Before I begin, I should state the purpose of this: to classify and somewhat analyze EVA fanfiction out there. Individual fics will only be used as examples of types of genres and to illustrate certain points that I make; I won't be analyzing them for the sake of having them analyzed (except for specific sections)--such is more the purpose of my spot in the Evangelion Fanfic Review Syndicate.

So, herein lies both objective observation and description of EVA fanfiction, and also my personal thoughts, commentary, and possible rants. My credentials? EVA fanfic writer and reviewer; nonlurking member of the EVA Mailing List. For more specific details, go see my page of fics. And do remember, above all, much of this is just my opinion, and should be treated as no more or less than the opinion of others.

Finally! The guide.

Fanfiction types:
First, simple objective description of what they're about. The analysis comes later, farther down.

• Original continuity: These are bits which could be inserted into the given anime/manga continuity without affecting anything at all. They can be either serious or humorous, usually depending on where it fits in.
• Divergent continuity: At some point in the continuity, the author changes events and the plot, splitting off from the original storyline. These are not to be considered alternate universes--the difference will be indicated below.
• Alternate universe: There is some sort of change in the background of the story before it begins, leading to a different continuity entirely. The scope of the change is highly variable, depending on the focus of the author. A special type is one which tells the story of that alternate universe glimpsed in episode 26 of the series.
• Continuation: Telling of what happens after the end. There are subtypes to these, depending on what ending the author uses as a start from. a) TV Ending: life goes on much as usual for the rest of the world, but the main characters usually have been deeply affected by the HCP. Some of these deal with new Angels (which goes directly against the canon of the series, as Anno has said that there are only 18 Angels, with humanity being the 18th). Others do not have new Angels and cook up new problems to deal with. b) Movie Ending: Humanity has been wiped from the Earth, except for Shinji and Asuka. The story follows the two of them in their barren world-- or some sort of changed world that the writer builds from the wasted planet. c) Years Later: Taking off from a good portion of time after either one of the above named endings--some have dealt with a new generation of pilots, others have the original folks still around, still having problems. Most of these seem to go from the TV Ending.
• Crossover: Some sort of interaction with another story, whether anime or not. Again, there are subtypes: a) Straight Cross: EVA folks interact with people from another series. b) Fusion: the characters of one series are thrust into the plotline of another series.
• Lemon: Sex. Some of these have plots, some don't.
• Of course, some mix these together, aside from the mutually exclusive ones (1, 2, and 3).

Type analysis:
Note that I did not include types or subtypes like "dark" or "spoofish" or anything like that. This is because the genre of EVA itself is not strictly humorous or strictly serious. There really is no such thing as a "darkfic" when taken in the light of the original, which could get pretty dark itself. These types strictly relate to plot typing, not mood. Anyway, to the analysis--

• Original Continuity: There are rather few of these--after all, people like to write about things actually happening. That's right, these are essentially all short character pieces, owing to the tightly defined continuity that they have to be fit into. Examples: "Risen" by me, "Vacation" by RpM.
• Divergent Continuity: These seem to be rather popular, actually. It's not surprising--one should consider how a somewhat humorous and cheerful section of the series (around episodes 7-15) turns very dark and depressing (just about everything after that). A very popular point of divergence is with the testing of Unit 03; many have stepped in there and prevented Touji from getting hurt. These are often written to give the EVA universe a continuingly lighter, more hopeful feel. But some change sooner, others later...all up to the author. Examples: Everything so far by me except "Risen", "It's Just Been One of Those Lives" by Mark Eymer
• Alternate Universe: Not as many of these as I thought might exist. It's difficult to write a good one of these; you have to choose something interesting to change in the past and go from there. Neon Exodus Evangelion is the only notable example I can think of that has been published to raac as of this writing, and I think it falls short of the goal--it has none of the original intent in mind, that of making the reader think. But that's just me, I guess; many don't seem to miss the introspective cereberality. (I'm going to rant a bit about NXE later.) One other example is Chris Angel's Age of Evangelion, which switches the sexes of the young pilots. It looks far more promising in way of character study. Oh, and one thing that I'm still waiting for is one on what I call the 26 Universe--about the non-Second Impact world imagined by Shinji during episode 26, in the midst of the HCP. There have been a few starts at that, but nothing substantial has been released that I've seen.
• Continuation: No doubt about it, these can be very varied in intent and feel. Sometimes, people blatantly ignore how the series ended, in either TV or Movie fashion, which I find to be a bit of a mistake (particularly those which have new Angels). Unless they consciously alter continuity themselves, and explain the change, they're guilty of lazy writing. They should account for what is supposed to have happened and why it didn't end up that way. Another mistake is in assuming too much of the TV version HCP. I've seen pieces where Rei is suddenly a completely normal person, to be explained by way of the "mind-expanding" effects of the HCP, which is a cop-out. Anyway--in the cases where they do show the change, this can be highly successful. They're rare and difficult to do, though. Examples: Evangelion R, by a whole bunch of people....
• Crossovers: Crossovers are a little rare, since it is difficult to fit the EVA universe in alongside with other anime continuities. Given what has happened to the entire world, one can't imagine the characters from other series, as they are in their native worlds, existing there. And EVA world depends strongly on the time period it is in. Time travel has been used by "A Better Future", sending Asuka back in time with a wish from Skuld, to the Ranmaverse. The other option would be to take characters from a series, have them survive the Second Impact, and interact as their older selves. Fusions are also somewhat difficult, since the EVA character types are very difficult to fit to other characters. It's been done, however. Adrian Wong's "Heart's Battleground" does an interesting job of putting Ranma characters into the roles of the EVA universe.
• Lemons: Blah. I only pay attention to lemons that have good plots, and there really haven't been any for EVA. Yet.

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