Favorite Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction, July-September 1996
by Taleswapper
**Introduction**
The following are essays of appreciation on my favorite Ranma 1/2 fan fiction
posted to rec.arts.anime.creative in the fourth quarter of my Fanfic Year
(FY) 1996. FY96 ended on September 30. My favorite fanfics are
distinguished by some combination of artful writing style, insightful and
original plotting and characterization, depth of characters, crispness and
realism of dialogue, or other charming qualities. (See the essay attached to
my July 96 post for some hints on what I'm _not_ looking for in Ranma
fanfic.) Separating the best from the merely good or enjoyable is my
judgement on whether a story is worth reading multiple times. Naturally, the
selection process is completely subjective and somewhat arbitrary.
Shortly, I will post my selections for the overall best Ranma 1/2 fanfics for
FY96. The nominees are all of the stories written up in this post and in my
posts for the three previous quarters. See below for information on
accessing my previous posts by FTP or WWW.
The best part of this exercise, apart from satisfying an urge to write, has
been the quality of correspondence that has resulted from my posts. I have
had very enjoyable and often enlightening exchanges with fanfic authors and
fellow readers. I invite anyone e-mail me at Talswapr@aol.com with responses
to my posts.
**Best Ranma Fanfics, Fourth Quarter, FY96**
The return to life of rec.arts.anime.creative made the "competition" for my
attention among Ranma fanfics more rigorous than ever. The great volume of
Ranma stories posted on r.a.a.c. since mid-August has meant that it is less
likely that any single fanfic will be memorable enough for me to count among
my favorites. The following works, therefore, are all the more praiseworthy
. . .
"Remind My Heart"
by Stephanie A. Gonzales
Ranma and Akane are almost hopelessly inept at love and at loving, and yet we
all of us know that theirs is a romance for the ages. How can that be? This
heartwrenchingly beautiful story provides one possible answer. Gonzales
spins a romantic tale so elegant in its simplicity and succinctness as to
amplify the reader's emotional response to its story of eternal love, even
though we have heard it in many different forms before.
The author's style is instantly endearing, with its poetic descriptions of
the spring evening at a timeless dojo. The magic which unfolds that night is
not wondrous and awe-inspiring, but familiar and warm, comfortable. Like a
soft background melody, the uncomplicated but deeply compelling love story
unfolds and draws us in. The words of the two lovers make real the dreams of
everyone who ever wanted one last chance to say goodbye. The mentions of
Takuma are a good example of those little details ever sought by quality
authors to give their fiction depth and realism.
The ending sequence, however necessary to the story, is a little bit clumsy
compared to the balance of the fanfic. Less here would have been more. The
link to one of the later manga stories is a nice and intriguing touch.
Gonzales' subtly vivid and moving writing style can also be enjoyed in the
Ranma fanfic "Hanami," not included here because I did not find the plotline
particularly original or interesting.
"Heart of the Home"
by Richard Lawson
This fanfic's strongest feature is its structure. Lawson intersperses
present-day and flashback scenes to create a cinematic ambience,
accomplished, notably, without the clumsy transitional gimmicks that other
authors rely too much on. How much more effective is the unheralded (though
not abrupt) change of temporal setting than are hackneyed devices which link
present and remembered scenes. Rather than forcing links between past and
present through use of obvious links such as objects or quotes, the author
credits his readers with sufficient intelligence to realize the thematic
links between recollection and current activity.
The development of Kasumi's character in "Heart" is the most advanced take to
date on the much-favored notion in fanfic that the eldest Tendo daughter is
more canny than she lets on. Lawson's extrapolation of this theme rests on
vignettes - including well-staged flashback scenes extrapolated from existing
moments from the anime - that highlight Kasumi's compassion and sensitivity,
which give her acumen that is unmatched by other characters' insight. This
variation on the Kasumi's-sharper-than-you-think theme is considerably more
effective than the attempts in other fan fiction to reshape her into a closet
genius; too many authors have made a mountain from a molehill by inferring a
deep intellectual life or a destined medical career from such trivia as
Kasumi's having once borrowed a book from Tofu.
It is delightful to observe Lawson's Kasumi in "Heart" and its sequels as she
subtly advises and affects the people around her, gently nudging them toward
wisdom and happiness. Particularly sweet is the scene, extrapolated from the
story of Akane's haircut, where Kasumi draws on special insight into her
youngest sister's motivations to help Akane find some happiness in her
arranged betrothal. The reader stands in awe of Kasumi's (i.e., the
author's) ability to surreptitiously analyze and solve her family's problems.
I am less receptive to another new characterization slant that has emerged in
Lawson's work and in other Ranma fanfic (e.g., "The Kiss" by John Biles):
that Nabiki's apparent avarice is explained by her purported role as the
Tendo family's principal financial support. For now, it is most relevant to
appreciate the excellent and surprisingly moving flashback story showing the
origins of Nabiki's monetary interests, featuring a Kasumi just beginning to
get a handle on the household responsibilities and a precocious Nabiki that
begins to learn her own duties to the family. That flashback ties in nicely
to the flashback scene from the "Mother's Recipes" OAV. Another delightfully
original story element is Kasumi's insight into why Kunou buys Nabiki's
photographs, thus opening up another character for total redefinition.
"Thy Inward Love"
by Richard Lawson
"TIL" sets a new standard for serious exploration of the characters and
issues in the Ranma universe. In the course of resolving most of the
conflicts left open at the conclusion of the Ranma 1/2 manga, Lawson composes
character studies of unique depth and expands the Ranma mythos in remarkably
original ways. The author's rich prose style imbues this extended fanfic
with maturity and _gravitas_.
Lawson's treatment of the long-awaited moment of truth for Ranma and Akane is
emotionally draining, particularly the buildup and afterglow of the couple's
first kiss: Ranma's palpable misery, Akane's powerful and wise response. The
passages describing Akane's instant deliberations are excessively verbose and
her soothing speech to Ranma sounds too well organized. But her deeds and
words shine with truths about love and compassion that should resonate with
everyone. The development of their open romance is understated (and
therefore most realistic): Ranma and Akane do not spend the balance of TIL
saying I love you, but by showing it in ways dramatic and subtle. Especially
compelling are Akane's last thoughts before "dying" and the buildup to her
decision on the beach.
Lawson gives all due attention (perhaps even too much) to most of the
supporting cast. The expansion of Shampoo's character (see next review) is
most satisfying. Kuno and Kodachi are given back stories that elicit
sympathy and understanding. New dimensions of characterization are created
for Nodoka and, especially, Genma. Lawson's version of Ukyou is more
sophisticated than the tragic second-choice-iinazuke featured in too many
fanfics. Effective use of darkness/light imagery symbolizing ignorance and
liberating insight make Ukyou more conflicted and therefore more interesting.
The scene where Ranma astutely educates Ukyou about his complete lack of
romantic feelings for her is one of story's highlights.
Though Ryouga seems a forgotten character until the end of TIL, his
contribution to the story's resolution is ample. Moreover, he embodies one
of the great attractions of the fanfic: the use of Jusenkyo curses as drivers
of serious plot elements and story themes. Typically, sober treatment of the
curses is confined to simple anxiety and self-pity on the part of Ranma and
other cursed characters. Lawson supplements this standard fare by exploring
the serious potential of the curses much more deeply. In Ryouga's case, the
curse is his link to the two women he loves and can't decide between; for
him, to be cured is to decide, and so his curse torments him even as the
Nannichuan water is in his grasp. Genma's curse, as Nodoka points out, is a
furry manifestation of his greatest personality flaws: cowardice and denial
in the face of difficulty.
Especially appealing and intriguing is the notion that Ranma's curse has some
momentous, if inscrutable, purpose that is part of his true destiny. Other
fanfics have toyed with this idea, and Lawson is poised to develop it most
fully. The tale of Ranma's first attempt at Nannichuan is a splendid
illustration of this interpretation of the curse. Ingenious is Lawson's
integration of this new dimension of Ranma's curse into the many anime/manga
episodes concerning "failed cures," including the manga's concluding fiasco.
Lawson's use of violence is measured and very well integrated into TIL's
storyline and themes. Appropriately, in this serious Ranma universe, the
violence is realistic, with realistic consequences. Akane's brush with death
and Ranma's enraged attack on Shampoo are chilling because of their
authenticity. The unity and consistency of the story are highlighted in the
fight scenes: battling Shampoo, Akane gains the upper hand after remembering
a lesson from her recent sparring with Ranma; Ranma's tactical brilliance in
the final showdown with Cologne fuels Mousse's conjecture that Ranma is
destined for something greater than running a dojo.
TIL's length is daunting and might have been unnecessary in hindsight, given
the bumper crop of side stories it has reaped. Most extraneous is the
storyline concerning the romance of Kasumi and Tofu. While these parts of
the fanfic are as well written as the rest, and while I must admire the
obvious hard work that went into the tea ceremony scene, the Kasumi/Tofu
subplot is ultimately unexciting and remarkably irrelevant to the main story.
"The Ways of the Amazons"
by Richard Lawson
Rich characterization of Shampoo, set against a backdrop of political
intrigue and well-thought-out details of Joketsuzoku culture, makes this
story my favorite of Lawson's excellent works. The most neglected of major
Ranma characters in fanfic, Shampoo finally receives in "TIL" and "Amazons"
the same level of scrutiny and creativity that fanfic authors have long
lavished on her "peers," Ukyou and Ryouga. Having added whole new dimensions
to Kasumi's and Kunou's characterization, the author's brings us a
sophisticated Shampoo who features a religious dedication to the mores of her
tribe, noble ambitions for greatness, and a deep capacity for love.
Appropriate to this new, refined Shampoo is a story of battles fought without
martial arts. The political machinations in which Shampoo is swept up, and
the clever plot hatched by Lawson's coolheaded Mousse, hold the reader's
fascination. The resolution would seem too neat if the road to that
objective were not so complex and richly detailed. Particularly impressive
is the dual-perspective depiction of Ranma's courageous second encounter with
the Amazon spirits. Those scenes of psychological drama, and the
less-serious confrontation with the customs agent, create undertones of
anxiety and supernatural tension.
The milieu for Shampoo's side story is a splendidly elaborate sketch of the
Joketsuzoku village, its leading citizens, and its elegant culture. Lawson
carefully weaves into the story cultural elements that serve as important
drivers of the plot and as showcases for the characters' motivations,
including formalized speech, ancient rituals, and an intricate web of customs
consistent with the proud bearing of great warriors.
"Burned and Broken: Part the First of the Sunrise Chronicles"
by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf"
I began reading this fanfic with some trepidation. Leifker's "Sunrise" is
one of my favorite stories of the year, and it stands very well on its own.
The author's decision to fill in the missing eight years separating Ranma's
two battles with Herb was logical, but troubling in that there is the
potential that an extended series, with its myriad subplots and new
characters and story elements, will diminish the grandeur of "Sunrise."
So far, so good. While "Burned and Broken" cannot match the legend-like
power of the earlier fanfic, there is artistry in the more down-to-earth
prequel sufficient to do honor to "Sunrise." Leifker experiments more with
style in "Burned and Broken," departing occasionally from the
third-person-omniscient perspective in which "Sunrise" was written, with a
journal-style passage to open the story and with use of the epistolary device
to fill in details of Ranma's journey across China. The subtle switch to
third-person-uninformed-observer perspective to describe the arrival of
Cologne's party at Joketsuzoku was especially impressive. Leifker's use of
this new voice helped to establish the new setting and to provide a concise
illustration of the Nichieju view of unfolding events.
These stylistic flourishes supplement the superior level of prose writing
that we saw in "Sunrise," making "Burned and Broken" a satisfying read. The
style also does much to make up for a plotline that is, perhaps unavoidably,
predictable. Leifker does not rely the element of surprise to maintain
readers' interest; rather, strong characterization and emotional catharsis,
along with the excellent style, urge us onward.
Because so many background elements of "Sunrise" are fleshed out well in
"Burned and Broken," I have to wonder about the quality of the main plotline
in the remaining chapters of "The Sunrise Chronicles." The wise chieftain
Ranma and the grim warrior Nabiki portrayed in "Sunrise" are now almost fully
explained, they just need a few years of maturing. The subplot revolving
around Blossom will no doubt prove interesting, but its climax has been
telegraphed and its outcome decided. The Happosai and wedding stories
announced in the teaser may very well be excellent standalone tales, but
linking them effectively to "Sunrise" will be a challenge for Leifker.
"Hold On"
by Jeff Rutsch
This fanfic gives the reader an opportunity to feel the guilty pleasure of
hating someone whom everyone is supposed to love. The Kasumi portrayed by
Rutsch is much closer to the original Takahashi characterization than in
other stories of comparable maturity and complexity; most authors seeking to
write a sophisticated fanfic succumb to the temptation to make Kasumi more
intelligent and aware. The author, however, sticks with the original - a
blissfully simple Kasumi - then extrapolates to horrifying, yet believable
conclusions.
And so we can despise this Kasumi, who - despite great beauty, peerless
homemaking skills, and devotion true and deep - is a nightmarish wife.
Rutsch showcases a Kasumi who is increasingly annoying and finally
repellent. Her hour on the stage is filled with mindless and repetitive
responses in conversation, unending references to her iconic mother, and the
dreadful logic underlying her definition of love. Perhaps more telling are
the tiny details: the "already prepared" vase, her pretense at embarrassment
in the bedroom, and the not-so-subtle signs that Tofu is beginning to realize
that the ideals Kasumi embodies don't make for a desirable
companion-for-life.
It must have been challenging to write this fanfic from first person
perspective. Such narratives, done well, give the character great depth, a
quality we cannot associate with this Kasumi. And yet Rutsch's Kasumi _is_
deep: bottomless and labyrinthine oblivion defines her. Her maddening
simplemindedness has solid foundations and there is an elaborate (however
perverse) theology to guide her sickeningly innocent thoughts, words, and
deeds.
"Daigakusei no Ranma Episode 19: Spiritual Aftermath"
by David Tai, Paul Gallegos, John Walter Biles, and Jeffrey Paul Hosmer
The latest episode contains much of what I like best about this ongoing
series and little of the "DnR" elements that don't appeal to me. The
introspective dialogue by which Ukyou reveals the details of her old life is
a refreshing change from the "poor pitiful me" scenes that have typified her
most prominent moments in DnR. The character study that emerges is as good a
reconciliation as we are likely to see between the manga Ukyou and the
divergent character that has become fanfic canon (i.e., Ranma's "best
friend").
Most impressive are the flashbacks which bring life to Ukyou's tale. These
scenes are well conceived, with a generous dose of the anime-style staging
that is one of the principal appeals of DnR. Especially enjoyable are the
childhood scenes, peppered with humor that is very faithful to the Takahashi
style. I only wish the authors could have included more retellings of the
manga events in which Ukyou was a major player, such as the secret sauce and
breakup cave stories. I applaud the beginnings of the effort to fill in the
"lost years" between the Ranma 1/2 manga conclusion and DnR's beginning with
interesting stories. The flashback to Ryouga's rampage was riveting, with
well-choreographed combat scenes.
The penultimate scene with Ranma and Akane features a dialogue that piques
our interest, then ends far too abruptly. Progressive disclosure is fine,
but "I'm too sleepy to reveal any more" doesn't cut it. The slow evolution
of their pseudomarital relationship is nicely showcased in this scene as
Akane tries to make up for the failings that Sato discerned for her and as
Ranma exhibits a healthy level of concern for the future of their marriage.
The original DnR characters are rather low-key in this installment, which is
a nice change of pace from most of the stories of the past year. Makiko is
for the most part reduced to a sounding board for Ukyou, a refreshing muting
of this often-shrill character. And Sato seems to be getting fewer of his
lines out of fortune cookies. The collegiate setting of the series also
fades into the background in this installment, appropriate to its focus on
the original characters and the evolution of their relationships since the
manga conclusion.
Nabiki's argument with Kasumi is intriguingly novel, and the authors knew
exactly when to cut the scene. A shorter exchange would have been
unsatisfying or unmemorable; a longer one would have stretched credibility as
Kasumi has not yet been given a "dark side" in DnR.
In my opinion.
- Taleswapper
**Coming Soon: The 1996 Taleswapper Awards**
For the second year running, I will select my favorite Ranma 1/2 fan fiction
that has been posted to the newsgroup over the past year, and will write new
appreciations for each. I plan to pick the best 7 stories from all the
fanfics I have written up in my posts for FY96. Unlike last year's awards, I
plan to rank the seven stories, making clear my choice for the Best Ranma
Fanfic of the year. The "nominees" are:
"Regarding Ranma" by Jason Ashton
"Furinkan Summer Episode 3: Prom Madness! Will you dance with me?" by John
Walter Biles
"Dropping Anchor" by Mark Crewson
"Ranma .05 Vol. 2 Part 5: My Love Shall Never Waver" by Darren Demaine
"Daruma 1/2" by Bridget Ellen Engman
"Remind My Heart" by Stephanie A. Gonzales
"Magical Interludes: December's End" (Parts 1-6) by J.K. Hayashi
"Lies" by Jeffrey Hosmer
"Still Waters Run Deep, Part 5: Courting Chaos!" by Jeffrey Hosmer
"Heart of the Home" by Richard Lawson
"Thy Inward Love" by Richard Lawson
"The Ways of the Amazons" by Richard Lawson
"Burned and Broken: Part the First of the Sunrise Chronicles" by Nicholas
Leifker, aka "Nightelf"
"Sunrise" by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf"
"The More Things Change" by Rod M.
"Honor Lost" by Paul Meaney
"Autumn" by Joseph Palmer
"Nightshadow" by Shannon M. Richmeyer
"Normal" by Roy Rim
"Split Personalities" by Roy Rim
"Hold On" by Jeff Rutsch
"Revolution" and "Revolution #9" by Jeff Rutsch
"Tales of Ranma & Nabiki" (Parts 1-7) by Jeff Rutsch
"Daigakusei no Ranma Episode 19: Spiritual Aftermath" by David Tai et al.
"The Least One Can Do" (Parts 1-5) by Jeffrey Wong
So be sure to get your votes in. Actually, my vote is the only one that
counts. But since I've yet to finalize my top picks or their ranking, your
remarks may help me make up my mind. I might try to get a little creative in
this post; perhaps even soliciting some lighthearted input from the nominees.
Or maybe not. In any event, look for the post before the end of October.
In addition to handing out the annual Taleswapper awards, I will induct three
more fanfics into Taleswapper's Hall of Fame. This "honor" goes to favorite
Ranma fanfics more than a year old that have had the most impact on my
reading of all fanfic. The three new inductees will join "Putting Your Heart
in the Right Place" by John Biles, "Ranma's Timeslip (Actor in the Mirror)"
by Christian Gadekan, and "Ranma 1/2: Kanketsuhen 93" by Richard Uyeyama.
**Need a Copy of My Previous Posts?**
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ftp://members.aol.com/talswapr/private/96-jul.txt
ftp://members.aol.com/talswapr/private/96-oct.txt
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