Universe Terminology

## Original Universe

Also known as Main Universe, Main Timeline, Original Timeline or simply “Canon”. Not typically abbreviated in discussion, but may be abbreviated as OU or OT.

The “Original Universe” is a loose term used to describe a story universe as it is originally portrayed in the media it is from.

For example, the original universe of a show would be the version of the universe or world that is displayed in the show; usually encompassing *only* the events that happen in the show, and, sometimes, whatever events that are stated externally (via social media posts, interviews or anything official) to be canonical by the creator(s).

## Alternate Universe

Usually abbreviated as AU in discussion. Also known as Parallel Universe, Alternate Timeline, or Alternate Reality.

An Alternate Universe is a universe that parallels the main universe, typically differing at a fundamental level.

For example, a common AU type is the “Genderbend AU”. This is a Universe that typically is parallel to the main universe, but fundamentally different as all applicable characters are portrayed as the "opposite gender" or typically the opposite sex (females become males, males become females).

There is some discussion on the taxonomical separation of terms when it comes to Alternate Universes; such as the separation between “Alternate Reality”, “Alternate Timeline”, and “Alternate Universe”, as some say these are not so much synonymous, but actually encompass different alterations to the canon. One explanation of the differences goes as follows:

* Alternate Reality (AR): An alteration which is closely related to canon and sometimes is directly portrayed or referenced within the media itself, depending on what media it is.
	+ Example: The canonical Alternate Realities featured in *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run* and *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: JoJolion*. Though fundamentally related to the main universe, characters’ counterparts are wholly different from their sources and some slightly different concepts are also introduced, but Stands seemingly remain a constant through all the realities.
* Alternate Timeline (AT): An alteration that parallels the main universe, typically being the same up until a **divergence point**, a point where the events deviate from the canonical events, and thus causing a completely different series of subsequent events.
	+ Example: Arguably, the Too Late AU is actually an Alternate Timeline, as every deviation from the canon is a result of an initial event not occurring at the time it was meant to occur, and instead occurring later. Though the characters are the same characters, due to the delay, they sustain changes that otherwise would not have had time to occur.
* Alternate Universe (AU): Typically has little to no bearing on the canon of the story, but instead usually places the characters and/or concepts in a completely fundamentally different setting.
	+ Example: A Monster AU! Though in many cases, the events that occur are similar and the outcomes are also similar, the characters are inherently different and as a result, some nuances and occurrences are present that are not present in the main universe. Also because the characters are no longer humans.

## Universe Alteration

A somewhat obscure term. Typically abbreviated as UA. Terms that may or may not be synonymous are Canon Divergence AU and Canon AU. Universe Alteration just sounds the most straightforward.

Generally speaking, most roleplay taking place after the events of the canon and using canon characters (and/or any roleplay featuring fan characters) that follow the setting laid out by the main universe will take place in an Alternate Universe, or, more specifically speaking, a Universe Alteration.

Universe Alterations are a subsection of Alternate Universes. A Universe Alteration is essentially the same as the Main Universe, but with a typically minor alteration of some kind, be it the portrayal of a headcanon, the pre-establishment of non-canon relationship as canon, the absence or presence of a character that was or wasn’t there previously, or simply any alteration that largely doesn’t affect the events of canon.

For the most part, any roleplay that takes place after the events of canon can be considered a Universe Alteration, as the events of the canon have already occurred, and as a result, anything that is altered in the roleplay will not be affecting the canon events.

1. ↑ https://fanlore.org/wiki/Alternate\_Universe
2. ↑ https://fanlore.org/wiki/Universe\_Alteration