fandoms
Devoted follower groups
Fandoms are communities of devoted fans who share enthusiasm for a particular work of fiction, celebrity, or cultural phenomenon.
The term emerged from science fiction and fantasy circles but now covers any passionate fan community—from Harry Potter fandom to K-pop fandoms.
These communities create fan art, fiction, and elaborate online discussions.
Fandom culture involves shared vocabulary, in-jokes, and sometimes intense rivalries between competing groups.
Ardent admirers or coolers
- followersPeople who support someone
- stansObsessive celebrity followers
- shippersThose who send freight
- enthusiastsPeople deeply into something
devotees · superfans · fanbase · online communities · subreddits · Tumblr · conventions · meetups
Transporting goods to destinations
- OTPDisposable login credential
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- stan cultureObsessive celebrity worship phenomenon
- ship warsFandom disputes over relationships
discourse · drama · gatekeeping · toxicity · parasocial · fangirling · obsession · hype
Unofficial creative homages
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- AMVsFan-made anime compilations
- headcanonsFan-accepted unofficial lore
- WattpadOnline fiction sharing site
zines · crafts · merch · tributes · remixes · mashups · derivative works · costumes
Accepted social practices
- Comic-ConPop culture gathering
- concertsLive musical performances
- premieresInitial theatrical screenings
- album dropsNew music publications
watch parties · livestreams · panels · signings · streaming parties · anniversaries · comebacks · releases
Japanese cartoon art form
- K-popKorean popular music genre
- mangaJapanese comic medium
- gamingInteractive electronic entertainment
- MarvelSuperhero media conglomerate
DC · Star Wars · Harry Potter · sports teams · bands · celebrities · TV shows · movies
fans
Ardent admirers or coolers
enthusiasts · devotees · superfans · fanbase · online communities · subreddits · Tumblr · conventions · meetups · BTS Army
shipping
Transporting goods to destinations
- OTPDisposable login credential
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- stan cultureObsessive celebrity worship phenomenon
ship wars · discourse · drama · gatekeeping · toxicity · parasocial · fangirling · obsession · hype · trending
fanart
Unofficial creative homages
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- AMVsFan-made anime compilations
- headcanonsFan-accepted unofficial lore
Wattpad · zines · crafts · merch · tributes · remixes · mashups · derivative works · costumes · props
conventions
Accepted social practices
- Comic-ConPop culture gathering
- concertsLive musical performances
- premieresInitial theatrical screenings
album drops · watch parties · livestreams · panels · signings · streaming parties · anniversaries · comebacks · releases · tours
anime
Japanese cartoon art form
Marvel · DC · Star Wars · Harry Potter · sports teams · bands · celebrities · TV shows · movies · book series
- culturemusic taste, beliefs, food preferences, custom, festivals
- music culturefestival culture, club culture, music taste, live music, hip hop culture
- online communitiesforum, online communities, discussion board, forums, message board
- pop culturememe, celebrities, memes, trending, viral hit
- YA booksyoung adult fiction, dystopian, fantasy, romance, coming-of-age
- fandomfanbase, superfan, superfans, fanboy, fangirl
fandomsindifference
Lack of interest
apathy · disinterest · detachment · uninvolvement · passing fancy
fandomshate groups
Organizations promoting targeted animosity
detractors · critics · antagonists · skeptics
- fandom dramaConflict within enthusiast communities