Skinny Cartman

Skinny Cartman is a shorthand for a perceived tendency among fan artists and fanfic writers to portray Eric Cartman as overly skinny, either for stylistic purposes or from losing significant weight over a large time gap before a fic.
It is a frequent subject of criticism of the South Park fanbase and is widely perceived as ubiquitous among fan artists, although it has declined considerably over the years. The label carries an inherently negative association and is intended to disparage authors for portraying him as Out of Character.
The criticism is rooted in the belief that it as a choice representing a desire by artists to sexualize the character, as skinniness is more associated with conventional standards of attraction than fat. (Though less often noted, many artists sexualize Cartman as a fat person as well.) This can be seen as a form of 'fatphobia' though this term is rarely used. It is also occasionally associated with the idea of trying to portray Cartman as more redeemable or likable, and sanding away his negative traits, such as his longtime bigotry.
Category:Terminology