#this fandom irritates me

[wafflinglumos]

Some of the marauders fandom makes me exhausted, you guys do know that the marauders were assholes right? The Snape thing wasn’t James and Sirius being sweet baby boys trying to protect themselves, it was a back and forth of bullying, they were rivals, Snape wasn’t just an evil greasy little man, and James wasn’t a sweet innocent can do no wrong little baby. It was a RIVALRY.

Let James Potter have flaws Jesus Christ. On that note, let Snape have SOME type of character BESIDES being bad. If your only take away from Snape and Lily’s relationship was that it was bad for Lily and that Lily was an idiot for not being able to see Snape’s red flags, you’re objectively incorrect.

This can also be said vice versa for Snape stans. James Potter was not an evil bully, he was a popular asshole, like MOST teenage boys are, however he grew and was objectively a good person.

To add commenting “Stan Bambi” on a positive Snape post does not make you cool or funny, it makes you mildly annoying at best, however commenting “James Potter was a bully” on a positive James post, makes you a mild annoyance at best as well.

Literally just let people like characters, this goes for both Snape fans AND Marauders fans.

[thevioletcaptain]

Almost a decade ago, in November of 2014, I became so exhausted by seeing people throw around the absurd claim that Dean/Cas fans made up only 1% of SPN fandom that I decided to prove how wrong it was. The most readily available data which didn't rely on conducting a survey or poll -- and was therefore a more accurate representation of actual fandom activity rather than just whoever happened to respond to a survey -- came from fic numbers on Ao3.

I made a post about it at the time (the pertinent figures are included below, or you can see the original post here) and then completely forgot about the entire thing. Until now.

Why? Well, largely thanks to a sudden resurgence of the same old nonsense this week, mostly cropping up in the comment sections of a couple of polls that crossed my dash. The temptation to check if there had been any significant changes to the fandom's activity since I last looked ten years ago was too strong to ignore.

Friends. Things have proven to be shockingly consistent.

With the same caveat from last time -- that this is only showing trends in the subset of fandom who actively uses Ao3, and therefore obviously doesn't take into account the "general audience" subset of fandom who don't participate beyond watching the show and occasionally liking a social media post -- here are the numbers:

Old count | November 9th, 2014 | 4 episodes into S10

Total SPN fics posted - 86,352 Fics listed as gen - 22,718 (26.3%) Fics with Dean/Cas - 33,762 (39.0%) Fics with Sam/Dean - 12,286 (14.2%) Fics with Sam/Cas - 1,634 (1.8%) Fics with Sam/Dean/Cas - 787 (0.9%) 

The remaining 18.6% of SPN fics were non-gen fics featuring other character pairings, including reader inserts and original characters.

New count | May 28th, 2024 | 3.5 years after finale

Total SPN fics posted - 290,707 Fics listed as gen - 61,343 (21.1%) Fics with Dean/Cas - 116,925 (40.2%) Fics with Sam/Dean - 34,673 (11.9%) Fics with Sam/Cas - 5,548 (1.9%) Fics with Sam/Dean/Cas - 1,957 (0.6%)

The remaining 24.3% of SPN fics are non-gen fics featuring other character pairings, including reader inserts and original characters.

Notes on data:

All data was collected while logged in on Ao3 to ensure no incorrect counts were caused by hidden works.

There is some overlap within these numbers due to fics which are tagged with multiple pairings. This might be possible to account for if someone felt like doing more intensive data collection, but I've already spent about an hour and a half on this and that's already a lot more time than I'd like to be doing voluntary math. I enjoy statistics as a point of interest, but goddamn do I hate actually crunching the numbers.

It bears mentioning that Sam/Gabriel (5.1%), Sam/Jess (2.2%), & Dean/Reader (2.5%) all have higher counts than Sam/Cas (1.9%) & Sam/Dean/Cas (0.6%), however I didn't make note of those pairings in 2014, so I'm unsure if there has been any change.

I shouldn't have to say this, but literally all of us are just smashing our fave characters together like dolls, so as interesting as these numbers are this post is not intended to suggest that any ship is "better" than any other ship. This post is intended to do nothing more than show the available data which disproves a baseless claim about the size of Dean/Cas fandom within the larger SPN fandom.

TLDR; the percentage of active Supernatural fans on Ao3 who are interested in Dean/Cas as a pairing is significantly higher than 1%, and that has been a consistent pattern within the fandom for the past ten years.

[iatethepomegranate]

If I see one more take about Orym being "secretive" in taking the sword, I swear I might start screaming. The dude walked up to Chet in front of everyone, asked for access to the Bag of Holding, took the sword out (in front of everyone) and left with it. Then he came back with the sword strapped to his back... IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. There was ample time for someone to speak up if they wanted to and Orym, quite frankly, didn't have reason to expect it would be an issue. Laudna may have used the lack of discussion as part of her cycle of justifications for her actions, but that doesn't mean it was 1) the main issue she was actually dealing with or 2) an unsolvable problem that required a rash response even if that had been Laudna's primary issue.

[lunar-skylar]

The people who say “well someone needed to do it” or “I would’ve done it too” when referring to what the Marauders did to Snape in SWM are so weird.

You shouldn’t/don’t need to be a Snape fan to understand what they did to him was wrong and distasteful (because it was, very much so). There’s quite literally no excuse here. They saw him alone and decided to go pick on him for the hell of it. You shouldn’t be proud of it and praising them for it. I mean, Harry himself was disturbed by it, and Sirius and Remus tell us that it wasn’t their proudest moment. So I don’t know why you guys are spinning it around to be a good thing, it’s not!

[dukeofdelirium]

ngl it’s so weird to me when zvtara shippers say Katara “raised” Aang or something like… I literally don’t get it lmao. how could you possibly even state that with any seriousness, let alone think it is represented canonically??

not only did the whole show take place in a single year, but Aang was already self sufficient when he crossed paths with Katara and Sokka…

there’s also the fact that Aang very much has a father and his name is monk Gyatso, and he raised Aang

[instantpansies]

life is hard for us oz fans who are only meh about wicked. have half a meme.

[linka-from-captain-planet]

already seeing "ugh male Rook with Neve in the trailer... that's a LESBIAN" posts on twitter and I'm beating them with a big stick that says "you can HEADCANON whatever you want about anything ever but your HEADCANON is factually incorrect and if it chaps your ass even a little bit when anyone up to and including the literal creators of the character disagrees with your HEADCANON then that's fully a you problem and you should consider developing coping skills about it rather than contributing to this fandom's legendary hostility by policing (even in a manner you'll claim was "joking" when someone stands up for themselvs) people who are only enjoying their own playthrough, headcanon, or ship" and by stick I do mean the block button

[ghostpebble]

i fear faker is an absolute BANGER and it's stuck in my head

[bumblingbabooshka]

Patreon Request: Spock [Patreon | Ko-fi]

[koifly]

Love and appreciate my crp mutuals, especially on Tumblr bc tell me why a lot of people on Tiktok are saying that certain crp characters are bad people, NOT because they’re serial killers, but bc they have mental disorders which aren’t talked properly about in mainstream media.

Somehow they mostly try to justify their behaviour with „that’s how it works irl“, „that’s realistic“, throw around derogatory, offensive and outdated terms that were/are used to stereotype and stigmatise people with mental disorders and use psychological „facts“ which mostly rely on stigmas, stereotypes and fake information, without even TRYING to educate themselves with modern research and haven’t had any experience with people with those mental disorders. Not even experience would be necessary but literally reading through experiences, stories, articles on reliable, accurate sites on the internet would also help.

Wtf.

Also, the argument of „oh, they wouldn’t be nice/ oh, they wouldn’t act like that because they have *insert any stigmatised mental disorder* and people who have it are rude, odd and generally bad people!!!“ ????

I‘m not saying you have to agree with every headcanon or au but justifying your PERSONAL opinion by bringing down and stigmatising people with mental disorders is just really wrong and damaging.

Anyway, I love all my mutuals, yall cool as shit:3

(I‘m not complaining about specific people btw!!)

[laauranenn]

I love how maturely you handled the negative asks from The Anon I really admire you for it! I would also like to add on to your already on point analysis: Each arc is really significant for Sakura. Shishitoren arc I feel highlighted what could've been Sakura's future had he followed the same path he planned on that is becoming the top of Furin. Ume teaching Sakura how to use fighting as a conversation was a significant moment and the beginning of Sakura's change as a person who isn't all about fights, the moment he started evolving. Keel arc further steeled his character in the sense it showed a vulnerable side of him. Sakura, who had never been cared for, realizing he has people he wants to protect and struggles with it. His senpai and friends take the spotlight because they are there to help him. Just because other characters are getting a spotlight doesn't mean Sakura is losing it, it's simply to highlight their role in Sakura's life, and of course to give an insight about those characters themselves. Also one thing a lot of people often fail to notice is how much the plot revolves around Sakura. Everyone actually praises him for valor. Especially when you notice how Nirei was awestruck watching Shishitoren and Roppo Ichiza be friends because he's from the town, he knows how dire the situation used to be and now those enemies are Furin's friends but Sakura doesn't realize that because he wasn't there before the New Furin. He doesn't know his own impact so he doesn't think he has done much when he changed so much, not just as a person, but the town as well. Also how Ume said he didn't consider asking help from others like Sakura did because he thought Sakura considered that a possibility because he was from outside but he didn't consider the probability that maybe Sakura thought it was okay to ask for help because that's what he's been taught since he joined Furin. "Rely on your Brother" as Ume put it and Sakura really did. This town, this school and even the other gangs, they shaped him and are still doing so. Sakura's character isn't something you can interpret in isolation neglecting the role of his friends. Sorry for the rant I have been getting peeved by the Anon and wanted to share this. Sorry for any mistakes English is not my first language. Thank you for your time!

Thank you so much!! I mostly started this because I wanted to give the guy a chance to actually talk about their opinions on Wind Breaker and it's writing !! I figured that there might actually be something there other than just trolling or rage bait.

AND I WAS RIGHT !!

And thank you for adding your own analysis to this!! You've explained Sakura's involvement in the arcs really well!! That was something I kind of struggled to do in my analysis! I wasn't sure how to explain how involved he truly is in the story, even if it might seem otherwise to some!

And don't worry about the writing, English isn't my first language either!!

[ofthebrownajah]

Not gonna say anything on the writing comment but everything else said here is baffling to me. Doesn't bring anything new to the genre? It's a story that's been told dozens of times before? People don't come to WoT for the story? Just tell me you've never talked to a Wheel of Time fan before in your life

For context these tweets were in response to someone saying they wish WoT got as much buzz as HoTD

[kacievvbbbb]

Maybe it's just me and I just don't understand the arc. Or maybe this arc will get some grand conclusion I'm really starting to doubt. But like I'm sick and tired of Tashigi being used as Zoro's misogyny proxy. Like the "a woman swordsman could never beat a man" belief and trauma made sense for both Kuina and Tashigi and was a very valid fear way back in the East Blue when they were still fighting relatively normal people and had no scope of how big the world is

but at this point where there are literally 20 feet tall dudes and people can blow up a whole city with just Haki the only reason Tashigi is still weak is because she is being written that way. Which is really hard to understand because it seems now more than ever One Piece has been getting more and more strong female characters so I don't know why every time Tashigi is on screen with Zoro we have to rehash this. It's even worse cause all she does in the scene is prove Zoro right by getting in a fight that she can't handle and needing saving. It's such a confusing message and honestly doesn't really apply or come up anywhere but with Tashigi and Zoro (outside of that one time where Zoro yells at enel for blasting Robin because she's a woman which was weird because Robin's been in a lot of fights before but seemed there just so enel could point out just how ruthless it is.)

Hell with the exception of the G5 all being in love with her. She is treated like a regular character and not just "the woman"

It honestly feels like both Tashigi and Smoker got lost in the narrative and Oda just doesn't know where to put their arcs. It feels like she was being written to help Zoro overcome whatever mental block Kuina's death instilled in him about facing female opponents with his sword. But she is just sooooo far behind him it renders the point moot and strengthens his convictions (it's weird that he will literally crush a woman's face rather than use his sword and is the only reason I won't say he doesn't fight women he does he just seems to have a mental block about cutting them down especially if they fight with anything blade like) but also we've only ever seen him face female character he knows can't challenge him it would have been interesting to see what he'd do in a fight against someone like big mom, tsuru or smoothie doubt that will happen though. But here's to hoping for Tashigi to have an actual arc.

[oflorelei]

How it feels to be in the asoiaf fandom when you are lowkey a chill guy, don't get the weird "stan" movement, don't involve yourself in shipping drama and just rant a lil every tuesday but otherwise enjoy yourself:

[elreyesvidal]

After Hours (TFP!WheelRatch)

AN: I always thought Ratchet's reaction to Wheeljack showing up to help defend the base at the end of TFP season 2 was interesting. So here is my fic on my hc that they must've had some kind of conversation after the episode "Hurt".

Ratchet was confused, but he couldn't let his feelings cloud his mind, not when Bulkhead needed his full attention. Still, everyone at the base could tell the doctor's attention was split, despite the fact that he's been planted in front of the monitors all day.

The others had made their disappointment and anger at Wheeljack clear for bringing Miko along on his revenge trip. Ratchet was among them, but with all the commotion none of the others had realized just how affected he actually was.

It was no surprise, it's not as if the others knew about how they bonded during their excursion together. The two cybertronians had grown to respect each other after seeing the other work in their natural environment. They both realized the others capabilities and knew they could trust each other.

Or so Ratchet thought. He wasn't sure if his reaction was fair to Wheeljack. After all, everyone at the base, including the other humans, knew Miko had a knack for following the Autobots on their missions, even when told to stay. No, he shakes his head, still feeling disappointed, the right thing would have been for Wheeljack to inform the others of her whereabouts.

This confusion he was feeling, there was anger mixed in but it was mostly disappointment. He wasn't sure exactly what it is he expected of Wheeljack at this point in time. He couldn't have expected him to change after just one mission together. Maybe the issue was that Ratchet actually thought about Wheeljack being around base more.

Ratchet sighs aloud in frustration then, running a hand down his face before shaking his head slightly, as if that could clear his thoughts away. The motion doesn't go unnoticed by the others.

Arcee and Bumblebee, both concerned for their friends, look to Optimus, hoping to convey their thoughts with looks alone. He gives them a nod of understanding before making his way towards Ratchet.

Normally, he'd let Ratchet do his work undisturbed, however, with Bulkhead now stable, and Miko resting by his side, Optimus felt like he should encourage his friend to take a break. "Ratchet?"

Ratchet, having gone into hyperfocus mode, looks over in surprise before responding, "Yes? Oh, Optimus, I was just continuing to monitor Bulkhead's condition."

Optimus remains silent, allowing Ratchet to speak, "He will definitely need time to recover, but he's stable, there's been no drastic changes to his health."

"Then perhaps you would be willing to let us watch over him for a while?" Optimus gestures to the others spread out around the base.

"There's no need for someone to take over," Ratchet begins to turn back towards the monitors as he says this, hardly even looking to where Optimus had been gesturing.

"Ratchet, Bulkhead is stable, and there are others around who are ready to watch over him until he stirs. You mustn't push yourself. Take some time to rest, if only to clear your mind."

Normally, Ratchet would push to stay, knowing that bringing up his medical knowledge could convince Optimus to respect his wishes; but he did have a lot on his mind. "If you think that is best, Optimus. I will make sure to return with a clearer mind."

Optimus nods before taking over Ratchet's spot at the monitors. Ratchet looks over at Bulkhead and Miko once more before heading topside of the base. He's not one to really go on drives to clear his mind, but he figures looking out at Earth's night sky is better than looking at any more screens.

Once outside, he realizes there's another presence at the edge of the cliff. Wheeljack.

His ship sits on the opposite side of the cliff, answering the question of how he got up here.

Ratchet's mind becomes like static for a brief moment. There is a lot of confusion as he feels some of his earlier anger and disappointment that is mostly, but not entirely dulled. He didn't think he'd see him so soon, especially lingering atop the base. He thought he'd have more time to process the events of the past couple of days before seeing him again.

"Hey, Doc, fancy running into you here." Normally, Ratchet would react to the unwanted nickname, but he could tell Wheeljack's spirit wasn't into it. Whether he said it out of habit or because he wanted to rile him up, he's unsure, the only thing he is sure of is that he sounds just as defeated as he feels.

"What are you doing here, Wheeljack? You seemed uninterested in waiting around for Bulkhead to get up." Ratchet is unsure if perhaps he went too far by bringing up Bulkhead, the lack of reaction from Wheeljack concerning him.

After a pause, he responds, "I'm not sure. I know Bulk will be fine, he's in the best hands he could possibly be." Another pause as Ratchet joins him at the edge, neither look at each other, they just continue to look up at the stars.

"It's something the human said. Miko. She asked me, "Then why don't I feel any different", after we took out Hardshell and I told her, she'd make Bulkhead proud."

At this, Ratchet looks over at Wheeljack as he continues, "I hadn't thought much about her comment until after I took her back to base. The realization that Bulkhead would need time to recover and might not be the same again, brought her words back to my mind."

"Sure, I did feel satisfied taking down the 'con that attempted to snuff Bulkhead; but now what? It didn't help Bulk recover faster." Wheeljack looks down but still not at Ratchet.

"I presume you've never let yourself think on it too long before. Every time you've avenged your fellow Wreckers in the past, you've moved on, looking for the next, until now. Now there's someone who voiced the thought, the feeling, you've been avoiding, and there is no next one to look for to keep you distracted." Ratchet stops for a moment, again expecting some kind of reaction from Wheeljack.

He was now clenching his hands but otherwise no verbal reaction, so Ratchet continues, "Revenge may feel satisfying, but when you realize it doesn't help the person you're avenging, it takes away that satisfaction. What are you left with then?"

Wheeljack's hands relax then, "A lot of thoughts I'm not ready to deal with. I need more time to think, away from here."

"Wheeljack, I know you think working alone is less complicated, but working as a team, with a team, is worth the complications."

He looks over at Ratchet then, thinking of their first mission together. "Don't get soft on me now, sunshine."

Ratchet scoffs, "I would do no such thing. Besides, I doubt there's changing the mind of someone so stubborn and insubordinate. "

"And here I was, just getting used to your understanding side. I suppose there's no changing you either." Wheeljack steps closer into his space, enjoying his reaction.

Ratchet is not sure what it is about Wheeljack that makes him so reactionary. It's as if there was something drawing him to him, despite the irritation he causes him at times.

"It's not the same thing, and you know it," he finally responds while refusing to back away.

"You know, Doc, we could-" Wheeljack's interrupted by Ratchet's comm piece going off.

"Ratchet, Optimus thought you should know, Bulkhead's awake." With their proximity, they both heard the message clearly.

Ratchet responds while maintaining eye contact with Wheeljack, "I'm on my way back, Arcee."

The space between the two begins to grow slowly, neither really sure what to say.

Finally, Wheeljack says, "Bulkhead needs you more than I do right now, you should go. I know he'll be in good hands."

There's a new kind of disappointment emerging in Ratchet's thoughts, but he doesn't have time to process them right now. "You're still adamant on not wanting to see him in this state?"

Wheeljack nods, "See you around, Ratchet." He makes his way to his ship then, not really waiting for Ratchet to give any response.

What could he even say? He can't ask Wheeljack to stay, not if he's not ready. He also knows he wouldn't ask him to go with him, but a part of him wondered, if they weren't at war, if there wasn't a patient that needed tending... what then?

Ratchet watches him leave, not going back down into the base until his ship is no longer visible.

[atruewarrior]

Forgot how much i hated the “It’ll be so sad when the aot fandom dies” “mentally preparing for the death of the aot fandom” side of tumblr.