Wikipedia:Notability (fiction)

The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption.

Fiction in Wikipedia

Major characters (and places, concepts, etc.) in a work of fiction should be covered within the article on that work of fiction. If the article on the work itself becomes long, then giving major characters an article of their own is good practice.
Minor characters (and places, concepts, etc.) in a work of fiction should be merged with short descriptions into a "List of minor characters." This list should reside in the article relating to the work itself, unless either becomes long, in which case a separate article for the list is good practice.
Fictional characters which are cultural icons transcending their appearance in a particular work of fiction, or who cannot be neatly tied to a particular work of fiction or fictional universe deserve articles of their own, regardless of other circumstances.

Details

This guideline was created from strong consensus at Wikipedia:Deletion policy/Minor characters.

Fiction includes books, TV series, films, computer games and roleplaying games, and possibly other sources.

Examples

Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books is a major character, and has her own article because the main article would get too long otherwise.
Prince Corwin from Nine Princes in Amber (and sequels) is a major character, and is covered in the main article.
Lionel Hutz from The Simpsons is a minor character, and is covered in a list of minor characters.
Superman is universally well known and transcending the original work he appeared in, so he has his own article.

Fiction in Wikipedia

Details

Examples

See also