The canon of a narrative universe determines what's officially accepted in its continual story progression. The desire to know what's canonical is strong within most fandoms, as fans invest considerable time and undertakings into the characters, plots and worlds they've grown to love. In the case of 'Fate', a multi-genre franchise with broad range of connected works including animes, games, and mangas, fan fiction becomes a critical adjunct. With a universe as labyrinthine and nuanced as 'Fate', the delineation between canon and non-canon content is blurry at best. The question we delve into here is: 'Is Fate fanfiction canon?'.

The Nature of Fanfiction

Fanfiction consists of works produced by fans of a particular narrative canon, crafting stories that either continue, augment or diverge from the original storyline. While fanfictions are derivative, they often demonstrate creativity, ingenuity and an understanding of the canon's intricacies that can rival, and sometimes surpass, that of the original creators.

Despite its undeniable artistic value, fanfiction is generally not considered canon within their respective universes. Since it's not endorsed or produced by the original creators or copyright holders, it lacks official recognition. Most franchises, including 'Fate', abide by this rule. However, there are exceptional cases.

Collaborative Narration and Canon

In contrast to franchises strictly controlled by a single authority, 'Fate' allows for a multi-angled narrative approach. This has fostered a culture of collaboration, where different creators come together to expand the universe. While these collaborations fall under official sanction, they've led to a grey area akin to fanfiction, and have sparked debates about what is truly regarded as 'Fate' canon.

One fitting example here is the mobile game 'Fate/Grand Order'. It offers numerous Servants, characters borrowed or inspired from various mythologies, literature, and historical periods. These characters are written by a plethora of writers, not all of whom were part of the original 'Fate' franchise. This scenario instigates queries about where we draw the line between canonical content and fanfiction.

Relativity of Canon

The argument about canon's relativity is particularly palpable in the 'Fate' fandom. The franchise's multiverse setting permits multiple incarnations of every character, layered with a time-travel motif and parallel worlds. This inherently allows divergent interpretations and narratives that could be, theoretically, all considered 'canon' within their own universes.

That being said, even within these diverse threads of the narrative, certain rules and fundamental character aspects are expected to be adhered to. It's a well-accepted norm in the fandom that fan theories or fan fiction that contradict these basics are considered non-canon.

Fanfiction Influence

Sometimes, fanfictions and fan theories do have influence on the official canon. This is particularly notable in franchises with active fan engagement and the creators' willingness to listen to the audience. Kinoko Nasu, the main writer and co-creator of 'Fate', is known for actively engaging with the fan community, even using feedback to shape future narratives.

However, it should be noted that the influence of fan creations on the official canon does not render all fanfictions as canon. It's still at the sole discretion of the creators and copyright holders to decide what becomes part of the official storyline.

Conclusion

This exploration illuminates a nuanced landscape in the matter of 'Fate' fanfiction and canon. To generalise, 'Fate' fanfictions are not considered canon; they are reflections of fans' imaginative explorations and interpretations of the official storyline. However, given the nature of the 'Fate' multiverse, the unusual allowance for divergent timelines, strong fan-community engagement and the potentially collaborative narrative elements, the question of 'Fedfanfiction being canon retains grey areas and fascinating possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a fanfic be considered canon in 'Fate'?
A: Generally, fanfictions for any franchise, including 'Fate', are not considered canon as they are not produced or endorsed by the official creators or copyright holders.

Q: How does the multiverse in 'Fate' affect canon?
A: The multiverse setting in 'Fate' allows for varying narratives and interpretations, which can be deemed as canonical within their own universe. However, these divergences must still adhere to certain fundamental rules and character attributes established in the 'Fate' universe.

Q: Can fan theories influence official 'Fate' canon?
A: Fan theories can sometimes influence official 'Fate' canon, particularly when the creators are open to feedback and active engagement with the fan community. The inclusion of these inputs, however, does not render all fanfictions or fan theories as canon.

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