FanSided has released its annual Fandoms of the Year feature, a list of 100 fandoms that for whatever reason have blown up in the year 2021, and there’s plenty of fantastical, science fictional or otherwise geeky representation. For instance, coming at you in alphabetical order:
- Adam Warlock: “When Marvel announced Will Poulter had been cast to play Adam Warlock in next year’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it confirmed the arrival of a character MCU fans were first teased with four years ago. It also delighted fans of the legendary but lesser-known hero who’s been in the comics more than half a century.”
- American Horror Story: “American Horror Story finally returned this August for season 11 after a two-year break, and it was definitely worth the watch. Despite this show having a few flop seasons over the years, I love it because it brings horror into the mainstream and keeps viewers on our toes. The anthology style continues to work, and I don’t see this one ending anytime soon. Halloween is the best time of year and AHS really is a big part of the season!”
- Anime: “There were so many amazing anime series and films that were released this year. From the first part of the final season of Attack on Titan, to the series premiere of Tokyo Revengers, this was an extremely great year for anime fans everywhere.”
- Castlevania: “Castlevania ended in May after a four-year run on Netflix. An animated adaptation of a 30-year-old video game, Castlevania lingered as much over the beauty of a breeze or a sunset as it did on vampires and blood. The series’ stakes are pretty consistently apocalyptic, but it never gets old because its menagerie of monsters and magics are secondary to both major and minor characters’ depth and development.”
- Dune: “Expectations couldn’t have been higher for Dune, and in a year of delays, misfires, and disappointments, it was a relief to have such a high-profile project actually deliver. The movie is not for everyone, but it does a terrific job of making the most of its incredible cast and stunning visuals, walking the line between making esoteric source material accessible without just mashing it into a Hollywood nothing burger.”
- Lucifer: “2021 was an interesting year for Lucifans. Not only did Netflix gift us with the second half of season 5, but they also gave us the show’s final season, and what an incredible final season it was. Although there were definitely some misses, it’s been a while since I can say I’ve loved a final scene as much as I loved the closing sequence in Lucifer’s series finale. Regardless of your thoughts on the final season, season 6 was truly only possible because of the fans who stuck with the show from day one. Few shows can say they managed to evade cancellation twice, but Lucifer is unlike any other show, so it’s only fitting it would be an exception to the rule. While the show might be over, Lucifer will live on forever through the Lucifans and the incredible community the show has gifted us with.”
- Shadow and Bone: “Shadow and Bone premiered on Netflix in August as the first adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy book series. It was probably the best fantasy show of 2021 and it’s coming back for season 2 and expanding the world.”
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: “I don’t think words can truly express the wave of emotions that hit me upon returning to theaters to see my first MCU movie in a theater since July 2019. And then Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings began playing and I was truly left stunned. Shang-Chi was one of the most beautifully crafted Marvel movies we’ve ever seen. From its breathtaking visuals and extraordinary action sequences to its phenomenal cast, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a true masterpiece and celebration of diverse storytelling. Simu Liu’s casting as Shang-Chi was perfect, and his introduction couldn’t come at a better time in the MCU’s history. He’s a hero that has left fans excited for what’s next to come and whose story has only just begun. I can’t wait to see where this ride takes us next!”
- Squid Game: “It’s rare for a show or film to arrive and provide something fresh and new. That’s exactly what Squid Game managed to accomplish, with a concept that captivated the world in a way that few programs ever have.”
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch: “Star Wars has a unique niche in the TV world where its animated series are celebrated, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch was the first new animated Star Wars series in a few years. It’s a spinoff of the hit series The Clone Wars, and it deepened the little-known Star Wars lore after Episode III. There was much to be learned about Star Wars in these episodes, and fans enjoyed engaging with it for its 16-week run on social media.”
- Supergirl: “2021 has been a huge year for Supergirl fans. Not only did the show return to screens for the first time in almost a year to air its long-awaited sixth season, that sixth season also served as the show’s last, bringing about the end of an era for The CW’s Arrowverse. Even though it had to focus on wrapping up its overarching story, Supergirl used its final episodes to once again increase awareness about important topics such as racism and representation. The show is at its best when there is a message behind it, and the final season had plenty of them. This show has been so important to me and countless others over the years and I am sad to see it bow out, but we can all take comfort in the incredible legacy it leaves behind. With a wealth of female-led projects in the comic book genre today, we should never overlook Supergirl’s impact as the first female-led superhero TV series in decades. That is a legacy that will live on for years to come, both through the abundance of shows and movies to follow in its footsteps and through its incredibly passionate legion of super-fans.”
- WandaVision: “To say WandaVision helped to usher in a new era for Marvel when it became the first Disney Plus MCU series to debut on the streaming platform might be an understatement. Since its release, WandaVision has been praised by fans and critics as one of Marvel’s finest hours and one of the best shows 2021 period. WandaVision was a true love letter to television and delivered one of the most emotional storylines to ever be told within the MCU, with stunning performances from its cast, which only helped to further elevate the show’s powerful message. It was a true masterclass in acting from Elizabeth Olsen, whose performance in the series only helped to further cement her lasting legacy as one of Marvel’s greatest heroes and performers. While Olsen might not have taken home the Best Actress Emmy, much to the surprise of fans, WandaVision managed to net Marvel Studios 23 total Emmy nominations and three wins, including for the series’ chart-topping earworm “Agatha All Along”. At a time when the future of the MCU seemed uncertain, WandaVision proved Marvel Studios still has some tricks up its sleeve and assured fans the best might still be to come.”
- What We Do In The Shadows: “By the time you read this, What We Do In The Shadows, FX’s vampire mockumentary series, will have concluded its third excellent season. I don’t know why people aren’t talking about this show constantly. Every episode is hilarious. The five central performances are all tremendous, and the guest stars are delightful. It’s a true feel-good show about a bunch of assholes who will never die and the weirdos they encounter as they roam the Earth (but mostly Staten Island).”
I note Shang-Chi got on there but not Eternals. Ouch. Also, “MCU Shows” in general is also on there. WandaVision is the only one that got an entry of its own, which feels about right.
Not a bad list, although there are a few more fandoms I’d toss on…
Fandoms that should have been included among the Fandoms of the year
Some of these blew up later in the year, but that doesn’t make them less deserving of recognition:
- The Expanse: It’s the final season of this beloved sci-fi series, and by all accounts it’s going out with a bang!
- The Wheel of Time: Fans of Robert Jordan’s massive fantasy series have been waiting decades for the story to come to the screen, and Amazon’s new show has quickly gained a loyal following. This one definitely should’ve been represented!
- The Witcher: Netflix put out a couple of new Witcher things this year, including the second season of the main show plus an animated movie! This franchise is growing and only going to get bigger.
And I might replace The Bad Batch with The Book of Boba Fett, which I bet will make a bigger splash. Hard to know until it premieres on December 29, though.
You can check out all the Fandoms of the Year right here!
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