Wow, what an amazing work. I love how you've weaved these characters and situations into something almost completely new, but with a still recognizable skeleton. There are several amazing ideas in here, and point out quite a few things about the Canon story that made me think, "huh, I never realized that," and that very rarely happens to me with Ranma fanfics.
I think the most amazing thing, though, is how your writing has improved over the almost ten years(!) you've been writing this story. You've gone from slightly above average but rather awkward prose to an amazingly professional level. Your dialogue, in particular, is very flowing and lifelike. Bravo, and I can't wait to see it further.
I can't read your stories before "going to bed" or else I'll never get to bed! I hadn't realized the time! I just sat back with my laptop and just kept on reading and reading and reading...and then I reached the end of this chapter and realized there wasn't anymore to read...
And then I looked at the time.
Your story is addicting. Very addicting. Your method of story telling is...excellent. Better then probably 90% of the "Professional" writers out there, that I've read books from.
You...I'm glad I stumbled across you. You are definitely one of the polished diamonds of FF.net.
If only it wasn't so...If only the sun wasn't up, I'd read through your 13 other stories. Well, there's always later today when I wake up!
Signed,
Kit the (Blown away in amazement) Fiendish Fire Cat~!
I keep meaning to drop a review on this one, but failing somehow.
I find your edgy revision of the Ranma 1/2 setting and characters very attractive. That you paint every last one of these people as being capable of and important enough to warrant some measure of maturation and growth is pleasing. I can't say I have any clue where things are going in this story, at this point, but look forward to reading it as events progress. There are just so many things up in the air, and so many cooks in the kitchen!
I've written it elsewhere, and surely will again, but it's always a pleasure to see Genma being given his due... the good and the bad. I think Nabiki gets a bit too positive a showing, and that Ranma's perhaps a touch too 'together', but that's getting down to quibbling.
On this chapter specifically, I am actually now sad that this isn't a lemon, or at least rated M. Kasumi and Ryoga cleaning up will just have to be embellished in my mind. WAFF+gore=funny worked well enough. Think it could have used a bit more gore in the equation, but still funny.
Genma looks like he needs to find his balance again, but I'm not thinking that'll happen until he can at least *start* sorting out his evolving relationship with Ranma. All this growing apart they're doing is murder on his mental stability. I wonder if his comments about not being able to be friends with a woman will lead anywhere down the road...
I don't know what horrors being adopted into the Saotome family will inflict upon Ryu Kumon, but I'm guessing there will be many. His debut at Furinkan should be funny as hell. I'm not at all sure why they kept Ranma's curse from him as they did; the story they made up seems like it will fall apart in record time and with an equally outstanding lack of possible positive outcomes.
With Ryoga's secret out (to Ranma), I wonder what will become of this going forward. She had already shown a lot of active guilt (and sympathy) for the lost boy's predicament in the previous chapter. Since he now (probably rightly) thinks of Ranma as a girl, I'm curious what her response to his really obvious awkwardness around women will be. And Nabiki's going to try to make him her familiar? What could that entail, and how might it change everything?
Will Akane be accruing any more admirers, I wonder? Ranma basically stole Kuno away completely in this, and is well on the way to acquiring even more. Bizarrely, I think *that* might be the great horror which will be inflicted upon Ryu Kumon: honouring the Saotome-Tendo marriage pact. God, will that piss off everyone involved.
At this point, I worry about Shampoo. If she ever gets to Nerima, she is going to be jumping into something too complicated and dangerous by far, unless she's got a lot more going for her than she does in canon.
I suppose we'll get to learn what happened with the *other* characters (besides Ryoga, Genma, and Kasumi) next chapter. I'm on the edge of my seat.
Anyhow, sorry about how long it took to put something here, and best of luck with the story going forward.
Normally, when I read a Ranma fanfic, I can hope for one of three things to reach out and snare my attention. An interesting angle on their world, an interesting mechanic introduced to change the canon story's balance in some way or excellent storytelling/character portrayal. Any one of these is a reason for me to start reading not only that piece but the rest of their work.
Your fics, which I started reading with Thyself Known back in 2001, satisfy all three of these. Thank you for sharing your vision and your time with this. Every entry is appreciated and loved.
Well, people need to understand some basic stuff about Ranma. It's a comedy by RUMINO TAKAHASHI. That means, and move that sends somebody out of the screen(Akane Mallet,ect), is there soley for comedy, and should not be used to define abuse. That is why he instantly heals after being malleted.
Genma is also for comedy. The Neko-ken can be taken seriously, but it's a joke, and one that Ranma uses to his advantage(Phoenix pill saga) at times. He is not supposed to be hated, none of the characters are. Your Genma is much more interesting then the usual ones. Good job, keep it up.
Not bad. a little too wordy at parts but an interesting read nonetheless. hope to read more of this one in the future. like to see how the shit will hit the fan when they finally catch up to the evil fucker kosuke.
Holy crap. And here I thought the original manga was crazy. Then you added MORE emotional angst, gender issues, supernatural possessions, etc., etc. I have to say, this was awesome! I love your take on "Kasumi's dark side" that everyone seems so fond of. I can't wait to read the next chapter~! :3
Are you kidding me? This was epic! You managed to make EVERYBODY reasonable. No more stupid Genma bashing, no Ryouga bahsing, no hating on Akane/Nabiki. Everybody is both awesome and cool, are the story makes sense. Mostly. Except for Jusenkyo being a giant demon. And Ranma being bi. But other then that, one of best fics I have read.
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