Thoughts on Headcanons?

[darthmongoose]

If somebody comes up with a headcanon, or readers agree on fanon that doesn't contradict anything in the lore or characterisation, I'm perfectly content. Like in Errant, one is Rocket being AMAB. I'd always known Rocket is effectively trans because she's lived a lot of lifetimes in a lot of bodies, always maintaining a female identity but not necessarily always being AFAB, but I hadn't necessarily planned for her current incarnation to be AMAB.... but it literally changes nothing to be like "sure, maybe!"

But if somebody decided on a headcanon that definitely contradicts established canon, I'd probably feel a little frustrated, because I'm pretty careful at dropping clues and things and it's like "did I not get across this piece of character/lore info clearly enough? Or do people not like what I did, so they're choosing to wilfully ignore it?" I care a lot about what my audience thinks, and giving them a good time, but also sometimes popular fanon is a bit problematic (often sidelining or villifying female characters and PoC to favour light-skinned mlm pairings...), so of course, I'd worry about it!

[Feroxiious]

Usually love them, my best friend told me recently that he has headcanons for my characters and it was so cool to hear them

[NickRowler]

For other fandoms, I am OK with headcanons. Even if they are cracked ships. As long as no one is trying to bully other people or the creators of the series. Tho I have seen some situations where people thought a commonly shared headcanon was actual canon and turned around and got angry when the source material went against it.

For my characters, I guess I would be OK with headcanons as long as no one tries to harass me over it. Tho I think something that might get a little weird is that a lot of my characters are racially ambiguous and maybe I might find it a bit strange if people started labeling everyone.

[bloodstained.skies]

I hate them SO MUCH. Can't those people stop ruining other characters and make their own weird stuff? I can't stand when someone reaches their dirty hands towards the characters I love

I hope I will be able to avoid too weird and contradictory headcannons if I ever become "famous". If not... well, bring those heretics to me!

[LunarScyphozoa]

I think it’s really nice when someone looks at a character I made and thinks about them enough to make their own little fun facts about them. The only way I’d be upset about a headcanon is if it contradicted canon but the person gets upset about that, or if it’s just kind of.. ew. Idk, the thought of someone going “I like the stuff about this character, but I think I want to make more stuff about them that’s only canon to me” is just really sweet

[Nugtown]

People get a little too into their own fantasies about other people's work. At the end of the day you can't prevent people from creating their own things, but I don't think it's fair for people to become backseat authors. It went from making OC's based on a property to throwing tantrums over what the author is choosing to do with their property. And I think a lot of this has to do with people trying to take ownership over that property.

[MissEljebel]

Headcanons are cool! I don’t mind people having them for my characters— as long as they understand that if I don’t agree with said headcanon, then it won’t be canon, and that’s the end of that.
I’ve had people get upset and try to guilt me because I wouldn’t make their headcanon canon. Like… it’s my character, not yours lol.
That being said, I’ve also had people come up with headcanons that I totally use!
So long story short, they’re fun to a degree!

[Freemints30]

Eh who cares?

I feel it takes alot of maturity to reach the point. Honestly not caring and just writing how your story goes. I ain't famous and doubt I'll be but if some one has head cannons I ain't gonna worry. And I feel alot of more popular creators tend to reach that point cus...

As long as people arnt forcing you to write it or forcing other fans to accept it (or trashing fans for making fanon they dont like cus bruh.. let people enjoy shit.. its alright) It really doesnt matter

Albiet if it directly contradicts establish canon I established I'll raise a brow... buuut I tend to do that myself when I'm bring self indulgent with a character I really like so I dont got room to talk.

At the end of the day you cant rely control how others enjoy your work. But you can control your work itself.

Thank you for coming to my ted talk we meet mond-

[powerplantanimations]

Oh... oh boy... I have a lot to say about this.

I do think headcanons are really... really... REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY annoying. People might think they're harmless and for the most part, sure.

But then you got weirdos shipping brothers with their sisters and protagonists with antagonists. One of the worst ones I continue hearing about are people shipping Johnathan and Dio, raising Giorno but like.... Dio used Johnathan's body WITHOUT his consent to have sex with a neglectful prostitute... the metaphor there was Dio was defiling his legacy. On top of that the two were adopted brothers. Johnathan literally hugged Dio when he was dying because he loved him THAT much and Dio's response throughout 3 behind the scenes was straight up "I respect him, but Imma use his body to screw as many girls as possible. Who cares if I get some of them pregnant? Also oh yeh, I'm bisexual and Johnathan was obviously a vanilla straight traditionalist dude (Araki has pretty much implied in dialogue that he wrote in the games... that're non-canon, but still, he's made this a consistent detail... that he's a little too... unsupportive... of homosexuality lmao), Imma screw guys as well because why not!!! Again with my brother's BODY." But people make that situation to be all cutsey and it's so gross when fans can't read between the lines.

I also hate it when people ship kid characters. And yes... I mean KID characters. I'm not a fan of Loud House or My Hero Academia (well I was briefly a fan there, but... take a guess why I jumped ship) but the discourse there is nothing short but creepy. I'm going to sound a bit uptight here, but I think... maybe once people reach a certain age they should ship characters that're THEIR AGE.

I also have a problem with people assuming character's identities. Especially when they're apart of different cultures and they don't bother to research why they could be offensive. The Encanto fandom showed me what headcanon fandoms can be when they're out of control and I was like "Oh thank GOD that didn't happen with Coco". Like how they tried to assume Bruno as this neurodivergent icon when the dude was superstitious (I'm not Columbian, but I was familiar with all the stuff he was doing, which is why I'm a little more offended with this one) or when they thought that one chick had tics when really that was a mannerism people make in the South when they gossip. Columbians were coming out and calling these people racist.

I also don't like when headcanons eventually lead to claiming a character as another group's officially speaking? Let me tell you what I mean. There was this one TV Show (I swear I wish I can find it, if someone reads this comment please let me know) where this one chick is wearing this black trench coat and she has to disguise herself as a man to fight crime. I found so many people uncomfortable with the fact that new people getting into the show are trying to turn her into a trans person when they're like "Well I mean... why can't she just be a normal woman that happens to be wearing this type of stuff?". Which is another headcanon I hate where they're like "This character HAS to be this, this character HAS to be that" which ends up leaving little representation for people who were attracted to these characters in the first place? People talk about iterations and how they'll always have the original when they get their hands on the series, but what if the new series takes out the core reasons about what made the character so special in the first place and becomes even more popular for the wrong reasons? Velma is an example of this where the series is made by people who wanna make fun of people who just want more Scooby-Doo!.

But the worst head canons are when you come out and change history imo. I remember hearing about this British play regarding Joan of Arc and how they were going to depict her as someone struggling with sexuality and identity and when you get more into it and you see more images you're like "this person is just straight up horny for a HOLY ICON". There's parodies... there's satire... and then there's seeing someone's headcanons come to life.

I can obviously go on about headcanons between streamers, headcanons from sacred stuff... but I feel like this text is going to go on forever.

[Stargazer31]

I agree with the stuff about Jonathan and Dio, it's just really creepy. I'd understand if they shipped Jonathan and Speedwagon, though, because that somewhat makes sense. (Speedwagon shares a birthday with Oscar Wilde, and an in-game bio in a JoJo game said he loved Jonathan, and used the Japanese term for romantic love too.)

[powerplantanimations]

I'm a little bit skeptical with Speedwagon because if that were the cast I would hear more people talking about it than Dio.

[Freemints30]

There was this one TV Show (I swear I wish I can find it, if someone reads this comment please let me know) where this one chick is wearing this black trench coat and she has to disguise herself as a man to fight crime

If you mean Cyber six, there's a reason people consider her a trans icon. Its less Their "turn her into trans" more interpret her as trans due to alot relate to her. I would say consider why these people (I never seen people actually uncomfortable nor upset so I wonder who you hang around) are uncomfortable with others just liking to think she's trans just cus they relate to her, rather then get that upset.

Like I dont interpret chiro fujsaski from damgan ronpa as trans but a few do, their isnt anything wrong with that. I say just disagree rather than consider them weirdos or awful or other negative.. '

Honestly I head cannon that but I don't care if they others dont as long as it doesnt devolve into insults.

As for hero with Villains I would consider those people less weirdos and more people having fun in thier own art work. (some just like dark fiction thats it nothing deeper than that) I know alot who do that just for fun and rather enjoy on thier own. I would say not get this upset of diffrent types of fictional enjoyment

[Stargazer31]

I've always seen it that way, but I suppose everyone interprets it differently. (I never read Jonathan as a homophobe however, I just thought that he'd be confused yet tolerant because of his gentleman attitude. Also, he killed a vampire via funky breathing, so he probably wouldn't consider it to be too strange compared to some of the stuff he's done.)

[powerplantanimations]

Gonna course correct a little bit lmao. I think maybe I shouldn't have said "uncomfortable" looking back? A little extreme. In fact, I'm not sure why I used Cyber Six as an example when that property wasn't shaken to its core by people who've been pushing their headcanons onto a franchise to the point where they've successfully changed something. Of course you can say that with fiction a lot of the times it's people adding their headcanons (that's straight up comic book writing 101), but at the same time we've reached the point where people are changing the foundations outright and with stories in general (to the point where you ask "why don't you make your own story if you're going to be drastic?"), starting to get annoyed with people are claiming characters instead of making their own. THAT'S what I meant by uncomfortable which is why I brought up something like Velma towards the end of paragraph. Wish I thought that one out a little more.

As for the villains stuff, I mean... people seem to forget about little details and as someone who's all about the little details, implications bother me. But then you got big stuff like an older character hanging around with younger characters and incest I mean.... I have to ask.... is that something you would consider as dark fiction? Wouldn't you say something or would you still be like "Eh, no big deal". They can claim that it's nothing deeper but again, at the end of the day the majority of people would always look at the implications at first glance.

@Stargazer31 Also looking back at the interactions you're right lmao. He is a little more gentlemanly. He seems to be getting to the bottom of it and trying to understand. I was most likely getting him mixed up with Giorno who was flat out "Don't talk to me. I don't want people thinking we're the same person".

[NickRowler]

I also don't like when headcanons eventually lead to claiming a character as another group's officially speaking? Let me tell you what I mean. There was this one TV Show (I swear I wish I can find it, if someone reads this comment please let me know) where this one chick is wearing this black trench coat and she has to disguise herself as a man to fight crime. I found so many people uncomfortable with the fact that new people getting into the show are trying to turn her into a trans person when they're like "Well I mean... why can't she just be a normal woman that happens to be wearing this type of stuff?".

The whole plot of the show is she lives a double life as a man, not a woman in men's clothes. That is why people see the character as trans/genderqueer. I can also see some transgirls finding a connection with this character because some transfeminine people have to present as male in their day to day life while keeping their true identity hidden from the public.

There isn't a lot of of trans rep in media, especially in cartoons, so that is why queer people use these headcanons to find some character they can relate to.

[powerplantanimations]

@NickRowler

Gonna course correct a little bit lmao. I think maybe I shouldn't have said "uncomfortable" looking back? A little extreme. In fact, I'm not sure why I used Cyber Six as an example when that property wasn't shaken to its core by people who've been pushing their headcanons onto a franchise to the point where they've successfully changed something. Of course you can say that with fiction a lot of the times it's people adding their headcanons (that's straight up comic book writing 101), but at the same time we've reached the point where people are changing the foundations outright and with stories in general (to the point where you ask "why don't you make your own story if you're going to be drastic?"), starting to get annoyed with people are claiming characters instead of making their own. THAT'S what I meant by uncomfortable which is why I brought up something like Velma towards the end of paragraph. Wish I thought that one out a little more.

^Refer to my second comment. I mentioned Cyber Six was the wrong example to use in my argument I was trying to make.

[Freemints30]

I mean if a writer getting on is going into an establish property with their own ideas, Im more.. nuetral? Mostly cus Im mostly of the opinion alot of properties are better off closed and ended cus like.. all the stories have closed. Like for scooby doo Ive only cared for the iterations I like (mystery incorporate, what's new scooby doo, and just disregard those I don't like). Nothing deeper, no ones forcing me to like and watch the new show. Albiet that has nothing to do with head cannons and more franchise and the usual issues of too many cooks in one story, and each cook is specialized in a diffrent culinary skill

But back on topic on the darker fiction topic I'll say yes, flowers in the attic (And the many lesser know squeals) honestly, game of thrones (the biggest well known relationship is between an aunty and her nephew you can say they don't romatiatise it but... lets be real here...), freaking exquisite corpse (like.. very fucked up and has alot of messed up shit..). All have that and are all considered darker fiction. The thing was how its written. IE its written for a purpose and the writer just wants to hold your hand as you go through something scary, taboo, horrible and assure you your safe and you'll make it out alright. A little escapisim form most likely an awful irl life. Kinda like rollar coaster.

The question is what makes those stories different from those written by a person glorifying the subject? Thats difficult and honestly can only be answered via a read of the text, how its written and how its displayed.... I just block people who get into discourse cus I rather not engage with that nonsense. Its too complicated and petty for my tastes.

If we are still talking about fans and fanfic and art like, here the thing alot of fans indulge on the superficial and not care about details when doing one art piece or high school Au fanfic. Alot are aware that shit aint cannon (none aggressive people at least), I guess it a difference in mentality some love details, other dont care. Once agian its difference in enjoyment at the end of the day.

I seen alot of fans write cheeyful highschool AU's of settings that really... would never fit (I personally dislike it but eh dont care), but really I know they just enjoy the personalities and that's okay.

[NickRowler]

Even if that wasn't the case, I still stand by this comment.

There isn't a lot of of trans rep in media, especially in cartoons, so that is why queer people use these headcanons to find some character they can relate to.

[powerplantanimations]

Oh I totally get that. In a draft of my older comment I was going to mention how my best friend is like the QUEEN of shipping because of the following reason (she has a crush on a character I haven't introduced yet and headcanons her as lesbian) (Oh my God I just realized she was her character designer also, no wonder she looks the way she does lmao). Still though, I'm starting to believe that people on both sides are like "Maybe we should make our own characters instead of putting in headcanons. It's beneficial for both sides and allows for characters to have their own history instead of taking the quick and cheap way out".

@Freemints30 Also the thing about your first point is that while you're not supporting the iteration you don't like, it doesn't change the fact that one iteration still changes other iterations in the future. People like to think they're in their own bubbles when it's actually this big symbiotic relationship. You get more distant from what the creator of the series intended. For example; the creators pushed against Shaggy for not being a stoner and he fought for that not to be the case. It's more of a "respect the dead" situation. They made your childhood you best follow their wishes. More of an obligation when you take on a series.

And when you mentioned dark fiction I assumed you meant the ones who glorify the subject which is easy to point out when they make it cutsey and fetishy. That or if you find out the creator generally is into that kinda stuff in real life. Then that is TOTAL red flags lmao. Like Rick & Morty. People are starting to catch onto the incest fetish in the show that the writers shrugged off as "dark fiction". The Cuties situation was quite possibly the worst one. Remember kids, if they use child actors in these "dark movies that explore taboo subjects", arrest them immediately. The more you know.

[Freemints30]

I mean yeah, but best just vote with your wallet and just not engage and the story will die. If more people enjoy the new version to allow it continue and colour future iterations then... maybe its just not for you and the franchise is for a new generation who are voting and do like it. Like I dislike teen titans Go,.. But I honestly seeing how many actually enjoy it, Im just going "I'll never get the OG series back but I guess it probably not for me since so many do like the new version enough to keep it afloat"

It would be nice if people make thier own series but sadly I know getting a new series off the ground is more riskier to a studio than using a premade franchise for intial captial funding. So I can see why this happens.

The Cuties situation was quite possibly the worst one. Remember kids, if they use child actors in these "dark movies that explore taboo subjects", arrest them immediately. The more you know.

On that one, its less to do with dark fiction and more to do with using ACTUAL children for its message. Cus if it was simply written or animated or like didn't use LITERAL children, then honestly I'll say let the story stand on its own. But it didn't so yeah, nasty. 0/10.

Rick and Morty Ive mostly assume they more meant dark humor. Honestly seeing the episodes I feel, they just think its funny but dont know the same joke over and over agian isnt funny and more tireing' (something alot of comedy people tends to keep forgetting).... Family guy does it already so, it aint anything new.

As for glorification yeah, albeit mostly cus Ive seen people complain when a series that is meant to unnerve the audience, which I personally find silly. (like complaining a haunted house is scary)... Like come on, its on the box. "Too gorey" my brother in christ the genre on the book is splatterpunk! what else you expected? Sunflowers?

I mean people do have their fetishes and there's nothing wrong, but I rather get into a series with that already warned and prepared rather than it dropped into it no context or reasons and expect me to enjoy.

But non of that has much to do with fan head cannons and more just how media is made

I mean a fan can eventual, with thier own head cannon go onto a project and change it, but that's less fanon and more what happens when a franchise goes on long enough. Fans become the writers, for better or for worse. Once again as a writer you make your series just have a stronge back bone and steer in your direction. But once again you cannot control how others enjoy a piece of media, just let them enjoy how they enjoy something and enjoy it in your own way. As long as no one bothers anyone (big ask for the internet I know but a guy can dream) it will be okay.