Hello, All!
This is a site devoted to the fanfic series I've started (originally as a lark) as a continuation of the stories in the "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" Universe.
So for someone who has her own original novel and column to write, what exactly is it about this series that inspired me to write fanfic too? I definitely don’t claim that it should be listed as one of the greatest anime of all time since I’m not blind to its faults. But it was the series that really hooked me into anime in general, appealing to my basic nature of being a fan first and foremost. As I once explained to someone, “It’s a series about four sexy, intelligent women who can kick ass. So of course I’m going to like it!”
Linna Yamazaki is my favorite of the 2040 Women, embodying a “do the right thing” quality that I find appealing in my personal criteria of heroes, and it doesn’t hurt that I believe she’s a lesbian. Sylia being a close second in terms of favorites (often taking the number one slot depending on the episode, and just losing it completely when she whimped out towards the end), Nene’s in third and Priss last. (It took me a while to realize that Priss was only interesting to me when she interacted with the other women, and when there were more lesbian than heterosexual vibes from her.)
I avidly consumed all of the episodes as they were released on VHS wanted to find out what will happen to these characters, even though I'm a self-confessed DVDphile at heart. The irony is that by the end of the series, everyone had seemed to reach a closure both in their life and in their romances, except for Linna. This being a character that even the English voice actress Kelly Manison considered to be a mystery on some levels.
So as a way for me to achieve my own closure with the character (unless of course the Powers That Be decide on a sequel that will address this lingering issue – preferably in the way I want,) I’ve decided to write this fanfic series. I have no idea how long it’s going to be or how often I will write it, or if I’ll even complete the story given that there's a chance I could lose interest without proper motivation and encouragement. I'll probably post a Chapter every couple of weeks to a month, if the rest of my life permits. And the troublemaker in me hasn’t even decided if the series as a whole is going to have a happy ending yet. At the very least, I wanted to carry Linna through her first real romance now that she’s finally settled the question for herself about her orientation.
The trick of course is that I’m using characters who were created in the Original BGC universe since I think there’s great story-telling potential in revamping them in “the Spirit of 2040”, as I often like to say. So no, I won’t be doing any self-insertion stuff, being quite content to use characters that were already created for this purpose.
Also, because this is Post 2040, it helps to have actually seen the series so I don’t have to explain everything as I use spoilers left and right. But I will try to explain where it seems reasonable. And for clarification, everything is based on the English dub dialogue since there are some significant differences in which characters say what in certain scenes.
And by the way, Priss fans, she won’t be showing up for a while. This is purposeful due to plot elements I have to establish before her reappearance, not just because she’s my least favorite of the four – although I won’t claim there aren’t some influences in that area.
Hope you enjoy it. I find that the fun of this project is sharing the experience with other 2040 (and open minded BGC) fans who may feel the same way. Constructive feedback and input welcome since I’m basically writing this as I’m going along.
This series is dedicated to the English voice actresses who made watching the show so enjoyable: Kelly Manison (Linna), Laura Chapman (Sylia), Hilary Haag (Nene) and Christine M. Auten (Priss). And to
Greenegret, who encouraged me to try out the project and see if it would fit.P. Kristen ;)
5/23/01 -
Here's where giving feedback makes a difference! Due to the incredible response, I am currently making arrangements and reexaming plot elements and pacing to make this an "ongoing" series, meaning not ending as soon as I originally planned, and always having the room for extension provided I am suitably inspired with ideas I want to explore, people continue to enjoy it, and I have the support of a beta reader.Also, it seems the Chang sisters have proven to be popular, which means I'm reevaluating my plans to have one of them murdered in Part 2 (no surprise for OVA viewers) -- but no promises at this point.
See what happens as the result of an email or two?
Special Author's Note #1 (some time in early 7/01): I've decided to try an experiment by using the Private Forum feature on Fanfiction.net (this series' other home) and allow for a public discussion (with occasional input from me) on this series: discuss what's currently going on and explore ideas for future stories.
Special Author's Note #2 (7/30/01): Well, because fanfiction.net has been having technical difficulties, I've decided to do the eGroup thing for those of you who want to give input, feedback and/or help create future stories. This is where I will doing my "public" communication with folks from now on. This is my first time dealing with eGroups so you're going to have to bear with me as I'm learning the ropes. I will be converting the postings from fanfiction.net onto this eGroups discussion list shortly so everything will be in one place... Thanks to folks who've posted already!
Special Author's Note #3 (8/4/01): I've finally transported all of the postings from fanfiction.net and will now focus on communicating through eGroup. Once fanfiction.net is back up, I will be shutting down that forum space. If you want to find out what has already been discussed/revealed/debated, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGCPost2040.
Poor Beta Reader is swamped -- and I'm partially to blame since she's got several chapters in her inbox! Hopefully I don't burn her out with this first saga since I've already started developing plot ideas and planting seeds for the File #2: "Web of Lives". Don't be surprise if I have to post for another beta after "Dominant Species" is finished since that's one of my conditions of writing this series!
As I've already warned the group members in the discussion boards (access below), Nene is once again NOT going to be the center of things in the second story. (Poor Nene!) But I've tossed out the idea of possibly starting a Nene round-robin if folks would be interested, or even some co-author possibilities. It's basically my warning to you that if no one else adopts our Nene-chan in the literary sense, she's not going to be the center of things for a while, if ever. Especially since my vague idea for File #3 STILL won't spotlight her. (I'm sorry but the other women are offering far more interesting story possibilities for me personally -- even Priss!)
Meanwhile, I know I have some continuity cleaning up to do since I FINALLY rewatched BGC 2040 and found some "oops." Luckily, I don't think they're big corrections. (Would you believe that I actually watched it the first time completely out of order?)
And I sat down and chapter plotted the entire rest of the story. So far expect a total of 67 installments (prologue, 65 chapters and epilogue.) Geez, I never thought this thing would become the self-feeding saga that it currently is now.
Yes, my beta is using this Labor's Day Weekend to catch up. (And I'm cranking out more so she doesn't feel like she's too caught up!)
Full steam ahead, Folks! And if you can't tell by the end of Part 3, things get wild from this point forward!
Those of you in the discussion group already knew this was coming: I've finally posted my analysis on some of the more controversial characterization points of Priss in preparation for her storyarc launch in Part 4: Hunger. I can almost guarantee that some of my interpretations are not the norm, but that doesn't mean I've gone off the deep end either. Depending on feedback and questions, I may add to it, but I think the main points are captured here.
Comments on 9/8:
Launching Part 4 with a bang of six chapters! Yes, it seems Beta and I are having a challenge on whether or not I can crank out enough chapters to keep her from feeling like she's on top of it all.
Comments on 9/12:
Hi All,
Just wanted to send a status message in light of what happened yesterday.
I am personally not directly affected by the events since all of my immediate
nearest and dearest are West Coasters (like myself). However, I'm certain some
of you may be impacted.
With that, I am intentionally delaying the posting of any more chapters of BGC
Post 2040 until the end of the month for the reason of the fact that the
immediate chapters all focus on an act of public terrorism, which I swear was
sent to my beta reader literally hours before the events of yesterday.
So out of the need to be sensitive to the general issue, I decided it was best
to put things on "pause" so to speak.
And I'm thinking this is a clue that I need to write more "fun"
material so I will be turning to other writing projects in the meantime.
Expect to hear from me in October.
Hope you are all coping as best you can.
Comments on 9/26:
As I forewarned the discussion group, I am fudging my targeted posting date more in the spirit of trying to return life in general as back to normal as possible. Plus, I'm hoping this story will be finished by the end of October (if not sooner -- depending on my poor Beta and how much she can turn around with her current backlog of 10 or so chapters, with more to come!)
So I'll will be posting in handfuls as I try to get the backlog off my hard drive!
Comments on 9/30:
Some "slow" chapters. The calm before the hurricane. (Was that a pun? I hate puns.)
Later in the same day: More chapters from Beta. Fun fun fun!
Comments on 10/1:
Due to reader request, I've added to my Priss 2040 anime analysis my take on her final confrontation with Galatea and how that may influence my portrayal of her characterization in Post 2040.
Later in the same day: Okay, Folks! Final cliff hanger for this first story. The next update (whenever that's going to be, I don't know) will be the ENTIRE rest of the story. Your last chance to guess at what happens!
Comments on 10/9:
Can we say "DONE"?!
Yes, "File 1: Dominant Species" has reached completion, with I'm certain just as much controversy as the previous parts of the story had prepared you for.
Comments on 10/15:
Added my closing comments on the story "Dominant Species", including what was SUPPOSED to have happened, some ideas that may resurface in the future, and a really horrifying mental image for Priss fans.