What Is Rule 34?

Question

What Is Rule 34?

Accepted Answer

Rule 34 is an internet adage stating that "if it exists, there is porn of it - no exceptions." It appeared around 2003 to 2004 as one entry in a joking list of "Rules of the Internet" circulated on 4chan and related forums, and it became by far the best known of them. The rule is descriptive humor rather than a real policy: it observes that almost any character, object or concept, however unlikely, will eventually inspire someone to make explicit fan art or fiction. A common corollary, sometimes called Rule 35, adds that if no such work exists yet, it will be made. Over time "Rule 34" became a general label for explicit fan-made content, especially drawings and animation of cartoon, anime, game and comic characters, and dedicated sites use it as a catch-all category and tagging system. The phrase is now mainstream enough to turn up in news coverage and academic writing about fandom. It is usually invoked lightheartedly, as a comment on the breadth and speed of internet fan creativity.