Fanon: Difference between revisions

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Fanon is the set of theories based on that material which, while they generally seem to be the [[Absolutely Happened|"obvious" or "only" interpretation]] of canonical fact, are not actually part of the canon. Occasionally, the explanation seems good enough to just be [[Common Knowledge|"common sense."]] The salient point to remember is that when someone shouts, "That episode was terrible because it violates canon!", they are very often totally incorrect.

Fanon fills in holes that the writers may have deliberately left in order to have [[Canon Fodder|fodder for later stories]]. In addition to arising from a point of vagueness in the canon, Fanon can come into existence as a fact gained from a [[Word of Dante|popular but non-canonical]] [[Fanfic|source]], or taken from a different Adaptation. Because many fans mistake their own Fanon for actual [[Canon]], they tend to get riled up when a new fact is introduced [[~~Schrodingers~~ Gun|which does not literally contradict anything canonical]], but [[Jossed|invalidates what were formerly the most obvious assumptions]]. Many examples of [[Retcon]] and [[Continuity Drift]] that are imagined to be violations of [[Canon]] really only ''explicitly'' contradict [[Fanon]].

Fanon fills in holes that the writers may have deliberately left in order to have [[Canon Fodder|fodder for later stories]]. In addition to arising from a point of vagueness in the canon, Fanon can come into existence as a fact gained from a [[Word of Dante|popular but non-canonical]] [[Fanfic|source]], or taken from a different Adaptation. Because many fans mistake their own Fanon for actual [[Canon]], they tend to get riled up when a new fact is introduced [[Schrodinger's Gun|which does not literally contradict anything canonical]], but [[Jossed|invalidates what were formerly the most obvious assumptions]]. Many examples of [[Retcon]] and [[Continuity Drift]] that are imagined to be violations of [[Canon]] really only ''explicitly'' contradict [[Fanon]].

Popular subjects of Fanon include character backstories, full names of characters with [[No Name Given]], what characters actually do for a living, and [[Shipping]] — a whole other world of its own.

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Fanon often also refers to the body of information provided by [[Word of God|otherwise-official sources]]. Television and movie scripts are a continuing source of fanon material — [[Star Trek the Original Series (TV)|Captain James Kirk]], for example, had a middle initial ("T.")...but his actual middle ''name'' ("Tiberius") was originally revealed in an episode of the ''Trek'' [[Star Trek the Animated Series (Animation)|animated series]]; since that show's canonicity is debatable, it was considered "fanon" until revealed canonically in the 6th ''Star Trek'' movie. Note that this usage blurs the line between fanon and ''[[Word of Dante|deuterocanon]]'', though.

Warning: Fanon and accusations of Fanon are a classic [[Internet Backdraft]], with the accusation commonly leveled by fans that have a different [[Alternate Character Interpretation|interpretation of the material]] — even when their theory is just as vulnerable to [[~~Schrodingers~~ Gun]].

Warning: Fanon and accusations of Fanon are a classic [[Internet Backdraft]], with the accusation commonly leveled by fans that have a different [[Alternate Character Interpretation|interpretation of the material]] — even when their theory is just as vulnerable to [[Schrodinger's Gun]].

Compare [[Broad Strokes]], where the events of a story are referenced in passing without taking everything said and done as having "officially" happened. If the fanon was repeatedly hinted at by writers until it became fanon, but never actually confirmed in canon, it's [[Writer Induced Fanon]]. See also [[Fandom Specific Plot]]. Not to be confused with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frantz_Fanon this] Fanon or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Fanon the Pope's robe].

* [[Fanon/Anime and Manga|Anime and Manga]]