Proof that the remaining 10% is worth being turned into data for.
These are recommendations made by tropers for Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. After a few samples, you will be able to note the interests of the tropers recommending them, and judge whether you might be also interested in a certain 'fic.
No-name recommendations will be zapped. Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.
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Authors and Websites
jczala
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Ships: Mostly Ryoken/Yusaku
- Comments: Her fics are a must-read if you're a Datastormshipper. Has an excellent writing style, very thorough in worldbuilding, and her latest fic Re:Coded is one of the best Datastorm fics out there.
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Ships: Ai/Yusaku
- Comments: The author writes some of the best Ai/Yusaku fics, mostly one-shot fics that will leave you begging for more, but also created a multi-chapter fic called Encrypt within the Dark, to Save the Clockwork of a Heart. Very recommended for Aiballshipping lovers out there.
General Fics
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Part of a series but technically complete.
- Synopsis: Despite his youth, Playmaker has been one of Hanoi's best agents for years. Yusaku doesn't take his first failure well.
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: A really imaginative series that deals with different aspects of the idea of Yusaku + co. being involved with Hanoi.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Dormant; last updated July 2017
- Synopsis: Winning the Pokémon League isn't nearly as important when you're running from some weird evil organization that stole half of your memories. Also, the government's corrupt... Yuusaku really should've stayed in Alola.
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: A really, really, REALLY funny Pokémon crossover that’s both thoughtful and yet comedic at the same time.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Aoi's mind is awake and aware, even if the rest of her isn't. People are trying to fix the second part. (She thinks she might want to fix the first)
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: A bittersweet yet dark look at what Aoi might have felt during her time in her coma.
A Binary World by EstaJay
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Dormant; last updated August 2017
- Synopsis: Playmaker knows three things:
1. It is an Artificial Intelligence created by Kusanagi Shoichi
2. It was created to combat the Knights of Hanoi
3. It is too sentient to be a normal A.I.
Ignis knows two things:
1. It can't afford to be caught by the Knights of Hanoi
2. There is no way that Playmaker is an actual A.I.
Shoichi knows one thing: he has to keep Yuusaku alive, even as a collection of ones and zeros. - Ships: n/a
- Notes: An interesting spin on who Playmaker is. An AU that focuses on the idea of Playmaker being an AI while still aligning him to his canon self.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: What matters has always been Aoi.
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: Like the title says: wordless.
deflect, reflect by izadreamer
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Dormant; last updated July 2017
- Synopsis: In another world, a glitch in Hanoi’s program sends Aoi Zaizen into a coma— and Blue Angel awakens in the heart of Hanoi, unable to log out of the database, a prisoner of the ones who corrupted her in the first place.
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: A beautifully crafted piece that focuses on both Revolver and Blue Angel and to some extent Playmaker. The way the author writes Revolver coupled with their use of Blue Angel in the narrative is absolutely stunning.
angels in flight by izadreamer
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Aoi becomes Blue Angel. Her brother doesn't approve, but it's not his approval that she wants—merely his recognition. She is so much stronger than they think.
- Ships: n/a
- Notes: Another beautifully written piece by the same author. The focus on Aoi’s growth to maturity is remarkable.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "She was ready to spread her wings. Like any angel, she'd bring her family peace in heaven."
- Ships: N/a
- Notes: A role swap AU where-in Aoi is actually the lead character. Does a good job switching the main character narrative to Aoi while still keeping in contact with the core of the VRAINS story.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Yusaku is used to being alone, especially in his room. Only, he isn’t intending to sleep before he finishes the software framework of his latest innovation.
- Ships: N/a
- Notes: Focuses on Yusaku and Ai with a really interesting and compelling portrayal of Yusaku.
His Father's Son by Sapphire Ox
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Ryoken has always trusted his father. No matter how bad things look, Father's always had the best intentions. However, when he comes across his new "experiment", Ryoken starts to question just how noble his intentions truly are...
- Ships: N/a
- Comments: This fic expands on the Lost Incident and how Ryoken's actions affected his family life and changed the course of his youth.
Ø by KimChangRa
- Recommended by: ultimomant
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Blue Angel helps one of her fans gain confidence by dueling her.
- Ships: N/a
- Comments: Blue Angel's opponent, Rei, uses a Sky Striker deck, but uses the Japanese names, and is the spitting image of Flash Sword Princess - Raye. So whenever she summons a monster, she becomes the monster.
Shipping fics
Debt (and how to accumulate it over VRAINS) by Qerty_2poynto
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: He obviously had the bigger debt to settle here, but nooooo. Every time he did something for her, she had to repay him, which just made it even more complicated and at this rate, they were going to overload VRAINS with their ridiculous schemes. Clearly, they were a bigger threat to the network than the Knights of Hanoi.
Playmaker and Blue Angel are constantly 'shipped' by their fanbases; but the two of them don't see their relationship as something romantic, so much as a constant cycle of one-up-manship. Usually in the form of extravagant favors and gifts. Yeah, in hindsight, the two of them shouldn't have started this in the first place. Oh well! - Ships: Yusaku/Aoi
- Notes: A really hilarious read from the glorious early days of the fandom.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Dormant; last updated May 2018
- Synopsis: Aoi Zaizen is a magical girl by the name of “Blue Angel” trying to gather up all the scattered Hope Fragments in order to have her wish granted before time runs out. Ema Bessho is a treasure hunter trading in Fragments, which some call the lives of Magicals themselves. She’s the kind of woman that Aoi wants to avoid at all costs… So it’s a shame that Aoi finds herself in her debt.
- Ships: Ema Bessho/Aoi Zaizen
- Notes: A really creative AU series where Ema and Aoi (and others) are magical girls. Good world-building and a really intriguing mystery. Only two chapters in but it’s amazing for what little the author’s written so far.
Legend & Lore: the Deep Sea by merryfortune
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Nowadays, they say that you can’t have legends and lore without a little bit of blood and gore.
In which the mysterious hacker pursues the mysterious siren that inhabits the patches of corrupted game data known as the deep seas. - Ships: Aoi/Yusaku
- Notes: An AU with an interesting twist. Well thought out and inspired by a beautiful piece of fanart to boot.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: “…Hello?”
- Ships: Yusaku/Ryoken (Revolver)
- Notes: An interesting dynamic between Yusaku and the Zaizens and, of course, Ryoken himself. Can’t talk much about this one without spoilers but it's worth a read all on its own.
baby you got me tremolo’in by rossettes
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Who said the bassist couldn't get a date? Yuusaku surely said otherwise. Go and Aoi could only wish they never said anything.
In which Go, Aoi, and Yusaku make up the hottest new band in den city and revolver is a mess of feelings and assholiness. Shoichi just really loves dogs and wants some peace in his life, not a bunch of teens coming to him for love advice. - Ships: Yusaku/Ryoken (Revolver)
- Notes: A well-written and hilarious piece that honestly deserves more comments than it's gotten. Don’t be off-put by its odd summary – it’s definitely worth your time.
'Contract Signed in Stars by tieria
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When Aoi was six and Akira sixteen, Akira won them a trip to the amusement park.
(He didn't expect for the park to steal her away with the sunset.) - Ships: Ema/Akira
- Notes: Honestly a really breath-taking story dealing with an alternate universe. Main characters from the show appear in the background and each new appearance has you wondering at the magic they’re about to show.
Last the Night by chii_kakumei
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Kusanagi treats him with too much kindness. Yusaku downs.
- Ships: Shoichi/Yusaku
- Notes: A well-written piece that, while implying rather suggestive things, is quite intoxicating on its own.
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Life with the man dubbed Revolver is like a game of Russian Roulette;
You never know when you'll get shot. - Ships: Revolver/Spectre, Revolver/Yusaku
- Notes: Quite a breath-taking character analysis that really kind of puts you in Spectre’s shoes. Angst-riddled but highly introspective and lends a unique perspective to the characters.
three’s a crowd by rangerhitomi
- Recommended by: KitsuneMask
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Akira and Aoi are trying to have a normal family dinner when Ema shows up, unannounced, and eats Akira's food.
- Ships: Ema/Akira
- Notes: Utterly, utterly, UTTERLY hilarious beyond comprehension. Highly recommended if you want really get a good laugh.
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A datastorm that somehow manifested in reality sucks Fujiki Yusaku into an alternate timeline where his death has led to an all-out war in Den City between humans and SOLtis. Can his words reach Ai's heart before humanity is truly wiped out?
- Ships: Ai/Yusaku. Implied Ryoken/Yusaku
- Comments: Takes place after episode 120, this explores the hinted Bad Future in the show. One of the best fanfics all around even if you're not interested in Slash pairings.
- Now with a trope page.
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An alternate retelling of a story after the Lost Incident, where Ryoken frees Yusaku and escapes with him.
- Ships: Ryoken/Yusaku, Homura Takeru/Kiku, Spectre/Aoi
- Comments: An Alternate Universe story where Yusaku is part of the Hanoi, Ryoken tries his best not to let his feelings slip out, and Lightning is up to something bad again. Highly recommended for Datastormshipping fans out there
- Now with a trope page.
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: SOL Technology discovers Playmaker's identity, and the next time Yusaku goes to log out, he's met with a nasty surprise, a virus that leaves him trapped within Link VRAINS.
- Ships: None. Slight Ryoken/Yusaku if you squint.
- Comments: The first part of VRAINS AU. Well written and the characters are in line with their canon characterizations.
Encrypt within the Dark, to Save the Clockwork of a Heart by Chyme
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Picture this: a love story where an AI must learn how to fall in love again. And it will not always be a happy process.
- Ships: Ai/Yusaku
- Comments: This takes place after the stinger where Ai returns. The bond between Yusaku and Ai is challenged as Ai is still the same Ai at heart, but losing his precious memories has him become more methodical. Yusaku, meanwhile, tries his best to help him understand what it means to love and be loved. Recommended for Aiballshippers.
- Now has a trope page.
Just One Yesterday by chancellorxofxtrash
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Yusaku and Jin grew up together after the Lost Incident, healing together. Going down the same path together. Playmaker was more on the radar of the Hanoi and even for SOL Technologies. But wherever Playmaker was, Lightbringer was not far away, and unlike Playmaker’s impassive and cold rage, Lightbringer usually had a grin on his face as he was ripping Knights of Hanoi apart.
- Ships: Jin/Yusaku, implied Ai/Yusaku, Jin/Lightning
- Comments: An fascinating take of an AU where Jin isn't an Empty Shell and how his actions affect Yusaku's life. It has an interesting twist in the end that will wring out your hearts.
Elementary, My Dear Playmaker by bibliophilo
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In defiance of all expectations, Fujiki's gotten himself a date. Naoki won't rest until he finds out who it is.
- Ships: Ai/Yusaku
- Comments: A well-written and funny fic following Shima Naoki's point of view where he investigates his icy classmate's social life, and learning who is this mysterious person he likes.
Extra Extra!! Read All About It! by MsBluebell
- Recommended by: StrawberryFireball
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Of course Yusaku's carefully constructed life would fall apart while he's in calculus. By someone he didn't even know was a player in the game. (Or, in which Bishop, Rook, and Knight respond to their demotion from Queen by wikileaking SOLtech. The Lost Incident is exposed. So are the Lost Kids.)
- Ships: Ryoken/Yusaku, mentions of other ships from past installments of the franchise.
- Comments: Season 2 AU. When a whistleblower at SOL Tech leaks all the information regarding the Lost Incident to the public following the Tower of Hanoi Incident, Yusaku and the other Lost Kids find themselves the focus of media attention. With his past and identity as Playmaker now public information, Yusaku, Kusanagi, and Ai find themselves moving in with Ryoken and Spectre into the old Kogami mansion and having to survive each other as roommates until the media attention dies down. A clever mix of flashbacks, past characters, social media, and background expansions for minor characters such as Miyu, Ryoken's mother, and even Queen.
Pangea by SilvorMoon
- Reccomend by: goingmerry27
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After losing Ai, Yusaku retreated from the world and his friends. When mysterious data packets start appearing around the VRAINS, he decides it's time to return and help his friends investigate their source. Following the clues could lead him back to the one thing he wants most of all, but it also points the way to a mysterious figure called Pangea, whose existence could mean new life for the Ignis, or the end of the VRAINS and everything connected to it.
- Ships: Ai/Yusaku
- Comments: Incredibly well thought out with roles for everyone. The use of shiving POVs was equitable and amazingly in character. Just a wonderful and moving story with a really fast pace to it, even though its long, each chapter feels like a blink of an eye as so much happens in manageable bites of chapters that leave you wanting to click the next chapter.
Crossovers
Fate VRAINS by TheStrangerThatCameFromNowhere and Donjusticia
- Recommended by: cute_heart
- Crossover with: Fate/EXTRA
- Status: First story complete, sequel still in works.
- Synopsis: As she was about to disappear, the last vestiges of Twice H. Pierceman offered her a way to escape erasure. Now in a world where battle is waged via a children's card game, what sort of future awaits Hakuno Kishinami in LINK VRAINS?
- Notes: has its own trope page.
Atlas Family Values by MsBluebell
- Recommended by: StrawberryFireball
- Crossover with: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Carly is a reporter first and foremost, and she is going to chase a conspiracy! (Or, how Carly accidentally kidnaps Yusaku and it's surprisingly not as dramatic as it sounds.)
- Ships: Carly/Jack, Yusei/Akiza, other minor ships mentioned
- Comments: Carly decides to go to Den City to get the full story around the Lost Incident because the fact that six children went missing for half a year with no leads and minimal investigation raises a red flag for her. While investigating the hospital to get a feel for the therapy involved with the children's recovery process, Carly ends up taking a clearly drugged Yusaku back to Neo Domino City with her for protection. As the investigation regarding Yusaku's background starts, it becomes clear to Team 5Ds and their allies that something is going on in Den City.
