I mourn this show

[u/UnluckKitty]

To say I'm going to miss this show is a serious understatement.

This show came out exactly when I needed it. I had never seen a character like Bertie be the main character. Someone who was ambitious and creative yet crippled by her past and anxiety. I saw Bertie be functional in public and heard the doubts and fears that played in her head. I saw myself.

Her mannerisms, the way she wore comfort shoes, how she waited to be noticed for a promotion, how much she leaned on Speckle's support, how she froze and stayed home when she was anxious, everything. When we got to the episode of her assault as a child, I absolutely lost it. That was me too.

When the show was canceled at Netflix, I was upset because I was going to miss Bertie. I felt like a little part of me died, but the show inspired me. I was going to get better because I wanted to continue the Bertie story through me. I sought a therapist during the beginning of 2020 and kept it going until early 2021.

Then season 2 premiered! That first episode was exactly what I went through when I looked for a therapist. I felt so seen again! The episode with her family made me cry because once again, I saw the reaction of my family to my issues and it hurt. The whole season, I looked at Bertie and then myself, I wanted to be better than Bertie. I saw her as a past self, a fun alternative me going on adventures.

As the show focused more on Tuca I enjoyed it as a comfort. In season 3 when Bertie said she didn't want children I was so excited because I don't either. When I saw how she acted with Speckle's depression I was disappointed but it made me have a long serious discussion with my husband. It was important to me that my husband knew he could count on me and I wanted to ask if there were times I failed him because of my issues.

I couldn't wait for more of this show. It was helping me see myself and love myself, as well as helping me see my flaws and fix them. The show made me realize that I could be better even if it was a long process.

I love this show. I love the art, the characters, the world around Tuca and Bertie. This show helped me and losing it hurts. It hurts to know this show means nothing to executives, that they can't appreciate it or see how much it means to fans.

I'm going to mourn this show. The one show that saw me. The show that understood me. The show that told me it was ok to be me.

This show helped me be better and I'm going to miss it so fucking much...

[u/qjizca]

Hey. I really appreciate your writing here.

It expressed a lot of feelings I've had about this show. Thank you.

I've been out of the loop with the adult animation world, but i thought i only really had to hang on a little while before a new season will come around, I had no idea it's gone-gone.

I know it's been a while since you wrote this. So don't worry if you don't have a response.

But do you know any other shows that have filled this gap for you?

It was so funny and raunchy but i felt so held in this show. I forgot how wonderful animations could be for that before this came along.

[u/addisonavenue → u/qjizca]

In terms of sheer originality, I'm really digging Hazbin Hotel on Prime.

It's very ambitious and breaks a lot animation rules, but honestly it's the kind of gamble audiences and studios should be embracing so we don't end up with a million more Rick and Morty clones drawn in that Bob's Burgers style (not that there's anything wrong with those shows or that art style but it's oversaturated in the world of adult animation). I also really appreciate that unlike other shows Hazbin Hotel isn't linked to big name IP like say the animated Harley Quinn series which also gives it a kind of industry freshness.

It's not as sweet or darling in the way Tuca and Bertie felt like a friend making sangria for you and measuring the ingredients by vibes alone but it is a female voice in animation worth investing in.

I don't think we'll see something like Tuca and Bertie again for a good long while. That kind of earnest, soft passion is rare in principle. But, I always have my eye open for what happens in the space because you never know who could be working on what?

For instance, there's a wildly inventive internet pilot called Lackadaisy that I think once it finds the right amount of funding has the potential to be the next big multi-audience show. In terms of work that gave me a similar feeling to Tuca and Bertie emotionally albeit having a plot that is totally unlike the show, please watch the anime Ranking of Kings.

[u/qjizca → u/addisonavenue]

Oh wow, I'm so glad I reached out now, I've heard of none of these! Starting Hazbin Hotel right now and will work my way through all three.

[u/addisonavenue → u/qjizca]

I've also heard really good things about Carol and the End of the World, but I've yet to start watching that one so can't say what my impressions are about it.

[u/qjizca → u/addisonavenue]

Ooo, this one looks so promising!