Cuphead (character)

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Cuphead
Cuphead character
Cuphead character.png
First appearanceCuphead (2017)
Last appearanceSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate (2020)
Created byChad Moldenhauer
Jared Moldenhauer
Designed byChad Moldenhauer[1]
Voiced byTru Valentino
In-universe information
Species
PositionSoul Collector
WeaponFinger Bullets
RelativesMugman (brother)
Elder Kettle (caretaker)
OriginInkwell Isle

Cuphead is the title character and main protagonist of the 2017 indie video game Cuphead.[2] Cuphead is a being with a teacup for a head who lives on Inkwell Isle with his brother Mugman and the Elder Kettle. After the brothers lose to the Devil in a game of craps at his casino, they reluctantly agree to track down his other debtors and collect the contracts that signify his ownership of their souls.

Developed over the course of several years by Chad and Jared Moldenhauer, the art style of Cuphead is designed as a homage to 1930s-era rubber hose animation from the Golden age of American animation, particularly the early works of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Fleischer Studios.[3][4][5] During the course of three years of game development, the studio heavily promoted the character to build audience interest. The strategy was ultimately successful as the game sold one million copies in two weeks.[6]

Concept and creation[]

Cuphead appears as a humanoid being with a large, light gray teacup for a head, from which a bent straw with red stripes extends upward. His upper body and arms are black, while his legs are the same shade of gray as his head. He wears brown shoes, white gloves, and red shorts that match his nose.

Cuphead was primarily developed by brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. The Moldenhauers watched 1930s-era cartoons from the Golden age of American animation in their youth, which Chad Moldenhauer describes as happenstance, based on gifts and VHS compilations.[7]

After having tried and failed to develop a game with similar visuals in the early 2000s, the brothers began work again after the success of Super Meat Boy in 2010. During the decade-long development, the character of Cuphead underwent over 150 character redesigns including a kappa in a tophat and characters with a plate or fork for a head.[3]

The character that eventually became Cuphead descended from a 1936 Japanese animated propaganda film featuring a character with a teacup for a head. The Moldenhauers emulated the animation because they found it strange, and "right away it stuck."[3]

In Smash Bros.[]

In January 2020, Cuphead was revealed to be an alternate costume for the Mii Gunner character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The costume came packaged with a music track from the Floral Fury battle.[8] Four spirits from Cuphead, including Cuphead himself, were later added the game's spirit board.

Mugman[]

Cuphead's brother, Mugman, acts as an alternative skin and potential co-op partner within the game. In game play, the two are identical.

His appearance is nearly identical to that of Cuphead, but his shorts, nose, and straw stripes are blue instead of red. His nose is larger and rounder than Cuphead's, his eyes are oval rather than semicircular, and his straw is straight rather than bent.

Mugman is typically more cautious and thoughtful than Cuphead, as seen in the opening when he urges Cuphead not to risk the brothers' souls in the craps game at the Devils Casino.

In other media[]

In July 2019, Netflix announced The Cuphead Show!, an animated series based on the game. It will feature adventures of Cuphead and Mugman across Inkwell Isle, exploring areas and characters beyond those in the video game. While the series will be targeted for children, StudioMDHR also anticipated that they will include humor and gags for adult audience appreciation. Chad and Jared Moldenhauer from StudioMDHR will be executive producers along with CJ Kettler from King Features Syndicate. Dave Wasson and Cosmo Segurson will co-executive produce, while Clay Morrow and Adam Paloian will be supervising directors.[9][10]

On June 26, 2020, it was revealed that Tru Valentino will voice Cuphead and Frank Todaro will voice Mugman.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ "See How 'Cuphead's' Incredible Cartoon Graphics Are Made". Time. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  2. ^ Studio Mdhr (2020). The Art of Cuphead. Dark Horse Comics. ISBN 9781506713205.
  3. ^ a b c Purdom, Clayton (2014-07-14). "Where did Cuphead come from?". Kill Screen. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  4. ^ "1930s cartoon-inspired Cuphead targeting late 2014 on PC". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  5. ^ "Cuphead review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  6. ^ Marshall, P. David; Moore, Christopher; Barbour, Kim (2019). Persona Studies: An Introduction. Wiley. ISBN 9781118935071. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. ^ "See How 'Cuphead's' Incredible Cartoon Graphics Are Made". Time. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  8. ^ "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Is Adding Cuphead As A Mii Fighter Costume". GameSpot. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  9. ^ "Netflix to Adapt 'Cuphead' Into Animated Comedy Series". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  10. ^ Cuphead Netflix TV Show Details - IGN, retrieved 2020-04-14
  11. ^ "tweet". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
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