Obviously I've put a lot of time and effort into this essay. A lot of people won't understand why I care so much, or why I get so worked up over the current fan basis for Gundam Wing. Why can't I just watch the show, do my thing, and ignore everyone else? Is it my business what they do?
The reason is, to me anime is a form of art, just as movies, paintings, poetry, novels, comics, video games, and other TV shows are art. Many people put a lot of love and effort into Gundam Wing, and as a fan I consider it my obligation to respect the creators, as they well deserve. Gundam Wing is a show about humanity, connection, compassion, understanding—so much more than most people give it credit for. There is a very deep message that the writers and animators and actors and composers are trying to convey; I cannot ignore their intentions. Maybe not all Anime is made for the same reasons (heh, Excel Saga comes to mind), but Gundam is a series that has been continuing for two decades. It does have a meaning. It was made to be respected.
I know there are people out there that feel the same way as I do. What I'm doing here is nothing less than an attempt to revolutionize Gundam Wing fanfiction. I want people to see the wonderful artistry behind it, appreciate it, and expand it. That's what being a fan is all about—appreciation. Not degradation. Not trying to find the one couple no one's thought of, to write the more daring fic, to create a new sex position. This is art, not competition.
So open your eyes a little, and realize what these amazing people have given you.
Love what you love—that's your right. But don't knock the non-yaoi fans. It's a matter of preference. Your opinion is no better or more right than theirs. You can't say they don't like yaoi because they're close-minded or prejudice. Yes, there are many people like that, but some people just don't think the Gundam characters are gay. I hope I've proved in my essay that there are a lot of possibilities—you yourself may be incorrect or simply misinformed. Don't make the characters gay just for the sake of being gay. Don't make Heero gay just so that Relena won't have him. That’s not fair. Like I've always said, I believe in well thought out reasoning, not excuses.
For the Non/Anti-Yaoi
Fans
Love what you love—that's your right. But don't knock the yaoi fans. It's a matter of preference. Your opinion is no better or more right than theirs. You can't say they're making everyone gay just for the sake of making them gay. Yes, there are people that are like that, but some people honestly believe that Heero and Duo are gay, etc. I hope I've proved in my essay that there are a lot of possibilities—you yourself may be incorrect or simply misinformed. Don't pair up characters just for the sake of having them get some. Don't make Wufei marry Sally just to keep the Treize people away. That's not fair. Like I've always said, I believe in well thought out reasoning, not excuses.
I'm sure there are a lot of people that are really excited about the things I have to say. I don't want fans to get turned away from Gundam simply because they're frightened or disgusted by the fan basis. My friends and I always complain about there not being any intelligently written GW fanfics.
A few people have submitted pages with fic archives. Though I really appreciate their support, I haven't had time to search through dozens of different authors, so I'm going to have to ask that singular fics are suggested. Makes it easier for me to get through my mail and get things posted.
By the way, I'm not looking for fics that necessarily match all my opinions--were that the case, I would be quite lonely here ^_-. Any well thought out fic is welcomed, as long as it makes sense and stays in consistent character.
Fics Hosted Here
Links to Fics
Sainan no Kekka - a massive fanfiction undertaking
Links to other pages
Too Much Testosterone - lots of debates, essays, info, and other cool stuff
The Pacifists - A new group dedicated to supporting a more peaceful GW fandom.
