Posted

Jun 22nd 2008

Mood

Bitter

Ah, Pepper & Co. Where did I go wrong?

It feels like one of those times where I have to examine what I've created more closely. I've had to do this with The Utopian Legend more recently, and after much thought I think the world is going into a much better direction. But doing the same for Pepper & Co. may not be as easy. Whereas The Utopian Legend had a solid ongoing story that had been relatively sketchy and questionable up until recent times, Pepper & Co. is a world where such continued plot doesn't really exist. It's very lighthearted, amusing, cute, and intended to be appealing to a variety of people.

But one issue I've come across recently is the scope of the world. Have I put too much in it?

The main focus, as it mostly has been, is a dog, his new friends, and big house for them all to live in. In honesty, it seems to hearken back to the days of "The Big House" during my major Pokemon fan years, but I think this is better developed. Similarities exist though, such as Pepper sharing the personality of the original Charizard "Kazuya" and Kira sharing the appetite of the Arcanine "Zack." I hadn't thought too much about this parallel until just now.

Anyway, the troup of four-- Pepper (short for "Pepperoni"), Ataru, Kira, and Olive -- live in this house, and stuff happens that exercise their personalities, friendships, rivalries, etc. This is, of course, what is meant to be the main source of amusement, especially in the situation of Pepper and Ataru, which is where things really seemed to build up.

So much, in fact, that out of all the new characters introduced in Pepper & Co., a vast majority are relatives of Pepper and Ataru, be they living or otherwise. The parents of Pepper and Ataru were introduced... it's interesting to me--the realization that while Pepper's folks are good to visit once in a while, Ataru's dysfunctional family seems more entertaining. Then there was Ataru's brother Spike, the jerk of an older brother... and Pepper's older sister Bella (short for "Portabella"), who looked after him during his growing years. Pepper's Aunt Linty and uncle Sir Humphrey were also introduced, and in effect seems to suggest that despite his strong "Husky" appearance, he is in actuality a mutt, like his parents. Finally, there was Azuzu the ghost dog and Fuego the ghost lion. The former is a trickster and likes to scare poor Ataru, and the latter comforts Ataru and protects him from Azuzu's tricks. As much of a dip as Azuzu might be, he's reponsible not only for being the origin of Pepper's living accomodations, but also partly for being the cause of the art style in which they're all drawn.

Then there was Lina, who was a big turning point. he would become Ataru's girlfriend, and it was a concern for me. I had gone down this path before in Cry Wolfe, and the scenarios what resulted in my mind were so different from the original that I couldn't work with it anymore. I couldn't push the story of the relationship too far if I wanted to keep her (and I did want to keep her, because she's so cute!), so they're just boyfriend and girlfriend...but very distant ones. The thought of letting Lina move in with Pepper & Co. was a possibility at one point, but I then felt it was doing the same thing as extending the relationship scheme. So they're DISTANT boyfriend and girlfriend. :3

In addition, Randy the panther was something different to add, though also relating to a romance. Initially he portrayed himself as a cool guy in public, while in reality he was a geek. After Kira showed her affections, and he hesitantly brushed her off, she got steamed and cornered him one day, asking for his reasons. Not long after this incident they secretly hung out at every possible opportunity until ultimately expressing themselves freely. Randy's cool personality was tossed out in favor of geing the cool gadget guy (owning AND making them!), and he likes that better. He's the brains, she's thed brawn, and they're a happy set.

Finally, the "others." There's Bosley and Kenro, a pair of traveling martial artists who have had a rivalry for many years... Rhonda Roo, a restaurant owner whose boxing instincts kick in at the sound of a bell... Kira's Uncle Mittens, who converted a school bus into a racing machine with the help of his Southern fox friends Leroy and Bosco... and then there's "Tamanegi Studios."

Tamanegi Studios is basically a Far Eastern group wanting to take over Pepper & Co.'s spotlight, much to the dismay of both the main cast and Malamite Ltd. In fact, this struggle is illustrated in my avatar on Sheezy Art; the Malamtie Ltd. and Tamanegi Studios logos seem to bump each other out of viewing range constantly. Led by Koji Tamanegi, this bunch wants to highlight their own flavor of entertaining the masses (after all, "The Wooden Chef" appears to be amusing), and feels this show is perfect for a takeover. To do this, they sometimes attempt to mess up relations or friendships, or sometimes just rushes in and attempts to take over in one fell swoop. It doesn't work, of course, but can provide some interesting conflicts. These plans of attack are often carried out by Koji's lovely assistant Keiko Ichigo, or by one of the lackeys Chunin Ninjin (the ninja rabbit) and Samurai Tabemono (the heavy Akita warrior). One isn't that good at ninja skills, and the other is too slow and clumsy to pose a threat. Go figure.

And THAT is the cast.

A large list, am I right? I've begun to think recently that it may be overkill. There are some characters that I feel could easily go. But others aren't so easy to get rid of. They'd either be too important, too interesting, or too cute to just throw them out on their hinders. Perhaps some suggestions may help in the matter. And please try not to suggest making more characters... if you hadn't gotten the clue, I think there are too many!

--Malamite Ltd.
"NO VACANCY PLZ"

P.S. In unrelated info, I had gotten Blast Works. And true to my word, I made the Solvalou. Granted, it's not going to be 100% accurate, seeing as the shapes available don't allow THAT much, but I think it's pretty close! Once I have a working online connection for the Wii again, I will share with the masses. :3