Hazbin Hotel’s Pilot - Hellish, Yet Highly Outstanding

Disclaimer:

This is a review and analysis of an animated pilot that contains adult content, including strong profanity, moderate sexual references, and one moderate drug reference. Reader discretion is advised.

For every satisfying finale of an iconic cartoon, such as My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic [31], there is a pilot of a brand new cartoon, such as Hazbin Hotel [28]. In association with plenty of hype, many characters of to the new intellectual property have been revealed by Vivienne Medrano, including how previews of the pilot have been uploaded onto her YouTube channel earlier than its release date [27] [32]. We can tell that she is an experienced animator and team leader by watching her earlier animations with guest animators, including a fan animated music video of the song “Die Young” by Kesha from late 2014 [26]. As an artist and animator who is passionate about character design and refused to give up after rejection, I would say she is indeed an inspiration for young artists and animators out there [32]. In late 2019, the pilot of a brand new cartoon has risen from the depths of development, thus taking the passion and legacy of Medrano and a team of talented folks to a new level. Without further ado, prepare to analyse a whole new circle of Hell with yours truly…or repent for your sins.

With such passion and talent, I think Hazbin Hotel is in good hands. [32]

After all, it is not Medrano’s first time of animating with assisting animators. [26]

The quality of the animation and art style is outstanding [27] [28]. Satanic imagery is everywhere, including upside-down crosses, pentagrams and the name of Hell’s news program being “666 News”, thus making the setting believable [28]. The suitable variety of colours chosen for the characters and the aspects of the interpretation of Hell are vibrant and not too saturated with appealing contrast. Most of the time, the backgrounds consist of gothic shades of red, pink, yellow and hints of black as the prime palette, thus suiting the theme of a quirky and more lighthearted version of Hell very well. I can say that the animation of Hazbin Hotel is much more preferable, compared to the crude art style and character design of Mr. Pickles, another cartoon that features satanic elements [2]. The brilliant outcome of the animation, along with striking character design is further proof that the best of two-dimensional animation can be done by Western artists and animators, not just from the glamourous elements of anime in Japan.

A splendid palette of a few shades of purple and pink of the background in the limo scene. [28]

Some other colour palettes are used in moderation, which helps maintain the quality of the art style. [28]

Throughout the pilot, I was rooting for Charlie, the blond-haired protagonist to successfully start her goal to help demons redeem themselves in a hotel by becoming a lot less sinful [27] [28]. She may have been born in Hell as the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith [18], but there is a batch of great qualities about her that make her quite a heavenly character. Not only do I adore her ability to sing like a Disney princess, but I admire how she has a strong desire to make a difference in the realm she was raised in, no matter how many demons berate it [27] [28]. Her determination to start a business that encourages demons to become good not only provides the premise’s originality but makes her realistically relatable as she is still willing to keep trying, despite the obstacles that hinder the challenge. As my favourite character in the pilot, the princess of Hell’s likeability truly deserves some association with cosplaying and I bet she would get along very well with Alice Angel from Bendy and the Ink Machine since they both love to sing and have some minor demonic aspects [4] [5] [25].

The introduction to Charlie’s character development. Bless her. [28]

Vaggie’s design reminds me of Amethyst from Steven Universe [20] [35]. Aside from that, I adore how she is in a romantic relationship with Charlie and is always willing to defend her [20] [28]. Moreover, I am delighted to see that there is another canon committed relationship in a cartoon pilot released towards the end of the 2010s. Of course, there is no intimacy and sexual moments between them shown anywhere in the pilot, but it has been confirmed that the two ladies are in a relationship at some point by Medrano. Good on Vaggie for punching a cameraman for insulting the one she cares about a lot [27] [28]. As a sucker for female empowerment, I also like how fierce she was when holding a spear against another character and speaking Spanish. Furthermore, she is not afraid to show aggression and be confronting to whoever jeopardizes Charlie’s goals [28]. It is shame that Vaggie died in 2014 [20], but at least she will always have the strength and sassiness to be a good partner to Charlie for the sake of positive portrayals of lesbians and bisexual females in cartoons [38].

Don’t mess with Vaggie! [28]

These two are cute together, aren’t they? [28]

Apart from how Angel Dust was possibly also a pornography star in the 1940s and tried to get a dose of a drug in the pilot [15], one reason for adapting to the afterlife in Hell must be his crudeness towards some of the other characters, thus making himself a comic relief character [15] [28]. Nevertheless, I can see that he has a softer side when he sees Charlie looking gloomy and reaches out to reassure her, which can help the audience maintain their tolerance for him, despite how he unfortunately backs away as he believes that his efforts may not help [15] [28]. Additionally, he also shoves his partner in battle, Cherri Bomb out of the way to prevent some clawed tentacles from grabbing her during a brutal war. Similar to Deadpool from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a big degree [9], Angel Dust in Hazbin Hotel is indeed a comic relief character who is not afraid to spew out sass, sexual humour, provide other forms of humour and get into violence at times [28].

Angel Dust’s personality is quite similar to Deadpool's, but without the fourth wall wrecking. [9] [28]

I know from experience. [28]

The snake-like menace Sir Pentious and Cherri Bomb sure do not seem to like each other very much [19] [28]. They are arch-rivals after all. While watching the pilot, I had a theory that Mr. Pentious must represent the serpent that tempted Eve to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge in the Bible. However, that reference could be more likely to be represented by the apple on the cane of a new interpretation of Lucifer, Charlie’s father [18]. He also seems to be quite ruthless to Alastor, possibly because of how they are both seen as “evil”. While Sir Pentious’ design is quite scary as he strongly resembles a cobra, Cherri Bomb’s character design is awesome, matching her ruthless personality and ambitions in violence, despite consisting of feminine colours [28]. While Sir Pentious has the loud-mouthed villainousness of Dr. Nefarious from the Ratchet and Clank franchise [33], Cherri Bomb has the callousness of a fighter in Fortnite and ability to drop bombs like Bomberman from the video game series with the same name [12] [22], thus being part of how the pilot is more engaging for providing some comical violence that involves cracking some egg minions.

His hat may seem alive, but this cobra’s design is deadly! [28]

Cherri Bomb’s usage of bombs and punk-like attire really suit her rebellious attitude. [8]

Alastor has some memorability of his own for his demonic yet sophisticated design, charisma, wit and the radio-like quality of his voice from how he used to be a radio host when he was alive [14] [28]. Despite his charming persona and long-lasting grin, it is no wonder he is in Hell due to how he turned out to be a serial killer [14]. Jeff the Killer anyone [24]? That moment after Vaggie confronts him with a spear is rather unsettling and it is no wonder she warns Charlie that the chance of him being a better demon is impossible [28]. Alastor also seems to be quite manipulative as he may not agree with Charlie’s idea of helping demons become good, but he merely saw her motivation into fighting after being mocked as a “performance” and aims to use her plan for his own showbiz-related ambitions [28]. Aside from how I am highly fascinated in his character design, I believe the witty and charismatic fellow, otherwise known as one of the most powerful crooks in Hell could be seen as the antihero of the pilot as he is only helping Charlie with her dream just to see how guests struggle with the progress of redemption.

Anyone up for some ASMR from this fellow later? [28]

Let us look at some other characters, including some who are yet to make an appearance. Niffty, the fast-talking and friendly yet cautious cleaner of the hotel would partly sum up my duties as a part-time cleaner outside of my writing hobby [28]. Husk may be quite aggressive and foul-mouthed with the inability to feel love and compassion, but I believe that he would take what he is assigned to do seriously in a trustworthy manner in a full series of Hazbin Hotel [16] [28], as long as there will be plenty of booze. Katie Killjoy, the news anchor is a prime example of how one star would seem sweet and innocent on television but can be rather inconsiderate towards others outside the persona [17] [27] [28]. I could not stand how she mocked Charlie’s dream on the air, thus leading to even more sinners mocking her too. No wonder she deserved to be in a fight with her. An animated series after the pilot ought to further develop the supporting characters interestingly. If any of you who are lusting over the sinful stylishness of Hazin Hotel up for creating your own fan characters, why the hell not?

Isn’t Niffty adorable? [28]

You will not get any joy from being mocked by Katie Killjoy. [28]

It fascinates me how the majority of the characters died in different eras of time, similar to how a popular online theory about most of the characters in Ed, Edd n Eddy explains that each of them represents how they died in different decades [13]. As previously mentioned, the year of Vaggie’s death was 2014, a time where female empowerment is expected [20]. Niffty died in the 1950s, which would explain the style of her attire [28]. Alastor died in 1933, which explains the style of his charisma from being a radio host [14] [28]. And of course, Angel Dust died in 1947 from a drug overdose [15]. Sir Pentious died in 1888 as his attire looks rather Victorian [19]. Husk died a gambler in the 1970s [16]. Katie Killjoy died in 1992 [17]. The cause of these deaths may be revealed when a full animated series is released in the 2020s, but I will be okay with that as long as none of them will be suicides since we are in an age where signs of suicide are not to be used for a joke, compared to how a self-inflicted gunshot to the head was a mere gag for dark humour in old cartoons from the 1940s and 1950s [21] [23].

Could this female demon have also died in the 2010s due to how she uses a smartphone? [28]

Nowadays, due to mental health awareness and such, suicide cannot be joked about in cartoons anymore. I believe that is for the best. [21] [23]

Sin, of course, is present in Hazbin Hotel’s interpretation of Hell. As a die-hard LGBT rights supporter who despises the religious belief of homosexuality being a sin that leads to damnation, I have a theory that Angel Dust’s bisexuality was partly the reason why he ended up in Hell due to how such a homophobic belief is all around today [28]. The same could apply to the committed relationship between Charlie and Vaggie, despite not much romance between them being present in the pilot [28]. Katie Killjoy’s homophobia does not help. Hell, the episode of Arthur that featured Mr. Ratburn’s marriage to another man was banned from airing in Alabama...in 2019, which ticked me off of course [1]. Another example of something that is viewed as a sin in religion is alcohol as Vaggie wanted to reject the proposed bar, believing that it will endanger a guest’s goal to become far less sinful. Furthermore, religions such as Islam and Hinduism forbid alcohol consumption [29] [30]. And yes, there is a commandment in the Bible that forbids murder and there was some killing during the war between Sir Pentious and Cherri Bomb [7]. No matter the sin, Charlie would hope for redemption to begin.

Gambling could also be seen as sinful, which is why Husk, the aggressive gambler is present in Hell. [28]

What about the three musical numbers [27] [28]? I would say that some of the lyrics of the first original song sung by Charlie are rather relatable to me as there have been times when I felt like a failure and how my hopes will not come true in the world [28]. Her second song, “Inside Of Every Demon Is A Rainbow” was firstly released as a promotional preview last year and is not only fast-paced and quite humourous with some of its lyrics but perfectly sums up her goal and makes the plot’s premise original and interesting [27] [28]. As for Alastor’s song, its vibes are quite similar to “A Friend Like Me” from the Disney adaption of Aladdin [3] [28] [36]. If at least one musical number remains essential when a full animated series comes after the pilot’s success, then it should help maintain the intellectual property’s originality. Who knows? I could write a parody of any of these original songs someday. If Elder Price from The Book of Mormon has another spooky Mormon Hell dream, I guess he could visit Hazbin Hotel and sing a whole new song with any of the staff and guests so that he can be…well…less frightened [37].

I know exactly how Charlie feels. [28]

And I bet she’s never had a co-worker like Alastor before. [3] [28] [36]

So what is the recipe for the show’s concept and outcome? Well, I can say that it could be:

•   500 grams of Zombie Hotel for the prime setting being a hotel [8]
•   500 grams of Steven Universe for the appealing art style and LGBT themes [35] [38]
•   Two teaspoons of Mr. Pickles for satanic imagery [2]
•   One tablespoon of Phineas and Ferb for original and enjoyable songs [10] [11]
•   One cup of South Park for adult content, including profanity and sex references [34]

Yes, please make sure that none of the footage will be leaked onto YouTube Kids because there is indeed some raunchy dialogue, just like in South Park [34]. There are some uncensored dropped f-bombs and even a moment when Angel Dust offers oral sex to Alastor at the hotel [28]. And yes, Mr. Pickles also features a lot of sexual content as well that mostly comes from that bad dog [2]. Oh, and the blobs icing on the cupcakes would be Bendy and the Ink Machine for its spooky nature and interesting character design [5] [6]. Such a bizarre concoction appears to have won the hearts of many viewers since its release date on YouTube. Hell yeah!

A quick shout-out to our fellow 2000s kids! [8]

And I guess not all dogs go to Heaven. [2]

Overall, I would be up for going to Hazbin Hotel after I die [27] [28]. Why? Because I am amazed at the pilot’s high potential to result in a full animated series because of:

•     The colourful art style for modern audiences
•     Easing and exceptional animation
•     A likeable cast of brilliantly designed characters
•     The enjoyable voice acting for every character
•     Edgy and witty dialogue full of humour and character development
•     The unique premise and interpretation of Hell

It is not as vulgar and explicit as the Alfred Alfer series by Emily Youcis [39] [40] [41], but I can say the adult humour enhances its uniqueness and makes the pilot and hopefully a fully animated series in the 2020s completely refreshing. My fellow demons, I would like to thank Chaser Stringstroke dearly for getting me into its colourful craziness, thus motivating me into analysing it and such [36]. Our hats and horns go off to Vivienne Medrano, the creator and the rest of the team behind such a unique specimen of one hell of an animated pilot [28]. Okay, I will stop using the word “Hell” now.

Will a full series of Hazbin Hotel come true? [27] [28]

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