the cringe bakery

Not too proud of this one but i hope putting something out there inspires me to post more drawings idk

Something something two characters that are aware of us the player, know about the MC being controlled by an external force, have broken the fourth wall multiple times and that know way more than they let us know... And of course both like big cute ribbons!

Introduction

In a few ways, Project SEKAI's depiction of modern America (in context of Vivid BAD SQUAD's story) indicates that the writers have done research. Vivid BAD SQUAD are shocked to learn just how impossibly high the cost of living is in New York City. They are also faced with microaggressions and racism by the people they come across. Touya5 touches on how many different people live in New York City, and express their cultures through their music— and says it should be celebrated. Furthermore, the location of America— and New York City, especially— is important for Vivid BAD SQUAD's story. It is the place where hip-hop, the genre that Vivid BAD SQUAD most often performs in, was created by Black Americans.

And yet, the Americans that Colorful Palette has deemed relevant enough to be depicted within the story look like this:

Every single one of these characters is white.

There is absolutely zero excuse for this. The writers have done enough research to know all of these troubling aspects about the United States, but continue to do anything but make a Black character. That is complete willful ignorance, and I think this fandom needs to talk about it more.

Now then, if you are, for some reason, not convinced that this is an issue worth discussing, the rest of this post will be explaining why you should care.

Oh hi! Wow thanks for the ask, this is the first time I’ve ever received something like this! I’m always thinking about this because I love them so much and always want to write about them & draw them. This’ll probably be a long answer!

Okay, so I suppose, from the writer standpoint, I write to answer my own questions. When I was writing for podcasts, when I was doing audience editing for a podcast, and now in some of the less exciting writing work I do now (while I build up my ~exciting~ work for my portfolio….), I always write to answer my own questions.

Writers are also always telling the same story over and over again, just using different methods, characters, plots, etc.

I am haunted by tension (such as the tension between suppression/repression and expression), and the process of being seen and one’s identity. I am curious about the architecture of self-value, and I am obsessed with time and the passing of it, the bittersweetness of how things are always too late.

I am obsessed with connection and relationships (which ties into the process of being seen), as well as transformation, and dark, hidden inner worlds. I am also interested in spiritual and esoteric stuff, but that’s getting away from abstragedy a little bit hehe.

So, I’m in a good headspace to explore this with these characters, because these characters embody a lot of those ideas already.

Some stuff I’m curious about re: Zooble & Gangle

1. How did Zooble come to see Gangle for what she is?

- did they always stick up for her? Did they ever resent her for her perceived weaknesses in contrast to their own personality, & how they will fight for themselves? Were they at one point unkind to her bc of this?

Did it take them a specific moment to see the kindness and goodness in Gangle, or have they always been the type to stand up for those in need?

2. How does Gangle feel about Zooble being a “real” artist?

- Zooble was a tattoo artist at some point - I feel like Gangle has got to feel a mixture of emotions about sharing her art with someone like that, right?

Does she feel shame for being 26 and primarily interested in anime and her OCs, only ever having worked a fast food job, while this 22-year-old has already lived the life of a professional artist? Does she feel any resentment? Is she impressed by them and nervous to share her true self? Does Zooble feel more inclined, more determined, to uncover the true Gangle the more she hides herself away?

Essentially, I am also really interested in their contrasting personalities and ages. What happens between them when they lay themselves bare to one another? Can Gangle really love herself? Can she feel safe in being a “loser,” “pathetic,” a “little freak,” a 26-year-old “failure to launch” if Zooble sees all of that in her and still insists she is worthy of being loved?

Conversely, does Gangle ever perceive Zooble’s occasionally unsteadiness? Such as the time they faltered when she asked if they ever had to “make that choice [to consciously love themselves]”?

And so on and so on and so on! Now, to answer your question.

Some areas worth exploring in terms of conflict:

1. Differences in acceptance of their circumstances in the circus.

- per episode 8, Zooble really obviously wants to get out of there (I kinda addressed this in my one fic I’m working on hehe), but Gangle seems resigned to her fate. How do they manage a relationship with these different attitudes towards the circus? Does Gangle feel like she isn’t enough? does Zooble have someone waiting on the outside?

What if Zooble said something to Gangle like, “You just don’t get it, I have a future waiting for me on the outside.” (Implying that she wouldn’t understand, because she DOESNT have anything waiting for her). How painful would that be?!

2. Gulf of experiences and self acceptance of their respective identities.

Personally I just love headcanoning Gangle as inexperienced and never really having had a relationship, while headcanoning the opposite for Zooble (they are more experienced and have experimented more with their sexuality). Zooble is still uncertain about their sexual and gender identity, maybe Gangle just doesn’t understand this as well as she could? Maybe Zooble still feels horrifically dysphoric and dysmorphic and hates their body despite Gangle trying to love their self-hatred away, and they wish she would just “get it”?

And maybe Gangle is repressed for [insert reason] and Zooble can’t understand why she just can’t accept herself and free herself from the terrible cycle of self loathing?

I was trying to think of a third thing, but I’m out of ideas right at this moment, I’ll come back later!

The point of these conflicts is that they explore them and work through them together!