Is Hogwarts Legacy Canon? [Explained]

YES, Hogwarts Legacy has a strong connection into the Wizarding World Lore and Harry Potter stories, so it will be considered as canon.

Is Hogwarts Legacy Canon
Hogwarts Legacy Being Canon or Not

When you first start playing Hogwarts Legacy, the first question that comes to mind is whether or not Hogwarts Legacy is considered Canon. Here is the answer to your question.

Key Takeaways

  • Canon means rules that are considered to be authoritative or genuine.
  • Franchise-affiliated fans or creators can also influence Canon.
  • Novels, Books, Games, and Movies make Hogwarts Legacy Canon.
  • The writer’s approval of it makes Hogwarts Legacy Canon.

In fictional works, Canon refers to a collection of works considered absolute and made by a particular work’s original author or authors. Or “The views of franchise creators and fans that may impact the true canon” can also be the definition of being Canon.

The concept of “canon” is crucial for determining the boundaries of a universe or series, and the number of new works deemed part of that universe.

If it wasn’t written or approved by a work’s original author or creator, it needs to be looked at separately from that work. Anyone could write a Harry Potter book, but that wouldn’t make it Canon; it would be fan fiction.

Hogwarts Legacy Canon
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Hogwarts Legacy Being Canon Or Not?

Is Hogwarts Legacy considered Canon or not? The answer to this question is entirely up for debate. Let me guide you through the arguments FOR and AGAINST Hogwarts Legacy being Canon.

Arguments In Favour Of Hogwarts Legacy Being Canon

Before the release of Hogwarts Legacy, the following books and films were responsible for establishing the existing Canon. Other than books and novels, these points also explain it.

Novels As Canon 

The seven novels about Harry Potter authored by J.K. Rowling and published between 1997 and 2007 constitute the foundation of the Harry Potter franchise. All of the games are purely based on it.

Movies such As Canon

Most people think that the eight Harry Potter movies, from The Philosopher’s Stone to Deathly Hallows Part 2, fit the definition of “canon” well.

The only issue that some may have with the films is that they sometimes contradict the books, which should ultimately be considered the “core” canon.

Fantastic Beasts As Canon

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Crimes of Grindelwald, and The Secrets of Dumbledore are all parts of the Harry Potter story and should be considered canon. The fact that J.K. Rowling contributed her writing to the screenplays of these films demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that they belong in the Canon. You can get more information from this guide Hogwarts Legacy Beasts.

Hogwarts Legacy Canon
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Games As Canon 

Since the Harry Potter books and films came out, countless Harry Potter games have been released across many platforms. Most of these games, however, were lacking. They didn’t have a story or a way to play and didn’t fit in with what we knew about Harry Potter.

With all the great content it introduces, Hogwarts Legacy is the only Harry Potter game that’s even a part of this “canon” conversation.

Cursed Child

J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany wrote the play “The Cursed Child,” based on the original story. Nineteen years have passed since the events of the last book in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” and this novel takes place during that time. It is the 8th book in this novel series. 

Many people deny the canon status of the cursed child due to the following reasons:

  • It’s a play and not a novel.
  • JK Rowling didn’t solely write it.
  • Aspects of the Cursed child are inconsistent with the original series.
Broom Ride
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Argument Against Hogwarts Legacy Being Canon

The main reason (and the only good reason) why Hogwarts Legacy is not part of the Canon is that J.K. Rowling disapproved of it. This means that the game’s story and characters were not made by the person who made the Harry Potter world, so they are not an extension of the original fictional world.

Characters

This is true: Harry Potter, his companions, and all the game professors appear in The Hogwarts Legacy, but many other characters, places, and things are mentioned throughout the game.

Ghosts like Almost Headless Nick, Professor Binns, and the Sorting Hat fall into this category. Also, the Hogwarts Legacy series tells the stories of the ancestors of many well-known Harry Potter characters.

The most obvious connection is that of Headmaster Phineas Black, Sirius Black’s great-great-grandfather. Even though it wasn’t included in the Harry Potter canon until 2015, Professor Binss brings up the Goblin Uprising of 1752 in his History of Magic lesson.

Author

Rowling has repeatedly declared that she is not involved in the project, which does not necessarily indicate that this is the reality. Rowling has slowly stopped watching Warner Bros. shows and movies because she has been under much scrutiny in recent years. Effectively, Warner Bros. Media doesn’t want Rowling’s current reputation to harm game sales.

Second, there have been a few isolated cases where content written by someone other than the original author was considered Canon. This was mainly because the company that published the content had a “loophole.”

Point To Ponder

Sometimes, the publisher’s approval is enough to keep what can be called Canon. Or the views of franchise-affiliated fans and creators can influence actual Canon. So these are good reasons to prove Hogwarts Legacy is Canon.

Hogwarts Legacy Canon or Not
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Details About Warner Bros

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Portkey Games designed Hogwarts Legacy. This company makes games and apps based on J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. It has direct ties to the official Harry Potter franchise.

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, you know our opinions on whether Hogwarts Legacy is Canon. It’s Canon since it follows the same plot points, magic systems, and quests as the movies and books.
The fact that the novel’s author did not design Hogwarts Legacy is the only reason it is not Canon, but remember that the author’s approval to use the theme of movies and play to design the game allows it to be Canon.

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