Line #4 Main/CanonDefilement


1	->''"I deleted [[VideoGame/StreetFighterIV Gouken]] the moment I noticed that he had a Raging Demon. GOUKEN IS AGAINST THE TEACHINGS AND USE OF THE RAGING DEMON YOU DOUBLE CASUALS."''
2	-->-- '''Arpa/Chainsawdentist''', a {{VideoGame/MUGEN}} user
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4	{{Fanfiction}} communities, like any other fandom, have their own set of standards. While technically, all fanfiction is free to just do whatever it wants (hell, all fiction in general is, too), there are a number of topics and tropes that cause revulsion and anger amongst these communities. The revulsion can range from forgivable (most beginning writers are given a free pass for this so long as they aren't particularly mean-spirited) to [[FandomHeresy sending whole communities up in arms]] (which will sometimes result in being banned as a particularly light sentence).
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6	Also worthy of note is that many cases of traditional canon defilement actually are canonical, but in those cases, it's always when a PromotedFanboy gets to [[RunningTheAsylum Run The Asylum]] and just abuses editorial fiat. It takes quite a lot more for them to really get this term thrown at them, but it generally tends to sting a lot more, since their influence will (usually) affect future stories as well. Please note that it isn't Canon Defilement if the original creative crew is responsible; it's just good old SeasonalRot[=/=]CreatorBreakdown.
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8	An incomplete list of things that are generally known to cause this:
9	* Canonical CharacterDerailment in general (often referred to as OutOfCharacter or OOC).
10	** Radical {{backstory}} [[{{Retcon}} alterations]], whether it be as part of the PossessionSue process or to [[RonTheDeathEater set them up]] as a [[AssholeVictim heel]] so they can DieForOurShip.
11	** Changing their personality in ways that majorly conflict with their established mannerisms (again, for either PossessionSue or DieForOurShip). This especially includes {{Chickification}} or {{Ukefication}}.
12	** (Regularly) Disregarding their capabilities or [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands giving completely new and unlikely ones in order to facilitate the plot]].
13	* Related to the CharacterDerailment is the creation of MarySue in any of its incarnations. In order for MarySue to exist, the character doesn't serve the story and instead makes the story serve them (whether it be out of reverence or contempt). After that, the usual MarySue story can play out, basically turning the canon into little more than window dressing for the WishFulfillment of the author.
14	* Disregarding established [[TheVerse 'Verse]] [[MagicAIsMagicA laws]] in order to facilitate the plot without offering any satisfying explanation as to why.
15	* Literal [[SexualHarassmentAndRapeTropes Rape]] in any form tends to [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil throw FanFic communities up in arms]], especially the [[GratuitousRape gratuitous kind]]. (excluding perhaps, instances of rape that took place in the actual canon).
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17	There are other things that a good portion of fanbases add to this list, but that many other people really like (or at least think it adds to the story) and are willing to defend:
18	* This is a common accusation leveled at {{Alternate Universe Fic}}s and especially the highly-contested HighSchoolAU. The latter especially tends towards being little more than the writer playing out their personal fantasies while trying to appeal to readers with a vestigial connection to a canon.
19	** Although it should be pointed out that in canons where time travel, alternate universes, and the like are canonical, there is little to no controversy over {{Alternate Universe Fic}}s. This is especially true in relation to fandoms that skew old, such as ''Franchise/StarTrek'' (or at least ''Trek'' [[Film/StarTrek2009 before 2009]]), where there are few HighSchoolAU stories because most writers are in their thirties or older.
20	* Major {{Genre Shift}}s. [[note]]This can be done well, however, but you can't take yourself or the fic too seriously. Also, if you're going to create an ultra-DarkFic out of a light, fluffy show (or vice-versa), it has to be ''very'' well-written; it can't just be something like "The [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic ponies]] are now in the [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 grimdark future where there is only war]]."[[/note]]
21	* SailorEarth, in general, is often viewed as this.
22	* The breaking up of {{Official Couple}}s for any reason, whether paving the way for {{Fan Preferred Couple}}s, {{Crack Pairing}}s, or {{Relationship Sue}}s.
23	* The great SlashFic debate, along with the {{Lemon}} debate. The former has heavy ties with the CharacterDerailment argument.
24	* AlternateCharacterInterpretation is sometimes even viewed as Canon Defilement. Typically, whenever you lodge a complaint at a fanfic for interpreting the characters a ''different way'', expect to typically be ignored or seen as nothing other than a {{Jerkass}} or {{Troll}}. Sometimes, people often cry Canon Defilement at this merely to say "My interpretation for ''this'' character is better than ''your'' interpretation."
25	* ElsewhereFic can also be considered Canon Defilement, again, be careful with throwing this around.
26	* Fanfics built around "WhatIf" scenarios (e.g., assuming that the characters decided to TakeAThirdOption) are, once again, sometimes viewed as Canon Defilement.
27	* VerySpecialEpisode or {{Glurge}} fanfic set in [[CluelessAesop a canon that can't support the weight of the difficult subjects being dealt with, due to internal logic, tone, or both]]. This tends to be extra FlameBait, because bad handling of these sorts of issues can be personally hurtful to lots of fans. However, ''allegorical'' stories which use DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything, [[GRatedDrug G-Rated Drugs]] and other such subtext to discuss these issues are often very well received. (Or, at least, they are well-received compared to when someone just straight-up gives [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Optimus Prime]] an eating disorder, or forces [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Twilight Sparkle]] to choose between an abortion and her pro-life Christianity.) Doing this for RefugeInAudacity comedy purposes also tends to get a pass.
28	* Some people view SelfFanservice as Canon Defilement. This largely [[DistractedByTheSexy depends on the person.]] And the character.
29	* Incest in any type can also be seen as Canon Defilement to some people, except if Canon feature these types of relationships.
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31	It is important to note that Canon Defilement ''does'' have a subjective side to it. Sometimes, one person's Canon Defilement is another person's fanfiction idea -- and criticisms about it being Canon Defilement sometimes get responded to with a big ignore.
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33	This generally comes about because the author either didn't know better or perhaps just didn't care. Sometimes it's played for humor, but with something like this [[PoesLaw it can be hard to tell]]...
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35	In addition, there have been more than a few cases of ''intentional'' canon defilement; usually for the purposes of satire, parody, or other humor (the joke frequently being some variation on "X done in the style of Y"). For an excellent example, see Saturday Morning Watchmen.
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37	Contrast AcceptableBreaksFromCanon.
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39	''[[Administrivia/ExampleSectionectomy No Examples Please!]]''

Context Main / CanonDefilement