Alternate Universes, or AUs as they’re usually referred to, are a staple of most fandoms. Within fandom spaces, art and writing are the two main hubs for AUs. Artists draw characters from their favorite shows as characters from other shows, different genders, or even superpowers. While art is awesome, fanficiton is the mainstay for AUs as writers can expand on these ideas and explore dynamics with characters of their choosing.

Some people consider all fanficiton to be an AU because it is not part of the original media. Others classify them as strictly as fanfictions that are set in different universes. Regardless of how one classifies them, most people in fandoms enjoy alternate universes because they allow fans to explore infinite possibilities with characters they adore and want to see go on new adventures.

Infinite Possibilities

The ability to place your favorite characters in a series of situations allows people to explore different narratives. It also allows fans to change the fate of the entire cast. The Marvel show What If…? is a clear example of the appeal of exploring new possibilites.

Most people have watched, played, or read a piece of media with a dead favorite character. Well, why not write an alternate universe where your favorite character doesn’t die at that part of the story, or at all? It is up to the writer to give them a happy ending or a much more tragic ending.

Other AUs involve changing the genders of one or multiple characters. Some people want to write a story where that character navigates being that gender or transitioning into that gender. Others want to write a story where they explore how gender would impact an existing narrative. Some people do it because they want to for no real reason besides they want to have fun, and no one can stop them.

Speaking of fun, there are some AUs where everything is the same, except for one minor detail. Despite everything being the same except for one little detail, people focus on the butterfly effect rippling across the universe from that minor detail. For example, someone can have an AU where everything is the same, but TikTok exists. A potential outcome of this would have the cast of this AU in a tense situation, and in response, the cast would reference a TikTok video or start filming for content. Why? Well, why not? It’s all in good fun. Sometimes this little detail can ripple out and create an entirely different story that no one sees coming.

Strengthens the Love for a Piece of Media

AUs allow people to put their favorite characters in different scenarios and think about their reactions. If someone wants to throw their favorite character from a book into their favorite video game, that person can navigate that world through a different lens. How would this character react to living in a world that vastly differs from their own? Can they survive? All of that is up to the fan’s interpretation, but it allows the fan to go on another adventure with their favorite characters.

Sharing this online can also create a space for a fandom to engage and consider the creator’s thought process. No one person will have the same thoughts about a character in a particular situation, but it’s a fun thought exercise that brings people together. If someone writes an AU-inspired fanfiction and gains traction, it can create a niche space in fandom where fans gather to discuss the story and engage with the author. It can also inspire artists to draw scenes from the story or write songs, poems, or even write their own stories inspired by that one fanfiction.

In the end, fandom’s love for alternate universes stems from exploring new ideas using their favorite characters as a vessel. In turn, this can also inspire others to join the journey and create something new.