How long is life-long? Evaluating and measuring time through life-long/long-term fandom

When reflecting on the passage of time and how it intersects with our fan identity and perception of self, we often find individuals who identify as ‘life-long’ or ‘long-term’ fans. The intersection of time and fandom are often examined in fan studies, as is evident in the plethora of studies on long-term/life-long fans. Despite the prominent use of terms like ‘long-term’ or ‘life-long’, such concepts are rarely explained or critically examined in the literature. Therefore, the current study aims to unpack such terms and reflect on what makes one a life-long fan. Based on an open-ended online questionnaire completed by 94 self-identified life-long/long-term fans of movies, music, anime, sports and video games, this study delves into the subjective construction of time and temporality among fans. It explores the process of or the threshold to becoming a life-long/long-term fan, and the importance of the term to one’s identity and status in the community. By examining life-long/long-term fans, this article demonstrates how time can serve as cultural capital, play a significant role in the fan’s identity work and create a sense of belonging and certainty.