Complicated Creation
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Complicated Creation |
| Author(s): | Elemental |
| Date(s): | Published:2020-06-19 Completed:2020-09-09 |
| Length: | 112787 words, 13 chapters |
| Genre(s): | supernatural, spirits, adventure, family |
| Fandom(s): | BNHA |
| Relationship(s): | |
| External Links: | AO3, Archived copy |
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Complicated Creation is a BNHA fanfic by writer Elemental. Inspired by know what i've made by the marks on my hands by simkjrs, Complicated Creation grew very popular in the fandom and is largely responsible for the consolidation of "Quirks as Spirits" as a shared AU within the fandom.
There is a second work that contains worldbuilding notes and soundtrack suggestions. As of May 2025, CC has over 900k hits on ao3, and a large amount of recursive fanworks, including fanart, recursive fanfic,[1] headcanons, and meta.
Summary
Midoriya Izuku is medically quirkless, not technically homeless, perpetually exhausted and doing his damned best despite it all. He also sees spirits, which might be cool if not for the fact that a) no one else does, b) they really don't like him very much, and c) he's pretty sure the heroes now think he's a villain working for the League.Aizawa Shota just wants to take down Overhaul, rescue Eri, keep his students alive, get some rest, and find out how this Deku kid knows things he absolutely should not know about his personal life and the Shie Hassaikai case.
Unless Nighteye's right, and the kid really is a villain.
Sequel
In January 2021 author Elemental said she was planning a sequel.[3] In May 2022, she reported that work on the sequel was on hiatus, though she hoped to return to working on it in the future.[4][5]
Series
AO3 series: sum of all (and by them driven)
in addition to the planned sequel, there is currently a complete one-shot titled Giving you a White Christmas (published December 2023), as well as Complicated Creation: Worldbuild, Spirits, and Soundtrack (completed in September 2020).
Reactions/Reviews
Full to the brim with inspired allusions without ever once being derivative. Every chapter is well-paced and meticulously crafted to bring out the beauty of the setting, the moment, and the characters. There is a depth written into this world that makes the relationships feel meaningful, and so the kindness Aizawa and Deku in particular embody becomes tangible. Also, the original characters are delightful and essential. Reading this story is heartwarming.RowlettLesbian, 2020 [6]
My favourite fic of the year is Complicated Creation by Elemental. The world they've created is fascinating and the writing is achingly poignant. I cried multiple times and it was utterly worth it.LoopieLupie - in my Dr. Stone-Age@LupieLoopie, 2020 [7]
- BRUH I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
- The dadzawa, the angst, the world building
- And it's COMPLETED (over 100k words!!)
- My favorite so far!!!
hummanbirb, 2021 [8]
HOLY SHIT WHAT A RIDE. I laughed, I cried. Deku and Aizawa were so spot on, and the best world building/AU for this Fandom I've ever read. Like, better than published book quality storytelling. This is one I'll come back and read for years, guaranteed.fairislesheets, 2021 [9]
One of the best fics ever omgOmg
Some dr strange, xxxholic, spirit realm anime type of crazy and i love it
Jokkul_Frostii, 2022 [10]
mha infused with traditional japanese folklore. fascinating and otherworldly. masterfully written. it reminds me of rgwtr in some ways—the spirits, the traveling between realms, the fantastical violence and chaos. even izuku’s character reminds me so much of jack, both terrifying and awe inspiring.lucciidd, 2025 [11]
More references that people say it reminded them of: Natsume's Book of Friends[12], LOK spirit world arc as well as kamisama kiss[13]
I can’t even begin to explain how phenomenal this story is. I loved the premise and the writing was absolutely perfect. I think everyone needs to read it, everyone!!! It’s gorgeous and deserves so much love ❤️❤️Just_Willow, 2022 [14]
Beautiful, amazing, marvelous, stunning. All the details in this is INSANE. The way everything interconnects with each other and how the author manages to keep it so well paced and engaging is mind boggling. ILYSM author and if u see this I LOVE UR WORK AHHH!!! <33 would recommend a thousand times over wowthat1randomM, 2025 [15]
Recursive Fanworks
Tranlations
- Complicated Creation [Español], Archived version by PlayerSh1n
Podfic
- Complicated Creation [Podfic], Archived version by TheGayDivorcee
Fanart
- sketch1, Archived version and sketch2, Archived version by Reader -- Izuku in various scenes of the fic
- deku from the first chapter of Complicated Creation by @elementalsight! [archive link] by 8akugouu -- Izuku and Oku
- I made a thing... it is a cover for a really good fic that I read! , Archived version by clear-object-witch, 2022
- Was bored and just so happened to finish rereading one of my fav fics so I did this little edit/book cover type thing... idk, Archived version by mic-zawa, 2021
- I reread complicated creation a little while ago and I wanted to practice painting and landscapes! thanks for writing!, Archived version by kxmvgi, 2021
- Complicated Creation Chapter 2: To tell the truth by @elementalsight, Archived version by mehimmasleep -- Shinsou and Santelmo
Recursive fanfic
- 20 works marked as such on ao3[1]
- Eject Aspect by pocketramblr
- Bright eyes beneath the hood by andrewM
- Humans are all the same (or maybe not) by Cheshire413
Other
- Memes, Archived version by geminiwishes
- I need to share with you the most amazing thing., Archived version, hardcover ficbinding by tommy-bombadilly
- "My Spirit Academia" AU, Archived version reclist, which includes Complicated Creation and other fics with similar premises.[8]
Links
- OH HEY I MADE A DISCORD, Tumblr post with invitation to discord for the fic.
- #Complicated Creation tag on Tumblr.
References
- ^ a b See Works inspired by this one on AO3.
- ^ Fic summary on AO3.
- ^ *cracks knuckles*. Tumblr post by Elemental, announcing the sequel. Posted 24 January 2021.
- ^ Sorry if you've gotten this a whole lot, or if it's a sore spot, but whatever happened to the sequel of Complicated Creation? Tumblr ask submitted by worldweary-walker. Posted 25 May 2022.
- ^ hi! i'm sorry to hear CC is on hiatus, but i just want to say i finished reading it today and it was amazing... Anonymous Tumblr ask, to which Elemental replied with future intentions to continue working on the sequel. Posted 20 June 2022.
- ^ AO3 Bookmark by RowlettLesbian. Posted 17 June 2020.
- ^ Tweet by LupieLoopie. Posted 28 December 2020.
- ^ a b Hey y'all, I really love the whole My Spirit Academia au, Archived version. Fic rec list by hummanbirb. Posted 19 April 2021.
- ^ AO3 bookmark by FeralIsOnline. Posted 21 Jun 2021.
- ^ AO3 bookmark by Jokkul_Frostii, Archived version. Posted 16 November 2022.
- ^ Bookmark by lucciidd posted April 2025 -- says "rgwtr" but they do have "Rocks Give Way to Rain" bookmarked as well so I'm guessing that's the abbreviation. Oh yeah name checks Jack, that's a pretty good confirmation.
- ^ Bookmark by BlueB posted 7 September 2022.
- ^ AO3 Bookmark by somethingsignificant_maybe posted 07 Dec 2022.
- ^ AO3 Bookmark by Just_Willow. Posted 05 Nov 2022.
- ^ AO3 Bookmark by that1randomM. Posted 22 April 2025.