headcanon

A headcanon is a personal belief or interpretation about a fictional universe or its characters that is not established by the official canon. It may concern backstory, motives, relationships, or rules of the world and is used to fill gaps, resolve inconsistencies, or enhance enjoyment of the material.

The term combines “head” and “canon” and is widely used in online fan communities. It originated in fan spaces where fans discuss and imagine details beyond what is shown in the source material. While related to fan theories, headcanon tends to emphasize individual belief rather than a testable hypothesis about the text.

Headcanons can be private or shared in discussions, fan fiction, art, or social media. They range from widely adopted ideas within a community to highly personal interpretations. They are not official and do not alter the published material unless later canonically acknowledged. Some communities distinguish between canon-compliant headcanon, which fits within the official material, and non-canon headcanon, which does not.

Critics sometimes argue that headcanon can lead to disagreements or gatekeeping, especially when conflicting interpretations arise. Proponents view it as a creative way to engage with a work, deepen character understanding, and foster community. Examples include beliefs about a character’s hidden past, unspoken relationships, or unspoken world rules that the text does not explicitly state.

Overall, headcanon is a common practice in fan culture that reflects individual imagination while remaining separate from the creator’s official canon.