Have you a reaction to my article or opinion about Ranma fanfics in general? Write me at talswapr@aol.com.
It's a busy time in my life and this post has been delayed. I hope you find it worth your wait.
My Ranma 1/2 "Fanfic Year" (FY) runs from October 1 to September 30. The
third quarter of FY 97, therefore, ended on June. All Ranma fanfics posted
to Rec.Arts.Anime.Creative are eligible to be counted among my favorites.
At the end of the FY, I will honor the best of the best in The 1997
Taleswapper Awards. Nominated for these fictitious fiction awards are
the stories praised in the post, as well as those I wrote up in the two previous
posts:
"The Taleswapper Treatment" provides some detail on how I put my posts together. I should note that there are stories that should have been listed here, but weren't. See Mea Culpa for an explanation.
The stories described below are my favorites for the Third Quarter, an especially
rich period in Ranma 1/2 fanfic. I'll not say it was the best quarter
ever, even if I think it was, for the writers will probably surpass
it next quarter.
***
As Ranma went to kiss her, Geisha promptly wedged her
big head between them, forcing them apart.
"Hey.. Watch it, will ya?" Akane sputtered, angrily. "I swear,
Ranma, that horse is jealous!" She spat, wiping her blouse. Geisha
raised her head and looked full-on at Akane, snorting indignantly.
"Same to you." Akane responded, levelly.
***
Though I hadn't realized it, I've been waiting for a story like Horse. Coutu takes a staple plot - a western character with a Jusenkyo curse - that typically signals for me a boring fanfic and builds it into a work so entertaining that I'm left wanting more. The refreshingly different directions in which the author takes this fic combine with a fluid, witty writing style to make Horse a story I have enjoyed on several readings.
Avoiding the clichés associated with the fanfictional gaijin encountered by Ranma, Coutu has created a pleasingly novel character. Simple believability distinguishes Elysses's demeanor. Her responses to the absurd situations typical of Ranma 1/2 are refreshingly unaffected, free from the obtrusive missions on which other fanfic authors send their original characters. The tragicomic path that led to her fateful encounter with Ranma radiates the spirit of the manga, and her personal history in no way diminishes the Ranma 1/2 tale being told. Thus, despite her foreignness, Elysse fits neatly into the Ranma universe. And her secret pledge at story's end holds the promise of the sort of romantic intrigue I can't get enough of in fanfic.
The first part of the story, told mainly from Ranma's perspective, more clearly showcases the author's prose talent than does Elysse's time in the spotlight. The treats are many and diverse. The authentic details of horsemanship add depth and substance to the charming depiction of the Saotome's weekend diversion. The amusing, flirtatious interplay between Ranma and Akane delights, reminding me of what I liked best in Dark Family. The revelation of Geisha's secret, perhaps a little too drawn out, is nevertheless entertaining and keenly scripted.
You can find A Horse is a Horse at
Water's
Edge.
***
"Promise me...you'll always...always look after me...like this...if you do...I...won't be...scared..."
***
Catharsis is not, by itself, artistic. Pouring one's heart out over an intensely emotional experience, however sincere, is too easy to make for noteworthy storytelling. Certainly, emotional honesty can serve as the effective core for fanfic, for any art. With this perspective, I have several times been affected, but ultimately unimpressed, by Ranma 1/2 fanfics based on the exploration of emotions surrounding episodes of tragedy or angst. And so, with precious few exceptions, such fics have not been among my favorites.
And so I was intrigued when Demaine, an author whose work has often delighted me, seemed to be embarking down the path to the tearful graveside confessions that seem a weekly occurrence in Nerima. For I had faith that this author would apply craft and finesse to the fic, even if it were yet another "sadfic" with yet another Akane added to the corpses that litter the archive.
My faith was rewarded. In Acceptance, Demaine shows off some new tricks, furnishing high imagery content not seen in Ranma .05 or his other works. The landmark lemon, so remarkably faithful to the manga, relied mostly on staging and action for dramatic and comic efficacy. But in Acceptance, the scenery often takes the spotlight, upstaging the characters and their activities. More specifically, the tempestuous climate becomes a genuine presence, very clearly setting the tone and even interacting with the characters. Constant and demanding, the storm nags Ranma, maddening him with reminders of his failings with Akane. Less obvious but equally effective is the stark ambience of the hospital, which seems to stifle hope and, by its contrast, to highlight the beautiful climactic scene that occurs there.
Ranma's confrontation with Nabiki is not nearly as strong as the other parts of Acceptance. The rambling monologues seem overcomplex, rehearsed, and irreconcilable with the characters speaking them. But its conclusion shines with a sort of homespun wisdom, and with the affectionate and sisterly tone that I think Demaine was trying to establish in the rest of the scene.
The red herring passage is done very well, though less would have been more. Perhaps because I had prepared myself for a cathartic mourning scene, the conclusion was surprisingly touching. Beginning with Takahashi-inspired humor, the scene transitions to the same endearing sincerity that marked the "deathbed" scene. Contrasted against that funereal ambience, the depiction of Ranma's honesty is more heartening than it would be in another context. A nice trick.
And so Demaine can be forgiven for using a little bit of creative vocabulary, such as "un-right" and "expressionate."
Acceptance is available at the
Horde O' Hentai
Archives.
***
Cologne found herself fighting for her life. She saw now that Ranma had been holding back in his previous encounters with her, using only as much force as necessary... but now, for the first time, he was truly fighting beyond himself, and there was something in his eyes that frightened her. She was growing desperate, for his power and speed were growing with each moment and she could not hold him off much longer.
***
As an opening chapter, Neko-phobia 1 succeeds in eliciting interest for future parts. Eddy takes the oft-used cursed-Akane plot and supplements it with superior writing and new directions in characterization. The author's smooth prose is illustrative and evocative in a modest, subdued way. The long descriptive passages have fluidity that makes them seem brief, enhancing their impact.
Most appealing and original is Eddy's conception of a new component in the Ranma-Akane relationship: the notion that husband is duty-bound to improve his wife's martial skills. I was fascinated by the passage in which we follow Ranma through his personal reflections on this idea. In the context of Neko-phobia, ensuring Akane's physical security is a topic with unexpected emotional impact.
Eddy's characterization of the angry Nabiki (loved her in Sunrise, dontcha know) is absorbing and I hope to see that idea explored further. In this chapter, I was impressed by the author's portrayal of her cold fury and the spiteful sardonicism in her manner as Akane's enemies are discussed. Balancing these elements are Ranma's more noble attitudes about vengeance and violence. Relying only on description of outward signs, the author effectively communicates Ranma's conflicted emotions without introspective details.
Read Neko-phobia at
Dave Eddy's Fanfiction
Page.
***
He was the center of our lives, the heart of our pattern.
We revolved around him. When he died, the pattern broke apart. I can see
it now, with my witch's sight. The pattern is broken and frayed, but the
links still exist. I don't know how it can still exist with so many people
dead and gone, but it is there.
It is waiting for him.
***
The author of Lies has again succeeded in applying elements of horror/suspense fiction to Ranma 1/2. Simultaneously, Hosmer fills in some very intriguing details in the Ranma 2096 continuity. The 2096 universe is built on many intriguing and rather original ideas, yet even in this context Gisei shines with noticeable uniqueness.
Hosmer's prose remains well above the curve, even though the level of quality of the average Ranma fanfic improves measurably each quarter. The terse first-person narrative rivets one's attention at once, demanding sympathy and intimacy. A fusion of journal-style and stream-of-consciousness, the storytelling in Gisei draws us into Shampoo's life and mind to share her pain and remorse. Even when Shampoo reveals her most repellent secrets and her most awful history, the reader identifies with her, is very nearly at one with her.
The horrific elements of the story are consistently effective, each terrible confession staggers. This achievement extends even to the scene of graphic violence, which I found to be heavy-handed. Gisei is at its riveting best when the writing is indirect, the horror understated. Such subtlety is very much preferable to calculated attempts to make us squirm.
Add to Hosmer's list of accomplishments the success in telling, within this setting of dread, a story of great and soulful love. The devotion evident in many of the relationships that Hosmer very compactly describes can be inspiring, even amid the atrocities portrayed in Gisei.
Gisei can be downloaded from the
R2096 Story
Archive.
***
There was a time - it felt long ago, but he could remember, not that long - that he would have died before wearing such clothes - at least, not without a purpose, a plan, a reason; modeling for Happosai had restored his strength, shopping with his mother had saved his life, but this - what has this given him, what reason excuses this familiarity? That defiance, that resistance had been essential to him, core; had he just dismissed it outright? No - there had to be a reason.
***
This past year, the notion of conflict and ambiguity in Ranma's sexual identity has inspired several writers. In fics ranging from comic farces to serious examination of gender roles, we have seen many variations on the idea that Ranma may not always be 100 percent devoted to life as a man. In this wealth of stories, however, two stories have matched this intriguing topic with even more compelling craftsmanship. The two are like bookends, equal in quality, but opposing in structure. On one end is Thy Outward Part, the tale of a permanently transformed Ranma's long struggle to deny her female sexuality. On the opposite side is Reflective Snapshot, in which Ranma realizes that he long ago gave up the fight to salvage his complete manhood.
Noakes' work is a masterpiece of realism, portraying emotional trauma as it most often occurs: in muted, private, contemplative moments. If Thy Outward Part (and its sequels) is a bang, Snapshot is a whimper. But its silence is deafening, as peaceful normalcy sets a contrasting background for sudden dramatic introspection. The contrast fuels emotion and pathos; nothing momentous occurs, yet Ranma's life is drastically changed.
The author's mastery of cleanly detailed prose is key to the stunning vigor of this fic. A door slams downstairs, a snail makes its way up the wall. These microscopic vignettes paint a picture of quiet domestic routine, providing a foil for one of the best introspective paragraphs I've seen in any fanfic. As you can see in the excerpt above, Noakes' eloquence is very nearly poetic. His use of run-on sentences establishes a quasi-stream-of-consciousness tone that reflects the speed and disjointedness of the natural thought process.
The story's ending is appropriately stirring, though the action is still nonexistent. One's heart breaks as Ranma silences the cries of the young adventurer who begs him to escape into martial errancy. Is this conclusion chilling, or merely melancholy? It may even be uplifting, if you've got nothing against a happy marriage and the fulfillment of family life. Do such rewards outweigh the aspirations of the screaming and manly youth who dwells within Ranma? There is much to consider here, and that is to Noakes' credit.
Reflective Snapshot is available at
Michael Noakes' Anime
Page.
***
"She wasn't very happy about that, she wanted to set another
date."
"When?"
Akane grabbed and snuggled his arm. "Oh, Ranma! I've been waiting
so long to hear that question!"
Ranma stopped in mid stride. "Huh?"
Akane put her finger to his lips. "Shhh. I was just joking."
Ranma's panic subsided, but there was something new here, an
unspoken agreement to ignore the inevitable, at least for a while, and enjoy
what they have.
***
It's out there. Remember in the movie When Harry Met Sally the scene in which, turned down by Sally, Harry tries to take back his sexual proposition? She tells him he can't take it back because "It's out there."
So it is with Ranma and Akane in Black. Having danced very near the edge of the precipice in Orange, they have added to their relationship a dimension that is at once frightening and delightful. It is out there and their lives are colored by the expectation, the inevitability of it. Now, depending on your frame of mind when you read Black, "it" can mean marriage or sex. Palmer coyly raises both subjects more than once in the story, causing considerable discomfort for the young couple.
How ironic that, while introducing such mature themes to the "Seasons/Colors" continuity, Palmer has adapted his story to more closely conform with the youthful, mischievous spirit of the Ranma 1/2 manga. The subdued tone of Spring and Summer has given way, first to outright bawdiness in Orange, then in Black to Takahashi-style farce. In the first half of the story especially, Palmer stages scenes that might have been pulled right out of a tankubon: the opening misunderstanding, Genma's training, Nabiki's acquisition.
This direction in Palmer's work is gratifying, and I hope to see an entirely comic piece from him one day. But I'm not ready to give up on the more tranquil exploration of emotions that distinguished his earlier fics. Fortunately for me, Black provides plenty of contemplative ambience to balance the humor. Critical to this atmosphere is the painstaking detail in which the author has constructed his stage and scenery. Apparently grounded in on-the-scene research, Palmer provides for the characters a most authentic and convincing Nerima in which to play out scenes that are indistinguishable from real-life romance. As ever, the soul of Palmer's writing, whether telling a joke or a love story, is rich imagery.
Of course, the main reason to re-read Black is to revel in its uplifting final scene. Ranma's courageous initiative unfolds with realistic spontaneity. Its aftermath is at once ethereal and solid, unifying emotion and tangible action. Whether the conclusion of "Colors" is to be sex or marriage or both, I have to believe that we have seen the story's true consummation.
Black and lots of other good stuff are at
Joseph Palmer's
fanfic page.
***
Nabiki felt a scream of frustration building in her. This
whole week, especially the past few days had been so taxing. Matching wits
with Cologne was not an easy task. And even though she succeeded in getting
the confession from the old ghoul and the bimbo, she couldn't help but
feel...
Something clicked.
The past week. She'd only started thinking seriously of an
engagement with Ranma this past week. Since the blood spell.
Why only the past week? Why had her feelings changed?
Nabiki felt her eyes widen, and her heart began to pound.
***
There are now dozens of Ranma fan fiction works that are of extended length, some that would even qualify as novels. Despite my stated preference for fanfics that count brevity among their features, several of these very long works are among my favorites. When such long works gain my highest favor, I am so taken by their enjoyable storylines and superior writing that I'm able to see past any weaknesses.
Such blurring of critical vision, however, was entirely unnecessary in the case of Hearts of Ice. For no Ranma fanfic author has approached in an extended work the achievement that Perry repeats with each new chapter: consistent, enduring excellence of storytelling. Like a superhuman athlete able to maintain sprinting speed over the course of a marathon, Perry is relentless in presenting her readers with highest-quality fanfic. We are left reeling by an unremitting onslaught of expertly crafted language, sensually rendered scenes, soulful romance, and characters of extraordinary depth.
I am usually unexcited by Ranma fanfics which draw inspiration and material from folklore or fantasy literature, or from their far less artistic progeny, fantasy roleplaying games. But with HoI, I found myself caught up for the first time in a fanfic author's attempts to meld the Ranma 1/2 universe with a serious treatment of traditional myth and legend. Perry is not the first author to grace Ranma fanfic with the fruits of research into Japanese culture and folklore. But her efforts have been for me the most enthralling by far.
Clearly the key to Perry's success has been the ability to weave traditional story elements so unobtrusively into HoI. The fic is not spoiled by lengthy discourse on Japanese cultural history, nor by overdone arcane or heraldic language that mythical characters are "supposed to" speak, nor by overelaborate fantasy milieux through which readers must be guided by some dungeonmaster.
Through the first 14 chapters of HoI, more than 700 kilobytes of fanfic, there are dozens of beautifully scripted moments that endure in my memory. The cinematically vivid spell-casting scene continues to chill me and I can still feel the palpable tension generated by the approach of the spell "missile." I remain affected by the impact of Ranma's dream when Yuki-onna comes to attempt his murder, and by the tragic failure of the rescue attempt and Akane's and Ranma's emotional honesty in that heartrending moment. The excitement of Nabiki's first showdown with Cologne and of Tengu's battle with the Shadowcat still resonates.
The soulful appeal of HoI is matched by its artistry. Perry's prose has an unpretentious, conversational tone that provides a complementary backdrop for the story's intense scenes. The unassuming writing style is balanced by sophisticated devices that build depth and richness unsurpassed in Ranma fics. Witness the attention lavished on such details as the color of auras, indicating mood and spirit. Revel in enchanting descriptions like "the silky chestnut halo" of Ukyou's hair or Ranma-neko's "wild blue eyes peering through matted red bangs."
It's almost criminal that emotional allure and stylistic excellence should appear in the same fanfic as refreshingly inventive plotting, but Perry pulls off the stunt ably. Apart from the fulfilling love story at HoI's core, two plot elements stand out as monumental. First is the deftly executed tale of Akane forgotten, in which Perry spins a most fascinating alternate reality. By definition, the revised history produced by Akane's disappearance from memory is fragile and unbelievable. But the brief time for which the Akaneless world endures is as captivating as any of the many AltReal's conjured up by fanfic authors. Particularly captivating was Nabiki's cool confrontation with Shampoo and Ukyou as she joins the iinazuke rivalry.
The second extraordinary plotting factor is Perry's ingenious conception of a supernatural origin story for the neko-ken. I've no idea if there really is a "Shadowcat" in Japanese folklore, but the notion of tying such a mystical entity to the ailurophobia-inducing training regimen left me shaking my head in admiration. Moreover, the author uses this plot element as a springboard from which to launch the finest attempt in all fanfic to portray Ranma's cat-psyche.
Superior characterization flows from the other qualities of Perry's work. Most exemplary of the author's ability to add depth and appeal to the Ranma 1/2 pantheon is her treatment of Akane. In fanfic, while the youngest Tendo is usually lovable, she is rarely admirable. This shortcoming occurs primarily because, even in the hands of the best fanfic authors, Akane rarely transcends the limitation of being the back half of "Ranma and." HoI joins a short list of fics (such as the classic Nightshadow) in which Akane is developed into a strong, independent person of enviable character.
This lengthy and yet unfinished fanfic is worth reading and re-reading if only for Chapter 12, so tightly packed with high drama, intense feelings, and dizzying plot twists. One of my all-time favorite passages, excerpted above, portrays the detective-like cogitation of Nabiki, as she finds within her own state of mind evidence for a vanished sister. Beginning with an engrossing depiction of a Nabiki who may be in love with Ranma, Perry evokes the charm that draws us all to alternate reality fics. Then, the mood intensifies as we follow Nabiki through her psychological sleuthing process. Finally, the case solved, the scene fades with a quietly moving conclusion. What a masterful work! Chapter 12 also features the arresting moment of Ranma's confrontation with Shampoo, which transitions into the heartbreaking settlement of the Ranma-Shampoo-Mousse triangle.
This is the part where it is appropriate for me to mention how eagerly I await the concluding chapters of HoI. To be honest, I am quite satisfied and even a little worn out by the unrelenting excellence of the 14 chapters already posted to RAAC. I have faith that Perry has an effective, moving climax and resolution in store for her readers. But I don't think this fan fiction experience can get any better, for it is already one of the very best.
Click here to visit the
Hearts of Ice home
page.
***
Ranma slowly turned over so that he was lying on his stomach.
Nabiki straddled him, sitting on his rear. She shushed his protests and began
to knead his shoulders. She'd had some practice at this. She'd learned a
few things from her father, and soon Ranma's shoulders began to loosen up.
"Very good," she said teasingly. "You're going to need to be
as relaxed as possible tomorrow or you won't enjoy it."
He said nothing, but she heard a small sigh of partly contentment
and partly apprehension.
***
Fascinating and irresistible, Power is perhaps the most intelligent of all Ranma 1/2 lemon fics. This reverse-rape fantasy may also be the most erotic. The anonymous author paints an eye-popping portrait of a seduction, on a canvas of sharp and attractive prose. Like all the best lemons, the plotting and the writing style are rich enough to ensure a highly appealing story even without the salacious content.
Balancing evocative detail with rapid pacing, "Tendo" demonstrates expertise in storytelling. Each paragraph entices as capably as the Nabiki portrayed in the fic, luring readers into the next passage, captivating us. This sort of composition is most fitting to depict the psychology and means of a seductress who walks a fine line between invitation and coercion. Particularly impressive are the moments of pretense, when Nabiki overcomes Ranma's reluctance with feigned passion.
I hope to see more of "Tendo's" work, for the author seems unusually skillful. It would be most interesting to see this ability applied to a story with more ambitious content and a more intricate plot.
Click
here to download Power from the fanfic archive.
***
Ranma's shoulders sagged. It *was* his fault. Everybody knew it - had known it. Everybody but him. He had been thoughtless, rude and cruel - to the person that he loved the most. He *had* been turning into his father. Ranma shuddered at the thought, and hung his head in shame.
***
What a luxury to expound on The Bitter End, so long after the storm whipped up by Zen's fic has passed. Like anyone who taxes their brain cells by carefully considering the merits of Ranma fan fiction works, I regard TBE with esteem that is mixed and maybe a little confused. For the fic's greatest strengths are inextricably bound up with glaring flaws. Best-in-class story elements and prose artistry intermingle with mediocre and unexciting passages. But the story's enduring and striking character make clear that Zen has accomplished everything he probably set out to do, and its resonance in my memory makes clear that TBE has everything I look for in my favorite fics.
While there has rightly been much controversy about TBE's version of Akane, Zen's storytelling skills were up to the task of credibly linking her growing irrational fury with a diagnosable disease. In scene after meticulously scripted scene, the author shows how Akane's unreasoning anger emerges, fuels illogical thinking, and then increases as her rationalizations become more dreadful. Plain and simple: it works; and in the context of the normally lighthearted and uncerebral Ranma 1/2, this success is most noteworthy.
To me, however, TBE's greatest success is the portrayal of Ranma's deterioration into the role of victim. It was this enormous transformation, and not the horrific Akane, that engaged my greatest scrutiny and most profoundly disturbed me as I first made my way through the fic. The Ranma Saotome of TBE is defined by diminishing strength and spirit and by increasing despair and debasement. While notions of portraying Takahashi's creations "in character" are for me not useful in assessing fanfics, I am most gratified when authors make the effort to provide substantive background or rationale for the new dimensions they add to the Ranma 1/2 cast members.
This effort was not apparent to me on my first reading of TBE, so shocked was I by Zen's new definition of Ranma as a too-passive casualty of Akane's mania. But once I got past this overly emotional response, a more technical review of TBE was possible. My second look revealed what I consider the fic's greatest treasure: the convincing tale of a man's fall from strength and vibrancy and his awful descent into victimhood. Zen liberally seasons the story with often mesmerizing details that explain how an otherwise confident, assertive warrior might assume the mantle of the battered. The honor-bound promise that Nodoka extracts from Ranma sets him on the downward slope. His soi disant inadequacy as a husband accelerates Ranma's collapse as his self-esteem crumbles to self-loathing. The final stages of Ranma's personal ruin are evidenced by physical manifestations that bring low his once-mighty body.
Ranma fanfic, happily for me, is refreshingly clean of "messages" and "social relevance." Authors have for the most part avoided using Ranma fics to advocate for or against causes, "-isms," and the like. If I want a sermon, I'll watch Roseanne. In this frame of (closed) mind, I approached TBE with some trepidation, didactic content having become part its reputation before the fic hit RAAC. I started out with grave doubts about the support group storyline, so alien to the established Ranma 1/2 milieu, and so unavoidably preachy.
Yet despite the tedious moralizing and educating that are part and parcel of the support group scenes, Zen succeeded with this storyline in expanding my interest in the story as a whole. By linking Ranma's martial arts teaching with the group's activities, the author actually made this most discordant story element fit very neatly into the Ranma 1/2 universe, playing off some of its most noble themes. Helping Zen's cause are his engrossing and well-staged scenes depicting Ranma as he walks the women through the basics of self-defense.
In other portions of the fic, unencumbered by the tedium of TBE's "message," Zen has provided memorable scenes of great impact and lively imagery. The confrontation after Akane barges into the Ucchan is especially well played. I was captivated by the drama of Ukyou's strained effort to bite back a violent reprise and by the power of her cool, considered threats.
Very admirable were the creativity and effectiveness of the shifting-perspective climax, each "restart" building an enormous sense of disorientation. Better if the author had decided to move directly from that innovative sequence to the second installment of the framing story featuring Ryouga. The denouement, with its overdone cries of anguish as the cast parades by Ranma's casket, was extraneous and clumsy. The short explanation of Akane's fate is unnecessary in light of the framing story. After the startling violence of the climax, Ryouga's anguish at Akane's state and his astute examination of his own history of rage serve as an eloquent counterbalance.
Here's a link to Zen's Fanfiction Page.
***
In my opinion.
Taleswapper
July 27, 1997
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