The broader cultural phenomenon where the line between canon (official content) and fanon (fan-created lore) becomes so blurred in gaming spaces that the two become indistinguishable. It's the process by which a player's headcanon, shared and agreed upon by thousands of others online, eventually seeps into the collective consciousness to the point where it feels more real than the actual game's story. When a new player joins a fandom and is surprised to learn that a beloved character trait or relationship was never actually in the game, but was invented by fans, they are experiencing the effects of fanongaming.
Example: "The new player was shocked to discover that the deep, tragic backstory for the mute protagonist wasn't actually in the game files. It was a decade-old fan theory that had become so widespread through fanongaming that the developers had eventually made it official in the sequel."
by Dumu The Void February 14, 2026
Get the Fanongaming mug.A country based, centered around, or themed around an existing piece of fiction, often created by a fan, with elements of the canon.
Comes complete with its own government, symbols, etc.
Comes complete with its own government, symbols, etc.
The Federal Union of Pokemon Regions and Territories is an example of a fanon state, centered around Pokemon
by ErPhox05 November 25, 2025
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PO-NOG-RA-FA! • Blargen, fa-zibble, noggip • Noticeably F.A.T. • fano • fanon • fanoogle • fanook • Fanooter • Fanoran • fanol
Basically when something Fanon like a theory, character, idea, etc gets introduced to a fandom that people think that the Fannon character, theory, idea, etc is canon. Hence the name CANON FANON EFFECT. A "canon" theory, character, etc.
There are two variations to look at this effect. Oblivious or Disregard
Disregard: When people are aware that this character, theory, idea, etc isn't canon. But treat said character, show, theory, idea, etc as if it was canon.
Example: The Creepypasta Fandom often draws Slender man with the operator symbol in the background or most times anything really related to Slender man and sometimes even referrers to it as the operator. Even though the fandom knows that the operator and Slender man aren't the same entity.
Oblivious: When someone isn't aware that said idea, theory, character, etc isn't canon.
Example: The Creepypasta fandom thinks that Eyeless Jack has an origin in which he was used in a sacrifice to become a monster. Even though he never had an origin, to begin with.
There are two variations to look at this effect. Oblivious or Disregard
Disregard: When people are aware that this character, theory, idea, etc isn't canon. But treat said character, show, theory, idea, etc as if it was canon.
Example: The Creepypasta Fandom often draws Slender man with the operator symbol in the background or most times anything really related to Slender man and sometimes even referrers to it as the operator. Even though the fandom knows that the operator and Slender man aren't the same entity.
Oblivious: When someone isn't aware that said idea, theory, character, etc isn't canon.
Example: The Creepypasta fandom thinks that Eyeless Jack has an origin in which he was used in a sacrifice to become a monster. Even though he never had an origin, to begin with.
Guy1: Hey man your drawing sans eye wrong. It supposed to be glowing with a flame.
Female1: Actually sans never had shown to have a glowing or flaming eye, just one that switches colors really fast.
Guy1: Wait, really? then why does the fandom draw it whenever he's mad or using gaster blasters?!
Female1: Must be the Canon Fanon Effect.
Female1: Actually sans never had shown to have a glowing or flaming eye, just one that switches colors really fast.
Guy1: Wait, really? then why does the fandom draw it whenever he's mad or using gaster blasters?!
Female1: Must be the Canon Fanon Effect.
by Mcfat10 March 28, 2020
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by Badmanlance June 3, 2020
Get the Panoramic Fanoramic mug.Descended Fanon is when a fan of a particular story or franchise develops theories that directly contradict what canon says to be true. The opposite of Ascended Fanon being in which the creator of a story agrees with a non-contradictory fan theory and makes it canon.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the other Marvel Studios-produced series' are all a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon. This is according to Marvel Studios. To say otherwise is defined as descended fanon.
by Amelia Wysocki August 15, 2021
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Get the Bi-Fanon mug.The fat beatboxing D.J. from Fry's past. Wears a red jump suit and LL Cool J style hat. Parody of Notorious B.I.G.
by Noticeably F.A.T. January 8, 2008
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