𖤓

"I wonder, can I carry on with it?
The speed of the world without you in it?"
ENTER

☾

If Death Is Not the End is a poetry zine that leans into the gap where life & death brush against each other. It follows a human who straddles the living world & the unseen, and a Soul Reaper whose job is to guide souls across that fragile boundary.In the realm of Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki, death is rarely final. Souls move on, memories linger, & brief crossings can leave marks that ripple far beyond a single existance.Like sand in a rotator, their paths shift, circle back, & align in ways that neither could have ever planned. What begins as a tragic encounter becomes something steadier: two broken people who changed each other’s worlds.This zine invites the contributors to immerse themselves in that tension—the force that keeps them close, the patience of time not ticking, & the bonds that won’t wither even when everything else does.The zine will be divided into three chapters. Each chapter follows Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki as they flicker & fade throughout their shared eternity, drawn by the currents of what ultimately binds them—because If Death Is Not The End…

Chapter I: This Heart Will Wait Its Turn
Some love is so deep, so patient, that you cannot claim it. The purest kind of devotion that waits quietly, like a flower too beautiful to pluck. This chapter dwells in the weightless awe of watching someone you cherish grow & bloom, cradling your longing in the soil of your own heart while the world dances along with them. A love that waits for its season, knowing it will come no matter the wait.
Chapter II: Even As I Break From The Path
Even love meant to endure can be broken by life’s cruelties. Imagine the quiet dread of drifting alone through the open sea. No harbor or familiar shore in sight. Only the crackling rhythm of lightning, of waves & of the aching thoughts of existing apart. Yet you refuse to float aimlessly. Through the storm & restless water, you search for a lighthouse. A distant glow that reminds you there’s still a way forward.
Chapter III: All My Beginnings Lead To You
After all that’s passed, they arrive at each other once more. A ribbon loops endlessly, each curve returning to the same place, constant & unshaken. Through countless turns, you meet them again—older, wiser, carrying everything you’ve both weathered—and still, without hesitation, you step into their presence as if no time had passed. Seeing that smile again is like coming back home, where every loop, every twist, has always been meant to bring you back.

FAQ

What is a zine? It's a fan-made collection of creative works centered around a chosen character(s) or theme. In fandom spaces, zines usually bring together artists & writers to collaborate & create something special for the community to enjoy.Is this zine for profit? Nope!! This is a completely free, digital-only zine. This zine is all about celebrating Ichigo & Rukia through poems & art. It’s totally non-profit, and once it’s ready, we’ll share it on Twitter & Carrd so everyone can read it & get lost in the small sanctuary we've all created together.Can I apply for this zine without any zine experience? Yes, absolutely !! You don’t need any prior zine experience to enter. This project is open to anyone who loves Ichigo & Rukia and wants to join in. Whether it’s your first zine or your twentieth, we’re excited to have you on board !!Do I need to be a certain age to apply? Yep!! Moderator & contributor applicants must be 18 or older.What content is allowed? We’re open to lots of different takes, as long as your piece respects the theme & the community. Because this is a public, digital release, we ask contributors to avoid overly explicit or graphic content. However, artistic nudity or sensual themes are allowed if they are presented tastefully & in a way that fits the tone of the zine.Are AUs allowed? Sure!! if you can think it, write it <3Are spoilers allowed? Of course !! The ending has been out for 10 years, so feel free to talk about it to your heart’s content !!Can I reference other canon characters or ships in my works? To an extent, yeah. Other canon characters or ships can be mentioned, but only in ways that are considerate & help highlight Ichigo & Rukia—their dynamic should always take center stage. Please avoid negativity or anything that pulls focus away from them.What if I can’t finish my piece on time? No worries !! If you’re running behind, we can give a reasonable extension depending on how far along you are. Just let us know by emailing [email protected] before or during the creation period. Please try not to take on more poems or artworks than you can manage, but if life happens, it’s totally okay—there will always be other chances to join the zine in the future.Are we allowed to apply for more than one role? Definitely!! You can definitely take on more than one role, just give us a heads-up first. Keep in mind that juggling multiple roles means a bit more responsibility, but if you’re up for it, go for it!!Is a Discord required to participate? Yes!! Most announcements, communications & discussions happen there, plus we’ve set up a writer circle where you can hang out & share ideas with fellow writers.Will contributors be paid for their work? Zine is free so there won’t be monetary compensation of any kind.I received a message asking me to change the title of my poem. Why is that? If two poems end up with the same title, both writers are asked to create new ones. This keeps things clear & fair for everyone.Where should I submit questions? You can email us at [email protected] anytime. If it’s something quick, you can also pop it into the #ask-the-mods channel on our Discord, we’re happy to help!!

Moderators

Mimidorika — Head & Writing Mod | She/Her

Matcha ŹšÉž Egg tarts ŹšÉž Horror movies ŹšÉž Indie/Pop-punk/J-pop !! Chronic overthinker with a soft spot for musicals & mystery thriller novels. I’m a permanent member of the Miffy & Usahana Club. I draw, write & take photographs for a living. I have very bad eyesight but that won’t stop me from playing Deck building games !! Rukia Kuchiki is the best female character of all time (to me-naaaah to everyone…TRUST) ૮꒰ ˶• ą¼ ā€¢Ė¶ź’±įƒ ā™”

Icu0chinx — Graphics & Format Mod | He/Him

Multimedia specialist. Sanguine melancholic. Pretentious AF but dislikes people who are pretentious AF. Likes Lino Brocka movies and sucker for metroidvania games. i'm a Padawan-in-training. Last-minute panic is the best panic.

Achraff — Illustrations Mod | He/Him

Timoteo 2:5-9

Xen — Admin Mod | She/Her

I’m Xenthia (Xen) š‘£² ! My current obsessions include My Melody, Death Note, thrifting, photobooths, and collecting physical media. I’m into fandoms like Apothecary Diaries, Gintama, Akatsuki no Yona, The Hunger Games, and 14 Days With You (demo). I sometimes paint with acrylics, but most of the time I’m either doing that or doom scrolling. ^^

July — Admin Mod | She/Her

21 i love writing, reading, and watching movies! more active for tloz and jjk :33

AKnightOfAGoodKing — Promotions & Assistant Writing Mod | He/They

I must be silly, or I will scream.
Please be nice to me because I will cry. QvQ