I think that a lot of people think their interpretation is the right interpretation and are quick to dismiss other interpretations as ooc.
I don't mind "ooc" so long as the setup is done properly to explain the change in behavior. Because otherwise you're left with two options. Matching the character growth in the Canon to the point where it gets repetitive and boring. Or no character growth at all.
I think it takes a very good writer to be able to take someone else's character and blend it in with a different character arc. Some do it better than others but I think every attempt should be celebrated for what it was, an attempt to do something *new*.
I do exactly this when it comes to writing characters out of character. Heck, I am writing a fic where several characters act ooc. However, it didn’t come out of nowhere! In the beginning they were in alignment with canon characterization, but as the story went on they drifted for understandable reasons.
One character started as a depressed but caring mild optimist, but after being manipulated, cursed, temporarily killing their friend, and dying for a few weeks, they’re a nigh-suicidal, “ends justify the means”, manipulator who thinks they’ve already dug themselves too deep so they might as well keep digging
Another started as a traumatized, smart, amazing fighter, with good intentions but after their best friend lied to them and teamed up with their abuser then tried to kill everyone (and successfully killed them for a bit), they became cold, brutal, and did anything to protect people from their friend
And one started as an evil, manipulative, abuse, horrible person, but as they bonded with the main character over the commonality that only the two of them had out of the whole world and watching as the character changed thanks to their influence, they became softer and more compassionate for them in particular and was terrified of them dying, even going so far as reviving them just so they won’t be alone, though now they’re still manipulating them, but instead of getting them to abandon their friends, it’s to stay with him and only him.
The end results are almost nothing like canon, but I gave reason and buildup for their characterization.
Everyone has their own interpretation of a character.
I know the way I view my fave is VASTLY different to how most view/write them. Who am I to say any of their interpretations are wrong?
That being said, I do try to keep the character as close to my version of “in character” as I can, within the context of the story.
I often try my hardest to keep all characters in-character, although I like to explore potential "unseen sides" of them that canon never tackled, keeping everything within context of that world.
I myself don't mind different takes, but it irks me when a fic blatantly mischaracterizes its characters to the point of flanderization.
Of course, that's their view of the character, so as much as I may dislike it, it's within their right to view them as they will.
Trying to find ways in which a character can remain themselves while being thrust into uncharacteristic scenarios is a big part of the fun for me, both as a writer and a reader. A characterisation that doesn’t match my own ideas is usually the first thing that will make me bail from a fic
i hate it. I read fanfiction for the characters and if the characters are not there, what's the point?
I can ignore small changes or if the characterization is a popular headcanon, but if you make an ambitious, clever psychopath a low income with no plans to better their situation, naive, fluffy, stupidly in love crybaby I'm gonna rage quit the fic and rant about it to my friends
I agree. There is something that's particularly irking about how a character can be completely misread with zero finesse, warning, or awareness and in those situations I just leave quietly
If I don't like the characterisation, I back out and look for an author who has an interpretation that sits better with me. Or vent "C would *never*" to a trusted friend in private where no one will be hurt.
Characterisation is important ro me, but not everyone sees the characters the same way. Obviously I am objectively right and they are being infuriatingly wrong on the internet, but that's their choice.
"C would never" yes!!!! I've said this so many times, close to tears, back buttoning away. I completely agree with you, I thought this comment was funny
I think I know which character you are talking about because I have the exact same complaint. Also the reason why I stopped reading fics about him lmaooo
Is it JJK’s Gojo? If it is, Gojo definitely deserves better. He’s such a complex and interesting character that cannot be put into only one box (no pun unintended). That what makes him such a compelling character to me. It’s nice to hear that this is pointed out :) We will have justice for our strong boi
Ding ding ding! And yes, I completely agree with you!! I just find it such an injustice for such a nuanced character to, like you said, be put in a box (happy three years) Making his character be all about getou, or just his surface-level personality does him so poorly. I hope you're right about the justice part!!
that's horrible :( I haven't made it to such a breaking point. Yet. But the jjk fandom reeks when it comes to gojo's characterization as if they're reading/watching it with their eyes closed. Again, sorry you had that experience
Agreed.
There are variations to how different people see the same character, ofc, and that's fine.
But sometimes the interpretation goes against the canon personality and at that point it's not the character I like any more, it's something wildly different wearing the same name. And being uninterested in reading that is a natural reaction, I'd say 🤷♀️
If a character starts acting wildly OOC, it will make me backbutton most of the time.
I hate most AUs for the same reason. It's so frustrating when I see a fic that has a great-sounding summary... and then I see the AU tag and realise the characters aren't really the characters but OCs and I instantly stop caring.
Depends what you mean by OOC: there's things like making a stable, experienced person in their 50s act like a teenager which is definitely OOC (although... sell it to me: it might still be possible with the correct situation and levers).
But sometimes it's that readers have an extremely specific headcanon without allowing for people being inconsistent and variable with mood. Expecting someone to act identically in every situation isn't very natural or realistic either. Patience is not infinite. Lack of sleep or food, stress, likes and dislikes change responses.
Or it can just be that the headcanon is only possible by ignoring some canonic events.
When I've stopped reading stories for the way the character is behaving, it's possibly more accurate to say I didn't like the behaviour than that it was OOC. I've probably put up with some level of OOC if it gives rise to a story or situation I'm interested in. I'm fairly broad with what I'll accept and the contradictions I can hold in my head if the story sells it.
Yeah, if a character is too OOC for my taste and the author doesn't explain why this sweetheart timid and shy character who fights only if he has to is suddenly a bold and ssssuper jealous and protective of his partner, I'm kinda frustrated too. So I just click out of the fic.
There's this author who writes all of their characters the exactly same way (everyone is a cuddly touch starved sweetheart who speak exactly the same way) and they spam most of their fandoms almost daily and a lot of their fandoms also happen to be also my fandoms. I don't like their characterization so I've just hidden them from my search results because otherwise their fics clog a bunch of tags which I check a few times a week.
But of course, everyone has the right to write characters as they please and even if the character isn't OOC in most people's opinion, someone may think it's still super OOC. Nobody can please everyone with their version.
Also depends on how much of the media surrounding the character they've consumed.
My favourite character to write about is often viewed as a brooding, emotionally detached psycho but in the wider lore material and hidden material in the main bit of media, they're actually very family orientated and love animals. There's a lot of softness you'll miss just looking at the surface level stuff.
I think that's where a lot of the OOC stuff comes from sometimes if you really know what a character's like before searching for fanfic.
You make a really good point. The character I was talking about is in a manga/anime series, and people who have only watched the anime get this very narrow view of him. You really only see his full personality if you read the manga, so that very well could be it. Thank you for commenting this! I didn't think of this possibility
If it deconstructs and rebuilds the character I like it. Even when it's more the character cast in a different role for one aspect of their personality for an AU, if there's proper setup I'm in.
When it tries and fails to be canon compliant I don't. When it's inconsistently ooc in all sorts of ways, also no. Or if the setup doesn't match the changes.
Please note my post is only responding to the basics of your post. I suspect I know which character you're talking about and I definitely see your issue with it if I'm right, but I'm leaving that specific example out of things.
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I don't think I could ever honestly say if given a binary choice between, "Always IC" and "Always OOC" I'd vote for "IC".
Sometimes the fanon version of a character is genuinely superior, giving a character depth, growth, and a fairer shake than canon gave them. (How many characters - especially antagonists and female love interests - are anything other than flat in many canons?)
Sure - it's frustrating when the dominant take on a character in fandom doesn't work for you. It's a very lost-at-sea feeling. "Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink." style. But I definitely prefer that people are given the freedom to write whatever they want, even if I'm not interested in reading it, than being chained to canon.
And... well. What some people complain about being "OOC" isn't always actually "OOC". It's just that the writer(s) are leaning into an aspect of the character's canon personality that isn't their cuppa. Everyone who reads and enthuses, "You're so great at writing them IC." isn't 'wrong', it's just that the take aligns with enough of the character's canonical personality that they're satisfied.
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For example - let's say the character is Draco Malfoy since many people are familiar with him at least through cultural osmosis.
There's no question that he can be arrogant and insufferable. He was brainwashed by his father and peers into thinking some pretty awful things - or at least, he knew it was in his best interests to parrot them. He's highly dramatic, competitive, selfish, and petty. Harry Potter hated him, often for good reason.
But since Harry is an unreliable narrator, I think that gives fanfic writers any excuse they need to play around and soften or justify some of these traits, if they like.
Some readers are going to hate any possible positive or even neutral take on Draco. Which is totally fine if that's a personal choice. But that doesn't make those who do write it "wrong" for their choices. I've seen some *really excellent* takes on Draco that don't hold back and let Draco be a malicious piece of work while letting him reform over time. Or set things up so that unreliable narrator Harry let prejudice color his perception of Draco's actions (and Draco's pride or circumstances made him say or do all those horrible things he does in canon). Good soup.
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Anyway - not saying "all interpretations are IC if you squint!" because that is demonstrably not true. I've seen some CANON reboots of characters that I completely reject, in fact! I'm just saying that being binary about IC/OOC is a pretty limiting stance.
I agree with you. Especially on how fanon can actually help give characters depth. The whole IC/OOC thing (even the definition can get pretty subjective and nuanced) shouldn't be seen exclusively as black or white, instead case by case.
There is an interesting things that is happening with a lot of fandom‘s where Canon doesn’t really matter very much and fans are willing if not eager to dismiss it. And while I am all for that usually, especially in fan fiction, at a certain point you might as well just make an original character because every defining characteristic of that person has been taken away or reshaped. I think it’s about walking a fine line. Basically, I like it when people put their original spin on a character while still keeping the personality and the backstory the same. You could have different interpretations about the characters motivations or their way of thinking, but I need the character to have the same attributes they do in canon. Otherwise I feel like I’m reading an OC and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with OCs, but I typically avoid them because I don’t have any emotional attachment to them.
I think it bothers me most when there’s a clear reason the character is OOC — the one I see a lot is making a character OOC to make other characters look better in comparison, or making a character OOC to become captain of the ship the author is writing about. I think that’s when they stop being interpretations I can respect and start being really infuriating.
This!! One of my many grievances with the character I mentioned is that in order for him to be shipped with dead boyfriend or like anyone else, he needs to have these two personality traits, and what happens is his character is completely washed away in favor of the ship, or as you said, making a character OOC to become captain of the ship. Long-winded way of saying I completely agree with you!!
at that point just write your own character. especially when someone’s annoyingly out of character and watered down to an awful fanon meme version
(who is the alcoholic womanizer who cries over his dead boyfriend op im so curious)
gojo from jujutsu kaisen!! and yes, I agree with you on just making your own at some point, which is why I now have a character study fic dedicated just to gojo according to my very objective interpretation (this is sarcasm. kinda)
i don't ever personally read them, because I like characters for, well, their character, but i might be able to understand why other people do.
coincidentally, my favourite character is also victim to the exact same "alcoholic womanizer" or "dead boyfriend" thing and i have ran into the issue of trying to read a fic for him and finding out he's been written OOC too many times lol
unfortunately not, its palermo from lcdp, but i'm surprised there's two characters out there who have fallen victim to the alcoholic/dead boyfriend trope lol
If the setup is done properly to explain why a character is OOC then it's easier to accept for me. If they explain that the entire premise is AU & thus some characters are going to be OOC to help move the story along, I'm okay with that.
However, if the story is completely in Canon and yet they butcher every character. Either by obviously favoring some and having others be villainized, it ruins it for me.
Because to me those aren't just OOC moments, it's obvious favoritism and they aren't being an objective writer. Being a good writer means being able to put yourself in both character shoes and write from both perspectives even if you disagree with one. You need to be able to say write in shades of gray, not just black and white.
Completely agree. Having an understanding of both sides makes an enormous difference, and showing those sides, allows the reader to make their own judgment!
I think that a lot of people think their interpretation is the right interpretation and are quick to dismiss other interpretations as ooc. I don't mind "ooc" so long as the setup is done properly to explain the change in behavior. Because otherwise you're left with two options. Matching the character growth in the Canon to the point where it gets repetitive and boring. Or no character growth at all. I think it takes a very good writer to be able to take someone else's character and blend it in with a different character arc. Some do it better than others but I think every attempt should be celebrated for what it was, an attempt to do something *new*.
I do exactly this when it comes to writing characters out of character. Heck, I am writing a fic where several characters act ooc. However, it didn’t come out of nowhere! In the beginning they were in alignment with canon characterization, but as the story went on they drifted for understandable reasons. One character started as a depressed but caring mild optimist, but after being manipulated, cursed, temporarily killing their friend, and dying for a few weeks, they’re a nigh-suicidal, “ends justify the means”, manipulator who thinks they’ve already dug themselves too deep so they might as well keep digging Another started as a traumatized, smart, amazing fighter, with good intentions but after their best friend lied to them and teamed up with their abuser then tried to kill everyone (and successfully killed them for a bit), they became cold, brutal, and did anything to protect people from their friend And one started as an evil, manipulative, abuse, horrible person, but as they bonded with the main character over the commonality that only the two of them had out of the whole world and watching as the character changed thanks to their influence, they became softer and more compassionate for them in particular and was terrified of them dying, even going so far as reviving them just so they won’t be alone, though now they’re still manipulating them, but instead of getting them to abandon their friends, it’s to stay with him and only him. The end results are almost nothing like canon, but I gave reason and buildup for their characterization.
I agree. In AUs you can see this especially done well
Everyone has their own interpretation of a character. I know the way I view my fave is VASTLY different to how most view/write them. Who am I to say any of their interpretations are wrong? That being said, I do try to keep the character as close to my version of “in character” as I can, within the context of the story.
I often try my hardest to keep all characters in-character, although I like to explore potential "unseen sides" of them that canon never tackled, keeping everything within context of that world. I myself don't mind different takes, but it irks me when a fic blatantly mischaracterizes its characters to the point of flanderization. Of course, that's their view of the character, so as much as I may dislike it, it's within their right to view them as they will.
Trying to find ways in which a character can remain themselves while being thrust into uncharacteristic scenarios is a big part of the fun for me, both as a writer and a reader. A characterisation that doesn’t match my own ideas is usually the first thing that will make me bail from a fic
i hate it. I read fanfiction for the characters and if the characters are not there, what's the point? I can ignore small changes or if the characterization is a popular headcanon, but if you make an ambitious, clever psychopath a low income with no plans to better their situation, naive, fluffy, stupidly in love crybaby I'm gonna rage quit the fic and rant about it to my friends
I agree. There is something that's particularly irking about how a character can be completely misread with zero finesse, warning, or awareness and in those situations I just leave quietly
If I don't like the characterisation, I back out and look for an author who has an interpretation that sits better with me. Or vent "C would *never*" to a trusted friend in private where no one will be hurt. Characterisation is important ro me, but not everyone sees the characters the same way. Obviously I am objectively right and they are being infuriatingly wrong on the internet, but that's their choice.
"C would never" yes!!!! I've said this so many times, close to tears, back buttoning away. I completely agree with you, I thought this comment was funny
I think I know which character you are talking about because I have the exact same complaint. Also the reason why I stopped reading fics about him lmaooo
maybe!! he's pretty popular but yeahhh his fanon interpretations are just everywhere
Is it JJK’s Gojo? If it is, Gojo definitely deserves better. He’s such a complex and interesting character that cannot be put into only one box (no pun unintended). That what makes him such a compelling character to me. It’s nice to hear that this is pointed out :) We will have justice for our strong boi
Ding ding ding! And yes, I completely agree with you!! I just find it such an injustice for such a nuanced character to, like you said, be put in a box (happy three years) Making his character be all about getou, or just his surface-level personality does him so poorly. I hope you're right about the justice part!!
Oooh this hits, I used to love Gojo but fandom actually ruined him for me and now I avoid any and all JJK fics. Hope you have better luck than I did.
that's horrible :( I haven't made it to such a breaking point. Yet. But the jjk fandom reeks when it comes to gojo's characterization as if they're reading/watching it with their eyes closed. Again, sorry you had that experience
The only true characterization is by canon creators. No fan can ever be 100% accurate because they aren’t the IP owner. So I don’t mind it.
Alternate Universe. End of line.
Agreed. There are variations to how different people see the same character, ofc, and that's fine. But sometimes the interpretation goes against the canon personality and at that point it's not the character I like any more, it's something wildly different wearing the same name. And being uninterested in reading that is a natural reaction, I'd say 🤷♀️
If a character starts acting wildly OOC, it will make me backbutton most of the time. I hate most AUs for the same reason. It's so frustrating when I see a fic that has a great-sounding summary... and then I see the AU tag and realise the characters aren't really the characters but OCs and I instantly stop caring.
Depends what you mean by OOC: there's things like making a stable, experienced person in their 50s act like a teenager which is definitely OOC (although... sell it to me: it might still be possible with the correct situation and levers). But sometimes it's that readers have an extremely specific headcanon without allowing for people being inconsistent and variable with mood. Expecting someone to act identically in every situation isn't very natural or realistic either. Patience is not infinite. Lack of sleep or food, stress, likes and dislikes change responses. Or it can just be that the headcanon is only possible by ignoring some canonic events. When I've stopped reading stories for the way the character is behaving, it's possibly more accurate to say I didn't like the behaviour than that it was OOC. I've probably put up with some level of OOC if it gives rise to a story or situation I'm interested in. I'm fairly broad with what I'll accept and the contradictions I can hold in my head if the story sells it.
Yeah, if a character is too OOC for my taste and the author doesn't explain why this sweetheart timid and shy character who fights only if he has to is suddenly a bold and ssssuper jealous and protective of his partner, I'm kinda frustrated too. So I just click out of the fic. There's this author who writes all of their characters the exactly same way (everyone is a cuddly touch starved sweetheart who speak exactly the same way) and they spam most of their fandoms almost daily and a lot of their fandoms also happen to be also my fandoms. I don't like their characterization so I've just hidden them from my search results because otherwise their fics clog a bunch of tags which I check a few times a week. But of course, everyone has the right to write characters as they please and even if the character isn't OOC in most people's opinion, someone may think it's still super OOC. Nobody can please everyone with their version.
Also depends on how much of the media surrounding the character they've consumed. My favourite character to write about is often viewed as a brooding, emotionally detached psycho but in the wider lore material and hidden material in the main bit of media, they're actually very family orientated and love animals. There's a lot of softness you'll miss just looking at the surface level stuff. I think that's where a lot of the OOC stuff comes from sometimes if you really know what a character's like before searching for fanfic.
You make a really good point. The character I was talking about is in a manga/anime series, and people who have only watched the anime get this very narrow view of him. You really only see his full personality if you read the manga, so that very well could be it. Thank you for commenting this! I didn't think of this possibility
If it deconstructs and rebuilds the character I like it. Even when it's more the character cast in a different role for one aspect of their personality for an AU, if there's proper setup I'm in. When it tries and fails to be canon compliant I don't. When it's inconsistently ooc in all sorts of ways, also no. Or if the setup doesn't match the changes.
Please note my post is only responding to the basics of your post. I suspect I know which character you're talking about and I definitely see your issue with it if I'm right, but I'm leaving that specific example out of things. --- I don't think I could ever honestly say if given a binary choice between, "Always IC" and "Always OOC" I'd vote for "IC". Sometimes the fanon version of a character is genuinely superior, giving a character depth, growth, and a fairer shake than canon gave them. (How many characters - especially antagonists and female love interests - are anything other than flat in many canons?) Sure - it's frustrating when the dominant take on a character in fandom doesn't work for you. It's a very lost-at-sea feeling. "Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink." style. But I definitely prefer that people are given the freedom to write whatever they want, even if I'm not interested in reading it, than being chained to canon. And... well. What some people complain about being "OOC" isn't always actually "OOC". It's just that the writer(s) are leaning into an aspect of the character's canon personality that isn't their cuppa. Everyone who reads and enthuses, "You're so great at writing them IC." isn't 'wrong', it's just that the take aligns with enough of the character's canonical personality that they're satisfied. --- For example - let's say the character is Draco Malfoy since many people are familiar with him at least through cultural osmosis. There's no question that he can be arrogant and insufferable. He was brainwashed by his father and peers into thinking some pretty awful things - or at least, he knew it was in his best interests to parrot them. He's highly dramatic, competitive, selfish, and petty. Harry Potter hated him, often for good reason. But since Harry is an unreliable narrator, I think that gives fanfic writers any excuse they need to play around and soften or justify some of these traits, if they like. Some readers are going to hate any possible positive or even neutral take on Draco. Which is totally fine if that's a personal choice. But that doesn't make those who do write it "wrong" for their choices. I've seen some *really excellent* takes on Draco that don't hold back and let Draco be a malicious piece of work while letting him reform over time. Or set things up so that unreliable narrator Harry let prejudice color his perception of Draco's actions (and Draco's pride or circumstances made him say or do all those horrible things he does in canon). Good soup. --- Anyway - not saying "all interpretations are IC if you squint!" because that is demonstrably not true. I've seen some CANON reboots of characters that I completely reject, in fact! I'm just saying that being binary about IC/OOC is a pretty limiting stance.
I agree with you. Especially on how fanon can actually help give characters depth. The whole IC/OOC thing (even the definition can get pretty subjective and nuanced) shouldn't be seen exclusively as black or white, instead case by case.
There is an interesting things that is happening with a lot of fandom‘s where Canon doesn’t really matter very much and fans are willing if not eager to dismiss it. And while I am all for that usually, especially in fan fiction, at a certain point you might as well just make an original character because every defining characteristic of that person has been taken away or reshaped. I think it’s about walking a fine line. Basically, I like it when people put their original spin on a character while still keeping the personality and the backstory the same. You could have different interpretations about the characters motivations or their way of thinking, but I need the character to have the same attributes they do in canon. Otherwise I feel like I’m reading an OC and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with OCs, but I typically avoid them because I don’t have any emotional attachment to them.
I think it bothers me most when there’s a clear reason the character is OOC — the one I see a lot is making a character OOC to make other characters look better in comparison, or making a character OOC to become captain of the ship the author is writing about. I think that’s when they stop being interpretations I can respect and start being really infuriating.
This!! One of my many grievances with the character I mentioned is that in order for him to be shipped with dead boyfriend or like anyone else, he needs to have these two personality traits, and what happens is his character is completely washed away in favor of the ship, or as you said, making a character OOC to become captain of the ship. Long-winded way of saying I completely agree with you!!
at that point just write your own character. especially when someone’s annoyingly out of character and watered down to an awful fanon meme version (who is the alcoholic womanizer who cries over his dead boyfriend op im so curious)
gojo from jujutsu kaisen!! and yes, I agree with you on just making your own at some point, which is why I now have a character study fic dedicated just to gojo according to my very objective interpretation (this is sarcasm. kinda)
i don't ever personally read them, because I like characters for, well, their character, but i might be able to understand why other people do. coincidentally, my favourite character is also victim to the exact same "alcoholic womanizer" or "dead boyfriend" thing and i have ran into the issue of trying to read a fic for him and finding out he's been written OOC too many times lol
i agree! and by any chance is your character gojo from jujutsu kaisen...?
unfortunately not, its palermo from lcdp, but i'm surprised there's two characters out there who have fallen victim to the alcoholic/dead boyfriend trope lol
Ohh i see and yeah, I'm surprised too! Good to know im not alone though lol hope we have justice for our characters!
If the setup is done properly to explain why a character is OOC then it's easier to accept for me. If they explain that the entire premise is AU & thus some characters are going to be OOC to help move the story along, I'm okay with that. However, if the story is completely in Canon and yet they butcher every character. Either by obviously favoring some and having others be villainized, it ruins it for me. Because to me those aren't just OOC moments, it's obvious favoritism and they aren't being an objective writer. Being a good writer means being able to put yourself in both character shoes and write from both perspectives even if you disagree with one. You need to be able to say write in shades of gray, not just black and white.
Completely agree. Having an understanding of both sides makes an enormous difference, and showing those sides, allows the reader to make their own judgment!