Fanworks User Guide

Fanworks refers to creative content produced directly by fans based on their favorite works, characters, and story worlds.

Fanworks on OpenStory are not content intended to replace or replicate the original work; rather, they are activities that add new interpretations, stories, perspectives, and creative works based on a love for and interpretation of the original work.

While anyone is free to enjoy and upload content, please use the platform within the bounds of respecting the rights of the original creators and other creators.

You can upload these types of works

Fanworks consists of creative content voluntarily created by fans based on existing works.

For example, the following types of content may be included on fanworks:

 · Illustrations (Fan Art)
· Novels (Fanfiction)
· Comics
· Other - Videos, GIFs, parodies, etc. 

Fanworks stems from a love for the original work, but it is not intended to replace the original work itself.

When enjoying the content, please keep in mind that it reflects fans’ interpretations and creative expressions.

Please be sure to check the following before uploading:

Please review the following guidelines before uploading content to fanworks.

· Is this content that you created yourself?

· Have you used someone else’s drawings, writings, videos, images, translations, or screenshots without permission?

· Did you excessively reproduce the entire content or key scenes of the original work, or reveal spoilers?

· Does it infringe on the rights, reputation, or privacy of other creators or users?

· Does the content contain anything illegal or harmful, hate speech, or content intended to defame others?

· Does this content meet the "All Ages" rating criteria?

· Does it contain excessively sexual or violent content?

Currently, please upload content to fanworks with a “General Audience” rating. (*As of June 30, 2026)

To ensure everyone can enjoy the content with peace of mind, fanworks currently allows only content suitable for all audiences to be uploaded.

Please refrain from posting content inappropriate for minors, such as sexually suggestive or violent material. Age verification and content rated for users 19 and older will be introduced in the future.

You retain the copyright to your content.

The copyright for content uploaded by users belongs to the users themselves, as specified in the OpenStory Terms of Service.

Please be sure to check in advance that your posted content does not infringe on a third party’s copyright, intellectual property rights, reputation, privacy, or other rights.

Please be considerate of fans who haven’t seen the content yet by avoiding spoilers.

When posting fanworks that contain major plot developments or the ending of a work, please be sure to follow the guidelines below out of consideration for fans who haven’t seen it yet.

· If your post contains spoilers, please be sure to include one of the following in the title or tags: #spoiler, #spoilers, or #spoileralert.

· Please configure your settings so that content that could be considered spoilers is not immediately visible on the fanworks homepage or in post thumbnails. For posts, place content that is not likely to be a spoiler at the beginning, and for fan art, set an image that is not likely to be a spoiler as the thumbnail (featured image).
(Example: Place cover art, close-ups of characters’ faces, or atmospheric shots at the beginning, and place actual spoiler scenes afterward.)

· Please refrain from intentionally revealing spoilers with the intent to disrupt other fans’ enjoyment.

Please respect one another even when sharing your thoughts on the content.

FanWorks is a space where diverse interpretations and imaginations come together.

If you resonate with or enjoy a fanworks piece, please show your support by clicking “Like” and leaving a comment. 

Even if your interpretation of a work differs from mine, please respect the perspectives of other fans.

The following behaviors are not permitted and may result in action after review if confirmed.

· Comments that attack specific users or creators
· Expressions that mock or disparage fanworks content
· Defamation based on differences in taste
· Thoughtlessly revealing content that could be considered a spoiler
· Unauthorized saving, copying, or reposting of others’ creative works

How to Use Tags

Tags help people who enjoy the same work discover the fanworks they’re looking for more easily.

Work Tags

When writing about a work registered on OpenStory island, please select the corresponding work tag.

Using work tags links your fanworks to the corresponding island, allowing them to reach more fans.

(* As of June 30, 2026—the tag for the first island, “I Became the Lout of Count's Family,” will be automatically applied. This feature will be expanded to additional islands as they open.)

Hashtags

If you’d like to express themes, characters, genres, moods, or interpretations related to a work, please use the “Free Tags” feature.

For example, you can use tags like the following.

· Character Name
· Relationships or Pairings
· Theme or atmosphere
· Review Keywords

Clear and relevant tags help you discover and enjoy fanworks that match your tastes.

Please check the guidelines for each work.

Depending on the work, there may be separate official guidelines.

In this case, please review and follow the guidelines for that specific work.

For a Safe Community

If you come across content or comments that violate the guidelines while using fanworks, please report them using the reporting feature.

Posts that do not comply with the Guidelines or Terms of Service may be reviewed and addressed in accordance with our operational standards.

OpenStory hopes to be a space where fans’ love enriches and expands the world of the work.

Please respect each other’s creative work and appreciation, and let’s work together to build a safe and enjoyable fanworks culture.