people who go really hard over like hating villains and hating their fanbases and being so disappointed in anyone who so much as shows the slightest appreciation for anything even slightly morally impure are like the obnoxious vegans of fandom
what’s especially infuriating about this attitude is that the goal posts get moved constantly. “it’s fine to like villains as long as you publicly reassure everyone that you’re not romanticizing them”; “it’s fine to like villains as long as you spend just as much time appreciating the heroic characters”; “being actively interested in a villain’s motivations just proves that you’ll do anything to rationalize their behavior”; “it’s not okay to like villains who may be mentally ill because that’s bad representation.”
people might try to frame it as just being concerned that not everyone is being healthy about their villain-love. but really it’s just about getting you to shut up about something they don’t like.
I love villains, the darker normally the better, anyone from Peter Hale, to Loki , to the Joker; even Hannibal. Do I romanticize them sometimes, sure, but I know exactly who and what they are and just how crazy or depraved they may be. There is nothing wrong with finding joy or common ground or even just general interest in the darker side of things. Love what you love, hate what you hate, if other people don’t like it that’s their problem. Don’t let anyone try to bring you down for something you like. Villains. Heroes. Saints. Sinners. Reality. Fiction. You do you.
Ugh - as always, @nofate88 brings dat wisdom
I’m fine with liking villains. Hell, I like villains! On some level I can accept romanticizing their actions too. But it’s woobifying them I don’t appreciate, trying to erase the bad shit they’ve done and saying they’re “misunderstood” or “Not the real villain” when they’ve done horrible, horrible things for often selfish reasons. They just overlook killing innocent (fictional) people. It kind of fucks up their narrative as a villain when you choose to ignore horrible things they’ve done. And that’s not saying they can’t be sympathetic, just saying that it’s a big part of their character your ignoring when you glance over the fucked up shit or try to excuse it. If they’ve done bad shit, that’s fine! You don’t have to jump through hoops to defend them, they’re villains! Embrace the darkside, nothing wrong with indulging in it with fiction.
Exactly. Love villains all you want but quit blaming the people they hurt for not being understanding enough of their hard past.