Hi,
{All}
Things are working better in the camp this week, no hassles from ISPs
or stories not getting read...
{Shunsuke}
...although I've been informed of my own bone-headed mistake in not
differentiating between the Synopsis List and the Reviews List.
(Oops!) Apologies for any confusion. Also, any delay in this
coming is due to sever lightning storms in my area; ain't *no* way
I'm running my computer or using the modem during that time. ^_^
Collectively yours,
Paul <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu>
Helen <Helen@eiw-ca.com>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
Now, on with this week's collection....
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The FFML Synopses List
======================
For the week of: June 27 - July 3, 1998
Moderator on Duty: Sean Connor
Synopses Submitted: 21
* * * * *
[Dragonball]
- - - - -
Title: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Series: Dragonball
Genre: WAFFish
Author: Rhionae
Email: rhionae@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/3226/fanfics.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 29/6/98
Size: 14kb
Summary:
The day after Evil Buu is defeated, Videl does some thinking...
{Paul}
Now THIS is interesting. Mr. Satan, the world's biggest egotist,
has an oddly humble crime-fighting daughter who's tragically fallen
for a TRUE hero. A Dragonball romance... who'd have thought? Not I,
certainly. Raises umpty-nine valid points, talks around and through
them for a bit... a lot of thought and little actual dialogues or
happenings, but that's common enough for a WAFF fic. I read, not
because I am gripped by plot, but because I am intrigued by emotion...
and give this 15 or 16 out of 20.
* * * * *
[Evangelion]
- - - - -
Title: A mis-timed wish
Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genre: Teaser/SI
Author: Jeremy Thompson
Email: jthompson@badlands.4eyes.net
Homepage: none
Date Sent to FFML: 7/3/98
Size: 5K
Summary: The author makes a badly timed wish and ends up inhabiting
Evangelion Unit 01. A teaser to test the waters for an expanded fic.
{Helen}
LOL! I've seen SI-fics where the author's replaced Shinji (or Rei,
Asuka, Misato...pick your favourite character) within themselves.
This -is- the first time that I've read a SI-EVA (literally) fic.
It looks interesting and gives a chance for us to see how the
EVA's truly function. B'sides, it's a chance to kick baka-Shinji!
^_^
{Shunsuke}
Otaku wish fulfillment at its worst. ^_^ Is this a vision of
hell, or an opportunity to thump Ikari Gendo because he deserves
it? Either way, this was amusing; not an all-time classic, but
good.
* * * * *
[Final Fantasy 7]
- - - - -
Title: Edge's Quest Chapter 6 -- Masamune
Edge's Quest Chapter 7 -- One Moment Longer
Series: Final Fantasy IV
Genre: Romance (soon to be action!)
Author: Kitiara Hashiba
Email: hospitals@erols.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/7085
Date Sent to FFML: 6/30/98
Size: Chapter 6 -- 11K Chapter 7 -- 17K
Summary:
Chapter 6: Melantha's involvement in Edge's almost-murder is revealed
(somewhat), Rydia and Asura plan how to save Edge.
Chapter 7: Masamune is introduced, and much about Edge's imprisonment
is told. Rydia and Edge say goodbye, and Melantha goes after the
Murasame.
Note: Previous chapters can be found in the RPG section of "Fanfiction
Paradise" (http://www.lunarnet.simplenet.com/fanfics/fanfic3.html or
here: http://members.tripod.com/~speace/edge.html care of Westwind's
Final Fantasy Epic.
{Paul}
Whoa. I think I'm with the people who rated this as the best FFIV
story ever. It's a nice continuation, starting from a few small
things... with some characters excellently fleshed out from their
two-dimensional depictions in the game. Definitely gripping... I
can't wait for the action sequences to start up again. 18 or 19
out of 20, for both parts.
* * * * *
[Megacrossover]
- - - - -
Title: Magical Girls Nightmare Team
Series: Project A-ko, Ah! My Goddess!, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, Ranma 1/2
Genre: MegaCrossover
Author: Josh Green
Email: sort@bucket.ualr.edu
Homepage: http://bucket.ualr.edu/~sort/fanfic/
Date Sent to FFML: 7/3/98
Size: 13k
Summary:
The cutest girls in the multiverse team up to fight the dreaded evils
plaguing the world. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
{Helen}
To borrow some words from Asuka: Mein Gott! Take the cutest lil
girls from anime and....put them into the company of C-ko. <sigh>
The sugar that dripped off of the various transformation phrases
were enough to give me cavities... but this story could become
something to look forward, once I get past the sheer 'cuteness'
of the story.
{Shunsuke}
Cry a tear for poor, sweet Sasami. Skuld can take care of herself
and the rest deserve each other, but this twisted, silly idea is...
<shudder> I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. ^_^
* * * * *
[MST3K]
- - - - -
Title: California Dreaming 6.7
Series: Mystery Science Theater 3000/Sailor Moon/Ranma 1/2 and many
other series I don't want to give away. ;)
Genre: MSTing/Lemon/Crossovers Galore
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/4007/MSTings.html
Date Sent to FFML: 6/29/98
Summary:
"California Dreaming", a lemon with so many crossovers, it'll make
your face hurt. Oh, and it's self-insertion, too. Brings a whole new
definition to the word. "SSSSSSCENE CCCCCCHANGE!!! SSSSSSSSCENE
CCCCCCHANGE!!! ;)
{Paul}
The main problem with being on the FFML is that one is exposed to
Ryoucilo, whose recent "Two Old Men and the Sea" proves that he is
a very good writer. Unfortunately, Ryoucilo also writes parodies of
really, really, bad fanfiction. This, to say the least, blurs the
line between what is bad writing and what is exaggerated bad
writing for comic effect. Call it a mixture of that and my
unadulterated faith in the human spirit which tells me that no one
could EVER, EVER, POSSIBLY EVEN THINK of writing something this
a) bad, b) inane, c) insanely crossing over, d) gratuitously
self-inserting, e) incredibly, forcibly lewd, and f) all of the
above... and actually, seriously, believing it. This deserves to be
burned and have the ashes shot into space. The sun, preferably.
Instead, it was sent by the good Dr. F up to the SoL, where it was
MiSTed with great courage by Joel Robinson and a pair of cobbled-
together robots. The riffs are hilarious...unfortunately, one must
read the story along with them. The story unMiSTed rates about 0
out of 20, and the MiSTing jacks that up about 15 or 16 points.
{Helen}
Lemons...they only MiST the bad ones...and I only read the MiSTs of
bad lemons. Too bad you have to read the original work to be able
to laugh at the riffs. The story literally had more juice squirting
out of it than a smushed lemon. Not only was the story a SI-fic,
it was a crossover (and not a good one to boot). Needless to say,
the original fic probably deserves to find its way into Megane 6.7's
Chicken Ball cannon as 'canon' fodder.
With that out of the way, the MiST is funny as always, with enough
subtle references to other stories and shows that anyone can
something to laugh about.
* * * * *
[Original]
- - - - -
Title: Kichi!
Series: Original
Genre: Fantasy
Author: Erin Ellis
Email: ee970@hotmail.com
Homepage: www.unc.edu/~ellis
Date Sent to FFML: July 3
Size: 13K
Summary:
Kichi is a young elf searching for a savior for her corrupt world.
Samantha is a disgruntled high-school student. The Gate is a doorway
between dimensions. Need more be said? Part one in a (hopefully)
ongoing story.
{Paul}
Hmm... comparing this to the "Dragon's Tower" I reviewed last week,
it's got much fewer details about the world... then again, perhaps
that's intentional. Kichi is only focusing on the Gate, after all,
and the story is told from her viewpoint. One wonders what became
of the guard who went to stop her... and exactly how big Sam is
going to be compared to the "elves" which inhabit this world. All
in all, it's a fairly engaging teaser, but a bit light on the
description which should be the keystone of the first few chapters
of original works. 13 or 14 of 20 overall.
{Shunsuke}
Nice setup and pacing, this was quite readable. I kept getting
these images of Clark Ashton Smith stories (read him, it's too
hard to explain) when reading descriptions of Kichi and her
world. The part about Samantha read as being much like many
anime high school situations (Greenwood, Ranma, etc.) and was
believeable.
Now we wait for the next part. (Make it longer, please! ^_^)
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: 2010: Second Odyssey (in 3 Parts)
Series: R 1/2
Genre: Science Fiction
Author: J. Austin Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net
Homepage: http://www.psn.net/~wildeman/
Date Sent to FFML: Week of 28 Jun 98 - 4 July 98
Size: 38K, 42K, ~80K
Summary:
Nine years after contact with the ill-fated U.S.S. Discovery is lost,
a spaceflight to Jupiter is planned to seek answers for the
tragedy. Unfortunately for Doctor Tofu Ono and the National Council on
Astronautics, the Chinese are going to get there first! Join Tofu,
Ranko, Tsubasa, Ukyo, and Tatewaki Kuno as they team up with most of
the Chinese cast of Ranma 1/2 to learn the fate of Ranma, Akane, and
of course, HAL-9000.
{Paul}
Odd... I seem to be missing the last part. Ah well, this is an
expert fusion of the two series. Although there must be certain
necessary additions to the brains of the Ranma characters (this
ain't "Lost in Space") they keep in character as much as is possible,
considering none of them know how to pilot a spacecraft in the manga.
So far, there is very little difference between the original series
and the fused... in that the same events take place. Most of the fun
comes from examining the new incarnations of the characters... and
they're expertly portrayed. 17 or 18 of 20.
- - - - -
Title: Alternatives -- Chapter 6
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre:
Author: Mike Allen
Email: allenmk@gte.net
Date Sent to FFML: 7/1/98
Size: 31k
Summary:
They finally get to Jusenkyo and Ranma starts his plunge(s).
{Paul}
You say in your prologue that several things would have to be done
before Ranma went to China. Call me overly critical, but it seems
like those "several things" were just jammed in... and I'm having
a bit of trouble determining if you're not tainting this somehow
self-aware Ranma with your own views on gender relations... and I
don't feel really drawn to continue reading the series, save for
the plot. The language has a general feel of "winding down" to it,
when, in fact, this is a build-up to a new beginning. Interesting
bit with Akane amongst the Amazons... reminds me of Lawson-san's
"The Ways of the Amazons" just a tad. 14 or 15 of 20 for a
servicable but uncompelling read.
{Shunsuke}
This part is slightly better written than part 5, the
characterizations are good. (Yes, you got the shopping scene
done right - I'm one of those rare guys who *likes* to shop,
so I know. ^_^) I know the setup from previous parts, but I
still question why all others involved remain so restrained,
especially Ryouga in this part. But not a bad effort overall.
- - - - -
Title: Any Other Way
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Drama
Author: Shunsuke
Email: shunsuke@mailcity.com
Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/university/5/index.htm
Date Sent to FFML: June 30, 1998
Size: 7K
Summary:
A short exploration and explanation of Kodachi and why she does what
she does. Is she really insane, or does she not know any other way to
be?
{Paul}
This is a nice, capsule depiction of Lawson's "Roses of Shadow"
Kodachi. I just don't know any other way to put it. The question
raised here is not whether she's insane or not... it's whether she
realizes what she's doing, and Shunsuke makes it obvious that she
does. I liked the constant metaphor of the stuffed alligator
throughout this whole thing, and the whole "slice of life" aura
about this whole fanfic... 16 or 17 out of 20.
{Helen}
I first read this fic with no regard for the author (I never read
the by-lines for fear of 'bringing' baggage into my mind). I
was drawn to the entire -awareness- of Kodachi. There is simple
reality that emits itself -- Kodachi -knows- what she is doing,
and this self-awareness makes Kodachi 'real.' The reference to
alligator tears (false humility) brings it home to the reader.
For not only does she -know- that the alligator is false, but she
continues to pretend (knowingly) otherwise, and the metaphor
extends itself into her own life and relationships.
{Shunsuke}
Can I talk about this...?
{Paul + Helen}
NO! <*wham*>
- - - - -
Title: The Blood is the Life
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Dark
Author: Cindy Toler
Email: yoiko@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://www.geocoties.com/Tokyo/Towers/7183/yoikofics.html
Date Sent to FFML: 6/28/98
Size: 85K
Summary:
Part of a fic challenge to honor the 100-year anniversary of Bram
Stoker's _Dracula_.
Part one: Ryoga shows up in Nerima, strangely weak and anemic, with a
mysterious wound on his neck and no memory of how he got it.
Part two: Ranma, Akane and Dr. Tofu try to find the source of the
trouble in Nerima. Kasumi discovers she's been sleepwalking again.
Further tragedy befalls the Tendo household.
{Shunsuke}
Well...considering the author, this is a surprise, dark isn't a
word I normally associate with her fics. The sparseness of events,
and most of the words being put into the setting gives this a moody
feel that is appropriate and...just plain *evil*. My only knock is
the author's own synopsis above, it gives the game away before it
happens in the story.
- - - - -
Title: Coming to America Chapter One
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Comedy
Author: Ryoucilo
Email: bogue@negia.net
Date Sent to FFML: June 28
Size: 7kb
Summary:
Herb, Lime and Mint visit The Museum of Jurassic Technology. You want
to know what the really weird thing is? There really is a Museum of
Jurassic Technology!
{Paul}
You know what this reminds me of? The Three Stooges. All we need is
a couple Key Lime Pies and a reason to use them. Absolutely
hilarious, though I keep wondering why Herb doesn't just ki-blast
his two underlings to kingdom come. 8 of 10 on the short scale.
{Shunsuke}
More bad humour and bad music...oh, man are we in trouble. More
of the same here from the same twisted mind as the prologue. ^_^
I know nothing about Herb and I already feel sympathy for him.
We are *definitely* in trouble.
- - - - -
Title: For Love of Kodachi
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre:
Author: Razorclaw X
Email: spiceoflife@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
Date Sent to FFML: July 2, 1998
Size: 13Kb
Summary:
Kodachi is happy because Ranma asked to see her, of all people! But,
what happens if that conclusion leads you down the road of disaster?
Who truly loves Kodachi like no other?
{Helen}
<Kasumi>Oh my.</Kasumi> A fairly dark fic (I guess) in the sense
that one of the sticking points of the Kunou infatuation (both
brother and sister) for Ranma is broken (and broken quite
realistically). In a sense, the 'veil' that hid reality from the
Kunou mind has been abruptly torn away -- and nothing that either
one can say, can abnegate the truth. The ending is a little abrupt,
but possible in the context that both of the Kunou's are shocked
and the fastest way to rid themselves (of what they would percieve
as) a living monument to their shame: Ranma.
{Shunsuke}
I would have thought Kuno would go after Kodachi for violating his
pigtailed goddess, and not the other way around, but what the hey.
This was interesting. A little abrupt for the start, lacking a
little in setup, but a good place to start from.
- - - - -
Title: Hearts of Ice Part 20: Heaven and Hell, Part One
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Um... mythical adventure romance, or something. I dunno.
Author: Krista Perry
Email: kperry@aros.net
Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~kapster/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: June 14, 1998
Size: approx. 85K
Summary:
Kasumi reflects on prior events. Akane fights some demons. Ranma
encounters the Shadowcat, talks with Akane across the dimensional
barriers, and meets an extrordinary Kuei. The blood spell is broken.
{Paul}
Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Oh dear.
No, that's not all I can say. But this has pretty darn near rendered
me speechless. 20 out of 20, easily, up front. Now into why.
First, there's the storyline. It's original and yet, has those
wonderful Ranma martial arts battle overtones which mark it as
undoubtedly the stories. Second, there are realistic portrayals of
all the characters, as opposed to the one-dimensional facets as
occasionally interpreted from the manga. Third, there are climactic
battles which are most assuredly treated as such, with Ranma's
hyper-adaption to martial arts working overtime. Fourth... man, this
one really tugs at the heartstrings in all directions, as a
desperate ploy from the heart actually bears fruit. Fifth... can you
say "cliffhanger"? Ranma has taken on the world and won, but can he
take on Death itself? The near-pinnacle of all that is fanfic, and
you should read it. Really. I'm not kidding.
- - - - -
Title: It's Dark
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Dark! Dark! Ever so dark! Spamfic
Author: Matthew "Maybeso" Lewis
Email: maybeso@ican.net
Date Sent: July 03, 1998
Size: 6 kb
Summary:
It's a very dark spamfic. 'nuff said.
{Shunsuke}
By the author's own admission, he's got ink all over the place
and on himself...he's probably suffering from Van Gogh syndrome.
(So when does he cut off his own ear? ^_^)
At least the author didn't put Tarou in the room....
- - - - -
Title: Mistaken Identity ch.3
Series:Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternaverse
Author: Murmur the Fallen
Email: harijubal@aol.com
Homepage: www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/2881
Date Sent to FFML: July 4
Size: ???
Summary:
Based on a unfinished series (only lasted one chapter) by Short Yes,
this series asks the question, 'What if Ranma wasn't really Ranma?'
In this chapter, we see an explanation given, a game of go
interrupted, and a retreat by Ranma from Ranma. Oh, and if you listen
carefully, you can hear the author laughing manically.
{Shunsuke}
I dunno, this went *too* far into silliness, it would have worked
better with a little less of it. Plus with this setup, a lot of
the next part may be spent on explanations; here's hoping they make
sense and add to the story.
The writer's style is a little jumpy, but he/she does have a sense
of what is funny. I only ask for a little less of it.
- - - - -
Title: Monkey Head Butting Part Two
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Comedy, original flavor, and more!
Author: M A Davis (Miko)
Email: Belldandy@angelic.com
Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/tatooine/pratchett/199/
Date Sent to FFML: June 24, 1998
Size: 39k
Summary:
Ranma and Kasumi have switched places. How much worse can things get?
Especially if Nabiki gets involved...
{Shunsuke}
This gets better as it goes along.... The story is funny without
resorting to silly gags or bad puns, and the events and situations
are all plausible. And, the author has a nice style that flows.
I gotta know, though, is Kasumi gonna fall for him when she gets her
own body back?!?!? Samurai vs Surgeon, the ultimate battle.... ^_^
- - - - -
Title: Ranma Kills
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction
Author: Asayogure
Email: Rnmalvsakn@aol.com
Homepage: http://move.to/asayogure/
Date Sent to FFML:6/30/98
Size:? about 7 pages I think
Summary:
I dunno where this fic came from I was lissenen tew heavy metal and
then WHAM this thing popped out, I usually lissen tew like female
vocalist alternative stuff, so I dunno the mortal Kombat sound track
and Metallica apparently make me cranky ^_^ WARNING VERY VIOLENT
Adults only advised!
{Shunsuke}
And it reads like a heavy metal album, descriptions of violence
so far over the top that it has to be a parody. The first half
read like an "Itchy and Scratchy" cartoon, the second like a
Stephen King story (and I'm *not* an SK fan). Maybe it's just
me, but this story really didn't accomplish anything, no offense
to the author intended. Violence without purpose is just another
Steven Segal movie.
- - - - -
Title: The Return of the Sisters Chapter 10
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: David A. Tatum
Email: desaix@sysnet.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.html
Date Sent to FFML: Monday, May 11, 1998
Size:
Summary:
(Series) Natsume and Kurumi return to the Tendo's- not because they
want to make another challenge for the dojo, but because Natsume is
PREGNANT! Worse, she doesn't know who the father is, and the two
sisters have yet to find their parents.
(chapter) Ranma and Nodoka have a 'chat' about his apparent break-up
with Akane. Ranma gets engaged to Akane AGAIN. Happosai shows up and
meets with Desaix. Dr. Tofu nearly loses his hand.
{Paul}
This is getting weirder and weirder...
I can't necessarily agree with the portrayal of Nodoka as hyper-
charged Defender of Family Honor, but I can see where this
particular interpretation could come from. Happy bites it. Again.
(This is getting to be a rather disturbing trend.) Ranma and Akane
get engaged the way THEY want to be engaged... it's sort of
interesting, seeing a bit of reality invade itself on the happy
wacky silly fun fun of Nerima. This is what happens when a few
people start thinking rationally, or at least thinking more
rationally than is the norm. And then there are the nutcases...
14 or 15 out of 20, because parts of this just seemed WRONG. Not
badly written or anything, just WRONG. But that might just be me.
{Shunsuke}
This is odd...while writing a "solve everything" fic, an author
actually finds a way to make situations worse (poor Ryouga!).
There's some interesting ideas here, although I'd question whether
Nodoka would really force an unhappy marriage.
On the downside, the story has an odd pacing, and the author
should better identify where he inserts his notes, either with
different formatting or separation lines.
- - - - -
Title: Switch: Twenty-Two Herbs and Spices Part 9 (plus 2/3)
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Unusual Events, New Character
Author: Nikholas "Switch" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/switchf.html
Date Sent to FFML: 1828H 01 Jul 98 (+0800H)
Size: 61 KB
Summary:
First two day partial synopsis. Akane and Ranma naked together.
Tsubasa and Kodachi together in bed. Ukyo and Ryoga together in bed.
Nodoka and Genma together in bed (uncertain). Marriage should ensue.
{Paul}
Monster Hentai Warning: One must needs read all prior parts of this
series to understand one-tenth of what is going on, and defuse two-
thirds of the ecchi situations hinted at in this story. The entire
series can best be described as barely restrained insanity, a sort
of a Douglas Adams/Terry Pratchett take on the Ranma universe. This
chapter is no less insane. But it's a good kind of insane, you know?
This is a true series in that this part makes absolutely no sense
(and loses most of its running-gag quality) without prior parts. I'd
call it 10 of 10 on the sheer laugh scale, but only 13 or 14 of 20
because it gets so confusing in places...
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 /Slayers]
- - - - -
Title: Half a Sorceress, chapter 5
Series: Ranma 1/2 & Slayers
Genre: alt. universe, crossover
Author: Jussi Nikander
Email: Jussi.Nikander@alien.nixu.fi
Homepage: http://www.users.fl.net.au/~bcadwgan/Anime.htm
Date Sent to FFML: 2.7.98
Size:72k
Summary:
Lina and Ranma have an encounter with bandits, Cologne finds her
great-granddaughter and Genma cowers some more.
{Paul}
This is where the two personalities really start butting heads, so
to speak. I was wondering when and if Ranma would ever get to react
to the killing Lina does so casually in Slayers. And here it is,
every bit as confused as I thought it would be. This draws as much
from the "medieval times to modern times" plot as it does the
standard "Ranma goes to Japan" one. And Cologne and Shampoo are
closing in...
Nicely thought out battle scenes, nice portrayals of both characters
in one body, nice bit of sustained tension with Cologne closing
in... I'm now wondering IF Ranma will make it to Japan, not what
he'll do when he gets there...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of the list for the week of: June 27 - July 3, 1998
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