As I’ve eluded to before, Hazbin Hotel is show that I should definitely not like, but I so genuinely do.
Admittedly, the second season kind of snuck up on me even though I knew after watching the first season that three more had already been ordered. But I know animation takes time, so that makes it a little more impressive that it can come out quicker than a new season of Severence. In the wake of the angels attack on Hell in its latest purging, Charlie and her strange band of friends come out on top and defeat Adam. They also succeed in getting Sir Pentious saved!
Though instead of giving Charlie the kind of spotlight she was hoping for at the hotel, instead people are trying to twist her actions into killing many more angels. And some media vampires go so far as wanting to take over Heaven for themselves! Charlie tries and tries all season to get people to believe that Sir Pentious was saved and that with hard work and a willingness to want to change, that they can, too! Now, this is all new territory for Heaven, too, and while so many powers that be are stuck in their ways, the ones that matter are moved by what they’ve seen and seem more open to working with Charlie on transforming these damned souls.
Charlie is taking on too much and starts to let some of her closest relationships suffer because of it, but in the end, they are all there for each other. It just takes some casual reminders here and there. But, the biggest play is that Vox, head of Vox Media (hmmm….seems awfully close to an equally trash news station I know), is trying to twist everything Charlie says and does to serve him and his evil plan to take over Heaven for himself. He makes empty promises to the people of Hell with no real regard to what the outcome will bring for them. It’s also funny because he does almost none of the work himself (again, it’s reminding me of someone….).
Alastor is still the most intriguing character to me, because although it does seem like he does care a little bit about the rest of the Hazbin Hotel group, he is also very selfish and dedicated to helping himself. I really liked the flashback scenes we got to see about how he ended up in Hell in the first place! Someone else that remains pretty elusive is Charlie’s mother, Lilith. I just know whenever she is brought into the fold that it’s going to be good. Two new voices this season gave me an extreme amount of joy – Darren Criss and Patrick Stump! My Glee and Fall Out Boy heart is so full!
With eight short episodes, I’m bummed with how quickly I demolished this season. Especially knowing that I’ll have to wait at least a year for more. But for those who like animation and musicals, and are also okay with somewhat vulgar religious material, I implore you to check this niche little show out! I’m sure glad I did!