*Yearly Awards – Only nominated for and voted on once per year
** Discontinued Category

Action/Adventure

A work of any length and in any setting which uses some combination of high excitement and great risk to further the plot. These situations often include, but are not limited to, dangerous tasks, arduous journeys, epic quests, devious villains, battle sequences, and unknown confrontations.

Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality

A work of any style or length that does not take place within the universe created by Rumiko Takahashi. The plot of the story takes the characters and, retaining fundamental personality traits, places them in an alternate setting.

Canon

A work of any style or length that takes place within the universe created by Rumiko Takahashi. The characters should retain fundamental personality traits, and the setting should be recognizably canon, but events and details of the storyline may deviate from those of the canon. The plot may take place before, during or after event sets in the canon timeline.

Characterization

A work of any length and in any setting which uses any style and incorporates an in-character interpretation of a canon character. This interpretation must retain the fundamental elements and personality of the anime and manga portrayal while expanding upon them to create a multidimensional and believable character.

Comedy

A work of any length and in any setting which primarily uses elements of humor to further the plot.

Crossover

A work of any length and in any setting which integrates the elements and/or characters of Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha with those of other published fandoms to further the plot. Other fandoms may include, but are not limited to, other manga, works of popular fiction, television shows, and film.

Darkfic

A work of any length and in any setting which uses frightening, disturbing, or shocking elements to further the plot. These elements may include, but are not limited to, psychological twists, suspense, extreme violence, gruesome imagery, morbid subject matter, and/or supernatural elements.

Drama

A work of any length and in any setting which takes the reader through a wide range of emotions and provides insight into the human condition while furthering the plot.

Lemon

A work of any length, in any setting, and featuring any pairing, which includes well-written scenes of explicit sexual content that may or may not further a plot. Works in this category merit the MA/NC-17/X rating.

Multi-Chapter (once called “Serial”)

A multi-chaptered work in any setting which best embodies character development and a continual progression toward a climax, maintaining a steady pace as it furthers the plot.

Oneshot

A work of at least 501 words written in any setting that is complete in a single* chapter. A oneshot may be part of a collection, but the nominator must specify a single work from that collection for this category.
* Due to site length regulations, the story may be posted as multiple installments so long as they are uploaded on the same date.

Original Character

A work of any length and in any setting which contains a dynamic and complex character that was created by the fanfic author. The character may not currently exist in canon, or, if referred to, has not been physically introduced in canon as of the time of the fic’s writing. (e. g., Kagome’s father).

Poem

An original composition in verse (free, blank or rhyme) of any length and in any setting that conveys experiences, ideas or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way.

Romance – InuYasha/Kagome

A work of any length and in any setting which focuses on InuYasha and Kagome’s struggles as they fall in love, stay in love, and/or find happiness in a relationship to further the plot.

Romance – Miroku/Sango

A work of any length and in any setting which focuses on Miroku and Sango’s struggles as they fall in love, stay in love, and/or find happiness in a relationship to further the plot.

Romance – Other

A work of any length and in any setting which focuses on the struggles that occur while falling in love, staying in love, and/or finding happiness in a relationship by couples other than InuYasha and Kagome or Miroku and Sango to further the plot.

Short-Short

A work of 500 words or less in any setting. Works in which sexual interaction is the primary element are not eligible for this category. A short-short may be part of a collection, but the nominator must specify a single work from that collection for this category.

Songfic/ Poemfic

A work of any length and in any setting which successfully integrates the words and meaning(s) of one or more songs and/or poems to further the plot. The integrated song(s) and/or Poem(s) used may be either original or written by another author (appropriately credited).

Yaoi/Yuri

A work of any length and in any setting which focuses, features or prominently involves same-sex relationships in an integral way to further the plot. The relationship(s) must be romantic and/or sexual in nature.

Hidden Treasure

The Hidden Treasure Award’s purpose is to recognize outstanding fanfiction that may have been overlooked during previous nomination periods. The work can be of any length, in any setting and of any genre. Any previous nomination for an IYFG award, even if that nomination was later disqualified, dropped, or went un-seconded, makes a work ineligible for the Hidden Treasure award. If a work is a part of a collection that includes previously-nominated portions, but that individual work has not received a nomination, it will be eligible for the Hidden Treasure award. If the collection as a whole has received a nomination since the individual work was added, the individual work will not be eligible for the Hidden Treasure Award. Nominations for this Award will be accepted during 1st Quarter and a single award will be given at that time.

Completed Serial

A multi-chaptered work which fulfills the requirements set for Best Multi-Chapter and has been completed, including any epilogue, during the previous calendar year. Nominations for this award will be accepted during 4th Quarter and a single award will be given at that time.

Vignette

A stand-alone one-chapter* work in any setting which primarily contains the introspection and exploration of a character and/or situation, instead of a plot. Vignettes may contain a character’s reminiscence or thoughts on a single or multiple situation(s) but not their interactions with that situation. Vignettes often include, but are not limited to, character studies, slice-of-life pieces, and scenic descriptions. Please note that fics eligible for Vignette are NOT eligible for other categories that require a plot (for example, Oneshot, Romance categories, etc.)
*Due to site regulations, the work may be posted as several chapters as long as they are uploaded on the same date.
-Category discontinued late 2008