Splatband Analysis: Ink Theory
(Disclaimer: This analysis in based on what I get out of looking into the character descriptions we have of the splatband characters. If you disagree with what I say, that is fine, we are all beheld to our opinions. Just donāt be a jerk about it.)
Iām gonna start this series with Ink Theory. You might have expected this to go in chronological order and have started with Squid Squad, but I have a good explanation for that. None of the other bands are Ink Theory. Plus this band has at least three pieces of artwork to them (and Yoko has an additional one thanks to Yoko and the Gold Bazookas, thatās how you know sheās special. Kitamura as well, but weāll get into that later), so I feel thereās more to work with.
So, letās start off with a band wide reading, since I feel they warrant it.Ā
To start with, hereās the main thing we know about the girls, their knowledge of academic music theory and classical training. Theyāve all been practicing since youth, making music a big part of their life, and studied music theory. However, of the six, Mayaya, Bibi and Karen are the ones noted to have graduated from music academies, while Yoko, Kitamura and Oonie are left unmentioned of their education. While it could be the writers simply didnāt want to repeat themselves too much, itās just as likely that Yoko, Kitamura and Oonie went to less notable institutions like regular colleges that didnāt warrant mentioning. Just a thought.
The second thing to note is their rivalry with Bottom Feeders. While most of what we know comes from the Bottom Feeders side of the rivalry, which is appropriate considering their more volatile, chaotic personalities, the Haikara Walker magazine does mention the two bands got into a music battle during a concert in ZAPP square, fueled by their rivalry into an epic performance. So while it is clear Bottom Feeders started it, itās also clear that Ink Theory reciprocates the rivalry, or at the very least indulge it for their own reasons.
With that out of the way, letās focus on our ladies, starting with best girl:
The first and foremost thing we know of her is her mutation and her unknown illness. Her hair is multicolored due to a mutation that is only aesthetically pleasing and not useful otherwise. Considering that her hair turns gray as it reaches the top of her head, and even her eyebrows appear to be gray, itās safe to say it involves her ink color not being able to properly change. As well, she has a weakness to atmospheric pressure that essentially makes her always miserable. Despite that, her determination and hard work is highlighted as a strong suit of hers, being the frontwoman of the band and absolutely slaying on the trumpet. Sheās someone who works through everything, regardless of her obstacles.Ā
On the other hand, sheās described as being insecure about being overshadowed by her own bandmantesā personalities (you should read how they describe her on Inkipedia, itās just rude). Itās safe to say that at least three of her bandmates being well regarded academy graduates might have something to do with it. Itās probably why she gets nervous before large performances too. She feels she needs to work hard to keep up with the others and gets nervous because of it. It makes sense why she went off to āreinventā herself in SplatsvilleĀ according to Splatoon Base. Speaking of Splatoon Base, it mentions she comes from a conservatory background. Looking it up, the meaning I get out of it is that she studied at a smaller university where the focus was on the practical basics of performing, with less focus on the academic side (If Iām wrong, please tell.)Ā
On the more minor stuff, she clearly likes the design of her hat. Like, it sounds like a stretch, but when you own three hats that share the same design element (the horns), then thereās probably something going on. Three makes a pattern after all, or however it goes. Also, in the Valentineās day artwork, while everyone except OonieĀ and Mayaya has ice cream, she has fries and a drink. Sheās probably not a fan of sweets.
The only based Karen in existence. Sheās one of Ink Theoryās big name graduates, having been top of her class in her university, and even having gone on several competitions overseas. She went around the same time as Taka, who was her senior and is the main inspiration for the formation of Ink Theory. Sheās clearly the main Eralien of the band, though the rest of the band doesnāt seem to mind having to wear uniforms inspired by Hightide Era.
Sheās mentioned to be nervous about her popularity in Ink Theory, despite looking self-assured otherwise. Considering sheās been in several competitions and has won a ton of awards, itās a safe bet to say sheās not used to the lack of attention sheās getting as part of the band. Not that she seems to want to bother the others with it. She provides emotional support to the team (Yoko lucked out on that), so she doesnāt really intend to feel that way. Trying to be humble but failing internally or something along those lines.
Bibiās another academy graduate in the band, and plays the kazoo because apparently sheās so good she can just do that (and it works). Much attention is put on the fact sheās essentially āThe Faceā of the band. Sheās closer to the public, the fans adore her enough to pull her in front of the camera, and they even call her Queen Bibi. Clearly someone whoās aware of her popularity and relishes in it (Yoko and Karen are in the corner right now, just pointing that out). Sheās also implied to be from a wealthy background, as sheās a large spender whoās never much struggled financially.Ā
Itās never actually explained why she chose the kazoo over any other instrument for the band. Maybe she wants to show off a goofier side? Or maybe just regular show off? Food for thought.
Now we return to one of the none-famous academy graduates. Oonie is stated to have parents who are famous musicians, possibly the classical kind, and who were strict with her upbringing. As a result she favored music genres of a different style before she eventually started appreciating classical again. Classic rebellious teenager case here, observing other genres as a form of rebellion and who only started appreciating classical music under her own terms. Her new outfit in Splatoon 3 outright supports it. Someone managed to find a pinterest picture a while back of someone in the exact same fit as her, itās called Harajuku. Look up the word to learn more.
Sheās also described as romantically inexperienced, and with a habit of falling for self-degrading people. She must be hunting for a relationship but keeps ending up with the self-deprecating type. I kinda have a theory on that, but Iāll save it for a headcanon post. And the final thing is the observation in the valentineās day image that sheās ridiculously indecisive. Sheās still staring at the menu after everyone else already has their orders. Also, sheās a Squid Squad fan, sheās got a charm of them on her bass case. Cute.
Kitamura has the shortest description, but I feel it tells plenty. Another not famous academy graduate, instead sheās highlighted as the mascot of the band. Everyone seems to know sheās cute and sheās fine taking advantage of that it seems. Sheās mentioned to have a high singing voice, so she must sing, either casually or as part of the band and we just got unlucky in not getting any vocal music. Bummer.Ā
Sheās stated to live on her own, but following a curfew. Outside of implying sheās independent and diligent, adulting on her own and following her own strict rules, it also implies that the rest of the band lives with other people. Possibly with families or other friends they have. Sheās also a trend chaser, following whatever new fads she hears about. She does seem to have some set in stone tastes though. If we can believe the urchin in that one Octo Expansion chat image is her (the one about Pearlās early metal days, thereās an urchin wearing bows on their hair. If so, that gives her artwork number 5), then sheās got a taste for punk/metal stuff. Her new outfit in Splatoon 3 supports that, being a flowery white shawl worn over a dress studded with spikes around the base. I love that fit so much.
And for her place in the Valentineās day image, sheās about to eat an ice cream sundae the size of her own head. And Yokoās looking at her with what I assume is concern. Small people eating big food is a trope you never get tired of.
The final big name graduate of the band. Well, just graduate, as unlike Karen and Bibi, they just say āmusical academyā without the famous adjective. Maybe they left it out? Anyway, she at least impressed her professor enough that they recommended she start teaching music immediately after graduating. She likely showcased that potential in a way, maybe as a tutor for other students, and she also had a close enough relationship with said professor to willingly listen to that recommendation. As is clear with Ink Theory, she chose instead to go out and make her own music first, to develop her skills before she decides when she wants to become an instructor.
Sheās a freelance percussionist. Ink Theory seems to be her main band, but she also performs with other ones. Like she said, sheās focusing on creating her own music first, so freelancing is a nice avenue in getting tons of experience in other genres.
The first band is done. seven to go. Give me your thoughts if you have them, and criticisms too. Discussions are good for getting multiple perspectives after all. Especially if you all know something I don't.
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