The much-anticipated Season 2 of the musical adult cartoon Hazbin Hotel launches on the streaming platform this week, and fan speculation has been intense.
Season 1 presents a diverse group of characters living within the afterlife, sets them at odds with musical numbers detailing their conflicts, and establishes heated competitions and angsty, affectionate connections that drive fan obsession.
The fandom's stated hopes for the new season differ greatly, but certain themes emerge over and over: Will a fan-favorite character break free from Valentino? Might we learn more about the mysterious "deal" affecting the enigmatic Alastor? Will [favorite character] and [other character] finally get together?
"Obviously, I don't produce the show with fan service specifically in mind," the showrunner stated recently. "However I feel like me being a fan of my own show means there's a lot of it just naturally. I also want to see these things, and I want some of these things to occur, and obviously some of these things are meant to happen in the show!"
The creator says her big-picture plan is for a five-season run of Hazbin Hotel. Future installments have already been green-lit by the production companies, which produce the series.
That might mean fans have to wait years for some of the biggest payoffs — but they may be surprised at how fast season 2 moves, and how many of what they're waiting for unfolds this season.
"I feel like people are going to be highly satisfied," she adds. "There are several debut moments. I think we get some incredible disclosures, some really cool backstories, and even basic elements, [like] I hope this character gets a song. […] We're going to hear much more singing from the previously silent cast members."
She's certainly aware of the theories and desires about season 2 — particularly in the format of fan bingo cards.
"I've come across a couple people make a bingo card about the new season," she says. "Obviously I can't post it, but I've actually done some of them, and nearly every one of them have almost a bingo. I thought, Oh, if you put this [event] in this spot, it would be a bingo. So that makes me think we do a lot [of what fans are waiting for in this season], because I realized, Oh, there's multiple potential bingos on this card. So that brings me joy."
Hazbin Hotel the second season premieres on the streaming service on Oct. 29.
