The much-anticipated second season of the musical adult cartoon Hazbin Hotel launches on the streaming platform this week, and fan speculation has been rampant.
The first season introduces a diverse group of characters residing in the afterlife, pits them against each other with musical numbers detailing their conflicts, and builds heated competitions and angsty, affectionate connections that fuel fan obsession.
The fandom's stated hopes for the new season vary widely, but certain threads recur frequently: Could a fan-favorite character escape his tormentor? Might we learn more about the mysterious "deal" constraining the enigmatic Alastor? Might certain characters' relationships evolve?
"Obviously, I don't produce the show with audience demands specifically in mind," the showrunner commented recently. "But I believe that me being a devotee of the series implies there's a lot of it just naturally. I also am eager for these things, and I want some of these things to happen, and obviously some of these things are meant to happen in the show!"
The creator reveals her big-picture plan is for a five-season run of Hazbin Hotel. Seasons 3 and 4 have received approval by Prime Video and A24, which finance the series.
That could imply viewers have to wait years for some of the biggest payoffs — but they may be surprised at how fast season 2 progresses, and how many of what they're waiting for happens this season.
"I believe people are going to be highly satisfied," she adds. "We get some firsts. I think we get some really amazing disclosures, some fascinating origin tales, and even just simple things, [like] I hope this character gets a song. […] We're going to hear much more singing from the characters we didn't get to hear before."
She's certainly aware of the guesses and hopes about season 2 — especially in the format of fan bingo cards.
"I've come across a couple people create a bingo card about season 2," she says. "Naturally I won't share it, but I've actually done some of them, and almost all of them have almost a bingo. I was like, Oh, if you put this [event] in this spot, it would be a bingo. So that leads me to believe we accomplish much [of what fans are waiting for in this season], because I was like, Oh, there's multiple potential bingos on this card. So that brings me joy."
Hazbin Hotel season 2 premieres on the streaming service on Oct. 29.
