History YMMV / InfinityTrain

* MisaimedMarketing: One Creator/HBOMax ad sandwiched the show between the likes of ''Series/SesameStreet'' and ''WesternAnimation/EsmeAndRoy'', even though this show is primarily for teens/young adults, and definitely not for preschoolers.

* OvershadowedByControversy: Outside of the animation community, the show is best known for how it got royally ScrewedByTheNetwork after the Warner Bros./Discovery merger, becoming one of many works that got removed from Creator/{{Max}} and getting every piece of promotional material related to it scrubbed from the official Cartoon Network and HBO social media accounts afterwards.

* ParanoiaFuel: There is a sentient train that stalks ''anybody and everybody'' who might be going through a mental health crisis, from something as small as a dead lizard to a person who is ready to end their lives. There is nothing you can do to escape it; it will appear in an empty area, inside a building, or ''inbetween subway cars''. Pray that you end up in a car that's nice and not ready to kill you, and ''double pray'' that the people you meet on the Train know what you're supposed to do to escape.

** [[spoiler: The Conductor/Amelia Hughes]], while certainly a WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds, also grew bitter and borderline sociopathic over the course of their stay on the train, [[spoiler: manipulating the train's functions to make a GildedCage where she can reunite with her dead fianc&eacute, but also completely ignoring how many passengers were left without the guidance of the original Conductor, prolonging their stay]]. And then there's also the willingness to [[WouldHurtAChild harm Tulip]] [[BadPeopleAbuseAnimals and Atticus]]. Many sympathize with them anyway, with many going as far as ignoring their heinous actions in favor of making them TheWoobie. [[spoiler: This only intensified in Book 3, where she's bettering herself, but still callous and aloof, even towards Hazel. [[ParentalAbandonment A being that she created]]. Many fans choose to believe she becomes a DefrostingIceQueen towards her ward despite taking her for the express purpose of research.]] Book 4 helps greatly with this kinder view of the character, as it shows that [[spoiler: passengers didn't receive anything in the way of guidance prior to her reign either. In fact, One was arguably ''more'' uncaring and aloof about their well-being, while Amelia attempted to make suggestions she thought would improve passenger conditions (such as giving them back their belongings)]], putting into question just how awful their influence actually was on the train.

** Subverted with the show itself. The [[https://deadline.com/2019/07/infinity-train-premiere-date-cartoon-network-series-1202644536/ series was briefly billed as a ten-episode miniseries]] a few weeks before its premiere. This came with mixed reaction, as until then, many assumed that it would be a standard television show. Owen Dennis's [[https://twitter.com/OweeeeenDennis/status/1153486198981054467 statements]] about this being his choice eased the blow, and it was revealed following the airing of Book 1 that ''Infinity Train'' would be getting another season, with it later clarified that the show is an anthology with the release of Book 2's trailer.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Downplayed, but Tulip's redesign for the show did receive some criticism when initially shown, both in storyboard form and in the SDCC 2018 teaser trailer. Especially the glasses looking more like normal glasses, rather than being infinity-shaped. Opinions improved upon seeing [[https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/1075778240185319425?s=09 the Cartoon Network 2019 sizzle reel]], which showcased the new design in a better light.

** [[spoiler: Downplayed with Simon. While he's clearly supposed to be monstrous, he's also supposed to be seen as a misguided TragicVillain and his death is meant with horror instead of rejoice. However, considering how despicably heinous he was, he instead came across as a HateSink who got exactly what was coming to him, and many fans both memed on how satisfying his death was and how surprisingly graphic it was. This has dissipated somewhat in the years since, but is still held by a large portion of the fanbase.]]

* EvilIsSexy:
** While "evil" is debatable, [[spoiler: Amelia]] is still the BigBad of Book 1, was quite beautiful in the past and aged like a fine wine, especially when [[spoiler:[[TheBusCameBack she returned in Book 3]] and showed off that she'd been spending the past few months getting into really great shape]].
** Again, Grace could be seen as this as well, being a very attractive young woman, but also a manipulative cult leader. [[spoiler:Granted, by the end of the season, she's learned the error of her ways and is on her own journey for redemption, meaning that she doesn't qualify as "evil" anymore.]]
** Simon was already quite attractive, but [[spoiler:his get-up in "The New Apex"? The [[LettingHerHairDown longer hair]] and [[SleevesAreForWimps sleeveless shirt]] ''really'' suit him]].

** [[spoiler:In "The Origami Car", Grace's father does chew out the mall cop in how their daughter is not a thief, but considering that he and his wife are ambassadors, he is making a valid point that if word gets out then it would ruin their reputations.]]

* RealismInducedHorror: The show itself often runs off this, but peaks in Book 3, which is part of what makes it as dark and frightening as it was. [[spoiler: The concept of the series revolves a little girl traveling with an individual that might attempt to kill her if he finds out that she's a member of a minority group that she despises. The Apex's cult tactics are disturbingly similar to real-life cults, relying on emotional manipulation, validation and isolating individuals from their friends and families. Simon's motivation for hating denizens is also realistically petty, motivated by his extrapolation of the actions of a singular immoral person onto the entirety of the group.]]

* RealismInducedHorror: Part of what makes Book 3 as dark and frightening as it was. [[spoiler: The concept of the series revolves a little girl traveling with an individual that might attempt to kill her if he finds out that she's a member of a minority group that she despises. The Apex's cult tactics are disturbingly similar to real-life cults, relying on emotional manipulation, validation and isolating individuals from their friends and families. Simon's motivation for hating denizens is also realistically petty, motivated by his extrapolation of the actions of a singular immoral person onto the entirety of the group.]]

Sometimes it's better to admit you don't know anything than continue to lie that you're an expert. [[spoiler: The Apex was only made because Grace lied to Simon about "knowing the Train", which spread into the cult that would hurt innocent denizens for their own selfish purposes. Even Grace had to admit to herself that she didn't know everything and lied to hide the fact that she's afraid of people looking down at her.]]

** Another set of jerks that fans hare are Jesse's "friends" who didn't care how Nate broke his arm, and seemingly get away with their crimes. Again, this is in contrast to the Mirror Cops who are willing to grind down Lake and the apathetic cult who wheels denizens.

** [[spoiler:[[HumansAreTheRealMonsters Simon]] is this for some viewers who didn't CryForTheDevil, feeling he perfectly represents the destructiveness of the Apex.]]

** "The New Apex": Two of them involving Simon: [[spoiler:him LaughingMad while he has numbers ''on his face'' after kicking Gracei nto the wheels or when he is being killed when a Ghom sucks his life out.]]

* AccidentalAesop: Sometimes it's better to admit you don't know anything than continue to lie that you're an expert. [[spoiler: The Apex was only made because Grace lied to Simon about "knowing the Train", which spread into the cult that would hurt innocent denizens for their own selfish purposes. Even Grace had to admit to herself that she didn't know everything and lied to hide the fact that she's afraid of people looking down at her.]]

* BrokenBase: [[spoiler: Did Grace deserve to still lead the Apex after everything she did to them? On one hand, she arguably should take the responsibility of cleaning up the mess she made; but on the other hand, she was ''not'' considered parental material at all and they only got to where they were because of her lies and mistakes.]]

* DiagnosedByTheAudience: [[spoiler: Simon]] has obsessive niche interests in military and fantasy novels, poor social skills and difficulty understanding social cues and a general lack of emotional intelligence in a way that goes beyond LackOfEmpathy, leading many fans to believe he might be autistic.

** [[spoiler: Downplayed with Simon. While he's clearly supposed to be monstrous, he's also supposed to be seen as a misguided TragicVillain and his death is meant with horror instead of rejoice. However, considering how despicably heinous he was, he instead came across as a HateSink who got exactly what was coming to him, and many fans both memed on how satisfying his death was and how surprisingly graphic it was.]]

** Those troubled by Grace
Grace's manipulations and apathetic behaviors in season 2 find it fulfilling to see her realize the damage of her actions unfold and bite her back throughout the course of season 3, leaving her remorseful and broken. This also serves one to those who adore Grace as season 3 gives her more depth and a HeelFaceTurn.

** Tulip, while initially TheStoic and abrasive, she also [[BadassBookworm loves to code]] and is a GiverOfLameNames.

** Just like many other Cartoon Network shows, fans of ''Infinity Train'' get along with fans of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', especially after Book 2. Some have already thought of scenarios like [[ChromeChampion MT]] meeting [[GemTissue the Gems]] or [[HurtingHero Steven]] boarding the train. In a Reddit AMA for Book 3, Owen outright described MT EatingOptional as "[[ShoutOut Gem rules]]", implying that he himself is a fan.

* [[Woobie/InfinityTrain Woobie]]

* JerkassWoobie:
** The Cat is sly, self-serving and clearly untrustworthy from a glance, but she's far from genuinely malicious and the Conductor's exertion over her indicates she's no less a victim of the train than Tulip is. The Steward viciously destroying all of her collected items and her subsequent reaction comes off as genuinely pitiful as a result.
** Tulip's reflection, MT, is somewhat two-faced, since she completely considered leaving Tulip trapped in "her world". However, she also had to deal with and listen to Tulip's issues from the beginning of her existence, and it's heavily implied that she only became sentient once Tulip stepped into the Chrome Car. So her desire to gain freedom and become her own person are completely justified.
** [[spoiler:The Conductor/Amelia for Book 1. She's a psychopath who wants everything to go her way and will hurt anyone who doesn't do as she likes, but she's also a grieving woman who has been mourning her fiancé for decades and only wants the train to build a car so she could have Alrick back in some way. Notably while Tulip forgives her, the train does not (given her number winds up to her neck), and her actions have heavy repercussions as shown in Season 2's "The Mall Car".]]
** Simon reveals in "The Chat Chatet Car" that The Cat took care of him for a few months when he entered the train, but disappeared one day and he was attacked by Ghoms before Grace saved him. However, he's also a sociopath par excellence who, on the next episode, [[spoiler:murdered Tuba and told it to Hazel with a sickening grin on his face]]. Yet strangely enough, it's ''because'' he's a sociopath that it shows just how easy it is to break him, such as when [[spoiler: he stubbornly refuses to accept the AwfulTruth from Amelia of the train's true purpose, as that would obviously mean that just about everything he did, including said murder of Tuba, was AllForNothing]]. Also, [[spoiler: his first reaction to learning that Grace hid from him that Hazel is a "null" [[EtTuBrute is to just quietly burst into tears]]. Even after he gets his life force sucked by a Ghom, Grace can't help but cry at his death]].
** Grace is a manipulator and easily puts the charm on a lot of children but "The Debutante Ball Car" and "The Origami Car" reveal that deep down, she's a lonely girl who controls people so she didn't feel pain, having to relive memories of being abandoned by her parents and wishing to be noticed. [[spoiler: Not to mention that due to her betraying Hazel at a very critical moment, Hazel leaves with Amelia and doesn't even smile or say her farewells to Grace. She also couldn't prevent the deaths of Tuba and later Simon, and all of this left her rather broken.]] By the end of the Book, you just want to give that poor woman a hug.
** Min can be extremely self-righteous and patronizing, to the point he pushes all the blame for everything that goes wrong on Ryan in the first few episodes. He also abandons Ryan several times out of fear what others might think about him. But deep down he really does want to play music with Ryan again and hates how he's had to reshape his entire life to what his parents want instead or what he himself wanted. In "The Party Car", he opens up to Ryan about how much he regrets letting his anxieties control his life, especially since no matter what he does, he never seems to be safe from failure and disappointment.

* TheWoobie: Let's just say there are a ''lot'' of people who need a hug.
** Tulip's abrasive behavior may turn her into a JerkassWoobie for some people, but it's hard to deny that the poor girl didn't have it easy. [[spoiler:Even before they officially divorced, her parents were almost always fighting, to the point where Tulip had to [[SelfServingMemory repress those memories and replace them with happier ones]].]] Even in the present, there is nothing she can do about the divorce and it clearly tears her up. That's not even ''going into'' the things she went through on the train, [[spoiler:while being stuck on it for ''5 months'']].
** Out of Tulip's parents, her dad Andy takes the cake, considering how he was kicked out of his own house and hardly ever sees his daughter anymore, who he [[GoodParents clearly loves]].
** One-One. Glad-One may be an IronWoobie, but Sad-One is completely succumbing to every single bad thing happening to them, like [[spoiler:being evicted from his rightful place on the train as the Conductor and then thrown away like he's just some disposable piece of garbage]].
** Jesse. [[spoiler:His [[WithFriendsLikeThese "friends"]] are bullies who target his younger brother Nate and use Jesse's [[ExtremeDoormat passivity]] to turn him into one, too. After pranking Nate to the point where the latter gets injured, Jesse [[JerkassRealization realizes how terrible of a big brother he really was]], but gets picked up by the train [[PartingWordsRegret before he ever got the chance to apologize]].]]
** Terrence the Toad, seemingly only exists to be kicked so that a passenger can continue on the train. [[spoiler:Jesse thankfully saves him from that life, now he at least gets paid to be kicked.]]
** Nate. [[spoiler:His CoolBigBro suddenly vanishes without a trace after pulling a cruel prank on him, leaving Nate to wait for Jesse to come home and apologize for it. Thankfully he eventually does.]]
** Hazel is such a sweet and adorable little girl who eventually ''breaks'' when [[spoiler:Simon gloats on killing her gorilla friend Tuba. When it's revealed that she's actually a failed clone of Alrick, Amelia doesn't even recognize her as her daughter and is ready to quarantine her. Not to mention that she's afraid of being wheeled by Simon. Thanks to Grace betraying her in "The Hey Ho Whoa Car", Hazel ultimately leaves with Amelia and doesn't even say goodbye or hug her big sister]].
** Tuba herself also counts. All of her daughters died a long time ago, leaving only Hazel as a daughter figure to accompany her in wandering throughout the train. Even when she finally warms up to Simon, [[spoiler:he betrays and brutally kills her]]. [[spoiler:Of course, her death is avenged by a Ghom who kills Simon at the end of Book 3.]]

* DiagnosedByAudience: [[spoiler: Simon]] has obsessive niche interests in military and fantasy novels, poor social skills and difficulty understanding social cues and a general lack of emotional intelligence in a way that goes beyond LackOfEmpathy, leading many fans to believe he might be autistic.

** Jesse standing up to Grace and Simon in "The Mall Car", vowing that he's never going to be a pushover on ''or'' off the train.