As fans of any franchise, we often find ourselves drawn to creating our own versions and extensions to the narratives we love. This is manifested most commonly in the form of fanfictions. RWBY, created by the late Monty Oum, is no exception. Despite the overwhelming popularity and acceptance of this practice in the fan community, many have proposed that Monty Oum himself would not have endorsed this behavior. This article examines, for multiple reasons, the conjecture that Monty Oum would not have wanted fans to write RWBY fanfictions.

Respect for Creativity

Monty Oum, renowned for his boundless creativity, valued original ideas. He was an advocate of artistic sovereignty and individuality. In the creation of RWBY, he poured his heart, soul, and unique vision, cultivating it from an abstract idea into an acclaimed animated series.

Therefore, it might be fair to conjecture that Monty wouldn't have wanted fans to adjust his creations, superimposing their own interpretations and narratives onto his original work. Instead, he might have liked his fans to appreciate RWBY as he presented it, and express their creativity in their original works.

Cannon Consistency

In the world of fanfiction, it's not uncommon to see large deviations from a series' established canon. Characters may be drastically altered or altogether original plotlines may be introduced. One could argue that Monty would have wished to keep the integrity of his characters and world unaffected by incongruous interpretations. His commitment to telling a cohesive and consistent story might have been against the practice of distorting canon through fanfictions.

Character Treatment

One contentious aspect of fanfiction is how it often involves character pairings or situations that were never intended by the creators. Often, characters' personality and sexual orientation are drastically altered, creating versions of the characters that stray significantly from their original portrayal. Monty might have been opposed to seeing his characters treated in a way that deviates from their established characterization.

Moreover, Monty poured endless hours into crafting each character's design, background, and personality. Misportraying these characters in fanfiction might have been seen by him as a disservice to the effort and thought he put into their creation.

Community Dynamics

Another potential issue with fanfiction is the divisions it creates within the fandom. Fan theories and headcanons can lead to heated debates and create factions within the community. This hostility and divide counteracts the unity and community that a shared love for the series should promote. Given Monty's love for his fandom, he likely would've wanted a united community, which fanfiction might threaten.

Furthermore, it is important to differentiate between considering how Monty Oum would have felt and dictating what the RWBY fandom should do. This piece is merely a discussion on a hypothetical premise rooted in respect for Monty's creativity and hard work.

Fanfiction Websites and Apps

Hubs such as FanFiction.Net and Archive of Our Own are popular fanfiction platforms where fans can share their stories. These sites serve as a testament to the dedication and creativity of the fandom, providing a space for narrative exploration and expansion. However, they also host deviations and alterations from the original works that Monty may not have, as we've argued, appreciated.

Conclusion

This discourse is not to suppress fanfiction but rather to consider the topic through a different lens. At its heart, fanfiction is an expression of appreciation for a work. But in contemplating Monty Oum's potential perspective, we're reminded to honor and respect the vision and integrity of a creator's original work.

Common Q&A

Q: Didn't Monty Oum say he liked fanfiction?

A: There's no public record of Monty Oum specifically mentioning fanfiction about RWBY.

Q: Are fanfictions bad?

A: No, fanfictions are a fun and creative way for fans to express their love for a franchise. This article only proposes that Monty Oum might not have endorsed RWBY fanfictions, based on respecting his original work.

Q: What can I do if I want to respect Monty Oum's vision but also want to write fanfiction?

A: You can always write your fanfictions while still maintaining the integrity of RWBY characters and world. Also, you can create an entirely new set of characters and a new world within the RWBY universe, thus respecting Monty's original characters and his vision.

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