I am back from the dead and loving every minute of it.
Except the demons, we're still working on that...
Anyway, today's batch of reviews consists of a bunch of Sailor Moon
crossovers, something which is once again experiencing a surge in
popularity amongst Ranmafic writers.
As usual, you can find these reviews and others at the Ranma 1/2
Expressway Yahoo! Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ranmaexpressway),
or see my old reviews in the archive on my website.
(http://www.strandedthecomic.com/ranma1-2expressway/index.htm)
Have a fic you want me to review? Send me the link (NOT the fic itself)
and I will do so.
That said, on with the reviews!
================================================ The Best of Times
Written by: Ozzallos <ozzallos AT hotmail DOT com>
Posted to: Fanfiction.net <http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2609602/1/>
Homepage <http://www.rakhal.com/ozzallos/index.htm>
Fukufics.com
Rank: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)
Genre: Comedy
Coninuity
Maturity: PG-13 (mild suggestive scenes and mature content)
Fruit Flavor: Orange
Main characters: Ranma, Sailor Pluto
Synopsis: Ranma makes a wish on a hasty wishing sword that seems to be
totally wasted. Thanks to the wish, however, he discovers exactly WHY
he can never get a moment's peace and quiet; an immortal Senshi named
Pluto. It's payback time!
HomerNet's Review <homernet@mac.com>: The level of absolute knock-out
FUNNY in this fic outpaces even the famous Girl Days fanfic by Kenko. I
spent nearly every chapter busting a gut from the humor. The best part
is the *layers* of humor that will get you giggling even after you've
read the whole thing and you're sitting at work just thinking about it.
It's THAT funny!
Newbie's Perspective: Even total and absolute Ranmafic n00bs should be
able to appreciate this one. A decent knowledge of the series is
necessary, but you don't have to have memorized the anime or manga to
follow along. Also, if you're unfamiliar with Sailor Moon, you may find
some of the characters a bit confusing. (Especially if you've only seen
bits of the first season)
Ranmafic Hobbyist's Perspective: While this does qualify as Yet Another
Sailor Moon/Ranma Crossover (YASMRC), there is a distinct creativity to
the work that keeps it from mindlessly repeating the same stuff that
works elsewhere. Absolutely brilliant is the way Ranma "plays" with the
Senshi while at the same time fitting in as part of the team and hiding
right under the nose of Sailor Pluto. The action is well paced, the
other crossovers are extremely well handled, and the characterizations
range from pretty good to dead-on accurate. One minor disappointment is
that some favorite characters from the Ranma side of the equation are
more background than anything else. Don't expect to see much of Shampoo
or Kodachi, Akane is more token in her appearance, Mouse makes a walk-on
and Ukyo is nearly non-existent. That said, the characters that DO make
an appearance add so much to the fic that you don't realize that the
others aren't really there.
Ranmafic Obsessive's Perspective: OMFG, you've GOT to read this one!
While not quite the Ranmafic canon status that The sailor Ranko saga
achieves, it will likely take a place in the Fukufics/Ranmoon status as
legendary.
========================================
The Tenacity of Emotion
Written by: Urborg <urborg_panther AT yahoo DOT com>
Posted to: Fanfiction.net <http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2006918/1/>
Fukufics.com
Rank: ** (2 of 5 stars)
Genre: Drama
Divergence
Maturity: PG
Fruit Flavor: Banana
Main characters: Ranma, Makoto
Synopsis: Ranma bumps into his old girlfriend from his pre-curse days,
one he was hoping to never see again. Unfortunately for Ranma, Makoto
isn't willing to give up on her old sempai that easily.
HomerNet's Review <homernet@mac.com>: A mediocre entry into the
Fukufics/Ranmoon arena that treats as a good read.
Newbie's Perspective: If you're only familiar with the anime, this is a
good Ranmafic to read, especially if you also like Sailor Moon. After
you warm up on this one, go read The Sailor Ranko saga.
Ranmafic Hobbyist's Perspective: This is a more unique take on the old
Ranma + Senshi model, where for ONCE Ranma isn't stuck in a sailor
suit. He does manage to get the beatdown on Youma very nicely, though.
Ranmafic Obsessive's Perspective: This piece moves rather slowly in
comparison to other Ranmoon fics that have been written. The total
disregard for the manga, while well handled, does rankle, as does the
rather poor treatment of Akane.
========================================
Heir to the Empire
Written by: Ozzallos <ozzallos AT hotmail DOT com>
Posted to: Fanfiction.net <http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2797728/1/>
Homepage <http://www.rakhal.com/ozzallos/index.htm>
Fukufics.com
Rank: **** (4 of 5 stars)
Genre: Drama
Continuity
Maturity: PG-13
Fruit Flavor: Banana
Main characters: Ranma/Queen Serinity, Usagi/Sailor Moon
Synopsis: When Akane nearly dies at Jusendo, Ranma somehow manages to
summon the Ginzuishou and uses it to heal his fianc�es. Back in Juuban,
Usagi wakes up to find the Ginzuishou missing, even though it had been
bound to her soul. This stone will bring together the two separate
groups in a way that neither ever thought possible.
HomerNet's Review <homernet@mac.com>: This is the big one. The one
where the author comes up with something brand-spankin'-new to a
completely tapped out genre. An absolutely brilliant backstory coupled
with excellent writing and a totally new idea will leave you thirsting
for far more than the two existing chapters provides.
Newbie's Perspective: A newbie might feel a bit out of their depth with
this fic, with characters and events taking place that aren't in the
anime and only show up in later volumes of the manga. The writing is
good enough that even without that knowledge said n00b should be able to
get through.
Ranmafic Hobbyist's Perspective: You've seen Ranma/Sailor Moon fics
before, but never like this. After reading it, I've been kicking myself
wondering just WHY I didn't think of it myself. It's brilliant, go read it.
Ranmafic Obsessive's Perspective: I can't say it enough. No matter how
many Ranma/SM fics you've read, you've never read one like this. This
fic is guaranteed to be a new experience for even the most experienced
Ranmafic Obsessive. (like myself, 'natch)
========================================
Princess of the Moon
Written by: C. Rose <ertle2 AT msn DOT com>
Posted to: Fanfiction.net
Homepage <http://shi_hanna.tripod.com/id4.html>
Rank: *** (3 of 5 stars)
Genre: Action
Altiverse
Maturity: R (suggestive scenes)
Fruit Flavor: Orange with a twist of Lime
Main characters: Ranma
Synopsis: Ranma climbed out of the Spring of Drowned Girl at Jusenkyou
and found to her despair that her curse, for reasons that the Guide
could not explain, was stuck. Disowning her father, Ranma toured China
for a bit before heading back to Japan. Upon his arrival, he encounters
Sailor Pluto, who gives him a transformation pen and the means to start
a new life.
HomerNet's Review <homernet@mac.com>: Not a terrifically original idea,
but nonetheless very well executed. With the right combination of
silliness, action, and suspense, this fic provides a good diversion.
Newbie's Perspective: Do NOT read this fic if you're a newbie. You're
not ready.
Ranmafic Hobbyist's Perspective: If you haven't read many Ranma/SM
crossovers before, this one will prove to be a treat. A good, solid
length, occational rewrites, and some pretty good loyalty to the Sailor
Moon story arc make for a good read.
Ranmafic Obsessive's Perspective: This fic is not likely to be
something you'll really care for if you've read a multitude of other
Ranmafics. The writing style is choppy, jumping tenses and stylesheets
at pretty random intervals. A serious rewrite would resolve this, as it
would the continuity problems. (Ranma's bracers/henshin stick, etc.)
Looking beyond those flaws, it has potential and would be well worth
reading. One significant drag is the absolutely terrible treatment of
Akane as (once again) a ravening bitch. One would think an otherwise
good piece would have managed to avoid this pitfall.
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