Normally, I don't read fanfiction, unless if I'm really bored. Today, I got really bored.
You see, Internet, tvtropes has a fanfic recommendation page. I looked it up. I found a series with a few 'fics that caught my eye.
Now, when I do read 'fics, I prefer ones based off series that have good, but not exceptional writing. Hence why I used to read Sonic fanfiction; the only game with a decent storyline was Sonic Adventure, and don't even get me started on the Sonic comics and cartoons. Nonetheless, I like (some of) the characters and setting enough to be a fan, but to also admit that it could be touched up by writers more fanatical than myself. Okay, there was that time I read FF4 and 6 'fics, and their canons are already perfect, but I was bored, okay? But today's example is like the former description; I like the setting, I like some of the characters, I own two of the videogames, but it could have a stronger plot. Also, normally, I only read 'fics based off games, but today, I broke ground. I read fanfics based off a graphic novel series.
I read Naruto fanfics.
"That's it! xm, you have officially gone off the deep end! This is too much to bear! It's radical enough that you anticipated Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 more than Super Smash Brawl, but now this!? You broke my heart, brother! You really have!"
Would you rather I go back to reading Pokemon fanfics?
"Okay, nevermind."
Well, tvtropes has an extensive list of well-written Naruto 'fics. Given its popularity, a lot of Naruto 'fics exist, including a lot of good ones. I don't describe all the ones right now, but I will mention highlights.
One thing about Naruto, the actual series, that disappoints me is that there are so many characters, with their own names, histories, relationships, and so on. Yet, many of these characters aren't seen very much, all thanks to the plot revolving around Blonde Boy, Brooding Turncoat, Amy Rose Ripoff, . . . . and my homeboy Kakashi-sensei. But there are some minor characters I've come to like, also. Shikamaru is like 80 percent of the students at my college. Jiraiya is a pervert, who, instead of making me groan with disgust, makes me think, "Oh, that wacky Toad sage!" Tsunade is one of the awesomest woman characters of all time, who will not be brought down by anything, not even sake and gambling addiction. And Orochimaru, he's one of the best villains ever. Nothing's scarier than a creepy snakeman, let me leave it at that.
But many of the other characters, especially the genin, don't appear very often. They do in some fanfics, though. For example, Hinata is apparently a fan-favorite amongst Narutards. She never struck me as a particulary interesting character, to be honest. I do like to play as her in the UN games and beat the crap out of Neji, defying canon in doing so, but that's it. Well, to the fanfics authors, perhaps the reason people like me don't find her fascinating is because she just hasn't been fully fleshed-out yet. I read a fanfic earlier today that was all about her. She's much more likable when you get a better understanding of her very real, though crippling, affection for Blonde Boy. I always thought, "What does she see in him!?" but now I realize, she sees Naruto's potential to be one of the awesomest awesomes that was ever awesomed.
But this other 'fic I've been reading, it's been hilarious. This other 'fic is a parody of what tvtropes calls 'shipping' fics. In this other fanfic, everybody tries to hook up with somebody. Hilarity ensues. You have to see it for yourself. Maybe I'll link you there when I'm finished reading it.
Maybe I'll tell you more about it later. I mean, until my E7 DVDs come, I don't have anything else to write about. Blog post publishing JUTSU!
