Canon Event – Meaning, Origin & Usage
If, like us, you’re a fan of fanfiction or a member of a fandom community, then you may have come across the phrase “canon event”. However, canon events rarely if ever have anything to do with the firing of cannons. Confused? Don’t worry, we’re about to explain it all.
This article is going to cover what the term “canon event” means, how the phrase originated, and even earned its own TikTok filter on social media, before going on to explain how the term is used for best effect and its significance in storytelling.
And without further ado let’s get straight to it.
What does the term “canon event” mean?
The term “canon event” refers to a significant moment that shapes a person’s life or identity. Or in other words, something that happens to you that shapes and defines who you are. This may be an unavoidable and formative moment that serves to build character that makes you what you are.
Origins of the term “canon event”
The term “canon event” is derived from the 2023 movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. In the film there is an event that all Spider-People must experience in order to become a superhero. This is described as a “canon event”.
From this, people began using the term to refer to a significant moment or occurrence that is widely accepted as part of the established storyline or narrative within a particular fandom or community. Then people started using the term to refer to real-life moments.
How the phrase “canon event” went viral
The phrase “canon even” then went on to become a TikTok trend, whereby TikTok creators started using the platform to share embarrassing or traumatic events in a funny way.
A typical TikTok Canon event video would feature music playing throughout, and begin with an awkward look into the camera with text coming up on screen describing the event, with the phrase “It’s a canon event” emblazoned on the footage.
By the time that the TikTok filter “Your Canon Event” kicked off the trend was truly viral.
Examples of canon events in the 2023 film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
There are several canon events in the Spider-Verse which make up the shared experiences that unite the Spider-Verse. Here are a few examples:
- Bruce Wayne’s parents dying: A canon event that could have led to Bruce Wayne becoming Batman
- Uncle Ben dying: A canon event that could have led to Spider-Man becoming the hero he is
- Spider-Man surviving radioactive spider bites: A canon event that shapes Spider-Man’s character
- The assassination of a police captain: A canon event that shapes Spider-Man’s character
Examples of canon events in real life
Any event that, when you look back on it, turned out to be a pivotal moment in someone’s life can be considered a canon event. For example, for some people this may be a job interview, an audition for a part in a TV drama, or even a cancer diagnosis.
However, in terms of the viral TikTok trend, many people are now describing their embarrassing moments as canon events, such as having an “emo” or “goth” phase, or someone having their first situationship.
Looking at the impact of canon events in storytelling
Canon events in a pop-culture story, whether from a standalone novel, a book/TV/film series or movie, not only maintain continuity within a story which is integral to the plot, but they also form the foundation for not only fan theories but also fan fiction as well. They essentially influence how the stories are told and consumed.
The concept of a canon event has relevance for the future of cinema, as the multiverse becomes a more prominent and possibly permanent part of film production. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is expanding into a multiverse, which may offer more opportunities to reinvent and recycle familiar elements, especially the canon events.
Common misconceptions about the term “canon event”
In the Spider-Verse, that is a make-believe multi-verse, an event is considered a canon event only when it is a particularly significant event in a character’s life that is consistent throughout the Spider-Verse.
However, following the term “canon event” going viral on the TikTok platform, people on the platform started using the filter “Your Canon Event” to upload videos in which they share the story of embarrassing moments in their lives.
Jumping on the Canon Event trend
If you’re on TikTok, and would like to join in the trend, feel free. All you have to do is video yourself talking about an embarrassing moment in your life. The idea is to make it sound as funny and embarrassing as possible. Remember to use the hashtag #CanonEvent. Or for an easier life, you could just watch other people’s videos yourself for a laugh, and avoid a lot of embarrassment.
Final word
So, in summary, the term “canon event” is used to refer to a significant moment that shapes a person’s life or identity. The term is derived from the 2023 film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. In the film there is an event, a “canon event”, that all Spider-People must experience in order to become a superhero.
The term “canon event” sparked video memes on the social media platform TikTok, where users would describe their real life canon events, and the effect these had on not just their lives but their whole identity and persona. The trend of creating such videos went viral, to the point where a new TikTok filter was created. However, in order to gain more Likes, many of these stories shared were of embarrassing moments, rather than significant moments, which has led to misconceptions.
