canonswhat

Canonswhat is a term used in media studies and fan discourse to describe a meta-questioning framework about what counts as canonical within a body of fiction and related media. It treats canonicity as a contested, evolving category rather than a fixed rule.

Origin and usage: The term is a portmanteau of canon and what, and it appears in contemporary academic writing and online communities to probe how audiences, creators, and institutions determine which works, moments, or stories are officially part of a given universe. It is applied across books, film series, television universes, video games, and transmedia projects.

Core concepts: Canonswhat analyzes authority (who decides), sources (official releases, adaptations, or fan works), timing (internal chronology versus release order), and scope (core narrative versus spin-offs). It emphasizes that canonicity can be context-dependent and may shift when new material is added or cultural norms change. Some scholars frame canonswhat as a tool to map competing canons rather than to declare a single canonical version.

Applications and critiques: The framework helps explain why fans embrace or reject new entries, how cross-media storytelling can alter what is considered canon, and how canonical disputes shape fandom participation and market decisions. Critics argue that canonswhat can obscure power relations behind canon formation or overstate fluidity at the expense of historical canon. Overall, it serves as a lens for examining how "what counts as canon" is negotiated in contemporary media ecosystems.