4 replies to this topic

[E122Psi]

So let's have a look into our favourite cybernetic bunny rabbit. Bunnie is almost certainly the Ensemble Darkhorse of the show and one of the most uniquely designed of the Freedom Fighter cast. Her design is pretty awesome (and amusingly has details that almost mirror parts of later SEGA characters) and her backstory connected to the show's dreaded robotocization has awesome potential for sympathetic development. Her presence was shown even in the earliest concept art for the show, she was promoted arguably the most after Sally out of the original cast, seemingly set up to be a big player in the show...

 

And then...we don't get much of her at all. While the show was always lop sided in terms of spotlight, usually every character got at least one or two moments in the limelight. Bunnie got no episodes to herself, only a few supporting roles and very brief side arcs in one or two episodes. In Season Two she is almost superfluous, having little spotlight and even when she appears contributing next to nothing.

 

Say what you will about Rotor and Tails' treatment, there was at least some kind of explanation for why they got the short end of the stick (Rotor was unpopular with some of staff such as Len Janson, while Tails was set up for a big role in Season Three) and even then they got at least some noteworthy moments of involvement here and there, even in Season Two. Bunnie's demotion is left unexplained, seemingly little is mentioned of her by the creative team despite being part of it's concept so early in planning and she doesn't seem to get much mentioning in the Season Three notes either. It's as if they forgotten she exists.

 

The comics made slightly more plausible use of her, but even then she arguably the most underplayed of the main Freedom Fighters, any 'development' has mostly came from odd things happening TO her than her own personality, and even then mostly to coincide with clearing up major events at the time (eg. everyone getting derobotocized or 'pairing the spares' as Sonic and Sally became more official). As of currently she can be best described as 'Antoine's wife'.

 

So what in your opinion, happened to poor Bunnie?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RedAuthar]

On the dvd they have storyboards of Bunnies Roboticization

[E122Psi]

Wasn't that part of the original introduction though? As said Bunnie seemed designed as a key part of the show during it's development but seemed to be gradually phased out in the final product.

[LogiTeeka]

I guess part of the problem is her overall character. I mean, her personality can pretty much be summed-up as "nice and tough". Not a whole lot to really play off of. Cream the Rabbit also has this same problem, not having a whole lot to explore or expand upon; but she sorta makes up for it by showing some restraint towards negative feelings and emotions due to her mother's conservative upbringing.

That's not to say Bunnie doesn't have any potential. Quite the contrary, the comics provided an interesting backstory which could've presented something interesting to her character; had the reboot not occured. In the old continuity, they introduced her kindly (and eventual sympathetic villian) Uncle Beauregard and her snobbish, rich parents who purposely allied with the Overlanders against the Kingdom of Acorn. Upon their deaths, Beauregard raised her and made her into the benevolent belle she currently is. The shock at her finding out about her parents' racist beliefs and association with terrorists could've lead to some interesting inner conflicts regarding her family, and possibly some bitterness towards her southern heritage.

Of course, now that her uncle is no longer available to use, it's back to stage one again. Currently, as of the reboot, Bunnie serves as the substitute for Jules' former role. Having been severely injured during Dr. Eggman's coup of Mobotropolis, she has the honor of being the first subject to Uncle Chuck's experimental roboticizer (before it was stolen).

[E122Psi]

My problem with the comics is that within all their focus on complex backstory and tragic setup, they still don't bother with the actual foibles of the cast. Satam Bunnie was underdeveloped, but at least had an amusingly temperamental personality at times. Archie Bunnie's distinctive personality can be best added up as 'cowgirl accent'.

 

Even the reboot doesn't exactly rob of her potential, if anything I hope the more streamlined setup will encourage them to try and make the characters' actual acting and personality make them stand out.