Is it okay if you do not follow canon?

[Jukain]

Sorry to bring up this kind of question again, but I started to wonder, do you really need to follow the rules of any particular canon for any reason? A lot of people I know seem really obsessed about following the rules of whatever sector of the fandom they are associated with. What if you don't follow any of them? No one is stopping me. No one is going to incarcerate me for having my own opinion of how the pokeworld works and it doesn't match canon in any way, shape, or form. Some people may think I can't call myself a fan then, but I don't care. I'll do whatever I flipping please. I guess 'tis the curse of being a fanfic writer.

 

[Almonds]

I don't care about canon. I have my own beliefs and my own headcanon.

And so do others

 

[Combusken]

I generally follow canon, but that doesn't mean I can't question/doubt certain aspects in it or have my own ideas.

(Hope I worded that right.)

 

[CrystaI]

Well, all of the Pokemon canons in all different sectors do not give 100% clear definition of how the Pokemon World functions, in terms of their societies, politics, physics, morals, Pokemon interactions, or even as basic as the origin of food people eating. Though, Pokemon Special canon had explanation much clearer than the Anime canon, but there are still some flaws in their theories. So I came up with my own explanations of these things that didn't explained in the canons, or that I feel their explanation is not that plausible in my understandings. So basically means, I had my own headcanon as well.

And by the way, just to speak. Each different Pokemon canon is quite different from one another. The basic mechanism of Pokemon battle is the same, but many other things, such as how league tournaments are hold, what situations Pokemons are consider as "Unable to battle", they are all not congruent in different canons. So by following one specific canon, there is chance that one event contradicts the other canons, or didn't make much sense within the rules of that other canon. So what's the point of following only one canon?

Well, this kind of thing will not be understandable by stubborn fans who don't write fanfic......

 

[Dr. Buni]

I think everyone should have their own headcanons. Following canon stuff is perfectly fine, specially when the series is plot-oriented, but a series like Pokémon certainly isn't one of those. You see, most of the non-gameplay related stuff in Pokémon is vaguely explained and there is just a small amount of details that may be considered as facts. I particularly don't believe in certain "canon" things that most people seem to treat as facts, like Pokédex entries (they are nothing but lore to me), Pokémon eating other Pokémon or human eating Pokémon (seriously?), even the existence of animals in the Pokémon World is something I don't quite believe, etc.

I also agree that it is a bit annoying when you make a comment about your views in regards of a certain aspect of the Pokémon world and some people tell you that you're wrong because the canon says this and that. Perhaps that is a "problem" of fanfic writers, since I was once one as well.

 

[Jukain]

Well, I can't say I anticipated EVERYTHING about the pokemon world, but I don't think anyone can. There's a lot of stuff that I didn't even bother considering, and I never will. I think the issue is really whether or not you can separate the canons since they are so different, and then recognize that your ideas are either not stated in canon, or that canon is different in some aspect. The most critical area I disagree in is the breeding system, and everything associated to it. I also tend to disagree with evo methods since I prefer to think of it as a life cycle. (it's still a magical transformation, just that it occurs as a natural part of their growth) The way it's treated in the games and the anime would SEVERELY disagree with both notions, yet I think that it's at least implied by the system that is what it's supposed to be. The largest handwave I've been given is that pokemon is for kids and it's not supposed to be thought of in that way. I am aware of how the franchise portrays itself, and I have even said that the game should remain a game and it's fine as it is. Everything else is for the fans to play around with. I don't have to agree with everything. I don't think any fandom does that. They all have their own ideas of how things should work, and they never agree. So why is canon so sacred, then? There are a lot of fundamentals that I do treasure of pokemon, but to say I have to follow all of them is silly to me. For one thing, it would contradict too much in some places, even if I were to follow just one. Another is that it's very narrow minded and oppressive. I do not ask people to agree with me, but I do ask for fairness. Asking that of the people who say these things to me is perhaps impossible. It matters little, though. I am content if the only way I can have the world of pokemon as I want it to be is within the world of art and writing. I am fine with the game as a game, but as a world, it leaves a lot to be desired.