Fanfiction Complete Guide:What is, Why we love, Culture and History, Common Genres, Top Popular Works and Authors, Websites to Read.

1.What Is Fanfiction

Fanfiction, broadly speaking, refers to the literary form of secondary creation based on existing works, including novels, comics & mangas, film  & TV dramas, Video games and other forms of expression. This creative form stems from a love for the original work and the creator's curiosity for unexplored possibilities.

Fanfiction has formed a huge community around the world. It is not only a platform for literary creators to display their talents, but also a bridge for communication between fans.

2.Why Do People Love Fanction: The Charming Traits

People love fanfiction for a variety of charming traits that set it apart as a unique and engaging form of storytelling. The charming traits of fanfiction lie in its ability to celebrate creativity, foster community, and offer fans a unique space to shape and share stories within the worlds they love.

With fanfiction, fan writers can put their imagination to work, experimenting with plot twists, character dynamics, and alternative storylines. And readers can share their thoughts, provide feedback, and discuss the stories with fellow enthusiasts. It adds layers to existing original worlds and characters, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation, addresses the need for more inclusivity and representation. That’s why fanfiction holds a special place in the hearts of many people.

3.Development History Of Fanfiction

(1)Pre-Modern Copyright Era

Authors often copied characters and plots without the concept of modern copyright.

Notable examples include Shakespeare's plays like Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, As You Like It, and The Winter's Tale, which were based on existing fiction.

(2)19th Century

Pastiche and unofficial sequels were prevalent in literature during this period.

Jane Austen's works, such as Old Friends and New Fancies, and unauthorized stories of Sherlock Holmes were popular fan fiction examples.

(3)20th Century

With the rise of science fiction and fantasy literature, fanfiction began to emerge in these fields. At the same time, comics and animation have also become hot spots for fan creation, and Japanese fan culture has begun to emerge.

Spockanalia (1967) contained the first fan fiction in the modern sense.

Fan fiction became a dominant expression in Star Trek fandom, with fanzines being produced and shared among fans, particularly by women.

In the 1990s, The rise of the Internet greatly promoted the spread of fanfiction. Forums, blogs, archive websites, etc. have become platforms for creators of fan works to share and communicate. Key events during this period include the establishment of Archive of Our Own (AO3), which provides a dedicated online platform for fanfiction.

(4)Early 21st Century

The development of social media further promoted the spread of fanfiction. As a type of secondary creation, fanfiction has gradually gained more recognition. Some fan works have even been recognized by the original authors and introduced into official works.

4.Common Genres of Fanfiction

Fanfiction covers a wide range of genres and types. Here are some common classification methods and specific genres and types:

(1) Genre Classification

Fantasy fanfiction

Creations based on fantasy and magic worlds, including secondary creations of fantasy novels, movies, and games.

Science fiction fanfiction

Based on science fiction works, secondary creations of classic science fiction novels, movies, and TV series.

Realistic fanfiction

Placing fan creations in a realistic background may involve re-interpretations of historical events and real people.

Romance fanfiction

Focuses on depicting the unformed or undeveloped romance in the original work, or setting up a cross-border romance.

(2) Type Classification

Books & Literature fanfiction

Fan creators creatively reimagine and expand upon the worlds of original books and literature, expressing secondary creations through written narratives.

Manga & Anime fanfiction

Devoted fans delve into the vibrant worlds of manga and anime, crafting imaginative stories that explore character relationships and alternative plotlines.

Cartoons & Comics & Graphic Novels fanfiction

In this dynamic realm, fans creatively reinterpret beloved characters and universes, exploring diverse relationships, alternative scenarios, and imaginative crossovers within animated and graphic storytelling.

Celebrities & Real People fanfiction

Writers draw inspiration from real-life figures, crafting fictional narratives that explore relationships, scenarios, and creative expressions involving celebrities and real people.

Movies & Theater & TV Shows fanfiction

Enthusiasts immerse themselves in the cinematic and theatrical realms, producing fanfiction that extends and reimagines the narratives of movies, theater productions, and TV shows.

Video Games fanfiction

Gaming enthusiasts venture into the expansive worlds of video games, creating narratives that delve into characters, quests, and alternate realities within the gaming universe.

Music & Bands fanfiction

Fans weave imaginative tales inspired by music and bands, exploring fictionalized relationships, backstage dramas, and creative expressions within the vibrant realm of music fandom.

5.TOP 20 Popular & Best Fanfic Works

Re:Zero fanfic

Pokemon fanfic

DanMachi fanfic

Bts & taekook & jungkook & taehyung fanfic

MHA(My Hero Academia) fanfic

Genshin Impact fanfic

Harry Potter fanfic

One Piece fanfic

Classroom of the Elite fanfic

Highschool DxD fanfic

Overlord fanfic

Marvel Movies & The Avengers fanfic

DC Movies & Batman & Superman & Wonder Woman fanfic

Naruto fanfic

Fate & Fate/Stay night & Fate/Zero & Fate/EXTRA & Fate/Apocrypha fanfic

GOT(Game of Thrones) fanfic

Soul Land Series(douluo dalu) fanfic

Azur Lane fanfic

Stranger Things fanfic

Demon Slayer fanfic

A Song of Ice and Fire fanfic

The Owl House Cartoon fanfic

RWBY fanfic

AOT(Attack on Titan) fanfic

Honkai:Star Rail fanfic

Jujutsu Kaisen fanfic

Cobra Kai fanfiction

Worm & Parahumans Series fanfic

Gate(Gate: Jietai Kanochi nite Kaku Tatakaeri) fanfic

6.Websites to Read Fanfiction Works

(1)Archive of Our Own (AO3)

AO3 is a fan-driven archive that hosts an extensive collection of fanfiction across various fandoms and genres. It is known for its user-friendly interface, robust tagging system, and commitment to inclusivity.

(2)FanFiction

FanFiction.Net is one of the oldest and largest fanfiction platforms. It encompasses a wide range of fandoms and genres, allowing users to discover stories based on their interests. The site provides a straightforward reading experience and a community for writers and readers.

(3)FictionPress

FictionPress is the sister site of FanFiction.Net, dedicated to hosting original fiction. While primarily for original works, it does have a fanfiction section where users can find stories inspired by various fandoms.

(4)Tumblr

Tumblr is a microblogging platform that hosts a plethora of fan-created content, including fanfiction. Users can follow blogs dedicated to specific fandoms and discover a wide range of fan works. While not exclusively a fanfiction site, Tumblr is a hub for fan-created content and discussions.

7.FAQs

Q1:What qualifies as fanfiction?

Fanfiction is writing that expands on an author or creator's existing story, characters, or fictional universe (called canon) with original situations and settings.

Q2:Is fanfiction technically illegal?

In most cases, fanfiction involves using someone else's copyrighted work (or portions of it, like characters, setting, etc.), which can technically be copyright infringement, because copyright law grants the holder exclusive right to control how the work is used and distributed.

Q3:Is it weird to write fanfiction about real people?

The morality of real person fiction is debated. Most RPF authors state that they have no intent to claim these fictional portrayals reflect the real activities of the "source figure" in any way. Some authors of traditional fan fiction view real person fiction with suspicion, disdain, or outright disgust.