Beyond Canon: How Shipping Shapes our View of Fictional Relationships
- Max
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
Why do we care so much about fictional relationships? Creatinuum Episode 49,““I Ship Those Two!": On (Relation)ship Dynamics in All Forms of Fiction,” explores how tropes shape our favorite narratives and impact our experience as audiences.
What is Shipping?
Shipping is about imagining, supporting, or creating content around romantic relationships between fictional characters. Some fans stick to canon pairings, while others explore "what-if" scenarios beyond the official storyline. The term "relationshippers" first popped up in 1993 among The X-Files fans rooting for Mulder and Scully to get together. Since then, shipping has shaped pop culture, from the Twilight love triangle to Marvel pairings like Stucky (Steve/Bucky). The palpable chemistry between characters can create entire fandoms out of thin air and keep franchises thriving. Whether it’s the slow burn of friends to lovers, the fiery tension of enemies to lovers, or the classic opposites-attract dynamic, shipping plays a huge role in how fans connect and resonate with stories.
Popular Ship Dynamics
Fans are drawn to certain relationship tropes because they create emotionally gripping stories. And it’s not just romance. Ships can form in any genre.
Take enemies to lovers: the tension, the gradual shift from rivalry to romance, and the undeniable chemistry make it a fan favorite. That’s why pairings like Draco and Hermione or the timeless Hades and Persephone dynamic keep reappearing in fiction. Then there’s friends to lovers, beloved for its deep, emotional bond and slow-burn buildup, which make the relationship feel natural and earned. And, of course, the love triangle—a setup that keeps fans invested by forcing characters (and audiences) to choose a side, like the endless Edward vs. Jacob debate in Twilight.
Whether it’s tension, intimacy, or high-stakes choices, these tropes stick around for a reason—they work.
The Influence of Fandoms
Shipping has grown from a fan-driven pastime into a cultural phenomenon, sparking creativity, community, and debate. While it fosters a sense of belonging, it also raises questions about representation, queerbaiting, and the ethics of shipping real people. Media companies have been called out for queerbaiting, hinting at LGBTQ+ relationships without real follow-through. Supernatural’s Destiel (Dean/Castiel), for example, kept fans guessing for years without ever becoming canon. Despite this, shipping continues to shape how audiences engage with and even redefine relationships portrayed in media.
Representation of Marginalized Groups Through Fanworks
Fanfiction and fanart provide a platform for underrepresented identities that mainstream media often neglects. Many fans use shipping to explore LGBTQ+ relationships, racial diversity, and disability representation in ways that traditional storytelling rarely does. By reclaiming narratives and centering marginalized voices, fanworks not only offer a sense of belonging but also push for more inclusive storytelling in official media.
As media evolves, creators are increasingly acknowledging and even catering to shipping communities. Shows like She-Ra and the Princesses of Power embraced fan demand for LGBTQ+ relationships, reflecting fandom’s growing impact on storytelling. Fans also keep their ships alive through fanfiction, reimagining familiar characters in entirely new contexts. Works like Manacled by SenLinYu, a dark Harry Potter fanfic featuring Draco/Hermione, have gained massive recognition, proving how transformative fan-driven storytelling can be.
More Than Romance—A Cultural Phenomenon
Shipping is about more than just romance—it’s about storytelling, emotional investment, and community. Whether canon or non-canon, ships allow fans to explore relationships in ways that resonate deeply with them. As fandom culture continues to evolve, shipping remains a powerful force in how we engage with fiction. Moreover, the future of shipping will likely see more explicit representation and direct engagement between creators and fans.
Listen in full to Creatinuum EP49,“I Ship Those Two!": On (Relation)ship Dynamics in All Forms of Fiction, available on Simplecast, Spotify, Apple, and other platforms.
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