Genre shock in transcultural fandom: English-language slash fans, danmei, and the morality policing of queer representation

Abstract

Especially in transcultural fandoms, misunderstandings around interpretive norms and conventions can spark conflict. This article looks at misunderstandings between fan genres that deal with male/male relationships—English-language slash fandom, Chinese danmei fandom, and Chinese dangai (danmei adaptations). Through a case study of the Anglophone transcultural fandom of The Untamed, this article shows how the differences between similar, seemingly analogous interpretive communities can result in genre shock for the unsuspecting fan. It also explores how reactions born from genre shock can play into long-established racial, ethnic, and cultural power structures. The concept of genre shock provides vocabulary to identify these misrecognitions separated from the value judgements that are often subsequently made, so that fans and fan studies scholars alike can begin the work of detangling genre unfamiliarity from moral value judgements. Doing so can be a step toward the promise of transcultural understanding and connection offered by fandom in today's global media landscape.