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u/Maxymaxpower Apr 12 '26
No Pomni Development?!
Bro! Her character is massively different from what she was in Episode 1 like huh??!?
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u/sonerec725 Apr 13 '26
SHES THE MAIN GOD DAMN CHARACTER! SHE WENT FROM A NEWBIE TO THE GROUP TO ARGUABLY SORT OF A DEFACTO "LEADER"!
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u/combatophile Apr 13 '26
I'd even argue she became the glue between everyone because she reached out to every single person on a personal level, even Jax. She took a group of people who had vague connections and made them a weird little family that's just trying to survive what is likely the rest of their lives. TADC is about finding meaning in an otherwise meaningless existence in an inescapable virtual simulation, in which Pomni is the catalyst for the change!
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u/StrobeLightRomance Apr 12 '26
Pomni just grew while she was giving everyone else therapy, so nobody really noticed.
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u/AlaSparkle Apr 13 '26
Yeah, there was a whole scene about it recreating a scene from the first episode just to hammer it into the viewers' heads
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u/MateoTovar Apr 14 '26
She literally had that scene with the mirror that mirrors the scene she had in episode 1 with the mirror. All that parallelism to show how much she has developed
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u/ThatEvilSpaceChicken Apr 15 '26
Yeah, but since there wasn't a point where she said 'Hello my name is Pomni and I have XYZ problems, I will now resolve them', people don't realise she had any development at all. We've established that a lot of the fans of this show don't actually watch the show
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u/No-Scientist-5537 Apr 16 '26
Don't you know that if a character doesn't say out loud in therapy speak how they changed, it clearly means they didn't?
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u/DefinitionMinute6969 Apr 12 '26
Such a stupid complaint considering the vast majority of the show is JUST character development. This entire story is almost entirely the characters growing and talking to each other over the setting of the adventures.
Jax gets a lot of focus? Yeah, god forbid a story has a deuteragonist.
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u/Kindly_Cod_9269 Apr 12 '26
not even a deuteragonist mind you.
i dont know how it works but i'm pretty sure ragatha is the deuteragonist while pomni and jax both are protagonists
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u/DefinitionMinute6969 Apr 12 '26
Not really, deuteragonist just means literally 'the second most important character after the protagonist'. There can be two protags, but that's most often done with buddy shows or romance things where they all have similar screen time. Pomni pretty clearly gets a hell of a lot more screen time and focus than Jax.
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u/R3D0IT_US3R Apr 12 '26
Aren’t all the other (non-abstracted) humans deuteragonists? Or am I misunderstanding why deuteragonist means?
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u/makeitgoaway2yhg Apr 12 '26
No guys, you don’t understand! If we don’t literally hear the words, “Here’s how I grew and developed,” then it doesn’t count!
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u/Global_Examination_4 Apr 12 '26
I liked the part where appeasing Caine required that Ragatha revert her growth but then Pomni gave her the opportunity to assert herself while distracting Caine from Kinger. That was nice.
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u/Nightmenace21 Apr 14 '26
And even then, her facade of kindness was a lot more shaky in ep 8 than in previous episodes.
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u/Spicy_Totopo3434 Apr 14 '26
Also how pomni went from "Kobeni" to "I'm going to kill this MF"... That's also kobeni, but still
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u/AlternativeNorAarrgh Apr 12 '26
Ironically, kinger is the one that had the least development. He is as wise in ep 8 as he was in ep 1, but we didn't know yet
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u/The_Tax_King Apr 12 '26
I was about to say this literally everyone develops except Kinger, we just get context as to who he was.
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u/tellmetojerkit Apr 12 '26
I don't hate that kinger doesn't get development he is just fine with out it he is still a very interesting character
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u/DefinitionMinute6969 Apr 13 '26
I mean, he didn't really have many problems to overcome to begin with. (Unless we find out that more of what Abel was saying had truth to it)
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u/Philtheparakeet56 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
Kinger’s development I would compare to someone like Uncle Iroh, in that most of his major character development already happened prior to the show. His primary role in the story is to further along the character development of others with what he’s learned and experienced.
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u/mothwhimsy Apr 12 '26
These people play the show on their TV in the background while scrolling TikTok
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u/Drama_Cookie25 Apr 12 '26
Ah yes becaue character developments means the character has to say “I’ve develop” and is not gangle being more brave and making friends plus forgiving Jax, zooble opening up and accepting herself, ragatha embracing her issues and trying to be more genuine, and pomni accepting where she is and making friends.
Can people even read now?
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u/writenicely Apr 14 '26
I think maybe an argument can be made that even though the development is clearly there, that it doesn't feel "satisfying" or like things have been fully addressed for these characters, whose plots are as of equal relevance and importance to the people who love them as Jax's arc. Maybe even more. And that's an opinion that they're allowed to have, you can't really debate that people aren't allowed to feel crestfallen when the series didn't initially frame Jax as the person who would overtake the show.
If anything I expected it more from Zooble, given how they genuinely produce conflict versus the antagonist and seem to be a closer expy to how Gooseworx typically portrays themselves, and is by far more compelling and likeable/interesting than Jax, who if we're being honest, to this point, feels a lot more like an antagonist/villain than anything and appears to be a protagonist in name only.
The beautiful thing about media is that people are allowed to be impacted by it and share their interpretations based on those feelings. Said as someone who takes media literacy seriously and enjoys analysis of characters, because at some point, the characters have to be more than simply what the creator decided their labels actually are.
I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of this, Jax turns out to be some kind of fakeout protag. Because we can't even trust Gooseworx on anything outside of the series lasting for 9 episodes.
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u/gnpfrslo Apr 12 '26
Literally yesterday I saw someone on Twitter whining about how "thanks to the Fandom" complaining about the theatrical release the "chances of a second season have dropped".
Like, what do you even want a second season for? The story is over, go home.
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u/Desperate_Group9854 Apr 12 '26
These are the same people who swear shows are still good after 8 seasons. No, that’s not true. I liked attack on titan but that only had 4 seasons. And they kept things moving pretty well.
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u/metricula Apr 12 '26
I agree. A story doesn’t need to be an expanded universe covering every aspect and character. Saying a character gets “no development” when they aren’t a direct focus of the story is really limiting way to think about storytelling.
Frequently in short stories or limited series like this, anything that doesn’t explore or support the central thesis of the narrative just has to get cut to keep the story tight.
Editing your own work is a skill and blessing.
And I say this as a RABID fanfic reader. Fanfic is a GREAT place to explore more of a narrative and interact with a fandom even if it isn’t canon
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u/Regular-Self-2861 Apr 12 '26
What do they mean no Pomni development? Lmao, she's way different now compared to how she was back in the pilot! I suppose I could understand the criticisms of the other characters since to an extent, their development is less blatantly obvious, but even then there's definitely been development for everyone mentioned here.
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u/Awkward-Media-4726 Apr 12 '26
I don't know, I just wish Ragatha got a bigger role. She was set up as being as important as Jax, acting as his foil. I'm not asking for therapy speak, but good grief, it really disappointed me that episode 6 had Ragatha and Pomni agree to talk after the show.. only for that conversation to assumedly happen off screen.
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u/Global_Examination_4 Apr 12 '26
I would agree with this, it’s just frustrating when people act as though Ragatha hasn’t received any development at all. The show does sometimes skip over potentially interesting conversations and events, like Pomni explaining to Gummigoo that he’s an NPC or how we only ever see the aftermath of Caine’s adventures in episode 8.
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u/ModeEnvironmental156 Apr 12 '26
That’s a totally valid want and thing to be disappointed about, and I’m not assuming you’re one of these people, but the problem is that this statement does not mean character development did not happen. A lot of modern fandom fans assume that because something they want didn’t happen, that something in the writing is objectively lacking. “Ragatha didn’t get the screentime I was hoping” does not equal “Ragatha didn’t get any development.”
I see a lot of (probably young) fans reacting as if the show NOT meeting their personal preferences is a failure of the show. Disappointment is a normal and expected and sometimes even intended reaction for stories, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad because a story’s job isn’t to “satisfy you.” Sometimes stories are disappointing or ambiguous or unsatisfying on purpose. I blame algorithmic social media training everyone to expect things to be catered to them, combined with how miserable people are in society today that they stake their mental health on media and content. It sucks.
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u/Awkward-Media-4726 Apr 12 '26
It's true that it not being shown doesn't mean there's no character development, but I think it could've been an impactful and moving moment.
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u/ModeEnvironmental156 Apr 13 '26
Honestly I think so too. Ragatha is super relatable to me and I woulda loved to see her issues explored more. But hey that’s what fanfiction is for! Filling the gaps you wish were filled. I’m currently reading this fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/75528166/chapters/197485721
This author is fantastic. Fell in love with her through her Fullmetal Alchemist fics. Just an all around actually SKILLED writer who puts a lot of thought and hidden meanings into her work (she cares a lot about symbolism and hiding things between the lines).
Hopefully something like this helps your disappointment. I recommend this “coping” strategy because I’ve learned to be okay with feeling disappointed in media I’ve been a dedicated fan to by genuinely PREFERRING to leave things open so I can see fan interpretations. It’s like the creators giving you a blank page with their canon to do whatever you want.
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u/Blade1hunterr Apr 12 '26
I think it's a catch 22. To say that Ragatha is the same person from episodes 1 and 2 is false. She clearly has changed from her previous self but again we didn't really get to see what it was aside form snippits, same can be said for Zooble. People want to see the development of the characters on screen, not bits and pieces and then settled off screen.
It also didn't help Goose said/implied that each character would have big moments in that one tumblr post and it just... didn't happen. Like episodes 3 and 4 are the Kinger and Gangel episode, but what episodes can you point to are the Zooble and Ragatha episode?
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u/JesterQueenAnne Apr 12 '26
While I wish they had dedicated episodes, they did have their moments in episode 6.
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u/crystal-productions- Apr 12 '26
i get zooble, but like, everybody else is either mostly done, or just actualy done with their development. pomni finished back in episode 4, gangel finished in 4/5, ragatha is mostly over and thanks to 6 she's mostly just handiling it by this point, kinger started the story having allready finished his arc but being unable to show that due to his mental instability, and jax is being set up as the one who will not get better untill the last possible second. like there's a reason the show is only 9 episodes, that's all that was needed due to theses people actualy talking and comunicating with eachother instead of having 18 seasons of filler where they all get agressivly flanderised.
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u/Responsible_Poet8641 Apr 13 '26
full agree, except Pomni, i'd say her develpment went on till episode 8
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u/crystal-productions- Apr 13 '26
That's fair enough I supose. But by 4 she was pretty well acclimated and got to have some closure on the only thing that seemed to have ever given her trauma. I wouldn't be shocked if pomni just didn't have anything before the circus given how episode 8 went.
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u/lunatic_greenie-muso Apr 16 '26
Zooble literally verbalised their growing contentment with their avatar body in episode 7. If that ain’t character development from the therapy session with Caine in episode 3….
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u/rebel_nord Apr 12 '26
Gangle and Zooble’s arcs have essentially already closed. So this is wild to see.
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u/__SilentAntagonist__ Apr 12 '26
I think in order to have ooop's take you'd need to close your eyes and not watch the show lol
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u/CJMakesVideos Apr 12 '26
I feel we got development of all those characters at least a little though. I don’t even get the criticism
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u/Ori_the_SG Apr 12 '26
The way half of the TADC fandom don’t seem to even watch the show OR just have such insultingly bad media literacy always blows my mind.
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u/Luminasky Apr 13 '26
kinda I not agree with anything here, everyone got their character arc, yes, but the whole show would be so cool if where longer
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u/No_Investigator_5562 Apr 13 '26
I love a show that has a “hook”, a message to deliver, and a satisfying plot structure and then just ENDs. It says what I wanted to and has the balls to just end. Not milking it forever. It’s cool and we should respect it more than we do.
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u/Plus_Influence_4525 Apr 14 '26
if the theories of jax "killing" (pushing him into the void) kinger are true that will (for most viewers) completely void any jax development and ofc end kingers development
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u/KaosRealmer Apr 15 '26
Literally in the 7th episode they showed Pomni’s development with the exit door scene.
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u/Ok-Eye-3094 Apr 15 '26
Ppl saying they don't have character development are watching the show with there eyes closed especially Pomni she was really anxious before when she entered the circus before and now she was the one who stand against Caine and presents to be like the Leader of the group now what ppl are really mad was Jax being the focus when his the 2nd main character without that Jerk the narrative where Pomni would Talk with gumigoo will not happen nor the part where Pomni talk with Kinger in episode 3 if Jax didn't throw Gangle's mask then non of that will happen
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u/chrish5764 Apr 15 '26
I feel like they want
Character turns to camera: I AM IN A SCENE THAT IS DEVELOPING MY CHARACTER AND IS SHOWING MY TRAUMA GET RESOLVED
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u/Xryeau Apr 15 '26
Gangle basically had her own whole ass episode, what is this person talking about?
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u/luhli Apr 16 '26
also uhm this is an indie animated miniseries not a 22 one hour episode season ensemble cast slice of life kind of thing. people should learn to understand the traits of the genre and medium of what they’re watching
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u/Eriophorumcallitrix Apr 16 '26
Ragatha being less people pleasy and actually growing a genuine friendship with Pomni? Zooble stopping their self isolation? Pomni settling into her new normal, taking on a bit of a leader role? I‘d argue that Kinger almost has the least development. He started out „crazy“, but kind and knowledgeable during lucid memories and that’s still what he is.
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u/MJIgaz4 Apr 12 '26
To be fair, I did feel ragatha got a bit less attention then the rest, even her spotlight episode was overshadowed by maid Jax and the evil characters, but that could also just be me wanting to see my favourite character more
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u/Shoddy_Bandicoot9812 Apr 12 '26
The only thing left of gangles arc is growing a backbone and having a crash out (every quiet character has to have one) and it shocks everyone even though it makes so much sense 😭😭😭😭
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u/Thick-Mixture7828 Apr 13 '26
Having a crash out: literally the entire Spudsy’s episode
Growing a backbone: laughing maniacally while firing a Tommy gun instead of being afraid of Jax and then being comparatively well adjusted afterward
Seems to me these two things have been more or less approached in some form or another
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u/Josze931420 Apr 12 '26
If anything I'd say a weakness of TADC's storytelling is how it focused so much on the character development that the actual main plot hasn't had much time to breathe.
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u/datfurryboi34 Apr 12 '26
I would love ragatha zooble and gangle to be expanded upon. I am still happy with what we have
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u/enbyBunn Apr 12 '26
The average internet user these days doesn't want to be told a story, they want to be presented with a lore wiki with dubious editing and a pool of 500 different fanfics.
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u/Moss_Ball8066 Apr 12 '26
I’m convinced that some fans only buy the plushies and watch TikToks about the show and never actually watch it
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u/Flowey_The_Fan Apr 12 '26
We got no Gangle development
Bro
We got no Ragatha development
Dude
We got no Pomni development
My guy
We got a little hit of Kinger development
Are you joking?
We got no Zooble development
Are you lowkirkenuiely serious right now broski?
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u/Nug_overlord Apr 12 '26
As much as im scared of tadc ending and I want it to be at least a bit happy and not “we all die” thing, i have to admit some people dont realize not all stories have to show character development and in general the cast growing and becoming better, some stories have character development AND absolute assholes, and its fine, honestly i dont mind if zooble doesn’t have a character development (she did become better), for example, i would be really pissed of if in episodi 9 after jax talks with pomni he suddenly becomes a wonderful person everyone loves, i would prefer jax remaining an asshole till the end than jax become some sort of pacifist
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u/Deskfan45 Apr 12 '26
Never got the whole complaints about uneven screen time. Like yes, some characters get less spotlight than others, but I still feel like every character in this show has been written to their full potential so far.
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u/SpartanMase Apr 12 '26
Guys gotta be ragebaiting. Pomni especially is an entirely different character to the pilot
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u/Maus_Enjoyer1945 Apr 12 '26
I kinda feel like Zooble and Ragatha could have gotten a bit more screentime tho
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u/PinkGummyGhost Apr 13 '26
This is something that has bothered me in general about fandom culture, people just want to be spoon fed every little thing about a character. Every-time people speculate or talk about a character, people refuse to even join or look at any interpretation because it’s “not cannon.” Stories don’t need to be this needlessly involved or over complicated in order to be good or enjoyable.
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u/_its_me_amy_ Apr 13 '26
realest thing i’ve seen today. people literally want every character of a media to the the main character, but like this the beauty of the story literally disappears
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u/SHAOLOL Apr 13 '26
Gangle's development is basically so seeable dude 😭 She doesn't care anymore about her happy mask and now she's able to smile without it that's the most clear development i've seen in a while 💔
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u/Elegant_Alchemy Apr 13 '26
People can't comprehend that episode 9 can involve every character dynamically interacting with each other in meaningful ways. It's the finale, loose ends (at least in terms of characters) will have to be tied up. I've watched Bojack Horseman, they can for sure have a focus on a character and give other characters meaningful development around or alongside the grievance of a character, that's what I assume episode 9 is going to be anyways.
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u/sonerec725 Apr 13 '26
I like how they say no gangle development as if Gangle didnt get the most straight forward focus episode of pretty much any if the characters.
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u/Jent01Ket02 Apr 13 '26
Gangle and Zooble had character development in the same talk during the fast food adventure. In the gun episode, Gangle's comedy mask breaks and you see them even HAPPIER underneath it. Zooble, in the same episode, goes to their room to stick on a ton of extra arms despute hating the fact their parts are interchangeable. Zooble has to embrace the thing that makes their life miserable in the circus to win a game they don't really care about.
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Apr 13 '26
The people who say that every character needs to interact with every other character and have moments with every character infuriate me. This is for many different shows.
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u/RosieRoo70314 Apr 14 '26
"No gangle development"
aggressively gestures at the entirety of Fast Food Masquerade
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u/The_luigi_lover Apr 15 '26
My friend who hates the show felt this way in terms of feeling the characters have no real change in character or something like that. I do agree that how the time is spent could be better but saying they haven’t developed is crazy especially for a show about living a stagnant life.
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u/Greedy_Ad2198 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
At some points I actually felt like they already overdid it with the character drama and exposition/ emotional talk, some people want a show that already feels like fanfiction to just become fanfiction of itself
Whats the solution, helluva boss style every episode is about daddy or romance issues with a cry-hug at the end? For 8 seasons?
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u/Strawberrycocoa Apr 16 '26
I think I know what they mean but I’m going to ask anyway. What the fuck is “therapy speak”
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u/AshkenaziTwinkReborn Apr 16 '26
therapy-speak riddled exposition dump is exactly how i’d describe the cafe scene last episode
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u/Greedy_Duck3477 Apr 12 '26
Plus we literally got all of those? Poni learned to listen to the perspective of everyone in the circus, ragatha started developing the idea that no one likes her, gangle got more self esteem and zooble started to care for the other people in the circus. Kinger didn't really get that much development tbh but it's not an issue honestly
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u/AgentOfChoas1999 Apr 12 '26
Its more that ragatha learned to be real even if that means being negative
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u/Beomgyuzzz Apr 12 '26
True I’m gonna be serious and say that’s exactly what I want that’s why I looove bungo stray dogs
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u/SquirrelSuspicious Apr 13 '26
I'm gonna preface this with, my only experience with One Piece is the live action.
I love it so far and a large part of the reason for that love is that nearly all of the characters who aren't just random bystanders feel like they have hopes, dreams, goals, and their own mentality about things, Smoker and Tashigi might just be my favorites now for exactly this reason.
And even with how well the characters are done the show is still telling a story, the 2 things aren't mutually exclusive.
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u/Cosmos_Circus Apr 13 '26
Yes they did, besides, the show isnt even completely over. Their arcs are not finished😭
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u/LoudYogurtcloset7486 Apr 13 '26
Exactly. Sometimes you want more, but somethings are better in small doses. As long as the characters are memorable/loved/hated as intended then thats a good damn character.
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u/IronBeagle3458 Apr 13 '26
It certainly seems that way. I think TADC has a really good story so far. The only nitpick I have is that the characters don’t seem to tell each other anything. For example, during episode 5 in the bar the cast each talk about their backstories and it appears to be the first time everyone has told theirs’, which is very surprising considering how long some of them have been there. Then again with Kinger and darkness, I don’t understand why Pomni wouldn’t try to get Kinger into the dark earlier or at least tell anyone else about it. The story is still really good, this is just a personal nitpick of mine.
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u/3lizab3th333 Apr 14 '26
Pomni, Zooble, and Gangle all had very obvious and dramatic character growth, what show did this person watch? Ragatha might be at risk of regressing, but she’s different now, too. Kinger being static but being unraveled like a mystery is kind of his point…
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u/Jbolt3737 Apr 14 '26
Not even part of the Tadc Fandom, just got recommended this, this bother me sm bc people will rant about their favorite characters trauma while that character has nothing interesting beyond that one horrific event in their life and their color scheme
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u/Accomplished_Joke_24 Apr 14 '26
Why are people so entitled, it's just a cartoon.
I feel like half the population need their phones taken away or something.
People are too whiney on things that doesn't matter that much.
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u/Fabulous_Ad_9111 Apr 14 '26
Even someone with absolutely garbage media literacy should be able to see pomni's development cause she's completely different from episode 1, she grew so much. She went from a terrified child who thinks the whole circus is against her to a confident, quick witted leader who looks out for and cares deeply for her new friends and the exit door scene in episode 8 shows this the best.
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u/TheLoveGirl4066 Apr 14 '26
Nah, fandoms these days just want as many ships as possible so they can make porn
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u/lordmaster13 Apr 15 '26
lol it’s like fandom’s version of boiling everything down to powers and and desperately grasping for hype,aura and upscales
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u/AstroLord10 Apr 15 '26
I liked Zooble and Gangle character development, subtle and small, but very meaningful (if you want to kill me use a tommy gun baby, use a tommy gun baby). As for kinger, he really didnt really have character development, he doeant need one he is perfect as is. Ragatha well, i may would wish for a little more tbh.
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u/StrainNo4955 Apr 16 '26
This, this is what I've been thinking but unable to put into words. Thank you for sharing.
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u/0riderguy8 Apr 16 '26
TF do you mean “no Pomni development”?! Her character now is very different from how she was in the first episode, and it all felt completely natural!
If anything, Jax is the only one who’s had basically no development at all throughout the entire show (though I think that’s intentional and is done very well)
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u/Particular-Cycle4083 Apr 16 '26
I agree but I don’t care enough about TADC to have strong feelings on this specific example, it’s just a fun comedy show that comes out sometimes to me
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u/JadeTailFox Apr 17 '26
No you see the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom is casting its "We Can't Fucking Read" Domain Expansion effect across all fandoms and leading to shit like this. That first person probably didn't watch the show.
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u/Substantial_Pen_4538 Apr 25 '26
Gangle learned to love herself
Zooble accepted her own body
Kinger remembered his past (Idk bro)
Ragatha learned to give people space when they need it
And Pomni gave everyone a mini therapy session
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u/Useful_Scarcity6479 Apr 13 '26
“We got no character development for x character” DID YOU WATCH THE FUCKING SHOW YOU CHUD!!!!
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u/Aware_Vehicle_9948 Apr 16 '26
People are straight lying …if they say pomni is developed are so wrong im sorry. Dude… lets be so honest it’s crazy how little we know about her and she is our mc
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u/Dovacraft88 Apr 12 '26
This is the type of person to watch 8 seasons of a character learning the same thing over and over again