Disclaimer:
This is an analysis and a review of a mini-episode of an animated series that contains content aimed at mature audiences, including:
- Moments of blood
- Strong profanity
- Explicit sexual references
- Flashing lights
Reader discretion is advised.
The seventh Helluva Short was announced just before the reveal of Sallie May riding a moose while guzzling down a bottle of maple syrup [6] [38]. Afterwards, the announcement of this awesome pirate-themed Summer merchandise was awkwardly narrated by Loona with Blitzo as her mentor [65]. The seventh short was then summoned from the depths of development over a week after the launch of the fifteenth season of Disney Speedstorm and the announcement of the official Helluva Boss card game that will be funded later after its goal was achieved on Kickstarter [13] [14] [21] [25] [45] [63]. It has been a year since the debut of an obsessive, but rather adorable otaku named “Emberlynn” whose love for the Blitzster makes Season One Stolas’ lust for him look sane [31] [51] [53] [61] [119] [120], yet she was still a trusty member of Captain Lisa Cooper’s crew alongside Mrs. Mayberry on another pirate ship [53] [65]. At the start of this Autumn, let us prepare ourselves for the seventh deadly minisode of Helluva Shorts titled “Mission: Whacked Off” just before the reintroduction of the main Helluva Boss series on Prime Video in comparison to the original pilot from late 2019 [55] [63] [82] [129] [130], followed by a new adventure starring Blitzo’s live-action incarnation [63] [86] [87]. Oh! And do not forget about the Helluva Boss: Season Two soundtrack that will be summoned alongside the demonic reimagining shortly after the release of the YouTooz figure based on Stolas’ demon form exclusively at Hot Topic [29] [136]!
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| 2025 is the year of a Hello Kitty airport in Oita, Japan [30], a few more Helluva Shorts [33] [34] [63], the next (and forthcoming) chapter of Hazbin Hotel [129] [130], and an intruding AU created by Morgana Ignis, the voice of Sallie May [59] [65] [102]. Kudos to her for her awesome second Sallie May cosplay near the end of August [39] [99]! Aside from the second season of Hazbin Hotel near this Halloween [129] [130], I shall look forward to seeing what awaits us hazbeans in 2026 aside from the filming for the upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series starring Sophie Turner as Lara Croft beginning this January [20] [37]. In the meantime, I have a feeling that this year’s Helluva Boss Halloween merchandise might be a rehash of last year’s [66], but with all the characters’ costumes swapped around unless the designers decide to go for something different [65]. Oh! And dare to call I.M.P. [26] [76]? [100] [104] |
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| As always, I wish to freely express my thoughts without feeling like I must point out flaws at some metaphorical gunpoint [119] [120]. Pointing a gun to a reviewer's head is something Striker would do [54]! On a lighter note, I know there are people pro there who want me to still have that sense of freedom as much as a simmer has the right to express their creativity in The Sims 4 [22] [23], despite how the upcoming expansion pack known as “The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits” appears to be a rehash of The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat, the first game pack as another sign of the developers running out of ideas [105] [106], yet there are still some aspects of originality, such as camp getaways and what appears to be an activity inspired by Love Island [46]. And yes, I suppose there is a parody of that (overrated) reality show named “Lust Island” in Helluva Boss [54]. [136] |
At first, according to an intimidating first sneak peek, I assumed that the seventh short would be centred on Moxxie, my second favourite character of Helluva Boss [4] [96]. This is further backed up by the description of the second one [97], which will be explained later. I say, his secretive role as the angelic figure the target to prays to, which he restored to playing after accidentally choking on a spider and sneezing it out, is the most amusingly oxymoronic form of dramatic irony I have witnessed all year [63]. No wonder there is new merchandise featuring him in a disguise that might as well be considered an unintentional reference to that song by Elvis Presley, despite how partly misleading it would be to those who have not yet seen the latest short [93]. Moxxie’s in-character way of handling his first solo mission and his reflection on his ironic alliance with the target, reminding him of his problematic father who debuted in “Exes and Oohs” [50], is another enormous step up from the mistakes made in “Unhappy Campers” [57] [63]. Stephenie Meyer may have forgotten to provide a legitimate reason for us to root for Bella Swan aside from her parents’ divorce and a temporary breakup with Edward Cullen before she became a vampire in a divisive finale [107] [108] [109] [110] [112], but there is a new reason to root for Moxxie in what I consider one of the best Helluva Shorts [63].
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| Happy Bisexual/Biromantic Visibility Month to you, Mox [71]! Quite the devil in disguise [24] [93], aren’t you? But still, you and your wife are just one of the cutest couples in Hell! [63] |
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| Reflecting on the third sneak peek of the short [4] [98], I had a feeling that the mob boss confronting who appeared to be his son would remind Moxxie of the terrible relationship he has with his father in “Exes and Oohs” and could have a brief panic attack like the one he had in “Murder Family” [50] [53]. It turns out that I was partially correct [63]. Moreover, no panic attack whatsoever is consistent as it maintains his character development from “Murder Family” [53]. Let us not forget about his disguise as a mafia member near the conclusion of his mission showing that he is the son of a mafia boss as well [50] [63]. At least to us sinners. And yes, he remains my second favourite Helluva Boss character as a result. [63] |
As hinted in the second sneak peek [4] [97], Millie and the Blitzster’s disguises are simply fisherfolks, as the brief side plot is basically the two besties leech fishing [63]. Despite hardly any focus on Blitzo this time, he remains Deadpool’s brother from another mother…and I guess he does not like pineapple on pizza after all [79] [128]. Moreover, I shall look forward to Brandon Rogers reprising his role…in cosplay outside of the main Helluva Boss series later this month [86] [87]. As for Millie, congratulations to her for winning a trophy after a leech fishing competition, thus explaining why she and the Blitzster were leech fishing in the first place [63]. And yes, kudos to her for not doing an activity that would be considered too reckless for a pregnant woman to do that could result in a miscarriage [56], but still being the energetic Wrath Ring belle we have adored since “Murder Family” [53] [59]. We are yet to see how Moxxie will react to her pregnancy that was revealed at the end of “Sinsmas” [56], which is likely to occur in an episode of the third season. But for now, the remake of the series’ establishment awaits us shortly and the trio might as well be hired to roast a certain retired bird on a certain letter “X” set on fire [47] [48] [72] [82] [129] [130].
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| Gotta love the pun on the boat, despite how it does not have a sail [63]. What could be next? The Blitzster using a page from Fifty Shades of Red as toilet paper [17]? Vincent Brooks from Catherine: Full Body receiving a flirty text message from Pepe Le Pew and being weirded out by it [2] [74]? [63] |
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| While I aim to make Lisa Cooper strive with both graceful femininity and competent feminism in contrast to the form of toxic femininity and lack of female empowerment Bella Swan has always been called out for [84] [88] [110] [112] [125], I am still proud of Millie being the female empowerment of the murderous trio, as well as providing emotional support for her husband and I am hyped for the second season of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft that will premiere on Netflix this December [16] [63]. [63] |
It looks like Paulie Paesano is a target for being dishonourable to his mafia family [63], but the reason is at least further explained at the beginning of Moxxie’s solo assignment, compared to how other four targets were on the to-kill list for a measly or hardly explained reason [33] [34] [60] [61] [62]. Aside from how his daddy issues are indeed nothing new [50] [51], it turns out he is rather religious, following Catholicism at his own pace [63]. As a result of his faith leading him into being a subject of dramatic irony, his daddy issues are at least legit for keeping Moxxie in-character and the conformation he gets from the ”angel” after the fate of the rival gang was pretty funny. As for his father, Luigi, who is NOT the one from the Super Mario Bros. series [70], may have started out as brash, but still confessed his fatherly love as he was willing to sacrifice himself, which was some brief but strong character development for a generic mafia boss stereotype [63]. But as for Paulie, it becomes delighted to be taking his father’s place in a psychotically selfish manner, much to Moxxie’s anger, causing him to get crushed by the statue in a karmic manner. The “next show” from SpindleRoo titled “Homestuck Babies” was an August Fool’s joke [101], but having to cover up the death of a human Moxxie Knolastname could relate to…before his disgust at the angel deal being called off was no laughing matter to him [63] [104].
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| Thank Satan the reason for Paulie being a target is at least legit to an IMP member’s portrayal and traits, compared to the Blitzster’s hypocrisy in “Mission: Orphan Time” and is not anything as measly as a fanbrat wanting a quirky and ultimately innocent shipper dead, the tender-hearted Mr. Wrigglers being a target for someone over something he did when he was just a teenager and Joe Smoe being a possible victim a cancel culture since his true colours were shown after his father was willing to sacrifice himself, making his demise rather satisfying instead of uncalled for [33] [34] [42] [61] [63] [131] [132]. Additionally, his true colours after the proposed sacrifice of his father could be a metaphor for how Crimson turned out to be evil, which explains why Moxxie shed some tears during dinnertime with Millie [50] [63]. [63] |
Contrary to what some haters might suspect, I do not oppose others pointing out issues with how Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss are written as the way Roaming Trend listed their issues with the writing of the first season of Hazbin Hotel as “Seven Deadly Sins Of Modern Writing” in their critique video is pretty cool [85], but what about the way the seventh Helluva Short is written [64]? Despite my slight disappointment of “Mission: Whacked Off” being another mission and leaving some long overdue focus on beloved side characters outside of Blitzo’s assassination business unbalanced [59] [60] [61] [62], I still have nothing against more focus on the it as it is faithful to what the original pilot proposed in the first place [55]. Furthermore, this mission is pretty much one of the most fleshed out in terms of storytelling besides “Mission: Chupacabra” and the most consistent regarding focus on a certain character so far, which highly impresses me [62] [63]. I found the pacing quite competent and the dramatic irony between Moxxie and Paulie quite compelling. And guess what? The brief B plot does NOT affect the pacing as it is only one snippet at the start and its result is revealed at the comforting ending. And in terms of humour, no needlessly edgy gross-out cred like the intentions of the secondary target in “Mission: Bad Drivezo” [42] [131] [132]! Kudos to Lyle Rath for his best work when it comes to writing a Helluva Short yet [64]!
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| The build-up of the scene when Moxxie shoots the rope holding a huge crate up, causing it to land on a rival gang of mobsters and crush them to death, was swift but effective from a comedic standpoint [63]. But alas, some of us think the short would be even better as a full episode of the main series [3]. [63] |
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| The overall tone of the short does not shift drastically [63], which is the problem many of us had with “Western Energy” [58], and the balance between conversational humour and emotional depth is quite balanced for a six-minute short [63]. Aside from that, extra kudos to Rath for his performance as Paulie. [63] |
And now for a reflection on the visuals, as always! The swamp Blitzo and Millie are disguised in for leech fishing is coated in Greed Ring vibes [50] [63]. Some more of them were present during the prime conflict of the short set in another place in the living world, as well as the scene where a tyre of Luigi’s limo is flat and Moxxie informs him about Paulie’s death in another disguise with all the mist he then disappears into. The shading and lighting, as well as the expressiveness of the characters, are especially uplifting after Moxxie kills Paulie and walks away from his crushed body intimidatingly. The extension of the beautifully illuminated kitchen scene that plays during the credits is a real treat as a new way to keep the viewer engaged, thus being one of my favourite parts of “Mission: Whacked Off”, making me and many fellow hazbeans hope for it to become a new feature in the third season of Helluva Boss. Lastly, the short’s logo reminds me of the prime colour palette and angelic aesthetics of Heaven from “C.H.E.R.U.B.” because of the Catholic-styled cross in the “O” and the angelic statue behind the teal font [32] [83] [93]. Kudos to the animation team from SpindleHorse for the hard work they put into the animation once again [63].
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| The characters’ movements are once again top-notch and the new backgrounds are richly detailed [63], being an example of maximum artistry in the minimalism of the 2020s [131] [132]. And yes, I am still dying to see the Envy Ring of Hell. [63] |
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| And yes, I do not doubt that the animation in the second season of Hazbin Hotel will be just as spectacular with a little assistance from Toon City [11] [52] [54] [56]. But still, how dare Vox mispresent my girl Charlie in one of the preview images [12]! On a lighter note, I cannot wait to see Sir Pentious’ new character exploration after his redemption [28]. [27] |
Could the next short be more about Asmodeus and Fizzarolli’s relationship…or perhaps more of Stolas adapting to a commoner’s life [54] [56]? I am pretty sure he must have turned Jack Spicer into stone at some point before the events of “Western Energy” [44] [58]. But in all seriousness, I still think there should be at least one short featuring him, which can be another mission for the Blitzster to accomplish, but after the killing, the former prince can hear a baby crying and try to comfort them unless that can be established in an episode of the third season of the main Helluva Boss series [51]. In his new residence at home, he might as well learn new forms of self-defence without his powers or comfort the Blitzster after he wakes up from a nightmare [80] [92]. Additionally, I would love to hear a reprise of “Mastermind” that consists of mentioning of his daughter and her potential stepsister as I hope she deeply apologises to his little starfire for his screw ups by the power of song [52] [78]. But alas, I would not be surprised if the next Helluva Short will be another mission that can increase the variety of locations and targets throughout such a deadly business in Hell [33] [34] [60] [61] [62] [63]. Moreover, perhaps the next mission or two can be somewhere in England, but not a problematic high school like the one in Waterloo Road please [114]! Besides, Deadpool already did that assignment [128].
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| I understand that the shorts are meant to be a sideshow with each of them standing out on their own accord, but I am still up for a follow-up to “Mission: Weeaboo-Boo” that provides some further depth for Emberlynn that could be a moment of her lamenting on her experiences in a toxic and even abusive fandom in the Pride Ring of Hell [61], which is what some people around her age can relate to [119] [120]. Moreover, it can be praised for being a short centred on long overdue character development, which is why I consider “Hell’s Belles” my favourite Helluva Short [59]. [61] |
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| Hmmmm. Shouldn’t Stolas go for an STD check in the Sloth Ring as a sign of consistency regarding the events of the first season [31] [51] [53] [58], as awkward and uncomfortable as that sounds? Perhaps the next short or two can be focused on that or at least be a side plot in an episode of the third season that should not be as out of place as the one in “Western Energy” [58]. Or better yet, he can reflect on how his relationship with Blitzo has at least improved during the STD check [51] [52] [53] [56]. [54] |
I am aware that the overall LGBTQIA+ representation of the Hellaverse is not the most effective and inspiring in animation, but I still approve of how it is not patronised, sugar-coated, and preached about and there can be a new non-binary demon in the future of either series [50] [51] [53] [64]. Furthermore, I personally consider Moxxie a decent representation of bisexual imps in Hell [50] [64]. As much as I suspect that Vincent from Catherine: Full Body is biromantic or panromantic and that Pepe Le Pew is bisexual or omnisexual with a preference for female “skunks” (and other species [116]) [2] [9] [68] [74] [115], I still suspect that the Blitzster is demiromantic aside from his pansexuality in association with his character development in “Mastermind” and “Sinsmas” and Stolas might as well be panromantic or omniromantic aside from his homosexuality to make all those shippings of him and a female or non-binary OC even more valid [40] [52] [56], so those theories could be canonised and revealed in the next wave of Pride Month merchandise [64]. Aside from expanded and improved LGBTQIA+ representation in the Hellaverse throughout the rest of the two toons’ runs [129] [130], I would be delighted to see a new autistic character in either show who is about as convincingly and respectfully portrayed as Julia from Sesame Street [91], but in terms of being an autistic adult in a more complex world…or should I say, “a more complex underworld”?
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| Yes, I see that Rin, a tender-hearted male crossdresser, and Erica Anderson, the flirtatious and compassionate transgender waitress from Catherine: Full Body, are much more effective LGBTQIA+ representation in terms of personality and interactions [2], compared to certain antagonistic characters in Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss [50] [57][64]. Plenty of us may miss the days of Pepe Le Pew promoting (and making out with) the Samsung Propel [74] [113], but proactivity awaits Stolas, the former prince of the Ars Goetia, and his fans as he discovers what he truly needs aside from a better relationship with the Blitzster in the third season of Helluva Boss [52] [56]. Oh. And a special thanks to the pilot version of his former highness for the kiss [55] [81]. [17] |
The closure of the division of Nickelodeon in Canada may be a bummer [69], but the spirit of Helluva Boss is still alive in the seventh Helluva Short known as “Mission: Whacked Off” as I rank it as the Top Three Helluva Shorts [63]. If I stop being a fan of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss like some fellow reviewers and former fans have [1] [18] [90], a notable part of who I am in this decade will be gone. I miss the pilot, Voxtagram and Helluva Boss – Season 1 times of being a hazbean that helped me through the coronavirus pandemic era [8] [17] [51] [53] [126] [127], but I still think many moments from the first season of Hazbin Hotel and the second season of Helluva Boss, as well as the first Helluva Short for helping me through the hard times I went through from 2022 to 2024 [52] [53] [54] [56] [59], especially the losses of one of my uncles and my mother. Hopefully, the second season of Hazbin Hotel can help me through some more of the mid-2020s blues [11] [129] [130], no matter how closed-minded, uncaring, and hateful some of the Hellaverse’s haters have been [15] [47] [48] [89]. But still, some mistakes must not be made again [103]. There is still bigotry lurking like snakes in the grass in the world [35] [36] [67] [72] [75], but strong gals like Sallie May and a fanmade transgender version of Sonic the Hedgehog do not “need” permission to exist and have every right to be themselves [77] [95], no matter how much senseless hate transphobes would spew. Stay sinful!
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| I may have seen the good in the Alfred Alfer series, but I never condoned its neo-Nazi and Trump-supporting elements [19] [43] [117] [118] [123] [124]. Why the hell would I be fond of those things? At first, certain salutes could be brushed off as simply edgy and even subjective humour, but after some true colours were shown, they are rather detestable to look back at. It is no wonder I still turn to VivziePop’s Hellaverse when it comes to admiring animation for adults [126] [127] [129] [130], but I have nothing against those who have seen the Alfred Alfer series as a way to cope with abuse and trauma like how I see Viv’s Hellaverse as a way to cope in the 2020s [10] [43] [134]. On a lighter note, it can logically be stated that Alfred is bigender or genderfluid [123] [124], thus potentially conflicting with Emily Youcis’ transphobia in a karmic manner [134], aside from the likeliness of two buildings named “Stan” and “Trixie” haunting her dreams several years ago [7] [117] [118]. Additionally, trans girls aloud are girls aloud [111] [133]. Period. [8] |
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| There is also hope that Ice Age: Boiling Point can be better than Ice Age: Collision Course [121] [122]. And of course, I am still hoping for Princess Elise from Sonic '06 to be given a second chance in the future of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise [5] [6]. As for the Hellaverse, I would love to play the forthcoming Helluva Boss card game sometime and I hope Stolas can win back custody of Octavia within some outstanding character progression in the third season [13] [14] [25] [45] [49] [56]. And yes, the Monitor Buddiez from YouTooz based on the three most popular couples, including Fizzarozzie, that will be released alongside the vinyl figure based on Stolas’ demon form are super adorable [135] [136] [137]. Keep nurturing those intriguing AUs, fellow hazbeans who created them [40] [73] [94]! Oh. And let us wish many former fans all the best as well [1] [18] [90]. [135] [137] |
References
