#accountant Fillyjonk

[writers-in-moominvalley]

💝Snorkmaiden and Love Life💝

Snorkmaiden is infamous for falling in love with man after man in the comic strip, deserting Moomintroll in the process.

However, today I will not be judging Snorkmaiden for the lack of simply dumping Moomintroll's butt so she doesn't have to deal with his violent jealousy that ruins nearly all her relationships, instead, I will be judging each character she fell for based on datability.

The list will be sorted in order of appearance, and will only extend to the comics Tove was involved with (every comic between Moomin and the Brigands and Fuddler's Courtship) simply because I do not have access to all of Lars' comics and narrowing it down to Tove's comics makes it astronomically easier for me to actually list these men, let alone judge them. I will also NOT be taking into account any of the adaptations of these characters, I will be strictly focusing on their comic appearances since taking into account THOSE versions of them will be taking into account alot of things that come with them and it would complicate the list even further.

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And with that out of the way, let's start with Snorkmaiden's first (after Moomintroll);

Clark (Moomins on the Riviera)

Clark may seem like your archetypical douchebag celebrity at first glance but he is surprisingly one of the more kind men Snorkmaiden's had the.... (Dis)pleasure? Of falling for. "Honey" seems to be a default pet name he gives to women, although we don't see him call anyone else that (he calls Snorkmaiden honey even when they were complete strangers though).

Snorkmaiden and Clark seemed to have quite a bit of fun and Snorkmaiden had 0 conflict or complaints about him until he turned down her invitation to go swim when the Moomins left the hotel after his duel with Moomintroll. His apology gift for the declination was also very sweet of him so he seems to care about Snorkmaiden based on that.

We don't know much about Clark and can only speculate on his life and behavior based on his friend group and status, he could easily have turned sour if given enough time but using only what we know he seems like a good chap for a celebrity guy with poor taste in beach wear.

7/10

The Pirates (Moomin's Desert Island / Moomin Under Sail)

The only reoccurring interests, they really don't do anything as interests. Mymble and Snorkmaiden seemed to enjoy them for the idea that they're dangerous but quickly lose interest when presented with otherwise.

They are a clever sort, I'll give them that, they have made plans and those plans do succeed in the end which is more than I can say for the plans of most other characters, but they are definitely not worth engaging with on a personal level nor are they interested in such follies in the slightest. Bad news but fun to read about.

2/10

Mr. Brisk (Moomin's Winter Follies)

Mr. Brisk is definitely on the lower end of the ranks when it comes to datability. He's never interested in Mymble nor Snorkmaiden until he rides his victory high against Edward the Seal (and even then I doubt he saw them as more than fans) and overall he has this personality that is difficult to deal with on an interpersonal level (with his massive yet fragile ego, competitiveness, fixation on sports and s****dal tendencies).

He is not the WORST person in the world, objectively speaking, but he does not seem to be in any place to treat another person kindly in any respect. His sports moves may be impressive but he's like one of those celebrity sportsman who are only impressive in their field and are fun on a good day but you can't see yourself being real friends with, let alone dating.

2/10

The Fillyjonk (Moomin Begins a New Life)

He's definitely one of those fixer-upper types, I gotta say. His lack of agency when making plans with Snorkmaiden was one of her major complaints about him but that seems to be fixed when he formed a rivalry with Moomintroll, so there's definitely an obvious space for him to change, however I wouldn't call him a catch with the way he is. Even Moominmamma called him a wet (someone who doesn't have strong opinions or agency) and seemed worried for Snorkmaiden because of him.

He seemed attached to Snorkmaiden since he was bold enough to break into a Jeweler's to win her back but also he ditched her to "buy cigarettes" when a threat like "the Black Hand" (Moomintroll) presented itself.

Not a bad guy but not great either. Come back when you get go through some character development my dude.

4/10

The Nobleman (Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo)

He is... Hmm... He seems nice enough for a parody of a french nobleman but he doesn't offer much besides being needy and kind of dim. He is certainly nice enough to Snorkmaiden what with offer her a reward for saving him and inviting her to the King's dinner since he couldn't carry her on his horse, but he seems to prioritize his own needs and doesn't think for Snorkmaiden's wellbeing either.

He seems nice but not nice enough.

5/10

The Revolutionary (Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo)

Love his hair! Do not enjoy his personality. He is truly one of those bark and no bite preachers who make speeches upon speeches and poetry and songs about eating the rich but when it comes to actually doing anything about it he most certainly lacks and even acts cowardly towards the royal guards. He appreciated Snorkmaiden for her admiration for his writing abilities but he doesn't hold any regard for her suggestions or interests outside of that, not to mention his casual sexist comments towards her. He quite literally ditches her after being invited to the King's dinner in place of a revolutionary meeting, which is the most hypocritical thing he could've done and rightfully tipped Snorkmaiden over the edge to finally leave him.

His ideals are something that ought to be admired, of COURSE all men should be equal, but there are holes in his ideals and he simply does not act out what he preaches. Come back when your morals are less flimsy and tone down the sexism!

4/10

The Accountant Fillyjonk (the Conscientious Moomins)

He is straight up a very cute guy. He is very endearing and actually asked Snorkmaiden out on a date which is very rare for these fellows, and his passion for accountancy is something even Snorkmaiden admires. He was very eager to help but was rather oblivious at Snorkmaiden's coyness, though he was still very nice about it.

However, his one downfall was surprising Snorkmaiden with the gift of a cleaned typewriter which she devastatingly did not appreciate, but that's simply a matter of taste (I personally would've appreciated something like that).

A rare good fella. Wish his appearance wasn't so brief.

8/10

The Poet (Moomin Under Sail)

Hmm.... Mixed feelings on the guy, honestly. He is a stowaway leech to be sure but he does have some sincerity in his affection for Snorkmaiden among his plans to be the most comfortable person on the boat indulging in fruits and whiskey. But the Moomins' and Too-Ticky's disdain for him was not totally unfounded, he seemed a little too pretentious and a little too absorbed in his status as a poet which he believes gives him licence to laze about as he wishes.

Snorkmaiden's genuine devastation when he got carried away by the Niblings was heartbreaking to witness but the Moomins' indifference and even relief towards him by contrast was hilarious.

Still, he needs to get his act together and become a more independent guy if he really wants to up his datability rating.

6/10

Dr. Hatter (Fuddler's Courtship)

Hatter's a very... Interesting fellow, and Mymble and Snorkmaiden most certainly took that interesting-ness as a main vocal point of his appeal. As seen with Fuddler, he could easily become friends with someone if he dared, but his overwhelming paranoia and lack of competency in being a psychiatrist should probably be signs that he's not a good date, and I doubt he even is interested in the least. If a psychiatrist uses Freud as an exclamation that's probably a red flag in the kind of stuff he believes.

His personality shift into a physiologist seemed to have made him much friendlier and less skittish (neg. sense) but he became incredibly pretentious about medicine and such, you probably can't hold a very interesting conversation with him like before (which is probably why Mymble lost interest in his quickly).

He... Is there, certainly, but he's a pills-and-drops man now, not a dating man.

4/10

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Under the cut are the notes I've compiled about each character so you can make your own judgements on them without having to read the comments, let me know your thoughts! (Warning: it's long)

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Clark

- Is introduced as one of Marquis Mongaga's friends who like the Moomins for being weird

- Invites Snorkmaiden to swim in the pool and lets her be when she declines due to a lack of bikini (he calls her honey already, could simply be an impersonal pet name)

- Next time we see him, he's swimming on the beach and recognizes Snorkmaiden ("Hiya, honey, haven't we met before?")

- They go boat skiing together in the background on the next panel with Clark riding the boat and Snorkmaiden doing the skiing

- Snorkmaiden calls him a "man of the world" when arguing with Moomintroll

- Clark asks Snorkmaiden if she always lives in luxury

- Appears awkward and avoidant when Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll start arguing in front of him

- MT calls out Clark and challenges him to a duel

- Clark and MT seem to be arguing in the background of the next panel

- Clark is then seen marching away in the next

- Unlike in the movie, Clark offers the fencing swords straight (100% sure the movie writers just did that choice fakeout to make Clark look alot worse)

- Clark calls MT a pipsqueak who can't even hold a sword properly and narrates his strategy

- He has terrible peripheral vision it seems (makes sense since he wears glasses)

- Clark gets hit in the head by MT off-screen and he looks like a kicked puppy when we see the aftermath

- Snorkmaiden goes to say goodbye to Clark and tells him about how she and the fam are living under an old boat now that she doesn't have money then invites him for a swim tomorrow, Clark politely declines saying he'll be very busy for some time and goes back to reading a newspaper

- Snorkmaiden declares that she hates him afterwards

- (after shenanigans before the Moomins finally leave) Mongaga gives Snorkmaiden a sort of..... Fur cape? Coat? Thing? Saying it's an apology gift from Clark for his rudeness since he felt a little unwell

- End of Clark's presence and the whole comic thereafter

The Pirates

(Moomin's Desert Island)

- The pirates are found drinking rum and eating from a bowl on the beach, they hear Mymble and Snorkmaiden nearby and one of them says "Halt! Who is giggling?"

- They seem stunned to see Snorkmaiden and Mymble in the next panel

- They get blown up by fireworks that MT lit trying to protect Snorkmaiden (since they were chasing after her and Mymble)

- They get injured and patched up by Snorkmaiden, Moominmamma then puts them to work by making them rebuild her rock garden

- They say they can't work without drinking rum

- They get to work and feel totally embarrassed about the job ("After this we can never be pirates again. How unmanly.")

- Moominmamma plants a little head kiss on one of them as a reward

- Snorkmaiden and Mymble lose interest because they aren't "cool" anymore

- They ask what the stone wall is for and then decide to plan a mutiny against the Moomins

- They steal their barrel of rum while the Moomins go diving and celebrate not having to garden

- The pirates stumble upon the Moomin ancestors transporting the crates of fireworks and assembling them into a large tower

- They run and warn the Moomins about the ancestors trying to blow up the island

- Island goes boom boom and it starts raining, which makes the Moomins miss home, so the pirates offer their rum barrel to cheer them up

- their presence in the comic ends

(Moomin Under Sail)

- They're reintroduced by having their and the Moomins' ships nearly hit eachother and Moominpappa and the pirates recognize eachother, much to the pirates' dismay.

- One of the pirates say this is the second ship the Moomins have sunk, Moominpappa justifies himself by saying he knows but THEY started it.

- They say that the least the Moomins can do is bring their loot aboard, Moominmamma then offers hot rum.

- Moomintroll tries to lift a heavy chest and asks if it carries cannonballs, one of the Pirates says it's just eight pieces of gold.

- Snorkmaiden opens a chest full of brocade and jewels

- The Pirates' ship goes up in flames and starts sinking while the silver treasure is still on board, Too-Ticky jumps in and one pirate mourns her death, saying she would have made a great buccaneer. The other one says she's found the silver and Too-Ticky hops back on the boat covered in soot

- One pirate orders Moominpappa to change course to some islands with rich prizes, Moominpappa retorts that it's his ship. The other pirate then replies that he's sunk their ship (revealed to be called the Bloody Mary) and Moominpappa folds to their orders.

- The Pirates happily drink inside the cabin while Moominpappa and Moomintroll sleep inside a tent on the deck, they complain about this.

- One pirate requests that they bring "the young wench, the buxom one" (referring to Snorkmaiden)

- Moomintroll tells Snorkmaiden to not dare go to the pirates and she replies "I dare, too!"

- Moomintroll laments about this

- Snorkmaiden dramatically declares that she is at their mercy, only for the pirates to ask her to darn their socks

- Next day, the pirates spot a merchant ship and make way to the cabin to get their firearms. Once they get inside Moominmamma locks them up and says she'll only let them out if they leave the merchantman alone

- Moominpappa offers to put them ashore, but they say that the ship is their prize

- One pirate says they can't go on like this and the other shushes him saying he has a plan.

- They talk outside the tent about their plan to slit the crew's throats that night, Moomintroll overhears them, tells Moominpappa about it while the pirates are sharpening their knives and the crew leave via life boat. The two look out the window and their plan to simply scare them off the boat with such a threat worked, much to their relief.

- Their presence in the comic ends.

Mr. Brisk

- Mr. Brisk is introduced after the Moomins jump out of the attic of their house and into the soft snow

- He introduces himself by greeting Moominpappa, saying a catchphrase, his name and the organization he works for (The Great Outdoors Association)

- He tells them about how he loves the cold weather ("Refreshing! Wholesome!") and invites them along, saying their days of leisure are gone (*I can sure say he's not good at marketing sports that much*)

- He tries to teach the Moomins how to ski but not very well

- He pressures Moomintroll into going down a large slope by asking if he's a cowardly weakling in a very ominous way

- He then says none of the Moomins seem to possess a natural talent for skiing, but then tells them to not feel intimidated as they're going to switch to skating

- After the Moomins fail, he suggests they go skate with a sail

- *Moominmamma asks the others if they think Mr. Brisk is given to them as punishment for their sins*

- Mymble gets introduced to him and gains a crush after witnessing him go ice lake diving

- He seems to turn into a detrimental influence on Mymble, seeing as she tries to learn how to skate, learned to "understand" that they are all "degenerate weaklings", and made a snow sculpture in his honor

- Mymble wears a pretty dress just for him and Mr. Brisk doesn't seem to care, practically ignoring her and then telling her it's not practical for skiing

- Moominpappa tells Brisk that there are no penguins or polar bears in Moominvalley and Brisk replies with "You wait!" and distributes the fliers for the winter games via birds

- Mymble discovers a natural talent for skiing, however Brisk somewhat waves her off by saying "Alright alright" and telling her about his interest in competition results

- He apologizes to Edward the Seal about the ski jump not being built for someone of his weight

- Snorkmaiden gains a crush on him after witnessing his ski jump

- Brisk loses to Mymble in the ski race and goes to sulk about getting second place and how his career/self-esteem is down the drain on the cliffside, Moomintroll nearly tries to kill him by jousting him off the cliff with a tree but doesn't go through with it because Brisk already feels like garbage

- Moomintroll tells Mymble where Brisk is and Mymble offers him the first prize trophy, Brisk declines saying she doesn't understand

- Mymble tells Edward the Seal to go against Brisk and go easy on him to restore his self-esteem, Edward agrees to this and after Moomintroll tells him about it Brisk says he shall live up to their faith in him

- Brisk and Edward get into a snowball fight with Bris being overly enthusiastic about it

- Edward buries him in snow but Brisk manages to get out of it and pin Edward to the ground so he can admit defeat

- Brisk "wins" and gets cheered on by everyone

- He starts hanging out with Snorkmaiden and Mymble alot until Stinky reveals the truth about the Edward situation

- Brisk's self-esteem collapses and in a rage he challenges Edward to a bobsleigh race and if Edward loses Brisk will tear him to pieces

- Brisk, as they are sledding down: "HONOUR OR DEATH!"

Edward: "You're an aaaasssss...."

- They both crash into the snow, Edward asks Brisk if he's alive and Brisk challenges him to ice skating

- Edward break the ice and forfeits out of frustration, leaving Brisk feeling hollow inside

- The girls are trapped on a floating ice sheet and call for Brisk to save them, Brisk ignores them and goes to the cliffside to attempt suicide

- He actually goes through with the attempt but causes an avalanche in the process which lets him survive

- Brisk unburies everyone (except Stinky) from the snow, not out of the goodness of his heart for these weaklings but because a little exercise wouldn't hurt

- Brisk is honored as a hero, laurels and everything

- Brisk promises Edward he'll get his revenge next year

- Mymble asks Brisk to dance with her but he declines, saying dancing is a futile sport

- He apparently "went back to the North Pole" after Mymble leaves feeling dejected

- Brisk's presence in the comic ends and so does the comic thereafter

(He gets mentioned in Moomin Winter and Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo afterwards)

The Fillyjonk (Moomin Begins a New Life)

- Is introduced after Moominpappa and Stinky enter the party with their undiluted moonshine, Moominpappa notices Snorkmaiden with a new interest and asks "What will Moomin say?", to which Snorkmaiden replies "I've started the new free life, and so have you!"

- Snorkmaiden and the Fillyjonk seem to have been in the middle of dancing in this exchange, with the two holding eachother.

- Later we see the two making plans to run away together in the middle of the night for the sake of this "new life" they're starting, Snorkmaiden asks what they'll live on and the Fillyjonk replies "perhaps you can fetch a little bag of food from home?"

- Moominmamma prepares food for them and observes that the Fillyjonk seems like "such a wet" (according to Cambridge dictionary for "being wet": used to describe someone who has a weak character and does not express any forceful opinions)

- Moominmamma asks before giving them the food if the Fillyjonk is used to running off with women, the Fillyjonk answers saying not really but they're trying to follow the (white) prophet's teachings

- Next morning, Moomintroll seems already aware of what happened to Snorkmaiden and thinking this freedom stuff is stupid and decides to become a highwayman, dressing up like a gun-toting criminal under the pseudonym of "Black Hand" and spies on the couple among the grass.

- The Fillyjonk asks Snorkmaiden if she likes being run off with, Snorkmaiden replies of course, and the Fillyjonk follows up with asking "Didn't we do it properly?" to which Snorkmaiden replies "Oh do shut up!" (She seems pretty sick of him already and it's only been a night)

- The Fillyjonk said he wouldn't have run off with her if she hadn't agreed to it, and she says that that's just the issue

- Moomintroll plants a written warning between them and the Fillyjonk says "How awful!" while Snorkmaiden says "How exciting!"

- Due to his cowardice, the Fillyjonk excuses himself to "go and buy some cigarettes", Snorkmaiden sees right through this and thinks he'll never come back.

- The Fillyjonk later breaks into a jewelry store before Moomintroll does in the hopes that getting jewels for Snorkmaiden would win her affections back from Moomintroll

- Both boys take a pile of jewels with them and set them somewhere Snorkmaiden will find the next morning and Snorkmaiden feels conflicted on which one to choose, or if she should choose both or neither pile

- Snorkmaiden starts following the new (black) prophet's teachings and forces both the Fillyjonk and Moomintroll to apologize to eachother and turn themselves in to the police for burgling the jewelry store (neither one is sincere in their apology. The Fillyjonk in particular says "A new life without women! (For you)")

- They try turning themselves in but the prison is already full and the policeman's getting extremely stressed about it

- The Fillyjonk is seen in the background among the crowd watching the prophets fight

- End of presence for the Fillyjonk

The Nobleman

The Nobleman (Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo)

- Is introduced by riding in on a horse and the horse throws him down right in front of Snorkmaiden. Snorkmaiden believes this to be a heroic rescue from the bandits trying to take her anklet

- the bandits verbally plan to shoot him and steal his horse, the Nobleman puts his hands up in surrender and Snorkmaiden defends him with an umbrella

- Snorkmaiden asks him if he's okay and the Nobleman mistakes a pain in his chest as a bullet wound, after Snorkmaiden tells him the bandits didn't shoot he realizes it must've been a whale bone

- He thanks Snorkmaiden and offers her half his fortune

- He suddenly gets ill and asks Snorkmaiden to get his smelling salts from his bag

- He sneezes from the "salts", as Snorkmaiden mistook a snuff box instead

- He laments how he's had a terrible experience so far, what with almost getting killed, and says Snorkmaiden will certainly get a bag of silver as a reward

- It turns to night and he asks Snorkmaiden to get a blanket for him, Snorkmaiden thinks it was for her until he asks her to put it around his shoulders

- The Nobleman tells a boring story (as indicated by Snorkmaiden yawning) about why he takes 4 glasses of hot milk everyday. He then takes off with his horse, saying it's a pity it can't carry two people, and invites her to the king's dinner tomorrow before leaving.

- end of his presence in the story

Bonus: 2 likely different noblemen are seen taking a liking to Snorkmaiden in a party, one is simply enchanted by her "perfect slopping shoulders" and the other is directly interacting with her, taking her paw and offering a seat next to him and then offering to send a coach to take her home, and before she leaves he tells her that he's quite "bouleverse" (stricken/enchanted) by such a mysterious lady like her.

The Revolutionary

- Is introduced when Snorkmaiden accidentally enters a room where he's giving a political speech to 4 rather bored people about rising against the oppressive upper class

- He points to her, mistaking her as part of the oppressors and pointing out her being "bedecked with fabulous jewels" while the people have no bread, then references Marie Antoinette's famous "let them eat cake" line by saying they don't like cake

- The Revolutionary tries to extend a hand to his fellows but they leave before he finishes his sentence, then he despairs at them being gone. "If I could only make them see how unhappy and oppressed they are!"

- Snorkmaiden is enchanted by his way with words and the revolutionary reads his speeches/poetry to her by candlelight. Snorkmaiden tells him how clever he is and he acts rather touched by the compliment, "Oh.. well.. I THINK they're rather good.. :>"

- He calls her the most intelligent woman he's ever met and says she shall be the genius of the revolution, then tells her to sew small caps for "everyone" (possibly referring to his "fellow revolutionaries")

- Snorkmaiden knits winter caps inspired by Mr. Brisk and the Revolutionary says they aren't very "revolutionary" (badumtsh) but she's already made 3 of them

- Snorkmaiden mentions how Brisk wore wore hats like that last winter but then realizes he wouldn't be born yet (because time travel) and the revolutionary says "Don't worry your pretty little head. I know women are often confused"

- The revolutionary reads his piece about how all men will be equals, Snorkmaiden asks how and he says they'll wear the same clothes. Snorkmaiden asks what about the women and he answers saying they'll be equals, but "not to the men, of course" while patting Snorkmaiden's head

- The Revolutionary continues with another speech while Snorkmaiden makes breakfast, Snorkmaiden asks if the people will agree and the revolutionary says "they'll have to be guided, of course" (Snorkmaiden is starting to call him dear)

- He asks what the food is and Snorkmaiden says they're small pancakes with strawberry jam, the Revolutionary looks dismayed, saying he usually has pork dumplings and pickled herrings. Snorkmaiden looks frustrated and thinks about how Moomintroll never ate such things so she doesn't have experience with them

- The Revolutionary despairs about not having an audience for his new speech, and Snorkmaiden suggests that while he is clever, talk tends to bore people, so they must have action! "Fighting on the barricades!". The Revolutionary asks what barricades are and she explains that she doesn't really know... they're like trenches but up, not down.

- Snorkmaiden puts up a poster and asks what he thinks, the Revolutionary stares at it contemplatively. Snorkmaiden says it's sure to bring people in but he whines "But the revolutionary spirit..."

- The Revolutionary spots a gendarme (french paramilitary police officer) and he and Snorkmaiden hug eachother, afraid they'll become martyrs

- The gendarme bangs on the door and the try to escape through a small door but Snorkmaiden gets caught before she could enter. Snorkmaiden says she was just trying to get into the cellar to get some jam

- The gendarme asks if she put up the poster and when she proudly says yes he just tells her to take it down before leaving, as bill-sticking is prohibited on that street.

- Snorkmaiden is bewitched by the fine weather and suggests they go on a picnic, the Revolutionary declines and wishes to not be disturbed as he is composing a revolutionary song for the big meeting tomorrow. Snorkmaiden gets snippy and says "You and your silly revolution!"

- Snorkmaiden suggests they go out on the shore and pick seashells, the revolutionary asks what for and she continues her suggestion, saying they'll pretend to be pirates "Like Moomin and-" before being cut off by him saying "how very silly!"

- Snorkmaiden snaps at him saying she's tired of him and how he doesn't like picking sea-shells or playing pretend and.. and.. how he likes pork dumplings!

- She knits angrily lamenting about his and his silly revolutions, how he's nothing like Moomintroll. He doesn't even like pancakes and jam! But then she realizes the Revolutionary doesn't seem to be there

- She finds a letter left on his chair, stating that "darling", he can't hold the meeting because he's been invited to the king's dinner

- Snorkmaiden declares that she hates this stupid century and runs away to reunite with Moomintroll

- Comic ends

The Accountant Fillyjonk

- Introduced while Snorkmaiden is working as a secretary. He awkwardly brings up the weather and then asks what she's doing that night, when Snorkmaiden says she's doing nothing he brings up how there's a lecture on general accountancy and bashfully asks her to join him

- Snorkmaiden coyly says she can't even type on the typewriter. The Fillyjonk helpfully guides her and tells her to type "Invoice", when he reads out that she wrote "Love" it flies over his head and tells her she hit the wrong buttons

- Snorkmaiden is seen putting on makeup back in Moominhouse and Moomintroll asks her why, she says she's going out with somebody who ASKS her out.

- Moomintroll acts petty, speculating that he's some book keeper with pimples, a little mustache and no chin, Snorkmaiden retorts by asking where Moomintroll's chin is

- Snorkmaiden says the Fillyjonk is ambitious and studies accountancy, and that he doesn't have to study about personal magnetism (unlike Moomintroll throughout the comic) because he's got something REAL. She then leaves and Moomintroll attempts to get the last laugh saying he bets he doesn't take her out dancing.

- While at work again, the Fillyjonk says he has a surprise for her, Snorkmaiden lights up but then deflates after the Fillyjonk says he's cleaned the typewriter very bashfully

- Snorkmaiden immediately storms back home saying she's resigned from work

- His presence in the comic ends

The Poet

- He is introduced constantly surrounded by flowers and butterflies, he sees that the Moomins' and Too-Ticky's ship is unnamed and suggests that it should be named the Ocean Orchestra, after his own poem. He proceeds to recite his poem but then gets interrupted by Too-Ticky saying their boat doesn't have a flying jib. He whimsically exits the scene as Moominpappa suggests they name their boat "Mermaid" instead.

- Later, the crew (Moomins + Too-Ticky) notice there are signs of someone else being on the boat and find that the Poet his stowed away with them, hiding in the lifeboat eating cake, drinking whiskey and having a pipe with tabacco and a matchbox to the side.

- The Poet acts guilty by saying they should punish him by sending him to a desert island, as it is "poetic justice". And he admits to stealing their whiskey and tabacco to further cement his guilt. Moominpappa backs off saying he's welcomed on the boat and the Poet smiles at him rather sincerely.

- He asks the Moomins if they forgive him for stealing their stuff and Pappa assures him that they do. The Poet then goes "Of course, a poet must have some licence" (as in: freedom to behave as one wishes, especially in a way which results in excessive or unacceptable behaviour.)

- Moominmamma offers elderberry wine but he declines, saying he'd rather have whiskey and more fruit

- The Poet quickly turns to indulgence as he makes the Moomins set up a comfortable hammock with umbrella and side table. He comments on the lapping waves and calls the seagulls lost souls of sailors, lost at sea, circling their wake. Too-Ticky sneers at him and says they've fed them lots of refuse.

- Moomintroll says they should get rid of him somehow and the rest of the crew (except Snorkmaiden) agree to this

- Moomintroll gives the Poet a foot bath and the Poet says the crew (he calls them philistines) must be happy to have a poet on board, Moomintroll begrudgingly says "very"

- The Poet throws an anchor to the sea before realizing it isn't tied to the boat, then brushes off the loss. Moomintroll looks at him angrily

- Moominpappa laments how he can't even like the sea anymore because of how much the Poet adores it. Moomintroll says that atleast he's one character Snorkmaiden hasn't fallen for.

- Moomintroll immediately gets proven wrong.

- Snorkmaiden is wistfully listening to the Poet read (presumably) his book titled the Ocean Orchestra.

- Moomintroll asks if he'd like to be put ashore and the Poet declines, looking very kindly at Snorkmaiden while speaking

- Moomintroll very menacingly adds that he knows a desert island where he can be really poetic, the Poet declines again saying he loves the boat and Snorkmaiden

- Moomintroll snaps at him and tells him to leave her alone, the Poet and Snorkmaiden only guiltily look up together

- That night, the Poet gets attacked by Niblings while the rest retreat to higher ground.

- The Poet throws his poems in self-defense and the Niblings just eat the papers, then he tries to attack them with a harpoon but is finally carried off by the Niblings off to the sea.

- Snorkmaiden asks Too-Ticky to "save her hero" but Too-Ticky says there's not much one can do

- The Moomins superficially mourn him. Moominpappa throws a potted flower into the sea and says "Well, ahem, this one must say, he DID rhyme his poems"

- Snorkmaiden genuinely mourns him and Moomintroll gives her some lackluster comfort saying the Niblings probably haven't eaten him. Snorkmaiden becomes totally distressed and Moomintroll continues saying if the Niblings didn't like his taste, they may have gnawed the edges, sort of. Snorkmaiden snaps at him saying the Poet was a great man and Moomintroll simply replies "Well, let's hope he has an awful taste"

- End of his presence in the comic

Dr. Hatter

- Dr. Hatter is introduced via a newspaper article read by Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden, they see this as an opportunity to help the Fuddler become more attractive to Mymble (Jr)

- The two hope that Hatter read their letter and Mymble runs up to them saying that a man is moving into an empty house by the fig trees and that he seems exciting. The two run and check if it's him.

- Dr. Hatter appears to be skulking around the house's premises and Snorkmaiden says he might be one of Hatter's patients

- Hatter paints his name on a wall (DR. HATTER, psychiatrist), disagrees with the aesthetic and redoes it (PSYCHIATRIST, Dr. Hatter)

- Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden take Fuddler to his house and Hatter's door is covered in chains and locks he peaks out the window and mistakes them for spies. Moomintroll corrects him and Hatter throws down all his keys for the locks to them, saying he can't be too careful

- The trio go inside and finds memorial portraits of his parents, and toys scattered around the floor. Moomintroll asks if Hatter will be good for Fuddler, perturbed by the sight.

- They looks at some other images on the walls, featuring a homemade Rorschach test (which doesn't even follow the rules of an actual Rorschach blotch), an upsidedown photograph from a patient and other miscellaneous posters

- Hatter appears behind a screen and a load of junk. Moomintroll introduces Fuddler and Hatter tells him to come as the middle of the floor is "so lonely"

- He comments on how Fuddler seems normal and sensible to wear a saucepan to protect his head, however, Moomintroll looks like a case of "Natvomania" (appears to be a made-up disorder) to him. Moomintroll snaps saying it's a crazy idea, however Hatter retorts by pulling up a certificate certifying that he is, in fact, sane

- Fuddler talks about his dreams and Hatter comes closer to a diagnosis. Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden quietly leave them to their devices and Snorkmaiden comments "Isn't he clever?"

- Moomintroll hopes Hatter can help Fuddler and Snorkmaiden says "Of course!! He's wonderful!"

- Mymble shows up and asks Snorkmaiden "Have you seen Dr. Hatter? Isn't he marvelous!" and Snorkmaiden replies "He's so interesting!". Moomintroll scoffs saying he's silly.

- Mymble and Snorkmaiden continue to becomes further enamoured by Dr. Hatter, much to Moomintroll's chagrin.

- Fuddler and Hatter share their button collection and trade buttons, which excites Fuddler. Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll witness him running out of the office happily and Snorkmaiden ponders if Hatter will take her in for treatment too. Moomintroll decides that he should chase Hatter away.

- Moomintroll hires a ghost to scare Hatter, Hatter wakes up to the sound of rattling chains and consults his book about dream meanings, thinking that the current situation is a dream, and then gets spooked by the ghost.

- "My Freud!" cries Hatter, thinking the ghost is his subconscious taking form and says how awful it looks, and that he must analyse himself "again". The ghost threatens to appear three more times and Hatter declares that he'll leave.

- Snorkmaiden, Mymble and Fuddler all become upset about Hatter leaving, with Fuddler in particular begging Moomintroll to help until he feels guilty

- Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll beg Dr. Hatter to not leave as he's packing, Hatter says that he must as the house wakes his subconscious. Snorkmaiden says they'll bring him cases, Hatter is surprised as he believes everyone seems normal, but Moomintroll replies that they're awfully mental, Hatter pauses his packing and says "Oh dear".

- Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden gather some patients to visit him (among them being Mrs. Fillyjonk and the Inspector)

- Snorkmaiden is the first patient, Hatter seems awfully avoidant/shy about whatever subject he's talking about. Snorkmaiden tries to bring up something that nearly happened to her once but he interrupts her saying that the symbols are what matters and asks if she's ever dreamt of bees, Snorkmaiden gets annoyed and says no.

- Mrs. Fillyjonk is the next patient, Hatter shows her one of his homemade Rorschach tests and she says it's an ink spot, he checks a book and goes "aha!" which worries Mrs. Fillyjonk. He then asks her how often she washes and if she brushes her teeth several times a day, Mrs. Fillyjonk nervously answers yes and Dr. Hatter checks his book, vaguely saying "It fits in". Mrs. Fillyjonk asks "Fits in with what?" and Hatter says it's too early to say so she should come back tomorrow.

- The Inspector is patient number three, Hatter makes him play a game of Perfection. Hatter tries to make him put the shapes in the right holes and Inspector ropes him into playing along with him. Hatter brings up how "they" are all after him, and asks if the Inspector ever has bad dreams, the Inspector says not often but he does. Hatter then says "they" are after him because he grows roses, Inspector suddenly gets anxious because he also grows roses. Hatter tells him to come back any time as the Inspector leaves the office, now paranoid of spies.

- Moomintroll notices everyone who visited Hatter are acting strangely. Snorkmaiden suggests Moomintroll should go to Hatter aswell because he thinks everyone is too normal, Moomintroll is baffled by this as he looks at mrs. Fillyjonk staring at herself in a hand mirror.

- Snorkmaiden gets the Moominparents involved in making dr. Hatter stay by using Fuddler to guilt trip them, Moominpappa says people already think they're weird even if they don't try and Snorkmaiden says that Hatter doesn't so they will try this time.

- The Moomin family get on a row boat in front of Hatter's house and pretend their sailing on water, Snorkmaiden says the water is cold and Hatter asks if the fish are biting, then realizes that the ground isn't actually water.

- Hatter invites them to his house and the family continue their boat delusion charade, Snorkmaiden asks if he wasn't going to leave and he says no! Not with them in their present state.

- Moomintroll asks if he can put his nonexistent fish on the table, Hatter says not on the mahogany table, "but that wouldn't matter, would it..." he asks. Moomintroll does a hand stand and asks why everyone is upsidedown, Hatter puts a hand over his mouth in worry.

- The rest of the Moomins do a handstand aswell and ask why Hatter is upsidedown, Hatter laughs it off and says it's just a whim and joins their handstanding. They ask if he can cure them, but Hatter says that although they give him a headache, somehow he thinks they're quiet normal

- Hatter suddenly decides to take his leave but then Moominmamma invites him to a party, Hatter declines because "spies everywhere!" but they insist, dragging him by the arms

- Hatter visits Moominhouse and takes notice of the fence, saying it's very bad, then says it's terrible that they live in a tower, then says the round windows show that their case is very far gone

- They go inside and Moominmamma offers him wine, Hatter says there are symbols of the most sinister kind everywhere.

- He sees the tree growing inside their house and says they must be suffering from "Virulent independentia" (another made-up disorder) so he takes them somewhere else.

- Hatter makes them go inside a fenced container for a tree sapling, locks them up and tells them to be calm

- The Moomins panic and go back on their pretending, but Hatter believes they're suffering from delusions and then asks if they sometimes think they're umbrella stands or egg-beaters.

- Mymble comes in and Hatter says he doesn't have time for her as the Moomin are very interesting to him. Mymble says she thinks she's a flower stand and Hatter takes her in as another case, Mymble begs him to give her private treatment but she's locked up anyway.

- Fuddler comes in and blows up the cage with dynamite, knocking Hatter unconscious in the process, Mymble rushes to Hatter's side and completely ignores Fuddler which angers him.

- Moomintroll pours water on Hatter and he wakes up with a new hairdo. Mymble says he's had a traumatic experience and Hatter says "Traumatic? You've been reading trashy novelettes, young lady!", then says how water invigorates the glands. Mymble thinks the explosion must've brought up his subconscious.

- Mymble asks if he's alright and he says of course he is, Mymble then asks if he'll be treating her psyche and Hatter says that's stuff and nonsense. Chromosomes, gangliae, bacilli, they're the stuff!

- However, Hatter says she seems undernourished and tells her to put out her tongue. He prescribed her iron pills, vitamins and warm underclothes to make her fat and healthy again. Moomintroll asks Mymble if she's happy that Hatter's treating her and Mymble says that he isn't interesting anymore.

- Moominmamma notices Mrs. Fillyjonk and the Inspector are still acting strangely and tells Hatter that he's given them complexes. Hatter scoffs at the idea of complexes and says he's a pills-and-drops man, strictly pills and drops. He'll makes them some pills though, or drops..

- Later, Dr. Hatter actually does develop some complex-reducing pills for them but Moominmamma already cured them so there's no need. Hatter despairs as his effort lays wasted but says Moomintroll surely must have complexes and gives the pills to him in the name of science.

- Moomintroll starts shrinking and Snorkmaiden panics, going to dr. Hatter about it and Hatter finds it interesting, though he does give her the antidote to pour on Moomintroll.

- Comic ends

#moomins #moominvalley #moomin #lightbulb moment #snorkmaiden #moomintroll #moomin comics #moomin clark #moomin pirates #mr brisk #fillyjonk #male fillyjonk #moomin nobleman #moomin revolutionary #accountant Fillyjonk #moomin poet #dr hatter #I could make a whole Thing about Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden's dysfunctional romantic relationship #and how it works better as purely a friendship. But I'm sure someone has written about it #maybe not at as a great length as I could purely using the comics but still. I'm sure it's common knowledge

[emile-hides]

Moominmama and Moominpapa are in an open relationship

#Moominvalley #This is specifically the vibes I get from the 2019 version but the energy is there in all accounts #Moominmama and Stinky?? Moominpapa and Mt.s Fillyjonk??? HELLO?? #They are married they love one another and they are the peak of this show sometimes #Yes baby gay Snufkin is cute and all but MOOMINPARENTS ARE PEAK #I've reached the old man point in my life where my favorite ships are always the healthy well communicating married couple #And their polycule

[smokeys-house]

So you've seen her around, and maybe you're wondering... What's the deal with Puukko? Who is this mysterious moomin flooding the tags? Or maybe you're just a curious sort. Either way, this post will serve as an updated introduction!

Art by @pink-nubes ❤️

The long story short

She's my moomin oc. I've been writing about her a long while now and if you're reading this you've probably seen some art of her floating around, too!

The longer version

Along the French Riviera, a young moomin girl is raised by two parents of meager status. Her fur is brown and bristly, and she doesn't say much. They call her Pinecone on account of her shape and fur, just until she's old enough to choose a name.

As she got older, she took to working at the docks to help support her mother, who has fallen ill. Sometime after, her father makes his leave, claiming that he'd be back after he struck it rich. He had a plan, but Puukko was never quite sure if he was telling the truth or just couldn't bear to see his wife like this and support a child. He was never seen again, and soon after, her mother passed as well. She took up the name Puukko after apprenticing with a blacksmith at port around this time. She's not sure what drove her to piracy, but she spent the next many years as a pirate during piracy's golden age.

During her adventures, she encounters a young fillyjonk woman named Marion. I won't spoil too much since it's still in the works, but after duelling Marion's father in Marseille for his daughter's freedom from an arranged marriage, she received her classic scar, and earned a name as a pirate figure of legend. Edit: you can now read The Cane King's Daughter & TCKD: A Story for Another Time on my blog and on my ao3!

Marion joined up with the pirate, now known as Captain Whetstone, and spent many years adventuring with her crew. They shared a deep bond, though they never admitted to one another their feelings. Eventually, their reputation would catch up with them, and the king would no longer turn a blind eye to pirates. He issued a proclamation declaring that any and all pirates who surrendered themselves before a certain date were to be given a royal pardon for any crimes committed during their time as pirates, else they be hunted and bounties set upon them. Captain Whetstone, being a particular thorn in the side of the crown, was extended one mercy beyond the pardon that she did not initially accept. Her crew was captured, and Marion along with them, She was to turn herself in or they would all be tried and likely executed. She struck a deal, albeit by force, claiming that any illegal acts committed during the course of "negotiations" would be pardoned alongside her crimes as a pirate.

They sentenced her to punishment by transportation, and had her swear an oath to never board a ship again. She was sent away, and her crew was given their freedom. She found herself in the west, wild as at was at the time, and attempted to make a new life for herself. This was short-lived, and eventually she found herself where she is today.

These days, she's back to calling herself Puukko, and lives in a moominhouse of her own high in the lonely mountains. She plies her trade as a blacksmith, telling stories of the old days and occasionally stopping by down in the valley and elsewhere. She's an old woman now, and rather delights in that fact. She's a little odd and eccentric, but who isn't in moominvalley?

Okay, but why is she brown? Moomin fur is white!

Quite clever, dear reader, and I'm glad you asked! You see, Puukko is a winter creature. A winter moomin, to be specific. What does this mean? Well, you remember this fellow here:

The Ancestor. To my knowledge, they appear in every adaptation of The Moomins (this one's from the 2019 Moominvalley), and I believe every time it's mentioned that they slept in stovepipes. Here's where I diverge from canon and into speculation.

I headcanon that moomins as a species, upon becoming too big to sleep in stovepipes, began sleeping in large huddles to disguise themselves as snow mounds in winter and keep warm. Instead of joining the moominpile as it were, some of them stayed awake during the winter and retained their fluffy brown Ancestor-like fur, but otherwise similarly developed more moomin features. Winter moomins have thick brown fur, are taller and wider than your average moomin, and are ill suited to summer and hot climates. Even though Puukko as a character pre-dates my watching of the 2019 series, I also really like too-tikki's description and characterization of winter creatures during the ancestor episode.

Why does her name mean "knife?"

The knife part is simple. Most folks in the valley are named after what they are, or are known for what they do. A "puukko" is a kind of Finnish general purpose knife, and I thought it well suited her character as well as fit the theme for her pirate name, Captain Whetstone. Which also has a reason, but you should read my stories to find that one out!

When I was first designing her and thinking up stories, I was watching through the 90s Moomin series again, and I had begun collecting screencaps of all the knives. Lots of folks in the valley have them in the 90s series, and they all look well made but handcrafted.

And so I figured my OC would be a blacksmith. She's the one responsible for making all the pretty little knives in Moominvalley! From there on I tried my best to suit her to canon, but at the time I had only seen the 90s series and the Riviera movie. She's grown and changed over time, and I've written lots of things about her!

That's all, folks!

Thanks for reading! If you're curious about her, or have any other questions, or just have something to say, please feel free to reach out! My ask box is always open, and anonymous asks are always on. I love talking about Puukko, and I love talking about moomins in general. It's one of my biggest passions! There's a tag directory in my pinned post (which is probably how you got here if you're not seeing this in the tag or in your dashboard feed) which should lead you to art of her (simply tagged "puukko"), stories of her (tagged "whetstone's whispers), and other information (tagged "capitan's cabin").

❤️❤️❤️

#smokey talks #moomins #moomin oc #what's the deal with Puukko? #puukko

[janetkwallace]

250Th Post: Moomin Fanart compilation

🥳 YAY 250th post on Tumblr! 🎉

It's been a year since I met the Moomins through a random Twitter account, and since then, it became one of my favorite animes/booke series/everything! My favorite character is Mrs. Fillyjonk, she's a very interesting character and I like her design and how expressive she is. I also like Sniff, he's so silly and cute, he also cares for others. Well, in this special post, I'll be sharing ALL of the Moomin artwork I have done so far (or at least the artworks I could find in the computer folder...)

Have a nice day!

#moomins #fanart #artwork #traditional art #special post #250 posts #milestone #mrs fillyjonk #moomin fanart #watercolor #abstract #sniff #moomintroll #snufkin #artists on tumblr #I love this series

[skruttet]

at the end of my dream I was on this weird night out with my mum and sister and at first the place was outdoors but then suddenly there was a tv screen and I was showing them moominvalley episodes on it for some reason (not the full eps just the listings cause I couldn’t sign into any accounts ofc. I think maybe I was seeing how many I could name based on the thumbnail or something? idk) but then I clicked on what I thought was s2 and there were only 2 episodes listed, like 4 and 10? but it turned out to be season 3 cause I looked at the pictures and didn’t recognise them (episode 10 showed moomintroll picking flowers with either emma or mrs fillyjonk?? 😂) and I said “oh my god I need to go home now” not actually meaning it cause we were having a nice night out but my mum gave me the house keys and my sister said she’ll drive me home???? just so I could watch two random episodes of season 3 🤣 and then I woke up

#wild. I’m just glad I could sleep at all I’ve had a terrible night of Being Ill 😭 #that says being ill btw not being the third gfdjksl #this stems from my desire to watch s3 already as well as my wish that i could talk about my obsessions with my family :)))

[troominmoll]

Moomin books in film/tv

I was just thinking about how interesting it was that Joxter is such a popular character, and how MMPM is a fan-favourite book, but so few of the many shows and movies based on the Moomins touch on him or the book at all.

From there, I got to wondering how many times each story has been turned into a film or tv episode, and decided to compile a list of the most to least adapted books.

*This is a list for main series books only, not comics or picture books. As some shows take liberties, I will too. Also, many episodes of the 1969 anime series are missing so some numbers are estimations.

Finn Family Moomintroll: 10 First season of Die Muminfamilie, at least one episode each of Mumin and Shin Mumin, live action Mumindalen, fuzzy felt series, Moomin and the Others, Shlyapa Volshebnika, 90s Mumindalen, Tanoshii Moomin Ikka, and Moominvalley.

Tales from Moominvalley (total shows/films): 8

The Spring Tune: 3-4 Live action Mumindalen, 90s anime, and Moominvalley. Four if counting a Teetywoo appearance in the fuzzy felt series. (I can actually not track down the full, original episode to know if it is more than a cameo.)

The Fillyjonk who believed in disasters: 2 Fuzzy felt series and the 1978 television movie of the same name.

The Last Dragon in the World: 6 1969 anime, live action Mumindalen, fuzzy felt series, 90s anime, the entirety of From the Life of Little Trolls, and Moominvalley. The live action series uses the Ancestor in place of a dragon, but I am choosing to include it as this story clearly was used as the basis for the episode.

The Secret of the Hattifatteners: 1 Honourable mention for providing the name of a 2019 Moominvalley episode, in which Moominpappa’s account of the tale inspires Moomin to go on his own adventure.

The Invisible Child: 6 1969 anime, live action Mumindalen, fuzzy felt series, 90s anime, 90s Mumindalen, and Moominvalley.

Cedric: 1 Adapted in one episode of the fuzzy felt series.

The Fir Tree: 3 Live action Mumindalen, fuzzy felt series, and 90s anime.

Moominsummer Madness: 6 Second season of Die Muminfamilie, 1969 anime, fuzzy felt series, 90s Mumindalen,  Tanoshii Moomin Ikka, and Moominvalley.

Comet in Moominland: 5 1969 anime, fuzzy felt series, parts two and three following Moomin and the Others, 90s Mumindalen, and Tanoshii Moomin Ikka.

Moomin Midwinter: 5 Much of the live action Mumindalen, fuzzy felt series, 90s Mumindalen, Tanoshii Moomin Ikka, and Moominvalley.

Moominpappa at Sea: 3-4 Fuzzy felt series (told as Moominmamma’s winter dream), 90s Mumindalen, and Tanoshii Moomin Ikka. Four if including confirmed Moominvalley second season episodes, and scenes with the Groke and the lantern from the tenth episode.

Moominpappa’s Memoirs: 3-4 Fuzzy felt series, 90s Mumindalen, and Tanoshii Moomin Ikka. Four if counting the play scenes from the fifth episode of Moominvalley.  

Moominvalley in November: 1 Once in the (unfortunately lost) 1990 Mumindalen series, but a Moominvalley episode inspired by the book has been possibly hinted at. I am not counting the inclusion of Toft in Tanoshii Moomin Ikka as he is displaced from the story, nor a brief part in a Shin Moomin episode which is inspired by a scene from the book.

Moomins and the Great Flood: 0 Never adapted, however, it is referenced in the Moominvalley intro which I think is a lovely touch worth mentioning.

Conclusion:

While Finn Family Moomintroll appears in the highest number of adaptations, the fact that each chapter of Tales from Moominvalley is a self contained story means it has material for many unique episodes, and as a result has been borrowed from multiple times in some shows.

#moomin #mine #this is something i thought would be super quick and a few minutes in i realised...would not be #but i had made my choice #im not really trying to make a strong point with this its just fun somethings to look at the shows from this perspective #some calls were tough to make

[swanwinged-princess]

A Dream-Based Drabble that Apparently Doesn’t Have a Name

(And That Also Got Away from Me A Fairly Significant Amount )

And Made Me Want to Make a New RP Account, on Top of Everything Else

“Mrs. Moomin...?”

“Moominmamma, dear.” Mamma didn’t even look up from her knitting, merely flicking an ear at the quiet voice. 

“I have to leave Moominvalley.”

Now Moominmamma looked up, somewhat startled. “What ever for, Tutu?”

The girl on the sofa- a very pretty thing indeed, but a rather unusual sight, with that lovely pink hair and soft white wings- looked down at her lap, rather dejected. She fidgeted her ankles a little, crossing and uncrossing them.

“It’s dangerous for you- for all of you- to be letting me stay here. The Raven is after me- his crows have already hurt people here and caused so much trouble. If I leave, they should leave Moominvalley alone, too. Mrs. Fillyjonk said--”

“Never you mind what Mrs. Fillyjonk says,” Mamma interrupted her before she could get any further. “Personally, I think she’s rather a silly woman who makes a big fuss over everything, especially nonsense. Why- did she tell you to leave Moominvalley?” One of these days she would have to go over and have a real talk with that woman.

“...No,” the girl admitted sadly. “Well- not exactly, at least. It’s just that, I was so happy here and wasn’t thinking about how it would affect you and- and Mr. Moomin, and Moomin and everyone- when she told me about how the crows destroyed her garden and tried to attack her children, it made me realize how selfish I was being, wanting to stay here--”

Mamma cut in firmly. “Everyone in Moomin House is well aware of the dangers. If it was a problem--”

“But that’s just it!” Tutu cried, looking up sharply. “You don’t know all of it! You don’t know all the horrible things he could do to you all if he caught you! It’s not right for you to keep me here just because you--”

“Tutu.” 

Stopping mid-stitch, Mamma folded her knitting neatly and placed it down. “We are not letting you stay here out of a sense of obligation. We are letting you stay because we like you.”

“You don’t even know me!” Tutu protested. 

“Of course I do,” Mamma replied. “You are a kind and lovely girl. Sniff and Moomin adore you, you’re already the best of friends with Snorkmaiden, and Little My-- well, I’m sure she’ll warm up to you eventually.”

Tutu stood up, shaking her head desperately. “It’s still not right,” she insisted. “It’s even worse because you all consider me a- a friend-- oh, how could I have been so selfish?!”

That was it. Moominmamma got out of her rocking chair and moved across the room to Tutu. Placing a soft, pudgy paw on the girl’s cheek, she tilted her head down, so that they were looking into each other’s eyes.

 “Oh, Tutu- dear, dear Tutu! What’s all this talk of selfishness? Why, you’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met!”

There was a certain glisten to Tutu’s silvery-blue eyes that suggested tears. “I-- can’t have- a life like.. this,” she stuttered, color rising to her cheeks. “I’m- not supposed to! I’m not ordinary-- I mean- I can’t- I wish I could, but I have to protect... everyone... everywhere! I’ve already been here too long, who knows what might have already happened outside of the valley! My father--”

“-Would want you to be safe and happy,” Mamma interrupted again. “That’s what all good parents want for their children- and I’m sure the Swan King would want that for you, too.”

“No, he wouldn’t!” Tutu cried. Apparently realizing how that sounded, she blushed even harder, and the first of the real tears gathered on her eyelashes. “I- I mean- at least- he would, if there wasn’t... if I wasn’t... I have a duty!”

Mamma bit her lower lip, biting back a snappish remark. The more she heard about this ‘swan king’, the more she disliked him. Of course, she wouldn’t say that out loud, especially not to Tutu, since the poor child seemed devoted to him- or at least to the idea of him that she had in her head. If she ever met him in person, however... Well, that was a different story. One thing was for certain-- if Tutu was her daughter, she would never feel like she had to sacrifice her own happiness for anything. Certainly not some nonsense about giant birds.

“Listen to me, Tutu. You’re still a child. Children only have one ‘duty’- that is to be happy and safe and grow up into strong, wise people. It isn’t selfish to want that for yourself-- why, it’s the healthiest, most natural thing I can think of.”

The tear in Tutu’s eyelashes rolled down her cheek, followed by another, and then another. “But-- but I--”

“No.” 

Short, simple and sharp- that one word cut through the air like a knife. A little harsh, perhaps- usually Moominmamma tried her utmost to remain gentle- but it had to be said. Tutu looked at her in a combination of shock and something else she couldn’t quite place- sadness, perhaps? Resignation? Dejectedness? The tears were falling in earnest now, and the cheek under Mamma’s hand was beginning to tremble a little. 

This has gone on quite long enough.

“Tutu, I want you to tell me something- and I want you to be truthful. Not just with me, but with yourself. Are you frightened of this... this Raven creature?”

Those huge blue eyes, so like her own Moomin’s eyes, stared into hers for a moment, then... 

“...Yes,” came the very small reply.

“And do you feel safe, or at least a bit safer, in Moomin House?”

“Yes.”

“Tutu- do you want to stay here? With us?”

The silence stretched on and on, feeling much longer than it actually was- if Tutu’s lips hadn’t begun to tremble and the tears to continue to fall, it would have seemed that time had stopped.

“...Yes,” came the reply at last, a quiet, sobbing gasp that practically tore through the girl’s slender frame, and now she was really crying, shoulders shaking as she was wracked with sobs, face flushing red and tears absolutely soaking her face. “Yes, I- I want to stay with you, but--” 

Burying her face in her hands, Tutu collapsed to her knees, her dress pooling out around her like a dropped cake. In between sobs, she managed to gasp out, “But-- if I- stay here, my country- and he’ll- I c-can’t--”

Moominmamma hummed soft and low, placing her chin gently on the top of Tutu’s head and wrapping her arms around her shoulders. She felt the girl press into her soft, short-furred belly, and she started to sway ever so slightly on the spot, rocking her like she was a particularly large baby.

 “There, there. It’s alright- it’s alright, Tutu. Cry all you like.” 

Her hand stroked up and down the girl’s spine in a comforting manner. Her heart ached at every hiccuping sob- not because she was crying, of course. Rather, it ached because Tutu- this girl, this child, however much she protested about it- had felt such a need to repress her emotions, to the point that she broke down like this; and that she wanted to run away from what was quite possibly the first place she had ever been really happy. 

Mamma didn’t know much about royalty, nobility, or magic,  but she did know about children. Whoever, or whatever, had made this sweet girl feel like this- the fur along her spine bristled angrily at the very thought. 

She was pulled out of her reverie by a sudden squeeze around her middle. Tutu had wrapped her arms- or wings, perhaps- around her, clinging to her like she was her only lifeline. Her face was pressed against her belly now, and her tears and breath were hot and sticky against her fur.

“Mrs.- Mrs.--” she choked, her tremblings not dying down but rather increasing in strength. It was a wonder how she had contained it all- it seemed like her slender frame would have shattered like a dropped bottle long before it had gotten this bad. “I’m-- so sorry. Mrs.- I can’t-- stop, I--”

“You don’t need to,” Moominmamma murmured, continuing to rock her. “You’ve been strong for far too long-- it’s alright to cry.”

Tutu’s grip tightened- it was a bit uncomfortable, since she was surprisingly strong, not to mention that her fingers were a bit like claws, so they were rather sharp- but Mamma didn’t mind. Shifting her position so that Tutu’s head was tucked under her snout, she wrapped as much of her short arms as she could around her, til she was practically engulfed in a warm, white-velveted cocoon. 

This wouldn’t be the end of it- oh, no. When Tutu finally stopped crying (still not for a long while yet, it seemed), she would still want to leave. When she was finally convinced to stay, she would still feel guilty about being happy. When she stopped feeling guilty- well, there would still be a lot of work to do after that. But Mamma was willing to see it through. Really, it was the small victories that made it worthwhile- like the way that Tutu finally relaxed fully against her, or, even better, the occasional, soft gasps of “mother” in between sobs.

No, there was still quite a ways to go... but Moominmamma was more than willing to see it through.

uhhhhhhhh god-- this is really embarrassing and hopefully since it’s posted at like 1 am not many people will see this

#drabble #TF ELSE DO I TAG THIS AS #w/e lets just post it

[writers-in-moominvalley]

💝Snorkmaiden and Love Life💝 (pt. 2)

In which I analyze Snorkmaiden's relationship with her main love interest; Moomintroll.

Ever since I made the post rating Snorkmaiden's crushes and love interests, I tried chewing on what they exactly mean for Snorkmaiden's character, because if you look hard enough there is indeed a pattern of taste to be discerned here.

And with this, I think I could finally better conclude on what the real wedge between Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden is.

When people talk about Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden's relationship they only talk about Moomintroll's gripes about the relationship, that his genuine interests lie elsewhere (Snufkin, "obviously") and he needs to get out of it purely on that. But, especially in the comics, this is a far more complex issue than a boy crushing on his best friend and a girl trying too hard to make the ship work, because this is a cyclical on-and-off relationship that withstands all else to an unhealthy degree, and the root of which is a fundamental incompatibility of desires and stubbornness.

Moomins on the Riviera is the third episode of the comic strip, and the first one in which this dynamic is established; Snorkmaiden falls for a guy, Moomintroll gets violently jealous and does anything in his power to get her back, Snorkmaiden returns to his arms.

But here's the important question: Why did Snorkmaiden date Clark of all people instead of sharing her ventures with her current boyfriend?

That's exactly where the fundamental disagreement lies, Moomintroll is a homebody like Moominmamma who doesn't take a particular liking to socializing in an unfamiliar environment, Snorkmaiden and Moominpappa do. And here's where the parallels between Snorkmin and the Moominparents are drawn, both of which are relationships between an outgoing extrovert and a tagalong who is very comfortable at home.

And this is a point I've seen some people make about Snorkmin — that they're merely trying to copy the Moominparents for the Perfect Heteronormative Relationship that's expected of them, but it isn't that they look to the parents for example in the slightest, not even a reference to the idea, no direct copying of action or sentiment, no, if it was the case then it would've been an easy joke to make for the comics but it never was made. It's actually quite the opposite:

They ARE natural parallels of the Moominparents, but Snorkmin fails where the Moominparents don't. Moominpappa's romantic interest has only ever belonged to Moominmamma, Snorkmaiden's doesn't. Moominmamma is a very patient and thoughtful person, Moomintroll isn't.

The Moominparents have compromise and don't cross their lines, Snorkmin lacks it and they do. That's the fundamental failure of Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll.

Another crack in the foundation is their conflict of interest about what they get from the relationship. Remember when I mentioned the pattern you can see with Snorkmaiden's love interests? All of them seem like severely different types of people to fall for, but they do have something that Snorkmaiden apparently wants:

They all provide novelty and/or intellectual stimulation. Clark came packaged with the new and exciting lifestyle of the Riviera, the Pirates were a fun and novel kind of danger, Mr. Brisk was a talented sportsman well-versed in the then-foreign land of winter, the Fillyjonk was packaged with following the Prophet's teachings of a new life, the Nobleman came with exploring the 16th century which she found terribly romantic, the Revolutionary was an intellectual and good writer, the Accountant Fillyjonk had a passion for accountancy, the Poet wrote poems and thusly had a way with words, and Dr. Hatter was a psychiatrist with a strange sort of exoticism in his work.

What does this mean for Snorkmaiden? Given her almost direct parallel with Moominpappa, the answer would be obvious; she wants to experience new things and new perspectives, and she finds a connection with men to be the safe and fun way to do it. Moominpappa expands his horizons by leaping at opportunities for adventure while Snorkmaiden takes the subtle route by forming relationships with people that could guide her through those horizons.

(….. iiiit just so happens that she didn't have a discussion with Moomintroll to establish that their relationship is open. But hypocrite that she is, she also gets mad at HIM for falling in love with someone else)

And the reasons these relationships fall apart is either because of circumstances separating Snorkmaiden from her interest or because she's grown bored/tired of them. Moomintroll didn't need to intervene with any of them, really, they would've run their course naturally.

But on the contrary, in Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo we are provided a reason as to why Snorkmaiden stays with Moomintroll: he's familiar. She knows what foods he likes and how to make them, he's willing to do the low-key things she likes like go to the beach, unlike the Revolutionary who outright dismisses and insults her for such things. So she may want to experience new things in the great wide somewhere, she's become too comfortable with Moomintroll by the time Snorkmaiden Goes Rococo takes place, and it's how the cycle finally takes on its unbreakable effect.

On the other hand, Moomintroll is someone who is extremely comfortable with homelife, he actually isn't characterized as a thrill-seeker, even if he tries to have fun with his circumstances as much as he can. In Tove's run, the only other person Moomintroll falls for is the leading lady of a circus, La Goona, who is an incredibly gorgeous woman and also a vamp, the latter of which is the main point of her character. Moomintroll REVELS in falling with her, in fact, very much to Snorkmaiden's dismay (although he does ask her about the situation and she pretends not to care a little too well).

What does this say about Moomintroll? He… likes pretty women. It is in fact the reason why he was interested in Snorkmaiden in the first place, for him it was infatuation at first sight and he hasn't been able to let go of it since.

His possessiveness of Snorkmaiden is partially inheritance from of father's fragile masculinity, but where Moominpappa's manifests in his insecurity as a husband and father, Moomintroll's manifests in his domineering and violent jealousy towards Snorkmaiden's love interests. So rather than communicating with his girlfriend like a rational person, he challenges the new interests by sabotaging them in direct confrontations or other dishonorable means.

Snorkmaiden may find this violence attractive (she finds it terribly exciting in general, multiple times, even outside of romantic contexts) for the short term, but it only returns both of them to their purgatory-esque dissatisfaction once the romantic euphoria wears off.

Moomintroll is stubborn in that he is unwilling to accept change in the status quo, to accept Snorkmaiden's apparent disinterest in him.

Snorkmaiden is stubborn in that she tries to do the same thing over and over with complete disregard or even ignorance of Moomintroll's reaction.

And this stubbornness keeps perpetuating the cycle yet again.

This is a relationship where both of them are at fault, their total lack of communication and commitment leaves the same bitter taste in eachother's mouths but unable to separate due to their familiarity.

This is a comic strip and thus everything is set up to return to the status quo at the end of each episode so that the new one may begin, but there is a distinct lack of fans truly reading their relationship outside of the lens of Moomintroll's frankly sparing queer coding in the strip. Snorkmaiden also has her own unfulfilled desires due to Moomintroll, they may not be pertaining to a girl but Moomintroll is stuck to her arm as she is stuck to his.

It's a hodgepodge of gendered expectations, unmet desires, lack of communication and plain stubbornness from both parties.

They have their genuinely sweet moments but they work so much better without the expectation of romance in the way, they are far better off as friends.

(Rest in peace book and Brigands Snorkmin you were incredibly cute before The Things happened)

#moomins #moominvalley #moomin #lightbulb moment #moomintroll #snorkmaiden #snorkmin #moomin comics #character essay #relationship analysis

[smokeys-house]

Excerpt from a dusty journal, late entry.

         The ways in which folk behave had always been a mystery to me, but none moreso than Marion, First Mate of The Honeyed Word, and a woman beyond compare. A Fillyjonk with a kind heart and a helpful hand, she had always made my heart stir. I say "mystery" on account of I've no idea why she stayed with me all them years, where she is now, or how it all ended up the way it did. Me out here in some quiet hamlet in the hills, and her and me crew somewhere I've no doubt I'll never meet.

I find that with each passing year, the aching in my chest gets duller, and I find that I need to dull it less myself by drink or by journey. I fear that within myself are moments of weakness in which I give in to wonder and whimsy. Nostalgia is a very sweet tea with a very bitter aftertaste. I cannot help but to picture her standing over me while I work throughout the day, or across the table at meal times. A trifling matter to some I'd reckon.

I know she wouldn't have it. Whether she'd have me after all these years is another question, but one I dare not seek the answer to. She craved adventure, and my quiet life without a doubt would suffer her a great deal. I've become an awful bore in my advanced age! She knew where to find some of our old stashes, and I'm loathe to admit that I left some rather embarrassing notes in a few of them. Hope yet lingers in my breast that the notes aren't of legible quality any longer, and that the money within is enough for her and the rest of the crew to build new lives. It's a wish I seldom stray from upon seeing a star shoot across the night sky.

What month is it now? Lost track. Winter.

Signed, Puukko.

#whetstone's whispers #moomin oc #expect this style of short writing to reoccur! #if it seems stilted or odd its bc she is old timey #also finally first mate name drop #apparently her name means beloved or star of the sea? i don't buy it but that's cute

[troominmoll]

"i feel like being bitter and listing off all the things that the 90s show changed about the original stories" as a relative newcomer to moomin-related stuff, i'm curious... what *did* the 90s show change??

*rubs hands because I love being insufferable*  

(Minor disclaimer that this is mostly done in good nature. I understand almost every show that is adapted from existing content is gonna change stuff to suit their story-telling needs. But I am annoyed that some who praise the 90s anime think the new series is bad simply for doing things differently when that show, and nearly every one prior to it, has also put their own spin on things.)

There are 24 episodes of Tanoshii Moomin Ikka (plus a movie) based on the books by Tove Jansson, and I think 11 based on the comic strips she wrote. It would take a long time to cover every single detail in every single episode, so I am mainly going to discuss those that have changes I find more significant, disappointing, personally distressing, or just plain baffling.

(A second disclaimer: I have not read any entire comic stories past the point where Tove stopped working on them. There are some episodes based on strips created exclusively by her brother Lars, The Vampire and Artists in Moominvalley being two examples. I will be skipping those, as well as Bouken Nikki episodes, as I have yet to thoroughly watch each one on account of so few being based on Tove’s work and the headaches they induce lmao. Nitpicks from fans who have read Lars’ strips in full are welcome.)

Now without further ado, let the fussing begin~

01 Spring in Moominvalley: This follows the basic storyline from the first two chapters of Finn Family, but with some notable changes. Snufkin at this point woke up from hibernation along with the rest of the family, Little My had yet to be introduced, and Snork - a child like the rest of the main cast - lived with his sister and the rest of the kids in the Moominhouse. The entire subplot of him being an inventor is merely an invention of the anime.

Moomintroll, in the book, spends a lot more time in transformed body. As he believes his friends are playing a new game when they fail to recognize him, he makes up a story about being “The King of California”. He repeatedly pretends to insult Moomin (himself), and in a touching display of devotion his own friends beat him up to defend his honour.

02 The Magic Hat: Continuing on with a scene based on the later half of chapter 2, we see Moomin rescue Snorkmaiden from the Ant Lion, and along with Snufkin, decide to trap him in the magical hat. In the original story however, Moomin and Snork trap the him. This was rather unprovoked, though Moomin cites a moment from a previous book (read all about it in The Moomins and the Great Flood!) where the Ant Lion allegedly kicked sand in Mamma’s eyes. The gang then takes the hat back inside for more “experiments”, and after making a mess, the adults decide it best to dispose of the hat in the river.

Much like in the story, the hat is soon recovered by Moomin and Snufkin, though a chapter where they hide it in a cave and and end up frightening the Muskrat (who uses it as a shelf for his dentures) is absent. It then continues to the scene where Moominhouse is briefly overgrown with plants. Aside from this happening sooner than it did in the book, and the premature appearance of the Hobgoblin, and the missing Mameluke hunt, and the part where all the children play in the jungle, I think it’s pretty true to that chapter!

03 Discovery of a Wrecked Ship:  First off, I wanna say I’m mostly including this episode on my list just to make it clear that Snufkin’s random sexist comments towards Snorkmaiden and Little My are missing from the book. There is a chapter where him and Moomin go ambling up some rocks, but “the girls” are thankfully absent from this scene.

So then they discover an abandoned boat and the rest of the episode is padded with scenes where they repair it. A charming spectacle, I’m sure, but also absent from the book as the boat they find is already in pristine condition. Shame that Snufkin never got to share his idea for the ship’s name, (it was Lurking Wolf aha ha ha) but that might be for the best.

07 The Suitcase: As seen in episode 06, Thingumy and Bob arrived in Moominvalley. They bring with them stolen goods and and the mother of Grimace, who seeks to recover said goods. Snufkin, once again letting everyone down, decides that a gentle female should speak to them about the contents of their suitcase and soon Snorkmaiden is assigned to the task. Instead the book features a trial sequence, which really helps hammer in the metaphor. Everyone takes part and Sniff acts as prosecutor of behalf of the Groke, who appears and is willing to trade the treasure in exchange for the magical top hat (NOT a pretty scallop).

08 The Hobgoblin’s Magic: Moomin hears that his wondrous wooden woman has washed up on the shores of Moominvalley. But when he rushes to the beach, he finds nothing but sand and disappointment waiting for him. This sends him spiraling into a brief yet no less deep depression which is cured only when Thingumy and Bob share their contents of their secret suitcase. The novel was much more reasonable however. He was saddened by the loss of Snufkin who had skipped the valley for the first time, promising (as we all know) to return on the first day of Spring.

And then there is a fabulous summer party thrown by the family after the recovery of Moominmamma’s handbag. This part is true to the story, at the very least. But the party in the book is much more fantastical, with dancing, music (from America of all places), punch served in darling sea shells, and everyone - right down to the tiniest forest critter - is invited, and gets to make a wish when the magic man arrives. 

09 An Invisible Friend / 10 The Invisible Child: I wouldn’t say that these episodes, featuring the famous character from Tales of Moominvalley, have any life-ruining changes from the original story. But since no episode is complete without a bit of drama, or a pointless cameo from Snufkin, a scene where Stinky traps Ninny with the intention of having her assist in his robberies has been written in. And Little My’s comment regarding the aunt in the English dub, where she states “I hope you told her she hurt Ninny’s feelings!” seems uncharacteristically gentle in comparison to her asking if Too-Ticky “bashed her head in”.

13 The Last Dragon on Earth: As mentioned in the entry above, some episodes will include new subplots or elements for the sake of drama and action. This episode is another example of that, but otherwise it has only minor tweaks. Snufkin states that “the cards” have told him he should leave Moominvalley early if he catches x number of such-and-such a fish, but that storyline is exclusive to this show.

14 Our Neighbor is a Touch Teacher: This episode is based on snippets of the comic strip “Moominmamma’s Maid”, but scraps the storyline containing the titular character from the strip, which is nearly all of it. Instead, it is entirely focused on the Moomin’s new neighbor, Mrs Fillyjonk, a strict and uptight mother of three.

After the Moomin’s welcome party leaves Mrs Fillyjonk fearing for her life, she forbids her children from playing with the Moomin brood. They sneak away anyway. A bunch of death defying stunts happen, courtesy of Stinky. Mrs Fillyjonk plans to leave the valley, but the kids have none of that. This is almost an original story, save for the existence of a party.

16 A Close Encounter with Aliens: Once again we have an episode based on the comics. It follows the basic plotline of the Moomins caring for a stranded Martian child.  But a lot of wackiness was cut for time, including invisible Moomins pranking valley residents, a flying fire brigade, and Moomin shrinking down with Mamma, who later bites a Fillyjonk child. Time used for an inserted chase scene with Stinky (one of many across the tv series) feels could’ve been better spent on some of the fun stuff mentioned in my previous sentence.

17 A Change of Air: And yet another comic-based episode, this one taken from “Moomin and Family Life”, which happens to be my personal favourite comic so this analysis may sound bitterer than others. The episode cuts the beginning of the strip, where we see a lonely parent-less Moomin contemplate suicide before being reunited with his long lost Moominmamma and Moominpappa. The comic is a completely different entity from the books and adjustments must be made, so this decision is understandable. But the following choice? Less so.

The episode instead starts with Pappa complaining that nothing exciting ever happens, and I won’t remind him of the events from episode 16 because everyone brings that up. Stinky overhears plans of doing something to entertain him, and during the night makes a set of giant footprints leading to the sea. Whereas in the comic strip, the “giant” prints are innocently left by Snufkin who was wearing boot too big for he gotdamn feet. He nearly perishes for this grave mistake.

Strips where Moominmamma and Moominpappa hang out in a cave, Moomin sheds a few tears tears, and Snufkin offers some half hearted words of comfort provide a basis for following scenes in the episode. But antics with Moomin and friends trying to foil Aunt Jane, who angrily travelled to the Moominhouse after being pranked by Pappa, are sadly missing. 

24 Hurry Up Snufkin: The part where Snufkin meets and later names the forest creature Teetywoo, is based on the short story “The Spring Tune”. There are many potential gripes one can have about such a brief scene.

A lot of the dialogue between the two characters reflects what is said in the short story, but what the episode sorely lacks are Snufkin’s feelings. Gone are his shouts and snaps, his grumpiness about being disturbed, his regret when he lashes out, his desperation to find Teetywoo again. His famous line “I’ll come when it suits me” is “cried violently”, making me wonder how it ever became an inspirational quote (oh wait I know). In favour of portraying Snufkin as cool and chill, the anime sometimes ends up making him look more like an emotionless bump on a log.

The plotline of Snufkin being late to return because he is trying to compose a new song has been cut, on account of either his lack of talent or lack of music budgeting.

25 The Lighthouse / 26 The Day the Lighthouse Lit Up: These episodes actually combine elements of two different stories: the comic strip “Moomin and the Sea”, and the similarly titled novel “Moominpappa at Sea”. Lacking most of the typical shenanigans from the strips, or bleak themes from the book, these episodes feel more like a slightly above-average family outing.

The episodes seems to lean more towards the comic, where Moominpappa takes on the job of lighthouse keeper as inspiration for his writing, and Moomin is terrorised by an equally frightened ghost. Too-Ticky unfortunately is missing from the episodes, alone with the scenes where she shares some spooky suggestions with the spectre, and where Snorkmaiden fakes her own drowning to help Moomin feel brave. 

Borrowing from the books, we meet both the former lighthouse keeper and a little boy named Toft, who apparently got very lost on his way to auditions for a “Moominvalley in November” episode. The episode scraps the element from the book of Moominpappa making the entire family miserable because he has some deluded fantasy about protecting and providing for them on his own, as well as a heart wrenching subplot involving the Groke, which I will not spoil for those considering reading it. But know this: there will be tears. 

28 The Floating Theatre / 29 The Lost Children / 30 Midsummer: This three-parter is based on “Moominsummer Madness”, which is kind of an interesting book. Taking place smack dab in the middle of the series, we see it move away from the more lighthearted tones of the early stories, and begin the shift towards the less fantastical and more serious themes of the later books. But it isn’t quite there yet. And being written around the time Tove still worked on the comic series, some parts of the book would not seem out of place if drawn in her strips.

The most noticeably difference between the original story and anime episodes is the change of the cast. With the number of characters and subplots happening at once in the book, it was inevitable that some unlucky sod would get scrapped from the story - three sods in fact, by the names of Mymble, Misabel, and Whomper. Sniff is inserted into the story, and references to Mr Fillyjonk, the stage manager and Emma’s late husband, are removed. 

Snufkin and My’s subplot is changed and cut quite short, beginning with the element of the two not knowing each other. His assault on the park keeper seems to be done for the sake of rescuing the children more or less imprisoned in the park, but book Snufkin simply took joy in breaking the law. The episode lacks great scenes of him trying to take care of the 24 little children; doing things like making silly noises, threatening to drown himself, and exposing them to second hand smoke. 

With a small handful of characters missing, the plot of the play Moominpappa writes greatly differs from the book. And say goodbye to the ending chapter, where the reunited Moomin family flees the police and gets chased all the way back to Moominvalley. 

45 Moomin Builds a House: This episode is based on the comic of the same title. Although it cuts the story quite short, what is left in is relatively close to the original. Except for the insertion of Snufkin, but I am not offended because that adorable laugh made his appearance worthwhile.

59, 63, 68 Adventures of Moominpappa: And here we get to the episodes based on “The Exploits of Moominpappa”. The first few changes I’d like to point out are a little less notable. As Mrs Fillyjonk was already more established in the show, the Hemulen aunt becomes a Fillyjonk. Edward is a silent character, the Nibling child that Pappa and co look after is absent, and everyone gets real ugly colour palettes. 

Next, as you may know, the original books don’t really follow a solid timeline and canon changes in between stories. So in an attempt to make more sense, the young Mymble that Moomin meets is Little My’s mother, rather than her sister. But strangely, Moominpappa’s other friends are no longer the parents of Sniff and Snufkin. Why those two were still so enraptured by listening to his story is unclear.

Comet in Moominland: Finishing off the list is a movie based on the story of the same name. Being the first in what is considered the “main” book series, there are bound to be differences in how characters are written. But there is no difference here more worth talking about than Snufkin.

As I’ve already mentioned before, he is portrayed in the anime as more relaxed. He is the older and most mature member of Moomin’s group of friends, and tends to be reserved in expressing his emotions. For the sake of presenting Snufkin as a responsible figure, he never teaches the gang his favourite game: rolling boulders down cliffs, an activity which almost results in multiple casualties. We never hear his story about disrespecting a police officer, and his subsequent prison break.

But Snufkin in the earlier books is very much a child like the rest of the main cast. He is playful and talkative, being described as bringing “gaiety” to their adventure, and is always thrilling his friends with epic tales from his travels. He is not shy about expressing himself, he is shown to have some sadness about having no parents and cries his wee heart out upon sees the dried up ocean.

Other changes may seem more innocuous by comparison, snipping a party scene and river raft ride, and including Little My. But with the lack of a noticeable personality for a key character, and some of the action scenes, much of the movie just feels like a boring hike home.

~

In short, yeah. As you can see I’m pretty passionate on this subject, especially when it comes to Snufkin’s characterisation. Anyone who wishes to discourse Moomins with me is welcome.  

#ok most of this was meant to be written funny and it was fun for me #but you can probably tell which points i got more carried away #there were a few episodes i wouldve covered ex aunt jane but i dont enjoy them as much and couldnt make their entries funny #moomin #mine #Anonymous