What does otp mean in fanfiction

2024-05-22

The world of fanfiction is vast and varied, and part of that diversity stems from the terminologies used within the community. One such term, a cornerstone of many fanfictions, is OTP, or 'One True Pairing'. If you are new to the realm of fanfiction or simply seeking to understand better what "OTP" means, this article is just for you.

Understanding OTP

At its simplest, an OTP in fanfiction refers to a favorite relationship that fans or readers enjoy most, or think is 'meant to be'. This could be a romantic relationship, but it also applies to friendships or any other form of relationship. The characters within an OTP do not necessarily have to be a canonical couple in the original source material. Meaning, they aren't necessarily a couple in the movie, TV series, or book being written about.

OTP can refer to existing on-screen couples that a viewer loves most. They are the couple that the viewers think have the best chemistry and stories deserving of exploration beyond the original material. This creates a unique blend of characters that readers often latch onto, creating numerous future scenarios, stories, and in some cases, alternate universes where the OTP reigns supreme.

Origin of OTP

The term OTP originates from the fanfiction community in the early 2000s, specifically within LiveJournal communities. An OTP was often referred to as the couple for whom you had the strongest emotional investment. It was 'your couple', hence the term 'One True Pairing' was coined. Over time, the term has been embraced throughout various fandoms and is now widely used by the broader fanfic community.

The OTP is also closely related to another fanfiction term, 'shipping,' which is derived from 'relationship' and refers to the desire by followers of a fandom for two characters to be in a romantic relationship. When you have an OTP, you're essentially 'shipping' those characters hard.

Examples of OTP

Different fandoms support different OTPs, varying from Harry Potter's Harry and Hermione (commonly referred to as 'Harmony') to Sherlock's Sherlock and John (known as 'Johnlock'). There are some pairings, like 'Stucky' (Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes from Marvel), which have gained major acclaim due to the fanfiction community, despite not being canonically romantic in the original material.

It's also important to note that an OTP can change over time. As the story progresses, characters grow and fan sentiment can shift, leading to a change in the OTP. However, the pairing that first captured a fan's heart is often regarded as their â€˜First OTPâ€?

Role of OTP in Fanfiction

The OTP plays a significant role in the fanfiction world. By choosing an OTP, fans commit to exploring the relationship in depth through their writing. This can range from sweet romantic stories to more complex and dramatic tales exploring the different facets of the OTPâ€™s relationship.

The presence of OTPs also often serves as a barometer for a fandom's popularity. The more OTPs and the greater the fanfic content for a particular series or franchise, implies the marked influence and investment of fans.

Popular Platforms for OTPs

Websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3) and FanFiction.Net are popular hosting sites for fans to publish their fanfictions, often categorized by characters and OTPs. They allow users to tag stories based on characters, relationships, and other categorizations. This makes it easy for fans of a particular OTP to find stories that cater to their favorite couple.

AO3, in particular, is renowned for its detailed and customizable searching and tagging system, which is a boon for OTP fans. It allows fans to filter by their OTPs, so they only get the fanfictions that centre on their beloved character relationship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the term OTP in fanfiction is a convenient and affectionate shorthand for fans to express their favourite character relationships â€?be they romantic, platonic, or somewhere in-between. It's a testament to the creativity and passion of the fanfiction community, who take their love for their favourite series beyond its original confines and create something deeply personal and engaging.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can an OTP include more than two characters? A: While the term itself refers to a pair, polyamorous relationships or 'OT3s', accommodating three characters, are also recognized within fanfiction.

Q: Can an OTP be between a canon and an original character? A: Absolutely. An OTP is determined by a fan's preference and can include a canon character paired with an original character created by a fan.

Q: Are there disagreements within fandoms about OTPs? A: Yes, differing OTPs can sometimes cause disputes within fandoms, mainly when it involves romantic relationships. This is often referred to as 'ship wars'.