Hi to the FFML,
Another week, another list. ^_^ Here's the latest batch, and sorry
that two stories were missed due to being unable to locate them. They
will be added to next week's list.
Paul M. Arezina <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu>
Helen Szeto <Helen@eiw-ca.com>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FFML Synopses List
======================
For the week of: August 15 - 21, 1998
Synopses Submitted: 36
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.
* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis]
- - - - -
Title: BG Cross - Chapter 18: Closer To The Heart
Series: BubbleGum Crisis
Genre: What If? Original Flavor
Author: Andy Skuse
Email: askuse@lonet.ca
Homepage: http://www.Lonet.ca/res/askuse/bgcross/bgcross.htm
Date Sent to FFML: August 21 1998
Size: 19k
Summary:
The meeting ends, Linna and Priss wonder what's up with Nene,
Sylia schedules training at Raven's Garage, Mackie and Nene finally start
their date and V7-28 begins his search for Blackie.
{Shunsuke}
I haven't read the earlier parts, so I can only comment on what I
see here. (Gimme a break, I'm busy! ^_^)
I like the tone and feel, and the pacing is good although Leomund's
pensiveness was little overdone. (*Just* a touch less, thank you.)
The author has got the male-female thing down right (I suppose you
have been treated like this by girls before? ^_^) My only complaint
is that the chapters are too darned short!!! A tad longer please.
- - - - -
Title: Knowing You [Teaser]
Series: Bubblegum Crisis
Genre: Psychodrama
Author: David Johnston
Email: rgorman@telusplanet.net
Date Sent to FFML: Aug 21 1998
Size: 5 kb
Summary:
Sylia appears to be captured and at Mason's mercy.
But what does Mason really want from her?
{Shunsuke}
Unlike most teasers which are complete chapters unto themselves,
this reads more like a scene extracted from a story. When teasers
are longer, you tend to get a feel for the whole story and decide
right then whether to continue with the series. This one isn't
like that.
There's a hint of what's going on, but not enough to give the game
away. There's a subtle suggestion of the possibilities - torture,
submission, possibly even willingness on the part of Sylia. I
can't recall any of this author's previous work so I can't comment
on his storytelling, but this snippet makes me want to read more.
* * * * *
[Dragonball]
- - - - -
Title:Average Citizens
Series:Dragonball
Genre:Short-Fic
Author:Murmur the Fallen
Email:harijubal@aol.com
Homepage:none as yet
Date Sent to FFML:Aug 23
Size:not that large
Summary:
Two friends, Hiro and Daisu, drink beer and watch the TenkaichiBudokai
on TV.
{Paul}
Interesting. Rather the reaction I had when I first watched
Dragonball...makes you think about all those nameless people that
got brushed aside when explosions happened. And it was funny enough
that I didn't care. 8 of 10 on the short scale.
* * * * *
[Mega/Crossover]
- - - - -
Title: A World Without A Future; Final
Series: SM, TM!, BGC, YUA, DC Comics, etc...
Genre: Dark, Post Apocalyptic Futuristic Horror
Author: Adam Christopher Leigh
Email: Omicron@sprynet.com
Homepage: http://dogbert.simplenet.com/Tempest/fiction.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 22, 1998
Size: 74k
Summary:
The Sailor Scouts were working to bring about a Utopia, the
Crystal Tokyo of everyone's dreams. They Failed. This is the future,
a world reeling from the impact of an Asteroid that hit the Pacific
Ocean 20 years ago, a city named after a once prosperous one, isolated
from the blizzard in a large cylindrical column. Americans, Japanese,
Chinese, Jurains, wrapped together in over 40 million tons of decaying
metal, all alone in the cold.
The fourth day brings nothing but hardship as the two groups finally
meet only to find they have conflicting goals. Things are only. . .
[SNIP]
{Paul}
THIS is the END?! This is the first chapter of an ongoing miniseries.
You gave a rather nice closure to the first installment, though...
and I felt like I was right beside the characters through the whole
thing. 17 or 18 out of 20, because I can't stand final episodes
which really aren't that final...
- - - - -
Title: Kaleidoscope - Parts 3 and 4
Series: Yu Yu Hakusho/ Dragonball
Genre: crossover
Author: Rhionae
Email: rhionae@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/3226/
Date Sent to FFML: 17/8, 23/8
Size: 14kb, 11kb
Summary:
Goten and Trunks have landed up in the YYH world - which leads to
trouble as there's a powerful youkai on the loose... Sequel to
Allegiance.
{Shunsuke}
This is a reasonable and good continutation from parts one and two,
although I was confused for a minute by the telling of events from
two different points of view at the start of part three.
The writing is short and sparse, but still complete and tells
everything going on with few words. This kind of stuff is nice to
read.
- - - - -
Title:Ranma vs. The world. 1-10
Series:Ranma/Street fighter
Genre:X-over
Author:Catbert25
Email:Catbert25@juno.com
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML:8/25
Size:
Summary:
Its been called the finest Ranma/SF cross over ever written.
Ranma loses a battle in his home arena to Ryu. He follows to learn the
techique that defeated him with Ryoga in tow. Lots of apperances from
various SF games Including Street fighter EX and the Alpha series.
{Shunsuke}
It reads like the writer is doing a chapter for each stage of a video
game, matching Ranma or Ryouga against oppoonents a player would face
as they play. Aside from that, there's nothing remarkable here, and
this set of pieces suffer from the writer's regular half-finished
style. It's rough going trying to read this, with no flow or style
to the language.
- - - - -
Title: Future Perfect - book 1, part 4
Series: Megacrossover
Genre: Comic drama
Author: Scott Schimmel
Email: schimmel@seas.upenn.edu
Homepage: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~schimmel/writing/writing.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 20, 1998
Size: ~24K
Summary:
(series) Someone, or something, is altering the past, and it's causing
the future to change. Can an eclectic group of characters realize
what's happening in time to prevent it?
(chapter) Cologne and Madoka Mano describe a possible threat. Tenchi,
Kyousuke, and Madoka Ayukawa spend some time together. Akane Kasuga
comes to Tokyo. The future begins to change.
{Shunsuke}
I know what's going on already...this time I ain't tellin'! ^_^
With the author's foreshadowing and some knowledge of sci-fi movies
you should be able to figure out the plot. It reads as being a
little thin, but the way events are presented make it worthwhile.
On the downside, it might have been better to stagger the character
introductions instead of presenting them all at once. As it stands,
the reading can be a bit muddled if the characters aren't doing
anything yet (ie, the MB chara); waiting until they are ready to do
something would make the storyline easier for readers to remember.
Still, I like it so far.
- - - - -
Title: The Angel that just won't die
Series: Ranma 1/2 and Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genre: Crossover
Author: Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong
Email: jeffwong@li.net
Homepage: http://www.li.net/~jeffwong/index.htm
Date Sent to FFML: Aug 23rd 1998
Size: 255kbs
Summary:
A sequel to my 'The boomer that just won't die' fanfic. No real need
to read said fanfic. Ranma accidentally ends up in the EVA universe. There,
he
soon becomes an asset to Nerv for his powers help significantly in their
battle
against the Angels. What will happen when he meets the EVA cast? What will
he do
when Misato takes a certain interest in him? How will he react when he meets
Asuka as she starts insulting him? Will he be able to teach his special
powers
to people living in a world in desperate need if it? How will Gendo act when
Ranma calls him a 'dick' ;)
{Shunsuke}
This reads like an early draft, not a finished piece of work. It
needs a *lot* of rewriting and paring down of scenes to remove the
redundancies, events that occur two, three, even four times without
ever moving the plot along, and textual or grammatical redundancies
and mistakes that make some sections confusing at best, unreadable
at worst. The final battle is indicative of this; it suddenly
happens, with no buildup or climax.
Sorry to say this, especially considering the author and his past
work, this one is definitely not worth the time it takes to read it,
not unless it goes through a *major* rewrite.
* * * * *
[Neon Genesis Evangelion]
- - - - -
Title: Neon Genesis Evangelion: Other Paths - Prologue
Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genre: Action/Drama/Humour
Author: James Grabowski
Email: sephirius@japan.crosswinds.net
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/japan/~sephirius
Date Sent to FFML: August 18, 1998
Size: 36K
Summary:
The day of the Unit Zero reactivation experiment is at hand. Everyone has
their own concerns, expectations, and agendas about the experiment.
However,
total failure was not expected. With the end result being a severe injury
to
the Sub-Commander of NERV, and a near fatal experience for the pilot of Unit
Zero, it becomes imperative that a new pilot be found to activate the
dormant
Unit One, the Third Child. The reason unknown to the child, he is summoned
to Tokyo-3 by his father. He chooses to obey, never imagining the kind of
fate awaiting him.
[This part was reviewed in the previous list. It was apparently added
to this week's list by mistake.]
- - - - -
Title: Garden of EVA 0:4 - Rei Bites!
Series: EVA
Genre: Aternate universe
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Date Sent to FFML: 8/20/98
Size: 18K
Summary:
A bitting series set within episode 26 of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
In Part 3 Rei tests SHinji with a grand view of her panties. Misato and
Shinji
have a heart to heart after Shinji was cought with his pants down, literaly
in
the last part. Just who is that man fixing the vending machine that Shinji
is
trying to avoid and why is Misato standing around naked in Shinji's kitchen?
{Shunsuke}
This is very odd. I can't tell if this is a parody, an alternate
reality, or weird fantasy of the author, and I'm not so sure he
knows either. O_o Still, it has it's moments, and is funny at times.
In this part the author is going far beyond the innuendo and soft
ecchi stuff of the first three parts, going right up to the limits
of lemon. I have seen better fics, and I've seen far worse. ^_^
- - - - -
Title:Spirit within part 3
Series:Evangelion
Genre:Self insertion
Author:Catbert25
Email:Catbert25@juno.com
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML:8\24
Size:
Summary:
A third sequel in the Spirit within series. In this installment
the author is merged with Shinji. A now super powerful martial artist,
Shinji takes a much more agressive approach to life, he also has
knowledge of comming events. Unfortunately, as its the basis for this
series, things never turn out the way there supposed to...
Shinji awakes after his mediocre first attempt at piloting an
Eva. He ends up going home with Misato after a confrontation in the
hospital with his father, this is due to the fact that his Jusenkyo curse
was reactivated in the enty plug, turning him into a girl. Misato is
sceptical and is developing a dislike for the boy and his attitude, but
[SNIP]
[The story could not be located on the FFML archive; it will be added
to the next list.]
* * * * *
[Original]
- - - - -
Title: Kichi! Episodes 2 and 3
Series: Original
Genre: Fantasy-esque
Author: Erin Ellis
Email: ee970@hotmail.com
Homepage: members.tripod.com/~tina97/kichi
Date Sent to FFML: August 8
Size: For eps 2 and 3, 15 and 20k, respectively
Summary:
In Episode 2, Samantha finds herself in a new world populated by
people with pointy ears that tend to either think of her as a god, or
shoot at her (and more of the latter). She and Kichi meet up with a Red
Mage, Tenzil, and flee the GateWay Temple together.
Then, in Ep. 3, they do more running. We meet the Emperor, who is
set on capturing the group, and Sam demands to know the other two's
histories, though Tenzil and Kichi are less than excited about revealing
their pasts...
{Paul}
Is it a good thing or a bad thing when you've gotten to the point
where you can be 95% confident how the characters will act? Depends
on whether they're stereotyped or whether you know them. I think
it's the latter. Good work on this, and on the descriptions of the
world. Nicely open ended; I still have absolutely NO idea where
you're going to go with this, and the ending is a nice example of a
cliffhanger which doesn't leave the audience raving for more. I'll
say 14 or 15 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title:Magical girl flash! part 9
Series:Original
Genre:Original
Author:Catbert25
Email:Catbert25@juno.com
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML:
Size:
Summary:
A parody of Magical girl Anime such as Sailor moon, Pretty sammy,
and Magic Knight Rayearth. Tsuki Hikari a normal high school delinquent
becomes a champion of justice known as Seishin star. She has to deal with
alien invaders, school problems, crazed martial artist, her friends, a
talking cat mentor named Sasha, a relatively cute guy named Hibiki who
every one thinks is her boyfriend, and her retired Seishin Grandmother.
And this one's only getting started!
In this Chapter Seishin star fights a giant mutant slime with the
help of the new Seishin fire. The only problem is Seishin fire is a
complete air head. A father and daughter team of reporters get in on the
[SNIP]
{Shunsuke}
You can add Hyperdolls to the list of magical girls parodied. This
is better than most of the author's efforts, though some of the
usual problems with language occur. It doesn't seem to be heading
toward a point, more like an episode of a series interchangeable
with any other. Maybe it's just me, but this didn't do anything
for me.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Confession
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre:
Author: Lord Archive
Email: archive@mich.com
Homepage: www.mich.com/~archive
Date Sent to FFML: 8-17
Size: 18K
Summary:
Akane tells Ranma why the Tendos are so messed up
{Shunsuke}
While this isn't *bad*, this story doesn't really seem much more
than a way to explain character behaviours. It doesn't cover any
new ground or explore anything. The WAFFy element of bringing the
two arguers together is pleasant enough.
- - - - -
Title: Sword and Sorcery, chapter 19
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Fantasy
Author: D.Fire
Email: phongb9@idt.net
Homepage: http://idt.net/~phongb9/
Date Sent to FFML: August 18, 1998
Size: 28kb
Summary:
Raeni takes a moment to go over her general situation and is given a
clue to the way out of her predicament. Meanwhile, the battle outside
the shadow realm between Uerris and the Assassin comes to a climax,
but who will be the victor?
{Shunsuke}
As before, this has nice pacing and the scenes and events make
sense. The author gives you enough to know where you are and what
happens next, but not enough to give the game away. It's nice to
see such consistency. ^_^
- - - - -
Title: Genma and Souun Write a Fic
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Humor
Author: Scott K. Jamison (SKJAM!)
Email: majks@cyberx.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/5990
Date Sent to FFML: 082298
Size:
Summary:
The fathers write their own conclusion to the series...
{Shunsuke}
You know, sadly there are fics like this (sans the comments). I
can't tell if this is just bandwagon jumping by the author or a
witty criticism of bad writing in general. Either way, this is
probably the best of this ridiculous thread.
- - - - -
Title: For Every Action (Compilation of 1-13)
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Original Flavour
Author: David Johnston
Email: rgorman@telusplanet.net
Date Sent to FFML: 19 Aug 1998
Size: 68 kb
Summary:
Akane has been given Ranma's curse in reverse and must deal
with many of his problems.
{Paul}
First, it would have been nice to know that this was intended as a
sequel to... to... oh, I forgot the title! But I know I read a story
where onna-Ranma was affianced because of her prowess in rhythmic
gymnastics, and that this certainly SEEMS like the sequel to it.
Second... oh, lordy. I'm beginning to suspect that Bead is actually
Mizu in extreme disguise, but I don't know for certain yet... and
Akane's in pretty deep, isn't she? Amazing that Ranma hasn't been
jumping for joy more... after all, his curse IS gone, isn't it? He
must be a lot more worried about Akane than he lets on. All in all,
a very interesting story... 15 or 16 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Shadows on the Wall
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Horror
Author: Ronny Hedin
Email: thark@hem2.passagen.se
Homepage: http://nabiki.newberry.edu/thark/fanfic/#shadowsonthewall
Date Sent to FFML: 98-08-22, 22:55 GMT+1
Size: 35k
Summary:
A tale of Lovecraftian cosmic horror in the Ranmaverse. Akane falls
terminally ill, but soon, that it the least of Ranma's worries - and
why does Dr. Tofuu's glasses really fog up around Kasumi? Told in
first-person by our favorite pig-tailed martial artist.
{Shunsuke}
Lovecraft-ian? No, this reads more like the plot and script of the
game "Phantasmagoria". The way the story is told isn't too bad, and
I like the buildup toward the doomed battle at the end. But there's
two things about this that really didn't work: the profanity early
in the story dropped off and never came back. If the author wasn't
going to continue with the same tone of language, why introduce it
at all? Second, during the battle the style of language and writing
changed abruptly to a pseudo-CAS style for no explicable reason; if
Ranma starts writing one way, why would he change so suddenly unless
the author is suggesting that Ranma is the cause of all the problems.
Overall, this was good, but it needs fine tuning.
- - - - -
Title: Hearts and Minds Prelude 5 - Tendo Akane: Something Old [revised]
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@execpc.com
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/19
Size: 34 kb
Summary:
Ranma and Akane make plans to marry, and decide to avoid all of
the usual places for the ceremony. An old acquaintance of Akane's turns
up. Who is Ondori Koichi, and why does he want to meet up with Akane
after all these years?
Also, Soun cooks! Is this a sign of the apocalypse?
{Shunsuke}
Well, this is a little different from the earlier parts. It looks
like the author is going beyond the simple "flashbacks and where we
are now" stories, and moving on to the meat of the story he's been
setting up for. Now, some people are going to say "Shampoo won't
give up that easy", but that's the author's take on it and it's
made plausible here. The writing flows and is sensible if
unspectacular.
- - - - -
Title: Konatsu Masquerade Soliloquy: Ranma
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Sadfic
Author: Ukyou Kuonji
Email: ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/ukyoukwnji/
Date Sent to FFML: August 13, 1998
Size: 7 Kb
Summary:
After Ranma and Akane get married, Ukyou settles for Konatsu,
dressed up as Ranma... or is that really who she sees?
{Paul}
Whoa. Just... whoa. It seems so... well, I don't doubt that it's
something Konatsu would DO for Ukyo, but I do doubt that it's
something Nerima's resident lady of okonomiyaki would want done.
Then again... *proceeds to recall passages from the first book of
the Shadow Chronicles*... maybe it's not all that unlikely after
all. Very nicely written... so much as I know of Konatsu's character
comes through splendidly here. 10 of 10.
- - - - -
Title: Konatsu Masquerade Soliloquy: Ukyou
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Sadfic
Author: Ukyou Kuonji
Email: ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/ukyoukwnji/
Date Sent to FFML: August 17, 1998
Size: 9 Kb
Summary:
Is it an honor for Konatsu to be promoted to Ukyou's equal? Or is
there an ulterior motive involved?
{Paul}
This one seems to be a little bit more reasonable... though wouldn't
people notice that "Ukyo" shrunk a bit? Ah well, who am I to
question the perception of customers? Again, very nicely written...
poetic, in a sense. And another 10 of 10.
- - - - -
Title: Doors Best Left Unopened Part 11
Series: Ranma
Genre: Serious/Darkish
Author: Mark MacKinnon
Email: emmack@ibm.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/8225
Date Sent to FFML: August 23/98
Size: 120K
Summary:
Strange alliances form as events begin to move in unanticipated
directions. Nabiki makes a scene (of sorts) at school. Ryouga and Ukyou
kick
back after work. Reiko decides to enlist Ryouga's aid with her mysterious
quest, unaware that Riana has set Wynneth on her trail. Kunou reveals more
of
his family's past, and Kasumi finally goes on her date.
{Paul}
Half of this story reads like an original work. Are your demons
based on some mythology, or are they all your own creations? Ah
well, it matters very little; they, too, are very well-defined
characters, and the interactions between them are at least as
meaningful as the interactions between the Ranma cast. And speaking
of which... PLANS! WE GOT PLANS! If I ever doubted that Nabiki
could worm her way out of anything, this chapter sort of dispelled
those doubts. I'm still trying to peg Reiko as good or self-serving,
and her little fiasco with Ryoga didn't help any. Speaking of...
Ryoga's life is changing, in direction if not magnitude, to match
that of his "The More Things Change" counterpart. The Kunos-as-
defenders-of-light subplot is moving along nicely... Kuno still
speaks like he did before, but the mind behind the words is vastly
different. This chapter focuses a little more on the person-person
interaction than on the whole good-evil thing...not to say that
confrontations don't happen, but they happen in the background of
exposition and character development. 18 or 19... heck, maybe even
20 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Ranma-chan, Chapter 1
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Drama
Author: Luigi Mattera
Email: mattera@tiac.net
Homepage: http://www.tiac.net/users/mattera/anime/rc
Date Sent to FFML: August 21, 1998
Size: 55k
Summary:
A freak accident leaves Ranma with no memory of his past and
the belief that he happens to be a girl. Reposted in a new
draft.
{Shunsuke}
This one is hard to read. It has a lot of short sentences. Like
these. And that makes the pace *very* sluggish. Like a car with
fuel line problems.
The plot in this one doesn't tell anything new, anything that we
haven't seen before, almost exactly the same plot as the "Am I
Pretty?" TV episode but with different locations and events. So
much of this becomes redundant and would be better as about 10K
at the start of the real story. (Read "Clothes Make The..." to
see what I mean.)
- - - - -
Title: Wishing Upon the Same Star Pt. 3
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Original Flavor
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megfics.html
http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megane.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/17/98
Summary:
Ranma and Shampoo have a hot encounter in the shower at
Furinkan High which leads to Ranma being blackmailed by Shampoo.
Meanwhile, Kodachi has an encounter of her own with a mysterious
stranger while Ryouga gets treated for heat stroke by Dr. Tofu leading
to a startling revelation for the reader.
[See the following story for a combined review.]
- - - - -
Title: Wishing Upon the Same Star Pt. 4
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Original Flavor
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megfics.html
http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megane.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/19/98
Summary:
It just isn't Ranma's day as Shampoo finally manages to
blackmail Ranma into dating her and a furious Mousse attacks him. Then
Nabiki gets a piece of the action leaving Ranma in dire straits until an
old friend decides to step in. Meanwhile, Akane finally gets her
revenge against Kunou and Ryouga's wish is finally reveiled to an
astonished Dr. Tofu.
{Paul}
Hmm. One wonders if Ryoga will have sense enough to use his
new-found powers to spy on Ranma. Nah. One wonders if Ryoga will
find out what Shamps and Ukyo did to Ranma (showered with and kissed
him, respectively) and go off on a "Vengeance"-style tangent. Nah.
One wonders if Ranma's two dates will actually help him get to the
crux of his romantic problems. Nah. One wonders if this story could
fit within the confines of the manga. Hmm... could be.
In all seriousness, these were two very nicely written chapters...
the sexual side of the Ranmaverse isn't explored as often in
non-lemon fics. And it's nice to know someone actually thinks that
Ryoga is trying to do his best to be a decent human being. 17 or 18
out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Monkey Head Butting Part 8
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Comedy
Author: M A Davis / Miko
Email: Belldandy@angelic.com
Homepage: http://listen.to/bell/
Date Sent to FFML: Friday, August 21, 1998 9:12 PM
Size: 34k
Summary:
Ranma is Akane. Akane is Ranma. Nabiki is broke. Nabiki,
however, holds the key to solving all three problems... and the key to
creating MORE problems. Meanwhile, we have a cooking challenge between
Ranma and Happosai to resolve. It doesn't even have "martial arts" in the
title, so can Ranma win?
{Paul}
Oooh, Nabiki is being a MEEEAN widdle kid! To tell the truth, your
portrayal of her is somewhat less than flattering... then again,
she's likely the ONLY member of the cast (save Happy) likely to use
that brooch for anything even remotely resembling personal gain, so
I suppose the persona must be tailored to fit the role. Though the
jury's still out on whether Nabiki will do ANYTHING given sufficient
money, I doubt she has any problems with taking liberties with
someone else's body. Ranma is starting to get desperate to get
himself back... being locked in a girl's body is a lot more severe
than just turning into one. And wasn't it Musashi who said that all
life can be patterned after the Art? Ranma certainly demonstrates
THAT much. All in all, 17 or 18 out of 20. I confess I've read
ahead, and the next chapter makes this one seem a bit dim by
comparison.
- - - - -
Title: Best Man
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Short and apparently WAFFy?
Author: M A Davis / Miko
Email: belldandy@angelic.com
Homepage: http://listen.to/bell/
Date Sent to FFML: Tuesday, August 18, 1998 7:12 PM
Size: 9k
Summary:
Two short scenes before Ranma and Akane's wedding. It seems the
Best Man has become lost...
{Paul}
The guy's pretty good, what can I say?
You know, I was kind of expecting what happened to happen. The name
"Ukyou", read a certain way, indicates she'll be on the groom's side
at the wedding. Though the last line... the last line was perfect.
It's a nice vignette, I'll grant it that, but one that requires
umpteen assumptions on the part of the reader. On its own merits,
though... 8 out of 10. It's been done, but you're doing it well
enough that it only matters a little.
- - - - -
Title: Redemption chp 1
Series: Ranma
Genre: Second Chance
Author: Long Ngo
Email: shortyes@aol.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/dojo/2881
Date Sent to FFML: 8/23/98
Size: 20.3 K
Summary:
Ranma gets a second chance
{Paul}
First, the opening bit... you know, it's a bit weird for Akane to
use the exact same terminology to refer to Ryoga... sounds like
she's working from the Cliffs Notes versions of the manga. And I
was just like "what the HECK is going on?" when I read the first
scene. Talk about starting in medias res... and the slamming on
Ryoga is a bit gratuitous. Ranma essentially demolished everything
Kasumi held dear in one episode of the manga, and all HE got was a
poke on the head and a gentle admonishing. Kasumi may be overly
protective of Akane... but unless there's some odd bestiality
fetish going around, a human and a pig sleeping in the same bed
isn't nearly that bad. Also, when you have the characters reflect
on what's happened to them, their revelations seem to be a bit
more blatantly expository than they have any right to be. I'll be
interested to see where you're going with this "second chance", but
the opening setup was a bit too "I want to say these things so I'll
let the characters do it for me" for my tastes. 9 or 10 out of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Wheel of Fire #7: Doco in the Battle of the Bands
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Razorclaw X
Email: spiceoflife@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/21/98
Size: 180kb
Summary:
Same story posted a while ago; no need to review.
Nabiki forms a band with the intent to win an all-expenses-paid trip to
Hawaii! Of course, if one is not careful, one's decisions will come back
to haunt her....
[This story appeared and was reviewed in a previous list.]
- - - - -
Title: Heart of flame breath of fire Ch.3
Series:Ranma 1/2
Genre:Self insertion, dark
Author:Catbert25
Email:Catbert25@juno.com
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML:8/24
Size:
Summary:
A mysterious stranger shows up in Nerima and integrates himself
into the Tendo's lives. He becomes a student of the dojo and forms a
shakey friendship with Akane. However, he also brings his problems with
him.
His name is Ryu; a strangely powerful boy with no martial arts
training. He becomes hunted by the Amazon tribe due to some magical
artifact he holds called 'The Dragon heart.' It grants him amazing chi
powers that he himself is barely able to control. The apperance of one of
his old persuers doesn't help matters.
Meanwhile, Akane runs into Pantyhoes Taro and tries to get. . .
[SNIP]
[The story could not be located on the FFML archive; it will be added
to the next list.]
- - - - -
Title: Kasumi's Addiction
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Spamfic
Author: Gregg Sharp
Email: Metroanime@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/metroanime/main.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/16
Size: two pages
Summary:
what deep dark secret does Kasumi keep hidden in that drawer?
{Paul}
*Pfft* BAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, this was goooood. Especially since I
actually expected something serious to come of it. Kasumi *pfft* a
chocaholic *pfft*... Everyone's got a weakness, ne? 9 of 10 for
humor.
- - - - -
Title: The Bet- Kimiko's Legacy
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Teaser, Alterniverse
Author: Gregg Sharp, Chris Angel
Email: Metroanime@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/metroanime/main.html
Date Sent to FFML: 8/13
Size: small
Summary:
the stone is thrown, the ripples spread, and triplets are borne to Kimiko
Tendo.
{Paul}
"Obviously, this could be thoroughly insane." Truer final words
were never spoken. This series has a LOT of inherent potential. 10
of 10 for that, and for how interestingly everyone comes together
at once. Oh... and if Shampoo is one of the Tendos, and said
clan-hood works both ways... one wonders what happens when and if
Ranma spars with the girls... evil grin<.
- - - - -
Title: Soulmates - part 5
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Comedy
Author: Scott Schimmel
Email: schimmel@seas.upenn.edu
Homepage: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~schimmel/writing/writing.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 22, 1998
Size: ~12K
Summary:
(series) Due to the influence of a magical crimson cord, Ranma and
Akane switch bodies.
(chapter) Ranma and Akane experience a perfectly ordinary school day.
Really.
{Paul}
How many fics have done the whole body-swapping thing? And how many
stories have been written about it? Conceptually, it doesn't cover
all that much new ground. And the whole "Taming of the Shrew" "this
is how you act and I'll bet you don't like being on the other end
of it" idea is almost being forcibly developed because of both
parties' desire to keep the switch secret. I'd definitely like to
see what happens when "Ranma" gets into his usual shenanigans with
his horde of admirers... for this part, I'd have to say 11 or 12
out of 20. Good writing, very few problems, funny in places...but
nothing spectacular.
* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyo!]
- - - - -
Title: Heaven and Eternity; Gathering of the Children
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Action
Author: K'thardin
Email: kthardin@geocities.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766
Date Sent to FFML: April 7
Size: 30KB
Summary:
Unfolding events have attracted the attention of one of the many cosmic
beings in the universe. Investigating, he witnesses a battle between a
powerful being and an entire fleet of starships. Delving further into the
mystery he discovers the being's mistress, the goddess Tokimi, and that she
does mean the universe well. Which would be all well and good, but a new
power has entered the playing field. Now he has another problem, and a
rude surprise when he tracks down the boy who weilds the power so like his.
[See the next story for a combined review.]
- - - - -
Title: Heaven and Eternity; Revelations
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Action/Somewhat Waffy
Author: K'thardin
Email: kthardin@geocities.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/area51/nebula/9766
Date Sent to FFML: April 9
Size: 33kb
Summary:
So now the cosmic being has landed on earth, and he gives Tenchi a choice
concerning his
growing powers. Taking the option that would allow him to keep his family
safe, Tenchi
then introduces the encentric being to the household. Turns out he knew a
few of them
from more than 700 years ago. And one in particular futher still.
Meanwhile Sasami picks
up a new friend who is a lot more than he seems.
{Shunsuke}
This is clearly not a finished work. With its many spelling errors,
formatting, changing of the time and tense of the story, there's a
lot that needs fixing. The author has an idea of where he's going
but lacks a little in getting there. Some of this is standard OAV
scenes tucked in while in other places is new ideas; the little
dragon-creature as a Ryo-Ohki pal works, but the son/families thing
seems a bit too much and overdone. With some time and effort and
the removal of the off-hand comments, this could be worth reading.
- - - - -
Title: A debt Fullfilled part #2 - Wedding Bells
Series:Tenchi Muyo
Genre:
Author:Doug Whiddon
Email: Doug_W@geocities.com
Homepage:
Date Sent to FFML:
Size:13k
Summary:
Tenchi learns of weddings in the making, and Mihoshi's family
comes to town.
{Shunsuke}
Compared to the first part, this is a bit disappointing. It feels
a bit rushed and incomplete, and a few errors scattered throughout
take away from the flow. The plot and continuation of events is
good, this just needs another edit by the author.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of the Reviews List or the week of: August 15 - 21, 1998
