| 1 | %% |
| 2 | %% |
| 3 | %% Zero Context Examples are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them. |
| 4 | %% |
| 5 | %% |
| 6 | |
| 7 | Characters found in ''WebAnimation/MysterySkullsAnimated''. |
| 8 | ---- |
| 9 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 10 | |
| 11 | [[folder:General]] |
| 12 | |
| 13 | * ColorCodedCharacters: |
| 14 | ** Vivi is represented by the color of blue for [[TrueBlueFemininity femininity]] and [[BlueIsCalm calm]]. It also is the main color of her father and her paternal grandmother. |
| 15 | ** Arthur is represented by the colors yellow and orange, conveying both a sense of [[VibrantOrange warmth]] and [[CowardlyYellow cowardice]]. |
| 16 | ** Mystery's color motif is black and red symbolizing both power and [[MeaningfulName mystery]]. |
| 17 | ** Lewis is represented by shades of magenta for the supernatural and romantic connotations. |
| 18 | ** Shiromori's color motif is [[MeaningfulName white]] a color associated with that of death and the supernatural in Japanese mythology. |
| 19 | * ElementalMotifs: It's subtle, but certain characters can be assigned elemental motifs. |
| 20 | ** Lewis is obviously fire. He has [[PlayingWithFire fire powers]], a [[HotBlooded firey temperament]] and his last name is Pepper, which is well-known for burning in the mouth. |
| 21 | ** Vivi is ice. She has a blue color palette, her last name "'''Yuki'''no" [[BilingualBonus means "ice"]] and the bat she used to fend off Shiromori briefly turned into a snowflake patterned sword. |
| 22 | ** Arthur might be electricity. He has SpikyHair like someone who was shocked, is the most [[LovableCoward energized to run away]] and is shown working as a mechanic. He also has [[ElementalHairColors yellow hair]]. |
| 23 | ** Shiromori is a plant demon. Her name means "White Forest", she can [[FromASingleCell regrow any body part]] and grow flowers from her hand. |
| 24 | * {{Expies}}: The Mystery Skulls to a certain group of [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo meddling kids that solve mysteries]]. |
| 25 | ** Lewis had traits of Fred in life, being the tallest member of the squad (complete with ascot), and was in a relationship with one of the members, Vivi. |
| 26 | ** Vivi is a mix of Daphne and Velma, being a nerdy girl with a sense of style, a close companion to the group's pet and coward, and carries the Blake family trait of getting tied up in the villains' shenanigans. |
| 27 | ** Arthur serves as the group's Shaggy, with his closeness to Mystery (although Vivi is Mystery's owner) and cowardly tendencies. |
| 28 | ** Mystery to Scooby as the TeamPet with human-like intelligence, with a supernatural secret [[spoiler: similar to Scooby's own paranormal origins in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'']]. |
| 29 | * FireIceLightning: In the case of Vivi and Lewis' romantic relationship, they would be a FireIceDuo (and in turn, doubles as OppositesAttract). Arthur is lightning, as potentially symbolized by his yellow colour scheme, affinity with technology, and sparks-shooting mechanical arm. |
| 30 | * FlowerMotifs: Shiromori's flower representing Vivi is a blue orchid, Arthur's is a yellow and orange sunflower, Mystery's is a red lotus whose petals look like nine tails, and Lewis' is a purple rose (which, among other things, can symbolize enchantment and ''mystery''). |
| 31 | * PersonalityBloodTypes: Vivi's blood type is type B, Arthur is type A, and Lewis was O. |
| 32 | [[/folder]] |
| 33 | |
| 34 | !The Mystery Skulls |
| 35 | |
| 36 | [[folder:Arthur Kingsmen]] |
| 37 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ms_a.PNG]] |
| 38 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ ''Cause the world might do me in...'' ♫]] |
| 39 | |
| 40 | ->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AustinLeeMatthews |
| 41 | The group's reluctant, cowardly mechanic and driver. |
| 42 | ---- |
| 43 | * AmbiguouslyGay: While it was initially ambiguous as to what he exactly resented about Lewis' and Vivi's relationship, it can be seen in the ''Hellbent'' flashbacks that he seems to be craving specifically for Lewis' attention. |
| 44 | * AmbiguouslyHuman: He has a ''yellow'' tongue, unlike the rest of the human characters. Although this might be just a very minor case of AmazingTechnicolorPopulation. This characteristic is shared by his uncle Lance, so if they’re inhuman, it’s something genetic. |
| 45 | * AntiMagic: Arthur's prosthetic arm has been shown to interact oddly with the various supernatural occurrences in Mystery Skulls, either proving immune to them or disrupting them upon contact. It doesn't appear in the mirror in ''Ghost'', upon [[PercussiveMaintenance pounding the dashboard in frustration]] it disrupts Lewis' ghostly abilities and restarts the van (though this also disables the arm for most of the video), and touching a ghostly Lewis with it reveals his true face. [[spoiler: It starts freaking out when ??? possesses Mystery]]. |
| 46 | * ArtificialLimbs: Arthur's left arm is robotic because Mystery tore off the original when it was possessed by whatever was in the cave. |
| 47 | * BigOlEyebrows: They're nearly as big as his eyes. |
| 48 | * BlackEyesOfCrazy: When he's possessed, his eye's sclera on the corrupted side of his body turns black. |
| 49 | * CharacterTics: Tends to grab his left arm by the elbow a lot -- especially when Mystery is around. |
| 50 | * CosmicPlaything: Let's face it-- Arthur's luck is abysmal. He has a malevolent spirit possess him and kill his best friend, gets his arm torn off to stop the possession, incurs the wrath ''of'' said friend's equally as malevolent spirit, gets his car totaled, and above all [[spoiler:nearly dies when the second spirit finally catches up to him (which, by the way, he was only spared from because of a sudden HeelRealization and really good timing from his uncle)]]. |
| 51 | * DemonicPossession: He was possessed by the green spirit, which cost him his arm and killed Lewis. |
| 52 | * EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: Downplayed, [[http://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/130254739183 Arthur's new character puppet vs his old one.]] Besides the ArtEvolution, there's not much of a change besides the new pin-back buttons. |
| 53 | * ExhaustedEyeBags: In ''Freaking Out'' and ''Hellbent'', probably due to the fear and trauma of what happened in ''Ghost''. [[spoiler:The "Every Note" interlude and a FreezeFrameBonus in ''Freaking Out'' suggest Arthur's been taking primary duty of tracking down Lewis, which is another likely reason for his exhaustion.]] |
| 54 | ** ''Losing My Mind'' shows that he's had trouble sleeping for a long time, not only as a result of looking for Lewis but general PTSD about how he lost his arm (although he doesn't quite remember ''how'' it happened). |
| 55 | * FamilyThemeNaming: His family and relatives are all named after Myth/ArthurianLegend, with him named after the Once and Future King himself. |
| 56 | * FireBreathingDiner: In a blink and you'll miss it moment, one of Lewis' sisters pours hot sauce in Arthur's milkshake. |
| 57 | * ForgetsToEat: Ironically enough for a Shaggy-expy. In the prequel comic, it's mentioned that he hasn't slept in three days, and has been running solely on energy drinks. Vivi's reaction implies this is a regular occurrence. |
| 58 | * GadgeteerGenius: He is the one who built his own robotic arm, as well as the prosthesis for Galaham. |
| 59 | * LovableCoward: Arthur is the first to freak out and run in the slightest hint of danger -- a trait he shares with [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo Shaggy]], his inspiration. [[spoiler:His cowardice is exploited by Lewis in ''Hellbent'' when he deliberately puts scary things in Arthur's path to lead him into a death trap on the "clear" routes.]] |
| 60 | * MustHaveCaffeine: The prequel comic shows that he has stopped sleeping and eating properly, sustaining himself entirely on energy drinks. |
| 61 | * MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The part of him that wasn't possessed during the incident was ''absolutely distraught'' at causing his best friend's death. While one half is smiling maniacally, the other is crying in visible guilt and terror. |
| 62 | * NervousWreck: {{Deconstructed}} somewhat. While part of it comes from being a [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo Shaggy]] [[{{Expy}} counterpart]], [[spoiler:having killed his friend, possibly suffering LaserGuidedAmnesia and not remembering]], losing his arm, being sleep deprived, seemingly seeing [[spoiler:a beloved pet turn into a giant monster and being so shaken he's afraid to touch said pet]] can't be helping matters. |
| 63 | * NiceJobBreakingItHero: Arthur takes advantage of Lewis' hesitation to grab Vivi and get the hell out of the mansion. This nearly gets the gang killed due to Lewis unleashing his rage in an explosion of fire, leaves Lewis heartbroken, and his soul likely still restless -- an instance where the LovableCoward tendencies he inherited from Shaggy have adverse consequences. Also Justified since from Arthur's point of view, the pink wraith wants him dead. Arthur has no idea that doesn't also extend to Vivi at this point in their adventure. |
| 64 | * PoorCommunicationKills: It's clear that he was upset with Vivi's and Lewis' relationship, though if this was because of jealousy and/or being the ThirdWheel is debatable. Regardless it definitely wasn't bad enough for [[spoiler:Arthur to want Lewis dead, but his feelings may have made him susceptible to possession, which could possibly have been prevented if he just came forth with his feelings rather than just internalize them.]] |
| 65 | * SanitySlippage: In ''Freaking Out'' he hallucinates [[spoiler:Mystery in his larger kitsune form]] from lack of sleep (or possibly the trauma/guilt he feels after what happened to Lewis). |
| 66 | * ScreamsLikeALittleGirl: As the series's resident scaredy-cat, this is kind of expected of him. We actually get to hear his screaming (for ''very'' understandable reasons) at the end of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy1bXhEczGM The Future]]." |
| 67 | * StrongFamilyResemblance: He and his uncle Lance are ''strikingly'' similar in terms of color scheme, hair, and costume. Hell, even his ''[[UncattyResemblance pet hamster]]'' gets in on it! |
| 68 | * SpikyHair: Very much so. It's so clearly gel and such a part of his character that at least one fanfic author apologized for him having a different hairstyle that didn't have the spikes even though their reason was because the setting didn't have anything that could logically stand in for hair gel. |
| 69 | * SuddenlySpeaking: He gets his first complete dialogue in the prequel comics. Prior to that, it was either mimed, implied, or left to brief soundbytes. |
| 70 | * SuddenlyVoiced: |
| 71 | ** He calls out to Lewis at the beginning of ''The Future'' like at the end of ''Hellbent'', only this time you can hear his voice. [[spoiler: He also [[OhCrap lets out a high-pitched scream]] when Mystery gets possessed by ???]] |
| 72 | ** He also sighs at the beginning of "Hellbent" after he finishes repairing the van. |
| 73 | * TheTeamNormal: Between Mystery [[spoiler: being a Kitsune]], Vivi [[spoiler: gaining her ancestor's ice powers]], and Lewis being a ghost, Arthur is the only member who isn't supernatural at all. In fact, his cybernetic arm, his most abnormal trait, often reacts poorly when directly exposed to the supernatural. |
| 74 | * TransformationOfThePossessed: He starts turning ''green'' when he's possessed by the spirit of the cave. |
| 75 | * TraumaInducedAmnesia: "Freaking Out" implies that he doesn't remember what happened to Lewis, as they are apparently searching for him. Compared to Vivi it doesn't seem to be induced either, but a genuine stress reaction. Which would also make sense given his nature as a NervousWreck. |
| 76 | * UnusualEyebrows: He has [[BigOlEyebrows massive]] heart shaped eyebrows. |
| 77 | [[/folder]] |
| 78 | |
| 79 | [[folder:Vivi Yukino]] |
| 80 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ms_vivi.PNG]] |
| 81 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ ''It's all right cause I'm with friends.'' ♫]] |
| 82 | |
| 83 | ->'''Voiced by:''' Amanda Kay |
| 84 | The leader of the Mystery Skulls paranormal investigation group. |
| 85 | ---- |
| 86 | * AGirlAndHerX: A girl and her dog. Mystery's her pet. |
| 87 | * AsianAndNerdy: Japanese horror and mystery enthusiast that works in a store that deals exclusively in horror themed novels and comic books. |
| 88 | * BadassAdorable: She goes toe to toe with Shiromori in ''Hellbent'' with nothing more than a [[BatterUp metal bat]]. |
| 89 | * BatterUp: When she chooses to fight, she does so with the baseball bat she keeps by her side. |
| 90 | * BequeathedPower: [[spoiler:Implied to have been given some kind of psychic ability by witnessing Lewis' death. Would make sense, since they were both apparently very close and Lewis apparently gained incredible supernatural powers at the moment of death. Possibly averted in ''Hellbent''. When she blocks Shiromori's scissors with a baseball bat, it starts to glow pale blue for a short time -- like her ancestor's katana. Right after that she connects with her ancestors spirit and gain the ability to [[AnIcePerson freeze]] whatever she hits with the bat.]] |
| 91 | * BespectacledCutie: She's an endearingly geeky and nerdy BadassAdorable girl, and she wears NerdGlasses to emphasize it. |
| 92 | * BigEater: Only surpassed by Mystery's appetite. |
| 93 | * ButNotTooForeign: Vivi's mother is American, and her father is Japanese. |
| 94 | * CompositeCharacter: She takes Daphne's role and Velma's appearance, along with Shaggy's appetite and relationship with the Scooby-counterpart. |
| 95 | * CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Vivi's hair and eyes are both blue. |
| 96 | * GenerationXerox: Just like Mushi in the distant past, Vivi ends up having to battle Shiromori at Mystery's side. Down to using a metallic weapon to channel and direct her ice powers. [[spoiler: And sadly, TheStinger at the end of the ''The Future''-video implies that also just like Mushi, she will have to fight a blood-thirsty Mystery in his [[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]]-form.]] |
| 97 | * GoThroughMe: Vivi tries this to save Arthur from Lewis; it works because unknown to her, the ghost is her now-undead boyfriend. |
| 98 | * HugeGuyTinyGirl: Vivi is about five foot and four inches tall compared to the ''seven foot and three inches'' Lewis. |
| 99 | * AnIcePerson: [[spoiler:In ''The Future'', Vivi seems to reconnect with the warrior of the past. By doing so, her baseball bat now channels ice magic, freezing whatever she hits.]] |
| 100 | * IdenticalGranddaughter: ''Hellbent'' shows that a {{ninja}} girl who shares a striking resemblance to Vivi once had serious beef with Shiromori and Mystery in the distant past. |
| 101 | * LaserGuidedAmnesia: Its implied that this has been done to her regarding Lewis' death. |
| 102 | * TheLeader: Of the Mystery Skulls, and has the confidence and love of the supernatural to back it up. |
| 103 | * MeaningfulName: Her last name, Yukino, has the word for "snow" in it. The association with cold is fitting given her primarily blue color scheme. [[spoiler:Becomes even moreso when she connects with the spirit of her ancestor and gains [[AnIcePerson ice powers]].]] |
| 104 | * MindControlEyes: In ''Freaking Out'', there's a quick shot of Vivi with pink eyes and a blank expression before she snaps back to her normal [[GenkiGirl excitable self]]. Later in the video, her eyes glow pink while she's sleeping, which seems to cause [[spoiler:the picture of Lewis on Arthur's desktop]] to disappear. |
| 105 | * MoralityPet: Unknowingly for Lewis. |
| 106 | * NerdGlasses: She's takes at least half of her character inspiration from Velma TheSmartGirl while also exhibiting geeky hobbies, and she wears half-moon, bright magenta lenses. |
| 107 | * NightmareFetishist: Vivi's initially excited and intrigued when paranormal things started happening around her, even while Arthur and Mystery start to get freaked out. When she sees Shiromori in ''Hellbent'' she seems fascinated by her, rather than scared -- at least at first. [[AllThereInTheManual Her profile states horror is her favorite genre]]. |
| 108 | * {{Ninja}}: [[spoiler:Shiromori briefly sees her as one in ''Hellbent'']]. |
| 109 | * PaperTalisman: Has two of these stuck onto her [[BatterUp baseball bat]]. |
| 110 | * PrecisionFStrike: In TheStinger for ''The Future'', [[spoiler: [[SuddenlyVoiced Vivi asks]] "What the fuck?" once Mystery's been possessed (or at least tries to before being [[CurseCutShort interrupted]] by Arthur's terrified screaming).]] |
| 111 | * PinkGirlBlueBoy: {{Inverted}}. Vivi's associated colors are blue, while Lewis' associated colors are magenta. |
| 112 | * TrueBlueFemininity: She's blue all over. |
| 113 | * SpellBlade: When she [[spoiler:blocks Shiromori's shears in ''Hellbent'', her baseball bat becomes wreathed in a blue aura that is likely frost magic]]. |
| 114 | * {{Squee}}: Given her love of horror, it's a given she reacts this way to paranormal happenings. At least, when they're not trying to kill her. |
| 115 | * StrongFamilyResemblance: ''Hellbent'' indicates she's descended from [[spoiler:a blue-haired DemonSlaying {{ninja}} who fought and subdued Mystery; and resembles her ancestor enough for Shiromori to mistake them]]. |
| 116 | * SuddenlyVoiced: [[CurseCutShort Nearly drops an F-bomb]] at the end of ''The Future'' before Arthur starts screaming. |
| 117 | [[/folder]] |
| 118 | |
| 119 | [[folder:Mystery]] |
| 120 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ms_mystery.PNG]] |
| 121 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ ''Maybe there's no guarantee it doesn't matter.'' ♫]] |
| 122 | |
| 123 | Vivi's "dog", also a member of the group. Something's up with him. |
| 124 | ---- |
| 125 | * AbusiveParents: [[spoiler: In a sense, to his creation Shiromori -- her flashbacks in ''Hellbent'' indicate he had her do his bidding in the fight with Mushi, and then allowed her to get cut down as collateral damage without a second thought. It's implied in ''The Future'' that he's [[MyGreatestFailure grown to regret this.]]]] |
| 126 | * AccessoryWearingCartoonAnimal: Those snazzy teashade sunglasses that he keeps on the bridge of his nose. |
| 127 | * AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: He is a "dog" with red and black SpikyHair. |
| 128 | * AnArmAndALeg: [[spoiler: A flashback in ''Hellbent'' implies that he lost at least two of his tails at one point, given that he had nine then but six or seven now.]] |
| 129 | * AuthorAvatar: At least partly, he's based off of [=MysteryBen=]'s own persona from his pre-''Ghost'' work. |
| 130 | * AmbiguouslyEvil: It's made very clear there's something dark and ominous about him, but so far he's helped the other protagonists. ''Hellbent'' implies that [[spoiler:he was originally malevolent prior to his battle with Vivi's ancestor, but has mellowed out over the years]]. |
| 131 | * AsianFoxSpirit: [[spoiler: He's a kitsune disguised as a dog, with "Hellbent" indicating that he was captured by one of Vivi's ancestors]]. |
| 132 | * BeingGoodSucks: He convinces Vivi to spare Shiromori after defeating her and just walk away with him. Shiromori thanks him by attacking them from behind in a jealous rage. [[spoiler: Mystery ends up losing his life and coming back as Murder Mystery in the ensuing scuffle.]] |
| 133 | * BigEater: Apparently [[spoiler:thousand-year-old yokai]] have very big appetites. He and Vivi were about to help themselves to massive sandwiches, with Mystery's being far larger than hers. |
| 134 | * BloodMagic: In the flashback scenes in ''Hellbent'', it's shown he [[spoiler:created Shiromori by dripping his blood onto a flower, causing it to grow into a tree]]. |
| 135 | * BlueAndOrangeMorality: Implied heavily that, like most [[spoiler:yokai]], he has a completely alien moral system. However, his current mortal incarnation seems far more laid back -- at least, until you threaten Vivi. [[BerserkButton Then the disguise comes off...]] |
| 136 | * CameBackWrong: In ''The Future'', he [[spoiler:sacrifices himself to help Vivi kill Shiromori, but comes back with what appears to be an EvilMakeover courtesy of DemonicPossession]]. |
| 137 | * CanineCompanion: Of Vivi. Or at least, that's what he's moonlighting as right now... |
| 138 | * CheshireCatGrin: Mystery [[spoiler:as a yokai]] sports a ''really'' disturbing one with MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily, as he confronts [[spoiler:Vivi's ancestor]]. Exactly ''why'' he is grinning is entirely up to the viewer, but theories abound (as can be read elsewhere in this very entry!) |
| 139 | * DarkAndTroubledPast: He has a mysterious history before joining the team; "You can't run forever, mutt". [[spoiler:The FreezeFrameBonus -- stills in ''Hellbent'' add to this, showing that he was the one who created Shiromori.]] |
| 140 | * DeathGlare: At the end of ''Hellbent'', [[spoiler:as Shiromori is about to impale Vivi, he has a furious expression with glowing red eyes.]] |
| 141 | * DefeatMeansFriendship: [[spoiler: Heavily implied to have been the outcome of his fight with Vivi's ancestor, Mushi.]] |
| 142 | * EmotionalPowers: [[spoiler:His repressed tails seem to activate in moments of extreme distress. In ''The Future'', he gets two of them back when he sees Vivi hurt, and he regains his very last one when he watches Shiromori revert to wood.]] |
| 143 | * EvilMakeover: [[spoiler: After being possessed by the spirit from the cave the end of ''The Future'', he gains a green hue, his dog tag turns from a "?" into a "!?", and his glasses turn into a pair of [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Gurren Lagann]]-esque SinisterShades.]] |
| 144 | * GogglesDoNothing: Wears a tiny pair of yellow glasses, though they can't possibly be useful to him. |
| 145 | * HealingFactor: Possibly. At one point in the mansion, the group is attacked by a sword-wielding AnimatedArmor, the others dodge but Mystery seems to lose his head. Arthur and Vivi are shocked for a moment before Mystery's head pops back up. This may be just due to RuleOfFunny, but being a mythical entity, he might really be able to regrow his head. |
| 146 | * HeelFaceTurn: The flashback images in ''Hellbent'' indicate that [[spoiler:he was malevolent in the past, regarding Vivi's ninja ancestor with a SlasherSmile and trying to kill her]]. In the present, he's anything but. [[spoiler: In ''The Future'' however, after seemingly pulling a HeroicSacrifice, he comes back to life with what appears to be an EvilMakeover, courtesy of some DemonicPossesion]]. |
| 147 | * IntellectualAnimal: Being a Scooby {{Expy}}, he is a dog that clearly behaves like a human, would likely talk if only the series had any dialogue -- and yes, he is more competent than the human protagonists [[spoiler:even though they're not aware of it]]. This is a JustifiedTrope, since [[spoiler:in fact he is [[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]] not really a dog at all]]. |
| 148 | * {{Irony}}: In mythology, [[spoiler:[[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]] have [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes a crippling fear of dogs]].]] So it's rather curious [[spoiler:that he'd take the form of one himself]]. |
| 149 | * MeaningfulName: Not only is he the mascot of the Mystery Skulls, but on top of that he is a very mysterious character himself and is not at all what he seems. |
| 150 | ** [[spoiler:While possessed by ???, he is known as "[[https://heilos.tumblr.com/post/633724060933718016/weve-been-very-excited-to-show-this-design-off Murder Mystery]]".]] |
| 151 | * MultipleTailedBeast: Mystery's true form is [[spoiler:a multi-tailed kitsune -- though he had nine tails in the past, he only had six during the flashback in ''Ghost'', indicating three were sealed. ''The Future'' confirms this, as he gets them all back in quick succession during the fight with Shiromori.]] |
| 152 | * MyGreatestFailure: [[spoiler: ''The Future'' heavily implies he sees his previous mistreatment of Shiromori as this, notably getting Vivi to spare her when she's at their mercy.]] |
| 153 | * MysteriousPast: We know nothing about why Shiromori is chasing him until ''Hellbent'' reveals brief glimpses of his past. |
| 154 | * NonStandardCharacterDesign: While still somewhat stylized, his true form (as revealed in ''Freaking Out'') is drawn with less cartoonish proportions than both his normal form and everyone else. |
| 155 | * OhCrap: Mystery is shown to be very worried when he realizes [[spoiler:Shiromori just picked up his trail]]. |
| 156 | * ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Implied. His profile page states his age as "...'7'", clearly concealing something. He is likely far older than any dog could be, and being a [[spoiler:magical entity]] he may even be hundreds of years old. |
| 157 | * RedEyesTakeWarning: Mystery has red eyes. It simply appears to be because of his ColorMotif being red at first, but later on [[spoiler:he's revealed to be a [[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]], and far more in the know than you'd expect. When this is revealed, his eyes [[GlowingEyesOfDoom glow red]].]] |
| 158 | * SpellMyNameWithAnS: There was initially some debate over whether his name was Mystery or Ben, though Word of God has since specified that it's Mystery. |
| 159 | * StealthPun: [[spoiler:Mystery the "dog" is actually a nine-tailed fox spirit, commonly referred to as a kitsune in the West. However, another name for it in the east is kyuubi -- nine-tails. Hence, he is Kyuubi-Doo.]] |
| 160 | * TrademarkFavoriteFood: His is listed as "[[ActingUnnatural ...'chicken']]", which has interesting implications. [[spoiler:Given that he is a {{Yokai}} that seemingly used to be malicious, said implications could [[IAmAHumanitarian get pretty dark]]. On a lighter note, it might also be a StealthPun, since Mystery severed Arthur's arm. Arthur is a bit of a [[LovableCoward coward]], i.e. a "chicken".]] |
| 161 | * TrulySingleParent: [[spoiler: His blood making Shiromori could qualify him as her "father"]]. |
| 162 | * WalkingSpoiler: Of the three main characters, Mystery is probably the most spoilerrific. It is difficult to discuss him at all without giving away the FirstEpisodeTwist that [[spoiler:he is a [[FantasticFoxes kitsune]] taking the shape of a dog]]. Beyond that, he has several other bombshell reveals attached to him: he is [[spoiler:the creator of Shiromori]], seemingly [[spoiler:[[HeelFaceTurn used to be evil]]]], and most crucially, at the climax of "The Future", [[spoiler:he gets [[DemonicPossession possessed]] by ??? to confront the group as the fearsome "[[OneWingedAngel Murder Mystery]]".]] |
| 163 | [[/folder]] |
| 164 | |
| 165 | !Antagonists |
| 166 | |
| 167 | [[folder: Lewis Pepper]] |
| 168 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ms_lewis.PNG]] |
| 169 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ ''And I'm feeling like a ghost.'' ♫]] |
| 170 | |
| 171 | A ghost with fire-based powers who antagonizes Vivi, Arthur, and Mystery. He's revealed midway through "Ghost" to have been a former member of the Mystery Skulls and been dating Vivi, but he was killed by a possessed Arthur and now seeks {{Revenge}}. |
| 172 | ---- |
| 173 | * AmbiguouslyBrown: Before his death. [[http://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/104990750343 When asked about this]], Ben stated that [[ShrugOfGod he hasn't decided on his ethnicity yet]]. |
| 174 | * AntiVillain: He's genuinely antagonistic towards Arthur, but it's only because he's the one that killed him ([[DemonicPossession sort of]]) and he'd rather not hurt Vivi. |
| 175 | * AngstNuke: Near the end of "Ghost", Arthur pulling Vivi away causes him to literally explode with rage. |
| 176 | * AttackItsWeakPoint: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]], [[YouCantKillWhatsAlreadyDead as it's not enough to genuinely damage him]], but Lewis' heart-shaped locket (and his left side in general) seems to be a weak spot. When Lance shoots it during "The Future" Lewis' copy of the cave he died in is instantly dispelled. Afterwards, the only other time Lewis reacts to being shot is when he's hit on his left side, where the heart locket usually is. |
| 177 | * BadassInANiceSuit: Looks pretty good in his new suit. |
| 178 | * BerserkButton: In the sequel animation "Freaking Out", Shiromori learns the hard way that you really shouldn't try to damage Lewis' heart locket. |
| 179 | * BigBadEnsemble: His desire for {{Revenge}} on Arthur is one of the main plot points, making him one of the main antagonists, the other being Shiromori. |
| 180 | * BlackEyesOfCrazy: When Shiromori gets his attention by scattering the purple flower [[spoiler:and when he drops Arthur into a spike-pit]], he's shown in his human form with black sclera and glowing purple irises. |
| 181 | * CameBackStrong: A more villainous example. While we weren't given a measure of how strong Lewis was when he was a human, it's probably nothing compared to how strong he is as a ghost. However... |
| 182 | * CameBackWrong: He is also obsessed with revenge against Arthur for killing him, though this is implied to be because he doesn't realize Arthur was not acting entirely on his own will. |
| 183 | * CrazyJealousGuy: Played painfully justified with Lewis, who was murdered by Arthur and is justifiably angry that he accidentally prevented him from reconciling with Vivi. Unfortunately, he is likely not aware that Arthur was NotHimself when he murdered him. |
| 184 | * CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Both when he was alive and now as a ghost, he had purple hair and eyes. |
| 185 | * TheDandy: He is a [[SharpDressedMan snazzy dresser]] in a [[BadassInANiceSuit badass suit]]. In life, he even favored AwesomeAnachronisticApparel. |
| 186 | * DelinquentHair: He has a big pink {{flaming|Hair}} pompadour. |
| 187 | * DemBones: Lewis has a floating SkullForAHead and his suit is decorated with rib bones. |
| 188 | * DemonicPossession: Possesses and transforms Rooster's truck in "Freaking Out". |
| 189 | * DoorstopBaby: Though Lewis was older than is normal for this, he still was found by the Peppers on their doorstop, tired and scuffed up. |
| 190 | * EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: Downplayed, Lewis' human form has a hook nose and his skin is darker in "Freaking Out" and later music videos. |
| 191 | * EmpathicWeapon: It's more a reflection of Lewis' mood, but his heart locket matches whatever mood he feels. When he's determined or feeling love for Vivi, it's a heart of gold. When he is distraught or feeling lost, it's blue and cracked. [[spoiler:When Lewis throws Arthur into the pit, it becomes a deep blue-grey and has more cracks on it than it had at any other point in the series. The look on his, err, skull is one of heavy regret.]] [[spoiler: When Arthur holds it, the picture within reverts to one of the entire Mystery Skulls, revealing that Lewis shut the rest of them out after his death and when Lewis sees it he breaks down crying.]] |
| 192 | * EnhancedPunch: His [[ElementalPunch ghostfire-imbued punch]] could give [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Captain Falcon]] a run for his money. |
| 193 | * EtTuBrute: {{Justified|Trope}} and {{Deconstructed}}. Lewis was killed by his possessed friend, Arthur, and now seeks revenge. |
| 194 | * ExpressiveSkull: He's usually shown with an angry look on his skull (to the point of sprouting CrossPoppingVeins if sufficiently ticked off), but is capable of expressing other emotions like confusion or surprise through bending his eye sockets. Justified by the fact that he's a spirit, and so doesn't have to conform to physical body limitations. |
| 195 | * EyesAreMental: Regardless of whether he's depicted as human or skeletal, always has the same pink-and-black eyes after his death. |
| 196 | * FaceHeelTurn: Before his death, Lewis was a member of the Mystery Skulls, but after he was killed by a possessed Arthur, he now seeks {{Revenge}}. [[spoiler:At least until ''The Future'' where he seems to have finally gotten the full picture of his death and seemingly forgives Arthur.]] |
| 197 | * FlamingHair: His hair is made of magenta flames, which becomes more apparent when he goes berserk at the end of ''Ghost''. |
| 198 | * FlamingSkulls: His head is a jaw-less skull with magenta flames for hair. |
| 199 | * FloatingLimbs: His ghostly skull, minus lower jaw, is floating over his shoulders with no neck. |
| 200 | * FreudianExcuse: See FaceHeelTurn above. |
| 201 | * GeniusLoci: The mansion from "Ghost" was a manifestation of his power -- extending into the supernatural cave where he died, as patches of its wallpaper and floor tiling can be seen when Shiromori pays it a visit in "Freaking Out". |
| 202 | * GentleGiant: At least he used to be when he was alive. Nowadays, he fits more under EvilIsBigger. |
| 203 | * GhostlyGoals: His seem to be split between wanting {{revenge}} on Arthur and wanting to be loved again by Vivi. In "Hellbent", [[spoiler:he prioritizes the former... and seems to realize at the very end that he made the wrong call.]] |
| 204 | * GlamourFailure: As a ghost, ''can'' appear as he did in life... but there's always something wrong with his eyes when he does. They appear as either HiddenEyes, or as black pits with brightly glowing irises. |
| 205 | * GlowingEyelightsOfUndeath: He has glowing magenta irises floating in the sockets of his skull. |
| 206 | * HappilyAdopted: He was found by the Peppers when on their doorstep as a child, and they raised him as one of the family. |
| 207 | * HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler:In ''The Future,'' Lewis follows up on the regret he showed at the end of ''Hellbent.'' Not only does he begin destroying his illusory cave to stop Arthur from dying (before Lance's gunshot makes the efforts moot), but during Shiromori's attack, he fights the villainous plant yokai along with the rest of the Mystery Skulls Team. Whether this is a momentary change of heart or a full-fledged return to the team remains to be seen.]] |
| 208 | * HeelRealization: [[spoiler:Hinted at in ''Hellbent'', and then shown in ''The Future'', where Lewis briefly sees Arthur as himself, which stops him from going through with killing him. He also begins to cry when, after Arthur touches the locket, it reveals that it's a photo of the entire group, together.]] |
| 209 | * HesBack: After seemingly giving up at the end of Ghost due to being unable to reunite with Vivi, Shiromori messing with his Locket in Freaking Out awakens him, to which he immediately sets his sights on getting revenge on Arthur once again. |
| 210 | * HiddenEyes: In the flashback showing when he was alive and at the end of "Ghost". However, the picture in his locket switches back and forth in showing his eyes depending on the episode. [[spoiler:"Future" seems to imply that this is a result of his campaign of vengeance against Arthur, with the locket switching back and forth quickly after Lewis takes the locket back from Arthur and has given up killing him.]] |
| 211 | * HugeGuyTinyGirl: Lewis is about ''seven foot and three inches'' tall compared to the five foot and four inches Vivi. |
| 212 | * IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: [[spoiler:As Arthur is falling to his death in the replica cavern, Lewis sees an image of himself in the same situation, and begins to stay his hand before Lance breaks the illusion]]. |
| 213 | * ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Lewis died by being pushed off of a cliff onto stalagmites. |
| 214 | * {{Irony}}: |
| 215 | ** In life, Lewis' favorite video game was ''VideoGame/GrimFandango'', a game whose protagonist is a skeletal ghost. Now Lewis is a skeletal ghost as well. |
| 216 | ** On a lesser note, his favorite food involved chocolate covered Bhut Jolokia peppers. Bhut Jolokia peppers are also called Ghost peppers. |
| 217 | ** Less blatant and more based on fan-interpretation but given the way Arthur hides behind Lewis prior to the latter's death, it would appear that Lewis [[BigBrotherInstinct was very protective of the mechanic]]. Now that he's a ghost, Lewis is trying to murder Arthur for something that wasn't his fault. |
| 218 | * JacobMarleyApparel: Averted. Between [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVV6kCreD2M Mysteryben's promo art for the album "One of Us"]] and [[spoiler:a FreezeFrameBonus in "Hellbent",]] it's apparent that the suit is a relatively new look. |
| 219 | * KarmicDeath: Not him, but [[spoiler: in ''Hellbent'', he attempts to give Arthur one of these by creating a replica of the cavern he died in and dropping Arthur to his death.]] |
| 220 | * LoveMakesYouCrazy: Played straight and painfully justified with Lewis, who was murdered by a possessed Arthur and takes the chance to kill him, and is even more enraged when he prevents him and Vivi from reconciling. |
| 221 | * MagicFire: Lewis, a ghost with fire powers, summons and uses bright pink supernatural fire, which also happens to fit neatly into his ColorMotif. |
| 222 | * {{Magitek}}: Has demonstrated the ability to tamper with the Mystery Skulls' van, forcing it to a stop, took over a truck after being hit by it, [[spoiler:changed the van's radio, and even shorted Arthur's prosthetic arm]] in the "Hellbent" teaser. |
| 223 | * MementoMacGuffin: The gold locket floating in front of his chest, which contains a photo of him and Vivi. It turns blue and cracks at the end of "Ghost", but repairs and turns gold again when he regains his determination in "Freaking Out". [[spoiler:It cracks again, more severely, and turns grey at the end of "Hellbent"]]. |
| 224 | * TheMinionMaster: He can apparently summon and command the Dead Beats from his locket and control them. |
| 225 | * MisplacedRetribution: He fully intends to hunt down Arthur and kill him, seemingly unaware that his death [[DemonicPossession wasn't Arthur's call]]. |
| 226 | * MurderIntoMalevolence: Is repeatedly stated to have been kind and gentle in life; the introduction to the Peppers went so far as to call him "quite the blessing". Decidedly less so after death. |
| 227 | * MyGodWhatHaveIDone: He seems to have this reaction at the end of "Hellbent", where his heart locket cracks again after he drops Arthur off of the cliff. "Future" follows up on this by showing him visualizing the falling Arthur as himself in the same situation from back when ''he'' died, causing him to be unable to go through with it. [[spoiler: Later in the video he fully goes through this when he opens his heart locket and sees the ''real'' picture inside of it is of the entire Mystery Skulls team together, causing him to fall to his knees [[TearsOfRemorse crying as he realizes that his tunnel-vision caused him to forget what the entire team minus his girlfriend]] ''[[TrueCompanions meant]]'' to him.]] |
| 228 | * MysteriousPast: Lewis ended up on the Pepper's doorstop as a young boy, and no matter how much the Peppers tried, his origins remained a mystery. |
| 229 | * OhCrap: Lewis has a brief moment of shock just before he's run over by Rooster's truck. |
| 230 | * OurGhostsAreDifferent: Lewis is a vengeful wraith who is out to kill Arthur for murdering him. |
| 231 | * PersonalityPowers: He has fire powers and is a vengeful and enraged ghost. |
| 232 | * PinkGirlBlueBoy: {{Inverted}}. Lewis' associated colors are magenta, while Vivi's associated colors are blue. |
| 233 | * PlayingWithFire: His main power as a ghost is conjuring [[TechnicolorFire magenta flames]], which he can use [[HavingABlast to create explosions]]. |
| 234 | * RealMenWearPink: Lewis' favorite genre of entertainment was {{Romance}} and his favorite show was ''Manga/SailorMoon'', with his color motif being neon magenta. |
| 235 | * RealityWarper: {{Downplayed}}, Lewis can create and alter objects with his powers to a degree but is only at full power inside one of his constructs. The mansion in ''Ghost'' seems to have been his creation, and was able to manipulate reality as well as physics to his whim inside of it. Meanwhile in ''Freaking Out'' he gives a makeover to the semi-truck he uses to chase after the others. [[spoiler:He even creates a replica of the cavern he died in inside the truck, which is now BiggerOnTheInside]]. |
| 236 | * ResurrectedRomance: Lewis holds a candle for Vivi because they were lovers before his death. |
| 237 | * RevengeMyopia: Lewis wants to kill Arthur for killing him, even though Arthur was possessed by a green spirit, which forced him to kill Lewis (although it's unknown if Lewis is aware that Arthur was possessed or not). |
| 238 | * RoseHairedSweetie: Lewis was described as a nice person in life. But with his thirst for vengeance and [[ImplacableMan his determination]] to get to the Mystery Skulls, not so much anymore. |
| 239 | * ShirtlessScene: His human form in "Freaking Out" is completely naked when we first see it. |
| 240 | * SkullForAHead: As a ghost, he has a floating skull for a head with no lower jaw. |
| 241 | * SoulJar: "Freaking Out" has him come out of his locket, implying that this is where his soul is usually contained. |
| 242 | * TheSpeechless: Safe to assume as of "The Future", wherein he is the only character in the trio of humans who isn't voiced in some way; the closest thing he gets being a confused grunt after [[spoiler: he sees Arthur's expression when he drops him off the cliff]]. It would also explain why Arthur and Vivi were never able to figure out who he was and what he wanted earlier, and make a lot sense given that he doesn't have a lower jaw. |
| 243 | * SuperStrength: He's insanely strong, given that he [[spoiler:decapitates Shiromori -- who in turn is strong enough to crack solid stone with a single punch]]. |
| 244 | * TechnicolorFire: The mystical fire that Lewis uses is magenta in color, fittingly [[PurpleIsPowerful enough]]. |
| 245 | * TopHeavyGuy: Lewis, both as a human and a ghost, has a rather muscular torso but skinny legs. His legs were made slightly longer in "Freaking Out", but not by much. |
| 246 | * {{Tuckerization}}: He's named after Luis Dubuc, the founder of the real life Music/MysterySkulls. |
| 247 | * VengeanceFeelsEmpty: His reaction at the end of "Hellbent" and the beginning of "Future", where his heart locket cracks again and turns dark grey after he drops Arthur off of the cliff. [[spoiler:Having realized that what he just did made him no better than Arthur.]] |
| 248 | * VillainProtagonist: "Ghost" and "Freaking Out" feature him as a major focus; the former song is from his perspective, and the second part of the latter video is devoted mostly to him resolving to find Vivi and get {{Revenge}} on Arthur. |
| 249 | * WantingIsBetterThanHaving: [[spoiler:His heart locket shatters again once he finally gets his revenge against Arthur, suggesting he realized VengeanceFeelsEmpty.]] |
| 250 | * WeUsedToBeFriends: With the rest of the Mystery Skulls, especially Arthur. |
| 251 | * WholeCostumeReference: Lewis wears the black suit and gloves of Johnny in ''Film/NightOfTheLivingDead1968''. He also wears a tie (albeit a different-looking one) as well as have a somewhat similar haircut. |
| 252 | * YouCantKillWhatsAlreadyDead: He's seemingly invincible to just about anything; [[spoiler: Lance shooting him multiple times with a shotgun -- even in the [[SoulJar locket]] -- doesn't seem to do anything beyond piss him off.]] The closest thing to put him down is crossing the DespairEventHorizon after Vivi flees from him at the end of ''Ghost'' -- and even that doesn't stick, as Shiromori's messing with his locket in ''Freaking Out'' is enough to bring him out of it. |
| 253 | [[/folder]] |
| 254 | |
| 255 | [[folder:???]] |
| 256 | ??? is the green spirit that possessed Arthur's left arm. |
| 257 | ---- |
| 258 | * AmputationStopsSpread: Mystery rips the arm containing it off to stop it. [[spoiler:That doesn't prevent it from remaining active, however...]] |
| 259 | * BadassInANiceSuit: Based on its updated profile, it certainly looks dressed to kill. |
| 260 | * [[spoiler:BigBad]]: [[spoiler:While previously seeming to be the GreaterScopeVillain, it takes an active role in events at the end of "The Future", where it seemingly succeeds at possessing Mystery.]] |
| 261 | * BlackEyesOfCrazy: When it possesses Arthur, it turns his eye's sclera on the corrupted side of his body black. [[spoiler:Inhabiting his severed arm, it's grown a black-scleraed eye on the palm of his hand.]] |
| 262 | * TheCameo: It shows up briefly in ''Freaking Out'' [[spoiler:possessing Arthur's severed arm, crawling out of the cave to parts unknown...]] It comes back at the end of ''The Future'' when [[spoiler: it grabs hold of Mystery's heart and possesses him]]. |
| 263 | * TheCorruption: It's heavily implied negative emotions make people susceptible to its possession -- Arthur's envy of Vivi and Lewis's close relationship allows the spirit to control him, and [[spoiler: it's implied the emotional turmoil Mystery undergoes in ''The Future'' made it easier or possible for the spirit to possess him]]. |
| 264 | * DemonicPossession: Did this to Arthur's left arm [[spoiler: and to Mystery]]. |
| 265 | * EvilLaugh: [[spoiler:Has one right at when it [[DemonicPossession takes control of Mystery.]]]] |
| 266 | * GrandTheftMe: It possessed Arthur and caused him to push Lewis to his death. [[spoiler:It returns in the most horrifying way possible: it possesses Mystery after his possible death.]] |
| 267 | * GreaterScopeVillain The one responsible for possessing Arthur and killing Lewis. However, it has no actual role in the present of the story. Probably. [[spoiler:It does, and with Lewis having let go of his hatred, Shiromori being [[UncertainDoom seemingly dead]], and Mystery having been left vulnerable, it reveals itself to be the true BigBad.]] |
| 268 | * GreenEyedMonster: [[VisualPun Literally]] -- It's green, and it's heavily implied it manages to partially possess Arthur by tapping into his envy of Vivi and Lewis. |
| 269 | * NoNameGiven: Its [[http://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/105403522123 profile]] is only a bunch of [[MyNameIsQuestionMarks question marks]]. [[spoiler:Based on the latest information, it may be "Reverb".]] |
| 270 | ** Its updated profile on the [[https://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/CharacterProfiles Character Profiles page]], which now has a proper silhouette (with glitchy single-frame flashes of the "hand" form to show it's the same character), just has [[LaughingMad "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"]] where its name should be. |
| 271 | * OhCrap: In its cameo at the beginning of "Freaking Out", it flinches and scuttles away in alarm when it spots Shiromori. |
| 272 | * WalkingSpoiler: Knowing too much about ??? gives away the big twist that [[spoiler:it manages to get its grubby hands on Mystery by the end of "The Future".]] |
| 273 | [[/folder]] |
| 274 | |
| 275 | [[folder:Shiromori]] |
| 276 | [[quoteright:349:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shiromori.png]] |
| 277 | [[caption-width-right:349:♫ ''Got to get back to the life that I know!'' ♫]] |
| 278 | |
| 279 | A supernatural being who stops by the cave where the Mystery Skulls had their fateful investigation. She's not interested in that, though-- she's after ''Mystery''. |
| 280 | ---- |
| 281 | * AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler: Her ([[UncertainDoom seeming]]) death at the end of ''The Future'' is portrayed rather sympathetically, particularly in light of Mystery's attempt to spare her -- she dies with a look of confusion, sadness and terror on her face, reaching out for Mystery as her body wilts away, and Mystery is clearly left distraught at his failure to help her.]] |
| 282 | * AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: She has blue skin. It's a JustifiedTrope given she seems to be a Yokai of sorts. |
| 283 | * AttackItsWeakPoint: In ''The Future'', she gets injured enough to expose a vulnerable heart-like organ inside her body. [[spoiler:One direct hit from Vivi's bat to knock it out of her body appears to kill her.]] |
| 284 | * AxCrazy: When she catches up to Arthur and Mystery she slams her shears into the windshield of their van ''very'' enthusiastically and she reacts with something close to ''ecstasy'' when she sees she's drawn Mystery's blood. |
| 285 | * BigBadEnsemble: She's one of the main supernatural antagonists tailing the Mystery Skulls (Mystery in particular), the other being Lewis. They're definitely not working together, however, and will fight each other if they interfere in each other's plans. |
| 286 | * BlackEyesOfCrazy: When she gets particularly worked up, her eyes go black with [[RedEyesTakeWarning red pupils]]. |
| 287 | * BloodLust: |
| 288 | ** In ''Hellbent'', she manages to slightly nick Mystery with her scissors, and immediately works herself into a frenzy upon seeing the bleeding cut. The same video shows that [[spoiler:she is a bonsai turned youkai by being exposed to Mystery's blood]]. It is not unreasonable to surmise that she is after Mystery because [[spoiler:more of his blood would make her even more powerful]]. |
| 289 | ** In ''The Future'', [[ExploitedTrope Mystery bites his own leg to make himself bleed so that Shiromori gets distracted and stops attacking Vivi]]. It gives Vivi enough time to grab the bat on the ground and strike at Shiromori while she's focused on Mystery's wound. |
| 290 | * CharacterDeath: [[spoiler:Vivi succeeds in knocking Shiromori's heart out of her chest, leaving her as a lifeless wooden puppet.]] |
| 291 | * TheDogBitesBack: She was once an ordinary plant until [[spoiler:Mystery turned her into a yokai on a whim, growing into a blue bonsai tree with white leaves.]] Shiromori lived pleasantly enough afterwards until she was [[spoiler:cut down as collateral damage when a monster slayer went after Mystery. It's unknown why she wants to kill Mystery, with her being angry at his apathy getting her chopped down being a possibility, and bloodlust for ''his'' blood another]]. |
| 292 | * TheDreaded: [[spoiler:Mystery seems afraid when he realizes she's following him and even the green spirit dwelling in Arthur's severed arm hightails it when she shows up.]] |
| 293 | * ElementalRockPaperScissors: Judging by the damage a single punch by Lewis inflicted on her, his fire powers may be particularly effective against her plant-like nature, although [[HealingFactor she can still regenerate even after being burned to a crisp]]. She is also revealed to be vulnerable to ice [[spoiler:as Vivi's new powers in ''The Future'' compromise her HealingFactor by [[AntiRegeneration freezing over her wounds so her body cannot grow back over them]]]] - it makes sense since most plants die when exposed to extreme cold. |
| 294 | * FangsAreEvil: In addition to her [[JaggedMouth serrated lips]], her teeth are shark-like. |
| 295 | * FastTunnelling: Her main form of transportation is burrowing through the ground. She's fast enough to keep up with Lewis' truck in ''Hellbent''. |
| 296 | * {{Foil}}: To Lewis, which comes to a head in ''The Future''. Both were motivated by [[BestServedCold revenge]], but their stories end up taking different turns. Lewis ultimately can't bring himself to [[WeUsedToBeFriends kill Arthur]], but when Shiromori is spared by Mystery and Vivi, she responds by [[IfICantHaveYou attacking them when their backs are turned]], resulting in her landing a fatal blow on Mystery (which she [[TragicMonster might not have meant to do]]) and getting her heart knocked out of her body by Vivi. |
| 297 | * GreenThumb: She can summon color-themed flowers tied to specific people. The flowers can then be used to track their counterparts by blowing off their petals. [[spoiler:Lewis was also able to use the petals of Vivi's flower to repair his locket, implying that they have some other magical properties.]] |
| 298 | * HandwrapsOfAwesome: Probably to keep her hands in good condition when she ''punches stone hard enough to crack it''. She notably loses the handwraps on one arm when it regenerates after it's disintegrated. |
| 299 | * HealingFactor: Regenerated her head and arm after an enraged Lewis punched the former off and burned them to ash. [[spoiler: In ''The Future'', however, Vivi's new ice powers appear to disrupt them by freezing her wounds over.]] |
| 300 | * HiddenAgendaVillain: ''Hellbent'' gives some backstory for why she's hunting Mystery, but her exact reasoning is still unclear. |
| 301 | * IfICantHaveYou: [[spoiler:She goes ''ballistic'' over seeing Mystery working with Vivi, who looks mighty similar to someone she dealt with in the past.]] |
| 302 | * {{Irony}}: She's a living tree, but her weapon is a set of jagged gardening shears. |
| 303 | * IHateYouVampireDad: [[spoiler: Mystery created her with his magic blood, but she's now trying to kill him and ''really, really'' wants his blood, quickly abandoning her fight with Vivi for a chance to taste it.]] |
| 304 | * IronButtMonkey: She takes quite a bit of abuse, typically from Lewis. In ''Freaking Out'', Lewis punches her head off along with one of her arms. In "Hellbent", in an attempt to stop the Mystery Van, Lewis hurls a fireball at the Mystery Van's tires in an attempt to stop it, [[NiceJobFixingItVillain which dislodges Shiromori from her position on the van]] and causes her to comically smack into the road, [[FromBadToWorse and then it's heavily implied Lewis' truck runs her over]]. Later in the same episode, she also takes a baseball bat to the head courtesy of Vivi, hard enough to send her head spinning like a top. If not for that HealingFactor of hers, she'd be dead many times over. |
| 305 | * KnowWhenToFoldEm: In ''Freaking Out'', she's willing to challenge Lewis to a fight... until he shows his powers in comparison to her scissors. It is unclear if she fled due to feeling outmatched, or whether she felt the flower that would lead to Mystery would be damaged, losing his trail. The way she looks at the flower just before escaping seems to imply the latter, though. |
| 306 | * LightIsNotGood: Shiromori is associated with white and pink, and does ''not'' seem to be a nice lady. |
| 307 | * LivingWeapon: Her shears seem to be alive in some capacity, with an eye at their pivot that glares at Mystery when Shiromori grazes his cheek. They even get a SweatDrop when Shiromori gets thrown into a truck and explodes in ''Hellbent''. |
| 308 | * MeaningfulName: Her name means "white forest" in Japanese, which is appropriate since she is a white-haired tree demon. Additionally, the flashbacks in ''Hellbent'' indicate she may have been a ''literal'' white forest at some point. |
| 309 | * MysteriousPast: We know little about who she is and why she's chasing Mystery. ''Hellbent'' implies that [[spoiler: she was a yokai created by Mystery in medieval Japan at some point before the latter was attacked by a female samurai/ninja,]] but it's still unclear why she hates Mystery and is trying to kill or maim him. [[spoiler: ''The Future'' seems to imply she craves his blood and wants more of it.]] |
| 310 | * MysticalWhiteHair: ''Hellbent'' reveals she's a yokai, so certainly not human. |
| 311 | * PlantPerson: She has a bonsai tree growing out of her head and her feet are always submerged in the ground like roots. Parts of her body even revert into dirt when damaged badly enough. She also has the power to form flowers out of people's memories of other people or from objects and places psychometrically associated with them. "Hellbent" reveals that she was [[spoiler:a plant that Mystery turned into a yokai with his blood]]. |
| 312 | * ShearMenace: Her weapon of choice is a set of gardening shears with a glaring eye. When she gets serious, she can transform it into an ''enormous'' set of jagged hedge shears. |
| 313 | * SlasherSmile: Shiromori is a ''master'' of this trope. She's got a rather breathtaking assortment of them and they get successively more deranged the closer she gets to Mystery. |
| 314 | * SuperStrength: She's far stronger and tougher than a human could ever be, being capable of cracking stone with her fist. |
| 315 | * SympatheticMagic: Her flowers seem connected to who they represent, and in addition to being used for tracking, they have other effects, like Lewis fixing the locket with petals from Vivi's and Arthur reacting when Lewis stomps on his. |
| 316 | * ThisIsGonnaSuck: She sports an OhCrap expression in ''Freaking Out'' when an enraged Lewis bursts out of the cracked locket, setting one of her arms on fire; and in "Hellbent" when she's knocked off the Mystery Skulls' van and into the path of Lewis' semi -- which promptly runs her over. |
| 317 | * TragicVillain: Implied in ''Hellbent'' and just about outright confirmed in ''The Future'' -- [[spoiler: beneath the BloodLust and [[AxCrazy Ax Craziness]], she's just a bitter yokai deeply hurt by her creator's mistreatment of her, still longing for his attention even as she seeks out revenge.]] |
| 318 | * UncertainDoom: [[spoiler: Vivi knocks her heart out of her body, sending it flying away and killing her, but the heart itself is notably never visibly destroyed, making it possible that she could still come back.]] |
| 319 | * UngratefulBitch: Mystery intervenes on her behalf when Vivi has her on her back and convinces the latter to just leave. What does Shiromori do in response? [[spoiler: Why, throw a jealous tantrum and kill him, of course.]] |
| 320 | * WantingIsBetterThanHaving: She spends the entirety of ''Hellbent'' seeking to harm Mystery, but when she finally ''does'' in ''The Future'' she's distraught over his condition, crying and reaching out to him [[spoiler:after Vivi knocks out her heart.]] |
| 321 | * WhiteHairBlackHeart: Has pure white hair and, unlike Lewis, we haven't seen any redeeming reason for what she does. We have some knowledge of her past with Mystery, but it's still unclear why she wants to kill him. [[spoiler:[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Her reaction after grievously wounding Mystery]] implies her heart may not be '''as''' black as we thought.]] |
| 322 | [[/folder]] |
| 323 | |
| 324 | !Other Characters |
| 325 | |
| 326 | [[folder:Uncle Lance]] |
| 327 | [[quoteright:349:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lance_4.png]] |
| 328 | [[caption-width-right:349:♫ ''Don't know what else to do.'' ♫]] |
| 329 | Arthur's uncle, and owner and head mechanic at "Kingsmen Mechanics". Makes his animated debut in "Hellbent". |
| 330 | ---- |
| 331 | * BigOlEyebrows: They're even bigger than his eyes. |
| 332 | * TheEngineer: He's a mechanic who fixes cars and at least puts up with his nephew's GadgeteerGenius ways and allows him workspace for his inventions even if he doesn't really understand. |
| 333 | * FamilyThemeNaming: Due to the rest of his family's Myth/ArthurianLegend theming, he's named after Sir Lancelot, one of King Arthur's greatest companions. |
| 334 | * HereditaryHairstyle: Arthur's not the first member of the family with hair that looks like his. |
| 335 | * OldShame: [[invoked]]Don't bring up the fact that he used to be a professional wrestler. |
| 336 | * OhCrap: He's obviously panicked when repeatedly shooting Lewis has no effect on him. |
| 337 | * PapaWolf: Once he sees his nephew's van crashed out the front of his auto shop and an obviously supernatural truck apparently being the cause, he ''immediately'' grabs his shotgun and runs out to do some ghostbusting. [[spoiler:As implied in ''Hellbent'''s stinger and shown in ''The Future'', he puts it use by shooting away Lewis' locket, dispelling his magic and saving Arthur.]] |
| 338 | * StrongFamilyResemblance: He may be considerably shorter and rounder than his nephew but their hair is near identical excepting Lance's superior facial hair, he and his nephew also seem have the same fashion sense. |
| 339 | * TopHeavyGuy: He has proportions that are almost Dwarven, between his extremely short, skinny legs but incredibly robust torso and arms, to the point he bears a passing resemblance to [[VideoGame/Borderlands2 Salvador]]. |
| 340 | [[/folder]] |
| 341 | |
| 342 | [[folder:Galaham]] |
| 343 | Arthur's pet hamster. |
| 344 | ---- |
| 345 | * FamilyThemeNaming: Named after Sir Galahad of Myth/ArthurianLegend, matching his namesake's status as Sir Lancelot's child with his role as the mascot of Lance's shop. |
| 346 | * OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: While Galahad is his "legal" name, he is usually called "Galaham". |
| 347 | * ShoutOut: His design and nickname seem to be a direct homage to Anime/{{Hamtaro}}, but his name is based on Sir Galahad of Myth/ArthurianLegend. |
| 348 | * TeamPet: Of Kingsmen Mechanics. |
| 349 | [[/folder]] |
| 350 | |
| 351 | [[folder:Mr. & Mrs. Pepper]] |
| 352 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peppers_1.png]] |
| 353 | [[caption-width-right:350:♫ ''Afraid of losing you.'' ♫]] |
| 354 | Owners and chefs of the "Pepper Paradiso" restaurant, and Lewis' adoptive parents. |
| 355 | ---- |
| 356 | !!Tropes applying to both |
| 357 | * BigOlEyebrows: They both have very prominent eyebrows, Mrs. Pepper's being black and tapered while Mr. Pepper's are blonde and curled in the middle. |
| 358 | * BroodingBoyGentleGirl: Gender-Reversed. Mrs. Pepper seems to be the Brooding Girl to Mr. Pepper's Gentle Boy. |
| 359 | * TheCameo: They and their children (including Lewis) can be seen in the picture Arthur has set as his computer background in "Freaking Out". |
| 360 | * CurtainsMatchTheWindows: Mr. Pepper's eyes are pink like the sides of his hair, and Mrs. Pepper's eyes are dark pink like her hair. |
| 361 | * PropheticNames: Their surname is Pepper. Their restaurant specializes in spicy food. Yeah. |
| 362 | * TinyGuyHugeGirl: Mrs. Pepper is noticeably taller than her husband. |
| 363 | * UnnamedParent: Only referred to as "Mr. and Mrs. Pepper" by Mystery Ben. |
| 364 | |
| 365 | !!Tropes applying to Mrs. Pepper |
| 366 | * AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: The head chef of a restaurant that specializes in extremely spicy food, and her hair is shaped like a chili pepper, complete with a darker lock sticking up for a stem. |
| 367 | * StatuesqueStunner: Mrs. Pepper appears to be taller than Arthur on this [[http://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/113232739688 character lineup]]. |
| 368 | |
| 369 | !!Tropes applying to Mr. Pepper |
| 370 | * DudeLooksLikeALady: Between his pink/white hair and slender frame, it's unlikely you'd notice he's Lewis' adoptive ''father'' at first glance. |
| 371 | * OlderThanTheyLook: If you didn't know he was their father, Mr. Pepper wouldn't look out of place as an older brother. |
| 372 | * RoseHairedSweetie: If Mr. Pepper's reaction to Arthur's burning mouth is any indication, he and Paprika are the biggest sweethearts in the Pepper family. |
| 373 | [[/folder]] |
| 374 | |
| 375 | [[folder:Paprika, Cayenne & Belle Pepper]] |
| 376 | Lewis' little sisters, the biological children of Mr. and Mrs. Pepper. |
| 377 | ---- |
| 378 | !!Tropes applying to all three |
| 379 | * TheCameo: They can be seen alongside their brother and parents in the picture Arthur has set as his computer background in "Freaking Out". Paprika is sitting on Lewis' shoulder, Belle is giving the camera a cheerful V sign in the foreground and Cayenne is snickering under the table. |
| 380 | * CurtainsMatchTheWindows: Belle and Paprika each have eyes that match their pink hair, Cayenne's eyes have yet to be seen by likely fit the pattern. |
| 381 | * FamilyThemeNaming: Their names all fit within a food theme. Specifically all of them are named after types of peppers. |
| 382 | |
| 383 | !!Tropes applying to Belle |
| 384 | * BoyishShortHair: Her hair is cut very similarly to her father's and she seems to be an cheerful active tomboyish kid. |
| 385 | * PointlessBandAid: Belle has a band-aid on the bridge of her nose, her other band-aids seem to imply she's a pretty active kid that ends up getting scrapes often but the one on her nose just seems to be shorthand for a hyperactive personality. |
| 386 | |
| 387 | !!Tropes applying to Cayenne |
| 388 | * EyesOutOfSight: Her eyes are entirely hidden by her bangs even when she's wearing a headband. |
| 389 | * ThePrankster: She put hot sauce in Arthur's milkshake and then hid under the table to laugh at his misfortune. |
| 390 | [[/folder]] |
| 391 | |
| 392 | [[folder:The Yukinos]] |
| 393 | Vivi's family, consisting of her parents and her paternal grandmother. |
| 394 | ---- |
| 395 | !!Tropes applying to all of them |
| 396 | * ColorCodedCharacters: The Yukino family has a blue theme, though Vivi's mother, who married in, has a prominently yellow theme with just a few blue accents. |
| 397 | |
| 398 | !!Tropes applying to Grandma Yukino |
| 399 | * MiniatureSeniorCitizens: Vivi's grandmother doesn't even come up to her son's hips and just barely reaches her daughter-in-law's waist. |
| 400 | |
| 401 | !!Tropes applying to Mr. Yukino |
| 402 | * SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: He appears to have a no-nonsense attitude with little patience for frivolity and silliness, a stark contrast to his wife's very sunny disposition. |
| 403 | |
| 404 | !!Tropes applying to Mrs. Yukino |
| 405 | * SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: She appears to be very energetic and have a sunny disposition, a stark contrast to her husband's no-nonsense attitude. |
| 406 | |
| 407 | [[/folder]] |
| 408 | |
| 409 | [[folder:Duet]] |
| 410 | [[quoteright:349:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/duet.png]] |
| 411 | [[caption-width-right:350:''They can see me, and where I'm goin'.'']] |
| 412 | Vivi's boss at the bookstore "Tomb Tomes"; not even ''she'' knows much about the mysterious Duet outside of the fact that they are the owner of the bookstore and are a surprisingly enthusiastic conversationalist despite their deadpan delivery. |
| 413 | ---- |
| 414 | * AmbiguousGender: No pronouns are used in Duet's character sheet, and they've got a somewhat androgynous appearance. It was later [[https://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/648390774578413568/losing-my-mind-pages-4-6-previous-pages-1-3-here revealed]] that they were nonbinary. |
| 415 | * DualityMotif: Their two-tone hair, asymmetrical clothes, the fact that they are described as delivering all of their dialog deadpan while being an enthusiastic conversationalist and their very name all lend a duality to Duet. |
| 416 | * ExhaustedEyeBags: Visible under their right eye. |
| 417 | * EyeObscuringHat: Just the left eye though. |
| 418 | * FashionableAsymmetry: Their hat drapes over only the left side of their face and their caplet is longer on the left side than it is on the right. |
| 419 | * NightmareFetishist: It's not outright stated but they own a bookstore called "Tomb Tomes" and both of their employees are also nightmare fetishists, one of whom is a paranormal investigator in her time off. |
| 420 | * TooManyBelts: Downplayed. They wear two unnecessary belts. |
| 421 | * UnusualEyebrows: Their single visible eyebrow is hot pink and bright yellow and appears to split off into a lazy v shape from it's origin at the top of their nose. |
| 422 | [[/folder]] |
| 423 | |
| 424 | [[folder:Chloe]] |
| 425 | [[quoteright:269:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chloe_48.png]] |
| 426 | Vivi's co-worker at "Tomb Tomes", and completely obsessed with obscure manga. |
| 427 | ---- |
| 428 | * AmbiguouslyHuman: Self-explanatory. Just look at her. |
| 429 | * FaceFramedInShadow: Her hood keeps her entire face outside of her glasses shadowed. |
| 430 | * {{Geek}}: Usually shows up for work in full cosplay gear. |
| 431 | * MercurysWings: On the hood of her green outfit. |
| 432 | * NerdGlasses: They shine even when the rest of her face is in shadows. |
| 433 | * NightmareFetishist: Wants to join Vivi's paranormal investigations to get an undead boyfriend. |
| 434 | * ShadowedFaceGlowingEyes: Invoked and exaggerated; Chloe goes to work in full cosplay, which involves a hood that obscures her face, leaving her glasses, mouth, and even her ''freckles'' glowing from the darkness. |
| 435 | * TheTeamWannabe: Wants to join the Mystery Skulls, but Vivi refuses to let her out of concern that she's not old enough. |
| 436 | [[/folder]] |
| 437 | [[folder:The Dead-Beats]] |
| 438 | Ghostly minions that follow Lewis around. |
| 439 | ---- |
| 440 | * JaggedMouth: When they drop their cutesy guise, most of them sport jagged mouths. |
| 441 | * PerpetualFrowner: There is always one smaller Dead-Beat that looks sadder and more unsure than the rest of them. [[spoiler:It's implied this one represents Lewis' buried feelings of uncertainty about taking revenge on Arthur]]. |
| 442 | * SlasherSmile: Most of them sport malevolent grins. |
| 443 | * SupernaturalGoldEyes: All of them have this feature, which fits them as they're ghost-shaped minions of one greater ghost. |
| 444 | [[/folder]] |
| 445 | |
| 446 | [[folder: Mushi]] |
| 447 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/samurai_girl_7.jpg]] |
| 448 | [[caption-width-right:350:''All I need is you.'']] |
| 449 | A mysterious swordswoman who appears to be an ancestor of Vivi's. |
| 450 | ---- |
| 451 | * ActionGirl: She is a skilled swordswoman who has fought and defeated both Mystery ''and'' Shiromori during her lifetime. |
| 452 | * AmbiguousSituation: How exactly she connects to Mystery and Shiromori is still a bit unclear. The flashbacks in ''Hellbent'' show her being captured by and then battling Mystery in his [[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]] form. But when Shiromori briefly mistakes Vivi for her, the Mushi she sees seems to be ''protecting'' Mystery, with it being unclear if this is an actual memory or simply Shiromori mistaking Vivi for Mushi. |
| 453 | * AnIcePerson: Her katana is shown to have a freezing chill to it, and when she lends her power to Vivi, it's shown that said chill is very effective at harming supernatural beings like Shiromori. |
| 454 | * ArchEnemy: To Shiromori and Mystery when the latter was still a malevolent Kitsune. Seeing as Mystery is currently accompanying her descendant, it doesn't look like he's holding a grudge. Shiromori on the other hand... |
| 455 | * CoolScars: She has a small one on the side of her right cheek and one on her right lower arm. |
| 456 | * CoolSword: Her katana has snowflakes on its blade, as well as a snowflake-shaped Tsuba, and is enchanted to be "cold enough to slice through even the most hot-headed demon." |
| 457 | * DeathGlare: It's practically her only expression in the few flashbacks we see her in. |
| 458 | * IdenticalGrandson: Apart from the longer hair she looks almost exactly like Vivi. The resemblance is close enough for Shiromori to think that Vivi ''is'' Mushi when she sees the former for the first time. |
| 459 | * ScarfOfAsskicking: She wears a long, blue scarf and is a badass ActionGirl who's not afraid to duke it out with a powerful Kitsune. |
| 460 | * SpiritAdvisor: She appears to Vivi in a vision in ''The Future'', seemingly helping her unlock her ice powers. Her image also overlaps with Vivi's several times during the fight against Shiromori, implying she is actually possessing Vivi or at least lending her a bit of her powers as well. |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/context.php
FollowingContext Characters / MysterySkullsAnimated
Go To
- Show Spoilers
- Night Vision
- Sticky Header
- Wide Load
