Disclaimer: This is my response to all the review blogs that seem popular. I'm not planning on going after fanfics, moreso ponderings of anime - but for me, fanfics ARE part of it. Everything I say is constructive, though. Site design is by Gerald Tarrant and absolutely terrifies me! Image from the back of X manga #3. Song lyrics from Poison, by Takashi Sorimachi, GTO dorama opening.

It's about |:| Doom of Prince of Tennis...
Considered On |:| Friday, June 13, 2003


I do have some reviews I want to make (Spiral, Spirited Away, Scrapped Princess, DNAngel, Matantei Loki Ragnorak and Kaleido Star), but I just have a rant tonight.

Prince of Tennis Fandom is Doomed.

It's so sad to admit that, but... there's 100 fanfics or so out there, and the writing is... well, bad doesn't even begin to cover it. There's few good fanfics, and it hurts my eyes to try to find fics that have some semblance of the characters...

Well, let's face it. The anime isn't huge on character development, but I do not see Fuji becoming a weepy uke. Fuji is simply a delicious character, sweet and cruel and oh, he has so much potential. Sakuno is annoying (that damn voice!) but she's already being turned into one of the Anime Girls to be Bashed.

Relena, Miaka.... soon Sakuno will be added to that list of top females who is hated.

I don't think I've seen one fic that really involves TENNIS. I guess that's just

This fandom is rapidly going GW on us... THROW the slash pairings together, why don't we?

Okay, I admit the fandom ASKS to be slashed (the golden pair? ye gods...) but I'd like to see at least a BIT of plot attempted or someone actually pay attention to the characters as they write... WHY are you putting Fuji together with Tezuka? Or at least EDIT what you write....

From the quality of writing, I'm betting most of the writers aren't older than 16.

Fic Recommendations:

The Creek at White's Crossing by Zefyr
Fandom: Spirited Away

I was going to save this until I did my Spirited Away review, but Zefyr's threatening to pull it down to work it into an original story. So... that's why the link is to her profile, because I'm sure you'll be able to track her from their, if you stumble on this late.

Zefyr is a solid writer, and perhaps I admire her most for her CONSTANT rewrites - though it drives me insane. As this fic was being posted, she would pull chapters, move them, rework them... I'm really not sure I APPROVE, since I don't follow the same style, but I agree with that fact that "no writing is immortal."

Anyway...

This is one of those "Chihiro After" fics and hands-down the best... Most of the fics I've seen are rather poorly done, just obvious attempts to get Kohaku and Chihiro together. Zefyr, while a C/K writer, takes a harder route, creating a dynamic supporting cast that have unique personalities without stealing the story. There's multiple subplots that manage to tie all back together, and the research Zefyr has put into this is just phenomenal, as she mixes multiple mythologies, actually using the culture clash to her advantage.

It really makes my head spin how well this came together, after all the edits...

One thing I did learn, though, is not to read a fic of hers until she's pronounced it done, simple because I'll end up more confused than anything if I leave it for a week.

Multi-part, complete? (no telling with Zefyr!)

Aishuu spoke the truth as she saw it at 09:10 p.m.

It's about |:| Enter Raye, FFML, and Hellsing
Considered On |:| Monday, June 9, 2003


Hello. I'm Raye. Aishuu has kindly invited me to share this blog. Like her, I write in more fandoms than I am comfortable reciting offhand, and am a chronic producer of works-in-progress. I am also a shoujo writer. This is a label I carry with pride.

Today, I'm going to rant about the FFML and fanfiction lists.

I admit that I am likely to be biased. I have a chequered history with the FFML, starting with infatuation and concluding with total disenchantment. I'm also a mod on a few fanfic lists, and I'm affected by them, too.

The anime fanfic reader has doubtless heard many comments about the FFML, and almost all of them will be variations on the basic theme "Once upon a time...". This is because, once, it was the ideal fanfiction list. Once, it was not only your one-stop shop for any and all types of fanfic, it welcomed and promoted new authors and fics of all stripes.

There are many theories of why it changed. There is even a faction who declare it has not changed at all. (This faction, by the way, is mostly made up of Ranma 1/2 fans who only read fanfic from that particular series. For them, it is true that the FFML has not changed at all.) But for the rest of us, what was once a place you could go to for good C&C on almost any fic is now almost overtly hostile to any fic that falls outside its narrow taste margin.

The action that made me consider leaving the FFML was when I posted a chapter of a fic to it that I had given the title 'You Can't Change The Colour Of Your Destiny'. I was hoping for a good C&C of that chapter, because I knew it had some serious flaws. Also, I'm Australian; I have always spelt 'colour' with a 'u', in all my ficcing. Consequently I was somewhat startled and disappointed in the ML when the only statement any person had to make, positive or negative, was "You spelled 'color' with a 'u'!"

I'm sorry, but a list where that's the only comment one gets about a fic where Tendou Akane gets crowned the successor to Queen Beryl is not a list that's helpful to a writer. In my opinion, anyway.

However, the FFML has left a legacy that I feel more than makes up for the depths to which it has fallen - it was the first ML specifically for fanfiction. It established that, not only was it possible, it was a welcome development for fic to make the leap from newsgroups to email. It led the way for series-specific MLs.

That's where the real action is these days. You have to hunt up your favourite anime's ML, but believe you me, if there's any fic for it, that's where it will be - on that ML or a fanfiction list affiliated with it.

I have a particular fondness for MLs as a fic publishing medium as opposed to, say, fanfiction.net. For one thing, it's easier to date and attribute a fic on an ML. Also, trolls and flamers are less likely to find your fic, which means it tends to be a less harsh initiation for a new writer. On the other hand, they are presenting the fic to an audience that is at least partially familiar with the base material, and consequently are more likely to be nitpicky about series inaccuracies.

There are, of course, disadvantages. The audience of a specific ML does not usually appreciate fics from other series. Neither can you get away with simply recasting the cast of the show in question into your favourite novel. Someone will twig that Hikaru and Akira are not that much like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy and call you on it.

But overall, I'm glad for fanfiction MLs. Where would we be without them?

But this is meant to be a fanfic rec blog. So I'd better get to work, no?

I'm going to regret saying this... but I love Hellsing (sic). Yes, I know it's as shonen as they come but Integra simply rules. And so, I read Hellsing fic. And it's painful. Hellsing is not fluffy, and it's not about sex. The UST between Alucard and Integra is wonderful, so for the Gods' sake leave it alone! Humour has a place in the series, but somehow Walter bursting into song in the middle of the fic is out-of-place. And why do boys insist on throwing Victoria and Integra into bed together? (Not that I object to lesbians, but can they please pick two girls who interact in the source material?)
That being said, one of the more interesting fics I've seen recently, featuring Hellsing, is Elsa Bibat's 'Under the Shadow of Hell', which can be found at her archive at The Lost Library of Florestica. Elsa is called 'The Queen of Crossovers' for good reason, and the melding of the worlds of The Shadow and Hellsing works amazingly well.

Raye spoke the truth as she saw it at 11:17 p.m.

It's about |:| Is Netiquette Dead?
Considered On |:| Wednesday, May 14, 2003


I’m amazed at some of the fans I encounter.

What is the proper netiquette for nit-picking? I recently posted a fic, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was decent. I had someone shred it for the typos (there were ten in a 4,000 word fic). Now, I didn’t have a beta for this, and it was a fun fic meant to get a chuckle. I was shredded in public.

I do like being shredded. I prefer it over platitudes, but I always step back and wonder when someone goes after me in a public forum, rather then e-mailing me or private messaging me. Can they not take it when someone gets compliments?

Here’s another.“Mary Sues are still targets to sharp criticism, but now out-of-character fiction and couplings have joined the ranks. If you offend my eyes, I *will* flame.”

This is part of a profile at fanfic.net, who shall remain nameless. I don’t like this attitude one bit (though I hate Mary Sues). If you set out with the willingness to FLAME, aren’t you... going to? I can write some scorchers. I HAVE once or twice, but usually this is directed towards someone who has acted so poorly in fandom (a plagiarist or on a mailing list when someone is completely out of hand and I’m the moderator) that I simply have to. Nowadays I just don’t hit the send key. Writing them is enough to vent. But if you enter into the fandom with a mind to flame at a drop of a hat... well, that’s not very productive. And frankly, flaming gets us nowhere.

Many people have commented on the state of fandom, how it isn’t as good as the “glory days.” Frankly, there never WERE any glory days. However, there is a syndrome in fandoms where people enter in and never learn netiquette. People start wondering “where did my fandom go?” and...

WK. GW. SM. All the big fandoms seem to get too big for their britches. It might be one of the reasons I float around so much. Are older members suppose to serve as sempai? I’ve tried this, and frankly, its exhausting and I’m starting to think not worth it. Can’t I just have fun without being responsible for teaching people what is appropriate behavior?

That brings me back to the start. I realize that by posting I leave myself open to criticism. That’s the risk I take. Still, it’s always been my understanding that proper “C&C” when you’re nitpicking... “whose versus who’s” and other typos were sent separately to the author.

I’m sure as hell going to think about this fandom again. This girl seems to be the edge of the storm - in the last week, I’ve run into four fans who I’m starting to think fit the fan type that took WK and GW down.

And I really derive no pleasure in writing for people I perceive as rude.

Fic Recommendations:

Fujiwara by Catwho
Many people consider this one of the best fics out there - it’s canon-based, after Sai leaves. Hikaru is thrown into Sai’s world and forced to deal with what he encounters there. Catwho has done her research, and the plot is intriguing, turning between Hikaru’s adventures and his Akira’s search for him in present times. Catwho’s style is still developing - while it’s technically near perfection, I think that in a couple of years, she will really shine. But this is definitely worth a look now. In progress.

His Name by K. Huntsmen
This is perhaps the other best fic out there for Hikaru no Go fandom. It’s shonen ai, makes no bones about it, but the stunning characterization of Hikaru is fascinating. You really can’t put your finger on what raises this up, but this really has the feel of the way Hikaru might finally tell Akira. Waya and Isumi are there, too, which really is a plus, ne? And... Shindou’s ties to Sai leaving a lasting impression on his psyche is something that I think has influenced my writing. Don’t miss Evanescence, which is the sequel. Hikaru no Go.

Sounds from Afternoon Go Games by Tari Gwaemir
Hikaru no Go. I just found this. Anyway, found this very interesting... and very in character. It’s a series of repeating scenes about Akira and Hikaru’s go games. It’s just dialogue with a bit of sound effects, which I found a very interesting technique, since many people have a HARD time telling a story through dialogue alone. There’s an ambiguous quality to some of the lines, but if you pay close attention, you can figure out who says what... it’s splendidly done. Very creative, very well done. Complete.

Now unless someone does something absolutely freaking BRILLIANT, I’m not reccomending and more HNG fics for a while.

Aishuu spoke the truth as she saw it at 10:38 p.m.

It's about |:| E's Otherwise and more Hikago
Considered On |:| Tuesday, May 6, 2003


Let’s do something that really hasn’t hit the mainstream yet but is heading there rapidly - E’s Otherwise.

I’m not falling as hard for this series as I thought I would be, but it’s still something I grab as soon as the torrent files are ready (bittorrent - a godsend to those of us who fear the IRC channels). I really had no clue what it would be like, but when it became the project that replaced Full Moon wo Sagashite, I knew it probably would be decent.

It is. The last episode actually had a character crossdressing as part of the PLOT (no doubt springing MANY Kai/Yuki yaoi fangirls into action, but...)

So far five episodes have been subbed, and it seems to be coming rapidly. I’m amazed at how fast fansubbers are producing... are they racing against commercialization? It does make me wonder. The fangirl in me loves it, because whenever something is commercialized, it almost ALWAYS is raped. We won’t even go INTO what VIZ has done to the X manga... or poor Kohaku of Wish. But the more mainstream and easily accessible things get... sometimes it loses a bit of its thrill. I remember waiting for my fansubs, and that was part of the fun. Now I just CLICK, an hour or two later, the download is done, and voila. Sometimes the eps are out even before a new episode is released in Japan.

Hmmm. Least I’m not paying excruciating fees to fansubbers who are trying to make money off me.

Well, I am wandering. I was talking E’s.

E’s stands for Espers (though there’s some poor subbing - I am convincers it’s ESPers, since that’s the common thing... E S P - extra sensitory perception...). Basically, the plot follows Kai, who is the basic innocent hero as he finds out the world he’s in isn’t a nice place. It’s a weird anime, in some ways. I’d call is humanistic sci-fi. Some ways, it reminds me of EVA, though I don’t know why, since I HATE EVA...

One of my friends said the design reminded her of CLAMP...

There’s a quest going on around Kai, which he hasn’t gotten into yet, which we know he’s going to get deeply involved. Some of the main characters haven’t encountered him yet... It’s got a strong plot. I still haven’t figured out exactly which way it will twist, though it’s obvious Kai has a love interest, a sister, and will be a savior figure.

Strange. Usually I can figure things out sooner.

Fic recommendations will still come from the Hikaru no Go section, ne? E’s still doesn’t have much.

Wake Me Light by Joudama
Oh, she got dragged innnn...
Joudama is best known for CCS’s Freeze My Love, which I like as well. This was a VERY interesting brief, brief view of Akira. The final line sent shivers down my spine. It really seemed to catch a canon Akira PERFECTLY... she says she doesn’t know where to place it, but it’s Akira during his time with Kaio’s go club, and how he views Hikaru.
Akira is one scary, scary child.

Lady Addiction
Two fics by her, Standing by the Wayside and I Know the Meaning of Sacrifice. She’s a very canon based writer, which is a nice change from all the AkiHika we see (not that AkiHika is a BAD thing...).
Standing by the Wayside is an Akari fic. Akari is one of the few anime female supports who we can’t say is or is not a love interest. She also holds the distinction of being one of the few who hasn’t earned herself a hate group, simply because she IS nice, stays out of Hikaru’s business but still supports him and general is what most shonen ai fans want to see is a supporting female... but also is strong enough to possible be a love interest. It’s a very interesting role. This fic seems to illustrate what may very well happen to Akari... and how Hikaru may very well leave her behind. The melancholy tone and sense of the inevitable, along with a great play on Hikaru’s name. "Hikaruwas just like his name---something shining, something bright."
I Know the Meaning of Sacrifice has a great title which immediately got my attention, and is a powerful Akira fic that takes place during his hunt at the Kaio club. There’s some great moments, and Akira’s determination shines... along with the first scene of imaged rejection.

Priorities by Violintide
Oh, you just have to love this one. It’s fun, it’s playful, It’s AkiHika in an established relationship. Something playful about it... and I think we all see them like this, no? There was an essay fic called Is Go Sex and frankly, no... but it leads to it, in some cases. ^_~

Conversations Over a Go Board by Kim Smuga-Otto
A three part fic which is perhaps the best completed fic out there in Hikago fandom- with two possible exceptions I’ll find the links to rec next time. This one keeps the cast... and it develops them in ways I do see as feasible. It takes Akira into a place where a possible relationship with Hikaru becomes a "maybe" the word rival is explored, Waya is perfectly in character.... Akira explains EXACTLY why he lost to Kaga.... and everyone seems to show up to demonstrate something, even if it is just to learn a lesson.
It’s funny, but there’s an underlying sense of truth to it.
This fic comes in three parts, but each one is really a small story arc complete in and of itself. The third part is the one the really gels it. The ending... well, oh, that’s a huge spoiler. But it so fits the Hikaru/Akira dynamics.
If I had to tell someone where to start with Hikago fics, this would be one of the first ones I’d point them to.

Aishuu spoke the truth as she saw it at 04:21 p.m.

It's about |:| Go Go Hikaru no Go!!
Considered On |:| Sunday, May 4, 2003


I admit it. I've fallen deep into the realms of Hikaru no Go fandom, and there seems to be little help for me. Funny, since the very concept of the series is a bit... boring.

The anime centers around a board game. The main character, Shindou Hikaru, is possessed (let's face it, Sai may be a very NICE ghost, but he DOES possess Hikaru) and grants him seemingly miraculous abilities at Go, which is basically a game that's very Asian... you'll also have heard of it if you've seen the movie Pi.

Not to spoil the plot, but Hikaru just HAPPENS to run into the upcoming prodigy of the Go world, Touya Akira, and thus is obsession born. The two spend the rest of the series obsessing about each other. While the manga is not shonen ai, almost everyone in the fandom seems to identify themselves as Akira/Hikaru shippers, since the two's rivalry simply transcends anything I've ever seen.

The series is good. Plain and simple. Adding the ghost of a Heian courtier was a great ploy to make the game interesting, and the research Hotta and Obata put into each of the games is wonderful. As I watch anime and read the manga, I’m starting to get a feel for how the game goes. The characters are interesting and have their own motivations (strange as they may be sometimes) and though you may want to SHAKE them sometimes, you can’t help but love them.

The best thing is the gradual evolution in both the anime and manga. The characters start at 12 and end around 16 (the manga has just concluded, though that remains up for debate, according to some). The character designs have changed, as have personalities, and the plot does take a HUGE turn that I doubt NO ONE predicted. I love how Hikaru becomes more serious, more motivated and I love the changes we see Akira entertain as well.

Another strong point is the fact that Akira is not a hateful rival. You don’t want to see him lose to Hikaru out of spite. Akira’s worked hard to get where he is, and you understand why the hell Hikaru managed to piss him off so badly. He’s easy to empathize with (not to mention the fact he has pretty eyes). ^_~

Sai is a popular character for most people. I can see how some people focus in on him, but he’s always been the kind of character I don’t gravitate towards. He’s a bit TOO bishounen for me, and any character that goes SD that easily...

The fandom is currently experiencing turmoil due to the sudden stop of the manga. No one knows what the heck happened, and speculation is driving me crazy. I’m very blase towards it - we’ll wait and see. The anime concluded at 75 episodes in March, and the remarkable thing about it is how closely it managed to follow the series.

Oh, the anime also has some great openings and closings. Definitely worth sitting through. My favorite is the final closing, “Music is My Thing.” Simply gorgeous. And the final opening, “Fantasy,” is great as well.

The fandom... well, I haven’t quite made up my mind. The fandom is rather mixed, and I haven’t seen very many fics that are truly stellar. Parodies seem to about (I shudder at Hikaru no Monopoly, Hikaru no Strip Poker and all of those string, just because it’s getting old already). I’m waiting, hoping that the series doesn’t get commercialized because it won’t translate well at all.


Fic Recommendations:
After saying there’s not much, I’m going to go out a limb and pull three. There's a few others I like which I may pull later, but let's start slow.

Ye Shiya
This Fanfic.net author is one of the most promising talents. Her “Final Game” is quite striking in its imagery, and she has an AU called “On the Way” that diverages at Episodes 61, sending Akira with Hikaru instead of Kawai-san. It’s an intriguing possibility. She definitely writes AkiHika (Akira/Hikaru) and it’s worth checking out her in-progress journal because there’s stuff there, along with some fanart. I really hope to see more from her. Complete/In progress.


In the Forests of the Night by Murinae

One of the oddest, most delightful fics I’ve seen in ages. It’s got some great detail, and instead of bringing Sai into our world, it brings Hikaru into Sai’s... after all, if Sai exists, why can’t other spirits? The great detail to myth, along with the minor Spirited Away crossovers add to this. There’s some subtle poking at fandoms make this piece a gem. It’s still not done, but the characterization of Hikaru and Sai both make this one to look for. Not a romatic fic by any means, but a great character study of both Sai and Hikaru and their relationship. In progress.

Wankage by Rikki.
A crossover that starts with Hikaru no Go, goes into X, Prince of Tennis, Angelic Layer and gets worse from there. This fic is simply so insanely off the wall that you can't help loving it. It will have you in stiches. Touya meet Subaru in an attempt to find out Hikaru's secret.... then let's add Isumi's hunt for his father, spice it up with Seishirou's relative from Prince of Tennis... you really can't summarize this fic. All I can say is pure insanity written and paced well. In progress.

Aishuu spoke the truth as she saw it at 02:00 a.m.

| v 1 POISON |
kanoe | X

Name |:| Aishuu
Age |:| 22
Occupation |:| editorial assistant
Favorite Anime |:| At the moment, Hikaru no Go
Favorite seiyuu |:| Seki Tomokazu
At the moment, obsessed with|:| CLAMP!
Likes |:| Good writing, creative plots, unique spins on things, romance, drama, epics
Dislikes |:| songfics, cliches, plagiarists, people who don't spellcheck, false modesty