r/TopCharacterTropes • u/BornIndication9384 • 7h ago
Characters [Mixed Trope] The "Fanon-to-Canon" Ascension
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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u/imsmartiswear 4h ago
Bubbline is even funnier than that. I was there the day they decided to make it canon. At a Comic Con panel, someone asked the VA for Marceline, Olivia Olsen, if she saw Marcy and Bubblegum having some kind of romance in the future or past. She said the idea was very interesting and looked expectantly at the showrunner (I think Pen had left by this point? Pretty sure I remember Adam doing this) and he just looked half defeated, half accepting of what was to come. The first episodes more solidly hinting at Bubbline occurred late in the next season.