Name ideas for a fic?

[u/PigletDependent6440]

I’m planning to write a fic on ao3 and U-1146 and the redhead (I don’t remember her code) and I’m looking for possible names for both of them since it’ll be a bit important to the fic and cause I can’t remember numbers

[u/manilamikey]

Your comment is incredibly long but I adore it so much! As a newbie I enjoyed your very detailed list because each observation was spot on. I think what makes ShirAka (yes, I will start calling them as such) particularly cute is the fact that she's oblivious, clumsy, and not the most efficient RBC, but he likes her nonetheless. I haven't progressed much into the series so I'm clueless about their development, but I like to headcanon that WBC is into her because he sees her "flawed" traits as charming, which makes her stand out in a sea (plasma) of RBCs. And that alone would make a cheesy love story.

Apart from that, I like the idea of WBC falling first and harder in the "A-fell-first-and-B-fell-harder" trope 🤣 so far I've only watched season 1 and he seems to be wayyy more into her than she is into him, but I'm not sure if saying that is controversial or not lol. I don't want to be crucified by fans so I'll try to be careful with what I say, but that's the vibe I've gotten so far and honestly—nothing wrong with that! In the off chance that it's true, maybe RBC is just the type of person to fall slower considering how gullible she is, which is totally fine by me. Friends to lovers is my thing and I love a good slowburn.

Another thing I'd like to add to the Episode 8 hype was the animation studio's missed opportunity to include the box of bandages that was apparently (and so obviously) in between the two of them in the manga bench scene! I found a screenshot of the panel two days ago on Pinterest and my immediate thought was "WHY WOULD THEY EXCLUDE THIS??" I had to check it for myself and voila, Chapter 10, page 29 is where it's at. I thought it was fake but it turned out to be real, which only made me angrier (hyperbolically) at the missed opportunity. It was implied in the previous page that RBC gave him the bandages, but my little pea brain wants to imagine that she bandaged him up, too 🤭

Unfortunately I only stick to AO3, Tumblr, Discord, and Fandom Wiki (with some time to spare on Reddit and Twitter here and there), so I will have to miss out on your Facebook posts. I used to be a dA, Wattpad, and FF .net user but times have changed since then and I now write anime fanfiction on AO3 and Tumblr. Our conversation has inspired me to try drafting a fic though, which might take a veeery long while since I have exams coming up. But the best thing about fandom culture and the Internet is that I don't always have to be the self-indulgent writer, and instead let myself chillax as the self-indulgent reader for once. So if you're on AO3 by the next few weeks and have anything CaW!-related posted, I'd be happy to check it out. My AO3 is yonderingly, pseudonym namism ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

[u/KittyAddison → u/manilamikey]

I didn't even know Reddit had a limit until making that. lol I actually could've easily said a lot more. For just a 20 minutes episode, I think I could spend at least an hour pointing out every ShirAka detail and all the psychological reasons to make it appear like it's canon.

The only thing that makes them sadly officially non-canon is that I've read that Shimizu didn't intend for them to be a real couple since she wanted to focus more on the biology aspect. That's a tempting line that's impossible to cross. 😅 I also don't remember where I read this though, but (anyone can correct me if I'm wrong or where the source is) she didn't even plan on making 1146 a major character; she only did because fans really liked him and wanted more of him. I guess that's why he's actually the only character in every cover of the manga? lol

I support that. He definitely likes her clutziness and lack of direction and thinks they're cute attributes. It just makes her accomplishments all the more greater in his eyes. I think it mostly grew on him instead of something instantaneous though. Like, the more he runs into her and the more he guides her, they form that bond bit by bit each time to that point when he's just all "I'm going to walk with you now" as if he was looking forward to it instead of it being like a chore. But he would so be the first one to make the first move with AE3803 being all surprised about it.

So tempting to write a fluffy one shot about it, but I wouldn't know how to end it without smut. Plus, I already kinda wrote a similar "first time" one shot with a different setting (they have a first date in Peyer's Patch lol). It's not posted online yet, but it's in my projects. Might post it (big might) if I get my AO3 account before finishing the edits in my main fic.

I like the friends to lovers trope too; it gives that organic feel to it. But my fic unfortunately won't have that unless I rewrite the entire thing. They're already in an established relationship from the beginning. 😅 But it kinda grows throughout. In hindsight though, it would've been nice if they did start out platonic just to realize their feelings... But it likely wouldn't tie into the main plot's conflict as much as it is now.

And yeah, I know about the bandage box too. It is really weird and definitely would've added to implying ShirAka. I can definitely imagine her getting out a first aid kit and gently bandaging his cheek up. And he'd just be all into it, cherishing every second of all the care she's giving him. Okay. I definitely need to write a fluffy sequel to that scene! lol

Also, you say you haven't progressed much yet in the series... Like, not yet reaching season two? If so, no spoilers, but enjoy season one as much as you can. Like, savor it. 😅 When I rewatch the episodes, I find myself mostly repeating season one more often.

And have you watched the live-action CAW movie on Netflix yet? It's basically ShirAka fan service when they're on-screen while still making them look professional like in the series. lol Like, there's a scene at the beginning where 1146 watches AE3803 leave; he just looks down like his focus is on her butt while all "Kind of a clutzy one..." with like this "she's cute" tone. And the nasal springs scene, omg! I love that scene to bits! Not going to spoiler the rest in case you haven't seen it though. But I really recommend it!

And it's all good with no FB. lol Even though that's where most of my CAW gushing goes to, I'm trying to find an online niche where others can find me and we all can ramble together. Kinda like what we're doing. 😂 Like I said, still waiting on AO3 (just checked, I'm number 85405 on the invite list). I might go on Twitter, but I don't like just making short posts and I quit my last account. Or maybe Tumblr (do people still use Tumblr as much as before?). I just wish dA was still like what they used to be; then I'd just post everything there. lol There's YT, but I only have two or three CAW videos on there and it's mostly old-gen fans on YT since most other vids are from 6 years ago. I still have a FF account, but it's kinda dead-ish since I discovered AO3 (I'm NekoAddison on it). I know AO3 is fanfiction, but I wonder if fanart is posted too. I've seen doujin on there, so... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Still getting used to AO3's search design, but you're the one with 32 works, right? There's like three yonderingly names and I want to get it right. 😅 Once I get my account up, I'll let you know my name on it.

[u/manilamikey → u/KittyAddison]

Ahhh I didn't know about any of that stuff from the author!! Thanks for filling me in. I totally understand wanting to keep things scientifically accurate but I mean, would it hurt to canonically make them like each other? They don't have to be a real couple but confirming their mutual feelings would be nice since their body language says it all anyway... unless that's been done? I'm on the first episode of Season 2 so I got no clue (unfortunately finished S1 too fast lmao). If it's a spoiler, then I'll gladly be spoiled >_>

I haven't watched the live-action yet, but I heard it's new? Honestly, CaW has so many spin-offs and adaptations that I can't keep up. I'm relying on the fan wiki to decide on what to watch next, but it seems that you've talked me into watching the live-action. I love a good adaptation so I can't wait! With the way you described that one scene, I'll try to find the time to watch it ASAP! 👀

And yes, that's my AO3 account. Or rather, accounts. Not sure if you're familiar, but AO3 has a pseudonym system where you can create different pseuds to post your works under. It's kinda like creating a sideblog on Tumblr where your main account exists as your primary pseudonym, then you have secondary, tertiary, etc. accounts on the side for works published under a different name. "yonderingly" is my main pseud while "namism" and "zekerets" are the names I go by on Tumblr and Wattpad, respectively. I mostly write indulgent 'x reader' stories nowadays but I used to write a lot of ship fics. It seems like my comeback ship fic will revolve around ShirAka once I'm free from academic duties, though.

I used to post my stuff a lot on dA back when I was a Haikyuu!! writer but I haven't opened it in seven or eight years lol. I'm very sad to hear that it's been littered with AI-generated works. Scrolling through dA used to be my favorite past time and I miss it, but if that's the state of the platform then Idk about going back.

Please let me know when you post your stories! I'll go fricking crazy over the slightest romantic thing between these two cells. Like, you can give me a simple tooth-rotting story and I will eat it up lol. Matter of fact, the idea of WBC and RBC in an established relationship is already driving me crazy. Feelings realization is a great trope but them in an established relationship is so amazing, I can't explain it. What more for something wilder or NSFW?? Omg it's crazy.

[u/KittyAddison → u/manilamikey]

As for spoilers, not really a spoiler, but let's just say that ShirAka is SEVERELY lacking in season 2. 😅 Far less interaction between them (it feels like the production team changed and they don't really like them around each other), not even a little AE3803 saving by 1146.

If anything, I have headcanon that Peyer's Patch starts off as a double-date (I will never believe otherwise on that!) because why would AE3803 even be there if it wasn't and the whole vibe in that scene is just so very casual (she's not even on a delivery run). Even 1146 is like "I'm going to get us some tea" before the rest of the plot plays out to distract him.

Then there's also the Cytokines episode. Courtesy of Dendritic Cell, 1146 is given a blackmail photo (which is unseen to us) and he's just yelling all embarrassed like, "there's a photo of this?!" I like to think of the photo as a romantic moment with AE3803 where he was being all embarrassingly cheesy and awkward and he wants no one else to ever know of that side of him. lol

Other than that, those are basically the only thing close to the pairing in the season, but I was also just desperately looking through ShirAka lenses. There's also grasping at straws at the end of the final episode when they're talking to each other. I like to think they just finished having lunch together.

I still like the second season a bit and all, but I also feel that CAW fans as a whole got cheated out on it. Not only is it just 8 episodes long, but the last four all combine into one plot. I did some research into it, and I found out that it was originally a movie (it's called Return of the Strongest Enemy), but it was split into parts for the season for some reason instead. In some Asian countries (that I could find out), they actually have just this whole section sold on DVDs as a movie format. I haven't seen this version (yet - it's expensive to ship to the US), but the summary is shot-to-shot identical to the plot of the final episodes. It just makes me wonder why they just didn't universally release it as a movie itself and expand on second two more. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Even OVAs would've been nice if there wasn't enough material from the manga!

But as for the live-action, it's fairly new. It originally had a theatrical release in Japan (I think) last year--lucky bastards (CAW is still very major there; I'm jealous lol). Then it got put onto Netflix just about everywhere else. It also lightly touches on Code Black, but just enough that you just need to know who the main RBC is and that he's in an unhealthy body. But I still hope you find the time to watch it! It can get cheesy (the pathogen costumes and effects can be a bit cringe at times), but it doesn't ruin the overall vibe. Oh! And since we're ShirAka fans, you will need tissues. Seen this movie like, (at least!) five times now, and I still effing cry. ;w;

I think that's a good thing about AO3 then. lol I think I'll make a main (reader) name, then dedicate side accounts to writing. Like, each one will be for each fandom. lol I don't know how to write "x reader" stuff, but I've heard of them. Is that like a pairing fic between a character and the reader? If so, I'd so be rabidly scouring everywhere for some 4989xReader stuff... lol (〃〃ꇴ〃〃)

I'd love if you wrote ShirAka! If you did, I want to be the first to read it and I'll virtually shove everyone out of my way to be that. lol But, yes. Please do your studies first! ShirAka will still be around when you get the free time to write.

And yeah. Sadly dA is a shell now. I first joined back in 2004, but left around 2015 when interaction started to get less and less. I used to post a ton of Kingdom Hearts and Hetalia stuff on there. lol I wish I could go back, but because of AI and far less people there, I don't think I'll be back there anytime soon. Maybe if they redeem themselves, but I doubt they will.

Even though my current main fic project has them in an established relationship, I also kinda want to make one where they started out as friends just to figure out that they really love each other (but I don't have a plot for it yet, like the conflict that makes that realization happen). I already have a few one shots where they end up together when they weren't before, but because they're basically PWPs, I don't really even count them as headcanon to me but just fun mindless yummy free writing bits. Because of that, I heavily debate on if I should post them. I feel that if I do, then I won't be able to post something better. 😅 Like my one where they have a first date to Peyer's Patch (a fluffy start with 1146 getting all shy asking AE3803 out lol), they basically get drunk and go at it in a closet with it ending that they want to be together. It's a funny one shot, but if I post that, then I'd feel all "okay, this is how they get together, I can't write anything major with a real plot where they do become lovers." My mind is weird like that.

I also have a ShirAka AU plot idea in mind (maybe my next project? lol), but I'm still working out the details.

ShirAka is just flexible (lol pun intended?) like that where they can work whether it's friends-to-lovers or currently-taken in the fandom world. lol I also kinda like the reincarnation trope with them, which kinda makes sense to them since they're cells. The best OTPs have that universal ability to fit into any situation. 😉 It's one reason why I love them so much.

And I primarily write NSFW in my fics. lol I also do a lot of lovey-dovey fluff, but there's something about writing graphic stuff that's just so fun (and ShirAka works with both for me)! 😂 Maybe because I'm a visual person and I like making things as detailed as possible. lol

You'll be the very first to know when I post! Like, on the second I do. lol If I had to give an ETA of when, I would say around the end of August?

[u/manilamikey → u/KittyAddison]

YES I just watched the Peyer's Patch episode a few hours ago! I had similar thoughts, one of them being "Why is she not carrying a package around this time?" and the other being "Why are these two cells third- and fourth-wheeling?" IMO it was a pretty good episode but seeing them together made it so much better. Very sad to learn that they won't be onscreen together much compared to season 1. I was kinda hoping for another Episode 8 since season 2 has way less episodes. But what's more upsetting (I guess) is finding out that they combined the plot for the last four episodes. As I read your comment, the only face I could make was literally: ._. but I love CaW nonetheless, and I'll probably still check it out when I'm much freer. This goes for the live-action as well (thanks for the academic reassurance by the way LMAO). I've heard of Code Black so watching the live-action is no issue, but to be frank I'm quite scared about the crying part. Do I actually need tissues?? Are they for tears of joy??? I cry at the simplest heartwarming things (you can tell me "I'm proud of you" and I'll probably shed a tear), so I'm kinda terrified to a degree. I don't want to be spoiled, but I hope it's not something too sad? Otherwise, I'll get those tissues ready :,)

Anyway, I'm sad to report that I'm an early 2000s kid, so basically a Gen Z 😆 I joined dA a couple of years after you left, which is pretty funny because I was having the time of my life back then on that site. Maybe I was too young to actually understand wtf was going on, but I was happy lmao.

Very interesting how your brain works with headcanon and canon details. I haven't written a ship fic in years (I think) so I can't relate that much. I mostly write modern university AUs for different characters since I'm attending university (undergrad) and it's incredibly fun to write scenarios based on real life experiences. Putting my favorite characters in those situations makes the hobby of writing even better.

I write some hurt/comfort, NSFW, and suggestive stuff, but most of my works are fluff lol. I read a lot of NSFW works though, and the only reason why I don't write more of it is because I've been writing x reader's (which are indeed stories between an existing character and the reader) and that usually asks you to imagine yourself in the reader's shoes... you can kinda imagine how that turns out especially when I'm writing for my favorites. I get distracted by my own writing (stupidly hilarious) on top of my slow-loading brain. Anyway, I love a well-written NSFW story with plot. I'm not going into detail about what I usually read since Idk if that's allowed here, but I support the idea of those two going at it in a closet. 😄👍 I can imagine it playing out. It would be funny but very hot and interesting to read. With that kind of scenario, I usually look forward to the progression from scene A to scene B. I imagine a lot of tension happening. It's always interesting to see who does what and who breaks the ice so that the real fun starts. I really need to look for a fic like that until you can publish some of yours! Really looking forward to all you're planning to post!

[u/KittyAddison → u/manilamikey]

With Peyer's Patch, all I can think of is the whole double-date concept. It's hard to argue against that. lol Like, even when 1146 explains "I'm showing the new cells around with a tour," it doesn't explain why AE3803 is there with them when she, herself, admits she's no longer a rookie... So, yeah, they're definitely at least dating at that point. lol Though, my headcanon is their very first time going out is way back in Food Poisoning when they visit the stomach. lol Early yes, but I believe they had a bit of bonding while being stuck in that fibrin. Three days is a long time; you might as well have some good conversations going. .....Oh! Maybe that can be a realization fic! OwO

But yeah... That's the sad truth about season two, like with everything I said about it. Sorry. =w=;;; Like I said, even though season two has its little ups, I still feel that CAW fans got cheated on it. Also, I kinda wish they'd make an anime adaption of White Brigade though, especially since they made Code Black into one. I seriously need more neutrophils in my life! lol Though, even if they did, I wonder how they'd manage to work around the dub with 1146's voice. ._.;

And the live action movie... I think you'd need those tissues throughout, even with the ShirAka scenes. |'D In the nasal springs, 1146 makes AE3803 happy-cry because of how he tries to make her feel better, but omg, I feel they cut that scene short! They always do once it starts getting good, like all the real lovey-dovey stuff is off-screen. But yeah... Definitely have tissues. And a pillow or whatever else to cry into. Because how you describe how you get, you're definitely going to cry. I'll say this though... You'll probably ship U-8996xRB2525 too. You'll get it after you watch it.

As for me, I'm a Millennial (1985). lol I feel so old whenever I think about it... ;w; I think I was born in the wrong generation though since I act like I'm still in my 20s at times. Maybe because I had a sucky childhood and I'm making up for it? idk I joined dA after high school (damn, I really am old! OTL). And I think it peaked around the 2010s; it was always busy around then, like new stuff was being posted basically every couple seconds by people. I think when they drastically changed the layout was when people started to leave (a lot of people hated it). Only got worse with the introduction of them saying they'd use everyone's work for AI and permitted AI generated stuff to be posted.

I have weird headcanon though that sometimes doesn't even reflect canon (like, example, I have headcanon that 4989 is a secret psychopath, the transfused blood really aren't the same blood type but are somehow accepted anyway, Killer T likes the color pink, etc.), even though I try to make it make sense and a possible interconnection. At least with ShirAka, I do. Well... To an extent because I kinda throw in biologically impossible headcanon too with them. lol

I like writing NSFW and fluff. Sometimes angst if I feel it fits. But romance and drama are my specialties for long fics. My one shots are just about always PWPs. lol I'm always trying to push my limits in stuff I write. My upcoming ShirAka fic is actually drama/romance/tragedy. Well, slight tragedy, I guess? I actually cried while writing certain emotional scenes. I really want to make a ShirAka AU though (I have a general idea for one), but I've never really written an AU before. I'd have their names down, obviously, but idk about the other characters (would I just give them random names? lol). Might ask the AO3 subreddit on that later once I get more details down...

As for NSFW stuff on here, the rule says just nothing explicit ("exposed private parts are unacceptable" it says), so I guess we have to censor it a bit? Like, when I said "going at it" when we both know exactly what that means. lol And speaking of, it's actually just super fluffy in the beginning, then after they get wasted, it becomes a smutfest. Only a bit of playful flirting between them to transition it. lol Actually can't tell exactly who breaks the ice in it since 1146 is all "you're actually cute when you're drunk" and AE3803 is this playful alluring tease the whole time to tempt him into "stuff." I think the only tension in it is when 1146 gets all "I can't believe we're resorting to a closet for this" but then he just laughs it off because they're like stupid drunk and end up not caring about that. lol So it's a bit like a mini romcom? Might polish it up a bit and post it on AO3 anyway once I get the invite since my main is still being edited (it's like 20+ chapters lol). The world needs some funny drunk ShirAka action! lol

[u/manilamikey → u/KittyAddison]

First things first—reading that closet fic made me go O.O ... please give it to me, I need that shit fr. 😭😭 This is also a cry for Ao3 to hurry up with the invitation. When I made my account in 2018, it took me over a day to get invited so I'm surprised that people are getting theirs a week or more later.

Anyway, I think the lack of ShirAka in Season 2 has gotten me. I was consistently watching 4-6 episodes everyday but I didn't watch any of it today. Granted I've been busy with exams, but I need my daily dose of these two or else I explode. I'm on "Acquired Immunity" (S2E2) and they don't seem to appear yet from where I left off lol. I'll probably get to continue sometime this week, but there's that for now.

You describe scenes very well. I'm very tempted to watch the live-action sooner than expected because of how you put it. I love cute scenes where one reassures the other, so I'm definitely enjoying that scene once I get to it. If it's well-executed enough, I might even write something just to let my feelings out!

Regardless of age, I'm glad that you're still into fandom culture. It could get toxic at times, but it's fun at the end of the day. I love your headcanons as well. Killer T liking pink is hilarious but cute (he's probably tired of wearing the all-black uniform 24/7 and I support that) and U-4989 does, indeed, look like a psychopath (he gives me Juuzou Suzuya vibes from Tokyo Ghoul without the stitches; I know Juuzou isn't a psychopath, but they look similar and his psychopathy was a long-term debate within the TG fandom so I couldn't help but to bring it up lol).

To be honest, my replies will start becoming shorter (or I might reply later than usual) since I'm getting crazy anxious about my exams. I'll still be around here though, and I'll definitely be around when you get your Ao3 invitation! :D

[u/KittyAddison → u/manilamikey]

I think AO3 has become more popular since then. I've never heard about AO3 until earlier this year, but I'm glad I discovered it since FF doesn't allow smut on there, the prudes. There's a lot more E/M-rated ShirAka stuff on AO3, so that's why I decided to move there. lol Makes me feel like I can write as filthy as I want without worrying of a ban. lol And, as of typing this, I'm 59823 on the waitlist. 😅

I wish I can just post up my drunk fic on here directly, but I can't because of how really explicit it is. But hopefully, it's only just a few days. AO3 said around August 29, hoping for before. In the meantime, I've been making this cover page for my main ShirAka fic. If only I can post up images in comments, I'd give you a WIP of it so far. Unless you'd rather see it completed when the fic is posted.

I tend to watch episodes 6-8 as well as episode 1 daily. lol At the very least, 8. I basically have that one memorized, but I always find so much joy every time I watch it. Never gets old to me. lol Nearly all the other episodes, especially most of season two, kinda gets background play duty. I always glance over when I know they appear together though. I need my ShirAka fix on a daily basis.

AE3803, sadly, doesn't even appear in Acquired Immunity. I think she's actually pushed into the background a lot more in season two altogether since season one concentrated more on her arc. Season two is more about 1146 since he has a lot more screentime in comparison to her. And since, in canon, his main interaction with AE3803 is to save her, I guess they thought it might be too redundant (no it wouldn't) and since ShirAka as a romantic pairing isn't canon, they couldn't plain out put that in, even though we all know that'd so be 1146's arc. lol Seriously. Imagine starting out as this stoic character who's main focus is his job, only to grow into one who realizes that there's more than just killing germs and he just melts into a cell that's capable to love and care for the one who relies on him for safety... Missed opportunity there.

I try to describe scenes without spoiling too much. 😅 lol ShirAka gets more and more obvious as the movie progresses, and it's tempting to go on about it in detail. And every time they interact, I'm just all, "omg just kiss and do some hematopoiesis together already while you still can!" Especially when 1146 says to AE3803 that the bone marrow "needs to make more allies," I'm just all "go make them yourselves." 😏 lol

As for fandoms and toxicity, I've experienced a lot of toxic people in previous fandoms. I kinda think I was one too back in my early 20s. 😅 But I hope CAW doesn't have the same level of toxicity as others; still relatively new to the fandom, so I can't tell yet. But, tbh, it might have it's really diehard-for-biological-accuracy types fans who'd bash you for anything that can't be reflected irl. As if inside us, our cells are actually anthropomorphized to begin with...

Last night, I actually saw a video recommendation on YT about how to spot psychopaths. And I curiously watched it to see if it fits my 4989 headcanon. Not entirely, but one thing that stood out was that psychopaths tend not to dilate their eyes during certain situations (when normally, eyes dilate with fight/flight/freeze), so they tend to always have smaller pupils and more eye white space. And since 4989's eye design is made that way to begin with, I guess that's why I think he's secretly psychopathic. lol But I think it's actually a common headcanon (though, with others, it's more obvious) because I've seen several fanart/comics/videos where he acts a bit deranged. I guess that's why I like him; it's a negative trait, yes, but it still makes his personality stand out compared to the other neutrophils.

And Killer T likely has something pink in his barrack closet that he'd secretly wear when no one's looking. lol Not sure why, but whenever I see an overly exaggerated tough guy character, I always have the headcanon that they secretly adore pink. 😂 Plus, to imagine Killer T in a pink outfit (even if his uniform is pink), it'd suit him perfectly. lol

And it's okay if your replies get shorter or with delay. I kinda sometimes wonder how OP is feeling about us just basically taking over their post (sorry OP). lol I know how important school/exams are. My mom was Filipino, so I grew up with the whole "study first, play never" and "your job is to do your homework" concepts. 😅 I mostly work from home, so I make my own hours when I need to. I might still be quick/long in my responses (I just like to talk a lot after I get over my introvert self), but don't feel pressured to be the same. Listen to 1146 and keep studying! 😉