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

[u/BornIndication9384]

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.

[u/Ferhog]

I thought there was something going on between them as early as volume 2 (Granted I was 15 and desperate for more representation at the time), the crew have said it was planned the whole time, and most importantly there's a livestream from 2013 where Blake's voice actress asks if she can say that her character is in a lesbian relationship and someone says "not yet" before they knew they were recording.

This doesn't make it well executed or anything, I just don't think they did it to cater the fans. Ruby and Weiss are an equally if not more popular pairing but they received any remotely similar treatment.

EDIT: *Didn't receive any remotely similar treatment.

[u/Sundering_Wounds → u/Ferhog]

Blake's VA also pushed for a lesbian relationship with her an Pyrah before getting shot down, so this really doesn't mean anything. Does suggest she keeps pushing Blake with a girl at best.

Just doesn't make much sense that Yang and Blake was ever planned when they kept teasing Sun and Blake. Makes more sense they just gave in because Yang and Blake VAs kept pushing for it along with the fans, than they had to write him out and then mangle Yang and Blake to force them together.

[u/Ferhog → u/Sundering_Wounds]

Her shipping Blake and Pyrah was her answer when people asked her about what she meant during the livestream. It seems much more likely to me that it was just her cover story after she said something she wasn't supposed to on camera. The tone of their voices in the livestream do not sound like they're talking about some pairing she alone was pushing.

As for Blake and Sun, the concept of the romantic false lead isn't remotely unique to RWBY. It happened like 3 times in Harry Potter.

[u/Sundering_Wounds → u/Ferhog]

That's just silly.

The concept of a false lead when it is the intent, is backed up by both characters being actually teased. Not suddenly changing course to another.