TL;DR
- Bubblegum and Marceline return in a new spinoff.
- The duo’s relationship has evolved over the years.
- Their queerness was confirmed in the series finale.
- Adam Muto is the showrunner for the new series.
- Expect more queer representation in children’s media.
Fans of Adventure Time, rejoice! A new spinoff is coming to HBO Max, centering around the iconic duo Bubblegum and Marceline. These two have been serving us the ultimate golden retriever/black cat energy since their debut, and now they’re back for more adventures. But let’s be real, their relationship has always been a wild ride.
Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen had a contentious relationship that sparked endless debates among fans. Were they exes? Rivals? Friends? Or something more? Queer fans saw the undeniable chemistry between them and read their backstory as a love story waiting to happen. The creators, however, often walked a tightrope, sometimes backtracking on their statements about LGBTQ+ representation in children’s TV shows. But we all know how that ended—smooching in the series finale and riding off into the sunset together. Talk about a glow-up!
We checked in on this fabulous couple in the special Adventure Time: Distant Lands, Obsidian, where Marceline penned a heartfelt love song called “Monster” for her princess. Now, we’re gearing up for Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline, a ten-episode spinoff that promises to dive deeper into their friendship, love, and all the drama in between.
Adam Muto, who took over showrunning duties of the original Adventure Time series in its fifth season and has been at the helm of its spinoffs, is back to lead this new venture. It’s clear that we’ve come a long way since we first met these two in 2010, and their getting their own spinoff is proof that the world is finally catching up with what we’ve always known: love is love, no matter the form it takes.
Of course, with progress comes backlash, and we can expect some naysayers to rear their ugly heads even now. But let’s not forget that representation matters, especially in children’s media. It’s about time we see more stories like this, where love between two girls is celebrated, not shamed.
And while we’re waiting for more Bubblegum and Marceline, there’s another spinoff called Side Quests that follows the early days of Finn and Jake, which just dropped on Disney+ and Hulu. But let’s be honest, we’re all here for the girl-on-girl action, right?
So, grab your popcorn and get ready for some magical moments ahead. And if the song “Monster” isn’t already stuck in your head, maybe you can join me in having the song “Marceline” by WILLOW on repeat instead. It’s a vibe!
In other queer news, Phoebe Bridgers just released a Ren-Faire-inspired music video for her single “Lost Boys,” and the BET Awards were full of fabulous moments, including Keke Palmer’s hilarious quips. And did you hear about the first woman and LGBTQ+ official at this year’s World Cup? It’s all happening!
We’ve got a lot to celebrate, and with Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline on the horizon, it’s clear that queer love is here to stay. Stay tuned, folks, because this is just the beginning!