Subject: [FFML] [Reviews List] For the week of: August 28, 1998
From: "Shunsuke" <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
Date: 9/8/1998, 5:53 AM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

Hello to all on the FFML,

Another week, another list.  School's back in, and though there's no 
problems this week, we'll be trying to avoid any in the next month 
as people get into their new routines.

YT,
Paul Arezina <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu> 
Helen Szeto  <Helen@eiw-ca.com>
Shunsuke     <shunsuke@mailcity.com>


------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   The FFML Reviews List
                   =====================

For the week of: August 28, 1998
Moderator on Duty: Sean Connor
Synopses Submitted: 23
(Plus one missed from the previous week's list.)


The reviewer for each story is the person listed in soft parentheses 
above the review.  Please direct any comments about the review to 
that writer.


* * * * *
[Ah! Megami-sama/Ranma 1/2 / Tenchi Muyou!]

- - - - -
Title: Falling for an Angel
Series: Ranma 1/2, AMG, Tenchi
Genre: CrossOver / Oneshot / Teaser?
Author: Kahlil Noriega
Email: becknkal@addax.bc.ca

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371

Date Sent to FFML: aug 28, 1998
Size: 40 + kb

Summary:

The Great War of Heaven crosses the paths of the angel Ranko with that
of a man named Tenchi.

{Paul}
   Hmm. You're borrowing name and likeness, but little else, from the
   Ranma series. Not that that's a bad thing... I've seen far stranger
   melds. The problem, of course, will be defining a female enough
   personality for Ranko that she falls, like all outworld women seem
   to, for Tenchi's simple kindness. So far, we've only seen her in
   battle, and I look forward to other aspects of life. As a stand-
   alone, this rates only 11 or 12 out of 20... but it's 8 of 10 as a
   promise of things to come.

* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis/The Crow]

- - - - -
Title: Forever the Knight Part 1
Series: BGC/The Crow
Genre: Crossover/dark/lime
Author: Jusenkyo Guide
Email: jusenkyoguide@mailcity.com

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/~jusenkyoguide/

Date Sent to FFML: 8/25/98
Size: 10k

Summary:

In the year 2035 Priss and her lover were killed. Now in 2036, she
comes back as The Crow to take revenge.

{Helen}
   Ooooohhhhh.. This was a great story.  It's dark but with just the
   right tinge of fear.  Like most stories, Priss -does not- end up
   happy, but we see a path of reasoning as to why.  Although slightly
   graphic in terms of violence, it is a 'gripping' sense of terror
   that the Jusenkyo Guide imbues into the story.

{Shunsuke}
   I have to say I was bugged by the beginning, I personally just can't 
   stomach the idea of our heroes getting offed like that, but once I
   got over the initial revulsion/shock, this seemed to work....  The 
   concept and development of the plot were good, but things seemed a 
   little rushed; this could do with being longer, describing events 
   in more detail (and I don't just mean the bloody scenes O_-).

* * * * *
[Bubblegum Crisis/Highlander]

- - - - -
Title: Storm Warnings - Chapter 4
Series: BGC/Highlander
Genre: Xover
Author: Turboturtle
Email:  trboturtle@aol.com

Homepage: http://members.aol.com/trboturtle

Date Sent to FFML:8/29/98

Summary:

Sylia has an unexpected houseguest, Amanda and Duncan arrive in
MegaToyko, and jason recovers from the night before....

{Shunsuke}
   The author mentions at the start that he's been frazzled lately, and 
   unfortunately, it shows in this chapter.  Sometimes there are poorly 
   chosen words that don't convey the right feel, and I can tell that 
   this wasn't given as thorough a check as the earlier parts.

   As for the story itself, not much happens in this part, it reads 
   more like an update than a continuation.  Things here do follow the 
   path set before, but there's nothing remarkable in it.  Maybe this 
   should be rewritten and added to the next chapter?

* * * * *
[El-Hazard]

- - - - -
Title: On the Creation of Demon Gods
Series: El Hazard
Author: Matthew Lewis
Email: maybeso@ican.net

Date Sent: 08/25/98

Size: 21 kb

Summary:

Schtalubaugh finds some disks with some information on them, and asks
Makoto for some help in reading them.

This is the first part of the "Disk" series (of a planned 3
parts). What it is about should be evident from the title.

{Shunsuke}
   This one wasn't really 21K, it was two stories reposted in the same 
   message.  I didn't read the second, I'm only reporting on the listed 
   fic.

   The aspects of comparing Ifurita and others like her to genies was 
   inspired yet familiar to anyone with a D&D background, it seems to 
   work.  The doctor and the plans for ifrits wavers between being a 
   way of waking Makoto from a stupor and providing him a solution to 
   his problem, and the way it's presented makes this worthwhile 
   reading.  Some characters are merely mentioned and glossed over, so 
   this isn't something you can just jump into without knowing about 
   EH, so that is a bit of a negative point; still, this is good.

- - - - -
Title: Spirit within part 2/ parts 1-4
Series: El Hazard
Genre: Self insertion/X-over
Author: Catbert25
Email: Catbert25@juno.com

Date Sent to FFML:8/25

Summary:

The author is reborn into the same earth as Makoto, Jinnai, Nanami,
and Fujisawa after a long previous life as Ranma Saotome. He grows up
and Trains Makoto in the Anything goes style to prepare him for their
journey into the world of El-Hazard.

{Shunsuke}
   I don't know if I buy the idea of the author ending up as Ranma-
   becomes-Ryo-becomes-Fatora, but then I've never been big on self 
   insertions.  If you can accept the idea of someone having prior 
   knowledge and the differences in Makoto's character and abilities, 
   this plot can appeal to you.

   What I can't reconcile is the lack of effort in making this work; 
   there's so much wrong with the readability that this becomes hard 
   going.  Spelling, quotations, structure, they all need a lot of 
   work to fix this.  I'm not trying to be unkind, but this story
   reads like a rough draft.

- - - - -
Title: El Hazard-- The World of Too Many Authors
Series: El Hazard
Genre: Humour, SI, Lime
Author: Matthew Lewis
Email: maybeso@ican.net

Date sent to FFML: 08/23/98
Size: 46 kb

Summary:

Five fanfic writers win a trip to Japan and get shunted to El
Hazard. Did I mention that only one of them knows anything about El
Hazard? Oh, the fun increases as Murphy's Law starts to go into full
effect!

{Shunsuke}
   This is either the dumbest or the most brilliant things I've seen
   in a while.  Some of the jokes fall flat on their face, but for the
   most part this is a long string of ridiculous humour that does not
   stop to catch its breath.  (At least there weren't any Star Trek 
   related jokes!)

* * * * *
[Megacrossover]

- - - - -
Title: FFML Sentai Fiveman chapter 3
Series: Multiple
Genre: Self Insert/ Multi x-over
Author: The Flashman
Email: MXJK67C@Prodigy.com

Homepage: www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/3105/

Date Sent to FFML: 08/25
Size: Small

Summary:

Our "hero", Flashman, learns a little bit more about the changes that
have been done to him and his companion since his arrival in the FFML
base.  Also, he meets a new... friend, in the form of Trident.

{Paul}
   You know, this is actually very interesting. It's up there with "Ma
   Vie Et Roses" for innovativeness in SIs, at least in my book. Very
   interesting, actually... the whole chapter seems largely to focus
   on the issue of identity. As in... are you who you are, or who you
   look to be... or some such like that. I feel like I'm there... only
   I don't exactly know where "there" is. Interesting to see where the
   other two will link up. 13 or 14 out of 20 overall. Good, solid
   writing, definitely worth saving.

- - - - -
Title: S.S. Anime
Series: Several
Genre: X-Over, Parody, Ad-Nauseum
Author: Joshua Seames
Email: j_kun@lni.net

Homepage: N/A...YET, at least.

Date Sent to FFML: August 28, 1998
Size: Both chapter so far come to about, umm, 40K

Summary:

Behold!

On the horizon of the Universe comes a new threat to the Coagulation!
Carl Macek, who, with his patented 'Dub-O-Ray' TM, plans to control
the Universe at its NEW Ruler (as opposed to the OLD ruler of the
universe, although we haven't quite figured out who that is yet).

BUT...

There is a spark of semi-hope for all as the new captain of the
Coaglation Flag Ship "Blade Runner", Michael J. Hodgson steps on board
with his weird crew of hopeless yet fearful (err, that didn't come out
right) anime clones! Watch as the crew dodges bad puns and silly
fanfic conventions such as gratuitous self-insertion and bad lime
content!

[Truncated due to excessive length.  -Ed]

{Shunsuke}
   The intent here is clearly humour, and maybe would be funny but I 
   read "Too Many Authors" first, so this doesn't seem as good.  (This 
   is prime for a Gall Force joke or two which might help.)  Ehh, it's 
   probably my mood as I read it, but this didn't work that well, the 
   humour seemed kind of forced. o_o

* * * * *
[Original]

- - - - -
Title: The Dragon's Tower - Part 2
Series: Original
Genre: Original - Anime Feel
Author: Andy Skuse
Email: askuse@lonet.ca

Homepage: http://www.Lonet.ca/res/askuse/dragons

Date Sent to FFML: August 29 '98
Size: 9K

Summary:

An original story with an anime feel. Part 2 - Kajagua enters the
tower and finds himself in darkness, but not for long. The magic of
the tower sweeps over him, and he is witness to a daydream-like vision
of a forested world unlike his own, as well as a dragon hunt.

{Paul}
   Hmm. I could definitely see this animated. Definitely. A very
   interesting story thus far... one wonders at the purpose of the
   flashback, if indeed it had a purpose... and our protagonist is as
   terrified of the shadows in his own mind as he is of those in the
   world without. Though this chapter...really didn't GO anywhere. It
   stopped just as I was beginning to get into the story. Though I
   suppose a serial such as this must always end with the hero
   vanishing into the unknown, this went on too long for a true mini-
   installment and too short for a chapter. High marks for execution,
   low ones for planning... 11 or 12 of 20, overall.

* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]

- - - - -
Title: Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 5: Splitting Up is Hard to Do
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net

Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime

Date Sent to FFML: 8/25/98
Size: 68k

Summary:

Chapter 5 of a ongoing series documenting 60 years of Akane Tendo's
life. Lost friends, lost loves, happy times and sad.  This chapter
details the Tendo and Saotome families finding out about Ranma and
Akane setting a date for their wedding after catching them in an
compromising position...in the bath. A pajama party with the Tendo
sisters also is featured. Happosai get's his revenge on Ranma. Nabiki
and Mouse have a an all out brawl...sort of. And who was the girl that
Akane caught Ranma making out with in his bedroom? Why was she naked?
Why was Ranma last seen soaring over Furinkan High?

{Paul}
   Hmm... again, the peaks of sadness and joy are not so pronounced as
   in prior stories. This is a good thing. There are a few parts where
   the wording is occasionally a bit awkward, and a few more where the
   plot takes a turn for the weird. And I'm STILL trying to work out
   exactly what it is about Nabs and Mousse... but, overall, a very
   nice continuation, not so insane as its predecessors and definitely
   worth a second look. 12 or 13 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: A Chinese Ghost Story Chapters 1 - 4
Series: Ranma 1/2 [Movie Series of "A Chinese Ghost Story"]
Genre: Fantasy Romance / Alternate Universe / OOC
Author: Kahlil Noriega
Email: becknkal@addax.bc.ca

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371

Date Sent to FFML: Aug 27, 1998
Size: 300 + kb

Summary:

It is a tale of lost love, reborn after a 100 years of waiting. Even
after death, love knows no bounds. It was a time of war and of
desperate struggle, were evil lurked unopposed and valiant souls tried
to consummate their love even in the face of the coming darkness.

Chapter 1 "Braving the storm" - The beginning...
Chapter 2 "Lotus Temple" - Sanctuary...
Chapter 3 "Of different worlds" - The tragic ghost...
Chapter 4 "When the first Petal falls" - And love tested...

{Paul}
   First... I'm sorry to point this out, but there were a million and
   one grammar snags in the story. Perhaps not QUITE so many, but there
   were fragments and unfinished ideas and shifting tenses in almost
   every paragraph. Which was a real pity, considering the excellent
   effect the prose was intended to carry off. What readers read is
   almost as important as what they think, and I can't maintain a nice
   cinematic scene if I have to keep puzzling over every third
   sentence. It reads like it's been badly translated from some
   foreign language... and would probably be apt for MiSTing, if the
   'bots could find anything other than grammar riffs to make. That
   said...

   This is another story which, so far as I can tell, borrows little
   more than name and likeness from the original series. It's all
   done very confusingly... I can't tell the difference between
   flashbacks and dreams and whether either or both are meant to be
   meaningful... but that's a limitation imposed by the prose. This
   is an excellent idea for a story; well-defined characters,
   interesting interpretations of the cast... but it suffers terribly
   from writing that is confusing if not incomprehensible. 8 or 9 out
   of 20, and all of that from the completely excellent story.

- - - - -
Title: Equal Opportunities
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Short fic
Author: M A Davis / Miko
Email: Belldandy@angelic.com

Date Sent to FFML: Friday, August 28, 1998 7:55 PM
Size: 5k

Summary:

A revealing interview with the head of Saotech Inc.

{Paul}
   Ladies and gentlemen, a possible rationalization for Nabiki getting
   cursed.  I began to SUSPECT it when we closed in on the end, but
   wasn't sure... it was carefully kept secret in vague language and
   such. Not OBVIOUSLY secret.  Which is a good thing. 9 of 10 on the
   short scale... where HAVE you been keeping yourself these past
   years, my scrivener friend?

- - - - -
Title: The Eternal Champion
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Spamfic
Author: J. Austin Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net

Homepage: http://www.psn.net/~wildeman/

Date Sent to FFML: 27 August 1998
Size: 4K

Summary:

Tatewaki Kuno searches for a sword that will finally rid him of the
accursed Ranma Saotome.

{Paul}
   Ooh, big man with an evil magic sword. Harnum-sempai gave Kuno one
   of these in "The Dying of the Light", and I kinda liked how his
   ideal of being a blade's master ended up being shot all to heck. A
   very nice snapshot of how Kuno might come by such a thing... now
   WRITE THE STORY! 9 of 10, handily, perhaps even 10 of 10.

- - - - -
Title: First Sons Part 1
Series: Ranma
Genre: Continuation/Second Gen
Author: Jonathan Ng
Email: jonathan@worldy.com

Homepage: none

Date Sent to FFML: August 28, 1998
Size: 27 K (about)

Summary:

A normal life for the Saotome Family (Ranma, Akane, their son Kazuya,
their daughter Miko) until someone decides to challenge Ranma...

{Shunsuke}
   This has an interesting approach to the future of the various cast 
   members, and glosses over the time gap fairly well, though not
   perfectly.  One problem is that the early part of the story makes
   it sound like the kids are under 10, but later parts make them sound 
   older; their actual ages are hard to pin down, so it's tougher to 
   visualize them.

   The lack of explanation about Ranma's curse it handled well, setting 
   things up for later parts, but...Hoshio?  Are you suggesting Ukyou 
   and Tatewaki get together?  What an imagination you have. ^_^

- - - - -
Title: To Lose, To Gain
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Drama
Author: Andrew Dynon
Email: adyn1@students.latrobe.edu.au

Date Sent to FFML: 18th Aug 1998
Size: Approx 20 KB

Summary:

Shampoo gives up trying to win Ranma and returns to China... to find
she must deal with the hostility of the Amazon tribe.

{Paul}
   See? SEE?! THIS is why Shampoo can't just give up on Ranma!

   Sorry... ranting...

   But, all things considered, a very nice story. Told well, plotted
   well, written well, introducing new characters with names both
   Chinese-sounding and bathroom-product related and characterizing
   THEM well. Very few complaints on my part, and it WILL be
   interesting to see where this goes. 14 or 15 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Mistaken Identity ch.5
Series: Ranma
Genre: Alternaverse
Author: Murmur the Fallen
Email: harijubal@aol.com

Date Sent to FFML: Er, Aug.25 (I think)

Summary:

Well, there's flashbacks, a couple of introspections, a confrontation,
and Genma falls asleep.  That's about it, really.  Oh, wait, and vague
references are made, too.  What else?  Hmm...oh, yeah, and flaming
weasels are mentioned, as well.

{Paul}
   Although I think you meant chapter FOUR...

   Hmm. This is a nice example of using light comedy to break up a
   serious story. This is a nice alternate view of what happened at
   Jusenkyo and beyond. The funny parts are funny, the not-so-funny
   parts are... well...not... although I'd like to see more of the
   True Ranma to find out exactly WHY his sister has this unreasoning
   hatred for him. 13 or 14 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Monkey Head Butting Part 9 & End
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Mostly Harmless
Author: M A Davis / Miko
Email: Belldandy@angelic.com

Homepage: http://listen.to/bell/

Date Sent to FFML: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 9:16 PM
Size: 67k

Summary:

With the ability to switch bodies at will, Nabiki embarks on a
desperate plan to salvage her current financial mess... she's about to
date Kuno, AS Akane.  Meanwhile, Akane, as Ranma, and Ranma, as
Nabiki, are becoming suspicious, as are certain Amazons....  How long
can Nabiki stay one step ahead of everyone?  Doesn't she feel even a
little guilty?  Will there be a happy ending for all involved, or just
for Happosai?

{Paul}
   *pfffft* BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was an ending and a half!
   Absolutely manic near the end there, generating the sort of total
   chaos found only in the end-of-episode dash through the streets. A
   great ending to a great series, leaving just enough open-ended to
   be plausible, but not enough to necessarily lead to another endless
   sequel. The necessary introspection about Nabiki selling her body
   is there, as is a gleefully Machiavellian scheme about the brooch.
   Many of the scenes border on perfection, as does the story itself...
   18 or 19 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Shampoo 1/2 Chapter 34: Those Who Would Dare Dream of Tomorrow I
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Universe
Author: D.B. Sommer
email: sommer@nb.net

Summary:

It's war between the Nerimans and Perfume and her Hunt Pack. Plus the
return of the ship of fools.

{Paul}
   Nice fight scene, is all I can say. Actually plausible how everyone
   else is dragged into things... and the resolution, while unexpected,
   is certainly not unwarranted. All the scenes on Captain D'Amore's
   ship are very nicely written... we're getting to see some fine
   character interaction and fleshing out of the whole gang... and I
   liked the scene with Aki and Happosai. Not to mention all the hints
   and such of the TWPOS's mystical nature. Very good, solid chapter.
   18 or 19 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Something Old, Something New
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Short and Spammy
Author: M A Davis / Miko
Email: Belldandy@angelic.com

Homepage: http://listen.to/bell/

Date Sent to FFML: Friday, August 28, 1998 7:54 PM
Size: 4k

Summary:

Soun Tendo finds his true calling.

{Paul}
   It's plausible. It's short. It's funny. Soun rambles, but then Soun
   ALWAYS rambles. 8 of 10 on the short scale, and 9 of 10 for humor...
   Genma-panda in a tool belt would have made it a perfect 10.

- - - - -
Title: Vengeance (repost)
Series: Ranma
Genre: Dark
Author: Ryan Erik
Email: ryanerik59@hotmail.com

Homepage: http://members.xoom.com/RyanErik

Date Sent to FFML: August 25th, 1998
Size: 135k

Summary:

After a particularly long journey, Ryouga finds himself back in
Nerima, but his worst nightmare has come true. Ranma and Akane have
finalized their wedding plans. To make things worse on the lost boy,
he sees Ranma "take advantage of" two other girls. Ryouga goes through
great lengths to complete his revenge against the pig-tailed boy who
has everything he wants in the world.

{Shunsuke}
   Well, this is a long strange trip.  It takes a long time to get to 
   where it's going, but that's okay, the events and descriptions fit.  
   Many times when people describe revenge plots, they're too rushed to 
   provide all the necessary details, but not here.

   On the technical side, I don't know if the profanity is necessary.  
   I have nothing against it, but if that's the intended tone, then 
   it's better to have the language be constant, rather that a bleep 
   thrown in here and there.  Also, this has been spellchecked, but 
   there's still grammatical problems that interrupt the flow.  I did
   like the fact that the few J words in here are the well known 
   ones; nothing slows a story like an author trying to impress the 
   readers with his knowledge.

- - - - -
Title: Waters Under Earth Chapter 23 - Those Left Behind
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Darkish, Continuation
Author: Alan Harnum
Email: harnums@hotmail.com

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/9758/

Date Sent to FFML: August 27th
Size: 82k

Summary:

To celebrate my finally subscribing to the mailing list, a special
chapter of Waters Under Earth.  No monsters or magic, just some nice
quiet dinner and conversation.

Well, sorta.  There's also a bit of unpleasantness for Kasumi, some
maneuvering by Nabiki, and a little revelation about Tofu.  Oh yeah,
and Tarou's in it as well.

This fic officially Gubby (tm) disapproved.

{Paul}
   WHY FOR DID YOU MAKE DOCTOR TOFU EVIL?! WHY?! WHYYYYYYYY?! It's
   plausible, you pull it off very nicely, and his characterization is
   not all that inconsistent from his brief appearances in that
   canon...but WHY IS HE EVIL?! I trusted the man... *piku* Oh. Ohhhh.
   Heck, with all the betrayed trusts and veneers of respectability in
   this story, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. But still... Dr.
   Tofu... *sigh*. Excellent writing, as always.  Interesting scene
   wherein Tarou reveals that his ordeal on Mount Phoenix has matured
   him... if not in so many words. I can't fault the prose, or the
   imagery, and try though I might I can't fault the content. 19 or 20
   out of 20.

   Wait, maybe this is just some evil clone and the real Dr. Tofu's
   been imprisoned somewhere and... oh, who am I fooling? But Kasumi
   needs someone who can love her as much as she loves the world...

* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyou!]

- - - - -
Title: Unfinished Business chapter 0:1 (Prologue: In the beginning...)
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Drama/soap/space operetta/parody?/whatever ^_^;;
Author: Dennis Carr & Karmin St. Jean
Email: DC: ke6isf@nerv.nu   KSJ: trakal@map.com

Date Sent to FFML: Aug 13? 98
Size: 10k

Summary:

First of a series.  In this chapter, Aeka is assigned a guard some
time after Yousho leaves to fight Ryoko.  The guard is then
transferred...um, at an awkward time. ^_^

{Shunsuke}
   Of course he is.  (Transferred, I mean.)  I would hardly call this  
   parody, that usually involves silliness; this has a sad tone to it 
   that may borrow from other stories, but is nice reading.  

   Now, if Ayeka had called the guard "squidgy".... <shudder>

- - - - -
Title: Unfinished Business chapter 0:2 (Prologue: One Reason)
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Drama/soap/space operetta/whatever ^_^;;
Author: Dennis Carr & Karmin St. Jean
Email: DC: ke6isf@nerv.nu   KSJ: trakal@map.com

Date Sent to FFML: Aug 26 98
Size: 24k

Summary:

Mihoshi recovers the last one of hundreds of hostages that a race of
terroristic (is that a word?) miners had taken from her homeworld

{Shunsuke}
   Hmm...portraying Mihoshi as secretly intelligent?  (I was gonna use 
   that idea!  Wah!)  This seems a little melodramatic at times, but 
   it does read like a TM! story, though far more severe in the results 
   of the violence.  Not as good as the first bit, but likable anyway.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

And one story from the previous week's list (the other missed from last
week will be included in the next list):

* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]

- - - - -
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]

{Shunsuke}
   Part 2 of this made the central chara too much an avatar, but here, 
   he's just another person, and is much more believeable.  Also, by 
   giving Shinji a big dose of cynicism (even without the other-lives 
   knowledge), this is an approach I haven't seen done before.  But 
   then again, I'm big on sarcasm; if you don't like sharp tongues,
   this may put you off.

   There's still that half-finished feeling that permeates this 
   author's writing which can detract from the story, this one being 
   the author's best I've seen, in all likelihood.  With a revision
   to fix some minor problems, this one could be promising.


  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of the Reviews List for the week of: August 28, 1998



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