I love a good crossover, but they're so difficult to find!
There's no shortage, of course, to hordes of anime characters randomly transferring in to study at Hogwarts or dragon riders suddenly finding themselves in the War of the Ring, but all too often writers seem to use the setting and characters of one world to highlight and enhance the abilities of characters from another. Disparate worlds are also very difficult to tie together seamlessly, though I have seen it done before, and with a great level of thought put into the job.
So what about you? What do you like in a crossover? What makes you hit the back button halfway through? Would you recommend a particular fic for particular fandoms? Have you written any yourself?
Crossovers can be done really well, but the author must make it seem like the different fandoms naturally coexist, in some cases it's easier than others.
My first fic was a crossover where I just throw the different fandoms in a massive world and had the heroes from all of them have to unify to beat this great evil.
I don't read them to tell you the truth. because I don't find anything to my liking.
I have started one between Sailor Moon's Haruka & Michiru [the characters I do write only] and Charmed, with Haruka visiting the sisters for some cupid arrows :P is a two chapters story but I have written the first ages ago and the second is still waiting to be written :/
at the moment I'm writing Haruka and Michiru as if they were actresses of my fav theatrical troupe [which is a fandom of a Real Person Fics] someone could say that it is a cross over, though I do not use the names or/and terms they are used by the theater out of respect, only real situations that are true for the real life actresses.
Some things just beg for a crossover, but most of the time it's not necessary. I sometimes read them, tried to write two myself, but generally I stick to a single series.
The ones I tried to write were Elfen Lied/Saw and Oblivion/Fable.
Crossovers: turning canon characters into Mary Sues since the very beginning. That said, some are very good. Crossovers can either enhance the characters from each fandom...or ruin them. I guess it depends on whether the two fandoms are compatable or not. As an example, an Eragon and Discworld crossover wouldn't work, as the two universes have a very different take on magic, elves, dwarves etc. However, I can imagine (though I haven't seen the James Bond movies) that a crossover between James Bond and Alex Rider would have the potential to be good, if done by a skilled writer.
The "two different takes" thing you just mentioned, Lupa Dracolis, sounds like a challenge to me. Too bad I haven't ever read Discworld, so I can't even illustrate how I might go about reconciling the two worlds...
I've read a very good one that crosses Harry Potter with Lord of the Rings. The means of Harry's entrance to Middle Earth is interesting and is actually explained in the story itself, his magic has its limits in that world, he's quite in character, and he does NOT become a master swordsman/bowman/whatever in the course of the story.
Sadly, it's been a couple of years since the last update. I think the writer lost interest...just before the Battle of Pelennor Fields, too.
@KatonRyu: Elfen Lied...never seen it, but I've seen the name before. Is it an anime of some sort? And Saw...that's the name of a horror movie, I think, though again, I've never seen it. If I'm right, those two must've been hard to click together. Were they?
Elfen Lied is an anime
this is a good AMV to give you an Idea of what it is about...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmNf4uQVCI
I personally relly like crossovers if they are done properly. I've written a few crossover fics myself. The first was a Final Fantasy crossover that I wrote a few years ago- it was complete crack but it was fun to write.
Recently I've written an Ouran High School Host Club/ Death Note crossover and a Skip Beat/ Digimon crossover. I hope I didn't make anyone too out-of-character but I do enjoy experimenting with the different fandoms. :)
I personally relly like crossovers if they are done properly. I've written a few crossover fics myself. The first was a Final Fantasy crossover that I wrote a few years ago- it was complete crack but it was fun to write.
Recently I've written an Ouran High School Host Club/ Death Note crossover and a Skip Beat/ Digimon crossover. I hope I didn't make anyone too out-of-character but I do enjoy experimenting with the different fandoms. :)
I think crossovers can work, but only if they are well written and if the plot is good for both worlds. I once read a nice crossover between Gundam Wing and Harry Potter, though it has never been finished.
I really don't read crossovers anymore because I can't find ANY that I like. It just turns into too many...
There was one I came across, Battle Royale and Final Destination. It took the Battle Royale characters and prevented them from being entered in the Program, but they were still meant to die, which is where the "list" idea came in.
Sadly it is a dead!fic.
Crossovers can work, if they're written correctly. And if the crossed fandoms are actually compatible. (YGO / YGO-GX / YGO-5Ds, for example, would work. YGO / LotR, probably wouldn't.)
Again, I consider 'incompatible' crossovers a challenge more than anything. The unusual is a fun thing to experiment with. Right now I'm working on a crossover between Harry Potter (English, wizards, 1991-1997) and Bleach (Japanese, death gods, somewhere around 2004). Making the totally disparate stories with their different ideas of death and concepts of magic work together naturally has been a blast.
>>7 That AMV really misses the point of the series...True, Elfen Lied is one of the goriest anime I've seen, but the story is really good and by the end of the series you really wonder who the bad guys are.
>>6 They're not as hard to combine as you might think, although the only thing I have up on my FF is a try-out, since I lacked any real inspiration when I wrote that.
>>14 there was another AMV that I couldn't find so I posted the best of the bunch I found. I know it is deeper than that I have seen and loved Elfen.
I've encountered really good crossovers, but by and large, they're poorly done and thought out. I've written a lot as well.
AMVs rarely capture the entire feel of a series, just as no song can really capture the truth of a character - or of any human being, really. All they can do is show a single aspect of a multi-faceted thing.
@16- I know what you mean. The amount of stuff you have to wade through...
I wonder, now. If I did a count of all the Bleach/HP crossovers, what percentage would be 'Bleach gang goes to Hogwarts' versus the precentage of 'Harry is Ulquiorra reincarnate' versus the percentage of 'Harry is Hitsugaya reincarnate,' etc?
It's almost tempting to try and find out.
I love Crossovers really especially one that I had gotten me to do my own story
I really love crossovers in fact I write some of my own and most of the fanfics I read are crossovers. I just don't understand why most people can't accept crossovers, example my cousin wrote a crossover of Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist with a SakuraxEd pairing and someone wrote a review saying that the pairing will never happen and he shouldn't have write that crossver pairing in the first place. It's his own fanfic and they shouldn't have flame it.
I love an write crossovers. However, I am rather tiered of the number of fanfic writers who just toss to fandoms together, because they like both fandoms, no thought. And the number of reviews that praise the fanfic simply because of the crossover being done, and NOT the quality... sad.
I love writing crossovers, especially in fanfiction, and I think over fifty percent of my fics are crossovers. I like reading them, too, but only when they're well done. From the critique I've received from reviewers, I'd like to think that I do well. But, I've noticed that many crossover fics are passed over, and I attribute my success to the fact that I do my very best to write well, to mesh different worlds properly, and to characterize well. If you do all that, if your readers can sense the effort you put into it, I'm certain they'll respond nicely. They have in my experience, anyway.
I love writing crossovers, especially in fanfiction, and I think over fifty percent of my fics are crossovers. I like reading them, too, but only when they're well done. From the critique I've received from reviewers, I'd like to think that I do well. But, I've noticed that many crossover fics are passed over, and I attribute my success to the fact that I do my very best to write well, to mesh different worlds properly, and to characterize well. If you do all that, if your readers can sense the effort you put into it, I'm certain they'll respond nicely. They have in my experience, anyway.
crossovers are awesome. most of the stories I read and write are crossovers.
I love crossovers, but sometimes they're so hard to find. Some of them have no plot, mix up the characters, and it doesn't make any sense anymore... But when I DO see a good crossover and there aren't many reviews, it makes me start to wonder why other people aren't reading it.
But I love them. I already write crossovers. One of them already has 173 reviews!
Hi!
I love crossovers! Though they have to be well written. I agree with everyone here that they are hard to find, and its very rare to find one that will attract your attention. The story has to be well thought out and make sense. A couple of years ago I found a Sailor Moon/Gargoyles crossover, which I thought really wasnt going to work out, but once I read it, I loved it! It had a plot, was well written, kept me very interested, and it was not random. Its called Moonstones, in case someone is interested in reading it.
Dreamcreator
Crossovers are a challenge to me. A fun challenge. To me it's pretty fun to merge different worlds together in one story. Incompatible worlds are trickier, but just as amusing, if not more.
I only despise crossovers when they are poorly written. Especially when it's obvious that the author wasn't particularly interested in the worlds to begin with.
@24 - I can think of a reason why some crossovers don't get many reviews. If it is one of the older ones, particularly someone who happened to have not posted anything, in a long time, and the fanfic hasn't been moved to the crossovers section, then it goes without saying, they might have gotten snowballed in, particularly if it were between two fandoms that aren't usually thought to be compatable. I mean, I wouldn't go looking for crossovers from fandoms I don't know, with fandoms I do know.
@26 - I actually haven't found a crossover that the author 'wasn't particularly interested in the worlds to begin with', but then, maybe I just don't understand what you mean by that.
One type of crossover, which to me is poorly written, are the ones where they take canon characters from one fandom, and slap them into the plot of another fandom. I have to think, what are you guys thinking? Not to mention, that constitutes plagerism, in most cases...
How do people feel about triple crossovers? and mixing TV & books?
I Have a good idea about crossing...
Puddle Jumpers come in handy when going to a world without a stargate!
>>28 -
How do I feel about triple crossovers? -
How do I feel about mixing books and TV? -
>>28 -
How do I feel about triple crossovers? -
How do I feel about mixing books and TV? -
@27: I can't speak for 26, of course, but I think I might have a vague idea as to what he/she meant. Perhaps it's when the author knows of both fandoms but finds one more fascinating or enjoyable than the other. He then takes his favorite characters from his favored fandom and throws them into the world of the less favored one for the sole purpose of having his favored fandom completely awe and show up the other one. It's sort of like transforming those characters into Wish-fulfilling Mary-Sues, and it generally shows a lack of interest/appreciation for the fandom that's constantly being belittled.
I don't know whether or not I got that right, but that's my best guess.
Mixing books and TV- I agree with 29. The medium doesn't matter quite so much as how you make the worlds mesh does.
Three-way crossovers: I don't really think I've seen a good one yet. Sure, there's all that stuff based on Final Fantasy and the like, but I hardly count it, given that the worlds come from the same franchise - from practically the same source - and convenient similarities are bound to occur.
The problem with crossovers is trying to meld two differing worlds together in a believable manner so that the concepts of one don't contradict the concepts of another. When you make it three different worlds, the mess only becomes more difficult to mix. You also have to keep an eye on more characters and keep their interactions realistic. I suppose it could be done, but good stories with three plus fandoms coming together at once would be few and far between.
Yes. I have actually seen that one, where one is favored more then another. I personally don't think it is sort of like transforming those characters into wish fullfillment Mary Sue, it does turn them into that. When I see this, I do come off on them, for doing this.
Something simular, is when I see an OC from some fandom, come in with powers from that fandom, be taken randomly to another fandom, and then given powers from that fandom. I mean, I saw a +Anima OC, with +Anima powers, brought into the world of Bleach, and gain shingami powers AND become hollowfied. I called the writer out, for usurping the roles of the canon characters.
As for three way crossovers, I am seriously trying to think of one that has been done well yet, unless it is a sort of crack like fanfic, where they poke fun of and parody things. But I don't think that's really what they were talking about.
And no, I don't concider the Final Fantasy crossovers to count either. The reason that the games are listed seperatly, is because there is so much depth in each game, and so many characters. However, it is like saying we can crossover Lord of the Rings, and Simirilian, or any Rockman AUs... or X-men AUs. (Or anything Marvel for that matter... or Clamp) Because they exist in the same world, it isn't as if they can't blend easily.
Technically the Final Fantasy titles all take place in different universes entirely, but there are always underlying connections in concepts and the like - for example, the Lifestream of FFVII and the Farplane of FFX are very similar, similar enough that one might be able to connect the two stories through these ideas.
I've only ever seen one half-decent three-way crossover, and it used Final Fantasies VII, VIII, and X. It was still incomplete the last I saw of it.
Oh, yeah, those OCs. It's bad enough when someone does it in one fandom, really. Two or more is just overkill.
Well, it really depends on a, they way the fiction is written in the first place (i.e its detail, grammar, spelling) I've found that sometimes, even if you aren't fond of that show/book/movie etc, if it's detailed and well put together, it turns out to truly be a great fic.
Though the only thing I'm not fond of is when someone writes a crossover half heartedly and then it spans off into who knows what. It needs to have a definite plot and make sense for me to be drawn in.
>>33 My FF knowledge is rather limited, so I'll take your word for it. I just knew some of the characters make apperances in more then one game.
>>34 Of, if it isn't a fandom you don't like, it isn't one that you pehaps know well either. However, some writers don't do it write... they tell, rather then show.
Some people, don't care if their fanfics have a definite plot, or makes sense. To me, for it truelly to be good, has to have this, whether it is crossover or not.
@35- Yes, each FF is set in an entirely different universe, unless it's a direct sequel to or spinoff from another FF. Or Dissidia, but it's best not to think too hard about Dissidia's storyline. Sometimes the same character-names are used in more than one, but the actual characters are different. So FF7's Cid Highwind (pilot) is completely different to FF8's Cid Kramer (headmaster), who's completely different to FF9's Cid Fabool (Regent), who's completely different to FF10's Cid (pilot), who's competely different to FF12's Cid Bunansa (doctor), who's completely different to FF13's Cid Raines (General). Well, there's normally some overlap- Cids like airships, but their characterisation, manner and histories- all the stuff that makes them THEM- is different.
>>36 - Lol - Thanks! :)
I like certin crossovers. I happen to write Inuyasha crossovers, Kagome centric. I do read some other crossovers that aren't inu crossovers but not often.
to me, i think crossovers depend on how they are executed. it has to all fit together perfectly. and crossovers are difficult to my eyes. alot of planning, i think, has to be properly edited in order to make it great. of course i wouldnt know. i have an idea for a crossover, but i need to finish my old stories first. i have slacked off for too long and adding a new story isnt going to cut it.
>>39 - You are right, that crossovers are difficult. Slapping two fandoms together is not only not unique, or interesting, this ends up making it so the stories follow the same plot, or no plot at all. Or, their is no point to it.
Heh heh, I'm guilty of a crossover or two -- in fact, I've made exactly two ('Naruto: Champion Tournament' does not count as a separate crossover because it is set in the same continuity as 'INVADER NARUTO'). Though, ironically, I think the crossover I regret the most is 'Metroid Legacies', if only because I have little active interest in it and yet is easily my most popular fic. I mean, it's not like it's especially bad, or anything, it's just that I got myself in way over my head with it. I just wish people would devote that sort of attention to some of my other, better fics.
Er, hrm... that kind of got a little awkward, there. But moving on: the crossover I regret the least was/is 'INVADER NARUTO', largely because where 'Metroid Legacies' tries and fails to take itself seriously, 'INVADER NARUTO' is a completely nonsensical exercise in silliness. But it isn't the fic itself I like, so much as the idea of the fic: there's no wangst or overwrought drama, just bad jokes and self-deprecating humor. It's inherently absurd, which is why it is my personal favorite out of my crossovers.
I recently wrote a crossover for 5D's/Pokémon, but like EvilFuzzy said, it didn't try to take itself seriously at all. It was simply inspired by a crack fanart -- a 5D's character, Crow, asking a Murkrow if it would be his friend -- and evolved from there. Didn't even touch on how Crow was in this different universe, because the story was purely focussed on Crow and this Murkrow.
I don't mind crossovers, as a rule of thumb, but I'm rather particular about them. Usually they have to make some sort of sense (though there are exceptions), and I generally dislike pairings involving characters from different universes, but only because I can't see how it would work. It's easy to do badly, and difficult to do well.
I exclusively write Crossovers. I have been for six years now.
The funny thing is, every time people tell me about my stories, they all say they did it because it seemed funny. They read and realized that I did a good job of mixing two universes together, and integrating them into one another! One thing led to another, and I based a world around my creation!
I exclusively write Crossovers. I have been for six years now.
The funny thing is, every time people tell me about my stories, they all say they did it because it seemed funny. They read and realized that I did a good job of mixing two universes together, and integrating them into one another! One thing led to another, and I based a world around my creation!
>>44 - I can't judge, as I don't know the fandoms, but if they are right, I know enough about them, to say that you likely did a good job in what you did.
I like crossovers that make logical sense. The writer has to put time into understanding the worlds and bringing them together. For example, I've read many Bleach/Harry Potter stories where despite being around for thousands of years, the Soul Reapers have only just become aware of the wizards, or every reaper can do magic and every wizard can become a soul reaper. Not to say there bad, they just raise questions in my mind.
I read so many of these I actualy chalanged myself to write a bleivable cross between the two. And I like to think I'm doing a good job. Through it is hard to come up with new material so that I'm not just repeating the origanal story, but showing what could happen if a Soul Reaper went to Hogwarts.
>>46 - I've written for Bleach/Harry Potter. A good deal of them are the same old, same old. I don't think all wizards would become shingami, or all shingami would become Wizards. I think, they are two seperate kinds of things.
That's the other thing I don't like about crossovers, is when it just repeats the old material, giving anything new, so I am glad you're focusing on that. Mine... is at the point where it still runs close to the same story line, but then, the shingami have not really entered into the storyline, and I am writing inbetweens, or things that definatly do get changed. I expect readers to know the stuff I don't write about. I've completed Hermione Grangers first year and a half, and I have to get up through two and a half more, before I can start implimenting aditional characters. And then, things will change and not be the same plot at all.
Wow... I just rambled...