Posted

Jun 28th 2008

Mood

Angry

Ah... Have to rant about Pepper & Co. one last time.

From what I see, there's very little about the cast that needs fixing (despite a small handful), and there's apparently no alternative to the style they've adorned for almost five years. The only other thing I could even think of talking about is...

STORY.

As wonderful as plot (and its step-sister "plot development") can be, I've never been too sure just how much truly needs to happen in Pepper & Co. I've learned from the past that if you continue to extend and complicate the plot, you end up lost. And in these kinds of worlds where it's very much "playtime" it can be even more dangerous.

There were paticular types of plot that needed to be, and among these are the plots which incorporate character development. First, of course, is the "origin plot," how Pepper met his new friends and began to live in that house together. Then there was the introduction of Pepper's family and Ataru's family, and (in result) the start of the rivalry between the two fathers.

The scariest moment for me was the introduction of Lina, which reminded me all too well of the past development of Cry Wolfe. At first, when the relationship of Ataru and Lina was developing in my head, it immediately began to spiral out of control (like Cry Wolfe had). But because I liked the character of Lina, I couldn't toss her, so I had to do some SERIOUS thinking. I think at this point things are well-controlled.

Love is a big thing for me and my characters, as had been noted in The Utopian Legend by a watcher. As a result, plots circling around relationships began to surface. Kira got a boyfriend--a panther named Randy, Pepper's sister Bella now lovingly torments Ataru's brother Spike, and a Popeye & Bluto-esque quarrel between Bosley and Kenro still ensues for the love of Rhonda Roo. And I've made sure not to push things too far.

Pepper is an unusual character in all this. Despite an oft-obvious lack of self-control, he seems to be able to take the reigns when his friends are facing some major problems. The character who most commonly seems to have issues is Ataru, whose timid and slightly cowardly nature often leans on Pepper to pull him through. But why does Pepper keep this small group of clowns lodging in his new home, and why is he so willing to assist them in their time of need? Aside from the fact that Pepper is a loyal friend, it's also because of a weakness he happens to have: loneliness. He needs someone to keep him company; interestingly, however, he's never dared to look for a girlfriend.

And this leads to perhaps the touchiest plot device I have at my disposal: Olive.

Little Olive was not like Ataru and Kira, who Pepper found and invited into his home. SHE came to HIM and asked for a place to stay. For her, it was very much love at first sight, but he didn't sense these strong emotions. At least, not from what anyone can tell. Olive's still a little shy about admitting her feelings, but Pepper's still not getting the clue.

So the situation is, will Olive ever tell Pepper how she feels? And if she does, how will Pepper react? And how will they act around each other afterwards? How far would this relationship go?!

To me, the prospect is even scarier than the previous issue of Ataru and Lina, and yet I know leaving Pepper perpetually in the dark is not a good idea. As determined as Olive is, I keep thinking that she can only take so much before something major ends up happening. Have I backed myself into a corner?

And of course, there's Tamanegi Studios, the clique of Eastern camera hogs who would prefer to keep Pepper and his friends out of the spotlight. As I had mentioned before, this bunch is truly the closest to "bad guys" I have. They want the show for their own purposes--not evil purposes, though, but they think it's better to take over the air time Pepper & Co. had acquired. And they can be desparate. I'd tell you about the Oni-ON Mech, but I think it's better not to.

Yet the characters work just as well as "cameo" characters as well; they tend to play minor roles in the show too, and appear to be happy with that when they do. For example, Keiko Ichigo may end up selling tickets at a movie theater, or Samurai Tabemono is a bouncer at some niche party. There never seems to be any obvious animosity in these cases among the cast, which is perplexing. And I love it. :3

So it's hard to say...what kind of allegiance or rivalry has Tamanegi Studios to Malamite Ltd.? Are they working with them? AGAINST them? FOR them?!

Am I going overboard?

--Malamite Ltd.
"The writers flipped, we have no script...why bother to rehearse?"