Does it annoy you that in so many fan fictions the characters are OCC

[Bendy 1,821]

Does it annoy you that in so many fan fictions the characters are out of character? As in the characters do horrible thing that their canon counterparts would never even dream of doing and would be horrified that their counterparts could do such a thing. 

 

Like there's often not even any explanation why suddenly Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy turn into a psychopath. Or an overpowered, specist, egotistic Celestia goes Reaper from Mass Effect on an entire sapient species. Congrats, you just turned Celestia from a compassionate and merciful leader into Harbinger from Mass Effect.

 

It's like in some of these fan fictions the characters have the same names, but they aren't the characters from the show. I find it infuriating that sweet and kind canon versions of the characters are turned into monstrous abominations that bare no resemblance to the characters other than the names.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Rush

[Vedana Purity 221]

It really depends on the fanfiction itself.

[Espurr 449]

Sort of depends. I read this one where rainbow dash and twilight did some French kissing. It annoyed me because they were out of character then, but there was this one story when Soarin fell in love with Pinkie pie. I was not annoyed then.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Star Ruby

[Larkybird~ 734]

I really don't care too much to be honest. Like the above user it depends on the fic. Some fics that have them ooc don't bother me much. Others do. It just depends.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

I voted 'no' because it's entirely dependant on the type of story-alternate universe fics get a free pass because they don't take place in the same world as the show itself.

 

And background characters for the most part are subjective to fanon such as; Lyra, Octavia, Vinyl/DJ Pon-3, Button Mash, Minuette/Colgate, etc.

 

I have read stories that have bothered me because one or more major characters were completely out of character, but ultimately it's up to the writer to decide when it comes to audience backlash, since fan projects for the most part are supposed to be a representation for one's passion of the show and it's not as big of a deal as it is in the show since you don't really have to worry about such actions being a part of the show's canon.

 

Besides, it's not like I'm being forced to read it; there are two fics in particular that I had to stop reading for such an issue, I told the author's of my concerns and moved on, since for better or for worse they were still ultimately their stories.

Edited May 14, 2014 by TimeLordRainbowDash

[Larkybird~ 734]

  On 2014-05-14 at 10:08 PM, TimeLordRainbowDash said:

I voted 'no' because it's entirely dependant on the type of story-alternate universe fics get a free pass because they don't take place in the same world as the show itself.

 

And background characters for the most part are subjective to fanon such as; Lyra, Octavia, Vinyl/DJ Pon-3, Button Mash, Minuette/Colgate, etc.

This basically. Background ponies get more of the free pass to me though. They don't really have much of a set personality so who's to say they're acting really ooc in a fic?

[Shanks 10,816]

Depends on the story, some stories are set in an alternate universe where things may be a bit different. If a character is out of character there had better be a good reason why, in the infamous gore fic Cupcakes it was clearly for comedic effect, it was so over the top that you don't even need to have any familiarity with the show to know that Pinkie Pie was out of character in that fic and it worked. I can't really speak for Tyrantlestia because I haven't really read any Tyrantlestia fics but I can see some situations where it might work though I prefer Molestia and Trollestia mostly because they are funnier. There are plenty of stories though where it is not justified and can smack of simple lazy writing.

[hawkflame 3,310]

It depends.  Are they trying to be like the original show, but failing due to OOC actions by the characters, or are they trying to do something different altogether?  Sometimes circumstances and different experiences make a character different, and other times you sometimes want them to be different to create a more "jarring" effect.

[Khaoios 1,970]

  On 2014-05-14 at 9:59 PM, Vedana Purity said:

It really depends on the fanfiction itself.

 

Exactly this

 

OT: I have many OC's as well as canon characters, but one thing i try to do is stick to the Mane Six and have my OC's as supporting/antagonistic.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

It doesn't necessarily bother me if they're acting evil, but I like to have a plausible explanation for it.

 

Like, if Rainbow Dash started assaulting ponies with a meat cleaver or something, I want to see some backstory telling me why.

 

Just like I'd want to see some backstory if Gilda came back and suddenly was acting super nice handing out flowers to everypony and skipping through Ponyville humming "Smile, Smile, Smile".

 

As long as the writer explains why the character is acting a bit or a lot different than their usual self, I'm fine with it.

[Dashabel 381]

I usually don't mind, if the story itself has driven to character to act as such, then it's acceptable. It can add a bit more depth to the characters. As long as the writer explains why the character acted this way in the end, then there's no issue.

 

What annoys me is the need certain people feel to point this out. "I like this story BUT so and so is out of character." So? Who cares?

 

Fanfiction doesn't have to stay true to the actual nature, does it? There's no lesbians in the show... But do people hold back on that in their fictions? No way. So, why should it matter if they're "out of character"? If you ask me, lesbian ponies are as far from their characters as you can possibly get.

 

(Not hating on lesbians ponies; I'm a total shipper)

Edited May 15, 2014 by Dashabel

[multifacetedbrony 88]

It definitely doesn't appeal to me - I don't think I could enjoy reading a fanfic when they were really out of character. I don't mind relationships - I mean, they're shown to be caring compassionate beings, so moving into having a relationship doesn't seem a big stretch to me, and trying to find other sides of a pony's nature wouldn't bother me (like if there was a fanfic showing more of Luna's silly side, or Rainbow Dash's softer side). But if you're talking so far over the line that the line is a dot, like Cupcakes or something, then I tend to steer clear of those things. I did read a bit of Cupcakes but I was disgusted and baffled all at once. I just don't like to see my ponies like that I'm afraid!

[Castle Bleck 19,387]

Whenever Gilda shows up just to be bashed (and/or killed) horribly.

 

Despite the fact that she already got her karma via all those pranks at her party.

Edited May 15, 2014 by A.V.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

  On 2014-05-15 at 5:01 PM, A.V. said:

Whenever Gilda shows up just to be bashed (and/or killed) horribly.

 

Despite the fact she already got her karma via all those pranks at her party.

 

A.V....

 

Homie, you just named the thing that I don't like as well.

 

It's an obsession I like to call "Karmic Justice" or "Karmic Guided Missiles" as I think it's called on TVTropes. It's where people love to see characters who are antagonists or just bully-like in general get their comeuppance fast and often.

 

I personally don't like that sort of thing, but you see it a lot in fanfction where people make characters they don't like get the short end of the stick or get bashed. I personally think every character has a role and can enjoy just about any character, even those who are against my favorite characters, such as Lightning Dust against Rainbow Dash.

 

But hey, some people love murdering characters they don't like, and who am I to stop them? I don't have to read it either though.

[Castle Bleck 19,387]

Another thing I don't like is whenever the ponies treat an HIE like he/she's the second coming of King Sombra or something.

 

So let me get this straight: griffons, minotaurs, etc. = a-ok, but a 6'0" monkey without fur = The Dreaded?

 

Edited May 15, 2014 by A.V.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Humans in Equestria wouldn't shock anypony...

 

What would really shock them is that they wear clothes all the time and are embarrased at the sight of nudity. That would probably be more shocking than their appearance to be quite honest.