Fanfiction Reviews, Interesting Links, and General Geekery
I try to keep sub-ratings in line with the main rating system so I don’t think I’ll ever use the lowest originality rankings. Keep in mind that these are examples. There may be the odd occasion when none of them apply and I use different criteria.
Title: Easy Prey
Author: Space Pirate Hamster
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 4/6
Type: Potentially-dark what-if
Length: One-shot
Well, if you’ve been reading my recent posts, you probably guessed that I’m working my way through Furinkan.net right now. Correct.
While browsing, I saw Easy Prey and, if you’ve been to Furinkan.net, you’ve probably seen the synopsis. Essentially, “What if a criminal thought the Tendo Dojo would be easy prey?” Can you say, “Canon Fodder”?
Title: Meow
Author: Space Pirate Hamster
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 3.5/6
Type: Continuation
Length: One-shot
What if Ranma had to choose between his honor and his greatest fear? That’s the possibility that Space Pirate Hamster’s Meow tries to explore.
When I read it, I noticed several things. First, it’s OK grammar-wise but it there are a few places which were missed in proofreading. Second, it uses the anime chronology for the Neko-ken which means that Ranma underwent training at age 6. Third, it exaggerates Akane’s lack of skill in the kitchen for comedic effect (Common in fanfiction) and run dangerously close to portraying Akane as the anger maniac so common in bad fanfiction.
Title: The Tomboy Solution
Author: Space Pirate Hamster
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 4/6
Type: Canon continuation
Length: One-shot
Every fanfic I’ve seen seems to end with a much calmer Akane or an Akane who is raging because Ranma left. Either way, Ranma never dodges that mallet which fanfiction authors love to add (Akane is supposed to just use whatever blunt object happens to be nearby).
What if Ranma did learn to dodge? What if Ranma decided to turn Akane’s anger into a carefully managed self-defense mechanism? If you don’t mind a slightly silly twist to the idea, read The Tomboy Solution by Space Pirate Hamster.
Title: Curse of Silence (and approved 3rd-party continuations)
Author: Space Pirate Hamster, Mad Hamlet, and SabreBabe
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 5.5/6, 5/6, and 4/6
Type: Alternate Universe
Length: One-shot with three third-party continuation episodes and an attempt to redo it from scratch. (all with approval from the original author)
“What if Akane were a mute?” may not be the most original plot idea and neither is “Akane and Ranma get along better” but all things considered, it’s nice to see one that’s believable and well written for a change. If nothing else, “Curse of Silence” by Space Pirate Hamster is proof of how a good writer can make even the more remote possibilities comfortably believable.
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