Line #108 Main/FanonWelding


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6	->'''Bart:''' Well you know what I think? I think WesternAnimation/{{Casper\|The Friendly Ghost}}'s the ghost of ComicBook/RichieRich.\
7	'''Lisa:''' Hey, they do look alike!\
8	'''Bart:''' I wonder how Richie died...\
9	'''Lisa:''' Perhaps he realized how hollow the pursuit of money is and took his own life.
10	-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E21ThreeMenAndAComicBook Three Men and a Comic Book]]"
11
12	In the world of EpilepticTrees, Fanon Welding is what happens when fans see {{Shared Universe}}s and {{Stealth Sequel}}s where there are none; a specific breed of fan theory which argues that a particular work somehow secretly shares a universe and/or continuity with another unrelated work, no matter how bizarre the possibility is and regardless of their respective authors' intentions. To support these theories, fans will seek out any supposed link between the works in question as proof that the events and elements appearing in one work were canonical to the other all along.
13
14	In other words, it can be considered the act of engaging in unofficial CanonWelding.
15
16	This commonly happens with works that happen to come from the same author, as they often tend to share similarities in style; it is especially guaranteed if they also contain CompanyCrossReferences to one another or share some specific RecurringElement despite taking place in entirely different continuities. Another common source of Fanon Welding theories is {{typecasting}}, the practice of having an actor play the same character type in works they appear in. As such, expect fan theories about [[DoppelgangerCrossover similar characters played by the same actor in multiple works all being one and the same,]] [[CrossoverRelatives or somehow related]], thus making said works connected to each other. (Though PlayingAgainstType won't stop fans from believing ''any'' character played by the same actor is one person, regardless.) Other reasons may vary: maybe there is an {{expy}} of a particular character, or a character with a ReusedCharacterDesign, but the fans think the former is actually that very same character under a different identity, and believe the latter is [[CanonCharacterAllAlong a pre-established one all along]]. Or maybe the respective authors of two works happen to be friends, and both are fond of including {{Easter Egg}}s as references to each other's work.
17
18	When such theories come to be accepted by the fandom and incorporated into {{Fanon}}, expect to see many crossover fics involving the works claimed to be canonical to each other. If WordOfGod confirms the works in question to be [[IKnewIt indeed related all along]], then it's CanonWelding.
19
20	Compare CommonCrossover, where the works in question are featured notably often in crossover fics, but aren't necessarily considered to be unofficially canonical to one another. Also compare with the DoppelgangerCrossover, a trope where multiple characters sharing common features, voices, and/or actors are either brought together or revealed to be the same universe somehow.
21	----
22	!!Examples:
23
24	[[foldercontrol]]
25
26	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
27	* ''Anime/GiantRoboTheDayTheEarthStoodStill'' features the Eiffel Tower being melted and bent over by the Vogler Sphere at the beginning of the series, which is how it appears in both ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'' and ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'', fueling speculation that they all take place in the same timeline. It helps that they all feature similar depictions of martial arts, and that Yasuhiro Imagawa directed both ''Giant Robo'' and ''G Gundam'', as well as a spin-off [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] for ''North Star''.
28	[[/folder]]
29
30	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
31	* ''ComicStrip/{{Frazz}}'' is speculated to take place in the same universe as ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'', with many theorizing that Frazz is an adult Calvin due to their similar designs and hair style. It helps that both share a very similar art style.
32	[[/folder]]
33
34	[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
35	* ''Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon'':
36	** Some people think that ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen\|2013}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' take place in the same universe, as two background characters in ''Frozen'' were deliberately modelled after Eugene and Rapunzel from the latter movie. This also led fans to believe Rapunzel is also part of the same family as the royal sisters, usually as their cousin.
37	** There is another theory that ''Frozen'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Tarzan}}'' take place in the same universe, and that Tarzan is the royal sisters' brother, who was born after the parents' boat crashed. This is debunked because we actually get to see Tarzan's parents who look nothing like the sisters', and ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' confirms that the ship didn't wreck in Africa.
38	** Owing to their [[WorldOfFunnyAnimals similar art-styles]] and FriendlyFandoms, many ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'' fans believe ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood'' to be the same world's distant past, often with Nick Wilde being distantly related to Robin.
39	** There are some fans who believe that ''every'' movie in the animated canon takes place in the same universe, not only due to the above two theories, but also due to many of the movies sharing similar elements, such as talking animal sidekicks and magic.
40	* ''Fanfic/ThePixarTheory'', a fan theory (or group of theories) that postulate that all Pixar movies are part of a shared universe, using the different EasterEggs as proof of that. Of course, the details of such connection will depend on who you ask,as the theory already has several notable exponents like the credited creator of the theory himself, Jon Negroni, the Super Carlin Brothers, and countless fan theories on Reddit and other forums from many others. In case you're wondering, [[WordOfGod Pixar creators]] have already debunked it to varying degrees. Pete Doctor (''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc1'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'', ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut'') dismissed it, but admitted that all ''his'' films could potentially work within a single universe. Meanwhile, Brad Bird (''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}'') is explicit about all his films (not counting sequels) taking place in different universes, much less all of them being within a larger Pixar-verse. Additionally, WordOfGod regarding the Toy Box world in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'' indicates that the universe of the ''Toy Story'' films is canonically one of the worlds in the multiverse of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' (as opposed to a BroadStrokes alternate retelling like most Disney worlds in the series). One could reasonably interpolate that if the same is true regarding the Monstropolis world, then at least those Pixar movies operate on the ''Kingdom Hearts'' Multiverse Theory. This was eventually [[https://screencrush.com/how-toy-story-4-debunks-pixar-theory-interview-mark-nielsen/ discussed]] and [[{{Jossed}} debunked]] by the producers of ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory4''.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
44	* Some fans of ''Film/DodgeballATrueUnderdogStory'' and ''Film/{{Heavyweights}}'' believe that White Goodman and Tony Perkis are the same character, mainly because both characters are cruel, egotistical fitness gurus played by Creator/BenStiller.
45	* Creator/NicolasWindingRefn's movies ''Film/Drive2011'' and ''Film/OnlyGodForgives'' are often thought to be connected (usually with the latter being a prequel to the former), because both movies star Creator/RyanGosling playing similar characters.
46	* Due to ''Film/EventHorizon''[='s=] story fitting, both plotwise and atmosphere, the tone of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', many fans considered the film as a prequel when humanity makes its first contact with [[HyperspaceIsAScaryPlace the Warp and its dark powers]].
47	* ''Film/FightClub'': A bizarre but popular theory posits that the movie is secretly a DarkerAndEdgier sequel to ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' of all things. Jack -- the movie's protagonist -- is theorized to be the disillusioned adult version of Calvin, and that Hobbes -- Calvin's [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane ambiguously imaginary]] friend -- lives on in the form of [[spoiler:Tyler Durden, Jack's villainous alter ego]]. Marla and Bob from the movie are also speculated to be the adult selves of Susie and Moe respectively, the latter presumably having developed his signature man-boobs as LaserGuidedKarma for bullying Calvin in the past.
48	* ''Film/GetOut2017'': Fans theorized that the film takes place in the same world as ''Film/BeingJohnMalkovich'' due to both movies featuring [[spoiler:people forcibly taking over other people's bodies]] as a plot point and Creator/CatherineKeener as an actress, also theorizing that Keener's characters are one and the same. The directors of both films [[ApprovalOfGod liked the theory]].
49	* A lot of ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' fans consider ''Film/GungaDin'' a direct prequel to ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom'' due to the similarities between the two films, and the fact that the Thugee are the villains in both films.
50	* There is a fan theory that suggests ''Film/Life2017'' is a [[StealthSequel Stealth Prequel]] to ''Film/Venom2018'', speculating that Calvin -- the alien life form that the crew come across -- is actually a Symbiote from the ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' because of its similar design and ability to absorb its prey. This was partially fueled by the fact that the former movie recycles a minor shot from ''Film/SpiderMan3'', which was Venom's debut in live-action.
51	* ''Film/TheRock'': One of the main characters of the film is John Mason, an aging British MI-6 agent played by Creator/SeanConnery. Mason was meant to be an {{Expy}} and a {{deconstruction}} of Film/JamesBond -- sharing many traits such as being a CulturedBadass, TheCasanova and a bonafide EscapeArtist -- along with being a deliberate ActorAllusion towards Sean Connery's fame as the first actor to play the James Bond character in film history. However, this also spawned a popular theory that claims John Mason is not a separate character, but ''James Bond himself'', and "John Mason" is simply an alias he is using during the events of the plot.
52	* Much of the fanbase of ''Film/{{Showgirls}}'' believe that Nomi Malone is actually a grown up Jessie Spano from ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' who never got over her addiction to caffeine pills and continues to have nervous breakdowns.
53	* A popular theory, first [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEX52h1TvuA proposed]] by [=YouTuber=] Rhino Stew, suggests that ''Film/{{Snowpiercer}}'' is a DarkerAndEdgier sequel to Creator/RoaldDahl's ''Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory''. To sum up, he pegs the main villain Wilford as a grown-up Charlie Bucket who took Willy Wonka's (or rather, ''Wilford'' Wonka's) name after he inherited the factory, with the many similarities and shout-outs found in the details of both stories' characters and plots indicating that he was influenced by Wonka's philosophy, put some of the technology that powered Wonka's factory into the titular train, and used Wonka's psychological and organizational methods to establish his rule over the train's passengers. He also pegs a number of Wilford's henchmen as the other Golden Ticket winners (or their children) all grown up, [[spoiler:and the train's dependence on [[PoweredByAForsakenChild child labor]] as a result of the Oompa Loompas going extinct]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygYlxTxSaCM This video]] by Nomadic Kong builds on the "Wonkapiercer" theory, arguing that the plot of ''Snowpiercer'' draws direct parallels and homages to ''Charlie''[='=]s 1971 film adaptation, ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', right down to specific scenes that are nearly identical and even the use of "Pure Imagination" in the score.
54	-->'''Rhino Stew:''' They're both two movies about groups of people that work their way through a large, fantastic structure. One by one, a person from the group is removed in each room, until one person makes it to the very end, who then found out that [[spoiler:the entire thing was a test because a wealthy industrialist needed to find a new successor]].
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Literature]]
58	* ''Literature/TheSalmonOfDoubt'', the fragmentary third ''Literature/DirkGently'' novel, has an unnamed ginger-haired actor in a minor role. Since ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' describes Ford Prefect's hair as "wiry and gingerish", his cover story on Earth was an out-of-work actor, and Creator/DouglasAdams was talking vaguely about rewriting the whole thing as the sixth ''Hitchhiker's'' book before he died, it's a popular assumption that this is him.
59	* A popular theory -- proposed by science fiction writer John D. Clark in 1956 (making this trope OlderThanCableTV) and promoted by various other professional writers and scholars such as William Stuart Baring-Gould -- suggested that Literature/NeroWolfe is the son of Literature/SherlockHolmes, generally the product of an affair with Irene Adler. Although others have argued in favor of Mycroft Holmes as a likelier candidate for Wolfe's father, citing the physical and psychological similarities to the elder Holmes brother. As discussed [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Lupa#:~:text=Lupa%2C%20a%20secret%20agent%20during,aliases%20used%20by%20the%20character on this Wikipedia page,]] the novelist John Lescroat created a character called Auguste Lupa, who is implied to be Wolfe himself pulling a ThisIsMyNameOnForeign, and who is explicitly Holmes son.
60	* "Blackbury" was Sir Creator/TerryPratchett's go-to name for [[EverytownAmerica Everytown, UK]], but it's certainly not impossible that the ''Literature/NomesTrilogy'' and the ''Literature/JohnnyMaxwellTrilogy'' take place in the ''same'' Blackbury, especially as they both feature the Neil Armstrong Shopping Centre. Adding every mention of Blackbury in the ''Buck's Free Press'' children's page is doable, but a bit more of a stretch, since you end up with a Blackbury in which ''so much'' weird stuff has happened that Johnny's status as the town WeirdnessMagnet is under threat.
61	* Creator/{{Wildbow}} leaves references to his other works in each of his stories, usually in the form of [[MutuallyFictional one world having a warped retelling of the other world's story]] in a different medium. Since ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' and sequel ''Literature/{{Ward}}'' have a canonical multiverse, it's theorized that ''Literature/{{Twig}}'' and ''Literature/{{Pact}}'' [[note]]And the other stories in the Pact universe, ''Literature/{{Pale}}'' and ''Poke''[[/note]] also take place there on worlds that haven't been accessed via portal yet, and the stories are a result of alternate dimension shenanigans.
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
65	* If a character from an entirely unrelated work just happens to possess certain traits such as a colorful, eccentric fashion sense, means of time travel, knowledge of past and future events, high intelligence and problem-solving, bizarre, reality-defying technology, British mannerisms, the ability to regenerate into an entirely new person/[[TheNthDoctor being played by several different actors]], etc., you can be sure that people will start crafting crazy theories about that character secretly being a Time Lord/Lady of ''Series/DoctorWho'' fame, whether jokingly or unironically. On [[Website/TVTropes This Very Wiki]], it is an unavoidable meme to make these assumptions on WildMassGuessing sections to the point that we have [[WMG/TimeLord an entire WMG page dedicated to them]].
66	* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' and ''Series/TwoAndAHalfMen'' have been thought to take place in the same universe, because in one episode of ''The Big Bang Theory'' the cast are watching ShowWithinAShow ''Oshikuru'', an anime series that Charlie in ''Two and a Half Men'' wrote a theme song for (and the same jingle is heard in the ''Big Bang'' episode). Both shows being produced by Creator/ChuckLorre probably has something to do with it.
67	* There is a longstanding (not entirely serious) theory among ''Series/BlakesSeven'' fans that TheFederation in ''Blake's 7'' and the Federation in ''Franchise/StarTrek'' are one and the same. Since it is canonical in the former show that the Federation controls the media and deliberately distorts what is fed to the public to suit its agenda, e.g. Roj Blake's show trial, the theory claims that the adventures seen on ''Star Trek'' are also propaganda created by the Federation to keep the population sated. Supporting this theory is that the Federation symbol in ''Blake's 7'' is essentially the Star Fleet symbol turned on its side.
68	* There's a rather popular fan theory that Booth in ''Series/{{Bones}}'' is the reward or shanshu of ''Series/{{Angel}}''. They like to point out how similar Booth and Angel are and it's well-known that the Buffyverse has countless different dimensions. Since the shanshu was translated as become human and live until he dies, these fans like to think Angel was given Booth's life as his reward, only with no memory of his previous life. A few former ''Buffy'' alums having appeared in ''Bones'' just adds to it.
69	* ''Series/BrooklynNineNine'' is often thought to be in the same universe as ''Series/TheGoodPlace'', with Michael Schur's [[Series/TheOfficeUS other]] [[Series/ParksAndRecreation shows]] sometimes being brought in as well. They share [[ProductionPosse a ton of cast and crewmembers]], as well as sharing similar values and senses of humor. The most common theory linking the two is the idea that Eleanor Shellstrop might be Jake Peralta's half-sister; he's confirmed to have at least three siblings he knew nothing about until he was an adult, and the two characters have very similar personality traits and quirks.
70	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' get it a lot because both are Creator/JossWhedon shows. It helps that Whedon intended to have Spike make a cameo in a bar if the series had continued.
71	* Some fans of ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'' posit that Det. Mac Taylor is the nephew of Lt. Dan, due to their shared last name, military backgrounds, and [[Creator/GarySinise remarkable resemblance]].
72	* There is a popular theory that ''Series/ThePrisoner1967'' is a continuation of ''Series/DangerMan'', because the two have similar protagonists, both played by Creator/PatrickMcGoohan (who cancelled the former to star in the latter), and one episode of ''The Prisoner'', [[Recap/ThePrisonerE15TheGirlWhoWasDeath "The Girl Who Was Death"]], is an unused RecycledScript from ''Series/DangerMan''.
73	* Despite the fact that they are MutuallyFictional in canonicity, fans of ''Series/{{Psych}}'' and ''Series/{{Leverage}}'' share the idea that Shawn and Eliot are cousins, mostly due to the fact that they have the same last name: Spencer.
74	* ''Series/StElsewhere'''s twist AllJustADream ending has resulted in a massive crossover theory called the "[[https://thetommywestphall.wordpress.com/the-master-list/ Tommy Westphall Universe]]" or the "Tommyverse" for short. Because some shows had {{crossover}}s with ''St. Elsewhere'', those shows must be in the same universe and thus also a daydream; shows that crossed over with ''those'' shows, then, are ''also'' in the universe, and so on. This theory states that over ''400 TV shows'' are within the same universe as ''St. Elsewhere''.
75	* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'':
76	** ''Series/HenryDanger'' and ''Victorious'' are both in the Series/NickVerse, so a common theory is that Frankini from the former series is Cat Valentine's [[TheGhost frequently-mentioned but never-seen brother]] from the latter series. This is because Goomer from ''Series/SamAndCat'' appears as Frankini's henchman in his debut episode and mentions that he used to hang out with Frankini's sister. Frankie is also played by Frankie Grande, the brother of Cat's actress Music/ArianaGrande. Frankini's hammy supervillainy also lines up with the strange, psychotic personality Cat describes her brother to have. It's never confirmed if Frankini's sister ''is'' Cat, but the implications seem to line up.
77	** Another theory about Cat's brother, albeit one with less evidence, is that he's Crazy Steve from ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'', which is also ([[CelebrityParadox inconsistently]]) in the Nick Verse. This is mostly just because Steve is AxCrazy and constantly screaming, lining up with Cat's brother being insane.
78	** Robbie being related to Fran from ''Series/TheNanny,'' as Renée Taylor played Fran's mother Sylvia in ''The Nanny'' and later appeared as Robbie's grandmother, complete with an ActorAllusion or two (Robbie's grandma is also named Sylvia). If Robbie is Fran's son (Fran and Max had boy/girl twins at the end of the original series, and Robbie has a sister), it may explain why Robbie could afford to go to Hollywood Arts as his dad would be a famous producer.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Multimedia Works]]
82	* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}: Creature of the Night'' is a miniseries about a man who starts to see an apparition looking like his favorite comic book hero, Batman, which can interact with real world and reacts to his subconcious desires, with horrifying results. Many fans of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' like to say it is stealthily set in world of the manga and the "Batman" is actually a highly independent [[FightingSpirit Stand]].
83	* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
84	** Some fans of ''Series/WandaVision'' like to believe that [[spoiler:Ralph Bohner]] is actually Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver from the Fox ''Franchise/XMenFilmSeries'' (which was ExiledFromContinuity for legal reasons), and is Jimmy Woo's missing person.
85	** There are fans of the MCU and ''Series/TheWestWing'' that consider Mike Casper to be none other than Phil Coulson given that they are played by [[Creator/ClarkGregg the same actor]] and share the same role as government agents, as well as the having the same personality. There are even entire fanfics that have Casper and Coulson be one and the same. Once Clark Gregg learned about the theory, he was delighted and gave it his full approval.
86	** Likewise, another theory suggests that Jules Winnfield from ''Film/PulpFiction'' is Nick Fury. Similar to the Coulson theory, this usually stems from the fact that both characters are portrayed by Creator/SamuelLJackson. Not to mention that Fury's fake tombstone in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', which is inscribed with a quote from the Bible (Ezekiel 25:17), is the same verse used by Jules Winnfield.
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Podcasts]]
90	* Officially, all the campaigns of ''Podcast/TheAdventureZone'' are completely separate from one another. However, fans like to link them up in {{Fanon}}.
91	** One popular joke is that ''[[Podcast/TheAdventureZoneBalance Balance]]'' exists as a fictional podcast within the world of ''[[Podcast/TheAdventureZoneAmnesty Amnesty]]'', [[spoiler:which was given a FandomNod in the 2020 Halloween special, where Aubrey (from the latter) dresses up as Magnus (from the former)]].
92	** A lot of fans headcanon that ''Balance'' is linked with ''[[Podcast/TheAdventureZoneGraduation Graduation]]'' by having Gordy's adoptive parents be [[spoiler:the liches Barry and Lup. Given that Gordy was abandoned for having necromantic powers, and was later adopted by loving parents who encouraged and nurtured his abilities, it makes sense]].
93	[[/folder]]
94
95	[[folder:Theatre]]
96	* Some Creator/JoeIconis fans headcanon that Sheila and Susannah from ''Theatre/LoveInHateNation'' are the gay moms of Michael in ''Theatre/BeMoreChill''. [[https://www.reddit.com/r/Music/comments/vem68h/comment/icr5u1n/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 Iconis has expressed fondness for this theory and called it "100% possible."]]
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Video Games]]
100	* Some fans like to think that ''VideoGame/AmongUs'' and the ''VideoGame/HenryStickminSeries'' take place in the same universe (or multiverse, if [[spoiler:the OmegaEnding in ''Completing the Mission'']] is anything to go by), mainly due to being made by the same company and [[CompanyCrossReferences multiple references in both games]].
101	* Fans of ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'' and ''VisualNovel/VA11HALLA'' have considered both games share the same universe with two major characters from the latter making TheCameo and being familiar with the setting of the former.
102	* Creator/{{BioWare}} fans like to believe that the developer's two major franchises, ''Franchise/DragonAge'' and ''Franchise/MassEffect'', are connected, with Thedas simply being another planet in the ''Mass Effect'' universe. The fact that there are a lot of {{Easter Egg}}s and [[ShoutOut Shout-Outs]] in both series certainly helps.
103	* As both games involve anthropomorphic bugs, it is common for fans to consider that ''VideoGame/BugFables'' and ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' are part of the same universe. Typically, Hallownest is considered to be located in caverns under Bugaria.
104	* Creator/{{Capcom}}:
105	** ''VideoGame/CapcomVs'':
106	*** Thanks to the ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' games, some fans have theorized that all or some Creator/{{Capcom}} games take place in the same universe. One of the games is even titled ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3:'' '''''Fate of Two Worlds''''', implying that it is a crossover between two universes instead of several.
107	*** In ''VideoGame/TatsunokoVsCapcom'', [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Morrigan]] has a win quote against VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe whereupon she expresses disappointment in him after hearing about the hero from [[TheRival Alastor]]. Couple this with ''Viewtiful Joe''[='s=] own assertations about ''Devil May Cry'' lore (like Alastor being the spirit of Dante's Devil Arm of the same name from ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 DMC1]]''), Dante appearing in Jedah's ''VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution'' ending, and the aforementioned ''Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' showing Dante and Joe to be familiar with one another (presumably because of Dante's [[GuestFighter inclusion]] in the [[Platform/PlayStationPortable PSP]] version of ''Red Hot Rumble''), and you have plenty of fans speculating that ''Darkstalkers'', ''Devil May Cry'', and ''Viewtiful Joe'' share continuity.
108	*** Both ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' and the ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'' duology would make the "one Capcom world" idea canonical, at least for the sake of these particular crossovers, though [[IntercontinuityCrossover on a much wider scale]] due to the presence of [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]], Creator/{{Sega}}, and even Creator/{{Nintendo}} characters in these games. Various Capcom characters from different series are already acquainted, possibly implying the other crossovers happened [[BroadStrokes in some shape or form]], and the cast will often muse on the plausibility of certain worlds leading to another, though it's also shown that not every series represented is connected. (''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'', for example, exists in its own bubble.)
109	** Capcom tends to give fans reason to believe various titles are connected even outside of the ''[[VideoGame/CapcomVs Vs.]]'' series. Examples include (but are not limited to) the logo for ''Franchise/ResidentEvil''[='s=] Umbrella Corporation appearing on crates in sister SurvivalHorror series ''VideoGame/DinoCrisis''; the setting of the first ''Dino Crisis'', the Borginian Republic, being mentioned in ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' (another series Creator/ShuTakumi had a hand in creating); Hewie from ''VideoGame/HauntingGround'' showing up in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' as the dog caught in a bear trap that Leon can save; and the [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 Tricell]] logo popping up on billboards in ''VideoGame/BionicCommando2009''. Unlike ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', which is explicitly or implicitly linked to [[VideoGame/FinalFight quite]] [[VideoGame/SaturdayNightSlamMasters a]] [[VideoGame/CaptainCommando few]] [[VideoGame/RivalSchools other]] [[VideoGame/{{Strider}} titles]] (and, [[AlternateUniverse possibly]], [[VideoGame/AsurasWrath at least]] [[VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken one or]] [[VideoGame/Tekken7 two more]]), these were probably nothing more than {{Easter Egg}}s... which didn't stop the WildMassGuessing.
110	** In another IntercontinuityCrossover example, it is not uncommon to see theories and fanfics that place the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' and ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' games in the same setting due the first games of each series being directed by Creator/HidekiKamiya. ''Bayonetta'' has a character named Enzo who shares his name with a character that appeared in a ''DMC'' novel and who was alluded to in the user manual of the first ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'', and in-game lore even states that the [[TimeMaster Bracelet of Time]] [[https://bayonetta.fandom.com/wiki/Eva#cite_note-BOT_Entry-1 was created by a (Umbra) witch named Eva who made a contract with a "Legendary Dark Knight"]] (i.e. Sparda). Kamiya additionally noted that Dante's "Tony Redgrave" alias was taken from Luka's father Antonio because Dante respected him, and later [[https://twitter.com/PG_kamiya/status/746620826703691776 tweeted]] that he believes all his games take place in a SharedUniverse -- something that couldn't happen at present due to [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 seve]][[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 ral]] [[VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe of]] [[VideoGame/{{Okami}} them]] being Capcom [=IPs=] whereas everything from ''Bayonetta'' onward was developed by Creator/PlatinumGames. (Note that this didn't stop Kamiya from confirming that Wonder-Cheerleader from ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' was Sexy Silvia from ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe'' or having Joe himself be name-dropped should Wonder-Cheerleader fail one of her [=QTEs=].)
111	* It is commonly believed that the player character of ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' is the brother of Music/HatsuneMiku, as both are blue-haired singers with an electronic voice. Further fueling the fans are the creators of ''Friday Night Funkin''' jokingly calling it canonical.
112	* Due to shared focus on ultraviolence, taking place in an AlternateHistory version of the Cold War era, big involvement of Russian mafia in the plot and similiar soundtrack, many fans believe ''VideoGame/MotherRussiaBleeds'' takes place in ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'' universe.
113	* Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' and ''VideoGame/FZero'' franchies are both set in a SpaceOpera future governed by a [[TheFederation Galactic Federation]], with {{bounty hunter}}s as main characters. Thus, they could exist within the same universe as each other.
114	* Creator/ObsidianEntertainment:
115	** [[{{Fanon}} Fans have headcanoned]] that ''VideoGame/TheOuterWorlds'' shares the same universe as ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' due to both being made by the same studio and taking place in a RetroUniverse (''The Outer Worlds''[='=] setting being modelled after TheRoaringTwenties and ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}''[='s=] taking place in one modelled after [[TheFifties 50s-era America]]). Specifically, it is speculated that the former takes place in the future following the latter's [[OneNationUnderCopyright Mr. House]] ending, due to the AdvertOverloadedFuture of the setting pairing with Mr. House's hyper-capitalist leanings delightfully well.
116	** There's a bit more to this one. ''Outer Worlds'' lore references a catastrophic [[WorldWarIII "Great War"]] in the mid-21st century. Meanwhile, ''Fallout'' lore puts that exact same event in the year 2077. The two colony ships, ''Groundbreaker'' and ''Hope'', also both depart Earth in the 23rd century, putting the launch close to the events of ''VideoGame/Fallout2'', ''[[VideoGame/Fallout3 3]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas New Vegas]]''. ''Hope'' is even explicitly said to have launched in 2285, not so far away from the year that ''New Vegas'' takes place (2281).
117	** Due to sharing a theme of criticising late-stage capitalism by showing exactly how would colonization of space under guide of mega corporations look like, most of fans of ''VideoGame/HardspaceShipbreaker'' seems to agree the game takes place in the same universe as ''The Outer Worlds''. Sometimes this is expanded to also include one of multiple other games where topic of corporations (mis)handling colonization of space is present, such as ''VideoGame/CitizenSleeper'', ''VideoGame/RedFaction'', ''VideoGame/{{Satisfactory}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'', ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' and ''VideoGame/{{Tacoma}}''. It may even reach outside of video games, usually pulling in ''Literature/TheMurderbotDiaries''.
118	* After a review called ''VideoGame/PizzaTower'' as "''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'' for weirdos", the two fanbases became FriendlyFandoms over how odd a comparison they found this (they're both {{Platform Game}}s, and that's about as far as the similarities go), leading to loads of crossover fanart and a popular headcanon that Peppino is Madeline's uncle.
119	* The Website/YouTube channel [[https://www.youtube.com/c/DimensionBros Dimension Bros]] theorized [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btwpdjFkcM4 in a video]] that almost all of the seemingly unrelated adventures in ''VideoGame/{{Poptropica}}'' take place in the same timeline. However, they made exceptions for the sponsored Islands and ones that are too meta.
120	* [[https://www.deviantart.com/amcalmaron/art/Spyro-Analysis-and-Merger-251273609 A few people]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shlLX_s6wr8 have speculated]] that [[Franchise/SpyroTheDragon two]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro or]] [[VideoGame/{{Skylanders}} all of the]] ''Spyro'' series [[StealthSequel are set in the same universe]], thousands of years apart from each other. Commonly cited evidence is that the repaired planet from the end of ''Dawn of the Dragon'' (which was split into many floating islands) looks suspiciously similar to the Dream Weavers' homeworld and/or Skylands.
121	* Almost immediately after ''VideoGame/TriangleStrategy'' was announced, fans jumped on the idea that it takes place in the same world as ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'', just on a different continent, due to their very similar art styles. The idea became even more popular after its release because both games use the term "Aelfric" and ''VideoGame/TriangleStrategy'''s setting is extremely isolated, meaning it could easily be one of the unexplored lands that are occasionally mentioned in ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler''. ''VideoGame/VariousDaylife'' also quickly found itself included in this fanon setting, again due to the use of the term "Aelfric".
122	* When the WebVideo/GameGrumps played ''VideoGame/ZombieClaus'' and noticed the house map in the game was identical to the one used as Madison's house in the HGame ''VideoGame/HouseParty2017,'' they acted like it was the same house, remarking that it would be difficult to return to ''House Party'' and not be afraid of a zombie Santa Claus hiding somewhere. Fan theories in the video's comments included that Zombie Claus was punishing the ''House Party'' protagonist for being [[VideoGamePerversityPotential too naughty]] during the party, or it was just [[SmugStraightEdge Frank]] in a costume chasing after you for drinking alcohol.
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Web Animation]]
126	* ''WebAnimation/TheWaltenFiles'': Since the series -- inspired by ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' and AnalogHorror videos by creators such as WebAnimation/SquimpusMcGrimpus -- first emerged on Website/YouTube, many viewers believed that the eponymous rabbit mascot of the in-universe [[SuckECheeses Bon's Burgers]] restaurant chain is not just an {{Expy}} of [[HairRaisingHare Bonnie]] from ''[=FNaF=]'', but also is none other than Bonnie ''himself''. More specifically, that Bonnie is actually a CanonImmigrant to the mascot cast of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, and that Bon was his original incarnation in the past. This was later {{jossed}} by the series's creator in a community announcement; Fazbear Entertainment '''does''' exist in the continuity of ''The Walten Files'', but has nothing to do with Bon's Burgers [[AlternateUniverse nor is it plagued by the tragedies and supernatural events]] of the canonical ''[=FNaF=]'' continuity. As such, Bon and Bonnie are, and will be two entirely separate characters with no relation to one another.
127	[[/folder]]
128
129	[[folder:Web Original]]
130	* Comedy website Website/{{Cracked}} likes to dip into this every now and then, jokingly attempting to find links between two works no matter how wildly unrelated they are; some of their theories include the claims that ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' is [[https://www.cracked.com/blog/snow-white-lord-rings-share-same-universe a sequel]] to ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'', that all movies starring Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger [[https://www.cracked.com/video_20479_all-schwarzenegger-movies-are-in-same-universe.html take place]] in the ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'' universe, that Carl Winslow from ''Series/FamilyMatters'' was [[https://www.cracked.com/blog/carl-from-family-matters-more-tortured-than-you-think/ present]] in ''Film/Ghostbusters1984'' and ''Film/DieHard'' as a prison and security guard respectively (all played by Creator/ReginaldVelJohnson, who tends to be {{typecast\|ing}} as a police officer), or that Film/{{Beetlejuice}} is [[https://www.cracked.com/blog/crazy-fan-theory-beetlejuice-batman-after-death/ the ghost]] of ComicBook/{{Batman}}.
131	* Fans of Creator/WhamCity works often like to place them in one big universe together, something the creators themselves have claimed is entirely possible but unintended. One recurring theory involves the character of ''WebVideo/{{Alantutorial}}'', played by Alan Resnick. Alantutorial vanished at the end of the series, leaving it on an ambiguous note. Resnick's {{typecasting}} often leads to him playing characters very similar to Alantutorial, leaving fans to theorize that it's Alan post-series -- most often, this is either the sculptor in ''Film/ThisHouseHasPeopleInIt'' or the nameless protagonist of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRNb7KepDA Visitor Information]]".
132	[[/folder]]
133
134	[[folder:Western Animation]]
135	* Creator/CartoonNetwork:
136	** There is a longstanding niche fan theory that Greg of ''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall'' grew up to become [[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse Greg Universe]], as both are musically inclined brunettes that deeply care for their family, and much of Steven's personality coincidentally [[GenerationXerox mirrors OTGW Greg's]]. The theory is immediately broken due to Halloween, which ''Over the Garden Wall'' takes place on, not existing in ''Steven Universe'' (confirmed by a joke about "some kind of candy-givin'-out holiday"), though most [[FanonDiscontinuity tend to ignore that]] since that can easily be overlooked.
137	** It's commonly believed that ''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Clarence}}'' take place in the same town due to a few {{Easter Egg}}s between the two, the most obvious being a full shot of the town in ''OTGW'' being reused from ''Clarence'' with a few modifications.
138	** A large number of fans believe ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' takes place in the same universe as ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998''. (As well as ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'' to a lesser extent.) Apart from the obvious fact that both shows had Creator/GenndyTartakovsky involved in their production, much of this is due to how the ruins seen in the first episode of the former appear to resemble a post-apocalyptic Townsville -- the main setting of the latter -- as well as the identical resemblance between the eponymous Jack and Professor Utonium, leading many to think Utonium is the future descendant of Jack.
139	* Due to sharing [[Creator/ButchHartman the same creator]], many believe that ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' share a universe. Building on this is the common fan theory ([[WhatCouldHaveBeen that was at one point going to be canonical]]) that Danny and Timmy are related.
140	* Many fans of ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'' and ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' like to think the two happen in the same universe; ''Wander Over Yonder'' is just set in space so there's no direct communication between the characters. Besides shared creators, the biggest smoking gun is [[EasterEgg Webby's mention]] of something called an Oblivion Mirror (also the name an artefact from one episode of ''Wander Over Yonder'') in the pilot. However, fans have also noticed strong similarities in design between Lord Dominator in ''Wander Over Yonder'' and the [[{{Lunarians}} Moonlanders]] introduced in Season 2 of ''[=DuckTales=]'' -- which, combined with WordOfGod on ''Wander Over Yonder'' that Dominator came from a different galaxy and the refusal to give out her actual planet of origin and [[WithholdingTheirName birth name]], raises the possibility that she was a Moonlander who had better luck than General Lunaris at leaving the Moon and becoming an interplanetary conqueror.
141	* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'':
142	** It is assumed that the show and ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' are, if not in the same universe, then at least the same multiverse, due to the creators being friends and the countless number of ''Gravity Falls'' references in ''Rick and Morty''. There was also an inter-series BrickJoke shared by both shows, in which several objects get sucked into a portal in ''Gravity Falls'', and then identical objects are seen coming out of a portal in ''Rick and Morty''.
143	** ''Gravity Falls'' is also commonly assumed to share a universe with ''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall'', due to similar aesthetics and dark, mature themes. A common theory is that Wirt and Greg are related to Dipper and Mabel somehow.
144	** Another series with which ''Gravity Falls'' is commonly portrayed as being in the same universe is ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'', partially due to the ProductionPosse involved with both shows, but also because of the CrossoverShip of Stan/Eda gaining popularity. Stan's known to have gotten married in Las Vegas to a woman who sounds very similar to Eda, leading many fans to speculate that it ''was'' Eda, albeit using a fake name. The creators didn't deny it when asked, meaning this might be the one Vegas crossover theory with canonical support. An episode in the second season even confirms that Eda has used the alias "Marilyn," which is known to be the name of Stan's ex. It's hard not to believe the creators weren't [[FandomNod giving the proponents of this theory a wink]] there.
145	** Similarly, ''Gravity Falls'' is also portrayed as sharing a universe with ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' for the same reasons as ''The Owl House'', and it certainly helps that the latter had a spiritual crossover with the former via Creator/AlexHirsch appearing as frog versions of Grunkle Stan and Soos in one episode. The references would continue in Season 3, where a character is shown wearing a [[Recap/GravityFallsS2E5SoosAndTheRealGirl Romance Academy 7]] shirt, followed by a Grunkle Stan head appearing a few episodes after that. In addition, a Lil Gideon doll makes an appearance during the season's opening.
146	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
147	** Some fanfics attempt to merge previous iterations of the show with this generation. The first version, ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends'', is one of the more common ones; typically, the events of the latter series are depicted as the ancient past of the former, with its characters being legendary historical figures.
148	** Discord was voiced by Creator/JohnDeLancie, the actor who plays Q from ''Franchise/StarTrek'', and Discord and Q are both tricksters with extreme superpowers. Because of this, some viewers speculate that Discord ''is'' Q.
149	* ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'': Because Mrs. Frizzle is sometimes implied to be ReallySevenHundredYearsOld and her bus can change shape, some people have wondered if she's a Time Lord from ''Series/DoctorWho''. While an episode with a FantasticVoyagePlot shows that she has one heart, some ExpandedUniverse material posits that Time Lords have a single heart prior to their first regeneration.
150	* ''WesternAnimation/Primal2019'' is sometimes speculated to take place in the same universe as ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'', due to the shows (again) sharing [[Creator/GenndyTartakovsky a creator]] and the presence of dark magical elements in both shows:
151	** It's a common suggestion that Aku is behind the rage-inducing potion in "Rage of the Ape-Men", the eponymous zombie plague in "Plague of Madness" and the witches' magic in "Coven of the Damned" (with the leader of the coven supposedly being a daughter of Aku).
152	** Spear, the caveman hero of ''Primal'' also shares some physical resemblance to Samurai Jack and is speculated to be his ancestor.
153	** The rage-inducing potion also turns the user's skin purple, indicating it may be the source of [[WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory Crunk]]'s powers.
154	* Fans theorize that ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'' takes place in the same universe as ''WesternAnimation/MollyOfDenali'', mostly because Trini (who has the same voice actress as Sydney in Season 2) believes aliens exist, and Jake bears a striking resemblance to Sean, meaning that Sean moved to Alaska and changed his name because he got tired of Mindy's teasing, or Jet cloned Sean and sent it to Alaska. ''WesternAnimation/DinosaurTrain'' is an InUniverse show in ''Jet'' if "Mindy's Weather Report" is anything to go by.
155	* Some people think that ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' take place in the same universe, because in the ''Loud House'' episode "Linc or Swim?", there's an old man in the background who's modelled on Grandpa Lou.
156	* Many people believe that ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Sixteen}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Stoked}}'' take place in the same universe due to the focus of all three shows being based around teens, each show sharing [[Creator/FreshTV the same production company]], much of the cast having worked on at least two of the shows (notably Jennifer Pertsch and Tom [=McGillis=], who created all three shows), and how the three shows have been known to reference each other. Sometimes, ''WesternAnimation/{{Grojband}}'' is thrown in as well, due to being also produced by Fresh TV (but created by Todd Kauffman and Mark Thornton instead). Additionally, people like to lump the older ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'' (a series with zero production connections to any of Fresh TV's shows) with the aforementioned shows, as the art style of ''Total Drama'' was deliberately based off it.
157	* Due to ''WesternAnimation/TucaAndBertie'' sharing the same artist and much of the same ProductionPosse from ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman,'' as well as also starring FunnyAnimals, some fans speculated that they took place in the same universe. However, Lisa Hanawalt {{Jossed}} this theory prior to the show's airdate, as ''Tuca'' takes place in a DenserAndWackier world than ''[=BoJack=],'' which became clear when the show aired.
158	[[/folder]]
159
160	!!!In-universe examples
161	[[folder:Western Animation]]
162	* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Since Creator/ReginaldVelJohnson plays both Sergeant Al Powell in ''Film/DieHard'' and Carl Winslow on ''Series/FamilyMatters,'' Todd believes they're the same person, with Carl Winslow being Powell's alias under witness protection following the events of the first two ''Die Hard'' films.
163	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In the beginning of "Three Men and a Comic Book", while Marge drives Bart and Lisa to the comic book convention as they discuss comic books, the two siblings notice the resemblance between ComicBook/RichieRich and WesternAnimation/CasperTheFriendlyGhost, and come to the conclusion that Casper is the ghost of Richie after the latter [[DrivenToSuicide committed suicide]].

Context Main / FanonWelding