Fan culture refers to the community and social practices surrounding fans of a particular media, such as television shows, movies, music, sports, video games, or literature. This culture encompasses the shared interests and activities that fans engage in, such as attending conventions, creating and consuming fan art, participating in online forums, and forming fan clubs or fandoms.
Fan culture often involves a deep emotional investment in the original media, leading to organized events where fans can celebrate their favorite franchises, meet like-minded individuals, and engage in discussions about content. It can also include the creation of derivative works, such as fan fiction or fan videos, as fans express their interpretations and extensions of the original narratives.
Key elements of fan culture include identity formation, where fans often identify themselves through their fandom; communal activities that foster connections among fans; and the reinterpretation of media texts, which can influence mainstream culture and media production.
Overall, fan culture illustrates the ways in which fans not only consume media but actively participate in and shape the cultural landscape surrounding it.