In the context of doujinshi (同人誌), ship refer to the romantic or relational combinations of characters depicted in the story. These pairings are often central to the narrative and are particularly prevalent in fan-created works based on popular anime, manga, or games.

It's called カップリング（Coupling） in Japanese. It is abbreviated as カプ/CP.

Types of ship

Canon Ship（公式カップリング）

These are relationships explicitly established in the original source material. For example, a pairing between two characters who are romantically involved in the official story.

Fanon Ship

Relationships that are widely accepted or supported within the fan community, but not explicitly confirmed in the source material.

Crack Ship（顔カプ）

Unconventional or unexpected character combinations that may be humorous or imaginative, often without basis in the original story.

Notations and Terminology

Pairings are often represented by combining the characters’ names or Emoji. In Japanese doujinshi culture, specific formats are used to describe the dynamics of a pairing:

• “A×B” or “A/B”: Indicates that A is the dominant or initiating partner (the “seme”) and B is the submissive or receiving partner (the “uke”) in a romantic or sexual relationship. In YAOI works that include sexual intercourse, the person performing the insertion is often referred to as the seme, while the person being inserted into is called the uke. In heterosexual ships, the notation generally follows the format of male×female. However, in cases where the female holds a dominant role (e.g., One shota relationships), the notation may instead be written as female×male.
• “A+B”: Suggests a platonic or equal relationship, often avoiding implications of dominance.
• reverse/“A×B×A”: It is used when the attack and the reception are reversed. It is mainly used in homosexual ships.

Common Tropes

• Childhood Friends: Two characters who grew up together and develop a deeper connection.
• Rivals: A pairing between characters with conflicting goals or personalities.
• Enemies-to-Lovers: A romantic evolution from antagonism to affection.
• Slow Burn: A relationship that develops gradually over time.

Cultural and Fandom Influence

Pairings often reflect the preferences and creativity of the fandom. Popular pairings may inspire trends within the community, influencing other works, fan art, and even conventions. However, debates about the legitimacy or interpretation of certain pairings can sometimes lead to discourse within the fandom.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While doujinshi are a celebrated part of fandom culture, they operate in a legal gray area in terms of copyright. Pairings involving underage characters or explicit content may also raise ethical concerns, and creators are encouraged to label their works appropriately.

In some works, ships or adult content may be prohibited by the terms of use.