***Taleswapper's Second Quarter FY 97 Post***
My Favorite Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction, January - March, 1997
by Taleswapper
(talswapr@aol.com)
NOTE: A more attractive HTML version of this article, with links to the cited
stories and other useful resources, is available via my hope page, at
http://members.aol.com/talswapr/index.html.
**Prologue**
My thanks to all who sent me comments on the January post. These articles
continue to generate a lot of entertaining and enlightening discussions. Man,
I'm glad I dreamed up this scam! Please let me know what you think of this
article: send me e-mail at talswapr@aol.com or let everyone know your
reactions when you sign the Guestbook at my web page.
My Ranma 1/2 "Fanfic Year" (FY) runs from October 1 to September 30. The
second quarter of FY 97, therefore, ended on March 31. All Ranma fanfics
posted to Rec.Arts.Anime.Creative are eligible to be counted among my
favorites. See "The Taleswapper Treatment" at my home page for an attempted
explanation of how I select faves; also relevant is a silly whine about how
hard it sometimes is to pick my favorites, contained the First Quarter FY 97
post. In that article, I wrote appreciations for the following fics:
_Total Recall _by Martin Bennett
_Flambe!_ by Bridget Engman
_Shizuku_ by Bridget Engman
_Thy Outward Part_by Richard Lawson
_Smoke and Mirrors_ by Mike Loader
_Orange_ by Joseph Palmer
_A Lesson in Love_ by Marisa Price
_Sour Milk Sea_ by "McKinley Morganfield"
_Tales of Ranma & Nabiki_ Part 8 by "McKinley Morganfield"
_Chasing the Wind_ by J. Austin Wilde
**Best Ranma Fanfics, Second Quarter, FY 97**
The stories described below are my favorites for the Second Quarter, and
constitute the second batch of "nominees" for the 1997 Taleswapper Awards. I
enjoyed this quarter immensely. There were a lot of stories, not all listed
here, that entertained and touched me. Also, I'm excited that all but one of
the following fics were written by authors whom I've not cited before.
No April Fool's joke this year; all these stories are _bona fide_. I still
get the occasional e-mail from new victims of last year's gag.
***
_I smiled inwardly. I would have f---ed her anyway,
eventually. Let her think she was blackmailing me.
***
_A Real Man_ by Doughboy
Paradoxically, I cannot recommend to readers this work, though it is firmly
among my favorites. For _A Real Man_ is meant to be offensive, and Doughboy
has achieved that goal with great success. Obscene and sexist, the story
embodies many of the worst instincts that often come into play in the
creation of the most unpalatable lemon fics.
And yet I cannot deny the superior craftsmanship that shines through the
perverse muck of _A Real Man_. As much as any of the fanfic authors for whom
I've written the most extravagant appreciations, Doughboy clearly possesses a
gift for smart, skillful, and thoughtful prose. Even many of the most vulgar
lines in this fic evidence great care in choice of verbiage and have grace
that transcends their crude subject matter.
Part of the story's effectiveness is unequaled hilarity, providing
simultaneous amusement and offense. Surprise is the soul of humor, and
Doughboy elicits laughs successfully with his consistent ability to flout
expectations. In a manner reminiscent of Richard Pryor's comedy, the author
shocks us into laughter by combining imaginative storytelling with
uncompromising frankness. I laughed long and hard at many of the startlingly
original story and character twists, the remarkably clever puns, and the
unsettling obscenities that fill _A Real Man_.
Doughboy also deserves credit for well constructed and ambitious formatting.
The first-person narrative, with its conversationally frank tone, creates a
perfect vehicle for the boastful, vulgar version of Ranma who stars in _A
Real Man_. The transition passages are especially noteworthy, often achieving
great vitality with sharp wit. The experimental passages, a mediocre poem and
an excellent (and remarkably erotic) script-style section, are admirable
touches.
The framing plot involving Ranma and Akane is merely competent, seemingly an
afterthought to impose structure and some sense of normalcy on this _avant
garde_ work (and some measure of redemption for its incorrigible storyline).
Perhaps _A Real Man _would have better without the framing story; nonlinear
raunch - unencumbered by a beginning, an end, and a moral - might better
highlight Doughboy's artistry.
***
She'll never admit it, but she's been incorporating some of
my techniques, thought Ranma as he stepped out onto the school
yard. Ryouga's, too, and I think I even saw a bit of Shampoo in
there. A thought struck him suddenly. Jeezus, has she been studying
us?
***
_Paint it Black_ by Paul Herring
Given the numerous permutations of the Ranma 1/2 universe developed by fanfic
authors, the dearth of stories in which Ranma and Akane break up (for good)
is quite remarkable. The nearly total absence of such stories is, however,
not especially surprising, since the Ranma/Akane romance is the true core of
the anime/manga inspiration. And so, fanfic authors can blithely weave
alternate realities or plot extraordinary events in the existing milieu that
somehow pair Ranma with another fiancee or even eliminate Akane entirely. But
it seems more difficult for writers to even conceive stories in which Ranma
and Akane, after having been betrothed, choose to separate forever.
Breaking through this barrier is only one of the significant contributions to
the Ranma fanfic art form delivered by Herring with the completion of _Paint
It Black_. He destroys much more of the familiar characterization and
situations, while - and this is critical - replacing the lost elements with
ones that are inventive and richly complex (if too dark to be called
"beautiful"). I find the majority of alternate-reality Ranma fics
interesting, but *only* interesting. In most cases, the power and appeal of a
plot that answers the question "What if?" exceed the inventiveness of the
writing, creating an imbalance. Herring's work, however, matches the creative
reordering of the Ranma 1/2 universe with singular achievements in character
development.
Of greatest appeal is the grim, driven Akane created by Herring. Transcending
her life history of repetitive distress/rescue episodes, Akane has strength
and beauty born of radical self-reliance, insuperable determination, and
fierce independence. Strong currents of amorality and fascism - not to say
genuine evil - do not sully this Akane's attractiveness, for her character is
awesome and therefore irresistible. Akane the focused and confident warrior
is a wonder to behold, because Herring has gifted her with soulful depth. Her
powerful devotion to magnifying her physical strength and skill is mirrored,
admirably, by an equal commitment to the spiritual development associated
with martial mastery. And so it is a pleasure to "watch" this Akane in
action, even when she is committing murder.
Far less appealing but almost as fascinating is Herring's version of Ranma,
who is at once hateful and sympathetic. The deliberate obnoxiousness of Ranma
that antagonizes Akane across most universes is uniquely mean-spirited and
hurtful in this reality. Their irreconcilability seems almost totally his
fault. But like Akane, Ranma is very much the creature of a victimized past,
and unlike Akane, Ranma never had a rescuer. A life spent enduring
manipulation by others mitigates Ranma's culpability for his horrid
coarseness toward Akane. Parents and fiancees who sought to possess him,
body, mind, and soul, have shaped a Ranma incapable of civility, let alone
love, until at last he finds salvation in his chosen bride. The moments of
Ranma's nadir are splendidly scripted, the paranoid delusions of his drugged
and fevered mind made tangible by superior prose.
Part of the depth of Ranma's characterization is Herring's portrayal of his
parents. Though not quite the irresponsible clown originally created by
Takahashi, Genma remains a humorous complication in Ranma's life when
compared to his intimidating, castrating wife. Nodoka is a despicable
masterpiece of characterization, her closeminded, overbearing attitude
coupled with intimidating martial skill. With combined horror and
fascination, we can watch as Herring unravels the nature of her frigid soul,
from the palpably tense confrontation at the wedding announcement to Nodoka's
chilling, final act of rage at the end of the story. This monster will endure
in memory for a long time.
Ryouga, Shampoo and Ukyou are less thoroughly refashioned in _Paint It
Black_; they seem to be the same basic characters adapted to a wholly
diffeent setting. Herring has lavished much more attention on his re-creation
of Kodachi, and the reformed psychopath is very interesting, though not
nearly so much as Akane reinvented. There are attention-getting little
touches in Kasumi's and Nabiki's characterization, giving rise to
dissatisfaction at their diminishing roles in the fic. It seems that Herring
might have had some intriguing ideas about them, but allowed them to fade
into the background as the combatants dominated the story.
Herring's prose is engrossing for its rich descriptiveness and for its
subtle, but effective experiments in different devices for portraying
unspoken thoughts and hidden dramas. Most captivating are the complex scenes
that combine violent action with internal dramas. The examples are some of
the best moments in _Paint It Black _: Akane's berserker at the Kunou
mansion, Mousse's reluctant butchery at the final battle, even the silent
choreography of Ranma's kick drills. Also impressive are well staged, ironic
juxtapositions: Ranma's and Akane's exchange of lying promises of a civil
married life, backed by the soundtrack of Ukyou's desperate attempt to
intercede; Akane's gentle letdown of Ryouga and its affectionate aftermath,
coincident with their underhanded plotting against Ranma.
The alternate world history that is the setting for _Paint It Black _ is
sufficiently interesting and for the most part understated enough to avoid
the trap of distracting from the story. Its single most relevant aspect, the
20th century feudalism that characterizes Japanese and Chinese civilization
in this world, is fascinating and provides a singular setting for Herring's
fic. One troublesome element of this milieu is the enormous armies at the
disposal of the warring clans. This element is at once too realistic and too
dependent on the suspension of disbelief. That is, it's entirely to be
expected that, in such a world, the principals might have armed legions at
their disposal. But such a politically complex situation seems entirely
incompatible with even a "black" version of the comically illogical
relationships at the heart of Ranma 1/2.
Despite the bleak, irredeemably base nature of this story, I found myself
critical of Herring's choices that made the fanfic less dark than it could
have been. The surprise twist at _Paint It Black _'s climax disappointed me,
as I had been preparing myself for a showdown between Ranma and Akane. The
subsequent patricidal bloodbath was satisfying, but no substitute for the
anticipated death-match between the estranged fiancees. Such a clash would
have been more fitting for this innovative fanfic. For in the grotesque world
Herring has constructed, the violent fruition of Ranma's and Akane's schemes
of vengeance are very close to "happily ever after."
***
Less than a minute later, my body snapped back to that of a
man. The time keeps getting shorter, I thought. Why was that? ...
Ryoga's curse still worked the same as it did on day one. Why was
that? My curse shouldn't work any differently than Ryoga's.
Except that Ryoga was still living in interesting times...
I was sitting on the sidelines while he and Akane were living
a life of danger and adventure. Could it be after all the ridiculous
failed attempts at a cure, my curse was finally going away because
it was bored?
***
_A Peaceful Life_ by Gary Kleppe
Not surprisingly, fanfics that have true emotional impact on me are very
likely to find their way into my list of favorites. Such stories usually make
affect me through a moving portrayal of romantic love, with notable
exceptions. Into the exceptional category goes _A Peaceful Life_, unique for
having engendered in me a powerful sense of melancholy. For the complexity of
story and mood in Kleppe's work render inappropriate such dramatic emotional
terms as "despair" and "tragedy." Ranma's loss is certainly significant, even
world shattering. But the tranquil character of his life (and - not
coincidentally - of his wife) serves to dampen the effect of his trauma.
Without the melodrama that would have dominated a lesser fanfic, Kleppe is
faced with the challenge of affecting readers without the blunt instruments
of tragic longing or pathetic depression. Instead, the author's tools are
subtle and precise: the nagging hints of a would-be life stolen, the
unromantic(however loving) character of Ranma's marriage, Kasumi's gentle
(unconscious?) chastening whenever his vibrant spirit attempts to reassert
itself.
Kleppe's strength is less wordsmithing than presentation. The timing and
arrangement of his prose succeed in creating drama that other excellent
writers accomplish with careful verbiage. In fact, Kleppe's words sometimes
seem to exceed their charter, partly spoiling the beauty of a perfectly
presented moment. Such passages appear to have gone one or two sentences too
far after a graceful point has been made, like perforating a target after
scoring a bullseye.
The structure of _A Peaceful Life_, present-day narrative separating long
flashback scenes, is an appropriate device to showcase Kleppe's staging
skills. Not surprisingly, the flashbacks strike me as somewhat obvious, an
ironic counterpoint to the elegance of the future scenes. For it is the quiet
aftermath and not the long-ago tragedy that I find most compelling, most
emotionally jarring. Its impact is hushed and untheatrical, but nonetheless
striking.
***
Mei told me of their requirements of you concerning the
leadership. Right now their demands must still have you bristling;
let the anger go. They are trying to act in the best interests of
the tribe, as are you. I imagine in the end you will live as a
woman by day for the tribe, and as a man at night for Miss Kuonji.
***
_Succession: The Final Part of the Sunrise Chronicles_ by Nicholas
Leifker
Though this story's basic plot was known to Ranma fanfic readers since last
summer, _Succession_ nevertheless has novelty and energy. Leifker ably
handles the challenge facing all prequel authors - the potential for tedium
in a story whose ending (and aftermath) is known to the audience. Part of his
success is the execution of the storyline, with soulful prose that has been
the author's trademark since I was touched by _Sunrise_ more than a year ago.
Also pleasing are some new, unexpected story elements, most notably the
requirements imposed on Ranma for her succession to leadership of the
Niichieju. Ranma's dramatic oath highlights the intriguing issues of sexual
identity that have been addressed in many impressive fanfic treatments of
Ranma 1/2 (including Leifker's recent collaboration with Hitomi Ichinohei on
_Clothes Make the ..._). This subplot also provides much explanation for the
source of Ranma's reluctance in _Sunrise _ to reclaim her manhood.
For the first time, new character Blossom becomes for me a tangible and
fascinating person. The Ranran scene paints an intriguing portrait of the
giant Amazon, who is very much a prisoner of her rage and warrior's pride.
This exposition and Mouthwash's assessment of her motives serve to enhance
the originality and sophistication of Leifker's villain, who now transcends
the mediocrity of traditional Ranma antagonists. Her end is therefore a
touching one.
The journal and epistolary devices, used capably by Leifker throughout the
_Chronicles_, are especially compelling in _Succession_. The dignified
comportment of the Chieftain's journal highlights Ranma's maturation and
brings credibility to her re-formed character, despite Ranma's reversion to
youthful insolence in her "title bout" with Blossom. Artfully, Ranma's
behavior in that fight foreshadows her discordant playfulness in _Sunrise_'s
showdown with Herb. The letter from Cologne, while not as touching as I
think Leifker had intended, helps to illustrate the fullness of Ranma's
relationship with her mentor.
As a year-long journey comes to a close, my thoughts return understandably to
the original story, _Sunrise_. It remains one of my favorite Ranma fanfics of
all time, though several well-spoken correspondents attempted to convince me
that I was mistaken to select it as the best Ranma fic of 1996.
Interestingly, my esteem for _Sunrise_ exceeds my opinion of its progeny, an
illogical situation since, naturally, Leifker's art has improved measurably
with each new story. Perhaps it is only sentiment that elevates the original
fic above the _Chronicles_ in my mind: I cannot forget the effectiveness of
that story, despite its "rookie mistakes." Elegant language from _Sunrise_
continues to echo in my mind, while flaws in its crafting are only dim
memories, though I re-read the fic often. And so the grandeur of that
beautifully brief epic was not diminished but reinforced when Leifker,
through the _Chronicles_, filled in the details.
***
"Crazy girl," a broken whisper, "Why you watch? You
think it funny to see Shampoo's heart break?"
I fly across the housetops, laughing and laughing. Yet there is
a corner of my mind, hidden from even Shadow-Self, where there is no
laughter. In that corner, there is a cold scheming it would not do
to think even to myself. Especially to myself... I might overhear.
***
_Black Roses: A Love Story_ by Shazorn
There is a joke in the acting community that the easiest way to win critical
acclaim is play a maniac. The effective portrayal of unsteady mental health,
by definition, requires creativity and powerful characterization. Is Kodachi,
then, a sure-fire hit? Probably not, but when it comes to starring in
superior fanfics, she's got a better record than any of the other Ranma 1/2
cast members. From _Wicked Garden_ through _The Dying of the Rose_ to _Iron
Roses_, stories that star the psychotic gymnast consistently impress me; I
can't remember any Kodachi fics that weren't on the upper portion of the
curve.
And _Black Roses_ is my favorite Kodachi fanfic, a bounty of smart ideas well
developed. The notion of a suppressed personality, real or imagined, is a
nice take on Kodachi's psychosis, though the name she has chosen for it
("Shadow-Self") seems overdone and unsophisticated. That Kodachi assigns much
of her unevenness to Shadow-Self opens up for contemplation broad questions:
is there really a submerged personality or is Kodachi genuinely evil and
merely scapegoating her mental imbalances? If Shadow-Self is real, is she the
healthier part of Kodachi or the more malignant?
I also appreciate Shazorn's innovative use of the oft-repeated idea of an
abusive Mrs. Kunou. Though the author does not depart far from the
established fanfic notion that Kodachi's mother beat and berated her children
into madness, the back story is revealed with greater subtlety and ambiguity
than other Ranma fanfic writers have attempted in similar circumstances. In
addition, I was fascinated by the brief insight on possible Oedipal roots for
Kuno's attraction to Akane and Ranma-chan.
The conception and implementation of Kodachi's plots against her rivals are
riveting. Best is the scheme she hatches with Mousse to take Shampoo out of
the competition. The solutions to Mousse's problems are ingenious and, in the
context, very believable. The fruition of the plot, marked by Shampoo's
resignation and anguish, is surprisingly touching. Though not as intricate or
compelling, Kodachi's orchestration of Akane's downfall is a titillating
departure from the expected. The Ukyou plot and its unplanned consequences,
on the other hand, left me cold. The ending was unsatisfying because
Shazorn's clever and effective Kodachi deserved, if not success in her quest
for Ranma, at least the pleasure of seeing the long-term effects of all she
had wrought.
The writing in _Black Roses_ is clever, sometimes startlingly so. Kodachi's
narrative sets a tone that is, though eminently appropriate, very much
unexpected. Through intelligent, constructive use of the first-person voice,
Shazorn portrays a Kodachi who is cool and considerate, her unnerving
composure broken by only momentary descents into the cackling lunacy that
Ranma 1/2 fans have come to expect. Instead, we are treated to a literate and
insightful character for whom we can cheer, if we are feeling sufficiently
perverse.
***
"Akane, why are you laughing?" he asked.
She giggled once more. "Well, don't think I'm insane, Ranma,"
Akane explained. "You've carried me on your back before, but never
like this. In its own demented way, it's kind of fun."
Ranma let his head fall to the floor. "Akane, this is not an
easy task here," he said looking back. "Frontal rug burn is not my
idea of having fun."
"At least you'll know how us girls feel."
"Huh?"
"Then again I wouldn't know," Akane quickly added.
Ranma shook his head. "You need help, Akane. Let's cease
with the giggles, okay?"
"Oh, pooh," she replied. "Don't tell me you aren't enjoying
this." Akane clicked her tongue. "Giddy up, Kimba!"
***
_Dark Family_ (Part 1) by Bryan Stone
Once I got past the mediocre beginning, with its goofy "global conspiracy"
theme, I smiled all the way through this story. Stone has a splendid gift
for writing dialogue. Though his characters do not speak with great
eloquence or particular acumen, there is an easygoing natural quality to
their conversations that is rare in fanfic, punctuated by consistently
effective light humor. The highlights of _Dark Family_ are the many
instances of playful banter between Ranma and Akane. Spontaneous, witty,
occasionally suggestive, and sometimes tender without being oversentimental,
Stone's best Ranma-Akane conversations are some of my favorite fanfic
passages.
To make the dialogue work, Stone introduced reworked versions of Ranma and
Akane that are cooler, more unaffected, and more honest with each other: much
like the stars of Joseph Palmer's fics. The appealing couple and their
spirited, teasing interplay provide a solid basis for effective romantic
comedy. That's an important achievement, because the actual main story, for
the most part, is of average quality. Certainly, the beginning is a weakness,
providing no hint of the treasures deeper into the story.
The commonplace suspense tale that is at the heart of _Dark Family_ is
capably executed, but in the end unremarkable except for plot holes that are
common to stories of this type. The new character Marcus is confusing,
vacillating between the customarily charming villain and a far more
despicable persona, guilty of rape and unprovoked violence.
Back on the plus side, Stone's work with the regular supporting cast is
superior. Rivalling the charm of Ranma and Akane is a terrifically witty
Nabiki. From her pre-date teasing of Akane through her baiting of Marcus to
her sardonic direction of the assault team, Nabiki is consistently
entertaining. Shampoo is also loads of fun in _Dark Family_. When Ranma sends
them to the Nekohanten, Ukyou and Ryouga share a engaging moment in the
spotlight that, again, demonstrates the adroitness of Stone's dialogue. I
was also impressed with Stone's crafting of a suddenly-useful Happosai,
Tsubasa, and Gosunkugi. The way Stone pulls the whole cast together in the
extended, multi-site running battle is impressive. The fight and chase
scenes are imaginative and exciting.
Stone interrupted the story at an odd place, apparently very near its climax.
He didn't have to do that; I'd be anxious for more no matter where he'd
stopped. I hope it's not a long wait for the rest of _Dark Family_.
***
Shanpu forced herself to relax, and pushed her way past Shin.
"By the way," she called back to Reizoru over her shoulder. "Lo Shin
did challenge me.
"He lost."
After Shanpu was out of sight, Rei turned on Shin. "You wanted
to marry HER?!?"
***
_Cure for a Broken Heart_ by Sharon Tripp
A return to the village of the Amazons is always welcome for me, given the
pleasure that locale has brought me in such fics as _The Ways of the Amazons_
and _The Sunrise Chronicles_. On this visit, I was impressed and intrigued by
the departure from the established history of Ranma's first encounter with
Shampoo. Tripp establishes a credible Ranma-Shampoo romance, which in many
ways parallels the comic appeal of his relationship with Akane in the source
material. Ranma's denial of growing attraction for Shampoo, the pseudorivalry
borne of Ranma's easy defeat on the once best-in-town martial artist: such
plot elements echo his romance with Akane. That such elements are smoothly
transferred to the new pairing with Shampoo is a fascinating and enticing
twist.
In the anime/manga and in most fanfics, Mousse is for me a consistent source
of profound boredom. Tripp has succeeded, however, in making Mousse
interesting for me without changing the character's nature noticeably from
Takahashi's original. By changing Ranma's situation, Mousse becomes for the
protagonist a genuine rival, transcending his traditional role as a mere
annoyance. Mousse's basic characteristics, unreasoning violence directed
against Ranma and neurotic denial of Shampoo's unattainability, are so far
unchanged and are well portrayed by the author. Tripp's redefinition of the
Ranma-Shampoo relationship, however, also re-creates Mousse, elevating his
stature from slapstick comic relief to full membership in an unusual love
triangle. In this situation, Mousse's _gravitas_ is very much comparable to
Ryoga's in the anime/manga.
It is difficult to rate Tripp's competent but unadorned prose; its simplicity
certainly does not impact negatively the quality of the fic, though neither
did her writing style enhance my enjoyment. I must express some admiration
for the author's decision to challenge her (or her editor's) proofreading
ability with the situational switches between Chinese and Japanese dialogue
passages. Additional stylistic adventuring is in order, though: as it stands,
this fic could easily have been written in script format without losing its
appeal.
I eagerly await future installments.
***
In my opinion.
Taleswapper
April 11, 1997
Have you voted in the Reader's Choice Ranma Fanfic Poll? (See
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/sterman/voting.htm.)I did; care to guess
which were my top three? E-mail me at talswapr@aol.com.
------------------
Seen my homepage?
Taleswapper's Tribute to the Best Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
http://members.aol.com/talswapr/index.html
No graphics! No Java! Feel free to access at 2400 baud!