Outstanding Amateur Author Hitomi-sama "Chichiue (Father), let's go flying again like in the dreams of my childhood. Let's fly just like the angels." -Shiori, Second Vision E-mail: Hitomi_sama@hotmail.com Webpage: http://otakuintraining.tripod.com/hitomisama/index.html (PG, PG-13 material) Fanfiction: Sailor Moon, The Vision of Escaflowne, others When I first visited Hitomi-sama's website, I happened to come across her story Second Vision, a fanfic based on the anime The Vision of Escaflowne. To my surprise, it wasn't just a story that picked up right after the end of The Vision of Escaflowne, which many fanfiction authors do write. Hitomi-sama's Second Vision is a story that takes place long after the end of the anime series, and uses some older versions of the original cast as well as an entire set of new young characters. The remakable aspect of Hitomi-sama's story is that she pulls off this difficult technique well. Focusing a fanfic on original characters is quite a common practice, but those fics can have the tendency to ward off readers (most people read fanfiction for the previously-created characters, after all). Hitomi-sama blends an excellent mix of Escaflowne's heroes and a handful of interesting original characters to create a rich cast; the fact that most of the new characters are actually children of Escaflowne characters and the passing of genes is evident (although the children are far from carbon copies of their parents) is yet another draw for readers. With settings from the show and an involved, beautiful fantasy plot with a very strong Escaflowne feel about it, Second Vision leaves Escaflowne fans with little to complain about. Using original characters in a fic is difficult, because straying too much from the anime/manga/whatever the fic is based on can leave fans bored and uninterested, but when done right ... I think a close friend of mine put it well: "The best fanfics I've read have original characters in them." Finding the balance between old characters - to give the readers what they came for - and new characters - to give the readers a new twist from what they've seen - can mean an excellent, layered fic that gives a fresh feel to even the oldest anime. Hitomi-sama's Second Vision is a prime example of finding that balance. First six parts of Second Vision are hosted on this site, and please see her webpage about continuing parts. A lot of Japanese vocabulary is featured in Second Vision; e-mail Hitomi-sama or me for help. Don't let vocabulary you don't know get in the way of your enjoying the story! For a little help, "Chichiue" means "Father," "Hahaue" means "Mother," and "Aniue" means "Big Brother." Those are all formal terms for family members most of you are probably not used to. Second Vision Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Some comments from Hitomi-sama herself: I've been writing for so long that I can hardly remember exactly when I started. Ever since I was little, I've written things. Be it short stories, novels, poems . . . I wrote my heart out. By some fluke, I began writing fanfics. To be perfectly honest, when I first began, I didn't even know they were called fanfics! It was a few years ago, back when "Sailor Moon" first aired . . . one day I just thought, "Why don't I try writing an original story with the characters in the show?" I only got one story out of that. Then last year, I decided (after watching the series again) to try once more. To this day I really haven't stopped writing. My stories have changed though. Not only do I write "Sailor Moon" fanfiction, but "The Vision of Escaflowne" and "Rurouni Kenshin" fanfiction as well (I'm sure it's a matter of time until other anime titles follow these). I do write other things but my attention lately has been focused mainly on fanfiction. However, due to the fact that I have a job and countless other tasks to do in the course of the day, finding time to write can be difficult to downright impossible. I write whenever I have a free moment and make time when I've got an idea burning in my mind. My hobbies include, writing fanfiction (of course), reading raw (un-translated) Japanese manga, and watching anime. Favorite series' of mine include "Rurouni Kenshin" and "The Vision of Escaflowne." I'm so attached to those two titles . . it seems as if I'm always doing something related to one or both of them. I want to say that it's an honor for me to appear on Lianne's web site! As a fan of her work, this is a thrill for me. I never dreamed this would happen in a million years! ^ ^. Also, I want to say arigato to a few people for sticking by me as I got started in the fanfic world. Fei, who's in charge of Studio Unmei, without your support and web space there'd be no Hitomi-sama. Dilly Pickle, arigato for being such a sweet yujin! ^ ~. Eternal Phoenix, arigato for getting me back into fanfics! Most importantly arigato to each and every one of you who read my work and send me feedback! On a personal note, Hitomi-sama is a very kind, hard-working individual, and I'm pleased to feature her here. Please check out some of her work and send her your comments - she's certainly worth your time. ^_^ Back to the Amateur Author Dedications This page is copyright © Lianne Sentar, July 2001 and July 2002. Hitomi-sama's answers and all her stories copyright © Hitomi-sama. All other anime/manga mentioned copyright © their respective owners.