AyaItto

"Haha, I only wish I could have met Ayato sooner. He really taught me something. "You can kindle the warrior spirit even in the weakest of bugs"... Yep, I really took that one to heart. If it weren't for those words of wisdom, I'm pretty sure I would have given up beetle fighting after losing for the 780th time... Yeah, I guess sometimes it takes a warrior to understand a warrior. When we're playing trading card games or battling beetles, we're always totally on the same wavelength."

- Itto about Ayato

AyaItto is the slash ship between Kamisato Ayato and Arataki Itto from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
Ayato and Itto are close friends who play the trading card game Genius Invocation TCG and fight using Onikabuto beetles together. They are mentioned in each other's voicelines, and Itto is also mentioned in Ayato's character story. Ayato and Thoma watched Itto's performance in Itto's character teaser. At the Almighty Arataki Great and Glorious Drumalong Festival, Ayato gifted Itto limited edition trading cards.

Voicelines
In Itto's voiceline about Ayato, he says Ayato inspired him to not give up on Onikabuto beetle fighting even after losing multiple times. He wishes that he had met Ayato sooner. He feels they can understand each other because they are both warriors (or, in the Chinese and Japanese versions, because they are fellow men).

In the English translation of Ayato's voiceline about Itto, he says he finds Itto to be an interesting case. He was surprised to be called "bro" by Itto after giving him a pep talk, but he has nothing against his eccentricities. In the Chinese and Japanese versions, he says he finds Itto to be truly interesting and that he has nothing against his simple-mindedness. Ayato says that he is "quite alright" with Itto not knowing his identity as the Yashiro Commissioner.

Character Story
Itto is mentioned in Ayato's Character Story 3 as a "young Oni" who Ayato encourages in his beetle fighting. It is jokingly stated to be out of the goodness of his heart, but it is suggested earlier in the Character Story that Ayato's intention is to entertain himself with interesting things.

Quotes
"Haha, I only wish I could have met Ayato sooner. He really taught me something. "You can kindle the warrior spirit even in the weakest of bugs"... Yep, I really took that one to heart. If it weren't for those words of wisdom, I'm pretty sure I would have given up beetle fighting after losing for the 780th time... Yeah, I guess sometimes it takes a warrior to understand a warrior. When we're playing trading card games or battling beetles, we're always totally on the same wavelength."

- Itto about Ayato

"Now he's an interesting case. The idea of pitting docile Onikabuto against each other in battle, I mean really... I was only speaking in polite platitudes when I gave him that little pep talk, but to my surprise he started calling me "bro"... To this day, he calls me "my bro Ayato" without the faintest idea of my true identity. It's quite alright by me, though, I have nothing against his... eccentricities."

- Ayato about Itto

"I've been playing trading card games with my friend Itto for a long time. He always loses, but he never gives up. I find his resilience truly admirable. I was delighted to hear about my friend's festival today. I came here with a limited edition Genius Invokation TCG gift pack to offer my congratulations. I wish him a fantastic festival."

- Message from "TCG Buddy Ayato" on the bulletin board for The Almighty Arataki Great and Glorious Drumalong Festival "Most entertaining. Pity that the Tenryou Commission has arrived."

- Ayato on Itto's performance in Itto's character teaser

Fanon
AyaItto started gaining traction mostly because of Itto's voiceline about Ayato before his official reveal. Fans found it humorous that the Yashiro Commissioner, described as serious and hard-working, is someone who participates in Onikabuto fighting, an activity for children. The ship grew in popularity when more voicelines showed they also played trading card games with each other.

The ship is enjoyed for its "opposites attract" dynamic between the cunning and calm Ayato and brasher and more naive Itto. Fans think Itto's more naive personality could lead to him being teased by Ayato, especially as Ayato is shown to have a mischievous personality. It is also implied that Ayato hides his title as Yashiro Commissioner from Itto. Fans find it interesting to imagine how Ayato would keep his identity secret and how Itto would find out.

Both enjoy playing games, are confident, are the leaders of their own groups (the Kamisato Clan/Yashiro Commission and the Arataki Gang), and care very much about their families. This could help them connect with each other. Itto is the only friend Ayato mentions having outside of the Kamisato Clan, so fans feel Itto could help Ayato loosen up. While Itto has more freedom as the leader of the Arataki Gang, Ayato often overworks himself managing the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commission's political affairs. Ayato could also help balance Itto's temperament, such as by encouraging him when he loses at games and helping him be more responsible.

Ayato and Itto also have similar backstories. Both had their parents die early, leaving them unable to rely on those around them. They could relate to each other's grief. Ayato's continued lack of trust from being thrust into the world of politics contrasts with Itto's loyalty and equal treatment of everyone after being kindly taken in by his Granny.

Some fans dislike the ship because of Ayato's English voiceline. It is interpreted as rude and as Ayato finding Itto annoying. They also dislike how Ayato points out how Itto always loses at games.

On AO3, it is Ayato's second most written for ship and Itto's third most written for ship.

The ship is overshadowed by IttoSara, IttoGorou, and ThomaTo.

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Trivia

 * While Ayato plays the strategic game Go with Thoma, he plays more child-oriented games with Itto.
 * Itto calls Ayato his bro or "Aniki".
 * Ayato and Itto both favor the furnishing set "Summer Night's Recollection", a recreation of an Inazuman festival scene.
 * Ayato finds loyalty to be an attractive quality, while Itto is a very loyal person.