fanitaide

Fanitaide, or fan art, is visual artwork created by fans based on existing media such as films, video games, comics, anime, or public figures. It is typically inspired by favorite characters, settings, or visual styles, and produced for personal enjoyment, shared within fan communities, or given as gifts. Fanitaide can take many forms, including digital paintings, traditional drawings, illustrations, sculptures, and image manipulations.

Online communities and platforms such as DeviantArt, Pixiv, Instagram, Tumblr, and Reddit have facilitated the creation and sharing of fanitaide, enabling artists to receive feedback, collaborate, and gain recognition. The practice supports participatory culture and can act as a stepping stone to professional work for some artists.

Legal and ethical considerations are central to fanitaide. Because it uses copyrighted characters and worlds, fan art is often derivative. Rights holders vary in their responses: some tolerate or even encourage fan art through official policies or licensed programs, while others discourage or restrict it or pursue takedowns. Most creators emphasize attribution and avoid commercial confusion by clearly labeling their work as fan-made. In many jurisdictions, non-commercial fan art is scrutinized under copyright and trademark law, with enforcement differing by company and context.

Relational issues aside, fanitaide remains a significant part of contemporary fandoms, contributing to community-building, interpretation, and creative practice. It is distinct from fan fiction in that it is primarily visual rather than textual.