One of the most common plot in Evangelion fanfics is the use of a new Children, either a new Fourth Children instead of Touji, or a new Sixth Children in follow up series. Such plot often also involves Unit-03 either not being infected by the 13th Angel, or being rebuilt.

Such is the case with Stacy Rowe, Evangelion Pilot.

With a small exception however. In this case, instead of using a completely new character, a character from another animated series, "Daria", was used.

And it worked out very well.

When the author, Austin Covello, mentioned this story to me, I was reluctant to read it. While I love his "OFF Series", this story covered unknown ground: a NGE crossover that didn't involve either "Ranma 1/2", "Ah! My Goddess!", "Slayers" or "Sailormoon". It rather involved a show I didn't know anything about. So I told him I would try look at it... one day.

True to my word, I tried to catch some "Daria" episodes. While I kept forgetting at first, I now has become part of my weekly routine. It's that good.

But back to the review subject... After seeing a few "Daria" episodes and grasping the average idea about the characters (and more importantly identifying who was Stacy), I read the story.

And loved it.

In ways, Stacy is a lot like Shinji. Insecure and not sure of her own identity. So her arrival in the NGE universe brought a sort of equilibrium, a character that was somewhat in between the angry and fierce Asuka and the cold and mysterious Rei. Someone Shinji could actually reach out and even relate to. Also, following the NGE dynamics, it introduced someone Rei would feel like protecting, as well as providing Asuka with an other source to lash her anger on. While these are not the kind of effects *all* 'new characters' should bring to NGE fanfics, this is the kind of right chemistry they should produce.

As the author mentioned it, this story was meant as a "sitcom/soap opera" and it reached it's objective well. It's a light story, with growing friendships, romance and good laughs, rather and an angst filled story. I like that.

The only weakness of this story is that you need to have watched at least some "Daria" to fully appreciate some of the jokes in this story. As I read it, I quickly understood it had been a good move to watch some "Daria" first. I think it could be read without watching "Daria", considering Stacy as some ordinary ACC, but since this story is seen under Stacy's perspective, you may not get the full intended effect.

But if you've watched "Daria"... this is a most recommended read.

SEELE-01
March 30th 2000

I'm of the opinion that some crossovers should not happen. That was my first opinion of this fic when I first saw it, as I figured that it couldn't work without being completely silly. Eventually, though, curiosity got the better of me, and I finally decided to check it out.

I'm glad I did. This is very good fic and deserves recognition. It's not the same as Austin's "OFF Series", but you'll enjoy nonetheless.

The story is a crossover with the MTV animated series, "Daria", about a young girl who uses her wits and cynicism to get by amongst popular kids, teachers, and her own parents. A character from the show, Stacy Rowe, a member of the Fashion Club that Daria's younger sister Quinn is a member of, has been chosen as an EVA pilot. She goes to Japan with Unit-03 (yes, this does involve an alternate version of events of those particular episodes), and begins to interact with the rest of the NGE cast. Much of the story revolves around Stacy's attempts to get by in her new surroundings, as she puts up with Asuka (who's played up a bit more bitchier and annoying than usual, a surprise coming from Austin), Toji and Kensuke, living
with Rei, and her feelings for a certain other pilot.

As I said before, this fic is a good read. Rather than just a bunch of Angel battles (don't worry, we get one at the end), we get a look into the lives of our favorite gang as they adjust to a new member in their ranks. Everything is well-written, from Asuka's continuous taunting of Stacy to her interaction with Rei (which is neat in itself). One part I enjoyed most was how she and Shinji interact together. Stacy's character almost makes her seem like a female Shinji, almost making her "the one" for him. They have so much in common, it isn't even funny, and that's what makes it work. Most crossover relationships tend to fail in some way or another, but this one pulls it off.

The only downside to reading this fic is, like probably any other crossover, you'll have to at least seen a few episodes of "Daria". Many might ignore this piece of advise, figuring the way things are written, Stacy and the rest of the "Daria" (some of whom make little cameo appearances) almost come off ACCs. But trust me, it would be best to watch the
show first. If not to know who these people are, but to get the jokes that occur throughout the story. Sure, they would be funny even without watching, but they'll be even funnier if you know what's behind
them.

Until Instrumentality is needed again…