noncanon

Noncanon, or non-canon, is a term used to describe materials that are not part of the official storyline or universe as defined by the creators or rights holders of a work. Noncanon material exists alongside canon content but is not considered authoritative for determining the events, characters, or world rules that comprise the primary continuity.

The concept of canon varies by franchise and by community. Some works distinguish between hard canon (official, required for continuity) and soft canon (informational but not essential). Expanded universes, tie-in media, and fan productions may be treated as canon, non-canon, or something in between depending on official statements or the particular fan or publisher's policy. In practice, owners sometimes reclassify material, or use retcons to inject or remove elements from the official narrative.

In fan communities, noncanon often includes fan fiction, fan art, role-playing games, and fan theories that explore alternate outcomes without implying official acceptance. In professional settings, noncanon may be used to describe works like spin-off comics, films, or novels that exist in the same universe but are not required reading for the main storyline.

Examples: In Star Wars, material released before a 2014–2015 policy shift was rebranded as Legends and declared non-canon; since then new films and media are considered canonical following the official continuity. In Doctor Who, certain past stories are treated as non-canon within the revived continuity. In comic franchises, certain alternate timelines or events are labeled non-canon after retcons.

As a concept, noncanon reflects ambiguity in storytelling and audience engagement, allowing exploration of alternate interpretations while preserving a stable main narrative.