Enthusiasts' Passion for Exploring Altered Realities in Fiction
In the vast expanse of the internet, there exists a thriving community of fans who delve into alternate universes (AUs) of their favourite franchises. From the magical realms of The Magicians to the high-tech world of Accel World, AUs offer a unique opportunity for fans to reimagine familiar stories and characters in new and exciting ways.
This phenomenon, while not explicitly documented in formal releases, has organically flourished within community platforms. Fans create and share their AUs, often without the involvement of the original creators. The popularity of these fan-created AUs can be seen in ongoing fandom activities around prominent franchises, where transformative works and spin-offs like Light Novels and Anime episodes continue to be popular forms of AU content.
Fan fiction, a type of fan-created content that involves writing a story with the characters and/or setting of a show, movie, or other pieces of media, is a significant part of this landscape. AUs allow fans to explore different narratives and change the fate of characters, putting their favourite characters in different scenarios and thinking about their reactions.
Terms like OTPs, ships, and other fandom slang are used to describe dream couples from favourite franchises. These terms come to the forefront, especially around Valentine's Day, as fans share their AU stories and artworks. The Marvel show "What If...?" is a prime example of the appeal of exploring new possibilities in AUs.
Fan fiction can be shared on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and even via email. Fan fiction hosting sites are platforms where these stories are shared and discussed. Sharing AUs online can create a space for a fandom to engage and consider the creator's thought process.
Moreover, some AUs involve changing the genders of one or multiple characters, offering a fresh perspective on well-loved stories. This creative freedom is what fuels the love for AUs within the fandom community. Fanfiction and art are the two main hubs for AUs within fandom spaces, providing a platform for fans to express their creativity and share their interpretations of favourite stories.
In essence, the appeal of AUs lies in the ability to explore new ideas using favourite characters as a vessel. AUs allow fans to create their own narratives, inspiring others to join the journey and create something new. This vibrant and ever-evolving world of fan-created AUs continues to captivate fans across the globe, offering a testament to the power of imagination and creativity within the fandom community.
