For a series titled “Animator vs Animation,” it’s interesting to me how the Animator is becoming less and less influential.
Like we started this series with him as the major antagonist for the entirety of season 1, tormenting these stick figures on his computer. Victim was completely powerless against him, Chosen put up a good fight but was eventually defeated, and it was only Chosen and Dark working together that finally seemed to make this god-like outsider check himself.
Season 2 and the Showdown he got to fight the Virabot and Dark a bit, but he was nerfed pretty quickly by both.
Now here in season 3, he’s barely been present aside from a single fight that he was literally forced to run from. And I can’t really see him coming in for the climax, given that his computer’s likely in a bad state and he’s completely locked out of the Outernet even if he did get it back online.
It’s just very interesting to me that a character who is literally in the title, the guy who started everything, has now become barely an afterthought. It’s not like he’s become any less invincible; at the end of the day, he’s still untouchable. Even if you shut his device down, he can always restart it, disconnect, get a new computer; he can always come back.
But the same thing that keeps the stick figures from getting to him is no longer an advantage, it’s a hinderance. Because they’ve gone beyond his computer, they’re beyond his reach. He can’t do anything unless they call on him, and even then, it takes almost no effort to kick him back out.
They may not be able to hurt him, but he can’t help them either.
Hmmmmmm thinking about posting an unpopular AvA opinion, but for now—
Been listening to a lot of TADC fan songs lately, and since I can’t animate yet, I thought I’d do some drawings instead. Song is called A Little Bit Bad by KittenSneeze.
This my first attempt at a picture with text and a background, so sorry if it’s bad😅
No text and no background version + reference pic below the cut:
This is technically the first of three drawings I want to do with revived TDL, so expect more hopefully soon.
I hate this man, but dang, if he isn’t fun to draw…
That genuinely did not go the way I thought AT ALL
Spoiler warning and extremely disorganized rant ahead:
FIRST OF ALL I actually choked up and started crying when Vic restored Mitsi. I had to pause it for a second and collect myself because wdym the roles reversed??!?!?!? What do you MEEAN THEY WATCHED EACH OTHER DIE I AM NOT OKAY
And the massacre after, oh my lord. The Newgrounds massacres were one thing, but the sight of so many sticks just trapped and panicking, getting picked off one by one... Absolutely visceral.
Also, the FSF TREMBLING with fear as Dark hovers past them?? And then being basically forced to walk Second up to the pod, liKE HELLO???? Why is the main character's posse getting angst in an AvA episode???? (I'm joking, but still--)
The H4ck3r Vs Dark fight???? SO COOLL!!!! As soon he turned on Dark, I was just screaming, "GET HIS BUTT, VIC!!" I had been anticipating this reveal for a YEAR, so it was very very cathartic for me, lol. I did kind of think Vic was gonna lose himself for a second and just start tearing up parts of the building where everyone was. Dark's goop powers were awesome to finally see in action, and the brief moment he got to show emotion with his eyes???? GGRRRrrrrgrgGhHH I LOVE THEM WITH EYES
Dark's just childish glee the entire time was both entertaining and sickening to watch. I made a theory after the last episode that Dark might get a redemption arc, but after this... It's really just reinforced how utterly irredeemable he is; how much he revels in chaos and destruction and watching others suffer. Which I actually kind of love more than if he was redeemable, I think? Mostly because I find it very refreshing to have an unrepentant villain in a time when I feel like creators seem really attached to creating sympathetic antagonists; not that I'm against sympathetic antagonists. I'm always down for a good redemption arc and/or complicated, 3D antagonist. But sometimes it is nice to have a villain that really is just evil for the sake of being evil. King and Vic have been great antagonists, but Dark feels so much more threatening and dangerous simply for that fact that he doesn't care. He doesn't have a traumatic backstory the audience can relate to, he has no positive connections anyone in the cast; he lived with Chosen for seven years, had what would be considered a MASSIVE falling out, and then didn't show anything for it except punching him in the gut once and ignoring him for the entire rest of the episode. Chosen never meant anything to him; he was just a tool to be used, just like Vic (or H4ck3r; sorry, I just do not bother following these name changes lol). I love writing and reading Chosen & Dark fics, Dark redemptions, good Dark fics, etc. just as much as the next person. But I can also look at canon and honestly say, "Yeah, that'll never happen." Canon Dark is an undeniable, unrepentant psychopath, and I think that makes him a much more enjoyable and interesting character than if he was redeemable.
And then Chosen. I know he didn't get much screentime this episode, but I can't talk about a new AvA episode without at least addressing my lovely son.
Him reaching out to Dark? Yeah, okay, that hurt my soul. Because as I've already established, Dark very clearly does not care, but Chosen? Chosen can't help but care. That was his close companion, the only person he could consider a friend, for years. After he lost Dark, he had no one (pardon the pun). Even if Dark didn't care, even if Dark only hung around Chosen for so long because he thought of him as a useful ally; he's the only semi-positive relationship Chosen has ever had. And Chosen lost him, and it's probably Chosen's biggest regret, but now he's back, and surely he's missed Chosen as much as Chosen's missed him, right..? but he doesn't. He never cared. Not like Chosen did. And if Dark never cared, that means nobody ever cared. And yes, I KNOW they're faceless and voiceless stick figures, I KNOW the AB team is probably not gonna go that deep, but my GOSH, if it doesn't cut that deep. Chosen is so good and so messed-up and so hopeful and so broken and so confused and he tries so hard and he never wins and I love him so much I'm going to explode...
I also like how for most of the episode, he's just... there. Just standing in the background looking like a droopy, miserable wet cat. Which is funny, and I was giggling about it the whole time, but when I think about it, it's actually a really cool detail. The difference in his entire stance and attitude between "The Chosen One" and "No One" really shows a lot about his character. Chosen's powers have been such a key part of him since day one. He's a beast, a force of nature, but he's also a victim. His abilities helped him get free once, and they've kept him free since then. They're the way he shields himself, hiding his fears and fragility behind fire and storms and lasers. But now they're gone, and he has nothing protecting him anymore. He's vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. And oh boy does it show.
At this point, I think my biggest hope and prayer for Chosen's character arc is that he somehow gets his powers back and gets to duke it out with Dark one last time. I want HIM to defeat Dark, not Second or Vic. They've been so intricately linked throughout the entire show that they're practically inseparable both in canon and in the fanbase, but we've also gotten some pretty heavy hints by now that their relationship was majorly toxic. I'd love to see them fight and Chosen win for once, maybe as a visual representation of him letting go of Dark finally and getting to move on with his life. Maybe he and Vic make up and start forging a tentative friendship. Just something that could be considered real character development for Chosen. He has been one of the most beaten down characters in the entire series, and I just want to see him get an actual happy ending for once.
Thanks so much for giving me the chance to yap! I probably wouldn't have posted this long of a rant unprovoked, lol. And now you've gotten a taste of my obsession with The Chosen One. >:3
Throwing this down here after seeing someone else's post talking about Chosen & Second:
I've noticed all the Hollowheads have gotten some kind of "upgrade" this season (Second's powers getting reawakened, Dark Lord becomes Goop Lord, Victim becomes H4ck3r). I'm calling it now that they're gonna reutilize Second's connection to Chosen by having him awaken some kind of "next level" powers in Chosen, and then he finally gets to beat The Dark Lord himself. That is the only satisfying way I see Chosen's character arc playing out, and I am going to bite someone if it doesn't happen.
Also the parallel of Second, "The Chosen One's Return," beating Dark in the Showdown vs Chosen fulfilling his nature as the original "Chosen One" and beating Dark this time would not only be satisfying, but also really funny. Most narrative "Dark Lords" just have one protagonist, SIKE, you have to deal with two of 'em, idiot. :)
That genuinely did not go the way I thought AT ALL
Spoiler warning and extremely disorganized rant ahead:
FIRST OF ALL I actually choked up and started crying when Vic restored Mitsi. I had to pause it for a second and collect myself because wdym the roles reversed??!?!?!? What do you MEEAN THEY WATCHED EACH OTHER DIE I AM NOT OKAY
And the massacre after, oh my lord. The Newgrounds massacres were one thing, but the sight of so many sticks just trapped and panicking, getting picked off one by one... Absolutely visceral.
Also, the FSF TREMBLING with fear as Dark hovers past them?? And then being basically forced to walk Second up to the pod, liKE HELLO???? Why is the main character's posse getting angst in an AvA episode???? (I'm joking, but still--)
The H4ck3r Vs Dark fight???? SO COOLL!!!! As soon he turned on Dark, I was just screaming, "GET HIS BUTT, VIC!!" I had been anticipating this reveal for a YEAR, so it was very very cathartic for me, lol. I did kind of think Vic was gonna lose himself for a second and just start tearing up parts of the building where everyone was. Dark's goop powers were awesome to finally see in action, and the brief moment he got to show emotion with his eyes???? GGRRRrrrrgrgGhHH I LOVE THEM WITH EYES
Dark's just childish glee the entire time was both entertaining and sickening to watch. I made a theory after the last episode that Dark might get a redemption arc, but after this... It's really just reinforced how utterly irredeemable he is; how much he revels in chaos and destruction and watching others suffer. Which I actually kind of love more than if he was redeemable, I think? Mostly because I find it very refreshing to have an unrepentant villain in a time when I feel like creators seem really attached to creating sympathetic antagonists; not that I'm against sympathetic antagonists. I'm always down for a good redemption arc and/or complicated, 3D antagonist. But sometimes it is nice to have a villain that really is just evil for the sake of being evil. King and Vic have been great antagonists, but Dark feels so much more threatening and dangerous simply for that fact that he doesn't care. He doesn't have a traumatic backstory the audience can relate to, he has no positive connections anyone in the cast; he lived with Chosen for seven years, had what would be considered a MASSIVE falling out, and then didn't show anything for it except punching him in the gut once and ignoring him for the entire rest of the episode. Chosen never meant anything to him; he was just a tool to be used, just like Vic (or H4ck3r; sorry, I just do not bother following these name changes lol). I love writing and reading Chosen & Dark fics, Dark redemptions, good Dark fics, etc. just as much as the next person. But I can also look at canon and honestly say, "Yeah, that'll never happen." Canon Dark is an undeniable, unrepentant psychopath, and I think that makes him a much more enjoyable and interesting character than if he was redeemable.
And then Chosen. I know he didn't get much screentime this episode, but I can't talk about a new AvA episode without at least addressing my lovely son.
Him reaching out to Dark? Yeah, okay, that hurt my soul. Because as I've already established, Dark very clearly does not care, but Chosen? Chosen can't help but care. That was his close companion, the only person he could consider a friend, for years. After he lost Dark, he had no one (pardon the pun). Even if Dark didn't care, even if Dark only hung around Chosen for so long because he thought of him as a useful ally; he's the only semi-positive relationship Chosen has ever had. And Chosen lost him, and it's probably Chosen's biggest regret, but now he's back, and surely he's missed Chosen as much as Chosen's missed him, right..? but he doesn't. He never cared. Not like Chosen did. And if Dark never cared, that means nobody ever cared. And yes, I KNOW they're faceless and voiceless stick figures, I KNOW the AB team is probably not gonna go that deep, but my GOSH, if it doesn't cut that deep. Chosen is so good and so messed-up and so hopeful and so broken and so confused and he tries so hard and he never wins and I love him so much I'm going to explode...
I also like how for most of the episode, he's just... there. Just standing in the background looking like a droopy, miserable wet cat. Which is funny, and I was giggling about it the whole time, but when I think about it, it's actually a really cool detail. The difference in his entire stance and attitude between "The Chosen One" and "No One" really shows a lot about his character. Chosen's powers have been such a key part of him since day one. He's a beast, a force of nature, but he's also a victim. His abilities helped him get free once, and they've kept him free since then. They're the way he shields himself, hiding his fears and fragility behind fire and storms and lasers. But now they're gone, and he has nothing protecting him anymore. He's vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. And oh boy does it show.
At this point, I think my biggest hope and prayer for Chosen's character arc is that he somehow gets his powers back and gets to duke it out with Dark one last time. I want HIM to defeat Dark, not Second or Vic. They've been so intricately linked throughout the entire show that they're practically inseparable both in canon and in the fanbase, but we've also gotten some pretty heavy hints by now that their relationship was majorly toxic. I'd love to see them fight and Chosen win for once, maybe as a visual representation of him letting go of Dark finally and getting to move on with his life. Maybe he and Vic make up and start forging a tentative friendship. Just something that could be considered real character development for Chosen. He has been one of the most beaten down characters in the entire series, and I just want to see him get an actual happy ending for once.
Thanks so much for giving me the chance to yap! I probably wouldn't have posted this long of a rant unprovoked, lol. And now you've gotten a taste of my obsession with The Chosen One. >:3
Brutal and Bittersweet (untitled fourth fic in the series): Garmadon becomes a girl dad
An Element So Ephemeral: Fetch quest turned time shenanigans
Golden Masquerade: Sons of Garmadon but angstier
I See Roses: My favorite ships but toxic
Bestowed: Elemental weapons find their family
@mentallyinsanepenguin @cultured-spaghetti @manga-reader-xd @estellardreams @lesbianonthesubway @jay-the-walker-36 @jaynopoly if any of you want to do it?
After @ashirothebird’s latest post, I HAD to doodle little Raven!!
I know this AU is more of Morro annoying Raven, but I couldn’t help imagining the reverse: Raven taking advantage of her situation to act excessively obnoxious and childish. Maybe hoping it’ll stall Morro or something, idk.
The site my college uses for online courses freaking crashed. Classes end in a week. I've been doing this for four years and this is the first time ever this has happened to me. I'm being conspired against -_-
Anyway, I updated my pfp because my girl Cynder was long overdue for a redraw. I'll prob go back and touch up this pic sometime because I'm not totally happy with it, plus literally all my sibs mistook her for a cat (she's a fox) but ITS FINE
I've been playing around with IbisXPaint for months now, and while I still prefer pencils and paper for the initial sketches, I do like how clean the digital art looks. No more hassling with misplaced lines or ripped pages or eraser smudges... Also layers are literally a lifesaver, lol
I'm curious, what do you like best in Isekai fanfiction? (≧▽≦) And what you rather don't.
Sorry for the late response! It kinda depends? Believe it or not, I don't have that much experience with isekai fanfics, lol. I've written multiple isekais for just about every hyperfixation I've ever had, but I've only read a small handful, and they've only ever been for Ninjago.
If I had to pick something, I'd say I always like that moment when the protagonist meets the cast for the first time. It doesn't matter how much I've hyperfixated on the show lately or whether I knew the meet was coming or who the character is; the moment anyone from the canon cast is introduced from the protag's perspective, I get so excited!!! The protag doesn't even have to recognize the character right away, they can just mention something dumb like hair color, and every single time I just goes "!!!!!!! It's You!!!!! Hi You!!!!!!"
I don't think there's anything about isekai fics in particular that I dislike? Like I said, I haven't read that many, lol. Thnx so much for the ask, tho!! I'm looking forward to engaging with more of the isekai fics/writers once I have more time for all this. ^^
