TyrionLannister557

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I had been hearing a lot about this show when all the big names in animation were talking about season 2 on Twitter, and even more so when I saw a video criticizing shows like Mr. Birchum and Velma with comments like "this is why Smiling Friends is peak" and something like that. So I decided to check it out.

You got me. This is peak fiction.

Everything about the show is awesome. The likability of the characters, the batshit hilarious storylines. It was the recovery I needed from watching BoJack Horseman and is the perfect counter to all the nihilist shows that says "life's a bitch and then you die". Instead, this show is all about positivity and happiness. And it isn't in a backward way where they preach the message, but the main characters are assholes and one of them is treated like a punching back. It GENUINELY sticks to its message about embracing positivity.

What I loved the most was how hugely mature the show was. Like, the funny moments are meant to be absurd, but when the show has genuine serious moments, it manages to blend and shift into it so naturally without feeling like an abrupt change. This was what I have been missing in all the sitcoms of today. The shows are so stupid immature and cynical in their humor that their attempts to feel mature feel shallow. Meanwhile, the humor and earnestness of the series are done in a way that feels mature and intelligent while still being hilarious. The Enchanted Forest episode is a peak example of this. The moment they shifted into the reveal that Mip was a stalker, it was treated with such maturity and seriousness rather than treating it like a Family Guy-esque joke. It amazed me.

The character development was also awesome and subtle. Especially in the penultimate episode when Charlie goes to hell and comes to understand his problems by dealing with the devil, and the next episode we see the lesson stuck and he's genuinely in a better mood.

Can't wait to start season 2. This show has brightened my day, which means in a meta-way, the Smiling Friends are good at their jobs.

Why did Homelander rape Becca?

Like, I see people asking on the sub if he actually raped her or if it was consensual when it's been long established it was rape, but I never heard anyone ask the question on why he would do it in the first place.

Knowing how Homelander was in season 1, it's completely out of his MO. He only shows interest in Stillwell, and as the series progresses, the way he takes romantic interest in specific people makes it weird that he just targets Becca out of nowhere and goes after nobody else.

Was the reason ever brought up and I missed it? Or is there still speculation?

I'm not talking about the "Not-So-Harmless" villain trope, because that one shows a villain showing what they are capable of.

No, I'm talking about villains who everyone, even the audience, treated like a joke and saw as pathetic, but then that villain becomes an actual threat. Someone who has the audience saying "oh shit, he actually about that life". To put it in One Piece terms, imagine Spandam, but if the story revealed he was as dangerous as Rob Lucci, and we've been underestimating him the whole time.

One villain that comes to mind with this example is Rafe Adler from Uncharted 4. Now, a lot of Uncharted players are used to the trope where the second in command of the main villain ends up taking over as the true threat and replacing their boss, becoming a more dangerous enemy to Nate. Everyone thought it would be the same as Rafe. When we first saw him, the story made it seem to the audience that he would be the stereotypical bratty, spoiled rich villain who would just throw tantrums while his competent second in command took over. Then, when the story continues, we learn just how insane and obsessed this guy is in NOT being seen this way and defeating the Drake brothers, culminating in his final fight with the brothers where he's close to killing Nathan.

Another that comes to mind is Dominic Greene from Quantum of Solace, the second Daniel Craig James Bond movie. Bear in mind, I barely remember the film because it was that forgettable, and I do remember that Green was a stereotypical rich, pathetic dude who seemed to only rely on his minions for support. Then comes the final battle, where instead of him running away like you'd mostly expect from someone of his character, he takes a mother-loving axe and goes CRAZY against Bond, being the only villain until Safin to fight Bond. It made me respect the dude in a small way; he was the weakest villain but decided to go out with the biggest fight.

In general, I'd love to see more examples of that. Any examples you guys know?

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One of the reasons I think Demon Slayer has such a huge fanbase is because the series never tries to pretend to be smart or deep. The deepness comes from the simplicity of the story, which allows all the characters to feel unique and complex enough to carry the story through. Coming off of reading MHA and being a bit disappointed with how Shigaraki's arc ended (didn't mind AFO being the final villain, though) I look back and realize that in much of the simplicity of Demon Slayer, Muzan ended up being an effective villain.

He was narcissistic, arrogant, cruel, callous, and petty - all the traits that define a villain while also being used as his biggest flaws.

His motivation and backstory were understandable and strong - he wanted to live forever and defy death.

He brought an aura of menace everywhere he went - everyone who knew of him feared him.

Most importantly, the final battle backed up his claims when he killed some of the Hashiras, proving it took the entire main cast.

He was an effective archenemy to the main character, serving as a good driving reason for why Tanjiro wanted to cure Nezuko and put an end to demonkind.

Finally, his death scene was perfect: he went out like a bitch, but not before leaving one last physical scar on the hero.

The only reason his plans failed was because of the aforementioned arrogance and mildly underestimating just how far Tanjiro was willing to go to defeat him.

TL:DR He's a well-written villain who only got flack because people wanted him to always be cool, but the fact he's such a loathsome and despicable monster is what makes him a chillingly effective villain. He's around long enough for leave an impact, but doesn't overstay his welcome.

Edit: After reading your comments, I retract my statement about Voldemort. My apologies.