Introduction
Hello and welcome back to Your Opinion Is NOT Law, where we dissect inherently flawed and poorly constructed arguments. Today's specimen, Just a Robot: a commentary channel who uses a robotic voice and avatar (hence the name). Now, before watching this video, I didn't have any strong feelings towards this person. But since he went out of his way to make a 12 and a half minute video undermining the works of professional artists in the animation industry, I feel as though I should call him out on it. So without further adieu, let's get started.
Refuting the "CalArts Style"
1:13 At this point in the video, JAR makes a point that female characters in the "CalArts Style" as horrible people. More on the female characters later, but let's make one thing perfectly clear: There's NO such thing as a "CalArts Style." Many professional writers, directors, animators and cinematographers among other professions in the art of filmmaking and television have attentded the California Institute of Arts and Science. That being said, each artist has their own unique style and approach to how they create their work. If this is referring to the shape of the character's heads, then this is also petty because the characters are drawn simpler for television to save money. Even on that front, the creators take great lengths to make their characters stand out. Steven Universe is more of a round kid, Gumball is an anthropomorphic cat, Star Butterfly is a tall preteen princess, Dipper and Mabel are fraternal twins, the list goes one. And to top it all off, not all of the creators of cartoons currently airing went to CalArts in the first place. Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe) went to the School of Visual Arts in New York, Ben Bocquelet (The Amazing World of Gumball) went to school in Europe, Chris and Shane Houghton (Big City Greens) attended Florida State University and CCS respectively, and Dan Povenmire (Milo Murphy's Law) attended the University of Southern California.
Defending Amethyst with Context
2:51 He points out how Amethyst grabbing Greg's shirt is a red flag when he's trying to leave. In this scene, Amethyst is trying to have fun a good time with Greg, something they haven't been able to do in quite a long while. Ergo, it makes sense why she's persistent. 3:54 JAR then reference's Jaiden Animations video on manipulation (watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H9jTQKmR3Q) to point out how Amethyst is trying to manipulate Greg into staying. The problem with this point is it make's her actions come across as more vile than they actually are. Yes, Amethyst is being pushy, but she isn't throwing Steven under the bus entirely. In any other situation, I'm sure Steven would want to watch Little Butler after the fireworks. Although, his approach would be more innocent than how Amethyst portrays him. Also, if this was meant to be as bad as how Jaiden describes it, it wouldn't have escalated this quickly. Jaiden said in her video "The way manipulation works is that it builds up slowly over time and is almost entirely emotional." At worst, Amethyst is just acting like a spoiled brat trying to get her way. 5:27 JAR then makes a point on how Amethyst's aggression get's worse as the scene escalates, and calls this relationship abusive. I reiterate, Amethyst is acting like a spoiled brat. What she's doing is wrong, she knows it's wrong, and yet she does it anyway because in her mind, that's how she'll get what she wants. Yes, it's implied that this is not the first time this has happened, but I guarantee you if Steven hadn't intervened, Greg would've snapped like a twig and let Amethyst have it. 5:46 JAR then claims Steven is now scared for life and calls Amethyst terrible. Firstly, at this point in the series Steven was nearly consumed by cats, has nearly died several times and watched Pearl get poofed right in front of him; and that was just Season 1. This was at the very least awkward, but nothing to totally scar him for life. Second, I know Amethyst isn't everyone's favorite Crystal Gem (I personally prefer Pearl), but JAR really did the character a disservice by making sound more like a villain. Also by the end of the episode she learns her lesson and in later episodes is shown to be more respectful to Greg.
EZ PZ is NOT a reliable source
5:55 JAR refers to EZ PZ's video on why Princess Bubblegum sucks. I'm just going to make this perfectly clear: EZ PZ is NOT a reliable source for any valid critique or information. He's a distasteful man who hates animation and anybody involved in it. This is the equivalent of saying Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler should be taught in schools because it's a valid source of history.
Bubblegum isn't pure evil
7:23 JAR makes a point how everyone in Adventure Time is terrible after going on a long winded rant on how Princess Bubblegum created Goliad as this evil dictator and Stormo is a good guy. First of all, Goliad developed the dictator mentality on her own because she's strong. Bubblegum tried to reason with her, but to know avail. Second, I can't speak for the rest of the show since I stopped watching a long time ago, but I know for a fact that things aren't as black and white as JAR makes it out to be because the writers of the show take great care in developing morally grey and relatable characters.
For the people who've seen Gravity Falls
8:02 JAR then claims that Mabel from Gravity Falls is such a guilt trip of a character and how this person by the name of CC West made an hour long video talking about why she sucks. I have not seen Gravity Falls so I am in no real position to defend it. But I will say that this sounds like another case of JAR making a character sound worse than she actually is. If you've seen Gravity Falls, tell me how the show actually portrays Mabel's character and whether or not JAR's argument is accurate.
Conclustion
Ultimately, JAR does not give a definitive answer to why he thinks CalArts girls are evil, and instead just says it's probably coincidence. But he did say he was open to suggestions and theories, so here's mine: Just A Robot is an insensitive, distasteful jerk with weak arguments, flimsy sources and a severe lack of respect for the talented artists and writers behind these shows. Not only does he enforce the false narrative that cartoons made today are done in a "CalArts Style" but he down right makes these female characters out to be worse than they actually are. I get if he's not a fan of these shows, but to undermine the writers and artists behind them is just plain disgusting. To Just a Robot, if you made it this far, let me just say this: you disgust me. You dare portray yourself as someone who knows what you're talking about but the reality is you're just spewing out false narratives to make writers and artists feel bad for making shows you don't like. Like I always say: Your Opinion Is NOT Law -.-
