What Does OOC (Out of Character) Mean?
AbbreviationDescribes behavior that doesn't match how a character acts in canon. As a critique it means the characterization rings false; as an author's tag it's a preemptive admission.
OOC (Out of Character) in Practice
Whether something is OOC is fandom's eternal argument, because it depends on whose reading of canon you accept — one fan's wild mischaracterization is another's well-supported interpretation. Authors use the tag defensively ('possibly OOC, this is my first time writing him') or deliberately, when an AU's premise requires bending personalities. In roleplay communities OOC has a second, neutral meaning: talk that happens outside the fiction, as in 'OOC: logging off for the night.' The opposite of OOC is being 'in character,' and nailing a difficult character's voice is among the highest compliments fic can earn.
Example usage
"The plot was fun but the captain felt badly OOC — he'd never abandon his crew that casually."
Related Terms
Canon
The official source material and everything established as true within it — the events, characters, and facts of the original book, show, game, or film. Fanfiction defines itself in relation to canon: following it, bending it, or discarding it.
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IC (In Character)
Shorthand for 'in character' — behavior and dialogue consistent with how a character truly is in canon. The benchmark fic characterization is measured against, and the opposite of OOC.
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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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