Raiden Fanfiction/Anime

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

I know that the Raiden games have some kind of vague storyline that involves an alien invasion of Earth. I was thinking of maybe writing fanfiction stories for the Raiden series, especially focusing on Raiden I, II, and DX to begin with, then perhaps move forward with the rest of the series. Also, I have been wondering what an anime series about the Raiden games would be like. I would love to hear people's opinions and thoughts about this. Also, if anyone knows any more details about the underlying story, I would like to hear more about it. Here is what I do know: Raiden I takes place in 2090, during which Earth is invaded by aliens.

[Obiwanshinobi]

To me, the coolest feature of Raiden's lore was lack of thereof. Though if you came up with some palatable explanation why the plane is RED, I'd be mighty impressed.

[EmperorIng]

I didn't know they were even aliens until DotEmu said so in their description of the Raiden Legacy collection.

I always thought Raiden's baddies were some group of douchebags flying around just to be pricks.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

On Wikipedia, the plot for the original Raiden series is clearly stated. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiden_%28 ... me%29#Plot
The Raiden Fighters series has a more realistic story, however. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiden_Fighters#Plot
I would perhaps like to go deeper into the story, whatever little there is of it.

[To Far Away Times]

Story in mah shmups.

All the story I need is how much destruction I've caused.

And Reco's boob hug in Futari.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I choose to believe Raiden originally had no story at all, just like Bomberman in 1983.
I can't believe it had no characters, however, as there are two people and a cow in the first stage of 1. Rather sobering.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

I would love to get my hands on the 88 page booklet from The Aces High superplay and somehow get it translated. There has to be something in there about the storyline. As you can see in one of the pics, there is a a guy who looks like he is a aircraft mechanic or flight controller, which means there might be more characters.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthre ... 2056524387

[gs68]

I love the story in Ether Vapor though I doubt it could be smoothly adapted into a non-interactive form of storytelling.

Hell, I even wanna cosplay as Luca. (Even though I tend not to cosplay characters who are assholes.)

[Jeneki]

Though if you came up with some palatable explanation why the plane is RED, I'd be mighty impressed.

Originally the 2p ship was also red, but it got pulled over too much.

[KAI]

takes place in 2090, during which Earth is invaded by aliens...

A couple 12 years old girls are chosen to pilot the most advanced airship on earth to stop these enemies from outer space. After saying goodbye to their boyfriends, they take off. And so the story begins...

I can help you by illustrating than fanficts if you want.

[Bananamatic]

To me, the coolest feature of Raiden's lore was lack of thereof. Though if you came up with some palatable explanation why the plane is RED, I'd be mighty impressed.

because red paint makes it three times faster

[Obiwanshinobi]

Maybe it's a kind of "muscle" aircraft. The makers of Crimson Skies used that as an explanation why their designs look so poor.
Or maybe it was the Seibu's way of telling us to get undone.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

takes place in 2090, during which Earth is invaded by aliens...

A couple 12 years old girls are chosen to pilot the most advanced airship on earth to stop these enemies from outer space. After saying goodbye to their boyfriends, they take off. And so the story begins...

I can help you by illustrating than fanficts if you want.

Sure, that would be great But first, I have to find time in my busy schedule to begin writing. Hopefully sometime during my winter break when I finish my college applications I can start. Your idea is good, although I was thinking that the pilots would be older than 12, perhaps having served in the Air Force, or what would be left of it after the invasion of Earth. I was also thinking of writing it from the viewpoint of different people, such as civilians who became war refugees, or other soldiers from different military branches, etc. However, I would like to keep the main focus on fighter pilots. Another scenario I thought about is having the pilots be anthropomorphic foxes, wolves, etc. because I like those animals. (Somewhat like Starfox, but I am not trying to make this a crossover, just something semi-original.)

To me, the coolest feature of Raiden's lore was lack of thereof. Though if you came up with some palatable explanation why the plane is RED, I'd be mighty impressed.

I will have to think about this, but maybe because it is painted like that as an act of defiance against the enemy. They will see you coming, but it will be too late. Or maybe because it is a typical 1P color in video games.

[EmperorIng]

takes place in 2090, during which Earth is invaded by aliens...

A couple 12 years old girls are chosen to pilot the most advanced airship on earth to stop these enemies from outer space. After saying goodbye to their boyfriends, they take off. And so the story begins...

Along the way all of them angst over how they have to kill and destroy things in their super-cool space jets. Just not fair.

[Edmond Dantes]

Speaking of fanfiction or anime based on shmups, have any of you seen the Salamander anime?

It's quite decent. The only weird thing is that Episode 1 covers Salamander, while Episodes 2 and 3 cover Gradius I and II respectively. So if you want them in timeline order, watch Ep 2 first, then 1 then 3. (it really doesn't matter though)

Here's the first episode.

Personally I wish more shmups--and video games in general--would get an anime treatment. Some of them really do have interesting premises if you look into the background mythology. I'd love a Thunder Force anime...

[Mortificator]

It is possible there's a lot more to Raiden's story in Japanese material like the book you linked to, EFJP. Xevious also had only a blurb for its story in English, yet a whole novel in Japan. However, I get the feeling that Raiden's devs just didn't care much about story. The numbered games don't seem to have an arc, Cranassians just attack for time number x and the Raidens beat them back. Raiden Fighters has a few more plot points, but it wasn't until the second game that anyone even bothered saying what we were fighting for in the first.

Now, a lack of story in the Raiden source material doesn't mean fiction inspired by it will be lame, but it does mean a writer will need to come up with the ingredients before he can start cooking the story. A Giga Wing writer already has names and personalities for the pilots, an R-Type writer has backstory and motivation for the enemy, but a Raiden writer has to create that stuff himself. It's not necessarily less workable, but it is more work.

[nZero]

Skyknight probably has it all figured out by now.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

It is possible there's a lot more to Raiden's story in Japanese material like the book you linked to, EFJP. Xevious also had only a blurb for its story in English, yet a whole novel in Japan. However, I get the feeling that Raiden's devs just didn't care much about story. The numbered games don't seem to have an arc, Cranassians just attack for time number x and the Raidens beat them back. Raiden Fighters has a few more plot points, but it wasn't until the second game that anyone even bothered saying what we were fighting for in the first.

Now, a lack of story in the Raiden source material doesn't mean fiction inspired by it will be lame, but it does mean a writer will need to come up with the ingredients before he can start cooking the story. A Giga Wing writer already has names and personalities for the pilots, an R-Type writer has backstory and motivation for the enemy, but a Raiden writer has to create that stuff himself. It's not necessarily less workable, but it is more work.

I understand that, and that's why I will take some time thinking about how to begin this. Also, the fairy might play an important part in the story; just look at the ending of Raiden III. It is somewhat odd, to say the least.

[Obiwanshinobi]

That red is eye-catching and stimulating goes without saying (husbands pay attention, wives get upset).
Having said that, outstanding as it looks against blue skies and seas, it strikes me as odd as opposed to more "military", toned down palettes typical of most "ships" in shmups. As a matter of fact I can't think of another series where "ships" would steal the show like that.

Another scenario I thought about is having the pilots be anthropomorphic foxes, wolves, etc. because I like those animals. (Somewhat like Starfox, but I am not trying to make this a crossover, just something semi-original.)

I suggest you walk outside where corvidae dwell. Creatures that pick up edible things from the ground share some prepossessing traits.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

That red is eye-catching and stimulating goes without saying (husbands pay attention, wives get upset).
Having said that, outstanding as it looks against blue skies and seas, it strikes me as odd as opposed to more "military", toned down palettes typical of most "ships" in shmups. As a matter of fact I can't think of another series where "ships" would steal the show like that.

Another scenario I thought about is having the pilots be anthropomorphic foxes, wolves, etc. because I like those animals. (Somewhat like Starfox, but I am not trying to make this a crossover, just something semi-original.)

I suggest you walk outside where corvidae dwell. Creatures that pick up edible things from the ground share some prepossessing traits.

I am guessing that you don't like my ideas then?

[BPzeBanshee]

That red is eye-catching and stimulating goes without saying (husbands pay attention, wives get upset).
Having said that, outstanding as it looks against blue skies and seas, it strikes me as odd as opposed to more "military", toned down palettes typical of most "ships" in shmups. As a matter of fact I can't think of another series where "ships" would steal the show like that.

In World War II planes had paint jobs done on them - some did shark mouths on the Spitfires for example, or pin-up girls or slogans were painted on the sides of ships near the cockpits. Sometimes a symbol on the side of the ship, and sometimes a full recolor where it was allowed. I would not be surprised in the slightest if the Raiden's design was a throwback to this era.

As for why it's red, was this an alien invasion in 2090? If that is so, why is it that only this red/blue ship and their carrier are fighting back? I would hazard a theory that the military forces using the dull camo colours you speak of got wiped out, and the carrier and the ships both are being operated by a ragtag resistance group.

From a developers perspective? It makes the ships real fucking easy to see on the screen, and it's not exactly a unique idea but not a common one either: Seibu did another game before 1990 that had a red and blue ship, and Gemini Wing by Tecmo was in '87 and had a blue and red ship.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I am guessing that you don't like my ideas then?

I don't have a problem with fanfiction (liked some of the X-wing Rogue Squadron books for example). For as long as the very games remain story-less, I don't mind you making stuff up.
I won't deny my Spectre Supreme runs got spiced up by them Rogue Squadron books (where I didn't find any tank action, but it didn't matter).
Seriously recommended looking at animals, military people and gear out in the wild rather than zoo or museum if you seek inspiration. When I think of canidae, corvidae come to mind as well. That said, if I made any bird the pilot of Raiden fighter, it would be a white stork (photos can barely give you much idea how showy those legs and beak are on meadows). Turkeys, vultures and pigeons would be the opposite side (not exactly the enemies). Actually if I had to come up with a story, it would be about folks living their lives and red fighter jet raising hell.

From a developers perspective? It makes the ships real fucking easy to see on the screen, and it's not exactly a unique idea but not a common one either: Seibu did another game before 1990 that had a red and blue ship, and Gemini Wing by Tecmo was in '87 and had a blue and red ship.

I'm pretty sure it stands out more than Gun.Smoke, Task Force Harrier, Gun Frontier and Battle Garegga in the generic evironment.

P.S. Kingfisher could pilot the blue jet. Alas, it's hardly visible in motion (something fast flies by and that's it).

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

In World War II planes had paint jobs done on them - some did shark mouths on the Spitfires for example, or pin-up girls or slogans were painted on the sides of ships near the cockpits. Sometimes a symbol on the side of the ship, and sometimes a full recolor where it was allowed. I would not be surprised in the slightest if the Raiden's design was a throwback to this era.

Speaking of WWII planes, did you know that there was an actual Japanese fighter called the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden?

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

I am guessing that you don't like my ideas then?

I don't have a problem with fanfiction (liked some of the X-wing Rogue Squadron books for example). For as long as the very games remain story-less, I don't mind you making stuff up.
I won't deny my Spectre Supreme runs got spiced up by them Rogue Squadron books (where I didn't find any tank action, but it didn't matter).
Seriously recommended looking at animals, military people and gear out in the wild rather than zoo or museum if you seek inspiration. When I think of canidae, corvidae come to mind as well. That said, if I made any bird the pilot of Raiden fighter, it would be a white stork (photos can barely give you much idea how showy those legs and beak are on meadows). Turkeys, vultures and pigeons would be the opposite side (not exactly the enemies). Actually if I had to come up with a story, it would be about folks living their lives and red fighter jet raising hell.

I will consider looking at things in their natural setting, thanks for the input.

[Lord Satori]

To me, the coolest feature of Raiden's lore was lack of thereof. Though if you came up with some palatable explanation why the plane is RED, I'd be mighty impressed.

they painted it.

Seriously though, I doubt an anime would be possible. maybe if your a highly creative type, you could construct characters of your own to go with the vague plot of raiden and write a fanfiction of that; perhaps making said fanfiction into an anime... but I wouldn't hold my breath.

then again, I haven't played any of the raiden games. I played a flash fangame of one of them, though.

[Obiwanshinobi]

"Vague plot of Raiden", huh? Why am I not surprised by your confession of not having played it?
Games hardly ever get any more plotless than Raiden. Depicted world doesn't even seem war-torn and it's hard to shake off the feeling that you pick on those bosses merely because they look like bosses. It's all fetish, no lore.
Wait, come to think of it, maybe the jet is just angry.

[Captain]

It's quite simple really:

[O. Van Bruce]

takes place in 2090, during which Earth is invaded by aliens...

A couple 12 years old girls are chosen to pilot the most advanced airship on earth to stop these enemies from outer space. After saying goodbye to their boyfriends, they take off. And so the story begins...

I can help you by illustrating than fanficts if you want.

I want mai waifus PURE. Those are used goods and also bitches.

[BPzeBanshee]

Speaking of WWII planes, did you know that there was an actual Japanese fighter called the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden?

Yes I did, however the usage of the name is probably from the same origin as the WWII fighter: "Thunder and Lightning", thus Raiden. You probably knew this already but the WWII plane I find more interesting is the Shinden fighter which has appearances in Battle Garegga and the Strikers games regarding shmups. In fact I daresay looking into the near future and looking at what prototype plane the powers of the world come up with next is probably one source of inspiration for 90s devs if not by story (Battle Bakraid) then by ship design (X-36 in Strikers 1999).

"Vague plot of Raiden", huh? Why am I not surprised by your confession of not having played it?
Games hardly ever get any more plotless than Raiden. Depicted world doesn't even seem war-torn and it's hard to shake off the feeling that you pick on those bosses merely because they look like bosses. It's all fetish, no lore.
Wait, come to think of it, maybe the jet is just angry.

It's Fire Shark in the future, except they upgraded from a bi-plane with alien tech to a jet fighter with alien tech and a flying aircraft carrier?

Also, the broken down ship of some sort in Stage 1, and the war-torn parts of Raiden DX would like to have a word with you regarding the lack of war-tornness.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Played 1 and DX, but I don't recall anything of the sort. No ruins, no heavy industry pumping out all those machines (whereas Garegga gives me the impression of some war effort going down there).
I didn't see a country at real war, but I have some expectations that Raiden doesn't meet. I mean, the world of Gun Frontier looks troubled to me. The world of Raiden does not.
Look at the city of Raiden, then the city of Varth.