The Most Popular Fandom on AO3, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the fandom you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:36
In the sprawling universe of fan-created content, where countless stories spiral out from beloved original works, it can feel overwhelming to sift through it all to find the best of the best. A ranked list of the most popular fandoms helps guide new and seasoned readers alike to the highest-quality narratives, ensuring that every click leads to a story that resonates deeply with a wide audience.
Voting on such a list isn't just a way to express your preferences; it's a form of community engagement that enhances the visibility of top-tier fandoms and influences the future of fanfiction trends. By participating, you help showcase the creativity and diversity of stories that are crafted by fans, for fans, raising the bar for narrative excellence across the board.
What Is the Most Popular Fandom on AO3?
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157votes
Nzgabriel · CC BY 2.5Harry Potter
J.K. RowlingThe Harry Potter series has been a popular fandom for decades, and it's no surprise that it continues to be a top fandom on AO3. With a vast universe and a large cast of characters, there's no shortage of fanfiction to explore.Harry Potter is a fantasy book series that follows the journey of a young wizard named Harry Potter as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The books chronicle Harry's battle against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who seeks to become immortal and conquer the wizarding world. The series incorporates elements of magic, friendship, adventure, and coming-of-age themes.- Genre: Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1997-2007
- Number of Books: 7
- Main Protagonist: Harry Potter
- Setting: Wizarding World (primarily in the UK)
Harry Potter in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular main characters
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 4 of 10 in Most attractive Harry Potter character
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular movie character
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular cosplay
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous person from Suffolk
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232votes
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Kevin FeigeThe MCU has exploded in popularity in recent years, and with so many characters and storylines to explore, it's a haven for fanfiction writers.The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a highly popular and expansive franchise of superhero films and television shows based on characters from Marvel Comics. It is a shared universe where multiple films and series are interconnected, allowing for cohesive storytelling and character crossovers. The MCU has gained a massive following worldwide and has become a cultural phenomenon.- First Film Release: Iron Man (2008)
- Number of Films: Over 20 (and counting)
- Total Box Office Revenue: Over $22 billion
- Highest-Grossing Film: Avengers: Endgame
- Longest Film: Avengers: Endgame (181 minutes)
Marvel Cinematic Universe in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful Disney franchise
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular cinematic universe
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular fandom
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular blooket quiz
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335votesSupernatural has had a dedicated fanbase for over a decade, and with a rich mythology and complex characters, it's a popular fandom on AO3.Supernatural is a popular fandom on AO3 based on the American TV show of the same name. It revolves around the lives of two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, who hunt supernatural creatures and protect humanity from supernatural threats.
- Genre: Fantasy, Horror
- Publication Date: September 13, 2005
- TV Network: The WB (2005-2006), The CW (2006-2020)
- Number of Seasons: 15
- Number of Episodes: 327
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412votes
The Avengers
Joss WhedonThe Avengers franchise has become a global phenomenon, and with so many characters to explore, it's a popular fandom for fanfic writers.The Avengers is a superhero film released in 2012, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The movie brings together Marvel's iconic superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, as they join forces to save the Earth from the villainous Loki.- Budget: $220 million
- Box Office: $1.518 billion
- Release Date: April 11, 2012 (Los Angeles premiere)
- Duration: 143 minutes
- Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Avengers in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful comic book
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular comic book of all time
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular fanfiction on FanFiction.net
- Position 8 of 10 in Most loved Marvel movie
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513votesSherlock Holmes has been a beloved character for over a century, and the BBC's modern adaptation has only increased his popularity. The show's popularity has led to a thriving fandom on AO3.Sherlock is a highly acclaimed British television drama series that is based on the Sherlock Holmes detective stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The modern-day adaptation follows the brilliant and eccentric consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his loyal friend, Dr. John Watson, as they solve complex and intricate crimes in contemporary London.
- Genre: Crime drama
- Setting: Contemporary London, England
- First episode air date: July 25, 2010
- Number of seasons: 4
- Number of episodes: 13
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610votes
Teen Wolf
Jeff DavisTeen Wolf has a dedicated fanbase that has only grown since the show ended in 2017. With a rich mythology and compelling characters, it's a popular fandom on AO3.Teen Wolf is a popular fandom on AO3 that centers around the television series with the same name. Created by Jeff Davis, it explores the lives of Scott McCall, a high school student who becomes a werewolf, and his friends as they navigate through supernatural adventures, romance, and personal growth.- Genre: Supernatural, Drama, Romance
- Setting: Beacon Hills, California
- Main Characters: Scott McCall, Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale, Lydia Martin, Allison Argent
- Themes: Friendship, Identity, Loyalty, Coming-of-age
- Supernatural Creatures: Werewolves, Hunters, Banshees, Werecoyotes, Kitsunes
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79votes
Star Wars
George LucasStar Wars has been a popular franchise for over 40 years, and with a vast universe and countless characters, it's a popular fandom for fanfic writers.Star Wars is an iconic and highly recognized sci-fi film franchise created by George Lucas. The franchise features a collection of distinctive ringtones that have become popular over the years. These ringtones capture the essence of the Star Wars universe and are loved by fans worldwide.- Title: Star Wars
- Genre: Sci-fi
- Release Year: 1977
- Film Series: Star Wars saga
- Theme Music Composer: John Williams
Star Wars in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful Disney franchise
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular cinematic universe
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful movie trilogy
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular ringtones of all time
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular PEZ dispenser
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88votes
Yuri!!! on Ice
Mitsurou KuboYuri!!! on Ice is a relatively new anime that has quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. With a focus on figure skating and a romantic storyline, it's a popular fandom on AO3.Yuri!!! on Ice is a popular Japanese anime series that revolves around the world of competitive figure skating. The story follows Japanese figure skater Yuuri Katsuki, who is struggling with his career and self-confidence. However, after a video of him performing a routine of his idol, Russian skater Victor Nikiforov, goes viral, Victor takes an interest in him and becomes his coach. Together, Yuuri and Victor navigate the world of professional figure skating, forming a deep bond and challenging each other to become the best.- Genre: Sports, Drama, Romance
- Episodes: 12
- Original Run: October 6, 2016 - December 22, 2016
- Studio: MAPPA
- Main Characters: Yuuri Katsuki, Victor Nikiforov, Yuri Plisetsky
Yuri!!! on Ice in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular sports anime
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9-2votesHamilton has taken the world by storm, and with its catchy music and fascinating characters, it's a popular fandom on AO3.Hamilton is a city in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is located on the westernmost part of Lake Ontario, approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Toronto. Known for its industrial history, Hamilton is also famous for its scenic natural beauty, with the Niagara Escarpment running through the city. It is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich cultural scene, offering a blend of urban and outdoor experiences.
- Population: approximately 536,917
- Area: approximately 1,138.11 square kilometers
- Nickname: The Hammer
- Official Language: English
- Mayor: Fred Eisenberger
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100votes
pepperpot · Public domainDoctor Who has been a beloved sci-fi series for over 50 years, and with a constantly changing cast of characters and time-traveling adventures, it's a popular fandom for fanfic writers.Doctor Who is a long-running British science fiction television series that follows the adventures of a time-traveling alien called The Doctor, who explores the universe in a spaceship called the TARDIS. With the ability to regenerate and change appearance, The Doctor interacts with various companions and takes on different forms to battle enemies and save civilizations across time and space.- First Aired: November 23, 1963
- Genre: Science fiction
- Number of Seasons: 13
- Number of Episodes: 820+
- Average Episode Length: 45 minutes
Doctor Who in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular fandom
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular fanfiction on FanFiction.net
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Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular fandom
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Growth RateAnalyzing the growth rate of new works for a particular fandom over a specific time period can help identify trends and understand which fandoms are currently popular.
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Kudos, Comments, and BookmarksThese are essential engagement metrics on AO3. High engagement through kudos (likes), comments, and bookmarks represent a fandom's popularity and the level of interaction between creators and readers.
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LongevityThe duration of a fandom's activity on AO3 can indicate its popularity. A fandom that has been around for a long time and remains active with new works and engagement illustrates a dedicated fanbase.
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Crossover WorksThe number of crossover works, where two or more fandoms are combined in a single work, can also act as a popularity indicator. Popular fandoms may have a higher number of crossover works.
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Creator CommunityA more extensive creator community responsible for generating fanfiction, fanart, and other forms of fan-created content can be an indication of a more popular fandom.
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TagsThe frequency and variety of tags used within a fandom can reveal popular themes, tropes, and character relationships. Fandoms with more diverse and numerous tags could signify a larger and more engaged community.
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Social Media PresenceAnalyzing the presence of a fandom on various social media platforms, including Twitter, Tumblr, and Reddit, can provide additional insights into its popularity. The level and nature of discussion surrounding a fandom on these platforms can be an indicator of its live presence in the fan community.
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Event ParticipationFandom events, such as big bangs, exchanges, and prompt challenges, could be relevant in determining a fandom's popularity. Participation in these events reflects how active creators and readers are within the community.
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TimelessnessFandoms that remain popular and active despite a lack of new official content (books, movies, TV shows, etc.) demonstrate a strong and lasting fanbase.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular fandom on AO3. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Fan is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4656 views
- 168 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Fan once every 24 hours. The rank of each Fan is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular fandom on ao3
Background Information:
AO3, or Archive of Our Own, is a popular fanfiction website that allows users to post and read fan-written stories for various fandoms. It was created in 2008 by the Organization for Transformative Works, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving fanworks and fan culture.
One of the unique features of AO3 is its tagging system, which allows users to easily search and filter for specific characters, pairings, genres, and themes. This makes it easy for fans to find and read stories that cater to their specific interests.
With over 6 million works and 2 million registered users, AO3 has become a hub for fandom communities to share their love and passion for their favorite TV shows, movies, books, and more. The site has also gained attention for its inclusivity and emphasis on diversity, with a commitment to promoting works by marginalized creators.
Given the vast amounts of fanfiction available on AO3, it's not surprising that certain fandoms have gained more popularity than others. In this article, we explore the most popular fandoms on AO3 and what makes them so beloved by fans.
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