Stephan Sokolow's Blog

Once More With Feeling by Crazy-88

Length: 12 Chapters, Ongoing
Sources: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Rating: 5/5

“Once More With Feeling” is a Neon Genesis Evangelion fic based on the implied anime-series ending (Shinji is included in the sea of LCL) where, seeing what awaits him once he lets go of his individuality, Shinji changes his mind and asks Rei/Lilith to take him back. He finds himself holding the phone before Misato arrives to meet him in the first episode.

The important change is that this time, he’s decided he won’t let the people he cares about come to harm through his own cowardice. I think this fic’s title really sums the concept up nicely. The only really memorable plot element for the first couple of chapters is that Misato’s blood-stained cross followed him back in time, but it’s an entertaining read nonetheless and things get really interesting later.

I won’t spoil the surprise, but I will say that this is the best “Third child with foreknowledge manipulates things to bring about a better end” fic I’ve ever read. The only thing I can think of which comes close is Calamity’s The Wild Horse Thesis, and in that one, Ranma is the third child. I especially love how the author managed a great deal of subtlety in the changes. Sometimes, Shinji uses Gendo-like tactics for better reasons… but sometimes the changes catch him by surprise without it seeming cheap in the way that so many second chance fics are.

There are various typos, grammatical errors, and the occasional formatting error which I suspect to be the fault of Fanfiction.net’s import filters, but in general, it’s a pretty comfortable read. If you like “second chance” fics or “Shinji helps Rei overcome Gendo’s conditioning” fics, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t read this.

My only regret is that I can’t write a review that does it justice.

Best Laid Schemes by Don Sample

Length: 5 Chapters + Prologue
Sources: Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: 4.5/5

This is a “Xander gets magical powers” story with a twist. What if Sirius Black, in an attempt to protect the newly orphaned Harry, swapped his form with another child. Not a big problem… until the spell unravels after the end of HP and BtVS leaving Xander looking like Harry and Harry as un-magical as Xander. Plot-wise, this is still just getting revved up, but the concept is nice and original and the writing is sound.

Definitely something you’ll want to keep your eye on.

A Surviving Mau by Usagi-Hasano

Length: 8 Chapters, Ongoing
Sources: Ranma ½, Sailor Moon
Rating: 5/5

An insanely cute six-year-old boy with cat ears and a tail fighting for justice. Sound like an anime? Well, not unless you can get permission from Rumiko Takahashi. It’s “A Surviving Mau” by Usagi-Hasano and the boy is Ranma Saotome.

The plot is as follows: Fatally wounded at the hands of one of Galaxia’s minions, Sailor Mau manages to find an intact teleportation crystal. Giving it some (almost random) targeting instructions, she survives long enough to pass on her powers (and in the process, her species) to a sleepless Ranma Saotome.

What follows is a well written and highly entertaining account of Ranma gaining a companion in the form of a somewhat unusual kitten named Miki, meeting Ukyo in a slightly different fashion, slowly learning about his powers thanks to his propensity for following his instincts, and so on.

Want more incentive? How about a quote?

The cops could only stare for several moments until captain — a large and muscular serious man — snapped his fingers. “I want everybody to try and figure out who that little cat-boy is who just saved everyone here. Search the whole country if you have to.”

“Err, why is that, sir?” One of the officers asked in confusion. If the boy was anything like the super heroes that usually popped up in places, then there was zero chance they would find him unless he wanted to be found.

“Because,” the captain began, “he was adorable.” That statement caused everyone who listened intently to face-fault… hard.

Of course, what Ranma fic would be complete without a Jusenkyo curse? Except, in this case, Ranma goes to Jusenkyo immediately after Genma leaves Ukyo behind and his kitten companion falls into the same spring as he does. Of course, telling you the details would ruin the fun.

Whether or not you normally like cute stuff, you’ll probably like this fic. It’s one of those fics which really deserves it’s 5/5 rating.