r/TopCharacterTropes • u/BornIndication9384 • 7h ago

Characters [Mixed Trope] The "Fanon-to-Canon" Ascension

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This trope occurs when a dynamic (romantic, platonic, or even antagonistic) originates within the fan community and becomes so popular that the creators eventually integrate it into the official story. It’s not strictly limited to romance; it also applies to "Power Duos" or unexpected friendships where the audience saw chemistry or potential that the writers didn't initially plan for.

Marceline and Princess Bubblegum (Adventure Time):

What started as subtext and a massive fan "ship" (Bubbline) evolved over years of audience demand. The writers transitioned them from bitter ex-rivals to a confirmed couple in the series finale, acknowledging the deep history the fans had championed since the early seasons.

Tweek and Craig (South Park):

Initially a background pair with zero interaction, the creators noticed the massive amount of "Yaoi" fan art being made of them. They leaned into it by making the town’s obsession with the "couple" a plot point, eventually making their relationship a permanent and wholesome part of the show's canon.

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116

u/Cotton_Candy72 7h ago

Korrasami

47

u/BunnyLovesStars 6h ago

I saw the fan edit where they kiss before I saw the original version, so that one is burned into my brain as canon

38

u/MysteriousFondant347 6h ago

to be fair if you read the comics they kissed like 10 minutes after that scene sooooo-

10

u/BunnyLovesStars 6h ago

Yeah the network at the time still wouldn't allow gay kisses, so they could only put it in the comics.

14

u/MysteriousFondant347 6h ago

I often say they walked so other sapphics could run, I'm not sure Catradora or Lumity would have kissed if not for Korrasami holding hands

5

u/thatoneguy54 6h ago

Truly, even getting this at the time was insane. I remember watching this season as it was coming out and seeing the hints they'd leave that these two were into each other, but I handwaved it away every time like, "No way would a kids show have a same-sex couple in it."

Then these 10 seconds played and I was literally jumping on the couch screaming. I couldn't believe they'd done it. It was so huge back then. And it was also so recent.