As Generation Y and Z kids grow older and move into adulthood, their primary means of coping with the transition away from childhood seems to be putting darkly humorous twists on childhood icons. Trend Hunter Editor Courtney Scharf has spotted this hilarious, albeit morbid, fad all over the Internet.
Courtney's favorite twisted series is a photography collection titled 'Fallen Princesses.' This photo series depicts some iconic Disney princesses in dishearteningly realistic situations. The beautiful Belle undergoes plastic surgery in her middle age, Snow White deals with an overweight husband and several hungry children, while Cinderella waits, alone, in a bar. Each of these scenarios puts a dark twist on the classic Happy Endings so prominent in Disney films.
A second hilarious take on childhood characters merges two iconic brands. The first is that of The Simpsons, the animated show that has become a staple in North American families' TV rooms. The second is that of the more recent show 'Breaking Bad.' Characters from AMC's hit series are drawn as Simpsons characters, their sunshine-yellow skin bursting from the drawing, while each of their facial features is morphed to become more Simpsons-esque.
The criminalization of classic children's characters is a hilarious way to combine adult humor with nostalgia. By poking fun at beloved characters like Wilma Flintstone and Sleeping Beauty, the younger generations can better cope with getting older and leaving these innocent characters behind.
Criminalized Kids Characters
Courtney Scharf Reveals Her Favorite Twists on Childhood Icons
Trend Themes
1. Twisted Childhood Icons - Creating darkly humorous twists on childhood icons offers opportunities for disruptive innovation in entertainment, merchandise, and social media.
2. Merging Brands - Merging iconic brands like The Simpsons and Breaking Bad presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in fan art, merchandise, and cross-promotions.
3. Criminalizing Nostalgia - The criminalization of classic children's characters provides opportunities for disruptive innovation in comedy, satire, and nostalgia-driven storytelling.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can leverage twisted childhood icons to develop new dark humor TV shows, movies, and digital content.
2. Merchandise - The merchandise industry can capitalize on the merging of brands to create unique collectibles, clothing, and accessories that appeal to fans of both franchises.
3. Social Media - Social media platforms can embrace the trend of twisted childhood icons by creating filter effects, AR experiences, and interactive content for users to engage with and share.