FanSided Fandoms of the Year: Who we were rooting for in October

FanSided’s Fandoms of the Year will be here in December to reflect back on what moved, excited and entertained us this year. But here’s a peek at what captured our attention in October.

FanSided Fandoms of the Year is an authentic celebration of fan culture, bringing together the FanSided community of readers and writers to celebrate the teams, players, competitions, movies, experiences, actors, music, television shows, games and more that made us want to stand up and cheer in 2021.

Fandom is all about community, people sharing passion, joy, grief and triumph. In a world wracked by sickness, fear and uncertainty the things that connect us as humans have never been more important. This project is a way to celebrate and examine the things that bring us together, to recognize the transformative power of positivity and maybe even help people find something new to fall in love with.

The project (formerly the FanSided250) is a curated list of things that moved, inspired, thrilled and entertained us this year, featuring 100 fandoms described, in-depth, by people who love them. This year, for the first time, the list will be unranked, putting all 100 fandoms on equal footing, highlighting how they are all worthy of celebration. However, we’ll also be highlighting 10 fandoms with superlative recognition in categories like “Most karmically-owed fandom” and “Most inspiring fandom of the year.” And, as in years past, we will be choosing one fandom as the FanSided Fandom of the Year.

In the past, the list has all been rolled out together in December but this year we wanted to extend the fun. As a lead-in to the final list, we’re going to start releasing a monthly check-in highlighting five fandoms that were relevant or that we connected with that month. Here’s what we were rooting for in October.

What Fandoms of the Year were we rooting for in October?

The Sky was the limit in Chicago this year. As the final seconds melted off the clock at the end of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, roars from a sellout crowd of Chicago Sky fans bounced off the walls of Wintrust Arena and rippled across the city. You didn’t have to listen hard to hear it; 25 years of disappointment collectively lifting off a die-hard fan base sounded almost as sweet as it felt. 

— Josh Hill, FanSided Managing Editor

It’s rare for a show or film to arrive and provide something fresh and new. That’s exactly what Squid Game managed to accomplish, however, with a concept that captivated the world in a way that few programs ever have. While the impact of Squid Game may not be immediate, it is shows of a unique nature that often open the doors for artists who push boundaries to receive similar opportunities down the line. Additionally, this is could be a seminal moment for Americans who may have previously omitted foreign language films and television shows from their queue. Squid Game could have lasting effects that help strengthen the global community that exists within the entertainment realm.

— Maxwell Ogden, FanSided Operations Assistant

The Atlanta Braves were the pinnacle of overcoming adversity in baseball. After having been one win away from getting back to the World Series for the first time since 1999 a year ago, Atlanta had a crushing first half. Mike Soroka tore his Achilles again. Ronald Acuna Jr. blew out his knee on the warning track in the final series before the All-Star break. And let’s not even go there with the Marcell Ozuna debacle. For a team that had so many expectations, it could have been season over in July. But a handful of savvy trades made by general manager Alex Anthopoulos transformed this ball club. He revamped a depleted outfield and the Braves caught fire in the dog days of summer. This culminated in their fourth straight NL East crown and eventually an appearance in the World Series

— John Buhler, FanSided Staff Writer

I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that Succession is one of the best — if not the best — shows on television right now. Which made the two-year wait for season 3 that much more difficult for fans to endure. Fortunately, it turned out to be worth it. Succession’s newest season has the Roys against the ropes, and willing to sacrifice — or, more accurately, demolish — any person or thing standing in their way, even if most of the characters are their very own worst enemies. With its smart storylines, keen ability to tap into our own worst instincts, and deftness at creating some of the most unlikeable characters the small screen has ever seen, Succession has somehow managed to become the perfect antidote to a just-as-contentious real world. While Brian Cox has gone on the record saying that they probably won’t make more than two more seasons, we can only hope that some HBO exec is already pitching a spin-off for Tom and Greg.

— Jennifer M. Wood, Managing Editor Mental Floss

The best fan moment of the year for the Bills Mafia is yet to come! Getting back together in Highmark Stadium was just the beginning of what should be another deep run into the playoffs and an opportunity to break a streak that has haunted this franchise for nearly 30 years — a trip back to a Super Bowl. That’s the moment, and when it comes, it will be incredible.

— Colt Schroeder, Buffalo Nerd Podcast Host