On, Irredeemable Villains
On, Irredeemable Villains
I think FFXIV and She-Ra:PoP have interesting takes on the that I kind've enjoy and think sbould be embraced: Spoilers for both incoming.
So Shadow Weaver is the villain of all time for me. She represents a really violently abusive mother who, 'til the end, could not give a single fuck about anyone else's feelings about the hell she put literal children through. I shouldn't like her but what a MILF honestly, she dies with a, "You're welcome," fucking incredible what a piece of shit. If you think she's redeemed for using her last moments to be petty and abusive one last time you're out of your gourd.
Gaius Baelsar is curious too because he and Quintus van Cinna DON'T apologize for the deeds they did; they're prepared to die for what they believe in but it's clear to both that Garlemald is dead. Baelsar just has a new fixation on killing Ascians and, eventually, caring for his only remaining daughter -- a daughter he, like all of his other kids, ¡KIDNAPPED TO BECOME CHILD SOLDIERS!
Again, irredeemable monster on many, MANY ways but that's what I LOVE about these two. They didn't fall into some bullshit redemption arc, the writers knew they were too stubborn and too evil for that to happen.
It's why I think Emet-Selch is such a weak character, to be so disasterously, monsterously, despicably genocidal, egotistical, and twisted and then get the wet sopping mew mew treatment is like . . . sometimes I think I'm the only one who sees what he's supposed to be. Same with Venat but I'm not gonna go into that here, she's a "hero" for all the good that word will do for the countless lives she has doomed to oblivion.
I don't know even about Toga BNHA to make a real Mention for her but from what I can tell people want her to be their little mew mew but like . . . look, the art is cute, wholesome au, but a villain is a villain is a villain -- you need to accept her as such. Her perspective isn't MEANT to be the one you agree with, "The future you strive for is not the past we fell in love with," and so on. If you agree with her perspective, as someone who thinks BNHA's society is absurdly toxic and worthy of dismantling, I get it but there's a personal level of villainy she exhibits that should not be adored. She doesn't do this for social change, she does to sate her bloodlust bro. That's Bad.