Hey Pandas, Post A Picture Of Your Latest Original Character (OC) (Closed)

What “Hey Pandas” OC Threads Areand What “(Closed)” Actually Means

A “Hey Pandas” post is basically a community prompt: a question or request that invites readers to submit responses in the comments
sometimes with images, sometimes with stories, sometimes with both. When the title includes (Closed), it generally means
the prompt has finished accepting new submissions (think: “entries are done”), even though you can still read, react, and get inspired.

In OC threads, the “submission” is your character art (or a character sheet, or a sketch, or a concept board) paired with context:
who they are, what they want, why we should care, and what makes them uniquely yours.

And here’s the secret sauce: OC threads work because they’re low-pressure. Nobody expects a full graphic novel. People just want
to meet your weird little guy (affectionate), your tragic space captain, your overconfident mage with terrible coping skills,
or your cozy bakery witch whose familiar is shaped like a croissant. (Honestly, I’d read that.)

What Counts as an “Original Character” (OC)?

In internet art and fandom spaces, OC usually means original character: a character you created,
not one borrowed from an existing franchise. That said, OCs can live anywhere on the “original” spectrum:

• Fully original world: Your character exists in a setting you invented from scratch.
• OC-in-a-genre: Your character is “a noir detective” or “a cyberpunk courier,” using familiar genre language.
• Tabletop RPG character: Your D&D/Pathfinder/etc. character with a backstory and a build.
• Fandom-adjacent OC: Inspired by a vibe (or even a fandom), but still a distinct, self-made character.

The common denominator is authorship: you made creative choices. Design choices, story choices, personality choices. Even if your OC
starts as “what if I mashed together a jellyfish and a librarian,” you’re still making something new.

Why Posting Your Latest OC Feels So Good (and So Scary)

Sharing an OC is a weirdly vulnerable flex. You’re not just showing a drawingyou’re showing taste, imagination, and a piece of how you
see the world. That’s why OC threads are so magnetic:

1) You get instant story energy

A single image can spark questions: “Why are they holding that cracked compass?” “What happened to their arm?” “Why does their smile
look like it’s hiding a secret?” People love being invited to wonder.

2) You get feedback that’s actually useful

Not the “cool!” drive-by (though we love a supportive “cool!”). OC threads often generate the best kind of comments: questions and
clarifications. If three people ask the same thing“Wait, are they a hero or a villain?”you’ve learned something about your design
communication.

3) You find your people

OC communities are a magnet for other creators: artists, writers, roleplayers, comic makers, and game devs. Posting one character can
lead to collaborations, art trades, worldbuilding friends, and the kind of “I love your brain” compliments that keep you creating.

How to Post Your OC So People Instantly “Get It”

You don’t need to write a novel in the caption. You just need enough context to help readers connect the dots.
Here’s a simple, high-impact approach.

Lead with a one-sentence hook

Think of this like an elevator pitch, not a lore dump. Examples:

• “A retired hero who’s trying to live quietlyuntil her old enemies start sending letters.”
• “A cheerful necromancer who uses magic to reunite families with lost heirlooms (and occasionally a lost ancestor).”
• “A space mechanic who can’t stop rescuing broken robots, even when it’s a terrible idea.”

Highlight 2–3 design details you chose on purpose

Readers love “behind the scenes” thinking. Mention choices like:
silhouette (broad vs. sleek), color palette (warm vs. icy), a repeated shape motif (triangles for danger, circles for softness),
or one signature prop (a cracked mask, a ring of keys, a handheld radio).

Give one personality trait and one flaw

Flaws are not optional; they’re the engine. A flawless OC is like a sandwich made only of bread.

• Trait: relentlessly optimistic
• Flaw: avoids conflict until it explodes

Make it easy to respond

End your post with an invitation: “Ask me anything about them,” or “Guess their job,” or “What song would you put on their playlist?”
Prompts turn passive scrolling into interaction.

A Copy-Paste OC Caption Template (That Doesn’t Feel Like a Robot Wrote It)

If you want a structure that still sounds human, try this:

• Name/Nickname:
• Pronouns:
• One-line pitch:
• Setting: (modern / fantasy / sci-fi / “it’s complicated”)
• Signature look: (hair, outfit, color palette, notable accessory)
• Power/skill:
• Big want: (goal)
• Big problem: (obstacle or flaw)
• Fun detail: (odd habit, comfort food, pet, hobby)

Example (short and sweet)

Name: Mags “Maple” Rivera
Pronouns: she/they
Pitch: A city gardener who can “hear” stressed plantsand keeps stumbling into secrets buried under sidewalks.
Signature look: work boots, oversized jacket, neon hair clip shaped like a leaf
Big want: to save her neighborhood from a shady redevelopment plan
Big problem: she trusts people too fast (including people who are clearly villains in expensive coats)
Fun detail: carries emergency snacks for pigeons

OC Posting Etiquette: Credit, Consent, and “Don’t Be That Panda”

OC communities are usually friendly, but they’re also built on a shared rule: respect creators.
That means being careful about what you post, how you reference other people’s work, and how you use images.

If the art isn’t yours, say soclearly

If you commissioned the piece, collaborated, used a base with permission, or worked from a pose reference, mention it.
Crediting doesn’t weaken your OC. It proves you’re part of the community in good faith.

Don’t repost someone else’s character art as “your OC”

Even if you “found it on Google,” that doesn’t mean it’s free to claim. If you’re using someone else’s artwork for inspiration,
keep it as inspiration. Your OC should be represented by your art, or art you have permission to share.

Be kind when giving feedback

If someone asks for critique, focus on actionable notes: readability, contrast, silhouette, or how well the design communicates the concept.
If they didn’t ask for critique, default to curiosity: “What’s their story?” beats “I would change the whole face.”

Use content notes when needed

If your OC includes intense themes (violence, trauma, horror), add a brief content note. Not a spoiler essayjust a heads-up so people
can choose how to engage.

Protecting Your OC Online: Practical Steps That Don’t Kill the Fun

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to become a full-time copyright lawyer to protect your work.
Here’s the even better news: a few small habits go a long way.

1) Know the basics: your work is protected automatically

In the U.S., copyright protection generally exists as soon as an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form
(like a digital file). Registration can add legal advantages if you ever need to enforce your rights, but protection
doesn’t require you to slap a © on everything like it’s 1998.

2) Use a watermark (smartly)

Watermarks work best when they’re:
visible enough to be real but not so loud they punch your OC in the face.
A small signature near a high-contrast edge plus a faint repeating mark on the background is a common compromise.

3) Post web-friendly sizes

You can share a crisp image without uploading a print-ready file. Many artists post a slightly reduced resolution for social platforms
and keep the high-res version offline.

4) Consider a sharing license if you want people to remix (or not)

If you want people to share your OC art with credit, a Creative Commons license can clarify your preferences.
Some licenses allow remixing; others allow sharing only without edits; some restrict commercial use. The key is choosing
what matches your comfort level.

5) Save your process

Keep your layered files, sketch versions, or time-lapse screenshots. Besides being useful for learning, they can help show authorship if
your work is ever copied.

What If Your OC Is “Fandom-Adjacent”?

This is where things get messy, because creativity is messy. Maybe your OC is a “student at a wizard school,” or a “space smuggler with a
mysterious past,” or even a character designed for a roleplay set in a shared universe.

General rule of thumb: the more your OC depends on someone else’s protected characters, logos, or story world, the more careful you should be.
If you’re borrowing heavily from a specific franchise, avoid using official art, branding, or names in a way that suggests your work is
official. When in doubt, keep your OC’s design and story distinct, and treat the franchise as inspiration rather than a template.

If you’re ever trying to decide whether something counts as “fair use,” remember that fair use analysis in the U.S. considers multiple factors
(like purpose, nature, amount used, and market impact). Real life is nuancedso if you’re planning something public or commercial, it can be worth
getting proper permission or professional advice.

“The Thread Is Closed.” Cool. Where Should Your OC Go Next?

When a “Hey Pandas” OC prompt closes, it doesn’t mean your character has to vanish into the scroll abyss.
Here are solid next stepsespecially if you want your OC to keep growing.

Post a “character sheet” version

Take your OC image and add a clean, readable panel: name, age range, role, strengths, weaknesses, and a short backstory blurb.
This makes it easy for people to remember the character and for you to stay consistent later.

Build a home base on an art platform

Many creators keep a portfolio-style post on platforms like DeviantArt or ArtStation, where you can organize images, updates, and lore.
These sites also tend to have reporting processes for infringement and clearer account-based ownership history.

Create a micro-thread on social or community spaces

Tumblr-style reblog culture can help an OC spread (with credit), while Reddit communities can give quick feedbackespecially if you share
the design challenge you’re solving. Discord servers are great for ongoing OC development, art trades, and friendly accountability.
Just remember: many platforms’ terms explain that you keep ownership, but you often grant the platform a license to host and display
your content as part of providing the service.

Turn comments into canon

One of the best uses of an OC thread is harvesting the questions people asked and answering them in a follow-up.
If multiple readers asked, “What’s the deal with the broken watch?” congratulationsyou’ve just discovered your next plot hook.

How to Run Your Own “Hey Pandas” Style OC Prompt (Without Chaos)

Want to recreate the magic on your blog, community page, or social channel? Keep it simple:

• Give a clear prompt: “Post your newest OC + one-sentence pitch + one fun detail.”
• Set credit expectations: “If the art isn’t yours, credit the artist or note it’s a commission.”
• Define the vibe: “Encouragement first; critique only if requested.”
• Offer conversation starters: “Ask one question about someone else’s OC before you leave.”
• Close it gracefully: “Submissions close Friday; I’ll highlight favorites on Sunday.”

“Closed” doesn’t have to feel like a door slam. It can feel like a season finale.

Experiences From the OC Trenches (500+ Words of the Real Feeling)

If you’ve never posted an OC in a community thread, here’s what it often feels likebased on the most common creator experiences you see
repeated across art communities. (Spoiler: it’s a cocktail of excitement, terror, and “please don’t let this upload sideways.”)

The “I’m Just Gonna Post It” Moment

Most people don’t feel ready. They feel almost ready, which is a completely different emotion that looks like:
adjusting the brightness 14 times, zooming in to check if the lineart is secretly haunted, and rewriting the caption because
the word “mysterious” starts to look fake after the third reread. Then you hit Post and immediately decide you’ve never created
anything good in your life. Classic.

The Comments That Change Your Character

Someone asks a simple question like, “Why does your OC wear gloves indoors?” and suddenly your brain lights up.
You invent a backstory: nerve damage, a vow, a secret magical mark, or just sensory issues. You realize you’ve been designing
a person, not a picture. That’s the magic of OC prompts: they turn your private idea into a shared conversation, and the
conversation pushes the idea forward.

The Unexpected Confidence Boost

There’s a special kind of joy when someone says, “I would read a whole series about them,” or “This design is so readable,” or
“I love the color choices.” These aren’t just complimentsthey’re signals that your creative decisions landed.
And if you’re the kind of creator who quietly worries you’re “not original enough,” seeing strangers connect with your work
is proof that your perspective is already unique. Nobody else makes choices exactly like you do.

The Gentle Sting of Comparison

OC threads can also be intimidating. You might scroll past a fully rendered illustration with cinematic lighting and think,
“Cool, I’ll just go live in a cave now.” That’s normal. The healthiest move is to remember you’re not competing in the same
race. One person is showing a polished portfolio piece; another is sharing a sketch and an idea. Both are valid. The point of
the thread isn’t “who wins.” It’s “who shows up.”

The Credit and Consent Lesson (Everybody Learns This One Eventually)

Creators often run into the “credit” conversation sooner or later: someone recognizes a base, a pose, or a commission artist.
When that happens, the best outcomes come from transparency, not defensiveness. A simple “Yescommissioned from @ArtistName”
or “Pose referenced from a photo; design is mine” clears the air and builds trust. People aren’t trying to police you into misery;
they’re trying to keep the community respectful so artists don’t get steamrolled by repost culture.

The “Closed” Aftertaste

When a thread closes, there’s often a tiny feeling of missed timinglike you arrived at the party when the playlist was already
winding down. But closure is also helpful. It marks a checkpoint: this version of your OC, at this stage, is officially shared.
A lot of creators use that moment to start a “Version 2” file: tweaks based on feedback, a new outfit, a clearer silhouette,
a refined palette, or a stronger hook line. The post may be closed, but your character isn’t. They’re just between chapters.

The Best Part: You Start Making More

The most consistent outcome of posting an OC is strangely simple: you want to create again. You start noticing character ideas everywhere.
A stranger’s interesting posture becomes a pose study. A thrift-store coat becomes an outfit reference. A random phrase becomes dialogue.
OC prompts don’t just collect charactersthey train your brain to think in characters. And once that switch flips, it’s hard to turn off
(in the best way).