Why Modern Fandom Misunderstands Bangel — and Angel Himself.
It’s funny, no matter how loudly modern fandom screams “Bangel was shallow” or “Angel was boring,” they can’t erase the truth:
Buffy and Angel were the story. Buffy and Angel were the moral and emotional heart.
What’s changed isn’t the canon.
It’s the culture — and the way fandom now cherry-picks tropes, rewrites narratives, and erases emotional depth to favour whatever’s easiest to meme, thirst over, or package into a five-second TikTok clip.
This post isn’t just about ships.
It’s about how fandom transformed meaningful, complex stories into shallow shipping wars — and why, no matter how loud the noise gets, Bangel and Angel still matter.
Why Does it Seem Spuffy and Cangel are More Popular Now?
Modern Fan Culture Favors "Enemies-to-Lovers" and Snarky Dynamics
Spike/Buffy and Cordelia/Angel relationships align with tropes that are currently beloved, like "enemies-to-lovers" or the banter-heavy, snarky dynamic. These relationships often provide instant gratification, drama, and humor, which are easier to resonate with in short clips or meme-able moments.
Spike and Cordelia’s Transformation Arcs
Both Spike and Cordelia undergo significant character growth throughout their series. Fans often view Spike as more "relatable" because he evolves from an outright villain into a morally grey antihero who is perceived as doing everything "for love." Similarly, Cordelia’s growth from shallow high schooler to compassionate champion appeals to viewers who like seeing characters redeem themselves. Many fans tie these arcs directly to their relationships, idealizing the idea of "redemption through love."
Shipping Culture and Selective Viewing
Today’s fandom often cherry-picks moments from Buffy and Angel, focusing on scenes that fit a preferred narrative. Spuffy offers dramatic highs and lows, and Cangel fans highlight their mutual support and camaraderie while ignoring complexities or inconsistencies. Short-form content on social media (like TikTok or Instagram) emphasizes these "shippable" moments while overlooking deeper context.
Retrospective Rewrites of the Shows
Over time, viewers reframe characters and relationships based on modern values. Spike, for instance, is now framed by some as a "better match" for Buffy because of his unwavering devotion, even if that devotion crossed unhealthy boundaries. Similarly, Cordelia’s relationship with Angel is romanticized as "natural progression" despite its lack of development on screen.
Modern fandom doesn’t want slow-burn tragedy. It wants instant-gratification bad boys.
Why Is Bangel and Angel Hated So Much Now?
Simplistic Dismissal of "First Love"
Many modern fans reduce Buffy and Angel’s relationship to "puppy love" or "teenage infatuation," missing the depth of their bond and the sacrifices they make for one another. The idea that it was "Buffy’s first love" diminishes its importance and overlooks how their love fundamentally shapes both characters.
Angel's Reserved Nature Misinterpreted as Boring
Angel is a subtle, introspective character, which often leads to accusations that he’s "brooding" or "boring." Modern fans, accustomed to quippy antiheroes like Spike, miss the emotional depth of Angel’s quiet moments, mistaking his restraint for a lack of passion for Buffy.
Misreading Angel’s Departure and Sacrifices
Angel’s decision to leave Buffy in Season 3 and his sacrifices in Angel are often framed as abandonment, ignoring the immense selflessness of his choices. These decisions were never about controlling Buffy, but about ensuring her growth and allowing her to flourish without the burden of their doomed romance. This nuance is often lost on fans who want instant gratification in storytelling.
Online Echo Chambers
Fandoms today thrive in online spaces, which can become echo chambers. Anti-Bangel rhetoric often snowballs, with fans repeating the same superficial criticisms (e.g., their "age gap" or "it’s creepy") without understanding the historical context of the show’s storytelling.
Angel’s greatest sin? Not giving Tumblr enough meme material.
Why Did These Opinions Differ When the Shows Aired?
Cultural Context at the Time
When Buffy and Angel aired, Bangel was the definitive love story. It was framed as tragic, eternal, and deeply romantic—drawing comparisons to Romeo and Juliet. Angel’s spin-off also reinforced his love for Buffy, making it clear she was his moral compass and emotional anchor. The idea of them as soulmates was woven into the shows’ DNA.
Spike’s Role as the Villain
During the original run, Spike’s darker, abusive tendencies in his relationship with Buffy overshadowed his redemption arc for many viewers. Similarly, Cangel never gained traction during the shows’ airing because it was introduced abruptly and without significant development.
Streaming Changes How We Watch
Streaming platforms have made the shows more accessible to new viewers who binge-watch them quickly, often without paying attention to the context or slower emotional beats. As a result, characters like Spike and Cordelia, who provide immediate entertainment, resonate more strongly with this new audience.
Why Do Bangel and Angel Still Matter?
Despite the shifting tides of fandom, Bangel and Angel remain foundational to the Buffyverse. Their relationship isn’t perfect, but it is deeply meaningful. It’s rooted in mutual respect, selflessness, and the understanding that love isn’t just about being together, it’s about supporting each other’s growth. Angel and Buffy are true equals, and their decisions to put the greater good above their personal desires only strengthen the depth of their love.
Angel, as a character, represents a complex journey of redemption and self-discovery, themes that resonate far beyond romantic relationships. Bangel isn’t just about romance; it’s about finding hope, purpose, and strength in the face of impossible odds. That timeless quality is why it still matters, no matter how loud the modern fandom might shout otherwise.
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