Shiaw Kang Chi wrote:

I've been reading the Talswapr awards and other fanfic reviews, and it
seems to me that alot of the critics seem to enjoy the more
serious Ranma stories, a departure from the usual Takahashi mayhem.

Looking at my favorite Ranma fanfics I've written about over 
the past 13 months, it certainly looks like I appreciate the 
"serious" stories more than those which are more faithful to 
the manic "anime spirit."  I feel compelled to elaborate some 
rationale for that leaning.  

First of all, it is instructive to determine what exactly 
constitutes an anime-spirit fanfic.  Certainly, fics written as 
if they were scripts for actual lighthearted anime fit the 
bill.  Among the 25 stories I wrote about in fanfic year 1996, 
2 qualify under this definition (Furinkan Summer 3 and Still 
Waters Run Deep p5).  Also, I think that The More Things Change 
belongs in this group.  Though it was not written in script 
format, it could easily have been; TMTC is full of anime-style 
themes, relationships, and humor.  Just as importantly, it does 
not feature the "heavier" or "more-mature" themes (nor 
sophisticated exploration of any themes) that characterize 
serious fics.

If we open the definition of anime-spirit fics to include any 
fics that are not dominated by such "seriousness," then at 
least two more of my 1995 favorites qualify (Daruma 1/2 and 
Ranma .05 v2:p5).  I think it's fair to say that I do not 
exclude from most-favorable consideration fics that are written 
in the anime spirit.

It is also fair to say that my highest esteem is not often 
extended to anime-spirit fics.  None of the five mentioned 
above were among the seven stories I wrote up in the 1996 
Taleswapper Awards.  Of the seven stories in the '95 Awards, 
only two could be (generously) defined as within the anime 
spirit (Girls' Night Out and Ranma .05 through v2:p4).  
Clearly, serious fics predominate among my favorites and among 
my absolute top picks.  Why is that?

To answer the question, it is helpful to review the reasons I 
read and enjoy Ranma fanfics.  As an enthusiastic fan of Ranma 
1/2, I have collected and experienced all the manga and anime, 
and many ancillary products.  And I want more.  So, I turn to 
fan fiction as a continuation of the Ranma mythos that will not 
necessarily end anytime soon, as the manga has and as the anime 
likely soon will.  Simply put: I read Ranma fanfics because I 
very much enjoy Ranma 1/2 and want to explore that universe 
more thoroughly.

It seems to me that fanfics which strive to maintain the anime 
spirit, without significant changes, are less likely to help me 
"cover new ground" in exploring the Ranma universe.  While 
anime-spirit fics can be enjoyable and well crafted (as were the 
examples cited above), they are by definition less effective 
than serious fics in enriching my vision of the Ranma 1/2 
mythos in some appreciable way.

By this criterion - enriching the existing mythos - serious 
fics have an insuperable advantage over anime-spirit stories.  
In serious works, authors can introduce to Ranma 1/2 mature or 
grave themes that were inappropriate for the anime/manga, which 
were aimed primarily at a juvenile audience.  Moreover, such 
themes are more easily reconcilable with the complex, artful 
writing elements (e.g., resonant dialogue, deep 
characterization, expressive prose) that tend to catch my eye 
and elicit my fondest appreciation.  It is difficult, and 
therefore rare, for fanfic authors to apply such sophisticated 
devices to the simplistic themes and manic storylines that 
characterize anime-spirit fics.  Whenever those rare instances 
occur, you will continue to see me stand and applaud.

I feel expanding the Ranma
characters or placing them in different situations is fine, (Mark
Latus does a great job of this) but think many people go beyond that and
change the characters.

But what differentiates acceptable "expanding" from 
less-palatable "changing the characters"?  How should we 
characterize such developments as: Ranma and Akane opening up 
to each other more than Takahashi allowed; Ryouga reconciling 
with Ranma; the predominant fanfic characterization of Mousse 
(even in anime-sprit fics) as rational and sensitive?

It seems to me that, unless an author sets out to script just 
another mediocre Nettouhen episode, he or she must do 
something with the characters that had not been done by 
Takahashi or the anime writers.  Keep in mind that the original 
Ranma 1/2 characters were:

1. One-dimensional (except for Ranma, Akane, and maybe Ryouga)
2. Poorly developed (even Ranma and Akane are almost completely 
static after the Hiryu Shoutenha story)
3. 100 percent predictable (except for Ryouga, and he was only 
unreadable in situations where his innate nobility conflicted 
with his desire for vengeance against Ranma)

So, if and when authors try to break these bounds, are they 
guilty of that too-prevalent critique, "OOC" writing?


I need to reflect on these matters some more.  I'd like to 
compile my thoughts into a coherent essay.  Tell me what you 
think.


In my opinion.

Taleswapper

   * * *
talswapr@aol.com
Taleswapper's Tribute to My Favorite Ranma 1/2 Fanfics at
http://members.aol.com/talswapr/private/index.html