So since one of the things mentioned in H.F.I.V.E. ask prompt is magic using super spies, what magic types/powers do the characters have? Also how does toxic masculinity play a role story's theme?
So they technically don't really have actual magic, they just have really strong imaginations. I'll expand on that in a bit.
Basically, all spies have special watches that supply them with their spy suits. The suits grant them the regular power ups you'd expect, like flexibility and stuff, but nothing op. The spies are given a set amount of gear every episode that they can use, kinda like in Totally Spies. Or kind of like in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse XD
Each spy also has a special tool. These tools are regular everyday objects, but using their heightened imagination and their watches' spification(?) they transform into heir signiture spy gadgets with special abilities! This is essentially a mix of the Persona metaverse rules and how the Tokyo Mew Mew girls get their weapons. Basically, they have an already existing object they're somewhat attached to, and when their imagination is finally unleashed after training, they declare the first thing that comes to mind and from that point on that object will be able to transform into their signature gadget. Harper doesn't have hers yet since she's still a trainee.
Let's go through who has what now:
Hayden has a pen that can transform into the Lightline Quill, a pen that draws terrain outlines with beams of light that become solid, climbable, or walkable surfaces. Can double as a flashlight.
Fern has a bracelet that can transform into the Milkyway, basically projectile beads that constantly stay on target. They can be used as spy cameras that transmit info to his watch.
Ike has glasses that can transform into the Trace Goggles, a pair of goggles that can render the wearer and anything/one they touch invisible. Can be used for night vision and heat signiture tracing.
Virgil has a keychain/motorcycle key that can transform into the Exhaust Pipe, a smoke blaster that can emit different kinds of smoke.
Evan has a phone that can transform into the Master Key that can emit a strong EMP. It can double as a hacking device that can control anything electronic remotely as long as he can break into it.
These gadgets lose power when the spies stop believing in their usefulness and lose belief in themselves or let fear control them.
This, I feel, is a good point to divulge into the subject matter!
Toxic masculinity often teaches boys to suppress imagination, vulnerability, or emotional depth, labelling them as weak or childish or y'know "not man enough"! For these spies, that mindset literally weakens the gadgets since belief and imagination are what powers them. A boy raised to “tough it out”, "be a man", "man up" or “grow up” might struggle to power his device because imagination is seen as unmanly and unadulty (I'm pretty sure that's not word). Say if a spy fears ridicule or something like that about their gadgets and denies them (their authentic strengths), the gadgets will weaken, which kinda mirrors how toxic masculinity punishes deviation from stoic norms.
This angle will mostly apply to Virgil, specifically because he will start off as the weakest spy due to his kinda toxic masculine beliefs with lacking emotional intelligence. But as he grows emotionally and sheds his harmful habits and views, his abilities will also grow as a spy to show that dismantling toxic masculinity leads to empowerment and not effemination (that's probably a word idk).
The Black Snake also specifically embodies these toxic ideals, mocking imagination, enforcing conformity, and using power without empathy. This would mostly be shown through his treatment of his minions (especially Black Thorn) and how defeating the spies means thrusting them into a stereotypical world of an "unappreciated man" to him with his methods, possibly even recruiting them to his cause. Defeating him will not be about brute force and which side is the most powerful one, but about courage to believe, feel, and create.
Phew! Sorry this took so long, I wanted the toxic masculinity commentary to at least make a little sense ┐('u`;)┌
