The Hazbin Hotel fandom’s issue with accepting aromanticism and asexuality
Now that it is officially Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week, I want to talk about this!
I find that, as an aroace myself, I am constantly grasping at good representation and coming up empty— it usually ends up in one of two ways.
One: the character is portrayed as emotionless, cold, and robotic in nature. It’s the question aromantic and/or asexual people are often asked: “Are you heartless?” The answer is no, of course, but general media makes it out to be the opposite.
Or two: Their lack of attraction is seen as something to “fix” because they “haven’t found the right one yet”, and they end up with a partner as a “happy ending”.
It frustrates me greatly because of how little people actually see aromanticism or asexuality as a true part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
So when I watched Hazbin Hotel, and I found out about Alastor being aroace, I was over the moon. I was on cloud nine. I also saw how his voice actor has looked up the term as an attempt to learn about aroaces, which makes me OVERJOYED?? Amir is truly a blessing, and I love that he’s proud to embody a character that’s part of our community. It’s so beautiful to finally have a proper character, a fan favorite at that, who just so happens to be aroace— and that’s another thing I love about this.
It’s never explicitly stated in the show (though it is stated in interviews), but it’s rather clear when you’re watching, isn’t it? Alastor’s aversion to any sort of sexual advancement, coupled with Rosie’s blatant “I know you’re an ace in the hole” comment sort of spell out his asexuality pretty clearly, as well as what side of the spectrum he falls upon. In addition, his Valentine’s day card was strictly platonic, which caters to his aromantic side. It feels so validating to finally be represented, to finally have a character in media who shares the same lack of interest in romance and sex as I do.
When I entered the fandom to look for more content, I kind of expected to see the same respect for Alastor’s orientation there too. But that… wasn’t the case? I am fully aware that aromanticism and asexuality are both spectrums— of course, aromantic and/or asexual people can enter those kinds of relationships. I’m not denying that and they belong in the community as much as anyone else on the spectrum.
But, the more I see the same line again and again and again, the more it feels like an excuse to just ship what you want.
Usually I don’t mind shipping? I’m often a firm believer in people shipping what they like as long as it’s harmless and they don’t go crazy over it. I also know for a fact that Viv doesn’t have a problem with people shipping her characters. They are fictional, after all.
But in this case, people are ignoring the very thing that makes Alastor a part of the aroace community! People are ignoring his lack of romantic or sexual attraction!
Is this not the same as changing a gay character’s orientation to suit a straight ship? If not, how so? I’m told that we are a part of this community, so why aren’t we being treated like it? Why is it so hard to accept the people on the end of the spectrum who aren’t interested?
Something I’ve been noticing throughout my life is that society has not exactly progressed very much on the idea of accepting asexual or aromantic identities. Maybe we have, a little, since the old days— but hell, people in “the old days”, which in truth wasn’t very long ago, believed that asexuality was a medical condition to be “fixed” by taking the right medication or having sex. That’s a pretty low bar to clear. And on the romance side, you’re seen as a “late bloomer” or “boring” if you don’t express interest. These days, being friends with someone is treated like a gateway to them possibly becoming a lover. Not getting married, not going on dates, not wanting a partner— it’s all treated like a crime when it’s not.
Maybe I’m selfish, or sensitive, or I’m butthurt over nothing, or I’m making it all about me. Maybe I’m gatekeeping or whatever the term is. But please, please, please, I just want an aroace character like me who simply is not interested in sex or romance.
And I want fandom to respect that. I admire the creations that fans make— the art, the animatics, the writing and the character analysis. And I want people to keep creating because creation is indeed a beautiful thing.
But I really would like people to treat aroace identities like they’re important. Like it’s more than just a spectrum to get wiggle room to wrangle in another ship.
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alastor | your cracks are showing.
picture this, if you will.
you, having had enough of his antics, finally snapping, telling him you see through him. his mask, that too-wide smile, is imperfect.
"your cracks are showing, alastor."
you spit his name like a curse and he feels his gut twist with something foreign. there you are, you, defiant, arms crossed over your chest, denying him his precious persona.
who the hell do you think you are?
before you know it, his arm wraps around your waist, pulling you to him, until you meet the hard planes of his chest. he's all lean muscles you find out, writhing against him, trying to break free.
he tilts your head back with one gloved hand. the leather is thin enough for you to feel the warmth of him. if you shiver, lips parting, you'll deny it.
"careful, my dear."
with that, he kisses you, sickeningly sweet. too sweet. too much. your eyes widen at the feeling of his lips against yours, of his teeth nipping against your flesh. you taste blood. fucker bit you -
he growls, the sound rich and deep, sinking into your marrow like he does in your mouth, tasting you. you find yourself clinging to him, fingers tangling in his curls, lightly tugging at his scalp.
he lets you go, tongue darting to lick the remnants of your lifeblood on his lips. he chuckles at the sight of you - kiss-swollen, panting, pupils blown wide in furious desire.
his thumb presses against your lower lip, right where he bit you. you hiss, sweet pain settling low in your gut.
"you'll cut yourself on my edges if you get too close."
somehow, you don't mind.
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*in the middle of a battle with Adam*
Lucifer: ya…I could take him~
Charlie: in a fight, right?
Lucifer:
Charlie:
Lucifer:
Charlie: I-in a fight…right?…
Lucifer: *bites lip*
Charlie: dad please no
ANON IM FUCKING LAUGHING SO HARD AT THE *BITES LIP* LIKE ANDJFKTISCCH I IMAGINED THIS EXACT FACE
IM CACKLING SO HARD
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Oh god don't get me started on how passive blitz' """representation""" of drag alongside moxxie are literally just used for eye candy/gags and not actual reasoning for the characters to genuinely try to show some gender expressionism!
"Oh but moxxie dressed up four different times surely that mea-"
He was the butt of the joke in all instances fuck off with that.
Forced into drag as a disguise twice [thrice?]
Forced into a wedding dress AGAINST HIS WILL MIND YOU
Hallucination not actually the real moxxie a projection of Blitz' harboring feelings projecting moxxie to be drag- vs how he actually performs """drag"""
Spot the differences! No offense to bugs bunny of course at least he has substance and purpose to his drags for LOONEY purposes! He's saying the joke to always move the cartoon plot forward at least!
Blitz has only openly dressed in drag once and the fans applauded viv like it was a big deal. [Even though I personally believe Brandon is homophobic accidentally :/]
Even in merchandising moxxie seems uncomfortable to even perform outside of his gender role....???
I get the anxiousness is the appeal of the character but really put it into perspective why the valentines merch is like this !!!!!
I AM CRITICIZING A SHOW THAT I USED TO THINK WAS QUEER POSITIVE. I AM A QUEER YES.
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So, Hazbin Hotel is an adult series cartoon about the daughter of Lucifer who opens a rehabilitation hotel to offer demons a chance at redemption?
And there are self-righteous dickhead angels who don't practice what they preach?
And it's part musical?
Yeah. I'm watching.
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