Kinsona

Synonyms:	Kin, Fictionkin
See also:	Original Character, Filing Off the Serial Numbers, Dekudog, Furry, Sona, Fictionkin
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A kinsona is a type of original character or fan character that takes attributes of one or more canon characters and implements them into the design of the original character. It may be similar to a dekudog, though dekudog usually comes with more negative connotations than kinsona. For some, kinsona and dekudog are interchangeable terms, though a kinsona is made with kinning in mind, which is not true of every dekudog.

Alternatively, some may include non-canon characters in their definition of kinsona, instead using kinsona to refer to any character related to one's kintype. With this definition, someone whose kintype is a cat may consider their cat-based sona to be their kinsona.

kinda hard to explain, but take your kins and make it YOU

it uses the more modern definition of kinning that is “relating to” a character rather than older tumblr kinning, which is actually being akin to a character, in a past life and such.

kinsona is just what it sounds like—take your “kin(s)” (not kinning by the og definition, but you get it) and make it into a version of you

purplezimp, 2021

History

Kinsona predates the term dekudog by roughly three years, with the earliest usage of kinsona seen in a piece of Furaffinity art from July 2014 that was tagged with "kinsona." Then, kinsona was mentioned on the Furaffinity forums on Jan 2015. On DeviantART, one of the first mentions of kinsona is from July 2015 by user EddigitalCola. The replies reference My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic ponysonas, with one response from 2015 believing kinsona was related to the word ponysona and another response from 2017 saying it wasn't. On DeviantART 2015, there are several journal entries about kinsonas related to My Little Pony ponysonas, however kinsona did not start as a MLP term and continues to be used by the wider kin community. "Ponysona" itself predates kinsona by three years, cropping up around mid 2011.

While the exact origin of "kinsona" is unknown, it's possible kinsona may have developed among furry otherkins, therians, or fictionkins around early or mid 2014. This timeframe aligns with Google trends. This possibly aligns with the usage of the word "kintype," where one of the earliest references to a fictionkin "kintype" coming from Jan 2013 Furaffinity and May 2014 on DeviantART. It is difficult to correlate kinsona and kintype using Google Trends due to kintype having an older secondary definition that is unrelated to fictionkin.

Comments and Opinions

Opinions on kinsonas may change between websites. For example, one comment on Tumblr from an anon stated that they were fine with kinsonas on any website except for Toyhouse.

how many times do we have to explain that the reason we dont like kinsonas on toyhouse is because its AGAINST THE RULES. my own opinions of them being shitty, lazy attempts at sonas aside, i genuinely wouldnt care less if they were on some other website. dont whine because you suffered the consequences of your own actions.

Anon, Jan 6, 2021

On May 29, 2019, DeviantART user Basi1isk made a poll asking for opinions on kinsonas. As of May 19, 2022 there are 45 votes. 14% believe original characters are better, 39% have no interest in kinsonas, 11% have one as an exception, 36% support kinsonas fully, and 0% said kinsonas were bad. The poll also included a comment section with replies, two of which are below.

I like taking inspiration of things, but said inspirations are usually just small things like 'hey I like that color' or 'nice hair style' or 'that shape looks funny' or maybe just 'wow, I could make someone who has a cape' and then just tossing all these millions of bits into one design after like 5 months and doing a slow clap and a half to myself

That's probably about the extent it'd go for me at most I don't really fancy the whole 'existing character into 'my' character' stuff. Sure some of the 'animal edition' design are cool but at the same time seeing the name of an anime character or a game character etc. and realizing "oh" is just....... I just prefer original characters so much more

I love Love seeing people be creative and making stuff of their own. Being inspired is fine and all, but straight out going 'I wanna own X character' basically is.... I'm sorry. Some of the designs are Really Cool and I Wish they were just their own characters, maybe altered a smidge to make them more apart from the original source of inspiration, add in a unique name and personality and Volá~ But that's just me, I just reaaaally like seeing people make their own stuff and be creative and it's so much more personal to have a character of your own that you can call Yours and be proud of having made - instead of Naruto 2.0 or such. I won't stop people, go ahead do what you want, heck, I as a kid used to do this. Yeeeeeears ago I had a whole Bleach-ripoff thing & oh boy, some of my characters from 10 years ago who still exist used to be Hetalia mix thingies but have now gained their own lives. So really, people feel free to do whatever, I just nowadays prefer the 'create your very own special boi' way~ <3

ReimaHowaido, May 30, 2019

Of all my oc I only have one kinsona, which is based on a Fortnite skin, so, is an "exception". The truth is, before i made him I didn't even know that the word "kinsona" existed, I discovered it some time later. I did "Drift" just because I like the character.

I think there is a difference between using someone's personal oc versus one of a large company. I work in a soccer channel (yes, boring af) but it is a difference (for me at least) to use a big league game versus a random pro boy who plays ball. In that case we ask for the boy's permission to use his material, but if he refuses we won't do it. That simple.

I think the kinsona, if they are for personal use and not commercial, don't bother me. There are ones that are like "wow, cool" But I think you have to make it clear that they are "based on...". Of course, an original oc is much much better, because it did come out of you, but the kinsonas do not bother me :) (i love all my bbs haha)

In fact, many times the character that are "based on ..." soon acquires (for me at least) a different personality and ends up becoming an oc itself.

Jinkashi, May 29, 2019

Other opinions from other sources and communities are below.

[Anon]
Does mod have opinions on Kinsonas? Honestly think they are nothing but character theft. Characters reskined to be a furry or feral. It doesn't matter how much one thinks they are a character it doesn't give anyone the rights to steal a licensed characters and make it into your OC. It fine to be inspired but a dog or cat version of canon character is just theft and can't be called an OC

["Mod S"]
i mean, i’m sure there are plenty of characters out there that are all ripped or based off of a canon character. don’t get me wrong, i do agree on how it’s morally wrong, but if it’s how a person copes or finds comfort, then so be it. - Mod S

i love that theres concepts of kinsona, truesona, comfortsona, thats soooo cute and sweet. love people being creative in their identity and personas and finding new ways to express themselves

cowboydan, Feb 6, 2022