headcanons

Headcanons are personal interpretations or additions to existing fictional universes that are not explicitly stated in the original source material. They are fan-created theories or beliefs that fans use to fill in gaps, explore character motivations, or expand on the lore of a story. These can range from simple ideas about a character's favorite food to complex theories about the underlying magic system of a fantasy world.

Fans develop headcanons for a variety of reasons. They might arise from ambiguities in the source material, where the author has left room for interpretation. Sometimes, headcanons are born out of a desire to explore aspects of a story or characters that the original creators did not focus on. They can also be a way for fans to connect more deeply with a fictional world, making it feel more personal and real to them.

Headcanons are distinct from fan fiction, which are original stories written by fans, and fan theories, which are often more formally argued interpretations aimed at being plausible within the established canon. While headcanons can sometimes evolve into theories or inspire fan fiction, they are primarily personal beliefs that do not necessarily need to be provable or widely accepted by the fandom. They exist within the individual fan's understanding of the fictional universe.