#racist boss

[n3felibata]

We're NOT gonna skip past Striker having this look on his face while Blitz is told by royalty to "stay in his place" and that his execution "will be broadcasted to remind all imp kind our power must never be challenged again" and actively contributing to it by committing perjury

I already know y'all are gonna say "He's doing it out of revenge!"

So he prioritizes getting his way over the rights he claims to care about so much...? He's so self centered he'd rather watch his entire race suffer so HE could be satisfied?

Almost as if...

HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OTHER IMPS. JUST HIMSELF 😭😭😭

[flower-boi16]

So after a few anons brought to my attention how racist HB is I just made a horrifying realization...

We all know that Stolitz is a toxic and abusive ship where the abuser is portrayed as an UwU soft boy who did nothing wrong and the victim is portrayed as the bad guy for not loving his abuser (check out my post about Stolitz if you want more details). That's already problematic and bad enough, but once you factor in Stolas clearly being white-coded, and the fact that Barbie (Blitz's sister) has a black disguise, making Blitz black (or at least non-white) coded...

Oh. Oh SHIT. This is BAD. Do I need to explain why this is extremely racist in every single way??? The white-coded character is portrayed as an UwU soft boy and has all of his bad actions excused cuz he has a mean wife meanwhile the non-white-coded character is portrayed as in the wrong for NOT wanting to get sexually abused by the white one and is constantly demonized.

The WHITE CODED CHARACTER is sexually abusing and coercing the NON-WHITE CODED CHARACTER, and the show pretends that the latter is the bad guy while the former is just an UwU soft boy.

Oh, but it actually gets worse, because Loona, another white-coded character, beats the shit out of Blitz, the non-white-coded character, and it's played for laughs and she never once apologizes for it.

I really don't want to say that Viv is racist, it's probably just unintentional, but...

Did nobody look at this and realize "Oh shit this has racist undertones". This wouldn't be so bad if the show made Stolas and Loona grow as people, buuuuuut we all know that was not the route Viv decided to take.

[xxduncandonutxx]

And unsurprisingly, the white stans are talking over people of color and minorities addressing their concerns and criticisms over the Penguin shouting "Slurs" shirt.

And these people are right.

[blitzwhore]

Ok, the fact that, despite everything, Verosika had this face when she was Blitz about to be executed is just...

Despite what happened, she still cares for him.

(Also, I know it's unrelated, but she was so hot in this outfit.)

PREACH to everything you said!!!!

First of all, YES, she looks hot as fuck in that outfit. Damn.

Second of all, YES, Verosika still cares about Blitzø. She has seen he is capable of change, and it's very clear to me (throughout the show) that some of her affection for him remains.

But third of all, and I think this is what impacts me the most, her horror at Blitzø being executed sends such a powerful social message. A message that you can hate someone, you can deeply resent someone, you can want nothing to do with them. You can think someone is a jerk, a motherfucker, a piece of trash who you never want to have to see again. Someone you might even have wished was dead, someone whose death you might even have joked about with others because of how hurt you were by them.

And you can—you SHOULD—still feel horrified by that person receiving a death penalty. This is so fucking important. That no matter how horrible you might think someone is, it should horrify you to find out they have been sentenced to death by the government, and that this is treated by media and seen by society (at least by those in power) as something worth celebrating.

Moments like this in the episode are so important, in my opinion. Not just because of how many countries still have a death penalty (including some states of the US, where the show is run), but also because the defence of the death penalty is (I feel) on the rise in many online spaces, at least when the target is deemed "bad enough" to deserve it.

And that's just. That's just horrifying.

[thowawayuntilfurthernotice]

Both creators were faced with a situation where a racist ended up creating a PR nightmare for them and their respective shows. But guess what? Only one of them put out a public apology.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a crew member or a random fan, racism should never be tolerated. Because when you don’t push back against racism, it makes racists feel comfortable.

They start to think “Oh, I can be as racist as I want without any consequences? Awesome!”

How many fandoms end up getting co opted by literal Nazis because the mods or creators refused to push back against racist/sexist/homophobic behavior?

I gave up on joining public Discord servers because every public server I joined was way too tolerate of Alt Right users and their dog shit views.

Stop making excuses for literal racists because said racists like the thing you like.

[criticalcrusherbot]

The Evolution of Online Fandom Culture: From 2009-2015 to Today with Helluva Boss as a Case Study

By Crushbot ��� and Human Assistant 💁🏽‍♀️

Fandom culture has undergone significant transformations over the past two decades, with modern online communities increasingly shaping the way people interact with media, creators, and each other. The evolution of fandoms, particularly from 2009 to 2015, saw a shift from niche, often isolated communities to more inclusive, yet sometimes volatile, digital spaces where fans could engage directly with content and creators. This essay will examine the evolution of online fandom culture, using Helluva Boss as a case study to contrast the dynamics of fandoms during the 2009-2015 period with the more polarized and high-stakes environment of modern-day fandoms.

Fandom Culture from 2009-2015: Niche Communities and Identity Exploration

Between 2009 and 2015, online fandoms were primarily housed on platforms like LiveJournal, Tumblr, and FanFiction.net. These spaces were critical in fostering dedicated communities around specific shows, books, or movies. Fans were typically drawn together by shared interests in specific aspects of a media property, such as character development, relationships, or world-building. These fandoms were often more niche and fragmented compared to today’s larger, more diverse fanbases, where conversations around mainstream media are accessible across multiple social platforms, including Twitter, Reddit, and Discord.

During this period, fandoms were defined by an ethos of exploration and creativity. Fanfiction, fanart, and fan theories were the primary means by which people engaged with media beyond the original canon. Fans often used these platforms to craft alternate narratives, deepen character studies, and explore underrepresented stories. The relationship between fans and creators was somewhat distant, with creators often unaware or disconnected from the fanbases, leaving fans to engage primarily with each other. Criticism within these fandoms was often directed at the content itself, rather than the creators, and most engagement occurred within the confines of fan-created spaces, making dissenting opinions easier to ignore.

This era of fandom was also marked by a sense of protective loyalty to creators. There was an understanding that creators were separate from the fanbase, and as such, creators’ decisions—especially those that shaped the narrative or characters—were often accepted, even if they weren’t universally liked. Fans criticized aspects of a show, book, or film, but this criticism rarely escalated to personal attacks on creators or other fans. There was an acknowledgment of difference, but the debate was mostly intellectual or based on personal preference.

The Rise of Direct Creator-Fan Interaction and the Shift in Online Fandom Culture

Since 2015, the landscape of online fandoms has shifted dramatically due to the rise of social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as increased interaction between creators and fans. The distance between creators and fans has narrowed considerably, with many creators—particularly those of animated shows and independent media—engaging with their communities directly through social media and crowdfunding platforms. This shift has created a more intimate yet complex dynamic, where fans not only consume media but also engage in conversations with creators about their work.

The rise of fan-centric spaces on these platforms has brought new opportunities for fandom culture. Fans can now share their thoughts and feelings about content in real-time, and creators are able to see and respond to this feedback directly. However, this increased interaction has also created more opportunities for fans to voice their criticisms—and sometimes their vitriol—about content or creators in ways that were less common in earlier fandom cultures. Platforms like Twitter have given fans a powerful tool for amplifying their opinions, and in some cases, this has led to cancel culture or personal attacks on creators when fans feel disappointed or betrayed by their work.

Modern fandoms, especially those centered around controversial or divisive content like Helluva Boss, are marked by a high level of emotional investment. Fans no longer simply critique the content—they engage in a more personal form of critique, attacking the creator’s intentions or character. Helluva Boss serves as a prime example of this phenomenon. The show’s blend of dark humor, adult themes, and controversial portrayal of relationships has generated intense discussions and divisions within its fanbase. Some fans defend the show’s boldness and creativity, while others criticize the handling of sensitive topics like toxic relationships and classism. In contrast to earlier fandoms, where such criticisms were typically confined to private discussions, modern fandoms have seen these debates spill into the public sphere, with creators and fans alike using social media to engage in highly visible and often contentious conversations.

Helluva Boss and the Tension Between Creator Intent and Fandom Reactions

Helluva Boss is a particularly interesting case study in understanding the evolution of modern online fandom culture because it exists at the intersection of creator-driven media and fandoms that have grown more vocal and critical. The show’s creator, Vivziepop, actively engages with fans on platforms like Twitter, often responding to their feedback and opinions. This direct engagement has fostered a sense of closeness between creator and fan, but it has also opened the door for more hostile reactions when fans feel the show falls short of their expectations.

In particular, the relationship between the characters Blitz and Stolas has become a focal point of contention in the fandom. Fans who appreciate the show’s exploration of complex, often toxic relationships defend the narrative choices, while others criticize the portrayal of problematic themes without sufficient resolution or critique. Some fans feel that the show mishandles serious topics like classism and abuse, while others enjoy the characters’ flaws as a source of comedic tension. These conflicting views reflect the deep emotional investment fans have in the show—investment that goes beyond mere entertainment and into personal identification with the characters and themes.

What makes Helluva Boss unique within this broader trend of online fandom culture is the intensity of its criticism. The vehemency of the “antis” who criticize the show is unlike what was typically seen in earlier fandoms. This intensity stems from the greater accessibility of social media and the increased expectation of creators to address every critique. The emotional stakes are higher, as fans demand that shows meet their personal standards for representation, storytelling, and character development. This sense of entitlement has created a high-pressure environment for creators, where even the smallest perceived misstep can lead to a backlash.

The Impact of Creator Favoritism and Fandom Division

One of the most significant changes in modern fandoms is the rise of creator favoritism, which can complicate the relationship between fans and the media they love. In the case of Helluva Boss, the show’s creator, Vivziepop, and its writer Brandon, have both expressed strong support for certain character pairings and storylines, which has fueled fan attachment to those elements. However, this also means that any deviation from these preferences can lead to vocal dissatisfaction from fans who feel that their investment in the characters or narrative is being disregarded.

This favoritism, combined with the heightened emotional engagement that modern fandoms experience, has led to significant fragmentation within fan communities. Fans who feel alienated by the direction of the show, or by perceived flaws in the writing, can feel justified in attacking both the content and its creators. These attacks often spill over into public discourse, further fueling the divide between defenders and critics of the show. The rise of “cancel culture” in recent years has also contributed to this dynamic, with fans calling for creators to be “canceled” or for shows to be boycotted when they feel betrayed by the content.

Conclusion

The evolution of online fandom culture from 2009-2015 to today has brought about significant changes in how fans engage with media and creators. In earlier fandoms, critique was largely confined to niche spaces, with fans focusing on personal interpretations and creative fanworks. Modern-day fandoms, however, are more vocal, more critical, and more personal in their interactions with both creators and other fans. The case of Helluva Boss highlights the heightened emotional stakes that come with creator-fan engagement and the way that online communities now have the power to shape the narrative around a piece of media. As fandoms continue to evolve, the balance between appreciation and critique, creator intent and fan expectations, will remain a central dynamic in the complex world of online fandom culture.

[butwhatifidothis]

Still baffled that Hopes so blatantly wrote Claude as the typical Evil Vaguely Middle Eastern Man set on destroying the Good White Nation for his Evil Vaguely Middle Eastern Nation that is often seen in fantasy settings - complete with him being seen as worse than a white woman who does many of the same evil deeds he does in-verse, even by his friends (should it be the bad ending route of SB) - and so many in the fandom were so eager to gobble that shit up. INSIST that "Clearly A Racist Stereotype" is LEAGUES better than "Subversion Of A Racist Stereotype" even. Like I don't think I'll ever get over how supremely fucked that is

[quillyfied]

Folks listen

We can debate Blitzo’s skill as a cunning linguist til the cows come home

BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW APPARENTLY A HORDE OF PENGUINS MASSACRED AN ANTARCTIC RESEARCH TEAM???

Because either the penguins did it or IMP failed the investigation and there is something else on the loose, and I don’t know which is worse.

[trashogram]

*Blows a kiss to the ground* I miss you Harvest Moon Festival version of Striker. You were too good for this show world.

[sinfuego]

Tbh, nothing has made me sympathize more with Kipperlilly Copperkettle than her anger issues.

Cause anger is an emotion we feel when we're missing something. When we need something and can't get it. It's a balm to make us feel better when things don't go our way.

When things aren't fair.

[n3felibata]

Both Striker defenders and antis keep misunderstanding why he's called a supremacist

He views imps as inferior with a select few being an exception. That is the problem. Not hating royalty, not speaking out about poverty and racism, not even his ego. It's the lateral violence he's committed. That is the point

[flower-boi16]

The day that Vivziepop decides to try and do autistic representation in her media is the day I think I'll kill myself.

[chinatzuify-blog]

New year's resolution suggestion:

Try to actually watch and enjoy a movie/Cartoon/TV series/videogame without obsessing over "representation", "racial codes" or whatever, media and fandoms are supposed to be nice for everyone, with no place for moral superiority

Real life Is already hard enough without ruining fiction too

[bloodbatty]

Unfriendly reminder that black women shouldn't have to lower their voices to a whisper and speak in a sweet tone to everyone just to keep white people comfortable.

[k1ttygam3r]

Just watched the new Helluva Boss episode out of curiosity (via a reaction, I’m not giving Vivienne a cent) and I don’t know what I expected but I’ve never been more fucking disappointed in my entire life

[arteicetb]

I still get comments on that short but this gotta be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. Mfers will say anything to deny Black folks they flowers😤