Fan Practice in a “Warm-Keeping” State Supported by Media Mix：The Case of “Slayers”

Abstract

    This article explored the compatibility of continuing to be a fan, while expressing disinterest in the fan object, prioritizing continuity in fan studies. This article refers to such fans as "warm-keeping" fans. This theme is significant in that it allows us to understand how fans cope with the troubles they face during their long-term fandom. Data from two of the interviews conducted with 15 fans of Slayers series, produced and distributed in a media mix commercial method, were analyzed in terms of fan objects and fan relationships, drawing comparisons with post-object fandom. The results showed that fans in the "warm-keeping" state were more reluctant to engage in fan activities (such as interacting with other fans) than before but did not rule out the possibility of resuming such activities in future. Considering themselves as fans, they based decisions on their possibility of a fan career different from that of an ideal or typical fan and their possession of various media due to their long-term acceptance of the media mix.