Just a little research because I want to know more about other people's perspectives about this matter on canon x reader fanfic in general.
How do you prefer the characterization of the reader/(y/n)/[name]?
1) Absolutely everything must be as vague as possible, including appearance, background, personality, and others.
2) As long as the appearance is not described, I'm fine with everything else.
3) As long as the appearance is not described and (y/n) doesn't have a "very evident" personality (let's say it like that), I'm fine with everything else.
4) Other (if you can, please, tell on the tags, comments, or reblog.)
Vote:
Voting ended onDec 4, 2025
I have seen many people complain about this subject, more specifically when the matter is the appearance, since some authors straight up say some physical characteristics or they accidentally let it implied (i.e.: reader does something with the hair which implies that it is a determined texture or/and length.)
But I have seen some few people complain about (y/n) "acting like a OC", which I can see where it comes from, however, I also find it hard for the canon character feel something for reader (be it romantic, platonic, etc) and the story be interesting if they are completely blank. Also, in some universes it would require at least some sort of background to "fit in", for example, one where everyone has powers, fantasy setting, etc.
Personally, I'm mostly 2) but also 3), because when I read a self-insert fanfic, I like to imagine that I'm a different person, in a sense that I was born and raised in that universe, which molded me to be like that. Also, I can't help but feel giddy at certain backgrounds/origins that reader has, principally if it so well done, matches well with the canon character, and it is interesting.
I want to know other's opinions now.
