've started already. Keep up the good
work. 18 and up out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: The Setting Moon: Painted Mornings
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Nikholas "Rain Man" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/setmoon.html
Date Sent to FFML: 1623H 19 Sep 98 (+0800H)
Size: 33 KB
Summary:
Turn to the visions of the sky, brushing the colors
tickling your waking soul. Palette the morn: are you blue in
the now, with a past of murky ink, but ruddy to change the day?
{Paul}
This is... well, it follows the tradition of previous works, being
more of a study in colors and emotions and reactions than a story
with gripping plot and cliffhangers spread throughout. And, as
such, it is most successful in capturing and describing what
little it chooses to focus on. Not that that's necessarily a bad
thing. Or that this is a bad work of fiction. 16 or 17 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: [Wheel of Fire] #8: Doco in Hawaii, part 3
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Razorclaw X
Email: spiceoflife@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranff.html
Date Sent to FFML: 9/15/98
Size: 70k
Summary:
The last three days of the gang's vacation in Hawaii. The worst
is behind them as they rest and relax in Oahu... or is it?
{Paul}
And here we go 'round again.... This story continues to be proof
positive that a continuation fic can be written which doesn't
entail any major changes on the part of one or more characters.
Rant at me all you want, but look at what I said about the latest
chapter in the Shadow Chronicles. Compared to that, these
characters are essentially the same, even though the ties that bind
are clicking into place for more and more of them. But hey...when
adversity threatens, the Nerimites tend to stick together, ne? One
of the better chapters, with some nice fight scenes and interludes
that are finally getting away from the cliche-ridden chapters that
came before. 14 or 15 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Shampoo 1/2 Chapter 35 Those Who Would Dare Dream of Tomorrow II
Part B
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Universe
Author: D.B. Sommer
Email: sommer@nb.net
Summary:
The second part of the trip to China. Ranma tries to sort his feelings out
between Akane and Shampoo. Madame Lao crosses paths with her nemesis,
Captain D'Amour once again and Ukyou as well as Perfume has a decision to
make.
{Paul}
Let's see... lots of things happening aboard the Worthless Piece
of... ah, you know. Add up all the relationships, the absolute
unbridled perversion that IS Captain D'Amour meeting the
unbridled... something... of Madame Lao, that killer battle scene
in the raging sea, the funny bits ("I HATED that movie!" Though I
really think the ribbon and chain should have wrapped around
D'Amour's legs and dragged them to opposite sides of a railing
post... did I just write that? Whoops.) and the Machina Ex Deus
Ex Machina Out Of Absolutely Freaking Nowhere that closes the
chapter... I laughed. I cried. I screamed. I WANT MORE. 18 and up
out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Stigma Parts 1 & 2
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Thriller
Author: J. Austin Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net
Homepage: http://www.psn.net/~wildeman/
Date Sent to FFML: 8 & 9 September 1998
Size: 54K, 40K
Summary:
A serial killer has begun his ugly craft in Nerima, preying on
young women. Inspector Takeda Jiro of the Tokyo Prefectural Police is
called in to investigate, and finds that in Nerima, nothing is quite
what it seems. Can he catch the killer before the stigma of serial
murder stains Japan's reputation forever?
{Paul}
Gah. Just... just gah. Gah and a half. This is incredibly detailed
writing, all focused toward one of the better whodunits I've seen
in a long time. Heck, we don't even know exactly WHAT's being done,
let alone why, where, how... it's ALL in the dark, and everyone's
a suspect. Heck, everyone's got some agenda, hidden or no, from the
looks of things. Eagerly awaiting whatever sort of closure you can
bring to this. 18 and up out of 20.
{Shunsuke}
While I am in *no* way suggesting this is plagiarism, I get the
feeling that this idea came up after Uncle Fester's "Kunophilia",
the police reactions and settings are that similar. But, for an
amateur writer this certainly rings true (if not too American) as
a police story. An A.A. Fair fan, are you? O_o
I get the feeling this has a long way to go before it finishes,
and that there will be quite a few new suspects and red herrings
before things ever come to a head...either that, or there's only
one more part and I already know who the killer is. O_- This is
definitely one to continue reading.
* * * * *
[Ranma 2096]
- - - - -
Title: Fatale (Alpha Draft)
Series: Ranma 2096
Genre: Adventure
Author: Adrian Wong
Editor: Chris Willmore
Email: 7ahw@qlink.queensu.ca
Homepage: http://qlink.queensu.ca/~4cw6/2096a.htm
Date Sent to FFML: Sept. 11, 1998
Size: 65 K
Summary:
A brilliant and beautiful young girl steps violently into the lives of
Gosunkugi Sakuin, head geneticist of Onocorp, and Daimonji Chashaku, head
technician of the Kunou Foundation.
{Paul}
You go, Cologne-chan! I saw it coming from a mile away. Two miles,
even. That doesn't mean I didn't revel in it when the madwoman
making a power play was finally unmasked. Very nice writing, if a
bit... dark and/or disgusting in places for my tastes, in a
continuity which should be an anime in its own right. 15 or 16 out
of 20.
* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyo!]
- - - - -
Title: Full Circle, Episode 7b
Series: Tenchi Muyou
Genre: Self-Insertion
Author: Adam Christopher Leigh
Email: Omicron@sprynet.com
Homepage: http://dogbert.simplenet.com/Tempest/fiction.html
Date Sent to FFML: September 20, 1998
Size: 30k
Summary:
The Time and Space Adventures segment of Full Circle continues as the
Tenchi cast finds themselves trapped within Sasami's 'magical-girl'
world where love and happyness is encouraged and hatred and evil is
combated by Pretty Sami.
Script Format. Part 2/3
{Shunsuke}
I never really did like the original stories in the TASA tape
(except for Ryouko as a gangster ^_^), so this is a welcome change.
It seems consistent with most of the TM! character behaviours,
although I'd mark up any differences to the author's viewpoint and
interpretation. The new/self-insert character is not one I've
seen before who doesn't seem to do much beyond being a go-fer, but
thankfully he's not an ever-annoying avatar. ^_^
This is a little hard for me to take at times, but that's due to my
not being a script-format fan. But just what is this <beat> thing?
It would help the reader to have symbols like this explained in the
author's notes. Overall, though, pleasant reading.
- - - - -
Title: Full Circle, Episode 7c
Series: Tenchi Muyou
Genre: Self-Insertion
Author: Adam Christopher Leigh
Email: Omicron@sprynet.com
Homepage: http://dogbert.simplenet.com/Tempest/fiction.html
Date Sent to FFML: September 20, 1998
Size: ~45k
Summary:
The Time and Space Adventures segment of Full Circle comes to a close
with Ryouko's world of high speed gangster chases. In Script format,
part 3/3.
If you've missed previous sections of this story, they are available
at the above link.
{Shunsuke}
Fairly similar to the original TV episodes, this is touching but not
as strong as the previous parts _because_ it follows too closely.
Maybe with a different set of events it would be better, but the
mother/daughter interaction is nice.
- - - - -
Title: Jurai's Debt part 3
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Author: Doug Whiddon
Email: Doug_w@geocities.com
Date Sent to FFML: thurs sept. 17 1998
Size: 19
Summary:
Tenchi gets married and the gang leave for Jurai
{Shunsuke}
This part is a little less vague than the first two, and feels more
like a regular episode of the series. (I don't mean "vague" as in
confused or messy, but more to do with the reader not knowing what's
going on in the background.) It's funny how Tenchi now no longer
has to choose which girl to marry, though whether he'll survive is
another matter. O_- I still don't know if I buy Kiyone giving up
on her career to marry a pervert, but the explanation seems
plausible. ^_^ All in all, a nice way to finish the week.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of the Reviews List for the week of September 12 - 18, 1998
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