Ichikana

Ichikana is the femslash ship between Ichika Hoshino and Kanade Yoisaki from the Project SEKAI fandom.

Canon
Ichika and Kanade are the leaders and main vocalists of their units Leo/need and 25-ji, Nightcord de., respectively. In comparison to their other groupmates, they are both more reserved and modest.

Ichikana is one of the only cross-pairs that has an area conversation together before they have properly met in the story. In it, both of them are at the music shop and notice each other. They think to themselves how smooth and long the other's hair looks and how they want to touch it.

The Warmth of Intersecting Melodies
In Chapter 1, when Ichika goes to buy the limited CD, she and Kanade reach out to the last copy at the same time. They both lock up for a second before Kanade hands it to her with a smile. Ichika insists it's fine and that she was the one who was late, but Kanade tells her to not worry about her and take the CD. While Ichika is still hesitant, Kanade assures her she's heard a lot of the songs through the videos before, and that she'll be happy if Ichika, someone who likes that artist's songs, gets to hear all of them instead. Ichika is left speechless and then tries calling out to Kanade, who managed to leave before hearing her. Ichika tells herself she ended up doing something terrible and thinks how bad she feels because Kanade is a fan of that musician as well. Later Kanade is shown to feel sad while chatting with everyone else in Niigo, and she mentions that she didn't manage to buy the last copy. However she then mentions she is also feels kind of happy, because she saw Ichika rushing to the store get the CD, and how she must have been looking forward to it as much as Kanade was. Kanade says she's happy she met someone who loves that musician's music as much as she does, and how that person gets to listen to their music. While listening to Kanade's talk, Mafuyu stays quiet.

In Chapter 2, during their class president activities again Mafuyu asks whether Ichika was able to buy the CD. Ichika tells her someone let her buy the CD instead and also mentions she feels horrible about it. Mafuyu realizes she's talking about Kanade and when Ichika asks her if something's wrong, Mafuyu mentions knowing that person and describing what she looked like. Ichika asks if Mafuyu could give Kanade the CD because she really wants her to hear the songs as well, and Mafuyu agrees to her request. They proceed to talk about their respective groups' music and Mafuyu gives Ichika the URL to one of their songs. In the next chapter, Leo/need members listen to that song in the School SEKAI and then discuss about it. While praising how well-made the song is, Ichika then thinks that person (Kanade) might like Miku songs as well and how she'd love to be friends with her. The others then encourage Ichika to ask Mafuyu to introduce Kanade to her, and while a bit hesitant at first, Ichika agrees to do that. However next day Ichika only manages to pass the CD to Mafuyu and feels sad after losing the chance to ask about meeting Kanade.

In Chapter 3, while Mafuyu and Kanade are about to listen to the CD together with Miku, Kanade notices there's a notebook in the bag Ichika used to give the CD to Mafuyu. Mafuyu says it's not hers and Kanade says she'll have to return it together with the CD. Mafuyu notices it has lyrics, and Kanade deduces she [Ichika] must make music too. Mafuyu mentions Ichika being in a band, how she's aiming to become a pro, and how she was interested in Kanade as well. The three of them read Ichika's lyrics together and Miku says while smiling that while she doesn't know Ichika personally, she can tell that she's really serious about making music. Kanade compliments them as well saying it might still be rough and Ichika doesn't have a proper image of her song yet, but it's very straightforward, and how she can feel power behind each and every word she's written.

In Chapter 4, while Honami is over at Kanade's, she notices the CD and when Kanade asks if something's wrong, Honami says one of her friends owns the same CD. They proceed to talk about the whole situation and then Kanade asks if Honami could return the CD, as well as the notebook to Ichika. They proceed to talk about how it's so unexpected they both know Mafuyu, and then Honami asks if Kanade would love to meet Ichika, also mentioning Ichika voiced her interest in meeting Kanade and talking about song composing and Miku's songs as well. She agrees to meet and asks if Honami could also join them due to being bad with meeting new people. Honami agrees and they start making plans for their next day off.

Let's Enjoy Together! Spojoy Park
In Chapter 3, The two come across each other again after Ichika finishes a performance, which Minori calls out to her, and Ichika notices Kanade and Ena near her. She is initially surprised at the appearance, but Kanade remarks on how the song was good, which makes Ichika blush and thank her, and express how she's happy to hear that. When Ichika speaks to Minori about her calling Kanade "Kanade-chan", Kanade says that she doesn't need to be so formal. Ena then states how she said that she didn't have to be formal, Ichika explains how it was normal to her, in which Kanade reassures her. Ichika later comes along with them to Spojoy Park.

The two are left alone together as Ena and Minori had ran off to get a Pen-pyon from a crane game. Kanade asks her if they really are popular, which Ichika confirms, before having to leave to the restroom. When she comes back, they notice that Ena and Minori had come back, and didn't win anything.

In Chapter 4, Ichika and Ena notice Kanade struggling to get up with rollerskates on. She asks if she's fine, in which she says she is, and states "Her body remembers this feeling".

In Chapter 5, Ichika compliments Kanade, and says she did well back then, and was able to skate normally near the end of their roller-skating session. In Bubble sumo, the two are on separate teams, and Ichika goes for Kanade, seeing how she's defenseless, before being blocked by Minori. At the end, when Minori and Kanade have won, she compliments them on their teamwork.

In Chapter 6, Ichika wants to try out a sport, just because Kanade suggested it. Later on, Ichika asks if she likes baseball, in which Kanade responds about having being taught to throw a ball by her dad, and winning a juice as a prize in strike out.

Kanade calls Ichika's throw onto panel five amazing, in which she thanks her. She later encourages her when it's her turn to hit the panel.

In Ichika's event shop 2☆ 'If I Don’t Speak Up Myself' side story 1, Ichika mentions that due to the opportunity of her meeting Kanade again, she would like to talk about the songs Kanade's circle makes, and also about her band on their way to Spojoy Park. Unfortunately, it's hard for her to start the conversation on her own. At the end, she managed to speak up and get a conversation going with Kanade; where Ichika asked for Kanade's thoughts about Ichika's live performance. Kanade said that she was easily immersed in the lyrics and could really feel the hard work that went into bringing out the soft and cool melody. She also want to hear what the band version would sound like.

Meanwhile, in side story 2, Ichika told Honami and Saki about her trip to Spojoy Park with Minori, Kanade, and Ena the other day. Honami mentioned how Ichika has been getting closer to Kanade, which she is glad to see. Ichika questioned as to how Honami knew, to which Honami replied that Ichika is now addressing Kanade by her first name. Ichika stated that she had been going with the flow at the moment (while blushing out of embarrassment? \^o^/)

Echo my Melody
In Chapter 2, Honami caught Ichika playing her personally made song with her own Miku tuning inside the studio where Leo/need will be practicing at in some time after. Ichika told Honami that she has been starting to make songs using DTM, but she's struggling with it. Honami said that Kanade does DTM too and Ichika could ask her about it. Ichika thanked Honami and said that she'll reach out to Kanade as soon as she can. Ichika followed Honami to Kanade's house a few days later to learn DTM. She apologised for messaging Kanade about it so quickly, but Kanade said it was fine. It also works out because she has all the needed equipment at her house.

In Chapter 3, Ichika let Kanade listen to her song and told her that no matter how she messed with it, she couldn't get close to the image she had in mind. Kanade commented on Ichika's decision to have Miku sing her song. Ichika also mentioned that the creator they both like makes songs with Miku. Kanade agreed, saying that in addition to their great song composition, the creator also managed to make Miku sing beautifully. Ichika told Kanade that she wants to a Miku song filled with her own feelings, but unable to do so because her own song is lacking. Kanade denied at that statement, and that she can slightly feel the kindness of wanting to support others coming from the song. Kanade helps Ichika by listening to the kind of song Ichika wants to make for those precious to her.

In Ichika's 4☆ 'Connected Timbre' side story 2, Ichika visited Kanade with choux pastries and gerbera daisies as a token of gratitude for helping her with DTM the other day. Kanade thanked her, saying that Ichika must have put a lot of thought into choosing them for her.

Memories Carried by the Scent of Candles
Ichika, Nene and Kanade gathered together to make scented candles with the help of Honami. They made scented candles for their friends since it was nearing Valentine's Day. When they settled in doing the candles needed to gift, Honami suggested making another one for each of them there, as their own Valentine's Day gift to each other. Ichika is the one giving her scented candle to Kanade. Shortly after Ichika, Nene and Honami left Kanade's house, she lit up Ichika's scented candle to relax. Kanade wonders what kind of feelings Ichika put into the candle and she can't tell that for sure. However, there's a flower-like, kind and calming scent that reminds her of Ichika.

In an area conversation between Ichika and Kanade that unlocks after reading the event, Ichika mentions Kanade's floral aroma, to which Kanade responds that it is coming from Ichika's scented candle, which she lit before going to sleep. When Ichika questioned Kanade about it, she replied that the scent is calming and helps in getting her to sleep at night.

Quotes
"Hoshino-san, Happy Birthday. Actually, I'd like to ask you something regarding your birthday gift... Is there anything you want?"

- Kanade's Line for Ichika's Birthday (2022).

"Ichika-chan, Happy Birthday. Kanade and I couldn't go and celebrate your birthday, but we both actually really wanted to celebrate it together with everyone too, you know?"

- Ena's Line for Ichika's Birthday (2022).

Fanon
Ichikana is relatively popular within the fandom, but is overshadowed by their more popular ships: Kanamafu, Honakana and Ichisaki. The ship gained a small amount of popularity after the area conversation between them, where they compliment each others hair, and later gained more popularity after the "The Warmth of Intersecting Melodies", "Lets Enjoy Together! Spojoy Park!" and the latest event; "Memories Carried by the Scent of Candles".

An Ichikana Week was hosted in 2022, from November 28 to December 5. The first day's theme was First Kiss / Date, The second day's theme was Stargazing / Star, The third's was Fall / Winter, the fourth was Music, the fifth was Hatsune Miku, the sixth was Game / Anime, the seventh was Hair, and the eighth was a free day.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

ART

TWITTER

Trivia

 * Their Kizuna Rank titles are: "Wanted to Touch It", "Knows About Flowers", and "Becoming Even Closer Friends".
 * In Part 2 of Ichika's 4☆ card "Connecting Tones", Ichika gets Kanade flowers, specifically "Gerbera Daisies". Although the color of the flower was never mentioned, Red gerbera daisies are said to represent an "unconscious love" or "to be fully immersed in love", whilst Pink ones are said to be a symbol for admiration, adoration, or high esteem for someone.
 * Ichika and Kanade are the only characters in the game to duet with Miku.
 * They met as strangers four times before officially knowing each other at the diner meet-up with Mafuyu and Honami. (hair area conversation, Singing Among the Cherry Blossoms, Scramble Fan Festival, [Chapter 1] The Warmth of Intersecting Melodies)
 * Kanade made a melody while thinking of the song Ichika, Minori and Kohane sang at Nonogi Park. ('This Spring, With You...' Yoisaki Kanade 2☆ side story 2)

Variations

 * Kanamafuichi refers to the ship between Mafuyu Asahina, Ichika and Kanade
 * Polyleaders refers to the ship between Minori Hanasato, Kohane Azusawa, Tsukasa Tenma, Ichika and Kanade