What does it mean to belong to a fandom today?

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Have you ever felt like you really got into a TV show, a movie, or a series of any kind where you wanted to learn as much as you can, and talk to other people that share the same interests? If so, welcome to a fandom, and if not, welcome to what a fandom is.

If you are new to what a fandom is, the negative connotation tends to lead people away from joining them, or showing interests in shows because of the fanbase that the show has, or the stereotypes of the fans.

In some cases, the stereotypes can be true. For some shows, the majority of the fan base can be negative or toxic and be scary to be around, but in other cases, those people that cause the stereotype are the loud minority, making it hard for others to join them due to a fear of being judged for joining.

If you do decide to join a fandom, it’s like joining a community. One where people care about the same thing that you do. It could be a show or a book, or even a video game for that matter. It’s a place where you are able to share your theories about the story, and the characters involved.

It’s all surrounded by one main interest, so it feels like you all have a common connection, and while this may sound a bit cult-ish, I can promise it’s not. Think of it like a sports fandom. In sports fandoms, you talk about trade rumors, player signings, news from the team, and build narratives with other fans, or just get excited for the next game.

Think of that but with the connotation of a book. Instead of trade rumors, think of leaks for a new chapter or new novel in a series. Player signings are like when a new novel gets announced. News from the team is when the author gives an interview. Building narratives with other fans is theory crafting for the next novel, thinking what’s going to happen next, and getting excited for the next game is when the next novel gets released, getting excited about that.

 

There are also events where you can go and meet up with fans of the same series. Some events like Comic-Con provide a space for fans to join together and experience panels and events around their favorite series. There’s more examples of events like this, and they can get pretty niche depending on the topic.

So it’s not scarry to get involved with a fandom, or show your interest in a piece of media. Feel comfortable with what you are a fan of, and feel free to join a group that shares those same interests. Who knows, you might just make a bunch of friends along the way.