The Arena

a BkDkBk fanzine project surrounding Katsuki Bakugou and Izuku Midoriya, in the universe of The World's Best Hero Popularity Poll Illustration.

General Guidelines

DISCLAIMER

The term BKDK will be used by this zine as a neutral, SFW catch-all name for the romantic ship between Bakugo Katsuki & Midoriya Izuku. KTDK will be used to refer to the top Katsuki/bottom Izuku sex dynamic. DKBK will be used to refer to the top Izuku/bottom Katsuki sex dynamic. BKDKBK will be used as a neutral, NSFW catch-all name for ALL possible sex dynamic combinations for the ship between Bakugou Katsuki and Midoriya Izuku. This zine will consist of a main SFW portion, and a NSFW portion aimed to have as close to equal representation of any and all sex dynamics between BKDK as possible. ANY and ALL sex dynamics are welcomed and encouraged for the NSFW portion of this project.

  • You must have turned 18 by the time contributor sign ups end to participate.

  • You are not required to have previous zine experience.

  • You must have a Discord account/create a Discord account.

  • You may not share screenshots and/or content from the Discord server.

  • Team ups between writers and artists are permitted.

  • Deadlines are expected to be met accordingly. If for any reason, an extension is needed, you must communicate with the mod team.

  • The use of AI is wholly, completely prohibited. If it's discovered that AI was used to create any content for this project, the contributor will be dropped and will not recieve any sort of compensation.

  • This is a SFW zine with a NSFW add-on. Please refer to the list of prohibited content for the specifics of problematic content that will not be featured in this project.

  • If you have CWs/TWs for your piece, please list them in the check-in form and check-in stages.

Writer Guidelines

  • One fully completed fic with a minimum word count of 1,500 words. Maximum for SFW is 3,000, with a 100 leeway above. Maximum for NSFW is 5,000.

  • Katsuki and Izuku’s relationship in the context of the World’s Best Hero popularity poll AU should be central to your work.

  • Trans characters, genderbends, and expanded interpretations of this AU are permitted (ex. god x champion AU)

  • Canon-typical mature content is permitted for all works, but NSFW content belongs in the NSFW sections of the zine and server.

  • If you have CWs/TWs for your piece, please list them at the top of your document.

  • Avoid our prohibited content/tropes. Please reach out if you’re unsure if something is allowed! While this zine and server may have content restrictions, no one will be judged for content that they create and/or consume outside the zine.

Artist Guidelines

  • Page Artists: must create a minimum of 1 portrait-oriented page art, 1 spread (2-page, landscape oriented), OR 2 spot arts.

  • Comic Artists: must create a minimum of one comic, 2 to 5 pages long.

  • Merch Artists: must create a minimum of 3 merch items.

  • Your work(s) must be new and tailored to the zine theme.

  • Katsuki and Izuku’s relationship in the context of the World’s Best Hero popularity poll AU should be central to your work.

  • If you have CWs/TWs for your piece, please list them in the check-in form and check-in stages.

  • Avoid our prohibited content/tropes.

  • Trans characters, genderbends, and expanded interpretations of this AU are permitted (ex. god x champion AU).

  • Canon-typical mature content is permitted for all works, but NSFW content belongs in the NSFW sections of the zine and server.

SCHEDULE

Interest check & Mod apps open: November 8th
Mod apps close: December 6th
Mod app results sent: December 13th
Interest check closes: December 20th
Interest check results posted: January 4th
Contributor applications open: January 10th
Contributor applications close: February 7th
Contributor application results sent: February 14th
Contributor onboarding deadline: February 21st
Pitches due: February 24th
Pitches assigned: February 28th
Check-in one: March 31st
Check-in two: April 30th
Check-in three: May 31st
Final submissions due: June 30th
Formatting begins: TBD
Preorders: TBD

MOD TEAM

Zay | Head & Co-Writing Mod

Hiya! I'm Zay. I love cats, writing, anime, and food. Bkdk got me out of a 2 year+ writer’s block back in 2022, and I’ve been completely insane about them ever since.Experience: Head Mod of: The Language of Love: a KiriTodo Zine, Prototype BkDk AU Zine. Graphics Mod of: The Language of Love: a KiriTodo Zine, Learning to Love: a Todoroki Shouto Zine. Co-writing Mod of: Prototype BkDk AU Zine.

Radiant | Co-Writing Mod

Hiya, I’m Radiant! I joined the fandom in 2023, and BKDKBK were powerful enough blorbos to push me into becoming a writer. I’ve been obsessed with them and their endless possibilities ever since!Experience: Writing Mod for Learning to Love: A Todoroki Shouto Zine and Sparks: A Trans BKDKBK Zine, Social Media Mod for Strawberry Sunshine: A KrDkKr Summer Zine.

Inkalight | Art Mod

I am Inky a digital artist who loves bnha and bkdk! I want to make art, tell stories and help others chase their goals. I hope to find find new friendships along the way!Experience: I have been in many zines as a participating page artist such as Kazahana, BKDK Future, Saddle Up, Crown and Court, and others that haven't released yet. I also have a Bachelor's in Illustration which involved a lot of formal critique practices.

QuirkyRose85 | Social Media Mod

Hey, I’m Quirky! I’ve been active in the BNHA fandom since 2022. I’ve got a weakness for these two dorks. I’m never going to escape them! Though I may be a multi-shipper, I’m always gonna come home to these two idiots.Experience: Social Media Mod for Kacchako Week 2024, Writing Mod for The Language of Love: A KiriTodo Zine, Writing & Social Media Mod for School's in Session: Teacher Izuku Midoriya Zine.

Inkie | Graphics Mod

A neurospicy queer creative in way too many fandoms lol. You can always find crossovers in my art for this reason!Experience: Intern Mod for Learning to Love: Todoroki Shouto Zine |
Graphics Mod for Strawberry Sunshine (KrDkKr Zine) |
Graphics Mod for Origin Trio Planner

Celestibex | Finance Mod

Hi, I'm Celestibex! I have been a fan of BNHA since 2014 and a member of the fandom, actively, since 2022! I have always loved BKDK since the first chapter I read, and I am so happy to be working on this project for them!Experience:- Finances for Origin Trio Planner, Self-Owned Business, Merchandise Creation and Sales.
- Unofficial Shadowing under three Finance Mods.
- Learning to Love: Todoroki Shouto Zine (Head Mod/Art Mod)
- Art Mod for 12+ zines/events

*Tayl | Formatting Mod

Hi, I'm Tayl!
Experience: Professional Publication/Graphic Designer. Head/Graphics Mod for Explodo-Smash (Writer), Head/Graphics Mod for Wonder Duo Days, Art Mod for Sparks: A Trans BkDkBk Zine, Formatting Mod for Prototype BKDK Zine, Organizational & Graphics Mod for the DKBK Exchange

Larabee | Shipping Mod

Hi, I’m Lara! I’ve been in the BNHA fandom for several years now, and no ship has ever gripped my heartstrings quite like BkDkBk. I may be a multishipper, but I always come back to Them™️.Experience: Shipping Mod for Across Horizons and Shipping/Co-Head Mod for Riptide Romance.

Enjel | Intern Mod

Hi there! I’m enjel, been in fandom since forever, and a bkdkbk truther since 2020 even though I joined the bnha fandom later (they got me writing again after 4 years!) so I’m happy to have joined The Arena! I love being in a community where we celebrate bkdkbk! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for us with this zine!Experience: This is my first zine for BNHA and I’m excited! However, I’ve worked on a cupsleeve event as Head Mod in the JJK fandom, and I’ve been a contributor for some HQ zines as well.