The Struggles of a Fankid/Fanchild of a Canon Character
This is a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a while, especially with my own fankid/fanchild/fanchildren OCs/FCs. And, while I’ve noticed that it’s a great way (even more so a positive creative challenge) to help furhter develop my characters... I’ve also noticed that it’s something that not many fankid/fanchild creators take into consideration:
The struggles a fankid/fanchild goes through when it comes to their parents.
Let’s be honest... the majority of fankids/fanchildren are those whose parents (or one parent) is the protagonist, or someone who has a strong influence/political standing/well respected/etc. in their respective canon universe. My own fankid (an EdWin child) is no exception. And, like with all those protagonists (and other influential characters) ... they seem to have their own story without the author’s/creator’s input on the legacy of the parent(s) from the canon story. In other words, the creator of said fankid just focuses on that fankid’s life and doesn’t think about how others around will treat them in regards to the parent(s).
That’s how it is realistically with children of celebrities/politicians/anyone that is considered “famous”.
Those children go through much struggle and strife, especially those who are more sensitive, being looked at with extremely high expectations. The logic for them that they live by is “My parent(s) were this great person, so I have to be seen as such to be able to have other’s not think negatively of me”.
Because that’s all other people see when they see these children. They don’t see them as their own individual person. If the child messes up, the entire family (child and parent(s)) are looked at in a bad light. So, it puts a lot of stress on said child for the sake of their parent’s(s’) legacy.
And, the more fankids/fanchildren I see around that don’t take things like that into consideration, the more I think that this subject should be considered. Especially if those creators want to take their character-creation more seriously and actually develop their characters. Not make it something like “My Daddy is the Fullmetal Alchemist, but I don’t want anything to do with that and just be some Idol on stage~”. Or: “My dad was the Flame Alchemist and did a lot of terrible things, yet managed to become the Fuhrer, meanwhile I have a homosexual crush on my co-worker, and my creator doesn’t take into consideration the actual historical accuracy of homosexuality in 30s Europe.”
Meanwhile... I do take my own character creating very--VERY-- seriously. I was a writer long before I was an artist. And, I like to make my characters enjoyable in their story more than the simple “Eye Candy” of the visual works that I make. So, when I made my EdWin child, I did what I could to focus on her personality and take on the whole “judging eye” others give her for being the “Daughter of the Fullmetal Alchemist”. Of course, because of the corruption of the government within her story, Edward and Winry kept Alchemy and everything about Ed’s past a secret, so my fankid grew up not knowing about said legacy so she could live a normal life without the risk of being forced to be a State Alchemist, or worse: “Gate Fodder”. Meanwhile, my friends RoyAi fanchild is (before the beginning of the story, at least) obsessed with becoming like his father, but, after seeing the military’s downfall as well at the “judging eyes” on him, he develops serious anxiety (not to mention depression) and obsesses over how others see him--an extension of his father.
And that is why, for those who create fankids (whether they’re CanonxCanon or OCxCanon) should take things like this into consideration, because it’s something that I believe can really help with developing their fankid/fanchild characters. It’s something that not many people (from what I’ve seen) actually take into consideration. And, the concept is very realistic to the real world, especially considering the canon characters who leave an impact in their universe.
But, anyway... I just wanted to share that~! ^u^ I would LOVE to hear your thoughts as well, so feel free to reblog (or reply to this post) with them, or even send me a message either via Ask or DM ^u^ I’d be more than happy to elaborate!
