Why are fix-it stories so popular? I don't think it's really that big of a thing in the pokémon fandom, but in other fandoms, it's huge, and I don't really get it. Why would you bother to write a story that 'fixes' a favorite series of yours? That kinda implies to me that you thought there was something wrong with it in the first place. It's weird, I'm fine with AU's, even AU's where, because of how they changed the story, the thing that they were wanting to 'fix' never happens anyways, so technically it's a fix-it. I don't understand why I even have a problem with fix-it stories. Anyways, if someone is into fix-it stories, can you kinda explain the appeal to me, because I don't really get it.
I suppose it's because the fans don't have any control over the canon of the show/book/film they enjoy. Maybe fix fics let them feel they can somewhat change story decisions they don't agree with? I know in a lot of stories I enjoy, the writers make some terrible decisions (e.g. dropping good plot threads, killing characters that are more interesting than the protagonists, making characters win/lose fights due to contrived circumstances that make no sense) that make me go 'dang it, if only this was written differently...', so I entirely get the appeal of fix fics. I admit, I find it interesting to read someone's different take on what could happen in a story. And I suppose in other circumstances, people just really like a character and want to deny the fact that they've been killed off. I can't judge people who write fics that go against certain elements of the story's canon too harshly; it's fanfiction. It's not supposed to entirely mimic the original work. I just like reading about characters I like interacting with each other and going on adventures - my standards are relatively low as long as it's well-written. Well, that's my two cents on the things. Can't say I read many of them, but I get why they're so popular.
Yeah, that makes sense. I think my major problem with fix-it stories is the one series that I see them in most involves a fan-favorite character that did indeed die, and that was sad and all (he was one of my favorite characters too), but his death was the peak of his development as a character. Not just that, but his death kickstarted the first real development for his partner in the show, and I just feel like people writing fix-it stories for this is disrespectful somehow. His death actually meant something, and I don't think that should be taken away. I feel the same way about Tadashi's death in Big Hero 6 (another death that meant a lot). I understand the appeal to 'fixing' things, but when it comes to characters making big sacrifices and dying as a result...it just doesn't feel right to me.
I don't know... I see them less as 'fix-it' stories when it comes to deaths, and more as 'what if?' sort of scenarios. Sometimes, these character's have no reason to die, so I would say 'fix-it' stories are a little more justifiable in those cases. Spoilers for X-men: First class: Spoiler Darwin dies. Darwin's stated super power (in both the comics and the movie) was the ability to adapt to anything. Then, all of a sudden, a little bit of energy and poof! He was dead. To the outrage of a loooot of fans. Now, I don't read x-men fanfiction (though I don't doubt that are x-men fan stories out there), but I'm willing to bet that a lot of fans would have liked to fix this aspect of the movie. Even though a lot of fans already agree that first class was pretty... Not first class. Heh. I really like fix-it stories! In a way, it makes the canon death's more meaningful to me. Let me explain why: i feel like an author, when trying to convey a scenario where X DOESN'T die, is putting a magnifying glass on what COULD have been. Like, if someone (with your example) wrote a scene where Tadashi and Hiro were doing some brotherly bonding... Doesn't that make the canonical death so much sadder? Like the author is suggesting what Tadashi could have lost... And what Hiro never had. In a way, it makes the canon a little more impactful. I dunno... Does that make sense?
Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I think I mostly just don't like the what-if stories for Legends of Tomorrow (the first example that I gave), because while they focus on Leonard and what he would be like if he was alive, which is great, the writers of these stories often don't give any development to Mick, who was the one who grew as a character because of Leonard's death. In a lot of these stories, because Leonard didn't die, Mick doesn't get any development, and I really don't like that.
I've never seen Legends of Tomorrow so forgive me, as I have no idea what I'm talking about but here goes nothing: For me personally, it's fine. Let the writer's imagination run wild! These characters are fictional, and so in my opinion, they belong to everyone! I can understand why these fix-it stories are bothersome... But that's why the canon exists. In the grand scheme of things, fan-fictions don't affect the canon, so why can't the reverse also be true? There's some really, really bad fanfiction out there (cough, My Immortal, cough) so if these fanfiction writers really wanted to go above and beyond doing fix-it stories, maybe they could introduce a different thing that happens that causes Mick to develop. Or Mick somehow ends up knowing about Leonard's death and manages to prevent it, however this cause someone ELSE to die and Mick has to live with the guilt, knowing he had to play both the jury and the executioner. Or... OR... Someone writes a fanfiction about how Leonard does die, but miraculously resurrects and Mick seems to be the only one that remembers witnessing his death. That would be such a cool story to read! Anyway's I'm kind of going on a tangent here. Tl;dr, fix-it's and what-if's are cool. Taking it to a new extreme is even cooler.
It really depends on what’s presented. Let’s take Harry Potter. Spoiler: SPOILERS FOR THE HARRY POTTER SERIES Sirius Black dying was a huge thing for fans, but it gave Harry some development. If a person writes a fanfic just to save Sirius, that’s... not very good. But if a person altered the story to a future timeline where Harry DIED, that would be cool, even if Cursed Child did it. The Pokémon anime is also a good place to present. I’ve seen several what if Pokémon fanfics in which something happens to Ash and he goes into hiding, or even quits his journey. They’re really innovative, and there’s quite a bit of fan lore, too. But another anime ripoff where the author’s character joins Ash and is basically just voicing their opinion, or worse, taking Ash’s role and doing everything instead of him. Character interacts with Tapu Koko. Character is the one who beats Lana at the treasure hunt. Character outshines literally everyone and becomes Ash’s girlfriend. And then Serena is presented as a salty piece of crap. That is one big NOPE, coming your way.
