What Is The Meaning Of Au Girl ?

Onur

New member
What is the Meaning of AU Girl?

The term "AU girl" can be a bit ambiguous depending on the context in which it is used. Typically, "AU" refers to the term "Alternate Universe," which is often applied in fan communities, especially in relation to fan fiction, art, and media. An "AU girl" is thus a character or a person depicted within a universe that deviates from the original or canon storyline. The concept of an AU girl can extend to various genres, allowing for creative reinterpretations of established characters, stories, and worlds.

AU Girl in Fan Fiction

One of the most common places you will encounter the term "AU girl" is within fan fiction. Fan fiction allows writers to explore different scenarios, relationships, and outcomes for established characters from movies, books, TV shows, or video games. An AU girl in this context is a female character who exists in an alternative setting or world where the circumstances, personality traits, and sometimes even the backstory differ from the original work.

For example, a fan fiction author might take a popular female character from a fantasy series and place her in a contemporary, modern-day setting. In this scenario, the AU girl would have the same name and physical appearance as the original character but would behave, think, and interact in ways that are appropriate for the new universe.

Why Do People Create AU Girls?

There are several reasons why fans enjoy creating AU girls. One of the primary motivations is the opportunity to explore different "what if" scenarios. What if a character made different choices? What if they were born into a different time or place? These questions allow fans to reshape the personalities, relationships, and experiences of characters, often adding depth or presenting them in a new light.

Another reason for creating AU girls is the desire for inclusivity and representation. Fans may create AU universes where characters explore different gender identities, sexual orientations, or even abilities. By placing characters in new situations, fans can reflect on aspects of their own lives and identities, or they can bring attention to themes and ideas that might not be present in the original material.

AU Girl in Online Communities

The concept of AU girls has extended beyond fan fiction into other online communities, including social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Here, users may create or discuss "AU girl" characters through art, cosplay, or storytelling. These alternate universe depictions often allow creators to engage with popular media in a more interactive and personal way. Fans might share images of AU girls they have designed, exploring different fashion styles, personalities, or environments that reflect the changes they’ve made to the character.

Many times, the fans who create these AU girls do so as a form of creative expression. Whether through drawings, writing, or even role-playing, these reinterpretations can be ways of experiencing and enjoying beloved media in ways that go beyond traditional consumption. This creative process fosters a sense of community and shared enthusiasm, as fans celebrate their unique takes on characters in their preferred universes.

Are AU Girls Just for Female Characters?

While the term "AU girl" may initially sound like it applies exclusively to female characters, it can actually be used to describe male characters as well, though this is typically referred to as an "AU boy" or simply "AU character." In this sense, the term "AU girl" refers more to the specific gendered adaptation of an alternative universe character.

However, some fans prefer to focus on female characters because they feel the need to explore how women are represented in the original material. By creating AU girls, they might challenge the stereotypes, roles, or limitations placed on female characters in the original works. AU girls provide an opportunity to break free from these confines and explore a character’s full potential outside the original setting.

What Are Some Popular AU Girl Tropes?

Within the fan fiction and fan art communities, there are numerous tropes associated with AU girls. These are recurring themes that authors and artists commonly explore in their alternative universe adaptations of female characters. Some of the popular AU girl tropes include:

1. **High School AU Girl**: One of the most popular and widely known tropes is the high school AU, where characters are reimagined as teenagers in a typical high school setting. Here, the female character might navigate high school drama, friendships, and romance, which differs vastly from their original universe.

2. **Modern AU Girl**: In modern AUs, characters are often given a contemporary, real-world setting. For instance, a character from a medieval or futuristic world may be transformed into a modern-day person dealing with contemporary issues, relationships, and society.

3. **Zombie Apocalypse AU Girl**: Another popular trope is placing characters in a post-apocalyptic world, where survival is the main goal. The AU girl in this trope may have different skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and her relationships with others may shift based on the survival aspect of the story.

4. **Fantasy AU Girl**: In fantasy AUs, characters are re-imagined as magic users, mythical beings, or even creatures from different folklore. Here, the AU girl may have new powers or find herself navigating a fantastical realm with an entirely different set of rules and challenges.

5. **Superhero AU Girl**: In this setting, characters may be transformed into superheroes, each having unique powers, roles, and story arcs. The AU girl could be a fighter for justice or an anti-hero, depending on the creator's vision.

How Do AU Girls Reflect Fan Culture?

The creation of AU girls is a perfect reflection of fan culture, as it demonstrates how fans engage with and interact with the original works they love. It shows the desire to add nuance, depth, and personal meaning to the stories and characters that have captured their imagination. This form of creativity allows fans to experiment with their favorite characters and worlds in ways that honor the source material while also providing opportunities for fresh interpretations.

AU girls also provide a sense of ownership and agency to fans. By altering the characteristics, personalities, and circumstances of beloved characters, fans feel a deeper connection to the media they consume. This level of engagement can lead to a stronger sense of community among fans, as they share their creations and experiences with others who share similar interests.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the meaning of "AU girl" is deeply embedded within fan culture, representing a creative re-imagining of a female character in an alternate universe. Whether it’s exploring "what if" scenarios, engaging with different themes of representation, or simply for the joy of creative expression, AU girls have become a significant part of how fans interact with and engage with their favorite fictional worlds. Whether through writing, art, or role-playing, AU girls offer fans a way to expand their creative boundaries and celebrate beloved characters in new and exciting ways.