I am a fan of multiple franchises like Marvel, Steven Universe, and Pokémon just to name a few of the many franchises. However, even though I am a fan of multiple franchises, I do not belong to any fandoms. The reason I do not belong to any fandoms is due to the fact that the fandoms ruin the franchise they adore. The ways fandoms ruin franchises range from the strange fanfiction some fan write to harassment and sometimes threat. Now I will admit not everyone in fandoms act this way and I also believe these types of fans are a minority that makes up the fandom. However, the actions of these few fans are killing the franchises they love.
For those that do not know what a fandom is here is a general definition. Fandoms are the fans of a particular person, team, fictional series, etc., regarded collectively as a community or subculture. Some common fandoms are Potterheads (Fans of Harry Potter), Trekies (Star Trek fans), Bronies (male fans of My Little Pony franchise), Whovians (Doctor Who fans), the Five Nights at Freddy's fandom, and Genwunners (Pokémon fans who adores Generation one) just to name a few. These would be considered the super fans of their franchises or at least certain aspects of their franchise. Now not all super fans are like this, but certain super fans would defend their franchise to the point of harassment of others, claim that two characters belong with each other, and are hard to have a conversation with because they refuse to back down on their beliefs. It is these fans that are ruining many franchises and can lead a fandom becoming a toxic fandom.
Fandoms take respectable and enjoyable franchises and turn them into a hated franchise or make people embarrass if they enjoy the franchise. One example of a fandom that ruins a franchise is the Steven Universe fandom. The fandom of this Cartoon Network show has gotten out of hand over the past few years. This fandom has gotten to the point of toxicity where fans are actually attacking one another. One example of this is when the fandom harassed an artist for "not drawing the character right" in her fan art. The fandom sent the artists death threats, said they would rape her, and told her to kill herself. Another example is when a crew member of Steven Universe was trying to put out the flames saying that fan artist can create whatever they want they want the fandom to begin attacking him. This just one example of many franchises that fandoms tend to ruin.
Like I said earlier, as a whole most fans are very respectable. However, it is the actions of the few that are ruining many franchises. While it is alright to enjoy a franchise, when your love becomes an obsession that is when you start having a problem. If you begin attacking other people for their opinions on the franchise you are ruining the franchise for other people. This can also hinder your franchise's growth as a community because people are too scare to be ridiculed for loving a show, movie, or game because of the connotation the fandom gives off. As more franchises are becoming toxic the more people will try to avoid those franchises and their fans. To all the normal fans I wish us the best of luck in the future dealing with the fans that are ruining our favorite franchises. To all the over the top super fans, I hope you will one day learn that your actions are having negative consequences on the community as a whole and can result in extinguishes the enjoyment of the franchise and prevent new people from giving it a chance.
