

Looking back on
Nini's catalog so far, I would have to choose
"completed" works, which narrows the field quite a bit ... I won't count "
shorts" at this point.
I would have to give
Tribal the
Number One position; it's just a classic, hands down ... though it could be argued that it was never completed and I wasn't entirely happy about the texting structure, but it does work overall, with an excellent final chapter which builds tension slowly, just reeking with atmosphere. then builds to a stunning climax! It is still a great example of just how great
TK17 software can look when utilized to it's fullest. Bravo,
Nini !
The
Number Two spot is a bit more difficult to chose, but if overall completeness of story counts, I would have to give it to
Business Trip.
Ikuko and
Bob's work relationship blooming seems believable (even if you discount the "mind-control" drug possibility). We're also in
Ikuko's thoughts a lot, which make her one of
Nini's most fully realized characters. Her rationalizations are classic!
Third position goes to
Doomed Love, another
TK17 gem. It starts of with a small uneasiness due to a travel botch-up. The wife is left abandoned by her husband's work in a somewhat sleazy last minute lodging (
Bate's Motel, anyone?), filled with two unsavory characters. Her isolation and paranoia get the better of her, and she walks right into the spider web. True, is does leave a lot of unanswered questions, but it still works; a helpless female trapped by circumstances that seem beyond her control.
Forth would be
Photo Shoot. A rather "normal" gorgeous housewife does a Photo Session at the behest of her husband, who discovers her repressed sexual identity through manipulation by the photo studio employees, and increasingly sexually-charged photo sessions ... basically trapped by her growing sexual hunger. The ending is somewhat out there ... I can't imagine a husband who wouldn't recognize his own wife while he fucks her, just because she has a bag over her head ... but it adds a bit of fun to the ending ... another wife done in by good intentions and desire.
Finally, I would go with
Billiards ... the final version.
Hisako is an interesting character ... her competitive nature is like a gambler on steroids ... she just can't stand to lose, and will take on any bet
Danny throws at her, while never realizing she's being hustled by him at every step. She's her own worst enemy, and suffers from extreme guilt pangs ... all the while rationalizing her sexual hunger, even until the very end ... she still thinks she's a loyal wife.
What these all have in common are very interesting a sexy lead females. I thought about
Kokomi's Confused Diary, but the tacked on conclusion just killed it for me. I think
Nini ran out of ideas for an ending.
Special mention to a very short clip, originally titled "
I finally got off work ..." ... I just love that image and vibe. Simple, straightforward and sexy as Hell.
+
Of course, there are many others I love, for whatever reason ... but these are my desert-island five ...
thanks for asking !!
