Halfway Through The Hellish First Season Of Helluva Boss

Disclaimer:

This is an analysis and review of two episodes of an animated series aimed at mature audiences that contain:

•        Strong profanity
•        Flashing lights
•        Strong sexual references
•        Hellish and mildly disturbing imagery
•        Strong cartoon violence, including blood and gore
•        Graphic cartoon death scenes
•        Crude humour, including one moment of vomiting
•        One moderate drug reference
•        One moment of alcoholism
•        One moment of attempted suicide

Reader discretion is advised.

The progress of the first season of Helluva Boss is still blazing like the fires of Hell. At the end of January, “Spring Broken” was released as the third episode of the animated series [42]. Over two weeks later, a deeply seductive voice informed fellow Hazbeans about new Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss merchandise being sold for a limited time to help SpindeHorse Toons maintain a fully compatible budget for future projects [15] [49]. Later on, it was announced that the official French dub of the first episode would be released after the reveal of the dub’s cast in honour of the magnifique acclaim of the pilot’s official French dub from late 2020 [17] [18] [45]. It was not long until the release of the fourth episode titled “C.H.E.R.U.B” that was almost a week after International Women’s day [47], concluding the first half of the first season. To spice things up even more after writing my new novella [73], I have decided to review TWO episodes for the price of one, thus preparing for trouble and making it double as if I was about to confront Team Rocket [54]. I also hope that I do not have to feel like how Greg Heffley felt in 2020 anymore [80].

Vivziepop! Vivziepop! Oh, Vivzie, Vivzie, Vivzie, Vivziepop [50]! [48]

That careless announcer may have almost caused me to lose half of my eyesight by letting the cork of a bottle fly straight into my eye a while ago [48], but I was more than daring to watch the fourth episode after the completion of my new novella [73]. At least I did not give the guy a flaming bag of poo [11] [12]. [47]

It looks like the hell of a boss is still rather repulsive as he is seen destroying a television set at the beginning of “C.H.E.R.U.B” [42]. Would you believe that he had been saving up for a green pony seemingly named “Mareajuana” by the design of its cap and its cutie mark that resembles a cannabis leaf? As sleazy and reckless Blitzo can be, I can at least still root for him because of how he angrily confronts a new character and her team about Moxxie being sexually harassed by them and does not brush it off as an off-colour incident in “Spring Broken” [47]. But then again, he does not bother to help Moxxie after he got crushed by a shattered chunk of a wall in the office twice in “C.H.E.R.U.B” [42]. Aside from the rivalries he gets into, he stills shows determination when it comes to being a hell of a boss as he is still the boss of his business in Hell. Perhaps we should keep the “o” in his name silent if any of us meet him in the afterlife. And perhaps Corrupt Strider could narrate he and his employees' killing sprees if they were ever in a video game [61].

Blitzo’s overall portrayal in the first half of the first season is a sign of the show’s title being completely trustworthy and not misleading [43] [44], unlike Angry Kid as the red-haired teen hardly ever gets angry and just gets into gross humour or other tactics, leading to his father getting angrily irritated at him in some episodes [2]. [42]

I am not really comfortable with the thought of a character who suffers from anxiety being sexually harassed regardless of said character’s gender, even in a cartoon aimed at adults. But what makes it not seem solely included for shock humour is how it motivates Blitzo into challenging another one of his enemies to result in more engaging conflict within the plot of “Spring Broken”. [42]

Is the love between the two littler imps still lasting [32]? Of course! Well, in spite of them wanting to know what sex with a well-known singer is like at one point [47]. I adore how Millie rescues a drunk Moxxie from being devoured by a monstrous being in “Spring Broken” as it is an example of proof that the damsel-in-distress does not always have to be a female and that the rescuer does not always have to be a male. Super Princess Peach much [53]? Once she insulted one of the new characters out of annoyance, resulting in a little bawl in “C.H.E.R.U.B”, I was like “Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!”. Just after Moxxie sprang into action and caught Millie just in time, the two started to make out and I was like “Bow chika bow wow!” [42] [46] [71] [72]. Considering how much conflict Moxxie has gone through in the series so far, including being crushed by chunks of a wall in “C.H.E.R.U.B” [42], his affection for his wife still seems to be his ultimate coping mechanism, which is absolutely precious. I would say their love is about as functional as Wade Wilson and Vanessa Carlysle in Deadpool 2 [8].

It was quite funny how the so-called “possum” got drunk after being released from a barrel of beer in “Spring Broken”. He sure has that “cute drunk” vibe. [47]

What else can I say about Moxxie and Millie’s love for one another, apart from how adorable they look in their cat costumes in “C.H.E.R.U.B” [42]? The French version of “Oh Millie” was totally worth it since French is a language of love [19] [45]. [42]

By the way Loona is the only member to fully disguise herself as a human, I could tell by the newly revealed human forms that the writers wanted to potentially fill in a plot hole in “Spring Broken”, which is what I will give them more kudos for [47]. Aside from that, we see an expansion on her usually moodiness when she expresses her frustration with Blitzo babying her and such later in the episode. Any of the other four episodes with the second half of the first season that feature a new assignment ought to provide that same sudden consistency that continued in “C.H.E.R.U.B.”, even though the divides are the I.M.Ps turned out to be not as convincing as Loona’s human form [42]. The way Loona also can lure humans to their demises is quite succubus-like when it comes to finally being able to have a more productive role in the business. I am quite delighted that Loona finally has a potentially softer side when it comes to crushing on a new character and gaining some further self-empowerment in honour of her employment outside of how disrespectful she was in the pilot [44].

The conflict between Blitzo and Loona at some point in “Spring Broken” provides some more interesting backstory for the hell of a boss and soon leads to the disguised hellhound feeling some slight remorse for her outburst, which enriches her character development in a humane way outside of a new form of self-empowerment and productivity in the team she consists of whilst disguised as a human. [47]

The mysterious singer who has her own song in “Spring Broken” is Blitzo’s ex-girlfriend [31]. And boy, even though Verosika Mayday is attractive in her human disguise [33], it seems like her breakup with a hell of a boss must have been ugly, thus being fuelled by some measly bickering over a spot within a car park in the present [47]. Not only is she a cunning pop star on Earth and in Hell, but she is also a succubus who can cause arousal through her musical abilities and such [31]. I do NOT want to know what is in the liquor that was in the bottle she threw that spawned a monstrous being in the ocean. And I highly doubt she would want to befriend Aston Kole after she dies [14]. As much as I believe that quite a lot of conflict that erupted mostly over a darn parking space is rather pitiful, it was interesting to see a new female character as another element of Blitzo’s backstory. Now that we know about a relationship he had that failed, there is hope that we may know a little more about one of his sisters Verosika mentioned being in rehab as we know that both of them appear in posters in his office [20] [29].

Verosika’s ability to cause humans to be sexually stimulated on Earth in a charming way as a singer whilst in her human form reminds me of Catherine from the game with the name same [5]. Could Petey the Sexual Harassment Panda from South Park teach the succubi to not take it too far [60]? Apart from her failed relationship with Blitzo, could a new open relationship between her and another demon be better in another episode? [47]

It turns out that the new male hellhound is named “Vortex” and is not related to Loona at all [47] [71] [72]. Instead, he becomes her potential love interest once they meet in their human forms. Despite how tough and stern he seemed in Hell and Earth, even when he defended Verosika from an overly obsessed fan of hers as a human, he eventually softens up whilst talking to Loona at a beach where Verosika’s concert takes place. I like how his human form resembles an African-American man as it expands on the diversity within the steadily increasing amount of characters in the series. Did anyone else sense a Romeo and Juliet vibe between them since Vortex is Verosika’s bodyguard as Blitzo butts in during their little conversation [10] [11] [57]? Besides that, I really like how wholesome he can be off duty [47], which makes him far beyond the generic “tough guy” trope. Bless him. I wonder if he can appear in either another episode in the second half of the first seasons or the second one with the opportunity to be even closer to Loona, even though he mentioned that he was already in a relationship with another hound. Could there be a love triangle?

Tex sure is a nice guy outside of his occupation. Does anyone else ship him with Loony? [47]

Can you believe that the fourth episode titled “C.H.E.R.U.B” brought on an epic battle that was hinted with certain emojis in its last two previews on Twitter [35] [36]? The cherubs in Heaven may look as cute as the characters from the Kitten Catfe series [37] [38] [39], but I still remember hoping that they will not be as strangely menacing as the panda from the 2016 reboot of The Powerpuff Girls who sounded like Mickey Mouse after he smoked marijuana before the episode’s release [64] [76] [77]. Nonetheless, it makes so much sense for the trio to try and convince a new character to not commit suicide and make suggestions on what to do with his money, such as paying for hospitals since it is commonly believed that tender-hearted people go to Heaven after they die. Throughout the whole episode, I found it quite weird how I was honestly siding with a team against the imps for a change, despite their client’s questionable morality. Since it has been confirmed in the Hazbin Hotel pilot that Hell is overpopulated [24], what if there are currently only about one-hundred and forty-four thousand saved souls and spiritual beings [40] [55], including the Cherubs in Heaven before they made a mistake?

Would you believe that Medrano herself also voiced another character from Heaven named “Deerie” [23] [41]? [42]

I felt bad for the Cherubs being forbidden to return to Heaven after a big mistake, especially Cletus who burst into tears. Perhaps they might appear in another episode as fallen angels in darker designs in either another episode of Season One or at some point in Season Two? [42]

What other new characters are there in “C.H.E.R.U.B”? The energetic man referred to as “Loopity Poopity” who died and went to Hell sure is loopy as he exclaims in a sing-song voice, but he has a fairly unique backstory [42]. How he aged far too quickly to the point he passed away efficiently is rather unsettling and we can understand his motives for hiring the I.M.P as his companion Lyle Lippton survived the rapid ageing…only to betray him by making all the money for himself. I may not approve of Lyle only caring about the money and expressed hatred towards orphans, even at his deathbed, but I was quite unnerved at how he attempted to hang himself before the three cherubs arrive. Towards the fourth episode’s conclusion, I liked how he realised why life is worth living as we only get to live once, even though he only refrained from committing suicide just to buy materialistic things…and suddenly got crushed by the piano. His afterlife design kind of reminds me of Grounder from The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog [66], but he mostly looks like Dr. Robotnik [58] [59]. Now that the two men are reunited in Hell, could they be new rivals for Sir Pentious from Hazbin Hotel [69] [74] [75]?

There is also a character who previously appeared in “Loo Loo Land” named “Wacky Wally Wackford” who is really not subtle with hiding his true money-hungry intentions [43]. [42]

I may be quite unnerved at the battle between three angels trying to prevent a greedy old man from killing himself and three demons trying to convince him to do it, but I can at least feel the tension within the father unique conflict [42]. I would honestly root for a character to not commit suicide since I recall explaining how seriously suicide is taken in today’s society [73] [74]. Nevertheless, I am still up for our devilish antiheroes slaying new non-suicidal human antagonists partially for their immoral acts as part of stone-cold karma. Besides, I want Katie Killjoy from the pilot of Hazbin Hotel to get sacked from her job for how relentless she was Charlie [67] [73] [74]. [42]

Some new visuals in these two new episodes further enrich the expansions of what the first season of the show has to offer. Two moments that remind me of the intro of the original Powerpuff Girls series are the stage’s huge screens during Verosika’s performance in “Spring Broken” and the moment of two of the cherubs hugging in “C.H.E.R.U.B” [42] [47]. The way Blitzo’s storyboard suddenly becomes an animated sequence in “Spring Broken” is utterly brilliant with crudely drawn versions of the characters on a plain white background, somewhat resembling the asdfmovie series [56]. Apart from how the beach in “Spring Broken” is also colourful and detailed [47], the tiny hearts that spawn from Verosika and some members of her audience add to her ambitions in sexually stimulating mortals. The colour palettes of Heaven in “C.H.E.R.U.B” are indeed heavenly with soft tints of blue and yellow, matching the cherubs’ adorable designs [42]. The filter used for Loopity Poopity’s backstory contains a specific palette and effect to make it look like an old film from the 1940s, which greatly expand on the animators’ artistic abilities. With the same energy and amount of detail from the pilot and first two episodes put into the animation and backgrounds, the third and fourth episodes are visually exceptional.

The moment the sky went all dark as the giant fish monster rose from the depths of the ocean add to a sudden change of tone within the scene in “Spring Broken”. The bleaker colour palette for the sky makes Millie’s mission to save Moxxie from being devoured by it and then slaughter it more intense. [47]

Betty Boop in Helluva Boss?! What the hell?! It is crazy enough that a parody of Dora the Explorer made an appearance in that episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy [68]! [42]

I will admit that I found a scene in “C.H.E.R.U.B” a little out of place [42]. Strangely enough, one location the cherubs show Lyle to try and save him from suicidality is a shopping centre where a man dressed up as Santa Claus spreads joy to many children, which made me believe that “C.H.E.R.U.B” is set in December at first, but as I reflect on other scenes on Earth being set in warmer climates, I still found the Santa Claus scene to be highly inconsistent and unfitting for the time of the episode’s release. Nonetheless, I think that scene within the fourth episode must have developed during the Christmas break of 2020, so some slack from yours truly will be given. Alternatively and quite strangely, the whole episode might as well be set in July, meaning that the humans at the shopping centre must have been celebrating Christmas in the summer, just like how the cul-de-sac kids from Ed, Edd n Eddy did one time [9], along with how the Baby Looney Tunes attempted to pretend it was Christmas for Lola to receive a present during the same season [4]. Who knows? An actual Christmas-themed episode of Helluva Boss might be released this December.

I swear! If this pandemic does not end by July, I am putting my Christmas tree up early! [42]

With wit and courageousness, let us analyse some more forms of humour. Moxxie’s critique of Blitzo’s poster in “Spring Broken” kind of reminds me of how I would expect people to critique some of my older writing [47] [71] [72]. Nevertheless, many damned souls get easily convinced by it, which is quite pricelessly ironic. I cannot believe there would be a sneaky fourth wall break regarding the fandom, which is the camera gradually zooming into the I.M.P team looking directly at us after Blitzo explains his reasoning for forbidding Loona to join the bet against his ex at first. How the tour guide on the bus describes the disguised I.M.Ps about to sneak into Lyle’s mansion in such a calm and casual manner in “C.H.E.R.U.B” is assuming [42]. Despite how shocked I was at how a greedy old man tried to hang himself, I can see how some fairly clever dark humour was added to Moxxie’s speaking formally as he suggested he proceed in attempting suicide after the cherubs interfere. The moment Blitzo reveals Santa’s true identity takes a particular scene in Elf to a whole new level [13]. The series ought to still be remotely funny, but still make room for interesting character development in the next half of the first season.

Guys, I am NOT one of those freaks up there! I swear!! I am just a reviewer!! Please do not kill me!! [47]

I could not believe that the fourth episode was teased with a preview of Blitzo and Moxxie crossdressing on Twitter before its release [44]. But EWWWWWW!! A spray bottle full of a substance that smells like urine?! Really?! At least the disguises they and Millie use in “C.H.E.R.U.B” are pretty quirky, including adorable cat suits for the married couple. [42]

Let us tune in to some new tunes in these two new episodes, starting with the ones in “Spring Broken”. The rock song Blitzo sings along to in the van titled “Mustang Dong” sure is rowdy with explicit lyrics [27] [47]. Vacay to Bonetown, the ballad Verosika croons on stage is rather hypnotic and sounds like a song Megurine Luka could do a cover of someday [47] [63]. It is themed around going on a vacation in the summer with lyrics such as “Take a Vacay babe” and contains some sexual references such as “Catch some rays with catching some D” [30]. What about the one in “C.H.E.R.U.B”? Well, well, well. It seems like the lyrics of the theme song for the C.H.E.R.U.B’s business point to the fact that their prime goal is the polar opposite of the I.M.P’s business after all [22] [47] [71] [72]. Furthermore, it kind of sounds like a sugary-sweet parody of the theme song for the I.M.Ps from the pilot to a degree [44]. Surely there ought to be French versions of the songs from the last two episodes, including the angsty song titled “My World Is Burning Down Around Me” a teenaged Octavia listens to in “Loo Loo Land” with help of the wonderful Hazbin Hotel Version Française team [16] [19] [28] [43].

Perhaps the devious and seductive Verosika will have another musical number up her sleeve in another episode within the first season [46] [71] [72]. She really does have those Catherine vibes [5]. Who knows? [47]

As for the C.H.E.R.U.B, perhaps another future episode will go into detail on the business of saving mortals’ lives could still be running with new employees in Heaven. [42]

How Stolas does not exactly appear in every episode at least prevents the gag of him spewing censored sex references to Blitzo from becoming too repetitive and makes room for the development of other characters [43] [44] [45]. I ultimately believe the purpose of how he failed to clearly explain his unloving marriage to his daughter in the resolution of “Loo Loo Land” was to prevent spoilers before the release of the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth episodes of the first season [43]. At least we know that Stolas’ lustful nature towards Blitzo allows him and his employees to keep travelling to Earth in order to keep their business going because of an ancient book that was given to him [25] [44]. Despite that, since Blitzo seemed saddened by the loss of his cat puppet during the assignment in “C.H.E.R.U.B.” [42], perhaps the lanky and seductive owl can give him a new one to try and win his heart in a much more modest and genuinely caring way. Now that would level up his likeability even higher. Is anyone up for some ASMR from the prince who is at least a well-meaning father to his daughter after this review [62] [63] [71] [72]? I am!

Surely Stella was only angry at Stolas’ adultery simply because he slept with an imp [43], which would be a sign of her being bigoted towards imps as they, along with hellhounds are referred to as the “lowest” in Hell’s society [24]. I guess Blitzo’s apology in the pilot was not enough [44] [45]. Perhaps a new episode of Hazbin Hotel can feature Charlie encouraging equality for all beings in Hell during the rehabilitation for sinners staying at the hotel [21] [74] [75]? [44] [45]

"You will be okay. Everything will be okay.” [43]

How does it feel to have gone through the first half of the first season? As scorching as the flames of Hell, I tell you! How can we punish a few people who suddenly make Hazbin Hotel fandom toxic by causing drama? Temporarily ban TikTok of course [51]! On a lighter note, I am fascinated by how the official artwork of Charlotte Magne, my favourite character now has her long blonde locks tied in two black bobbles instead of just one, implying that there could be some very minor and not so drastic changes within overall character design in the television show that takes place after the events of the pilot [21]. While the second half of the first season Helluva Boss awaits us, I am still up for analysing the trailer for a whole season of Hazbin Hotel, which may include the slight update of Charlie’s hair. Additionally, will comparing a second season of Helluva Boss to the first one be like comparing making love to f**king [1] [3] [6] [7]? Probably not, but who knows? While new IPs in the late 2010s continue to flourish in the early 2020s, some old ones from the 1990s can eventually get revived with new vibes at the seemingly right times for their revivals [52]. Stay sinful, murder professionals!

Here is the lovely Miss Charlie with her updated hairstyle. I cannot wait for a whole season of Hazbin Hotel to air on telly soon. [21]

As for the first season of Helluva Boss, one half down! The other half to go! I am also hoping to see a second season by next year, otherwise labelling the series as “Season One” without any plans for a second season would seem pointless [26]. [42]

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HighKey’s Sugar Panda – The Sugarholic Panda Voiced By Ryan Reynolds

Disclaimer:
This is an analysis of adverts that contain adult humour, including moderate profanity and one moderate drug reference. Reader discretion is advised.

As a child, my favourite mascot for a specific food product must have been Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Frosties [7] [8] [11]. Later in my youth, I encountered Vinnie, a panda who spoke in a New York accent and helped advertise biscuits from Fox’s [17] [36]. As a young adult, I never thought I would witness a character like Sugar Panda. Three adverts he starred in have been uploaded onto his voice actor’s YouTube channel in early 2021 [29] [30] [31]. Who voices him you ask? No other than the charming and talented Ryan Reynolds. The purpose of his existence is to advertise packets of sugar-free miniature cookies, despite how he has a goal to promote the exact opposite. I have been rather unhappy with how things have been going recently with the coronavirus pandemic not being quite over yet and the recent controversies surrounding Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the aftermath of them leaving the United Kingdom [3] [16] [20], but listening to Mr. Reynolds’ vocal performance within these new adverts has perked me up [29] [30] [31]. I may miss the times when I played Cookie Dozer on my fourth-generation iPod Touch [19], but I shall proceed to analyse Sugar Panda’s misadventures with any remaining ability to remain proactive.

They had the decency to not make this mascot wear a suit that is green…or animated [12]. [30]

The overall visual design for Sugar Panda makes him rather unique [29] [30] [31]. The way the style of his animation is displayed in a live-action setting reminds me of the newest Tom and Jerry movie [4], along with the iconic frenemies’ participation in the most epic crossover of 2021 so far [22]. I am terribly sorry, but just look at the state of his teeth! I know Salad Fingers’ teeth are far worse [18], but it is no wonder I try to keep my choppers white by brushing them twice a day and drinking water. What makes Sugar Panda’s health even more concerning is how heavy his lower eyelids look [29] [30] [31]. He wears a black string necklace with a spoon as a charm, which adds to his portrayal as a sugarholic. I quite like how he was dressed up as a scout in the third advert. In a 3D cartoony art style within a live-action world, Sugar Panda’s overall appearance provides some individuality. If only MC Skat Kat can receive this kind of treatment someday when it comes to a huge opportunity to re-introduce him to today’s crowd, despite the poor reception of The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob in the ‘90s [38].

Too bad the reception of the newest Tom and Jerry movie has not been very good [4], but at least Sugar Panda’s overall design has not been critically berated, compared to the most recent design of Toucan Sam that was established last year [10] [35]. [30]

Apart from how the blurriness of the backgrounds during Sugar Panda’s medium shots helps him stand out more in spite of how it leaves the rest of the shots with much sharper backgrounds is quite unbalanced [30], this is how I would feel if I suddenly got a nosebleed whilst writing this article. [29]

Compared to how Po from the Kung Fu Panda franchise has active ambitions in kung fu [23] [24], Sugar Panda’s fondness of sugar would be considered unhealthy [31]. The panda’s unstable health is a big reminder that we should be careful about how much sugary foods can be too much. Surely the panda from the 2016 reboot of The Powerpuff Girls sounds like Mickey Mouse after he smoked marijuana [34], but the moment Sugar Panda’s heart suddenly stopped before he could say a particular swear word and luckily recovers to resume his goal to sell sugary confectionery is yet another sign of him not being a good influence for panda cubs [29]. How he also annoys two other human characters with his obsession with sugary foods makes his kind of offering sugar definitely not as likeable as the way Don from Regular Show calls giving a hug “giving sugar” [28] [30]. Despite Sugar Panda’s poor health that is especially portrayed by how he expresses his bliss at a messy coffee table, he is still a snarky fellow who can make witty remarks and a few narcissistically delusional claims [29] [30] [31], which suits the choice to hire Ryan Reynolds to voice him.

Come on now! This is pretty much a reference to chopping up chunks of cocaine! At least Detective Pikachu only goes for a single cup of coffee…or more [14]. [31]

I can see that Sugar Panda’s motives are just part of providing some humour in each advert to help HighKey mini cookies sell well at supermarkets [30] [31]. Since Reynolds has starred in various films [14], including Deadpool and Deadpool 2 [12] [13], I would say his voice fits the role of the devious sugar-loving panda very well. Sugar Panda’s catchphrase near the end of each advert, “You can’t cancel me. I’m in everything.” sure adds to his deviousness when it comes to preaching the temptation of consuming sugar to others [29] [30] [31]. I also like how there is profanity in these adverts, even though the words are censored with beeps as it further proves that not all food-related adverts starring cartoon mascots must be primarily aimed at young children [6] [7] [8] [11] [17] [36], which is what I highly appreciate as a young adult who still adores cartoons. I know not every character has to be an inspirational influence for young children as those with more questionable morality can lead to interesting premises, but I believe that Sugar Panda can expand on his likeability if he would only give one sugary product to someone in need of raising their blood sugar level [26] [29] [30].

“Su-su-su-su-sugar is so sweet! From my head to my feet!” – Sugar Panda, 2021. [29]

Eating the orange-filled ones because apparently nobody likes them? Surely you cannot go wrong with Cadbury Dairy Milk orange buttons and the milk orange truffles from Lindt [25] [33]. [30]

I shall be looking forward to more misadventures of Sugar Panda later this year. While he is not as unhealthy and edgy as Alfred Alfer in adverts aimed at an older audience [37] [38] [39] [40], he is far from being as victorious as Coco the Monkey as a new mascot for an edible product [6], bringing out some Ted and Ren and Stimpy vibes [1] [27]. Nevertheless, at least he does not cause senseless destruction if a human refuses to try something he likes, unlike the panda from the Panda Cheese adverts [2]. Could Sugar Panda be declared as the “antiheroic food mascot of the year”? I highly appreciate HighKey’s efforts to sell sugar-free treats for those who wish to cut down sugar for a healthier diet and I will all up for sugar-free treats [29] [30] [31]. Heck, I remember chowing down on a sugar-free Chupa Chups Cremosa lollipop when I was a child [15] [21]. Currently, I would recommend a sugar-free strawberry-flavoured Chupa Chups lollipop to Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw if she feels regretful about chowing down on a regular one too often [9] [37]. As for Sugar Panda from HighKey, I do not doubt that some folks will be like, “Get some help, buddy!” [29] [30] [31].

The mini cookies sure look delicious, though I do miss those red and white Chupa Chup Cremosa lollipops [15] [21]. I recall even trying a caramel-flavoured one with caramel-coloured stripes at some point in my childhood [5]. [29] [30] [31]

As for the product’s mascot, what will he be up to next? I guess we shall find out soon. [29]

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Lightyear – An Outstanding Origin Awaits?

I do not doubt that many of us fans of Pixar’s many masterpieces [10], including Coco and Ratatouille are looking forward to the release of Luca this Summer [4] [11] [13]. Ever since after the remarkable acclaim of Toy Story 4 that was considered to be the sprinkles on the cake that is the Toy Story franchise nine years after Toy Story 3 was considered to be the perfect finale [17] [18], some of us have been wondering how the franchise could possibly continue without a single sign of it becoming stale before our owners return to their bedrooms, leading us to have to slump to the floor and remain lifeless until they leave again. I am highly fascinated at how the near future of the Toy Story franchise appears to be going in a potentially better direction rather than just spewing out a “Toy Story 5” that would seem to be quite unnecessary unless its events took place before the first Toy Story masterpiece for Summer 2022 after the release and marketing of Turning Red next Spring [11]. Should I just give in and not state my thoughts on the concept for a forthcoming spin-off of an iconic franchise? Not today, Zurg [16]!

So, how can the franchise excel even further after the outstanding acclaim of Toy Story 4 [18]? [23]

The teased project from Pixar has officially been titled “Lightyear” as a sign that it will be heavily focused on a specific time in Buzz Lightyear’s life [11]. In a teased image, Buzz seems to be wearing a different suit, especially a completely different helmet as he grins confidently [21]. This is highly similar to how Captain Marvel wore pine green attire as “Vers” in her live-action movie [3]. His face looks more human-like and similar to the design of Mr. Incredible’s face [25] [26], meaning that the premise will NOT be set in a child’s bedroom where toys that come to life reside in. This is a huge sign of the film being set in his origin. You know, before a promotion that gave him the suit we saw on the popular figure based on him [15] [16]. Considering how the new interpretation of Buzz will NOT be an action figure, could there be a brief moment of children around Andy’s age about watch the movie at a cinema way before the events of Toy Story 3, resulting in a “Yo Dawg” moment [5]? As a test pilot, according to the description on the official Pixar website [11], a less experienced Buzz is sure to show some determination to earn the promotion that would lead to the Buzz we knew and loved since 1995 [15].

Buzz will apparently be a test pilot in the forthcoming spin-off [11], leading to some new character development that has not been seen by fans of the Toy Story franchise before. [21]

It appears that the iconic space ranger will have a different voice for his supposed origin [21]. I do not mind the noble space ranger being voiced by Chris Evans instead of Tim Allen, as long as the performance is just as highly engaging. Jim Hanks, the brother of Tom Hanks has voiced Woody outside of the films and he sounds almost as convincing [1] [12]. More importantly, the plot of Lightyear ought to consist of remarkable character development when it comes to portraying him as the way he was before he became an official space ranger. Toy Story 4 has shown some great development on Woody as he has refrained from making the same mistake he made in the first Toy Story film [15] [18]. When he is no longer the favourite toy of Bonnie, he tries to protect him at all costs for her as his creator instead of knocking him out of a window out of jealously. Whether Buzz Lightyear will have a different voice actor or not [21], there will need to be an extraordinary evolution of him since how a character is portrayed is slightly more important than how outstanding the performance of whoever voices the character will be.

Well, at least Buzz will not sound like that miniature version of him from Small Fry in Lightyear [14]. What is more important though is how likeable he will be. [22]

There will be hope that the events of the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command timeline that was established from 2000 to 2001 will still be considered canon, despite how it oddly featured traditional 2D animation compared to the animation in the first film at its sequel [15] [16] [19] [20]. The way to make this possible would be to ether reference or welcome back characters, such as Princess Mira Nova and Booster Sinclair Munchapper in the stunningly advanced 3D animation that many modern Pixar films have been recognisable for [4] [5] [10] [19]. Who knows? They might as well return in brand new outfits just before converting to the attire they wore in the television series in perhaps a new headcanon, especially Mira [2]. Surely Toy Story Treats have been considered non-canon due to how considering them canon would result in inconsistencies [24], but we shall see if Lightyear will or will not contradict anything from Buzz Lightyear of Star Commanded once its official trailer is released. To those who considered themselves fans of the animated special and the television series that were inspired from it back in the early 2000s [19] [20], there will be hope that there will be signs of them not being forgotten like many memories of Riley from Inside Out in the events of Lightyear [5].

A little shout-out to all of the 2000s kids who remember this animated special and the television series set after its events [19] [20]. Could their events still be considered canon or will there be an alternate continuation in Lightyear? [20]

In conclusion, I would be more than interested to see Buzz Lightyear’s origin within a spin-off of such an iconic animated saga [11] [21]. We can tell that the franchise has come a long way since the test footage that featured Woody and Buzz in their earlier interpretations that never made it to the final result of the first film [7]. I am still up for a Toy Story 5 someday, just as long as its events will tell the story of how Woody became Andy’s favourite toy before the arrival of Buzz [15]. Sometimes it is wiser to establish a prequel to answer unanswered questions than make a continuation that would be considered unnecessary. It worked for Monsters University [8] [9], right? I am sure that there might be any signs of some toys that are based on what is seen in Buzz’s origin being bought in Andy’s local area in perhaps the beginning or conclusion of the forthcoming spin-off to honour the prime premise of the main Toy Story saga [15] [16] [17] [18]. For now, the wonderfully talented and hardworking people at Pixar Animation Studios ought to not let the prospector out of the box until July 2022 [11] [21]. Can Mr. Lightyear still fly…or fall with style [15]?

To infinity…and beyond! [21]

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