Zogster’s Top Five Fics

 

We do fanfics that are bad. That’s the whole point. But there’s different kinds of bad. While I spend a lot of time clenching while reading, there are some fics that stick out because, for whatever strange reason, I genuinely enjoyed them. A lot of them spring from the sincerity in the writing, while others have me more laughing like a maniac trying to make sense of them. Or of course, a fic can do both.

So here’s my top five fics that I sat back and enjoyed, each with their own distinct appeal.

Episode 501 - Bubblegum Force, chapters 2-3

Episode 501: Bubblegum Force, chapters 2-3

I feel safe in your arms, killer robot

In order to maintain a low profile, Lufy joins the ADP as a combat pilot with an obviously fake resume that wouldn't hold up under scrutiny. Naturally everyone accepts this without question, especially after she goes out on an unauthorised mission that results in multiple deaths and more chunks of the city blowing up. Her plan of course was to add even more Gall Force characters to the fic (Shildy, Catty II, whats-her-name and the other one) which won't clutter up this narrative in the slightest. So, light a cigarette as you drive a tanker full of highly explosive fuel through a densely populated residential areas for the second part of Bubblegum Force. And ignore the way that Catty and Sylia are glowering at each other. Nothing going on there at all, no sir.

Riffers: ?, ?, ? and ?

Written by: Zogster and Rick R.

Rick R's Top Five Fics

 Since we hit our big 500, I was feeling a little bit introspective. I thought that this would be a good time to take a look at some of our past fics, and ones that I particularly enjoyed. We all know that these aren’t being picked for their literary value or any high concept, but every now and then I will come across a fic that I will enjoy. And in many cases, it’s the flaws of those fics that make them so very fun.

So I thought I’d go through the archives and pick out a top five fics that I actually enjoyed for whatever reason. These are arranged in no real order; I love them all for their own reasons. Note that this list only includes fanfics, not professional works that I’ve covered. Because otherwise this would really be nothing but Storm Force.

Episode 500 - Bubblegum Force, chapter 1

Episode 500: Bubblegum Force, chapter 1

Sometimes crashing into the moon actually is the better option.

After spending two million years sleeping off being exploded, Rabby wakes up to find that she's in an alien world completely disconnected from her own. Fortunately, Lufy is also there having just gotten over dying yet again, so the two of them do the only logical thing possible and steal a motorcycle. They happen to run into totally legitimate businesswoman Sylia Stingray who is willing to give them shelter, support and a fully equipped workshop with an industrial steel press, no questions asked. So if you have questions about the nature of life, death, reincarnation and if Genom's cryogenics research will get funding then cast them all aside for the first chapter of Bubblegum Force. Patty's on her own.

Riffers: ?, ?, ? and ?

Written by: Zogster and Rick R.

Fic Failure Rates, 2025 Edition

We’ve reached episode 499 (1) of the Rebuild of Elmer Studios, which means that we’re on the cusp of a major anniversary. I think that this is a good time to take a look back over the Rebuild period as a whole and examine some trends and patterns across the fics we’ve covered and see what we can find. There’s a couple of interesting surprises along the way

Episode 499 - Transformers Prime x ROBOTECH - Season 1

Episode 499: Transformers Prime x ROBOTECH - Season 1

We live on God’s face.

It’s a triple date with hate here as we feature a three-way* crossover. Having managed to miss the most important events in the world for the last decade, the Autobots send their agents to a tiny island in the South Pacific, only to find that it is home to a giant alien spaceship that they were somehow completely unaware of. And when said island is attacked by bad guys for no real reason, it’s up to the Autobots to save the day while the humans stand around and exposit. So grab your motorcycle helmet (hologram or real) and be amazed by the existence of walls for Transformers Prime x ROBOTECH - Season 1. Featuring all your favourite characters such as Random Destroid Pilot and Nameless Power Armour Guy.

*For very generous values of the number three.

Riffers: Dan, Rebecca Bartley, Tsuneo Tateo and Rick R. Mortis

Written by: Zogster and Rick R.

Episode 498 - Shining Jewels of America, chapters 5-7

 Episode 498: Shining Jewels of America, chapters 5-7

I'm cheering for Filler Team A.

So far, Shining Jewels has given us an aggressively unlikeable protagonist, long lists of what parts everyone's Gundam is made from and demands to send OCs. That means it must be time for the tournament arc which is never completed because the fic is abandoned, and what do you know, the fic does (or doesn't) disappoint. And so as Mathias gets a creepy stalker who is still more likeable than he is, Adrian continues being an entity that exists and we all pretend to be impressed by the guy that we've never heard of before we bid a fond farewell to The Shining Jewels of America. And remember, it's not cheating if the entire system is set up to support the guy who does it.

Riffers: Dan, Rebecca Bartley, Tsuneo Tateo and Rick R. Mortis

Written by: Zogster and Rick R.