LEGE ARTIS - Language yesterday, today, tomorrow - From canon to fanon: Genre-forming patterns in Harry Potter and Naruto fanfiction

Aug 25, 2026

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The article studies how canon and fanon elements interact in selected “Harry Potter” and “Naruto” fanfiction drawn from major fanfiction platforms such as Archive of Our Own and FanFiction.net. Through thematic analysis, it identifies correlations between these elements and highlights recurring themes and narrative strategies. Community feedback further clarifies how readers interpret fanon as a crucial extension of narrative worlds, letting fans explore, reinterpret, and reinvent characters and settings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Aim, materials and methods

Stage 1 – Data collection

LEGE ARTIS Language yesterday, today, tomorrow Vol. IX. No 2 2024 FROM CANON TO FANON: GENRE-FORMING PATTERNS IN HARRY POTTER AND NARUTO FANFICTION Daryna Stanko Uzhhorod National University Uzhhorod, Ukraine Received: 13.08.2024 Reviewed: 9.09.2024 and 26.09.2024 Similarity Index: 1% Bibliographic description: Stanko, D. (2024). From canon to fanon: A comparative study of fanfiction in Harry Potter and Naruto. In Lege artis. Language yesterday, today, tomorrow. Trnava: University of SS Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, IX (2), p.91-105. ISSN 2453-8035 DOI: [https://doi.org/10.34135/lartis.24.9.2.06](https://doi.org/10.34135/lartis.24.9.2.06) Abstract: The article deals with the study of interaction between canon and fanon elements in "Harry Potter" and "Naruto"fanfiction selected from the popular fanfiction platforms Archive [of Our Own and FanFiction.net. The work establishes](of Our Own and FanFiction.net. The work establishes)[ ](of Our Own and FanFiction.net. The work establishes)[the correlation between these elements and identifies recurring themes and narrative strategies through thematic analysis.](the correlation between these elements and identifies recurring themes and narrative strategies through thematic analysis.)[ ](the correlation between these elements and identifies recurring themes and narrative strategies through thematic analysis.)Community feedback reveals how fanfiction readers perceive fanon, which is viewed as an essential extension of the narrative, enabling fans to explore, reinterpret, and reimagine their beloved characters and worlds in different ways. Keywords: canon, fandom, fanfiction, fanon, narrative strategy. 1. Introduction Fanfiction is a unique cultural phenomenon in which fans create their own stories using existing characters and universes, often seen as a form of virtual mass literature, similar to popular literature (Hills 2008) . It typically features familiar characters, dramatic plots, and happy endings (Zoriana 2018) . As for fanfiction research, it deals with the structure of fanfiction or the broader literary landscape (De Kosnik 2009; Samutina 2017) . Berkowitz (2013) explores fanfiction as a youth subculture influencing media literacy, while Black (2007) examines its role in digital media spaces. Leavenworth (2015) considers paratextual elements, and Rosenblatt and Tushnet (2015) discuss fanfiction from a gender perspective. Schiller (2018) highlights transmedia storytelling practices. There are also psychological dimensions to fanfiction. Rodríguez-Fuentes and Ulloa (2022) study the cognitive motivations behind fanfiction, while Vinney and Dill-Shackleford (2018) show that personal fulfillment and complex emotions drive fanfiction authors, who often offer positive resolutions for characters. Fanfiction is a derivative text that expands and transforms original works through adaptation, parody, and remixing (Weitin & Werber 2023) . Fan works range from retellings and imitations to more creative distortions (Bronwen 2011), with fanfiction typically falling into the latter category (Knight 2016). Historically, derivative works are borrowed from others without the need for familiarity with the source (Ling & Hongwei 2012) . I have explored various critical aspects of fanfiction, particularly in relation to its linguistic, cultural, and technological dimensions. I have traced the historical development and diverse forms of fanfiction, offering insights into its evolution and current trends (Stanko 2021); examined the impact of AI on creative processes within specific fandoms, highlighting how technology is reshaping narrative creation (Stanko 2024a); addressed the various discursive functions that fanfiction plays, such as its contribution to identity formation and community building within fan groups (Stanko 2024b) . However, a significant gap remains in research on the correlation between canon – the original content – and fanon, fan-created elemen

FAQs

What is the main focus of the study in relation to canon and fanon?

The study examines the relationship between canon (official source content) and fanon (fan-created elements) in fanfiction for “Harry Potter” and “Naruto.” It also investigates how this correlation shapes recurring themes and narrative strategies.

Which sources and fanfiction archives are used for the selected material?

The sample is drawn from popular fanfiction archives, including Archive of Our Own (AO3) and FanFiction.net, focusing on these two major fandoms.

What research approach is used to analyze the fanfiction?

The article applies a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, with thematic analysis to reveal narrative patterns.

Aug 25, 2026

Upload by Xiajie