Quirkosphere
Alternatively "Quirksphere". A sector of pop culture that includes a specific group of animators, video game developers, YouTubers, etc. who frequently work together, make "artistically" or thematically similar content to one another, critique (or really jerk off to) each other's "work", have an insane amount of industry connections, and have overlapping fanbases. A member of the Quirkosphere is a "Quirko", while a production associated with it is a "Quirkshow", though they are not exclusively TV shows. "Quirkos" can also refer to quirkshow fans.
This sphere may have emerged sometime in the mid-2010s. Common traits of Quirkosphere productions include "quirky" characters (hence the name), overemphasis on LGBT themes, the so-called "CalArts" visual style, (purportedly) Jhonen Vasquez-inspired art, characters voiced by Quirkosphere content creators other than the creator of this particular production, and "pilots" that, more often than not, serve as a preview for the show rather than an episode designed to sell it to a distributor (a.k.a. a pilot). Notable examples of quirkshows included Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Rick and Morty, Undertale, The Owl House, Hazbin Hotel, and The Amazing Digital Circus. Well-known Quirkos include (but are far from limited to) Alex Hirsch, Rebecca Sugar, Toby Fox, Vivienne Medrano, and Gooseworx. They often flock to companies like Cartoon Network, Disney Television Animation, Frederator, and Glitch Productions.
This sphere may have emerged sometime in the mid-2010s. Common traits of Quirkosphere productions include "quirky" characters (hence the name), overemphasis on LGBT themes, the so-called "CalArts" visual style, (purportedly) Jhonen Vasquez-inspired art, characters voiced by Quirkosphere content creators other than the creator of this particular production, and "pilots" that, more often than not, serve as a preview for the show rather than an episode designed to sell it to a distributor (a.k.a. a pilot). Notable examples of quirkshows included Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Rick and Morty, Undertale, The Owl House, Hazbin Hotel, and The Amazing Digital Circus. Well-known Quirkos include (but are far from limited to) Alex Hirsch, Rebecca Sugar, Toby Fox, Vivienne Medrano, and Gooseworx. They often flock to companies like Cartoon Network, Disney Television Animation, Frederator, and Glitch Productions.
I would tell you to avoid the Quirkosphere at all times, but... uh... that's basically impossible nowadays.
Quirkosphere by an anonymous dissident February 27, 2025
