"Who is that nun and why is she standing on a rock?"
Yup--that was my first impression of Yuu Yuu Hakusho.
I discovered the series on CN in the middle of the Beasts of Maze Castle saga--the Gate of Betrayal storyline, halfway into the episode. The show instantly caught my attention in spite of my initial confusion about the cast. In addition to mistaking Hiei for a nun (a mistake that was dispelled the instant he opened his mouth) I also thought Kurama was a girl (ditto!), Kuwabara a cop in charge of them all, and Yuusuke was his enemy.
Then I learned better and I became totally hooked. Yuusuke cracking wise, Hiei with his snide one-liners, Kuwabara bellowing at him, and Kurama's subtle put-downs were icing on the cake. The story was both character and plot-driven, and the fights were actually about something.
But my anime journey began a long time ago, when broadcast television aired a Russian-made cartoon called The Magic Antelope. (Or maybe it was called The Golden Antelope, or The Magic Horse; information was sketchy, and several release dates are given, ranging from 1949-1954. It may have been part of a package called Cartoon Classics, syndicated by Radio and Television Packagers).
By any name, the cartoon was beautifully rendered, filled with magical beasts and a brave, kindhearted orphan, and I loved it, and couldn’t wait to see more like it. But it was one of a kind.
Until I discovered Miyazaki’s Mononoke Hime.
Finally, a work that evoked the elusive, long-ago Russian cartoon! The hero even rode a red elk that resembled the Magic Antelope. Eager to see more, I tuned into Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The rest is... maybe not history, but the saga of a love affair with anime.
I completed a Yuu Yuu Hakusho novel--Idiot Beloved. Now working on its sequel Firebird Sweet, and many sidefics, which I hope you will read and enjoy. It's my intention to write plot-driven action/adventure stories, lightened with as much humor as the story can stand. I'm particularly interested in developing some of the under-used YYH characters such as Kaitou Yuu and Minamino Shiori.
There's a lot on ffnet to choose from, so believe me, I do appreciate each and every review you send, and try to respond to them all.
I do suggest you read the stories in order: IB first, FS second, then the sidefics. Continuity and character development are our friends!
For my canon I use a combo of the manga and anime--but I 'hear' the Japanese voices. Small point, but crucial to several key scenes in my work. I happen to be a voice freak. I liked YYH, but wasn't really Swept Away until I heard Hiei's seiyuu snarl at Yuusuke. (And yes, I employ the Japanese method of putting last names first.) :p
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR PREVIEWS AND SIDEFICS: Already posted: a preview of the 'secret agent' adventure, Operation Rosary. Soon to come: a preview of Death By Hiei, in which his new sword and its powers are finally revealed; and a Kaitou-centric fic, and the continuation of Codename Moron.
Currently--as of Summer 08--I'm concentrating on Codename Moron and its completion.
What else? I have done some magazine illustration in the past; now I post YYH character sketches on my LJ site; I've also done some very small-time voice work for radio, and I own all the YYH DVDs. And I've written about the nature of anime for Gilbert Magazine.
Current obssessions:
Man Vs. Wild
Deadliest Catch
Dirty Jobs
I can has cheezburger?
UPDATE:
I've seen The Golden Antelope, and it was every bit as wonderful as I remembered. Not only that, but you can tell Miyazaki might have been influenced by it, and its accompanying feature The Snow Queen, whose heroine is very much like a Miyazaki heroine, kind-hearted and courageous. The character and background designs are like forerunners of the Miyazaki style, and also echo the fairy-tale feel of his films. The Snow Queen (hey! She's a Kourime!) and The Golden Antelope were both based on fairy tales.
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