Don't Hug Me I'm Scared
| Fandom | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Don't Hug Me I'm Scared |
| Abbreviation(s): | DHMIS |
| Creator: | Don't Hug Me .I'm Scared, aka Becky and Joe |
| Date(s): | July 29, 2011 to Sept 13, 2018 |
| Medium: | YouTube shorts |
| Country of Origin: | United Kingdom |
| External Links: | Official YouTube channel |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Don't Hug Me I'm Scared is a web series of related shorts hosted on YouTube, created by a channel of the same name. The videos developed a cult following on Tumblr and other social media sites.
Introduction
Don't Hug Me I'm Scared posted the first video on July 29, 2011, with 5 more installments releasing between January 8, 2014 and June 19, 2016. Some episodes included teaser videos ahead of time.
The videos were surrealist horror comedy, and were noted for being stylized similarly to children's puppet-show TV series complete with songs and practical effects using felt, puppets, and other craft supplies. The series were also considered notable for having extremely dark content, including pseudo-gore and psychological horror elements.
The creators released the songs for download on ITunes, had an official store for related merchandise, and an official Facebook group.
Notepad: Think you're getting the hang of it now Using your minds to have a good time
Yellow Guy: I might paint a picture of a clown
Notepad: Whoa there friend, you might need to slow down
Notepad: Here's another good tip (Yeah?) of how to be a creative wiz kid. Go and collect some leaves and sticks and arrange them into your favorite color
Duck: Blue, Red, Green
Notepad: Green is not a creative color [1]
Notepad: Now let's all agree to never be creative again [1]
Tony the Talking Clock: It's out of my hands, I'm only a clock Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine
But eventually everyone runs out of time [2]
Fandom
The fandom was extremely active during 2011-2013 after the first video was posted.
Characters and Shipping
The main characters of the shorts are unnamed but referred to as Red Guy, Yellow Guy, and Duck. The first short featured a Sketchbook/Notepad (interchangeably used) and the second short a clock, both anthropomorphized. The clock is referred to as Tony the Talking Clock. The 'teacher' characters of DHMIS were extremely popular.
In particular, there were a rush of gijinka designs for the Sketchbook and Tony the Talking Clock. Fanon consensus meant that the Sketchbook was often called Paige, Nancy or Notepad. The Sketchbook's gender was revealed to be "paper" [3] but is commonly drawn as feminine and wearing a dress. The ship name for the Sketchbook/Tony the Talking Clock was frequently referred to as Padlock.
Tony is considered an example of the Tumblr Sexyman.
Fanworks
Fanart
Fanart by kadabura, which received over 77,000 notes on Tumblr. The design was widely adopted by other fanartists and cosplayers.
Fanart by modmad, a popular fanartist known for DHMIS fan comics
Fancomics
- DHMIS comic, Archived version by modmad, posted Feb 1 2014, accessed Sept 4 2021. This rhyming fancomic received 194,000+ notes on Tumblr and was considered to get at the heart of some of the key themes in DHMIS.
- DHMIS crossover comic, Archived version with Puella Magi Madoka Magica by nightmargin, featuring objectheads with the Notepad as Madoka Kaname and the Clock as Homura Akemi. The comic received over 11,000 notes. Posted in 2014, accessed Sept 4 2021.
Cosplay
Fansongs
- Creative by Creep-P feat Avanna and KAITO, Archived version, a DHMIS fansong created by Vocaloid producer Creep-P during the DHMIS Kickstarter campaign.
Archives, Communities & Resources
- Don't Hug Me I'm Scared fanworks on AO3
- Film Theory: The HIDDEN LORE of Don't Hug Me I'm Scared! by The Film Theorists, YouTube video, July 28, 2016.
References
- ^ a b Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, aka The Creativity Song, YouTube Video, July 2011
- ^ Don't Hug Me I'm Scared - TIME, aka the Time Song, YouTube Video, Jan 8th 2014
- ^ Tweet, Archived version by Japelling, made Feb 14 2014