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- Taleswapper


***Taleswapper's First Quarter FY 97 Post***
  Favorite Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction, October-December 1996
  by Taleswapper

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed me in response to my postings last fall
(The 1996 Taleswapper and the 1996 Induction Ceremony for Taleswapper's Hall
of Fame. I received heaps of correspondence and enjoyed conversing with all
of you. Even the mini-controversy on the FFML was entertaining and
educational. Be sure to tell me what you think of this posting; send e-mail
to talswapr@aol.com.

  Prologue

A few weeks ago, I corresponded with a prominent author of Ranma fanfics. We
mused on how 1996 was the best year yet for Ranma 1/2 fan fiction, and how
1997 would likely be even better. With the continuing evolution of this young
art form and the growing numbers of adults joining Internet-based anime
fandom, it seems inevitable that Ranma fan fiction will increase in amount,
diversity, sophistication, and overall quality.

At least as much as anyone else, I celebrate this ongoing growth of the body
of Ranma fanfic. Yet in the last three months, I have come to recognize that
the evolution has a price for me, personally, and for anyone who uses my
posts as a guide for selecting which fics to read. Specifically, as
high-quality Ranma fanfics become more numerous, it becomes more unlikely
that I will count a given story among my favorites, even if it is
"objectively" an excellent work.

Ranma fanfic authors continue to "raise the bar" of excellence, composing
ever-finer combinations of superior writing and intriguing storylines. And as
standards rise, stories that in the past would have gained my favor by virtue
of their high quality are less likely to make a lasting impression on me. And
if a story is not memorable, no matter its quality, I cannot accurately call
it a "favorite." Just as importantly, I must admit that I am more likely to
fail in attempts to write well reasoned and individualized appreciations for
some stories, no matter that they may well deserve my tribute. As high
quality writing becomes more commonplace, the motivation and creativity I
require to comment extensively on a given fic become more elusive.

Keep these matters in mind and know that there are more than a few fanfics
that I consider to be well done, but do not count among my favorites.

As always, I reserve the option to change my mind later.


++Best Ranma Fanfics, First Quarter, FY 97++

My Ranma "Fanfic Year" (FY) runs from October 1 to September 30. The first
quarter of FY 97, therefore, ended this past December 31. All Ranma fanfics
posted to RAAC are eligible to be counted among my favorites; see "The
Taleswapper Treatment" on my web page for an attempted explanation of how I
select faves. The following stories are my favorites for the First Quarter,
and constitute the first batch of "nominees" for the 1997 Taleswapper Awards.

  _Total Recall_ by Martin Bennett

The last time someone had the idea of teaming up Shampoo and Ryouga to fight
Ranma, the story made my list of favorites (see my remarks on _Ryouga: The
Shampoo Variation_ in the 1995 Taleswapper Awards). That particular plot
device has again proven successful. In the case of _Total Recall_, however,
neither the climactic battle, nor the other well conceived fight scenes, were
for me the principal appeal of the fanfic.

Rather, I was most impressed by the new Ranma created in this alternate
universe.  Combining in Ranma insufferable Joketsuzoku haughtiness with an
emotional honesty borne from the tragedy of time lost, Bennett has sculpted a
new character of complexity and appeal. Given the brief length of the story,
such deep characterization is of especially high merit. Other novel character
touches, such as the sage Soun and the "tough love" Kasumi, also appeal.

_Total Recall_ is such a simple story, it's something of a guilty pleasure.
 Both the plot and the writing style are better than average, but not
remarkable.  Yet Bennett's work entertains and is thick with ideas that
elevate the fic above the level of mediocre "fight-of-the-week" Ranma
stories. The failure of the married couple to conceive a child (a symbol of
the falsehood of their union), the hints of a Joketsuzoku culture based
largely on superficialities, Soun's unenthusiastic acceptance of Ryouga: such
seemingly minor story elements combine to create an imaginative and memorable
whole.

  _Flambe!_ by Bridget Engman

In fanfic writing, as in the culinary arts, presentation can count for as
much as content. For while the central story of _Flambe!_ is not greatly
superior to the average romantically themed Ranma fanfic, its innovative
framing gives the fic appeal beyond the quality of its plot, prose, etc.  Not
having read the books which Engman cites as inspiration for this work, I
cannot gauge to what extent the structure of _Flambe!_ is based on borrowed
ideas. The unclear level of originality notwithstanding, I was completely
enchanted by the author's juxtaposition of the story with delightfully witty
cookbook excerpts. The martial arts cooking tips and the otaku-friendly
recipes are the most entertaining innovation ever to grace Ranma fanfics, and
Engman's wry humor works more often than not.

The uncomplicated plot of _Flambe!_ is enhanced by the light psychological
drama that links Akane's cooking success with progress in her relationship
with Ranma. While this idea is not new, Engman implements it ably, drawing
repeated parallels between the Akane's mood and Akane's food. The Mrs.
Murakami character is an appropriate _deus ex machina_ in the
Takahashi/Nettouhen style, a supernatural prod for Ranma and Akane to get
their act together.

Engman's writing has an engaging character appropriate for romantic comedy;
it is richly detailed without being verbose or overly effusive. The
conversational, familiar tone of the story serves to draw readers into cozy
intimacy with Ranma and Akane; their thoughts and motivations are
communicated to us unobtrusively and without melodrama. This style is
especially effective in the climactic moment, Akane's graduation meal, which
shines with pleasant, inviting emotions, as friendly and comfortable as a
hug.


  _Shizuku_ by Bridget Ellen Engman

I'd like to know the origin of the idea for this one. Short and sweet,
_Shizuku_ entertains more than most stories dozens of times its size. With
fastidiously crafted phrasing, Engman draws readers into the sweltering
ambience of the story and into the teasingly erotic game at its heart.

Tight detail and intricate pacing distinguish _Shizuku_. The familiar red
glow of direct sunlight on closed eyelids, the anthropomorphic character of
droplets moving across Ranma's skin, the focus on Akane's hand: such minutiae
make Ranma's experience ours. The descriptive passages breathe unexpected
life into the uneventful moment portrayed, making it a lively and bracing
memory.

Engman's portrayal of Akane brings to mind her delightful "seduction"
attempts in _Daruma 1/2_ (I wonder, is Shizuku set in the same universe?).
Akane's racy playfulness enlivens this nothing- happens, slice-of-life story
with sexual tension that makes you lean closer to your monitor and shift
uncomfortably in your seat. This hypnotic combination of character and
atmosphere puts _Shizuku_ securely on my list of all-time favorite Ranma
fanfics.


  _Thy Outward Part_ by Richard Lawson

One of the primary appeals for me in Ranma fanfic is the potential for
delving into Takahashi's characters and finding within something even more
intriguing than their appealing initial portrayals. Without grossly changing
Who They Are, fanfic authors have found love in Nabiki, peace in Ryouga,
horror in Kasumi. There are other surprises are in these lightly developed
characters, and what could be more startling than finding attractive and
authentic femininity in Ranma?

I have no interest in participating in the eternal debates on sex roles,
nature vs. nurture, etc. I will simply remark on the possibility, advanced in
_TOP_, that Ranma, having biologically become a woman, would eventually
become a woman in the most basic sense (i.e., would adopt attitudes and
behaviors that could make possible the intentional conception of a child).
Lawson has conceived an eminently credible and moving evolution of Ranma's
attitudes about the womanhood imposed on her. Artfully, this evolution is
depicted for us from Kentaro's perspective, so that we are left to imagine
the specifics of Ranma's internal conflict.

Even without a detailed accounting of Ranma's feelings and motivations, we
can "read" her actions and reactions - as described by the loving Kentaro -
and we can follow her through stages of development not unlike Kubler-Ross's
stages of accepting imminent mortality: Denial, Anger, Bargaining,
Depression, and Acceptance. The scenes scripted by Lawson in portraying
Ranma's slow psychological transformation from man to woman demonstrate
evolving mental states: rage at Kentaro's advances; dejection at Akane's
abandonment; desperate attempts to seek a nonexistent middle ground where
Ranma's sexuality is irrelevant; and final recognition of the reality of her
situation, with courageous - however awkward or unenthusiastic - attempts to
adapt.

Central to the successful portrayal of Ranma's evolution is a credible
portrayal of Ranma as a desirable woman. In this endeavor, the choice of
Kentaro as the avatar for our perspective is a most effective one. A man of
some intellect, he quickly gets past Ranma's obvious physical beauty to
perceive attractive elements of her person that are not sex-specific: her
spirit, her diligence, her skill, her honesty, and the depth and truth of her
emotions.

As for the Kentaro character himself, he works well for me, but solely as a
foil for and a window on Ranma. Kentaro's needs - focus, discipline, devotion
- are Ranma's strengths. His fondest desires (a woman who will love him back)
are tantamount to Ranma's salvation (i.e., learning to accept herself).
Without the clarity that Ranma brings, Kentaro is an everyman, almost a
nonentity: he begins the story as an empty vessel until Ranma fills his life
with purpose.  When Ranma abandons him, Kentaro amounts to little more than
the feelings she inspired in him and the lessons she taught him.

This perspective on Kentaro-as-foil is one of the reasons why _TOP_'s sequel,
_The Nature of Love_, did not work very well for me. For while _TOP_ is about
Ranma, _NOL_ is Kentaro's story with Ranma and the other original cast
members in supporting roles, and Kentaro is of insufficient substance to play
the lead. Nevertheless, Lawson in both stories has showcased Kentaro
skillfully: because his perspective is ours, readers must at least identify
and sympathize with him, even if we don't love him.

At occasional moments throughout his fanfics, Lawson gives his readers a
line, a phrase, an idea with which we can conjure. A line like "Besides,
watching her dance had become his favorite thing to do in the world." Such
writing communicates truths with which we are all familiar, and reminds me
why so many stories among my favorites were authored by Lawson.


  _Smoke and Mirrors_ by Mike Loader

I learned long ago not to judge Ranma fanfics by their beginnings. Of course,
interesting and well written openings are highly appealing, but more than a
few times, fic writers have rewarded my patience with works distinguished by
excellence which lies further into the story. _Smoke and Mirrors_ is a case
in point: the trite, all-is-not-as-it-seems opening passage reminded me of
mediocre farces that used to be very common in Ranma fanfic, preparing me for
a story of slapstick hijinks. Even the sudden tragedy that triggers the main
story, however surprising, only caused me to expect standard
adventure/darkfic fare.

With the arrival of Kasumi, however, the show truly starts as Loader begins
to stretch creatively. He experiments with multiple inventive departures from
the normal narrative style. The coroner's reports are a novel touch and
create a surprising amount of emotional impact. Much more impressive are the
flow-of-consciousness passages that capture the shell-shock and imbalance
affecting Kasumi's mind after the tragedy. The portions set down as run-on
sentences are particularly compelling, and even the most mundane of details,
such as the closing of the Nekohanten "for the last time" evoke an emotional
response. The same device is equally effective as Kasumi's deliberates her
plans of action at various points in the story and near the end as Loader
captures the hallucinatory denial in her dying thoughts. I'm pleased to read
such stylistic experimentation.

The terrorist's appreciation of gourmet cooking is one of those little,
seemingly insignificant details that helps take a well written fiction to the
next level, to the realm of memorable stories. The revised morning scenes in
the denouement are uplifting, though no different in style from their
unremarkable previous incarnation, the events of the story having taught a
lesson on the beauty that may be found even in the mundane.


  _Orange_ by Joseph Palmer

I had waited a long time for this author to provide us something new, and
when _Red_ came, I was interested and impressed, but not particularly
affected. How odd, then, that the far less cerebral _Orange_ should captivate
me. Far earthier than were its immediate predecessor and Palmer's "seasons"
stories, _Orange_ appeals on new, different level. For it is a story of plot,
of events, rather than of milieu and character. To be sure, the focus on
Ranma and Akane remains, as does the writing rich in hypnotic imagery and
sensual impact. But for the first time, Palmer tells a story less about who
(and where) they are and more about what they do.

The experiment is an unqualified success. From the entertaining conversations
that comprise its beginning to its contemplative finish, _Orange_ is a
surprisingly riveting account of an eventful evening. At its heart is a love
scene that is more absorbing than erotic. Palmer's treatment of Ranma's and
Akane's first, apprehensive encounter
with arousal is less about sex and more about the discovery. The emotions of
the moment are only incidentally driven by desire, their true origins in the
thrill and trepidation associated with exploring something new (and
dangerous). And so, in the magically tinted ambience of the dawn, Ranma can
feel a little nostalgia and melancholy, as he "mourns" the passing of the
novelty of physical romance, even as his natural excitement builds for the
progress he and Akane are making.

A wonderful bonus in _Orange_ is a terrifically charming portrayal of Nabiki.
The cheeky, mischievous middle sister presented by Palmer is a hoot and a
delight. More impressively, the author has found a way to stay faithful to
the anime/manga portrayal of a troublesome Nabiki without focusing on her
acquisitiveness. The "Got protection?" gag is an hilarious classic.

In many ways, _Orange_ seems a step closer for Palmer to the Ranma
fanfic mainstream: a plot of actions and their consequences, larger roles and
deeper characterization for the rest of the cast, a healthy dose of
near-slapstick humor. How reassuring, to have proof that the sort of writing
that distinguished _Summer_ can be applied to more common sorts of fanfic
plots.


  _A Lesson in Love_ by Marisa Price

As with _Smoke and Mirrors_, _Lesson_ is a story I read long before
it appeared on RAAC and have been waiting to write about. In this long
serial, Price meets the challenge taken up by only a couple of other fanfic
authors: the task of building a full and entertaining post-manga continuity
for Ranma 1/2. The tone of _Lesson_ is its principle appeal for me, seemingly
a happy compromise between two extremes. On one end of the spectrum is almost
complete fidelity to the wacky spirit of the anime/manga, as exemplified by
Rod M.'s _The More Things Change_. Opposite this type of fanfic vision is the
weighty, serious mood of works like Richard Lawson's _Thy Inward Love_.
_Lesson_ draws appealing elements both from the "anime spirit" and from a
more real-life interpretation of Takahashi's characters and situations.

The resulting hybrid provides for several memorable fanfic moments. For me,
the early attention-grabber was Ranma and Akane's first kiss. Its suddenness
and the slightly roguish Akane who initiates the action have a cartoonish
quality that amuses. Ranma's immediate reaction, however, is portrayed with
more gravity as is the authentic characterization of his thoughts in the
kiss's aftermath. In this passage and in comparable scenes throughout
_Lesson_, there is no dissonance between the comic and the realistic; Price
blends these alleged opposites to create moods and storylines that are
uniquely entertaining and thought-provoking. The comedy, while never
hilarious, maintains an attractively light tone. That mood is occasionally
broken by dramatic moments like Shampoo's farewell letter and Ukyou's anguish
on the night of Ryouga's return. Such scenes showcase the emotional catharsis
that give _Lesson_ impact and resonance that are startling for a story of
such simple plot.

The Ryouga-Ukyou romance brings to mind some of the things I liked best about
_The More Things Change_. Price's version is more soulful and true-to-life,
though - perhaps as a consequence - less entertaining. A particularly
compelling moment is Ukyou's simple, but heartwarming epiphany occasioned by
their visit to the department store. From her self-appraisal in front of the
mirror to her quiet decision to begin effecting some changes, this part of
the story is at once momentous and subtle, creating a wistful beauty
reminiscent of the best "young adult" literature.

An integral part of the success of _Lesson_'s Ryouga-Ukyou pairing is Price's
handling of his relationship with Akari. The logic for Ryouga's
disenchantment with his "consolation prize" is sound, and revealed with
clarity and with no small amount of art. The comparison between Ukyou's and
Akari's attitudes toward Ryouga's quest for a cure is well conceived and
effective; it even has the virtue of being a credible extrapolation of the
manga portrayal of Akari.

The climax of _Lesson_ is satisfying and intelligently crafted. On its face,
Akane's decision to attack on Ukyou strains credibility a little, but the
execution of that plot element makes for considerable excitement. Moreover,
its aftermath is masterful, giving us a Ryouga who for once moves and speaks
with the gentle beauty that we've always known to dwell in his soul. The
confrontation between Ranma and Akane has far less eloquence, but there is
great satisfaction in seeing him have the moral high ground for once.


  _Sour Milk Sea_ by "McKinley Morganfield"

Like _Revolution #9_, _SMS_ provides the visceral thrill associated
with seeing Takahashi's characters in shockingly gritty situations. Unlike
the earlier work, however, _SMS_ supplements the viscera with a real story
and at least one authentic character. As he did with Kasumi in _Hold On_,
Morganfield extrapolates from Nabiki's most prominent personality traits and
reaches horrifying conclusions. The Nabiki featured in SMS is not so
different in temperament from her anime/manga counterpart, just more
successful. We read with as much fascination as distaste as Nabiki applies to
dreadfully evil business essentially the same guile used to exploit naive
Ranma in the source material. Nabiki's terse, witty narrative sets a mood of
detached amusement that fits this evil-genius tale.

The plotting, though not difficult to follow, is remarkably full and complex.
There is in _SMS_ a splendid unity that is somewhat hidden by the seemingly
random structure. Especially impressive was Nabiki's scheme to vanquish her
competition, effected through canny manipulation of her three business lines
- dope, porn, and loansharking - into a beautifully vicious confluence.
Nabiki's final orchestration with Ranma and Akane seems a little too absurd,
but it serves to set the stage for Nabiki's amusingly disingenuous wrap-up,
so marvelously ironic when contrasted against the ugliness that predominates
in the story.

In crafting this Nabiki and her story, Morganfield combines cynicism and
begrudging respect, creating a character who has our rapt attention if not
our admiration. With great anticipation and high expectations, I await the
completion of _Sour Milk Sea - The Long Version_.


  _Tales of Ranma & Nabiki_ Part 8 by "McKinley Morganfield"

Morganfield continues to do more with less. The _ToRN_ author's evolving
style becomes in Part 8 even more sparse and understated than before. With
scenes composed almost entirely dialogue and supplemented with the barest
visual cues and no "thought balloons" to reveal the characters' inner
workings.  Yet, even with such scant verbiage, the author manages to build
remarkably sympathetic characters of convincing substance. Ukyou and Shampoo
are especially distinctive, their respective characterizations more
intriguing in _ToRN_ than in "alternate universe" stories based on far more
ambitious changes to the anime/manga continuity. Ukyou continues to fascinate
as she nimbly maintains the trust of Ranma, Nabiki, and Akane simultaneously.
Morganfield's "just friends" Ukyou elicits genuine compassion instead of the
pathos engendered by comparable interpretations of Ukyou from other fics,
which play up the tragedy of the nice girl left behind by Ranma.

The arrival of Morganfield's Shampoo is nothing less than momentous, for
her characterization is something very novel in Ranma fanfic. Despite the
impediment of a self-imposed "language barrier," Morganfield builds for
Shampoo a case for her "claim" on Ranma that, for the first time, we cannot
summarily dismiss. Her argument for the validity of a love between Ranma and
Shampoo has eloquence that completely eclipses her unpolished language. This
Shampoo has intelligence, sincerity and, rightly, Ranma's attention.

Nabiki continues to demonstrate, subtly, unexpected reserves of passion and
vulnerability. Ranma's indecision, however frustrating, is portrayed with
increasing depth as he reacts to the new situations imposed by Nodoka and
Shampoo. His revealing conversations with Ukyou and Shampoo demonstrate the
substance of his character, however lame it may be.

The one character more or less left undeveloped in Part 8 is Akane. I think a
Ranma/Akane scene would have been appropriate, to further undermine his
decision to propose to Nabiki. His conversation with Shampoo weakens his
logical underpinnings; a scene reinforcing his affection for Akane would
impact the emotional reasons for proposing.

Things appear to be coming to a head. And if the shocking conclusion of
Chapter 8 is the herald of _ToRN_'s climax, the ending may be unlike anything
we've ever seen.


  _Chasing the Wind_ by J. Austin Wilde

Incredibly, putting this fanfic on my list of favorites was a difficult
choice. I say "incredibly" because I acknowledge Wilde as one of the best
authors in the Ranma fanfic community. When he's hot, he is the equal of any
of the fic writers on whom I have lavished the most effusive praise. Wilde's
prose, though not extremely stylish or innovative, is expressive, often
evoking genuine emotional response.

And yet, much of _CTW_ is dominated by story elements that, excellent
craftsmanship notwithstanding, I am not eager to see fused with Ranma
stories. In _Ranma Goes to War_ and _Once More into the Breach_, Wilde
effectively reproduced much of the appeal of the military-themed
techno-thrillers that are usually found among the best-selling popular
fiction. Then, as now, I admired the author's skillful plotting, scripting,
characterization, etc. I did not, however, count the war stories among my
favorites because, in my estimation, they were only Ranma stories by fiat.
Incidental and slight were their links to the Ranma 1/2 universe which I
eagerly explore through fan fiction. (See my essay about "Annoying New
Characters" on my web page for further elaboration on this theme.)

With similar pseudoscientific and techno/military aspects, in concert with
elements of occult/fantasy fusion, _CTW_ elicited from me the same negative
reactions that tainted my enjoyment of the war stories. A crucial difference,
however, distinguishes _CTW_ from those earlier splendid, but unsatisfying
works. Specifically, Wilde has crafted in _CTW_ a compelling *Ranma 1/2*
story that more often than not shines through the obfuscation of techno and
"New Age" elements that are for me too alien to the Ranma universe. Wilde's
version of the fruition of the Ranma-Akane romance is among the best
interpretations of this staple fanfic plot. Just as important, the subplots
involving Kunou, Nabiki, and Ukyou are first-rate and riveting.

Takahashi's original characters are intricately and lovingly developed by
Wilde as he imbues them with humanity and realism. The characterization of
Ranma and Akane in _CTW_ may be the finest achievement yet in the ongoing
fanfic quest to balance believable characters with fidelity to Takahashi's
original creations. Nabiki is as appealing and sympathetic in _CTW_ as she is
in the best among the trend in the past year of fanfics to flesh out this
formerly one-dimensional character. Though the character development for
Ukyou is not as strong as for Nabiki, the diverse and challenging roles Wilde
defines for her enable a soulful Ukyou to shine through. Wilde's Kunou is
most satisfying perhaps because he is not remarkably distinct from
Takahashi's; the author grants the swordsman ever deepening levels of
complexity without having to definitively alter our preconceptions about his
intelligence or amiability. And Kunou unleashed at the dacha was a wonder to
behold. Ryouga was the least-developed of the original characters featured in
_CTW_, seeming like a last-minute addition with little if any novelty in his
characterization. Yet his battle scenes were glorious; and that is enough.

There is comparable richness in Wilde's new characters. Hiro Ohata is by
my reckoning the textbook example of how to write an author-proxy character
meant to play a major role in a Ranma fanfic. Hiro's centrality to the
story's plot is clear and he does many of the things that readers hate to see
new characters do, most notably helping Ranma patch up some of his
relationship troubles with Akane and Ryouga. Yet Hiro's presence is never
annoying and his troubleshooting never resembles _deus ex machina_
resolutions for otherwise insoluble problems. More than any other avatar
character to have appeared in Ranma fanfic, Hiro fits in with the Ranma cast,
not unobtrusively or subtly, but smoothly and believably.

The large supporting cast of additional new characters also demonstrate
superior craftsmanship (with the exception of Durango, an insufferable
cliche), though much of it was lost on me. In the way I read Ranma fanfics,
the scientists, Maiar, and Russians were simply part of the scenery. And
whenever the scenery started to talk too much (or if no original characters
were present), I skipped to the next scene.

There is much I could write about the high quality of Wilde's prose and the
detailed, often fascinating scripting in _CTW_. One unique feature that
deserves special mention is the careful planning that was so readily apparent
in this remarkably coherent serial fanfic. In a highly complex, episodic
story of such unusual length, it would have been very easy (and very easily
forgivable) for Wilde to have left many inconsistencies between earlier and
later parts of the story. But _CTW_ hangs together valiantly, a sign of
expert planning. More impressively, the author's unifying devices
(foreshadowing, repetition, unintrusive reminders of past events, etc.) not
only serve to keep the 10 chapters consistent, but also to aid readers in
managing this dauntingly expansive story. It is a testament to the splendid
organization and structuring of _CTW_ that (and this is probably praise that
no author wants to hear) I was able to follow the complex story with no
trouble despite having skipped numerous passages that I judged to be tedious.

Any reservations I had about including _CTW_ among my favorites were
swept away by the brilliant final installment. From the Ranma-Ryouga grudge
match we've always wanted to see to the stirring climax that has set the
standard for all future action/adventure fanfics, _CTW_ Part 10 was thrilling
and emotionally powerful. Through Wilde's meticulous plotting, all the major
characters, original and new, are given critical roles. The resolution of
Ukyou's subplot is especially riveting and satisfying. Even if _CTW_ were
only half as well written as it is, its sensational climax would demand my
recognition.


In my opinion.

Taleswapper
January 23,1997