#1 fanfic ever written (IMO): The Bitter End, by Zen.
This was the first fic ever recommended to me. I read it. Then I went into shock. Then, I cried for a while. Then I wondered "Why the hell isn't fanfiction considered to be a valid form of literature, since this one blows most of my English assignments out of the water." Dark as hell, long as hell, the best fanfic ever according to most Ranma fans. I would recommend reading it at night, with all the lights on and a therapist on speed-dial. I'd tell you more, but I don't want to spoil ANY of the possible surprise/shock.

#2: Suicide Blast, by Keener.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Ryouga worshipper. This dark fic is, hands down, THE ultimate Ryouga fanfic. It focuses on a simple premise: If the Shi Shi Hokoudan is based on depression, what happens when you get depressed enough to end it all? The answer is: Nothing good for anyone in Nerima. Well, that and this fic.

#3: The More Things Change/The Pursuit of Happiness, by RpM.
The ultimate Ryouga/Ukyou fanfic! My favorite couple, together!.....Well, sort of. The More Things Change starts out with Ranma proposing, and Akane accepting! Then, Ryouga somehow gets engaged to Shampoo....and the accident with Kodachi....and Kuno's angry at him....and did we mention how he's getting clobbered by Ukyou for calling her "an uncute, macho tomboy"? And the umbrella-wielding maniac with a grudge who's after him? Sounds familiar, kind of....."The Pursuit of Happiness" is the in-progress sequel. Yay, Ryouga and Ukyou!

#4: Reunions--The Tofu/Kasumi Segment, by Mike L.
Oh. My. God. There is something seriously wrong with you if you do NOT burst out into hysterical laughter at least once during this fanfic. It is the single greatest example of Ranma comedy ever created. Seriously. Even now, the phrase "beefbowl-thing-from-hell" can send me into the giggles. Classified on its homepage as "Lord Knows" (as opposed to Dark, or Comedy), prepare to see how everyone's favorite housewife deals with demonic cooking, SWAT teams, and the Scarlet People's Glorious Revolutionary Jihad. I'm not kidding, either.

#5: Girl Days, by Kenko.
Oh, the lunacy....I haven't read anything that made me laugh this hard since #4. It's a series that....well, I'm just going to have to give the author's blurb here to explain.
The concept of Ranma being a girl full time has been used with elegance, with depth, with wisdom, with controversy, with angst, with strange tragedy and unexpected joy.
SOMEONE had to do it with sheer lunacy, daffiness, and the occasional really big mallet.
Girl Days. Or, how I learned to stop worrying and to love my bra.

#6: Hearts of Ice, by Krista Perry.
This. Fic. Is. God. (No, my theology is NOT screwed up. OK, so it is. Sue me.) Anyone who favors Ranma and Akane has read this fic, and loved it. Just about anyone who does NOT favor Ranma/Akane has read this and loved it. Aggravatingly unfinished after 2 years, this work has made Ms. Perry something of a fanfic author superstar. If you like Ranma 1/2, read this fic.

#7: Between a Rock and a Hard Place/The Long and Winding Road, by Zen.
People, there's a reason why he occupies TWO spots on this list. TL&WR (and "Between...", its prequel) is a huge continuation fic. It actually features one of my less-liked couples, in one of the only fanfics I'll read with them in it. Unforutnately, Zen updates about once every 5 years, so we still have a while to go before chapter 3 is out. I only hope I live long enough to see the end!

#8: Destiny's Child, by Dzillman.
The only real crossover on the list, this blends Ranma with Sailor Moon and a hint of Slayers. Truly a cool plot (which I will NOT spoil), and a magnificent job of pulling it off. Funfunfun to read. Go on now, read the sucker!

#9: Chiesai: Dreams of Darkness, by Shannon M. Richmeyer.
Another true epic fanfic. A mythology-laced adventure focusing on the ancient legend forbidding any Tendo to have more than two daughters. Plus, dancing harem girls, magic, horse-riding, and a really cool Kuno. I'm amazed, too. Long, but more than worth it.

#10: Pastpresent, by Susan Doenime.
Y'know how every top ten movie list always, ALWAYS, has one movie that no one has ever heard of? Well, this is mine. Yes, most of the time I agree with fandom at large that Genma Saotome is a rat-bastard. On the other hand, reading this will make you think twice about everyone's favorite panda. It alternates between laughter a lot of the time, but also provides my personal favorite backstory to the whole series. Genma KASIGI competing with Soun over Nodoka? And Soun turning into a mumbling, blushing idiot around her? Plus, a biker/mechanic chick who's Genma's best friend, Inji (Ukyou's daddy) Kuonji, (Principal) Takashi Kuno, some Amazons, and a lovestruck mist kami. Looks like some things ARE inherited after all....

ALMOSTS, NEARLIES, AND MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH'S
And, there are those fics that missed making the list by the slimmest of margins.

The Magical Mystery Hibiki Tour, by Jaelle & Orla.
One of the best Ryouga/Ukyou fics out there. Read it, laugh, feel that all is right with the world.

More to come........

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