Ever since man was able to dream, he wrote of imaginary worlds. From man's earliest stories of myths and legends, he then advanced to write more complex and complicated stories. Two of the most popular genres of fiction today are science fiction and fantasy.
For the most part, science fiction features futuristic technology, either in a modern or futuristic setting. Less common are stories that retrofit technology into alternate settings. A prime example from modern literature is THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE. Written by William Gibson (Neuromancer, Johnny Mnemonic) and Bruce Sterling (Islands in the Net), it depicts an alternate version of Victorian England where Charles Babbage has perfected the Analytical Engine, a steam-driven analytical computer, and the computer revolution arrives a century ahead of its time. Stories such as these are particularly intriguing; the combination of out-of-place machinery with an otherwise less advanced civilization make for an otherworldly atmosphere.
THE VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE, by Kawamori Shoji, follows the latter concept. Combining fantasy with elements from science fiction, ESCAFLOWNE is set on a planet close to Earth called Gaea, a world where swords and magic meet advanced machinery amidst a medieval setting. (continued)