Noname_-
■ Q. What is the origin of Ichigomilk Mare?
(A clarification to avoid misunderstandings)
1. Introduction
In English-speaking communities, it is sometimes understood as, “Is the creator claiming rights over something that is not original?”
I have also received comments such as, “Can someone really be called the creator if they only inverted the colors?”
This site aims to organize and present the facts in both Japanese and English.
Within this context, this article also includes my own thoughts and interpretations where necessary, while organizing the factual background as clearly as possible.
To help reduce these misunderstandings, I have organized the background and position of Ichigomilk Mare so that they can be understood more accurately.
2. What does “original” mean?
Undertale AUs are a fan culture built on the original game *Undertale*, where fans around the world expand ideas and create diverse characters and stories.
In this context, the term “original” does not always refer only to something composed entirely of new elements, and its meaning can vary depending on how it is used.
Many works are shaped by drawing on existing cultures, motifs, and expressions, while incorporating the creator’s own ideas and interpretations.
Especially within Undertale AU culture, it is commonly understood that—even when existing works or motifs serve as inspiration—the person who first gives a character its name and concrete form is regarded as the creator of that character or setting.
This reflects how the term is commonly used within fan culture, rather than a strict legal or technical definition.
3. Ichigomilk Mare is also a character created by its creator
“Ichigomilk Mare” is a character that emerged when the color palette of Nightmare!Sans, a character in the AU *Dreamtale*, was inverted.
Even if it began as a single illustration created by inverting Nightmare!Sans’s colors, it is not uncommon in Undertale AUs for characters to spread organically from an individual’s idea or expression.
Because of this, within Undertale AU culture, it is often understood that the person who first gives a character its name and appearance is regarded as the creator.
This does not mean that the character is considered entirely independent of its source, but rather that it is recognized as a distinct creative expression within the fan culture.
As fans, we create secondary and tertiary works while borrowing the characters and worlds established by the creators of *Undertale* and various Undertale AUs.
In this context, some AU creators establish their own guidelines or policies, and those who create derivative works are expected to respect those wishes.
Showing respect for the characters and worlds that have been created, and for the intentions of their creators, is considered an important part of maintaining a healthy creative environment.
4. Why guidelines are sometimes set
As fan-made works become widely known, the risk also increases that a character may be used in ways that differ from the original intent.
This is not unique to Undertale AUs, but can also be seen in other fandoms and genres.
For example, “Pepe the Frog,” a globally known character, originally began as a harmless comic character, but was later used in certain political and discriminatory contexts.
In Japan, there was also a case in which “Yukkuri Reimu/Marisa,” whose original creator was unclear, was registered as a trademark by a third party, causing significant confusion.
These examples differ in background and nature, but they share one point in common: creative works can sometimes be used in ways that were not originally intended.
Partly in order to avoid such risks, creators may choose to present policies or guidelines so that fans can continue to enjoy creative works as safely and smoothly as possible.
In the case of Ichigomilk Mare as well, I hope that, going forward, responses based on accurate information and consideration for the creator’s wishes will become more widely shared.
5. Closing
This article has included some of my own thoughts and interpretations.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
In the case of Ichigomilk Mare, there had not previously been a clear opportunity for the creator to publicly state their own wishes.
For that reason, I have organized its origin and position in order to reduce misunderstandings and confusion as much as possible.
I hope that, going forward, it can continue to be received calmly and on the basis of accurate information.
Thank you to everyone who values accurate information.
■ Requests
■ Related Links
▶ Read this page in Japanese
▶ Back to Q&A Index
▶ Back to Top Page
(A clarification to avoid misunderstandings)
1. Introduction
In English-speaking communities, it is sometimes understood as, “Is the creator claiming rights over something that is not original?”
I have also received comments such as, “Can someone really be called the creator if they only inverted the colors?”
This site aims to organize and present the facts in both Japanese and English.
Within this context, this article also includes my own thoughts and interpretations where necessary, while organizing the factual background as clearly as possible.
To help reduce these misunderstandings, I have organized the background and position of Ichigomilk Mare so that they can be understood more accurately.
2. What does “original” mean?
Undertale AUs are a fan culture built on the original game *Undertale*, where fans around the world expand ideas and create diverse characters and stories.
In this context, the term “original” does not always refer only to something composed entirely of new elements, and its meaning can vary depending on how it is used.
Many works are shaped by drawing on existing cultures, motifs, and expressions, while incorporating the creator’s own ideas and interpretations.
Especially within Undertale AU culture, it is commonly understood that—even when existing works or motifs serve as inspiration—the person who first gives a character its name and concrete form is regarded as the creator of that character or setting.
This reflects how the term is commonly used within fan culture, rather than a strict legal or technical definition.
3. Ichigomilk Mare is also a character created by its creator
“Ichigomilk Mare” is a character that emerged when the color palette of Nightmare!Sans, a character in the AU *Dreamtale*, was inverted.
Even if it began as a single illustration created by inverting Nightmare!Sans’s colors, it is not uncommon in Undertale AUs for characters to spread organically from an individual’s idea or expression.
Because of this, within Undertale AU culture, it is often understood that the person who first gives a character its name and appearance is regarded as the creator.
This does not mean that the character is considered entirely independent of its source, but rather that it is recognized as a distinct creative expression within the fan culture.
As fans, we create secondary and tertiary works while borrowing the characters and worlds established by the creators of *Undertale* and various Undertale AUs.
In this context, some AU creators establish their own guidelines or policies, and those who create derivative works are expected to respect those wishes.
Showing respect for the characters and worlds that have been created, and for the intentions of their creators, is considered an important part of maintaining a healthy creative environment.
4. Why guidelines are sometimes set
As fan-made works become widely known, the risk also increases that a character may be used in ways that differ from the original intent.
This is not unique to Undertale AUs, but can also be seen in other fandoms and genres.
For example, “Pepe the Frog,” a globally known character, originally began as a harmless comic character, but was later used in certain political and discriminatory contexts.
In Japan, there was also a case in which “Yukkuri Reimu/Marisa,” whose original creator was unclear, was registered as a trademark by a third party, causing significant confusion.
These examples differ in background and nature, but they share one point in common: creative works can sometimes be used in ways that were not originally intended.
Partly in order to avoid such risks, creators may choose to present policies or guidelines so that fans can continue to enjoy creative works as safely and smoothly as possible.
In the case of Ichigomilk Mare as well, I hope that, going forward, responses based on accurate information and consideration for the creator’s wishes will become more widely shared.
5. Closing
This article has included some of my own thoughts and interpretations.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
In the case of Ichigomilk Mare, there had not previously been a clear opportunity for the creator to publicly state their own wishes.
For that reason, I have organized its origin and position in order to reduce misunderstandings and confusion as much as possible.
I hope that, going forward, it can continue to be received calmly and on the basis of accurate information.
Thank you to everyone who values accurate information.
■ Requests
- Please refrain from contacting the creator individually or asking them for confirmation.
- Questions or comments are accepted in the comments section of the Q&A Index Page.
- For site-wide policies and operational notes, please refer to “Notes and Requests” in the Fanwork Guidelines.
■ Related Links
▶ Read this page in Japanese
▶ Back to Q&A Index
▶ Back to Top Page
