On Tue, 6 May 1997, Dragoon wrote:

What if you set Bubblegum Crisis in the 1900's?
Imagine an alternative world where:

<snip>

5. This was due to the invention of Boomas, summoned animalistic
spirits implanted in machine bodies. Soon Boomas become
worldwide and important to almost every aspect of life.

This makes the Boomers sound a lot like golems in some ways . . . 

<further snip>

Sylia: Owner of a clothing store in Tokyo, and also head of the
Knight Sabers, a small ninja group armed with hardsuits, suits of
armor magically and mechanically enhanced allowing the user to
easily destroy or dispell Boomas. Child of Lord Stingray.

Ummm . . . ninja hardsuits? O.o

Mackie: Her perverted younger brother, though a genius mage/tech.
Priss: A blacklisted geisha (joking!) A wild young musician.
Linna: ??? I can't think of an equivalent.

Linna could be a court dancer and/or martial artist.

Nene: Apprentice sorcerer/tech at the newly formed Tokyo Anti-Booma
Guards.
Leon: A samurai.

Eh? You mean Leon's not part of the TABG?

<snip>
 

I really like this idea, but as my knowledge of Japanese history &
culture isn't enough to do this without seriously messing up, I'll
have to pass for now. I know the names would have to be somewhat 
changed to reflect the 19th century. 

What do others think of this idea? 
Would this be better set in feudal Japan (around 16th century,
I guess)?
I'd really like comments on this.

Well, it's an interesting premise to say the least. Trying to combine
magic and technology in the same world seems . . . redundant, especially
in a para-fantasy setting where technology (supposedly) should not exist.

My best suggestion would be to drop the technology aspects from the
Boomers/golems and the hardsuits, and make them purely magical. You could
still have technology around for more "mundane" types of mecha, such as
the Armored Troopers' equivalents (whatever you're using in place of ADP's
K-11 and K-12 powered suits); supermecha like the D.D. or Vision's mecha
could combine the mechanical and magical approaches. I *think* that would
keep the power scales reasonably well balanced . . . compared to what they
are in the original anime.

				Tim Miller
					trmiller@mail.bcpl.lib.md.us