#smahell talks

[smahell]

you are getting ready for a date with your beautiful girlfriend, but she wants to tie her hair back since it's getting in the way..

luckily, your newest investment comes in handy... you shake your head knowingly with a subtle smile in your face, "don't worry babes, I got one for you.."

like what the FUCK is this???? which merchandise manager went "this is what the people want..!!" and probably smiled too!!! what?!?!

and I feel even worse for the fans of the undatables, because not only is this like, their first piece of unique merchandise, it's a blind bag.. if I opened my blind bag and got a Lucifer hair tie, I'd go to NTT Solmare HQ with a death wish.

[smahell]

yeah I'd say it's close

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: 𝑔𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡, 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ "𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 + 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒," 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑥 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑎𝑔 𝑠𝑖𝑥 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒.

thanks @ghosts-and-blue-sweaters and @cbuttonduo for the tag!! <3

wow i’m obsessed with this and i feel it’s fairly accurate!!

tags (no pressure): @thewildballyntynesgrow @bronzetomatoes @cloverstellar @clingyduoapologist @seeking-elsewhither @thoughts-of-caly

[vnknownmc]

@smahell here's the specific news paper talking about and the link to all the newspapers

[smahell]

imagine coming out to beel. like. just imagine.

mc: "beel, i've wanted to address something personal about myself. i know this might change where we stand, or our relationship status. but just so you know I'll always be there for you. I'm trans/gay, please accept me for who i am. "

beel, who's just finished downing 3 bottles of dish soap thinking it was magic sprite: "dope."

[smahell]

kill the cishet daddy dom perception of Lucifer now. he is a trans man who likes trains and factories.. and being given head pats after work..

[smahell]

his whole birth is kinda just an accidental thing, a reminder that he's a part of lucifer. but getting married to mc on his birthday would give him a purpose, more than reading books or retaining knowledge, but having someone to truly love and cherish. its adorable. .

satan wishing to get married on his birthday is so cute dude

[smahell]

maybe i'm too woke but saying "bad dogs" or anything to keep the brothers in their place via their pacts is so fucking cringe. like why is it a dialogue option..??? "Bad dogs! STAY!" like holy shit who is getting their rocks off to this...

[smahell]

ELABORATE FOR ME I WANNA HEAR I WANNA HEAR

"probably Levi" and they've barely interacted in canon. there's also a devilgram where they realize how similar they really are, though I really can't find it ;-; I'll edit this and link it here later if i do find it.

honestly exploring them as a duo and using Leviathan as how Satan learns about the world would've been very very effective in nb story. and they're also my two favorite characters..

other duos I really really like are Mammon and Beel, Levi and Asmo and Lucifer and Beel. Mammon and Beel especially have a place in my heart due to how often they were featured together (in my mind) in the first season of obey me.

moreover, if the franchise ever started to deviate from "dating sims" and "fan service", I'd rather them prioritize on building a concrete story. i want to see characters and their relationships and dynamics flourish, not Lucifer's fuck-me eyes and fading to black every time. it's so forced and jarring; just pulls me out of the experience.

the story of obey me can only be done well if it builds on the foundations of said relationships. and in my opinion, it just feels like nightbringer and the brothers just drag mc by the shins one plot to the next..

I'M RAMBLING AGAIN but I'm sure you get my point <33 ty for asking

[smahell]

god bless all plus size mcs.

[smahell]

was gonna put this in the tags but it was too long so im dumping it here i think the reason why there's no mc angst is the fact that having a character thats meant to be a universal self insert react to something that isn't just well dialogue options would be Not Good because everyone reacts to trauma and such differently; it's why mcs should be considered basic but not "stereotypical". which is probably why they wouldn't develop much on it at all other than probably some other character coming to comfort you and actually recognizing it idk sorry im just rambling but i DO wanna see "MC can't catch a fucking break" come to life.. that would be so coool,, this post isn't to discourage that or anything i just wanted to give my thoughts

I NEED MC ANGST PLEASE. I HATE HOW SOLMARE IS SCARED TO GIVE ANYTHING THAT ISN'T ROMANCE MORE THAN 1 MINUTE OF DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S SO EASY TOO MY POOKIE IS CONTANTLY GETTING INVOLVED IN SUM SHIT.

ok now seriously, poor Mc??? Like can you imagine the pressure of being sent to the devildom? Of everyone relying on you? Of fucking dying? Of being sent to the past and go through the same shit ten times harder? Of having such natural powers that you thought if you didn't die or kill a person you cared about the three realms were going to perish?

So yeah since I really liked writing that one fic and saw that other people enjoyed it too, I'm gonna start a series called "MC can't fucking catch a break cause realistically they don't "

[smahell]

"oh, let's draw levi as close to canon as possible" the snail in my ear:

[smahell]

what's up with mammon?: a 'short' essay about being fundamentally black-"coded" in an otome game.

The "recent" invention of the black "thug" and "yn" is rooted in the synonymity of black-ness with criminality. Deadly force has been used on black males, regarded to as "DEI's" in the work place and considered "persons of interest" if investigations are taking place, disproportionately more likely to be arrested for a crime they didn't commit.

The portrayal of Jim Crow, for example, rooted in bias and hatred reinforced black people as lazy, uneducated and thieving, seen as "biologically flawed" intrinsically because of the color of their skin.

So what's up with Mammon?

"man, what on earth does his character have to do with all this..? bringing race of all things to a dating sim?"

"'black' history? you jiggaboo!! he speaks japanese, of course he's japanese! he's just asian with a tan!!!"

"woke!"

hold it guys, wait!! don't lynch me next!!!

Within the OBM universe, Mammon doesn't fit into how human races work; yes, he is a demon, but he doesn't have a a particular "race" or "ethnicity" in association with us. Regardless, a character can be interpreted in a million different ways. It is especially easy then, for people who originate from marginalized communities to seek kinship and proper representation from characters who might not necessarily be black, but do mimic said communities - think Darwin from the Amazing World of Gumball, or Garnet from Steven Universe.

Let's consider the idea that he is black. No, not tanned, not a gyaru, not Japanese but a real black man. If that's a terrifying move to you, well...

A point that’s intrigued me at first was the fact that his character song contains largely rap verses, as well as most other songs that he has a part in. (It's obviously not due to Koba being bad at singing, he's just doing what's asked of him) Rap is embedded in African American culture, originating from the Bronx, and it was used to address issues faced by the marginalized communities that lived the “black” experience. I don't think this is a mistake or coincidence; Mammon singing about his true emotions towards MC mirrors the love for community and the respect black rappers have for those within their community. Maybe it's a stretch, but there's more.

By design, he has darker skin than the rest of his brothers. Though it isn't the fact that he has darker skin that makes him black, but the context surrounding him; most people who come from Asian or African decent have some degree melanin. (I REPEAT. ASIAN AND BLACK PEOPLE CAN HAVE DARK SKIN.)

the way he talks, WACK. (...) me, i'm tight as fuck!!

miscellaneous gameplay screenshots from google..

I don't speak any Japanese, but have you ever noticed the AAVE in the English translation? Of course, it's meant to reflect the fact that he doesn't speak the standardized Tokyo Japanese, but it mimics the dialects and phrases of real African American communities. My research gave me this comment on Reddit.

"..Mammon goes to the sketchiest places too, and he tends to hangout wherever money can be made. He’s always hustling.."

I like the use of the word "hustle" here, because the word "hustle" used to have negative connotations, especially in regards to blackness and laziness; "hustling" even now is what many black people use as an opportunity to get by to catch up to their white counterparts. The work of hustling too, whether that was selling drugs, gambling, thieving, reminds of a particular white-haired character.. not sure though. He's probably just embodying his sin. Totally.

His sin itself of greed did remind me of this forum post of how greed is used to "contain" black people:

As a black person; I found this humorously stereotypical (I don't even own a car!!) but extremely jarring — a message like this is full of genuine contempt.

The way black people have been regarded to in such a demeaning and subhuman manner, like they can barely think for themselves was utterly disturbing. But the stereotypical nature of greed and selfishness within black communities was indeed brought up as a way of why black progress is "inhibited" -- which is why Mammon's sin of greed is arguably harmful to black communities. Black people being seen as small-mind and impulsive when coming to their finances has long been dismissed by real financial statistics; black people comparatively don't have as much disposable income anyways.

Furthermore, does nobody find it strange that the only "black" character in the HoL is the thief that everyone consistently punches down? No? Just me?

This entire essay is a stretch, but I find his treatment so odd: used as a punching bag by his other brothers, called "dumb" and "stupid" - such reasons and assumptions used to justify the enslavement and imprisonment of black people. Perhaps they subconsciously treat him differently; whenever Leviathan sends him death threats, or Lucifer hangs him upside down, it it merely just for comedic purposes, or is there an agenda being pushed here? In every single family, is there truly always a punching bag? And if so, why Mammon?

Subtle cultural hegemony which comes across within these scenes; perhaps the other brothers are (metaphorically) asserting their "white-ness¹", maintaining this dominance and power imbalance though he is the second most powerful brother.

From another perspective, it reveals this issue of accommodation. Leviathan has online lessons in order to accommodate for his insecurity and bad social skills (which intrinsically stem from his envy), and the household is always bought more food to accommodate for Beel's voracious appetite.

Mammon is yet to be accommodated for; rather consistently punished and berated for even showing his sin, even though characters such as Leviathan and Asmodeus (especially within the first season of obey me) openly express these traits to the point of almost killing MC (Leviathan, Satan). Satan throughout the story, actively suppresses his sin in order to fit in with his brothers; perhaps he has seen the reprimands that his older brother has received and taken notes.

Perhaps the most interesting point I’ve seen when discussing this is the introduction of other characters with dark skin too: what about Diavolo, Simeon or Mephisto? Are they also people of colour, and if so, if the portray of POCs has been stereotypical, why do they not exhibit the same qualities as Mammon.

For one, let's separate Simeon and Diavolo from Mephisto as they were technically created years apart. I also find it interesting that the two also share a sense of ineptitude: Simeon is seen as an "airhead" and struggles with basic technology, the writers are unable to give Diavolo a coherent personality and waiver between "daddy dom" and childish prince who is much too trusting. (Or perhaps those are just contrivances which fit my argument, don't take this too seriously)

What I see them as is model minorities. Though their dark skin puts them at a disadvantage (due to the connotations of dark skin; colourism) the way they can overcome this is the absence of their accent and any showcase of sin in general; they have assimilated to their majority “white” cast.

The "suppression" of his sin may not be in relation to his black-ness, but black people can relate to it. My older sister has had to suppress her anger towards customers in order to not be seen as the "sassy black lady" at work. I've seen my brother unable to wear his favorite hoodie because he doesn't want to be profiled as a gangster whilst he goes to school. It is strange, that Mammon of all characters is unable to seemingly "assimilate" with to his power and reputation as the second brother, but such isolating and prominent experience be a source of projection for black people.

so i asked black obey me fans - do you relate to mammon? the results (may) shock you.

' i don't personally relate to him , - anon c

' just barely , - anon j

' I don’t relate to Mammon as a character and I doubt that even as I read into later lessons that I ever will , - anon v

None of them did.

..Which is fine! Black experiences are different. Anon J later cited his 'impulsive nature' and 'being laughed at and not with' as clearer points of connection.

It's also humorous that most of the people I talked to about this never stated he was black-coded but vehemently pushed towards the fact that he was black entirely, resembling real black people they might have seen before.

' He's 1000% black I don't care what anyone says Bro is black ' - Anon M

' I knew that was NAWT a pasty white boy [with] the way he carries himself (...) [the way Mammon dresses] personally does link to [having to dress] or carry yourself in a certain way as a black person so stereotypes and caricatures won't be placed on you , - Anon C

' i say this every time.. that is a man from the bay area istg. i peep a lot of his words and while town speak has inevitably reached other people—and though this mf is originally from the celestial realm (...) [his fashion sense] screams ‘oakland nigga’. , - Anon J

' I’d say [Mammon is] black without thinking [but], I’m gonna have to go with black coded , - Anon V

So Mammon resembles real black people, but does he resemble the caricatures of them too?

' ion think he fits in sone “black caricature” category which is a good thing, [but] they could’ve did more with mammon , - Anon J

' It is incredibly obvious that he was made using harmful stereotypes (...) One of those being the entire gimmick of his character. He steals stuff constantly and is always being shunned for it. (...) the fact that he’s the only darker skinned brother and does these things just irritates me , - Anon V

Contrasting opinions, but there's a subtle consensus that not enough it being done with his character; most if not all that I talked to felt as if Mammon's identity and cultural implications could be given more depth.

' give that nigga locs , - anon j

I felt bad about interviewing so many DEI hires.. so I interviewed a white person instead.

do you think mammon is black, black-coded, or something else entirely? why/why not?

' I think Mammon is black with his (not great) use of aave (the fact solmare has been kinda weird about his skin color too doesn't help) , - Anon L

what's your opinion on black characters being represented in asian media

' I think it's important to represent black people in Asia media (the way they're portrayed now is not great.. Solmare is also guilty for calling Mammon a gorilla once) , - Anon L

is there any character that you can relate to personally within obey me?

' probably Satan.. Mainly because of cats tbh , - Anon L

..thank you, anon L.

in modern day western media, there's not much need for "black-coded" characters; many creative directors have seen how crucial awareness on representation and diversity is when considering their audience. However, in many East Asian countries, such as Japan, such representation is yet to be shown to the west due to the harsh anti-immigration and foreigner stance many in Japan have taken. Mammon's black-coded-ness is a step somewhere, but not free from being seen as a caricature. However, Mammon could be seen as a more freeing countertype of the "cold and brutish" black man, showing vulnerability and love even when masked with stubbornness and subtle humor. It isn't copy paste; Mammon is popular for a reason(s).

Mammon is not just a character, he's the culmination of a writers thoughts of black people, and ideas of what would make a good love interest for the audience of Obey Me. To respect the game and its creativity is one thing, but to acknowledge the harmful stereotypes a character can carry is another thing entirely. Mammon is obviously not a black character for the sake of being black, and that is a good (and relieving) thing in the year of our lord 2025. To embrace a character for being black is one thing, but critiquing how said blackness is expressed is the foundations of universal understanding, and the deconstruction of prejudices.

¹ - whiteness as in colorism, not people from the mountains of caucasus /ref

thank you to all anons for your help and opinions, and thank you to vee and eryn for giving my ideas to format this into the semblance of coherency, and for shedding alternative third-party perspectives on the matter.

sources that could be useful to read/helped me write this:

Kendrick Lamar - GNX

Blackness in Animation

Creating Black-Coded Characters

"Piccolo is Black, Cry About It" - The Synonymity of Black-ness with Anime

[smahell]

A while ago I found an interesting Reddit thread about the VA’s/ Solmares decision about hiring the obey VA’s

https://www.reddit.com/r/obeyme/s/K8OuEEfdXq

Even though I knew they weren’t popular VA’s or had many/ any works I didn’t think they came from a radio host agency and I’ve been thinking about it for a while ever since

It’s not exactly directly related to the VA’s but what’s your take/ speculation on why Solmare decided to hire VA’s from radio agencies over seiyuu agencies?

I’ve read a bunch of replies on the thread but I think it’d be interesting to have more takes on it

You can answer this only if you’d like to, though! But I’m pretty interested in it and um this is the first blog I think of when I think about asking a question about obey me VA’s (; ´ v `)

thank you so much anon! i'd love to answer your question!

I've seen this thread like, a million times when doing my own personal research about the voice actors, but I don't think I've ever questioned why they got hired in the first place. Finding out that they weren't even professional voice actors in the first place was, well, pretty surprising.. As such lively and entertaining characters they are, I didn't really expect most of them to be invested so much in radio..

However, if you look deeper into some of the voice actors, you can find that some of them (some notable ones include Kada, Sumi and Onishi) have been involved in stage productions and acting! Take a video of Kada Satoshi acting on stage!

(untranslated, of course, but acting doesn't need the boundary of language anyways; look at him go!)

And check this! A video of Sumi and his own acting troupe!

I completely disagree with the statements saying that they were "cheaper to pay" because wouldn't it be just common sense that you should get paid the same as your peers because you're doing the same vocal work? (Besides, I'm not sure how wages should work in Japan but I do think that for the time, skill and patience they deliver behind the microphone that they deserve to get paid as much as even the most prolific voice actors.. they're doing the same work utilizing the same skill...). Most¹ of them have previous experience in stage plays, where many voice actors actually started before moving into individually voice acting.

Genuinely, I think the reason why they got hired is pictured clearly within one of the comments within the thread: people from radio have great voices and big personalities. Watch an episode of Otaku FM, or even Boys in the House, and watch how people from a radio agency can still engage you as much as a regular variety TV show. Listen to how smooth and intertwined segments are, watch how conversation flows so naturally and freely from their microphones and out of your speakers. These are talented people, for god's sake, and I think if you look at them as "cheaper alternatives to the real thing" you are not only discrediting the work that they've done for Obey Me! for past five years, but you view them and their jobs as so replaceable when in fact, if other people voiced these lovable characters, they may have a completely different feel to them. Listen to the TTWF event (fully voice acted, BY THE WAY) and ignore the fact that they may have come from a radio company and watch your favs come to life; it's one of the best for a reason.

Solmare's decision to hire local talents will always ring personally with me as it allowed them to further their careers and build their own personal fanbases.

¹ Yes, Miura Ayme is an outlier, but as is first professional vocal performance Ayme has done an amazing job.

thank you for wanting to hear this ramble, lol... and regarding the end of your ask and being the "first blog I think of when I think about asking a question about obey me vas", i am soooo flattered ^^, i never really thought of myself as the "voice actor guy" but this sort of made my day

^^^^^ like reallyyy made my day :D mini tangent but thank you everyone for your support, i thought i was sorta yelling into the voice with my rambles but jesus christ this blog and the people that surround it make me happy.

[smahell]

uhh wanted to respond to this.

honestly with the way nightbringer was left it's not like they wanted to abandon the game in such a state. i understand that nightbringer was a disappointment but with crowdfunding going well and the collaboration between two very very well known companies with such a prolific record for making some really good games, I don't think it's okay to put others down for just having hope.

katboykirby made a whole post about how broke solmare was but it was actually the fault of a parent company and mishandling of profits, but with the continuation of a third game I genuinely think that it could be pretty good. plus, since the app is coming out this year I'm expecting more news to be shared at ax which is like. a month away. not bad for a game that's being actively developed as we speak.

otherwise when it flops feel free to tell me to suck it, lol. /neu

Obey mme fans hit the new delulu peak seriously. Why js everyone so excited for another disappointment. Ya'll keep giving solmare money for "whatever they they promised" (because we barely know anything) knowing full well they don't actually give rat's ass about the apps and the fandom. Your just their piggy bank, and even having that somehow they still keep failing

[smahell]

happy pride to everyone <3 shout out to all the queer mcs and lucifer cause he gay ash

[smahell]

can we as a fandom spam this button and bring the other brothers back because I am tired of abysmal eBay resellers.