Character Design Q&A
The following section only covers the design intentions (I've attached the design and concept notes in a Drive Folder below). Any further questions about the characters and intended lore can be directed towards my Gmail (pennywordcat@gmail.com). Please only do so if you have already taken in the story, if you're making an analysis, I'm more than happy to answer any questions via my Discord @, just email me for it.
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Which Variation of the Animatronics Were Your Favourite to Design?
I'm kinda split. On the one hand I'm not gonna make it that subtle that I've always liked the Toy animatronics in general (same thing with the Funtimes), 'n I feel like it's very obvious in the redesign as well (I recently realised they remind me of the 80's as hell prep school from Amazing World of Gumball). But on the other hand I put so much work into the main Fredbear and Friends Designs that I feel attached to them.
I'd probably have to say the Fredbear and Friends gang though. I put the most character into their designs, so not only do they feel fleshed out, it makes what happens to them hit harder.
Though if you're asking by just first impressions? Funtimes, they're not actually seen but I FW their designs too much.
(I'm sorry I have to put this somewhere but OH MY GOD I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR MAKING BON BON AND BONNET THEMED AFTER PUNCH 'N JUDY!!! I LOVE THEIR LIL OUTFITS AND I LOVE HOW EACH OF THE GANG ARE DRESSED AFTER SPECIFIC TYPES OF CIRCUS ENTERTAINERS!!!)
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Which were your least favourite to design?
Probably the Rockstars/Glamrocks. I already knew I wanted the Rockstars to feel like a major OC redesign for the company (especially since they exist the longest). But it's not that easy to mix and match parts from before into something cohesive and unique, especially since for whatever reason I decided to switch reference from The Rockafires to T H E R A T.
As for the Glamrocks, I kinda think they were always cursed design wise. Like they have good designs already, but they don't have that uncanny feel like the other animatronics (I know the damanged versions of them are way more unsettling but like... not for kids??).
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Who was your Favourite to design?
Toy Chica (aka Kaika, which means girl, I can't remember which language though sadly). I'm not joking I've had her design planned for a while so I was the most giddy to sketch it up, I just think she fits the idea of being a Jazzercise performer the best, and I also wanted an excuse to drown at least one character in peak 80's tack. I actually took quite a bit from this animatic (though I think I think I had the running shorts idea initially without seeing it??, I dunno my memory's fuzzy sometimes). I just adore everything about her design.
Fun fact: As part of me characterising Kaika, I ended up referencing and watching old videos of Mitzi Mozzerella from the Rockafires, since I thought she'd be the best comparable and I like the idea of Chica having the personality of an 80's teen girl.
So anyway this led to me crying slightly over how much I love Mitzi and how much it sucks a lot of her animatronics got demolished. I FUCKING LOVE THIS SWEET LIL MOUSE GIRL SO DAMN MUCH!!!! Also bonus fun fact: a lotta girls at the time really liked her and found her relatable, so I consider the same thing to have happened with Kaika.
My second is Moondrop, I just love her whole outfit themeing.
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strong>Who was your least favourite to design?
I feel mean to say it, since I do like him, but Toy Bonnie. It was a pain to define what kinda fashion he should have and I also struggled finding a good reference for his personality.
At least with Teddy (Toy Freddy), it kinda works since he's trying to upstage Freddy. But any ideas I had for Toy Bonnie ended up sounding like Glamrock Bonnie (which I know could be read as being intentional given what I said before about the rockstars/glamrocks buttt...).
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Bonus Questions
Who's your favourite animatronic?
In the story? Vixie, I really like her design and I feel awful for her. In the original series though? Funtime Foxy. No hesitation, I always thought he was the best designed Foxy too. Hell even his Funko plushie is the best looking one (in my opinion).
In general...? Springtrap
Who's your least favourite animatronic?
Mr Hippo.