In the context of anime, “canon” refers to the events and storylines that are considered to be part of the official continuity of a particular anime series or franchise. In other words, canon material is considered to be part of the “official” story and is generally accepted as having happened within the universe of the anime.
Canon can be an important concept in anime because it helps to establish the continuity and consistency of a series or franchise. It allows viewers to understand what has happened in the past and what may happen in the future, and it helps to create a cohesive narrative.
Not all material in an anime series or franchise is considered to be canon. For example, non-canon material may include filler episodes that were created to fill time in a series but do not advance the overall plot, or spin-off series or films that take place in a different continuity. Non-canon material is generally not considered to be part of the official story and may be disregarded by fans or ignored by future plot developments.
In summary, “canon” in anime refers to the events and storylines that are considered to be part of the official continuity of a particular series or franchise. This material is considered to be part of the “official” story and is generally accepted as having happened within the universe of the anime.
What are some examples of non-canonical stories in anime?
There are many examples of non-canon stories in anime. Here are a few common types of non-canon material that you may encounter:
- Filler episodes: These are episodes of an anime series that were created to fill time but do not advance the overall plot. Filler episodes are often used to give the manga (the source material for the anime) a chance to get ahead of the anime adaptation.
- Spin-off series or films: These are anime series or films that take place in a different continuity than the main series or franchise. Spin-off material is often considered to be non-canon because it may introduce characters or storylines that do not fit within the established continuity of the main series or franchise.
- Parodies or comedy skits: These are short, humorous segments that are often included in anime series or films. While they may be entertaining, they are typically not considered to be part of the official continuity and are not considered to be canon.
- Alternate universe stories: These are stories that take place in an alternate universe or timeline that is separate from the main continuity of the series or franchise. These stories may feature different versions of characters or may introduce new elements that do not fit within the established continuity of the main series or franchise.
It’s important to note that whether a story is considered to be canon or non-canon is often a matter of debate among fans and may not be officially established by the creators of the series or franchise. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to decide whether they want to consider a particular story to be part of the official continuity or not.