[[ Apparently Akatsuki discussions started arguing so I’ll say my piece on it (lol)
Yes, sure, you can say the canons we play are basically someone else’s OCs (which is true), but look, canons get just as much scrutiny, I judge people’s portrayals often because I prefer them being close to canon. If a canon is OOC I will avoid them.
OCs must not break the established rules of canon, this is…basic stuff. You can’t just insert an OC into Akatsuki and expect them to be just as powerful, it’s what I said before– it’s a cheap way of getting to interact with or “be important to” desired canon characters without any of the real effort required. Kind of like “child of X canon character” OCs, they also fall under this.
Plus it creates this entitled behavior of “you have to accept my muse the way I write them and you have to write with me” and no, people don’t. No one has to play with me if they don’t like my Itachi, for example. I don’t have to play with anyone who’s portrayal I dislike, whether they’re an OC or canon. This belief that only OCs get flack for bios/strength is false, it applies to canon just as much.
We happen to have generally accepted views of what’s acceptable in a canon and an OC, and if you disagree, that’s fine, but don’t act like I am obligated to write with you.
A late edit, but the most important thing: We need to end the culture that ALL OCs are perfect, well-written, and unable to be touched by any sort of criticism. It only fosters creators to be stale and to not ever improve. ]]