An Open Letter to the Undertale Fandom
Do you remember what it was like when you first played Undertale? Think back on it, for just a moment. How you felt going through the Ruins with Toriel and how she let you leave the ruins, how you met Sans and learned how to greet a new friend, hiding from Papyrus behind a conveniently placed lamp. Do you still remember going through Snowdin and learning about Gyftrot, how you traversed Waterfall and narrowly escaped Undyne and battled the Dummy. Do you remember how Nabstablook stole our hearts with their honest emotions, how Muffet charmed us with her spiders, and Alphs was such an anime dork that we all couldn’t help but look forward to her phone calls. Do you remember how Mettaton stole the stage and came to accept us? What was your favorite part? I will never forget my date with Papyrus.
Do you… remember your fight with Asgore?
I want you to think on it. Take a moment to recall that fight. Then, take a moment to look at all these characters. Think on it, if you will, for just a minute, and tell me why that fight was so heartbreaking. Then, I want you to push past it and then on Flowey, one of the most hateful characters in the game, who in the end, was just Asriel. A scared child. Even after all the hurt and pain that happened, we still saved him. We cried about it (or at least I did.)
I have a point to make, and if you would let me share my piece of mind, I think we could all learn something new today.
Every single character in the game had flaws. Not just superficial ones either. By far, the one that stood out to me the most was Papyrus. He let us murder him in cold blood and thought we could be better even until the end. I remember Asgore’s sorrow in that final fight, and I remember cheering on Frisk when we FINALLY saved Asriel, the one who needed it the most.
All of these characters (even us, the player) have done terrible things. Everyone has fatal flaws that push most people away, but despite that, we talked our way through the underground. I remember how determined I was to befriend every single monster. I refused to fight. I enjoyed that the choice was left to me, the player, in the game. I chose to spare them. All of them. My hard work was realized when I got the ending, freeing everyone. It was several runs before I tried Genocide, and even then, I could never bring myself to kill Paps.
I think it’s easy sometimes… we all forget the message of that Toby Fox was trying to give us. We forget why these characters are flawed and ultimately that was the most important part of the message.
There is always a better choice. We can all be good people if we just try a little harder. It’s ok, because we’re not really feeling up to it right now, but at least we know how to greet our friends. We have seen a loving community and learned that even if someone hates us, there is more to it then that. We are all just people, who have made mistakes, but we can talk to them and learn and understand each other better. It’s ok to disagree, even Kings and Queens go their separate ways. In the end, we must stay determined to be better than we were yesterday.
We’ve all seen the horror stories of fandoms that form great communities, then turn toxic and hateful to outsiders, then turn hateful on themselves till there’s nothing left. I don’t think that will happen with our community, but it’s easy to forget where we all started and why. I do, a lot, actually. I see people I can’t get along with, things that make my blood boil, and see friends hurt and attacked for their views.
This post isn’t about that. It’s about all of us, it’s about me and you. We don’t have to be that way. Please, PLEASE, I beg you. Remember why you love Undertale and live up to the lessons and joy it brought you. I know there are controversial things and drama in our community. We are all different, but that’s alright! We can just talk about it! We CAN be better.
Oh? You don’t want to talk about it? Well, that’s ok. We don’t have to be friends, I won’t force you. You don’t have to be friends or support any one. If you feel angry or upset, then validate it. Acknowledge that hurt and anger, then let it go. Walk away.
You can always just walk away.
You… don’t want to walk away but you don’t want to talk?
Ok. That’s valid. No matter how much I disagree or how toxic I may feel some stances are, if you must make a post or comment, do it with respect. Handle yourself like Toriel is looking over your shoulder and Papyrus is cheering you on. Do yourself Justice, you deserve it after all. We all do.
I know it’s hard, but please, if you encounter hate or you have friends who have been attacked, choose the better option. This goes beyond Frans/Papara or Homosexual Representation in Undertale. It goes beyond religion and cursing, and whether or not you want to go to the bone-zone with you favorite Skele-boi.
Just, remember your actions have consequences and that we all come to Undertale for the same love that game sparked. Let’s just remember the lessons it taught us.
I love all of you, please, take care of yourself.
janainaart
baratheonpilled
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
izzy806
discoholicmusic
turnnoffyourmind
romaincrisis
