Okay, time for some feedback on your HardKOR series. Before we begin, I'd just like to say that you are doing a great job with this series, despite what I or anyone else may criticize, and this chapter only helps to cement that opinion. Now, on with the review!

Good parts: Let's see, where to start? The Kyosuke/Madoka argument was handled in a manner very true to the series, ending with the time-honored "Ayukawa slap!" Haven't seen that in awhile... Ryusei showing his true colors was also a great scene, and now we have him firmly established as the "bad guy" of the series. So why do I get the feeling that this isn't as cut and dried as it seems? I want to read more! We also have some great crossovers, like Natsumi from "You're Under Arrest!" and Keiichi and the Goddesses! Where in the heck did THEY come from? And in the equally time-honored tradition of Keiichi winning at the last minute, too! ^_^ Let's see, we also have a Kyosuke who is acting at least semi-rationally for a change, which is definitely a good thing, and a bit more Muroke/Manami interaction. But how did they reconcile after that fight they had at the beginning of Chapter D? Finally, I loved the ending! Classic KOR material there! We are reminded that despite it all, she really does love Kyosuke. Awww... ^_^

Okay, now that I've gotten the good stuff out of the way, let's dig into the crticisms I have. First, Keiichi winning. I was under the impression that the race was strictly between Shinohara and Akane. I'll go back and reread the chapters previous to find out if there's something I missed, but I thought this might be something to bring up. Let's see, I'd also like to reiterate the fact that we really don't know how Muroke and Manami managed to patch up their relationship after the whole fracas at the beginning of chapter D. If I could see that cleared up, I would be extremely happy. Other things...none that come to mind right now! This was one of your better works!

Talk with you later!

Chris

GREAT, your story is great. I' m reading BOOK D and I don' t know how to survive when I'll finish it. Please continue to make dream us. Thank you

Rob,

First of all, I'm sorry it's been so long getting back to you on these. Rest assured, however, that I am reading them, and that I am still interested in giving you feedback. Of course, with these two most recent episodes, I have had a hard time trying to put what I want to say into words.

First, as per usual, the plot is great! No debate about that at all! The various interconnecting threads, the funness of the whole story, everything is moving well. I am especially interested in the whole Madoka and her previous boyfriend. To be honest, it was a point so obvious that it had been overlooked. Secondly, your writing keeps me intrigued. I want to find out what's going on with this cult, and how it will all be resolved. Very interesting interspersing it with what happened a few years ago. I like it! On the negative side, I still have the same complaints about characterization. First of all, there's Kyosuke. He seems to be continuously dropping the ball, gettin jealous, breaking dates, and in general being a schmuck. At this rate, I'm not expecting Ayukawa to stay engaged to him for too long, or even in a relationship! You said awhile ago this was all leading somewhere. I'm waiting anxiously to see what happens when you get there. On a more positive note, see how you're making me care about the characters? :)

I would also like to address the issue of the former #2 and Manami. It seems as if this has fizzled out with the whole "boys vs. girls contest. I was looking forward to a cute subplot with Muroke (sp?) and Manami finding love in this situation, while at the same time trying to support their respective teams. I think they're a good match for each other, and it would be interesting to see kind of a KOR situation develop, where they slowly but surely move towards a relationship.

Also, in the suggestion area, I'd love to see some more of the Koko wa Greenwood group, especially knowing what happened to Shinobu. Darn, I still have trouble believing he's gone! Perhaps it's an elaborate trick on Hasukawa... :) As well, please let's see some more focus on Akane, Kurumi, and Manami. They seem to have been relegated to the background. I do look forward to seeing what happens in the next episode. Perhaps we'll see what Akane's views are on this final challenge.

Hope this helps,

Chris

Rob,

Well, let's see... both these chapters were entertaining. The shows were, how shall I put it? Funny! More on that later, however...

First, I really do need to read Shin KOR 3. I have feeling that what is going on with Ayukawa and the ghost is related to Shin KOR 3. Kyosuke's grandparents coming in is also a surprise, not to mention another way to make Kyosuke's life a living hell...:) The ongoing competition is a lot of fun, and Akane's reaction to Shun was priceless! Ah, the perils of living in an anime world...:) Let's see, what else is there? Oh yes, the movies. Where should I begin? On the plus side, they were funny, kind of like the now-infamous T.A.P. Gun episode of KOR. On the other hand, on some levels they were almost too corny. They were way over the top, and I did like them, but I think that the Greenwood production could have been showrtened a bit. Of course, I don't know how. Something just seems to be missing, is all...

Final analysis: great job, as per usual. Not your best ever piece of work, but I still liked it.

Waiting for the next one...

Chris

Well, what can I say, this is good as usual. In particular, I really enjoy the interaction between Manami and Muroke, and I kinda hope those two will gradually grow together after awhile. As well, the mystery deepens, with Kyosuke being dragged deeper into the middle. And Shinohara, well, there's been a lot of depth added there. I'm actually being sympathetic towards him, and it's about friggin' time somebody fought back against him (Wonder what he'll do next?)!

Let's see, as far as comments/possible improvements, what about focusing on Akane a bit? She seems to be a one-note character presently. I'd love to see her have a love/hate realtionship with a man who she thought wasn't all Akane a bit? She seems to be a one-note character presently. I'd love to see her have a love/hate realtionship with a man who she thought wasn't all bad (her sexual preferences notwithstanding). As well, Kyosuke is starting to be disappointing. He always seems to be running late, or letting Ayukawa down somehow. I'm hoping that he manages to come through for Ayukawa on an occasion or two, just to show that Madoka didn't make a mistake in getting engaged to Kyosuke. I know one of his prime character traits is that he's MUCH less than perfect, but still, he does manage to succeed every now and again.

Finally, thank you for placing more of a connection between the endings and openings of consecutive chapters. They read very well, and there is not a lot of jumping around.

Thanks for the opportunity to critique, and good luck on future installments!

Chris

Subject: Re: HARD|-or Book D Chapter 4

Rob,

Hi! Sorry to have taken so long, but I have finally finished reading Hard KOR volume D Book 4 and here are my comments on it.

First, as usual, it is a very nice piece of work. The characters are on the whole accurate to the anime and, I presume, the manga as well. The whole plot with Manami and Muroke is very interesting, and I think including the characters from "Here is Greenwood" was a touch of genius. Also, the ongoing rivalry between the boys at Greenwood and Team Akane is hilarious! I really do enjoy seeing what you have done with the characters, and I hope you keep this up for awhile. Okay, now for the not-so-good parts. :)

As far as things that could be improved, I would first suggest that the list of dramatis personae be expanded a bit. For instance, I know who Shun and Hasukawa are, but the rest of the characters, are they from any existing manga, or did you completely make them up? Also, I think that typing out the character's names would be a great improvement over listing the initials. Yes, it would be a bit more work, but I think the benefit to the readers would outweigh the cost. As far as Ryusei goes, currently I find myself confused as to what his plans are. I also don't know what Ryu and his sister are trying to do as far as stopping him. Clarifying what's going on would help immensely. I know it's supposed to be mysterious, but I find myself trying to figure out what the connection is between the characters, and why they are doing what they are doing. I would also like to have a bit more focus on Kyosuke and Madoka, as well as Hikaru. Granted, I have not read Shin KOR part 3, so I don't know where Kyosuke and Madoka stand when that book starts, but one of the things I always enjoy seeing is the relationship between the two, as well as Kyosuke interacting (or trying to) with everyone else. Despite his powers, he seems to be the "everyman" that people can relate to.

Well, I didn't mean to rip your work to shreds. All in all, I really do appreciate the storyline and content. There are, however, only so many ways I can say it before it gets old.

Good luck on your next chapter,

Chris

Hi , I enjoy your work very much . I find your splicing of cityhunter and greenwood very interesting . The reason I'm mailing you is to find out if you know off a source 4 a translation of the 3rd novel ?

Hi! I'm Anthony. I have just read the HARD KOR and finished Book A. I found that the writing being very good. Nice job! But I have some doubts about the naming of characters. In Book A, Ayukawa Madoka addressed Kasuga Kyosuke sometimes as Kyosuke, while sometimes as Kasuga! Also, I think in some part you mixed up the family name and given name: Kasuga is the family name while Kyosuke being the given name. As a result, Ayukawa Madoka calls Kyosuke as "Kasuga-kun" in school lives as she regard him as either social equal or inferior. At the same time, Kyosuke named she as Ayukawa (calling the family name) because she is his angel and he respect her but at the same time he was reluctant to address formally as Ayukawa-san. Until they have sex, they changed calling each other as Kyosuke and Madoka.

Dear Robert, compliments for your hard kor's books. We are three italians who read your books and we were (and are) so enthusiatic that we started to translate in italian your book A, so that our friends (who don't understand english) could read it. Now we have built a webpage for Kor (in Italian language) and we would put your book translated in it. Can we?

hanks for your attention!
Bye bye,
Lorenz, Max, Giulia.

I have recently completed your Hard KOR series in its entirety and I must say I am very impressed with it. I especially enjoyed some of the interesting twists and turns of the plot and scenarios, they were a refreshing change from some other Fics that I have read from the KOR continuum that make light of the love triangle. In that I think you made some very progressive slides. I am writing to inquire on the development of the Third Book in the series, I hope that it is progressing well. I am a very amateur writer myself, and if you would like I could be one of you beta readers. For the moment I have not had the courage to publish any of my works but am most happy to help other more prolific writers. In any case, I commend your work on the Hard KOR series and look forward to seeing its completion.

Thanks,
Neal L

Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 01:01:06 -0600
From: Derek M
Subject: Hard KOR

Being a brand new fan to KOR (I just found out about it less than 6 months ago...) I am trying to read as much as possible about it. I just spend two days (hours and hours off and on) reading and really enjoying your FanFic and hope you someday get the chance to finish it. You seem to be able to capture the emotion of the characters very well. I hate to admit it, but at one point in Book A, I found myself trying to hold back tears... When Hikaru was thinking about Yuusaku, and visiting his grave. I like the way you are playing Ryusei against Hikaru, and want to see how it comes out. I noticed the last date was Sep 96, so you must be pretty busy, and I can certainly understand that. Well, good luck with it. Thanks for writing it.

My name is TK. I've read everthing you've writtien in HARDKOR. Iwas wondering when BOOK B will be finished? Soon I hope. I dont think I can endure the suspense. lol. Anyway if possible, please give me an email when you do finish. I also have one question. What is this about Kysosuke going to Bosnia? Was it some kind of ending from KOR College? If so how to I get the fan-fic endings to it.?

An avid fan to your storiesm,
TK

Subject: Like the story

I like the story so far, cant' wait what happens next when Kyosuke goes with Hatta to that one place, and what will happen to Kyosuke and Madoka. When is it going to be done? Well i gotta go, keep up the good work.

-Makoto

Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 01:12:25 -0500
From: Robert H
Subject: fan/author

Hello. After I did the obligatory signing of the guestbook, I decided to E mail you directly. Just wanted to make sure you knew how impressed I am with your story. I await the continuing of it soon. It is a grand mystery, and I can't wait to see its resolution. I didn't really know much about KOR, except what I saw in the OAV series. However, you do a good job of developing the characters so that you don't need to have much of a background on them. Anyway, keep up the good work. Sincerely, Robert

Date: Sat, 08 Feb 1997 03:27:07 +0100
From: Cozzella L
Subject: KOR Fanfiction

Hi! I'm an Italian Student that , like you , love KOR . Few days ago I Have found on the net your works and I think that are fantastic!! I start to read Book A , like you suggest, but I espected B7 yet!! Now I'll try to persuade all my friends that , like me , love Kor , to read your Books. See you soon on the net in the hope that in Italy someone publishing the Shin KOR I & II. The Magic Dan

Cool story! Woops! forgot about introductions. this is Q and I just got around to reading your stories this week. I like your story although I feel that the western skit needed a little work on how they built up the relationship. (too simplistic on the emotional front) Ps, "The person could also have survived if the badge was directly over a rib although he would have a broken rib." but I think it was wise of you not to get too technical about it. Oh yes, do you have any more stories that I can look at? and can you get to work with (stsai@netcom.com) who wrote orange colledge to come out with another edition of the stories? PS do you have links to other fanfic organizations? See you later Q Formally known as Kwang-Ee Quek.