Subject: [FFML] Reviews List for July 17, 1998
From: "Shunsuke" <shunsuke@mailcity.com>
Date: 7/27/1998, 8:35 AM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

Hi to all on the FFML,

Another week, another list.  Please excuse Helen's lack of presence
again, she's having real headaches with internet connections. o_o
No stories have been missed for a while, I think we've got this
down pat now....

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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

For the week of:  July 11-17, 1998
Moderator on Duty:  Sean Connor
Synopses Submitted:  22

* * * * *
[Evangelion]

- - - - -
Title: A Ghost in the Eva
Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genre: SI
Author: Jeremy Thompson
Email: jthompson@badlands.4eyes.net

Homepage: None

Date Sent to FFML: 7:18 PM 07/18/98
Size: 17K

Summary:

As a result of a mis-timed wish the author finds himself inside the
body of Evangelion Unit 01 on the night before the Third Angel
attacks.  Needless to say he's not happy and neither is Gendo Ikari.

{Shunsuke}
   This started as an interesting idea for a self-insert fic, but
   the author used a plodding pace that read like a text-based
   adventure game, as if he was trying to figure out what text
   commands work.  (Of course, that might well be the case if he
   really were stuck as an EVA.)  Things neither ranged into
   comedy nor drama, the things that make NGE work; this could
   be better with a re-write to remove excess questioning and
   more focus on the what-nows than the whys.

* * * * *
[Iczelion]

- - - - -
Title: Where Does My Heart Beat Now? - Part 3
Series: Iczelion
Genre: Action, WAFF
Author: Brian Yaple
Email: BYapes@erie.net

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/8768

Date Sent to FFML: July 14th

Summary:

Basically the fight scene for the fic

Chaos vs. Nagisa and Kawai

If you want the other parts, E-mail me, I don't have them on my
website yet.

{Shunsuke}
   Never mind the Sailor Moon influence, there's a few "Noriko"s
   and other anime cliches.  (I'm not familiar with Iczer, so bear
   with me if I've misinterpreted or misunderstood points about
   the series.)

   The story picks up well, a good beginning to follow a cliff-
   hanger ending of the previous part, though the pacing of the
   battle is a little too typical and stereotyped anime battle.
   Like the cliche goes, the weapon that could defeat the enemy
   immediately is only used as a last resort. ^_^  Not being
   familiar with the series, I don't know how likely a lesbian
   relationship between two of the females is likely to develop,
   but this is decently written, if not predictable ("I'm about
   to die...I love you.")  Overall, this isn't bad, though it 
   could be better.

* * * * *
[Kimagure Orange Road/Marmalade Boy]

- - - - -
Title:  Orange Marmalade, episode 12
Series: Kimagure Orange Road/Marmalade Boy fusion
Genre:  Drama, romance, comedy
Author: Scott Schimmel
Email:  schimmel@seas.upenn.edu

Homepage:  http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~schimmel/writing/writing.html

Date Sent to FFML:  July 15, 1998
Size:  ~26K

Summary:

(series) A KOR/MB fusion.  Young ESPer Matsuura Yuu moves to a new
town, and finds his new life anything but boring...

(episode) "Casting Pebbles" -- The truth behind Yuu's recent behavior
is revealed... or is it?  Yuu and Miki encounter Sakuma Suzu once
again.  Back in Tokyo, Tsuchiya Kei visits the ABCB during Arimi's
shift.  What's this about a dance?  Each event causes ripples to
spread, like pebbles cast into a still pond... and these ripples have
barely begun to spread.

{Shunsuke}
   Hmm...trouble in paradise? O_-  The way characters are portrayed
   is certainly likeable, and somewhat accurate in terms of KOR
   behaviours, taking into account this is a character replacement.
   (I've only seen one half hour film of MB, so my experience there
   is limited to the four parents and the two main protagonists.)
   The events of the story made sense, although a couple of times
   the discussions characters had (the sisters talking about Yuu's
   hypnosis, for example) carried on too long and were repetitive.

   Something that didn't work was the screenplay format; for some
   stories it helps better illustrate events around the characters,
   but in this one it slowed down the action.  The story could use
   a little more pace, but not *too* much.

* * * * *
[Megacrossover]

- - - - -
Title: Cooperate Takeover, Act Second: Be Late
Series: Multi
Genre: X-over
Author: Nanashimanga/Sentinel
Email: chadyang@hotmail.com

Homepage: None

Date Sent to FFML: Jul 16
Size: 72 K

Summary:

A multi-crossover inspired by Steven King's "Needful Things." Ranma is
mistaken to be a secret agent by those evil old men at SEELE. Agent
Mulder gets sent in to investigate. Happosai gives Ranma another
curse.

{Shunsuke}
   I dunno about this one, it read more like a joke or spamfic than 
   any sort of real story.  Things were so all over the place and
   crossover appearances so rampant that any real plot was unclear.
   Plus, (I'm guessing here) the author's idea requires some knowledge
   of the Stephen King novel, so I would assume I and others missed
   out on the point.  If this was intended as a silly bit of humour, 
   it worked, but otherwise....

- - - - -
Title: A Hell of a Life
Series: Crossover
Genre:  Ranma 1/2 and various others...
Author: Shaule Sachs
Email: sachss@db.erau.edu

Homepage: http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/FanFic/

Date Sent to FFML: Sun, Jul; 12, 1998
Size: 163 lines,   8788 bytes

Summary:

After fighting an strange creature, Ranma has disappeared...  Where
did he go? When is he going to return?

{Shunsuke}
   This reads more like a teaser than a chapter, a little too short
   to leave as a cliffhanger.  With a little more detail, it would
   be more compelling and leave me hungry for more.  (But, maybe
   that's just me. ^_^)

   The way events are portrayed certainly make sense, and the
   emotions of those involved fit, such as Akane hiding fear with
   anger.  Again, I'd just ask for a little more detail that would
   force me to want to read more.  This is definitely a good start.

- - - - -
Title: A World Without A Future: Day 1
Series: X-Over; SM, TM!, YUA, BGC, DC Comics
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Futuristic Horror
Author: Adam Christopher Leigh
Email: Omicron@sprynet.com

Homepage: http://dogbert.simplenet.com


Date Sent to FFML: July 16th, 1998
Size: 38k

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.

{Paul}
   Wow. Simple but poignant imagery, dialogue that seems more like
   something out of a dream (and who's to say this isn't just a
   nightmare?), and portrayals of people who have mostly lost hope...
   very realistic ones. Top that off with a premise which just begs to
   be expounded upon and you've got 18 or 19 of 20, easily.


* * * * *
[Original]

- - - - -
Title:  Macho Caballo Chapter 26 - Drawing Closer, Getting Stuck
Series: Macho Caballo
Genre:  Humor/Drama/Original
Author:  James Eades (James and the Bluejay)
Email:  jeeades@ix.netcom.com

Homepage:  http://www2.netcom.com/~jeeades/macho.htm

Date Sent to FFML: Jul 10 1998
Size:  51K

Summary:

Ramon has found his sister but his sister thinks he is a girl (well,
she thinks he is *really* a girl...).  Determined to tell her the
truth, he finds there are reasons why he cannot.  Meanwhile, his
sister has entanglements of her own.

{Paul}
   Wonder what'll happen when Lonesome's mare rides through a
   rainstorm... heh.  Anyway, another good episode which proves that
   plots stem from characters, not the other way round. Machita is
   learning to accept herself, and Lucha...well, Lucha's up the creek
   without a canoe. Interesting way to get out of marrying the village
   macho man, though... 16 or 17 out of 20... and the setting's half
   the fun.

{Shunsuke}
   A good continuation from where it picked up last, the character 
   development and occurrence of events works, although I found the 
   scenes bounced around too much; it would have been better if the 
   story stayed a little longer in each place as it went along.  
   Still, the story draws you in and has a nice even pace to it.

* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]

- - - - -
Title: 2010: Second Odyssey Part 3A & 3B of 3
Series: R1/2
Genre: Science Fiction
Author: J. Austin Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net

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

Date Sent to FFML: 14 July 1998
Size: Two parts of 100K each

Summary:

Ranma and Akane are found alive and in hibernation aboard the
Discovery, HAL is reactivated by Tsubasa despite his inability to
remove the fatal programming conflict, and Herb decides to introduce
everyone to a few new crew members. Don't miss the ten day late
conclusion to 2010: Second Odyssey.

{Paul}
   Hmm... I may have mistakenly reviewed this in LAST week's Synopsis
   Review. >beat< In fact, I'm sure of it. Look back there for any
   and all comments...

- - - - -
Title:  Another Time, Same Place: Chapter 4
Series:  Ranma 1/2
Genre:  Next Generation
Author:  Donny Cheng
Email:  chengdo@shaw.wave.ca

Homepage:  http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/4537

Date Sent to FFML:  July 16, 1998
Size:  19k

Summary:

Ranma meets up with an old enemy with an 'unmentionable' name.

{Paul}
   I'm STILL waiting for it to hit the fan. It's become glaringly
   obvious that Ranma is way, WAY over his head here. Though it's
   interesting to note that even Happosai has a soft spot, I'm more
   interested in all the matchups that are hyped but never followed
   through on. The language gets a bit awkward in places, but it's
   nothing terribly annoying. 14 or 15 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Birthdays - Nabiki
Series: Birthdays
Genre: Short Fic (Slightly depressing)
Author: Michael C. Won
Email: skeezy5@geocities.com

Date Sent to FFML: July 17, 1998
Size: 9K

Summary:

First installment of "Birthdays".  A short piece that should interest
the Nabiki fans out there...

{Paul}
   Hmm... well, aside from the occasional formatting harfs, not all
   that bad.  Though the bit with the coffee is a bit blatant (I mean,
   switching moods as she switches coffees is nice, but don't bludgeon
   us with it) and there's a bit of broken fourth wall lying strewn
   about here and there, it makes for a very nice character sketch.
   Very nice indeed. 8 of 10 on the short scale.

{Shunsuke}
   The author tries to be melancholy here, but just doesn't quite
   succeed.  The traits given to Nabiki read more like confusion
   and indecision rather that sadness.  Still, events are well
   described and believeable, and the author can certainly put words
   together so they are clear but concise.  Not a bad early effort
   for a recent newcomer to fanfiction.

- - - - -
Title:  Doors Best Left Unopened part 10
Series: Ranma
Genre: Serious/Darkish
Author:  Mark MacKinnon
Email:  emmack@ibm.net

Homepage:  http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/8225

Date Sent to FFML: July 14/98
Size:  118 kb

Summary:

The arrival of Wynneth, the beautiful but lethal Lady of the Shadows,
threatens to derail all of Riana's careful planning.  Wynneth's
revelation that human champions are beginning to rise again only
complicates matters.  Riana decides to send her rival to hunt down
Reiko and find out if she is indeed a sorceress, thus keeping her
distracted from the Kunou estate and the pendant.  Meanwhile, the
demonic Baenma share some girl talk and talk about home not-so-sweet
home.
Also, Akane pushes Ranma into helping her with her plan to test
Nabiki.  Nabiki and Ukyou speculate on just what is going on with Miss

[Truncated due to excessive length. -ed]

{Paul}
   Oh dear. This is one heck of a series, and one heck of an
   installment in said series. Lots of things happen... dark turns
   against itself and comforts itself and shows itself to be less dark
   than one might imagine... love is tried and found and tossed around
   like yesterday's news. One heck of a long series... touching on the
   same things as HoI, but perhaps in a different vein... and
   definitely worth reading from the beginning. It's a story about a
   million and one different things, all of them important in their
   own ways... 18 or 19 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Hearts and Minds Prelude 1 - Kuno Tatewaki: Home [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: 7/13
Size: 52 kb

Summary:

After living with the Amazons for seven years, Kuno Tatewaki returns
to Nerima to gather together fighters to help defend the Amazon
village. We flash back to just after Ranma and Akane's failed wedding
(manga vol. 38) and learn how a plan by Genma, Soun, and Mousse to get
R&A married inadvertantly led to Kuno leaving Japan.

{Shunsuke}
   Now here's a matchup I haven't heard before: Kunou and Shampoo.  
   (Don't worry, nothing's happening yet. ^_^)  We get a see an older 
   and wiser group of people in their lives, this chapter reading 
   like short biographies as a setup for later events; I think there's 
   something hidden that the author intends to reveal as a horrifying 
   surprise, but we'll have to wait and see.

   As for construction and the writing itself, what do I need to say, 
   the author's name is enough.  (Gary - I'll send you the account 
   number for the bribe later!)

- - - - -
Title: #1: Moments of Transition
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: July 16, 1998
Size: 60kb

Summary:

We all know how Ranma 1/2 ended, but what happened the very next day
that would change the lives of everyone around Ranma forever?

{Paul}
   Well, it's about time. This is one of a very few continuations that
   stay within the original bounds (implied and not) on the manga.
   Everything seems rather natural, flowing from the last volume... in
   fact, the first part is little more than a retelling of the last
   story in the last volume. But not a very good retelling... the
   story would be better off without it, as far as I'm concerned. 13
   or 14 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title:  Nabiki - New Horizons: Chapter 16 - End of an Era
Series:  Ranma 1/2
Genre:  Continuation / Focus: Nabiki Tendo-Lawrence
Author:  G.L. Sandborn
Email:  sandborn@microlink.net

Homepage:  www.microlink.net/~sandborn

Date Sent to FFML:  7/15/98
Size:  211k

Summary:

Nabiki's plan for getting Ranma and Akane married continue to encounter
obstacles.  Between the fathers, the fiancees, and Kasumi's hurt feelings,
Nabiki has her hands full.  In the end, she works out all problems and the
happy couple are married.  Of course, Nabiki now has to face the Shinobi
Grand Council of Elders.  The Cold Moon Clan is now on its own.

{Paul}
   This is beginning to remind me of UY: The Senior Year. Only it's
   Ranma-flavored. If anything, though, this is probably one of the
   truer-to-canon continuation series I've ever read. The same
   delightful Nerima insanity, the same high-powered martial artists,
   the same periodic introduction of new blood into the cast. Very
   little in the way of grammar problems or anything that would
   detract from the flow of the story... though you may find yourself
   wondering why people can get away with so much and get nailed for
   so little. And if you have a look at the backstory... otaku insert
   galore. Just a warning. 15 or 16 out of 20.

{Shunsuke}
   If this is the end, it's a good place to finish, and if it's not,
   it would be a great time to jump ahead a few years and see what
   interest the other Shinobi clans have for Sodoshi.  Surprisiningly
   little violence when the clans show up in this episode as compared
   to earlier parts of the series, although that's not necessarily a
   bad thing.  (Yeah, but I like bloodthirsty scenes...)  I certainly
   liked the chase scene, it was funny, and the idea of Rally...umm,
   I mean Nabiki, (hey, they have the same haircuts, so you never
   know...) driving around Tokyo like a maniac works for me.  But
   IIRC, didn't Nabiki get a license and a car in Hawaii?  So I have
   to wonder why she drives like this.)

- - - - -
Title: Second Chances
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Romantic, Comedy, Start Over
Author: Lord Archive
Email: archive@mich.com

Homepage: http://www.mich.com/~archive/anime

Date Sent to FFML: 7-15
Size: 135K Total

Summary:

Have a tragic event, Akane is sent back in time to the day she first
meets Ranma. She sets out to not repeat her mistake in her previous
life, just a bunch of new ones.

{Paul}
   I've always been a sucker for those movies where the main character
   lives a day over and over until he gets it right. Something about
   having that second chance to do it better than before... anyway,
   I'm really intrigued by both this and Dave Eddy's "Second Time
   Around", because the premise makes for a rather challenging story.
   How many things will turn out differently now that Akane knows
   what'll happen? Some of the dialogue seems a bit awkward... then
   again, perhaps that's intentional, since Akane is acting rather
   than living.  16 or 17 out of 20... and here's hoping we'll get a
   nice, WAFFy installment in the near future.

{Shunsuke}
   This series has an interesting concept behind it: Akane goes back
   in time, now loving Ranma, and gets to do everything over again
   from day one.  I don't know if it really needs the sisters from
   AMS and the inevitable reference to Kasumi and Belldandy sounding
   alike; with all the magic in Ranma 1/2, it seemed 'deux et machina'
   to me. 

   The author took the time to clean up a lot of errors in the repost
   against the earlier version, but there's still a few grammatical
   problems that make it hard to read.  With a little more work in
   this area, you've got a winner.

- - - - -
Title: The Setting Moon:  Firefly Dreams
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Nikholas "Rain Man" F. Toledo
Email: niftol@i-manila.com.ph

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/setmoon.html

Date Sent to FFML: 0652H 16 Jul 98 (+0800H)
Size: 26 KB

Summary:

Years after, the cast find themselves healing around old wounds.  Some
find solace and meaning in the old, others find comfort and growth in
the new.  But the knots cannot easily come undone...

{Paul}
   Very nice. Very, very nice. Three conversations, three couples (of
   a sort), three moments which would not be had one choice not been
   made. Very simple and yet evocative imagery, meaningful but simple
   dialogue... a near-masterpiece in understatement and silence when
   it is necessary. 19 or 20 out of 20.

- - - - -
Title: Shampoo 1/2 Chapter 31: The Storm Builds
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate Universe
Author: D.B. Sommer
Email: sommer@nb.net

homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/~azatlan/Special-Series/shampoo.html

Summary:

It's Akane's turn to ask Ranma out on a date. Cologne returns to Japan
and has a talk with Shampoo. Ukyou and Ai grow closer. Silk, as well
as, Perfume and the Hunt Pack continue towards Nerima. The Shogun
consolidates his power and Herb has a secret. Oh yes. There is also
one new arrival that is going to change the status quo in the Tendo
household forever.

{Paul}
   Amish *piku* Martial *piku* Arts.

   BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

   Again, stuff happens. Little stuff. Little stuff that is building,
   grain by grain, inch by inch, toward some beyond huge confrontation.
   It's a tribute to how well thought out this world is that ordinary
   things can be described in such detail and apparent ease. 17 or 18
   out of 20.

{Shunsuke}
   I hadn't read any of this series beforehand, so I wasn't sure what 
   to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Events are coherent and 
   progress toward a certain result, yet the author know just what to 
   tell and what to hide.  (And again, it's nice to see someone knows 
   how to use the language.)

   It's hard to reconcile the differences in characters and their 
   behaviours without reading the earlier parts, but their actions do 
   seem consistent throughout.  The differences in scenes, ranging 
   from ancient horrors to mundane life is a little too varied for one 
   story, or at least would work better as longer segments within the 
   story.  I just found in the last third of the fic that the jumping 
   between scenes was a little too frequent and interrupted the action.

- - - - -
Title: #2: Team Ranma vs. the Orochi Assassins
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: July 16, 1998
Size: 90kb

Summary:

Many months ago, Akane defeated the legendary eight headed dragon,
Yamata no Orochi. But, a strange, demented cult devoted to the evil
dragon has emerged, targeting the young Tendo for murder, unless Ranma
and company can do something about it. But, why would Akane's
long-time enemies dare fight to save her life?

{Paul}
   Hmm... fight scenes, interspersed with character building. Exactly
   the kind of arbitrary battles one expects to find in the manga...
   most interesting. I can't find many (if any) flaws in the
   storytelling or in the plot... which admittedly takes a few turns
   here and there. 16 or 17 out of 20.

* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 / The Muppet Show]

- - - - -
Title: The Muppet Show Tribute to Anime
Series: Ranma 1/2/Muppet Show/Misc. Anime
Genre: Crossover
Author: Bridget E. Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net

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

Date Sent to FFML:7/16/98
Size:57K

Summary:

It's The Muppet Show!  With special guest star Ryouga Hibiki, it pokes
fun at practically every anime I know well enough to poke fun at.

{Paul}
   *ahem*

   BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *sniff* *chortle* Oh man.
   Oh MAN! That was right up there with "A Faint Hope" in the humor
   category. "Pig-fu"...*pfft* "Sve bonk don du 'konomiyaki!" *pfft*
   o/~ Macho, macho man... o/~ *pfft* This was just insane, in that
   Muppet sort of friendly insane kind of way... thing... 19 or 20
   out of 20.

{Shunsuke}
   I'm old enough to remember when The Muppet Show was new on TV (no,
   I won't say how old I am), so this really hit home.  The author
   hit every note perfectly, got every joke and bad pun right on the
   nose.  And, Jiminy Crickets, by the time I got to "Veterenarian's
   Hospital"....

   My only pork...err, beef about this one was no cafeteria scene.  I
   mean, come on, miss an opportunity to do jokes about ham or Akane's
   cooking joke with Ryouga on the set? ^_^  (And where's Rizzo the
   Rat?!?!?)

* * * * *
[The Rose of Versailles]

- - - - -
Title: The Fading Rose
Series: The Rose of Versailles
Genre: Grim Lime
Author: Chris Davies
Email: cdavies@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca

Homepage: http://www.ualberta.ca/~cdavies/hmpage.html


Date Sent to FFML: Jul 9
Size: 10K

Summary:

A conversation between Her Majesty, Queen Marie Antoinette, and the
Captain of the Royal Guard, Lady Oscar Francois de Jarjoyes, on the
eve of the French Revolution.  Subtext becomes maintext.

{Shunsuke}
   Yes, Mr. Author, you definitely broke the mould and wrote something
   non-Ranma in nature, and not too shabbily either.  With very few 
   adjectives, you managed to convey a pre-revolution France and the
   time-worn tragedy of forbidden love with sympathetic characters.
   But where do you take it from here?  Is this a one-off or have you
   got something more in mind?

   This really doesn't feel like anything anime-related, other than 
   perhaps Heroic Legend of Arislan, since both are historically and 
   European based stories.  But, echoing your own thought, a little
   change now and then in storylines is a good thing.

* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyou!]

- - - - -
Title: Images of Tenchi:  Funaho
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Dark
Author: Chris Davies
Email: cdavies@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca

Homepage: http://www.ualberta.ca/~cdavies/


Date Sent to FFML: Jul 14
Size: 8K

Summary:

Funaho, introduced in the last (to date) Tenchi Muyo OAV, is the
mother of Yoshou, and thus Tenchi's great-grandmother.  These is her
view of her world, after the last bright thing in it dies.

{Shunsuke}
   Now to do a complete 180...this story is a little harder to follow
   than the previous one in this list by the same author.  _The Fading
   Rose_ could stand on its own, without the reader having to know
   certain things, but this may not make sense, mainly because it
   requires prior knowledge of the final TM! OAV episodes.  (I have
   seen all the TM! TV and the OAV episodes 1-11, and I still couldn't
   quite work this out.)  Being obscure in giving details only works
   well when the hidden facts are common knowledge to the reader,
   something he can figure out for himself; here, there's details
   only a viewer of the OAVs could understand.

   Having said that, it's still fairly well written, evoking an 
   emotional response and bringing up bitter feelings without ever 
   knowing anything about the characters.  The only question at times 
   was who the two female lovers of the man were, the new generation 
   or a previous one.

* * * * *
[Tonari no Totoro]

- - - - -
Title: TOTORO:Death and TOTORO:Rebirth
Series: Tonari no Totoro (as directed by Hideki Anno)
Genre: Fusion? Challenge?
Author: Ucchan/Kiyone the Omnipotent
Email: ucchan@pacbell.net

Homepage: http://ucchan.simplenet.com/

Summary:

My Neighbor Totoro as directed by Eva's Hideki Anno.

{Shunsuke}
   It wasn't just the titles that didn't make sense, it was the story,
   or at least, the second story.  Spamfics usually work best when 
   there is a point or a joke involved; here, however, there's only an 
   attempt to capture the feeling of a crossover without actually 
   trying to do something with it.  Still...it probably *would* take 
   a scatterbrained child to make Gendo Ikari lose it.

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End of the Reviews List for the week of:  July 11-17, 1998



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