Awkward Fan Fiction: 3 Cringe-Worthy Examples
The Divisive World of Fan Fiction
Fan fiction is a well-known phenomenon, typically eliciting strong reactions. Opinions generally fall into two camps: enthusiastic appreciation or outright disdain.
Before beginning this piece, a personal question arose: how would one react to having their own work featured on a list of the "Top Worst" examples?
Upon reflection, the impact would be minimal if the work genuinely lacked merit. This consideration was tempered by the understanding that a portion of fan fiction authors may be motivated by disruptive intent.
Why Bad Fan Fiction Gains Traction
Surprisingly, poor quality isn't always the reason for a fan fiction's notoriety. Often, it's the awkwardness, and even unintentional humor, that draws attention.
Prepare to have your established understanding of fictional universes challenged. Make sure your fan wikis are ready, as we are about to examine some particularly noteworthy examples.
The Appeal of the Unintentional
- Many instances of poorly received fan fiction achieve popularity due to their peculiar nature.
- The humor often stems from unexpected plot developments or character interactions.
- Awkward writing can, paradoxically, become a source of entertainment for readers.
Story canon, as fans know it, is about to be re-evaluated.
Doom: Repercussions Of Evil
The origins of the now-iconic meme phrases "No, John. You are the demons" and "And then John was a zombie" can be traced back to this work. Repercussions Of Evil was penned by Peter Chimera, who described his motivation as a pursuit of amusement.
Initial Publication and Context
Initially published on FanFiction.net, the story represents Chimera’s effort to create a narrative within the universe of the video game Doom. The plot centers around a marine named John and his struggles against demonic forces, utilizing a plasma rifle as his primary weapon.
A peculiar element of the narrative involves John’s transformation into a zombie, the specifics of which remain somewhat ambiguous.
A Dramatic Adaptation
For those seeking a more visually engaging interpretation of this celebrated story, a video adaptation is available for viewing.
[embed width="580"]https://www.youtube.com/embed/0R0ZZF4O0K4[/embed]
The video provides a dramatic retelling of the events as they unfold in Repercussions Of Evil, offering a unique perspective on the tale of John and his encounters with the demonic hordes.
The story’s enduring popularity stems from its unintentionally humorous writing style and its memorable, often-quoted lines.
Halo: Halos In Space
While I consider myself a dedicated fan of the Halo franchise, my skills as a player don’t quite match my enthusiasm. Nevertheless, Halo: Halos In Space left me with a rather peculiar impression of Bungie’s work.
The narrative centers around Joe Chief, who is presented as the apparent sibling of Master Chief John-117, and his efforts to combat the Covenant forces.
Notable Story Elements
The story features memorable scenes, such as the depiction of Joe Chief’s combat prowess with the phrase "Joe Chief shot like 'bang bang bang'". Another instance involves two soldiers who were tragically crushed upon landing after exiting a spacecraft – "when they left a ship landed and skwashed them."
These moments proved difficult to interpret, and contributed to a somewhat unsettling experience.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the sole piece of game-inspired fan fiction created by author Squirrelking. Thankfully, he has produced numerous other works, including a continuation of the Halos In Space storyline.
Similar to Repercussions Of Evil, MUO is pleased to share a cinematic adaptation of this well-known story with you.
[embed width="580"]https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Y5EkwBHPbM[/embed]
Goku/Anne Frank: Until the End of Time
The title itself is striking – “Goku/Anne Frank: Until the End of Time.” A writer using the pseudonym Gofer-Chan has authored a fan fiction crossover combining Dragon Ball Z with the historical account of Anne Frank.
The author claims this unusual pairing originated as a suggestion from his brother, noting a personal fondness for both Anne Frank and the DBZ series.
A Question of Reality
One might suspect this work is a deliberate attempt to generate attention. However, should the author’s statement be genuine, it may be necessary to clarify the historical reality of Anne Frank’s life.
Alternatively, a distinction needs to be made between the fictional world of DBZ and actual historical events.
The Story's Premise
The narrative follows a relatively simple structure, common within the fan fiction genre. Goku is transported to Anne Frank’s era through a temporal anomaly.
He finds himself awaiting the restoration of his energy levels. During this period, he acknowledges Anne’s attractiveness, but reaffirms his commitment to his wife.
Anne, captivated by Goku’s personality, develops a fondness for him. However, his stay is brief, and he departs almost as quickly as he arrived.
Interestingly, despite not having previously watched Dragon Ball Z, the storyline possesses a surprising degree of potential.
The core concept, while unconventional, offers a unique narrative framework.
Concluding Remarks
Numerous instances of peculiar fan fiction were discovered during an online search. The three examples presented here were selected as being among the most appropriate for a general audience. It should be noted that a particularly disturbing Harry Potter fan fiction exists, discoverable through web searches, but was deemed unsuitable for inclusion due to its explicit content.
Despite this, it undeniably embodies the characteristic awkwardness often found within this genre.
Further Discussion
Are there other fan fiction works you are familiar with? We invite you to share your own dramatic readings or discuss your discoveries in the comments section below. Your contributions are welcome!
Image Source: dave