What Does OFC (Original Female Character) Mean?
AbbreviationAn original female character created by the fic author. On AO3 it appears in standardized character tags and in pairing tags like 'Canon Character/OFC.'
OFC (Original Female Character) in Practice
OFC is the gendered refinement of OC, useful mainly because pairing tags need it: 'Hero/OFC' tells a reader instantly that the love interest is the author's invention. The label carries decades of baggage — OFC romances were historically the prime suspects in Mary Sue accusations, and some readers still filter them out on sight — which is precisely why honest tagging matters; the readers who love a good OFC romance use the same tag to find them. The male counterpart is OMC, and AO3's canonical character tags cover both so works are consistently findable.
Example usage
"It's tagged Captain/OFC, and honestly the original character outshines half the canon cast."
Related Terms
OC (Original Character)
A character invented by the fan author rather than taken from canon. OCs range from background extras who fill out a scene to fully realized protagonists.
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OMC (Original Male Character)
An original male character invented by the fic author, the male counterpart to OFC. The tag shows up in character lists and in pairings like 'Canon Character/OMC.'
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Mary Sue / Gary Stu
A derogatory label for an original character — or an overhauled canon character — who is implausibly perfect: universally adored, effortlessly skilled, and central to every plot. Gary Stu (or Marty Stu) is the male equivalent.
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Pairing
The romantic or sexual relationship a fic centers on, named by its two (or more) characters. 'Pairing' is the slightly more formal sibling of 'ship.'
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