Koi Anime Report; Manga Also
January 1999
Volume 1, Issue 1
Hello, everyone! This is the first issue of KARMA, which I plan to make into a regular posting. Each month, I plan to review one fanfiction archived on the R.A.A.C. that I particularly liked or felt was notable. Additionally, I may point out sites of interest, or just random observations. Enjoy!
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Mirrors Multiplied
Location: ftp://ftp.cs.ubc.ca/pub/archive/anime-fan-works/Ranma/ranma.sm.mirrors-multiplied.gz
Size: 262 KB compacted, 665 KB uncompacted
Classification: Crossover
Author: Jared Ornstead, aka Skysaber
Structure: 14 parts, prose format, unfinished
This is obviously a rather large story; if one were to try to print it with 12 point Geneva font, it would be over 300 pages -- single spaced! That is only slightly shorter than an average paperback novel, with the exception that "Mirrors Multiplied" is not finished yet. However, large quantities do not necessarily mean low quality. In fact, it is my experience that most large works I have read tend to be well-written, if only for the reason that someone who cannot write quickly and of high caliber will not ever write humongous 'epics'.
Background:
"Mirrors Multiplied" takes place after the Hard Battle episode "Mirror, Mirror" when Ranma uses the Nanban Mirror to prevent himself from reaching Jusenkyo. At the end of Takahashi-sama's story, Ranma and Genma return to the 'present' to find that not only did they end up at Jusenkyo anyway, Happosai also found them. The episode ends there, but there is the implication that they return to the past and undo the changes.
"Mirrors Multiplied" makes the assumption that while in the past, trying to undo the breech in time, Ranma came across a magical artifact, the Destiny Ring. It allows the wearer to make a virtually unlimited number of wishes; like all wish-granting items, though, it never turns out the way one would want or expect. Every time a wish is made, the wearer is displaced into an alternate universe where the wish is true. As a result, when "Mirrors Multiplied" takes place, Ranma has lived through hundreds of lives; mastered every technique ever shown in the anime (and then some); found peace with his curse; cured the Nekoken training; and, most importantly, drained the Destiny Ring dry. You see, while he bounced across realities, this was not for fun -- the one thing the Destiny Ring will not do is return the wearer to their home dimension.
Story Summary:
As stated before, this is a crossover. The initial and recurring major cross is with Sailor Moon. Ranma, as a girl, becomes Sailor Earth, the second-most powerful senshi. This alternate identity boosts Ranma's strength even further, gives him access to new attacks, and allows him to revive the dead (like Sailor Moon). This crossover is possible because in the new universe, the Sailor Scouts are active near Nermia, and Ranma accidentally runs into them.
The Sailor Senshi are not the only other anime in existance in the new universe. Characters from Oh! My Goddess are also present. Skuld recognizes that Ranma is an anomoly, and 'debugs' him, which has the result of returning Ranma to his home universe.
There's one problem: by this time, Ranma does not want to return home. More than three hundred life experiences have changed him, and soured him on the insanity of Nermia. He merely wants a quiet life, which was what he almost had in the previous universe. In addition, there is the minor fact that he was voluntarialy slated to marry Rae, aka Sailor Mars. Meanwhile, in the previous universe, the Scouts, joined by the Blue Iczelion (of Iczilion) attempt to rescue Ranma.
Ranma is able to return to the other universe, only to be 'debugged' by Skuld again. From there, it becomes a massive trek across dimensions as he attempts to return, only to be sent away again. Yes, it is a plot device to get to different realities. Every time Ranma is catapulted to a new dimension is virtually a story in itself; but the theme of attempting to return to the new universe is a thread that compellingly ties each episode together.
The next major universe is that of Macross, where Ranma is stationed on SDF-1 in the struggle against the Zentraedi. From there, things get even stranger, with Ranma visiting dimensions from the Tenchi Muyo! universe to that of Star Trek. There is even an entertaining chapter on anime, Hollywood style (Anime characters are actually actors who play out scripts in the 'real world'); and what happens when the real Ranma shows up in the middle of taping for "It's Fast or It's Free". There are also short cameos from Ghostbusters and Dr. Who.
Overall:
Although "Mirrors Multiplied" may sound like random action and zanyness from the summary, there are sections where introspection on the nature of happiness, desire, and love are explored. Culturally, too, this is worthwhile; there are passages that seem like musicals rather than a fanfiction, with lyrics borrowed from productions such as "The King and I", "Hello Dolly", "The Student Prince", "Camelot", "Phantom of the Opera", and even the refrain from the familiar song "Equal Romance".
Overall, this piece was well written, and if you have time, I recommend that you read it.
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Extra to KARMA:
EVA-R
EVA-R is a fan-organized project set in the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion. I feel this is an extraordinary work, it is one of the models that I would ultimately like to emulate.
The original Neon Genesis Evangelion was thriteen episodes long, documenting the judgement of humanity by creatures called Angels. However, many fans found the last episode to be somewhat a letdown, leaving many aspects of the Evangelion universe unanswered. EVA-R seeks to complete the story, resolving issues and giving a sense of closure.
By itself, this is not unusual. For virtually every anime series, fans have written various "endings" they feel are superior to the original endings. What impresses me is the organization, dedication, and sheer amount of work put into EVA-R.
EVA-R is written in thirteen parts, which is the way a monthly series would be divided. Additionally, there is a final "movie" fanfiction. The authors of EVA-R decided that they would go beyond a normal fanfiction by providing multimedia behind their storys.
Scattered throughout the 'episodes' are 'cels', fan-drawn art that could be used in producing anime. This is not enough to make EVA-R stand out, however; although unusual, it is hardly unheard of. The next noticable thing is a 'radio play', where fans perform as voice actors, runnning through the script. This, too, is not unique. Sample pages of continuous manga-like work, several pages long, illustrate key scenes from EVA-R. Because of the time it takes not only to draw, but to make images presentable, this is a very rare thing to find among fan works.
The thing that is completely unique to EVA-R, however, is the Computer-Generated movies. This just goes to show how much free time the writers of EVA-R had, because there are around twenty rendered clips, mostly in AVI format, each from thirty seconds to two minutes. Opening and closing sequences, Angel attacks, and trailers for EVA-R are all subjects of these clips.
Unfortunately, I am ufamiliar with Neon Genesis Evangelion, so I cannot evaluate the story of EVA-R itself. On the other hand, I am sure there are people on the KoiML who are familar, and could evaluate the quality of work. (Hint, hint: somebody, please do this!) The site for EVA-R is: http://www.eva-r.com
Attached are two images from the EVA-R site. Professional-looking, ne?
Well, that is all for this issue of KARMA! Next month, I plan to review a slightly more WAFFy fanfic. No plans yet for the extra.
On to the next issue
Back to my writings page
