History Main / TastesLikeDiabetes

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[[quoteright:344:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lisa_frank_9123.JPG]]
[[caption-width-right:345:Lisa Frank, converting your monitor to [[EverythingsBetterWithRainbows rainbows,]] [[EverythingsBetterWithSparkles glitter,]] [[{{Balloonacy}} and balloons.]]]]

->''"Butterfly kisses! I can't take it! It's too cute! It's... it's DISGUSTING!"''
-->-- '''Plankton''', ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', "Walking Small"

%%The other title for this trope might be, "HNNNNNNNGGGH".

This is an audience reaction to works that are strongly [[LighterAndSofter attempting to be kid-friendly]]-- using almost all the tropes of cuteness and {{idealism|Tropes}}, like there's some kind of checklist. '[[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saccharine Saccharine]]' is the watchword. Viewers react to this with anything ranging from cutesy cuddling to violent revulsion. Always, there will be fun, colorful settings, {{Narm}} or generally [[LargeHam hammy voice acting]], [[NeverSayDie an aversion to anything resembling death except for that one final and dramatic battle (if there are any battles to begin with)]], and [[ThePowerOfFriendship no matter the situation, if you have friends, you will win because you can only win with friends.]] The sun shines a lot, and when it's night, the moon is full and bright. Also, there is smiling. Tons of smiling. Even when it's not appropriate, there is smiling. The BigBad [[NoAntagonist (if the show even has any villains in it at all)]] is ObviouslyEvil with no attempt to look otherwise, and flips between being born evil ([[VileVillainSaccharineShow maybe even worse]]) or redeemable, [[DependingOnTheWriter depending on the story]]. Chances are, [[EvilCannotStandCuteness they may not like it there]]. Alternatively, the BigBad and any other villains may be [[HarmlessVillain completely harmless]], with any scheme they have being no more elaborate than [[PokeThePoodle mildly annoying everyone]].

Keep in mind that [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools levity and sweetness are not necessarily bad]]. With proper usage, it may result in an enjoyable series where the cuteness is somehow justified or just part of the environment. When it monopolizes the series, or puts being adorable ahead of things like actual plots or likeable characters, ''then'' it becomes a problem. Cute in and of itself isn't wrong, but given an audience's general conditioning to the notion that SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids, that RealMenHateSugar and RealWomenDontWearDresses (a side effect of [[GirlShowGhetto targeting masculine elements towards women as much as men]]), even this wiki has something of an aversion to cuteness as an entity as the incredibly long list of examples below attest. This cultural reaction is also one of the core reasons why AmericanKirbyIsHardcore.

Not to be confused with SweetTooth or SugarBowl settings in general, as this is an Audience Reaction. Use caution when mixing with {{Gorn}} and CrapsackWorld as {{Grotesque Cute}}ness or {{Wide Eyed Idealis|t}}m may result, respectively. Repeated consumption of this product may result in becoming a GlurgeAddict. Be aware that excessive cheerfulness can be used to disguise a CrapsaccharineWorld. Also not to be confused with the ''real-life Types 1 and 2 diabetes'', which are definitely ''not at all'' cute, sweet, or adorable!

See also SuperCuteSuperPowers. A CrapsaccharineWorld is often [[IntendedAudienceReaction deliberately designed to cause this]]. Contrast with TestosteronePoisoning (for this reaction's opposite on the [[GenderDynamicsIndex stereotypical gender roles scale]]) and TooBleakStoppedCaring (for its opposite on the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism).

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!!Example subpages:
[[index]]
* TastesLikeDiabetes/{{Advertising}}
* TastesLikeDiabetes/AnimeAndManga
* TastesLikeDiabetes/FanWorks
* [[TastesLikeDiabetes/AnimatedFilms Films — Animated]]
* [[TastesLikeDiabetes/LiveActionFilms Films — Live-Action]]
* TastesLikeDiabetes/{{Literature}}
* TastesLikeDiabetes/LiveActionTV
* TastesLikeDiabetes/{{Music}}
* TastesLikeDiabetes/VideoGames
* TastesLikeDiabetes/WebOriginal
* TastesLikeDiabetes/{{Webcomics}}
* TastesLikeDiabetes/WesternAnimation
[[/index]]

!!Other examples:
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Art]]
* The complete works of [[http://www.maryengelbreit.com/ Mary Engelbreit]]. Even her name tastes like diabetes.
** Her [[https://www.maryengelbreit.com/collections/engeldark "Engeldark"]] line of art dials this down somewhat with monochrome art and a touch of BlackComedy.
* Cicely Mary Barker's ''Literature/FlowerFairies'' [[http://www.flowerfairies.com/home.html certainly count]].
* Jeff Koons embodies this trope from his [[http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/lacma_bmca_08/broad_inaugural_12.htm golden statue of Michael Jackson and pet monkey Bubbles]] to a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Koons#Puppy_1992 40-foot puppy statue made of flowers]].
* The complete works of Margaret Keane, painter of huge-eyed children.
* Anne Geddes photographs of babies dressed as flowers and vegetables.
* The complete works of Brazilian Romero Brito.
* A majority of Juan Ferrandiz's artwork and illustrations falls into this. He was fond of making uplifting and wholesome related artwork, sculptures, and wood carvings of children, angels, and lambs having a peaceful life.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} [[LampshadeHanging hangs a lampshade]] on this when reminiscing about [[spoiler:his ex-wife]]: "...all this 'I love you snookie pie' and 'you too honey lips face head mush mush'... go into diabetic shock just walking by the place."
* Miss Martian of Franchise/TheDCU, which is especially interesting considering she's a [[AlwaysChaoticEvil White Martian]]. Which leads to fans thinking she's cuter in her [[UglyCute true form]].
* Lampshaded in Mark Waid's ''ComicBook/{{Empire}}'' with the line "I need insulin listening to you!"
* Spoofed in the ''Franchise/{{Batman}}''/''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'' crossover ''Judgment on Gotham'', where Scarecrow sprays Judge Death with his nightmare toxin, causing [[HorrifyingTheHorror Judge Death to panic wildly]] over the sight of adorable ponies and cutesy little animals.
* Creator/CarlBarks found Christmas stories with AnAesop like this. Unfortunately, he was so good at it, that he got assignment after assignment.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/LoveIs''. Concentrated and undiluted example.
* ''ComicStrip/TheFamilyCircus''. Almost no one but 6-year-olds and grandmothers actually finds it anything but sickeningly sweet.
* ''ComicStrip/RoseIsRose''.
* ''ComicStrip/FoxTrot'' has featured the iMac-parody the iFruit, which resembles a pear and features the sugar-sweet message "Welcome to iFruit. Hug me." When you turn it on.
-->'''Jason''': iThink iwill b sick.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Monty}}'' played with the trope, adding the alarmingly cute Giggles the Bear to the cast. The strip claims readership reached an all-time high, citing letters like "After reading today's 'Giggles' strip, I cut it out and cuddled it - signed, My Inner Child," and "When I saw your new character/product line 'Giggles,' I felt a peculiar stirring in my loins - signed, Comic Syndicate Executive."
* An in-universe example in ''{{ComicStrip/Peanuts}}''. Before Linus was old enough to read and write, he would have Charlie Brown take down his letters to Santa Claus, and they were so overly saccharine (Linus admitted he was trying to butter him up), Charlie Brown had to quit writing, claiming he was getting nauseated.
** Peanuts itself was accused of this trope near the end of its run.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Subverted again in ''TabletopGame/{{Munchkin}} Fu'' with the monster card "Big Eyes, Small Mouse." Its description? "Too cute to live. Your duty is clear."
* TabletopGame/{{Candyland}}.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* "She's in Love" from TheMusical version of ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'' sung by Ariel's sisters and Flounder about Ariel being in love, a scene that took 10 seconds in the movie.
* Subverted in the original West End version of ''Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' with Veruca Salt. She's is an adorable-looking, blonde, pink-clad, ballet-loving-down-to-the-tutu tot...and a SpoiledBrat extraordinaire who's AllTakeAndNoGive to her forever-accommodating dad. Their mutual IAmSong "When Veruca Says" is the cutesiest-sounding number in the show, too, playing up LyricalDissonance. When she decides she wants one of Willy Wonka's nut-sorting squirrels though, she learns the hard way that cute is not nice.
** The Broadway {{Retool}} of this musical zig-zags this trope. A {{Retool}} deliberately tried to make what was a rather faithful, atmospheric adaptation of Roald Dahl's original novel -- one that played up and pushed further the material's BlackComedy -- into a LighterAndSofter piece more in line with the [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory 1971 film adaptation]], incorporating some of its songs at the expense of some of the West End version's original numbers (though "Pure Imagination" appeared in both versions, albeit in different scenes). The result is a show that swerves from jolly movie songs like "The Candy Man" and "I've Got a Golden Ticket" to setpieces in which bratty children are sent to often UncertainDoom -- and in Veruca's case, ''torn limb from limb onstage'' -- back to the extremely sentimental Broadway-specific finale "The View from Here", sung by Charlie and Willy Wonka...who's suddenly a SoProudOfYou ParentalSubstitute after 2+ hours of misanthropy towards everyone but the Oompa-Loompas.
* ''Theatre/TheSoundOfMusic'', despite its success on UsefulNotes/{{Broadway}}, became regarded as treacly and old-fashioned. The movie made some attempts to tone this down (e.g., changing the placements of some songs, casting actors who could try and add dimension to their roles) without completely eliminating it. Creator/ChristopherPlummer still famously described the film version as "The Sound of Mucus" because of this trope.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Toys]]
* Creator/{{Sanrio}} is famous for overly-cute mascots like Franchise/{{Hello Kitty}}, [[Anime/OnegaiMyMelody My Melody]], Little Twin Stars, Tuxedo Sam, and the Sugarbunnies.
* ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'', particularly G2 and G3, is known for being overly cute at times, with cute ponies in pretty much every possible color, cute symbols, pink being one of the most popular pony colors, and some (like Gigglebean) have absurdly cute names.
* Likewise, SpinOff franchises ''Toys/FairyTails'' and ''Toys/MyPrettyMermaids'' do everything ''My Little Pony'' does. They just have less to show for it because there's only a minimal amount of fiction to go with the toys.
* ''Franchise/SylvanianFamilies'', especially outside North America. The toys are often marketed with kids narrating in the ads, and the [[WesternAnimation/SylvanianFamilies Western-animated TV show]] aside (which primarily targeted North Americans), the shorts and OVA releases are largely SliceOfLife and NoAntagonist with the characters all going about their happy little daily lives and any conflict that arises are usually petty and quickly resolved through ThePowerOfFriendship.
* ''Toys/{{Poopsie}}'' tries to mix this with GrossoutShow, using technicolor aesthetics, slime dispensing baby-like {{Unicorn}} dolls, and "cute" TalkingPoo keychains.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIl23eXv20 "A Google's Wish"]] by [=StickFreeks=].
* What do you get when you mix a cat with a duck? You get [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq9ytQ83Bu8 Maneki Neko-Ducku, who makes everybody happy.]]
* Daria [=McGrain's=] artwork mostly shows this trope, but that doesn't excuse the fact that nearly all of her artwork is definitely NSFW.
* Shimejis are those cute little desktop mascots that run around your screen being practically useless, but utterly adorable. Some of the cutest ones include Pokemon, Homestuck, Hetalia, and etc.
* The "White Girls" [[MemeticMutation meme]] apparently going around is probably related to works that evoke this reaction.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Creator/AnneGeddes' baby pictures.
* The streetcar/tram system in Würzburg, Germany has a chorus of little kids announcing the next stop. Downright creepy, not to mention rather difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
* The Japanese street fashion [[ElegantGothicLolita Lolita]] has a crazy lovechild between Sweet Lolita and Decora; [[http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxgdd7Hr761qa20ryo1_400.jpg OTT Sweet Lolita.]]
** Almost everything made by the brand Angelic Pretty. With names like "Toy Fantasy", "Melody Doll", and "Sugary Carnival"... yeah. And every print has accompanying big, glittery acrylic jewelry in shapes that relate to the print - ponies, teddy bears, candy, etc.
* Ride/DisneyThemeParks are full of this. "It's a Small World" is the most famous example, but the general "heartwarming and magical" aesthetic of parades, live shows, and so on can be wearying after a while, even for fans of the characters being featured. Even the most adult-oriented of the parks, Epcot in Florida, is occasionally prone to a little ''too'' much sugar making the {{Edutainment|Show}} go down, though it likely was a lot worse when the park opened (think songs like "It's Fun to Be Free", "Making Memories", "Tomorrow's Child", etc.).
* Greeting cards. All of them.
* There's a reason Lisa Frank is the trope illustrator.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plug6OIrxRM This Polish children's song (and accompanying video)]].
* The literal existence of baby Pandas.
* "Precious Moments", an American company specializing in making merchandise, sculptures, stuffed animals etc. Is most notable for its charming, peaceful and friendly character designs, from the human characters to animals. The company is notable for it's unique character designs (such as all characters having eyes shaped like tear drops) which extends to some collaborations they made with other companies (such as Disney, DC, and Rankin-Bass). Even some of their Christian and other religious merchandise is adorable to look at. Especially four of their animated direct to video content from the early to mid 1990s such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5UXBSC6bGc "Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas Story" from 1991]], and [[SweetSheep "Simon the Lamb"]] from 1994. Especially [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4mn7QRzhuQ "Simon the Lamb" since it's the sweetest and cutest of their animated content.]]
[[/folder]]