Reflections and Commercial Lessons from the Bizarre Themes in Subcultures

What is Bizarre Genre?

The origin of the Bizarre Genre is difficult to trace, but it has evolved into various branches since its inception. It is a broad concept, yet each branch adheres to certain core principles, including absurdity, curiosity, anti-logic, and nihilism. Works falling under this genre include Junji Ito's manga "Uzumaki," the animated series "Rick and Morty," and "The Call of Cthulhu."

Elements commonly found in entertainment works of this genre include:

• Content with absurd and bizarre elements: Unconstrained by norms, the setting can be in a developing human society or within a fictional world, often defying real-world logic and disregarding constraints imposed by reality and technological levels.

• Visually bizarre and absurd characters: These works often feature ugly, dirty, powerful yet concealed monsters or human characters with twisted and eccentric personalities.

• Psychologically bizarre and absurd elements: Typically centered around mysterious forces or occult rituals, these elements influence specific groups of people or subvert the essence, laws, morality, and causality of existing things. This leads to the development of the narrative or contemplation of the essence of things, emphasizing the "otherness" in the spiritual aspect of the human species.

In summary, the core elements include the presence of "indescribable monsters," "illogical babble and a worldview that defies common sense," and an "obscure and unknown atmosphere of the bizarre."

2. What is the user profile of this genre?

The user profile of this genre consists primarily of contemporary individuals with a strong curiosity and desire for exploration. Due to the pressures of reality, they find themselves unable to unleash these desires, leading to a craving for the unknown. These individuals seek stimulation, occasionally yearning for the liberating sense of temporarily escaping reality. They are young people who engage in contemplation of human nature and society. Given that the logic and worldview of such works often deviate significantly from reality, users are more inclined to engage in thoughtful entertainment rather than blind fanaticism. Typically, these users possess purchasing power and are willing to invest in products related to their interests, demonstrating a preference for intriguing merchandise.

3. What are the typical behaviors, preferences, and demands of users in this genre?

Typical behaviors: Users exhibit a strong curiosity towards the unknown, enjoy exploring novel and stimulating concepts, analyze story details, and actively participate in discussions about the content. They appreciate commentary and analysis of works in this genre.

Preferences: For users new to this genre, there is a preference for plots that are more bizarre and imaginative, filled with the fear and sensory stimulation associated with exploring the unknown. They are less drawn to darker themes and absurd worldviews. Long-time enthusiasts of this genre also seek imaginative plots but tend to focus on works that dramatize and satirize contemporary societal issues. The overall tone leans towards the absurd and dark, yet remains reflective, prompting self-examination and a quest for personal meaning amid the absurd.

Demands: Users desire a diverse range of content. They seek works that explore darkness and surrealism not for the sake of it, but rather based on thoughtful considerations of specific worldviews, offering real and satirical meanings. They value conceptual depth while aiming for a higher level of completion and commercialization. They desire works that allow for different viewpoints and encourage personal contemplation. Additionally, users express interest in more video explanations of related works.

4. Are there many gamers in this genre?

This genre attracts a significant number of gamers who prefer adventurous experiences in fantastical worlds, games with expansive creativity, immersive and relatable narratives. Gameplay tends to lean towards traditional RPGs, ARPGs, open-world, and semi-open sandbox games. The influence between this genre and gaming is reciprocal—those influenced by this genre are inclined to enjoy games with similar characteristics, and vice versa.

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Representative thematic work - 'Rick and Morty'

1. What kind of work is this?

This work is an animated series produced by the American company Adult Swim and created by Dan Harmon and others. It holds a 100% approval rating on the foreign film and television review website Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of over 9.5 on the Chinese platform Douban. The storyline follows the adventures of the smartest man in the entire universe, Rick Sanchez, and his grandson Morty Smith across various parallel universes. What sets this work apart is its abundance of violence, gore, rudeness, and explicit sexual themes, making it intended for an adult audience. Additionally, as the protagonist Rick is portrayed as the smartest person in the universe, having mastered all knowledge, he deems everything meaningless, considering all the treasures humans hold dear as mere fleeting moments in the universe. On the other hand, Morty, inherently kind-hearted, cares about anything he deems meaningful but often causes more severe consequences due to his desire to become a "savior." The conflicting philosophies between the grandfather and grandson lead to a series of dramatic conflicts.

2. What are the highlights and pain points of the work? How can existing issues be optimized?

Looking at the story content, thanks to the creators' boundless imagination and solid storytelling skills, the work is relatively successful. In comparison to meticulously crafted "hard sci-fi" films like Christopher Nolan's "Inception" and "Interstellar," "Rick and Morty" appears haphazard with its casual time-space constructs, subversive ethical emotions, and symbolically flat character personalities. However, it is precisely these elements that give rise to the visually stunning and bizarre extraterrestrial worlds and peculiar stories that leave the audience in awe. The inclusion of explosive, sci-fi, bloody, and erotic chaotic elements, coupled with the tightly woven multi-threaded plot, immediately arouses the audience's desire to watch, continuously delivering waves of audio-visual impact. The unconventional exploration of life's meaning, truth, the blurred line between good and evil, the disregard for moral standards, and the dramatic treatment of the plot unconsciously captivate the audience, drawing them in and gradually immersing them in the work.

In terms of presentation, "Rick and Morty" achieves its outstanding effects, thanks in part to its use of the animated form. Animation often accompanies non-logical and non-rational characteristics, making it easier for the audience to accept these absurd comedies and contradictory values in the context of animated storytelling. The art style of the show mirrors the ideas it aims to convey—casual, absurd, and filled with visual impact. Professor Nie Xinru once pointed out, "Animation possesses both indicative and narrative characteristics. Without narrative, it tends toward fine arts, and without indication, it tends toward general storytelling movies. When devoid of both indication and narrative, it blends into avant-garde art. This is the boundary of animation." Therefore, the combination of sci-fi, animation, and absurdity gives rise to a critically acclaimed masterpiece.

Looking at its spiritual core, this work emphasizes a profound sense of emptiness, absurdity, and chaos from the very beginning. The protagonist, Rick, believes that everything is meaningless—Earth, the sun, and the universe will eventually disappear, as if they never existed. Moral values, emotions, and civilization, all the things humanity holds dear, might bring pain in other universes. It's akin to the dark forest law in Liu Cixin's "The Three-Body Problem": "Survival is the primary law of the universe." Inevitably, as technology advances, a shift towards nihilism occurs, presenting a pessimistic outlook on the future. Perhaps the entire universe is truly absurd; maybe after painstaking efforts to understand the universe's essence, we discover it's merely a plaything for some cosmic being.

But what should we do once we truly grasp the meaninglessness of everything? That is the more crucial question. Rick, upon realizing the essence of the world, experiences pain (perhaps understanding he is just a character in an animated show, invincible only within its confines). Consequently, he becomes unrestrained, indulging in his desires, no longer constrained by so-called "standards," and doesn't bother to deliberately correct what he deems unreasonable. He projects an attitude of being "indifferent" to everything, aiming to guide the audience to elevate their conceptual thinking. This involves discarding notions of centralization and trendy conformism, staying true to oneself, disregarding meaningless adherence to so-called "standards," and using a more diversified perspective to examine everything around them.

Additionally, although Rick consistently presents himself as a nihilist, in my view, he is an existentialist. This is because he cares about his family. Nihilism is just a facade, an excuse to numb himself. He may be cold, lonely, and selfish, but he willingly sends himself to federal prison for the sake of his family having a normal life. If everything is truly meaningless, why would he rather sleep in a dilapidated garage and endure the constant berating from his underachieving son-in-law? So, this is also what the work wants to convey – if everything is meaningless, do things that have meaning to you. If everything is absurd, find your own meaning in the void. This, in my opinion, is the most valuable aspect of this work. It's not just about satire and absurdity; underneath the madness and absurdity, using humor and nonsense, it expresses a generous, wise, and profoundly serious inner self.

Therefore, we can identify its three major core highlights as follows:

1. The visually stunning extraterrestrial worlds and whimsical artistic style.

2. The emotionally resonant storyline and unabashed critique of societal issues.

3. The profound spiritual core and positively wise attitude towards life, subtly expressed beneath the absurd exterior.

At the same time, its pain points are equally apparent:

1. The departure of the original writers makes it challenging for subsequent episodes to maintain the same high standard.

2. While highly commercialized and well-produced, it lacks some space for viewers to contemplate.

3. Consistently adhering to a similar template in creative endeavors may lead to aesthetic fatigue among the audience.

Addressing these issues, I believe there is a need to strengthen the portrayal and depiction of characters or scenes that pique audience interest but may lack sufficient development. Additionally, there's room to deviate from overly commercialized standard patterns in certain parts (as seen in Season 1, Episode 9, for example), taking bolder steps to enhance depth, leaving judgment of right and wrong to the viewers.

3.What fundamental needs does this work satisfy? What trends does it showcase?

Firstly, it satisfies the audience's desire to enjoy the pleasure brought by spectacular, thrilling, and fantastical "blockbusters," stimulating the release of dopamine. Secondly, its casual language and subversion of logic provide a sense of freedom to escape rational constraints, particularly in a time when existentialism is prevalent and stress is overwhelming. Lastly, amid the chaos and playfulness, it reflects a touch of warmth and contemplation, providing a satisfying feeling of considering one's meaning from multiple perspectives. This indicates that as people's knowledge levels rise and life pressures increase, good works are no longer solely reliant on visuals and exhilaration to attract users. They tend to lean towards using a light and humorous approach to not only relieve stress but also provide solace and insight to our minds. This ensures that, after the exhilarating animation, there is not just emptiness left behind but a sense of comfort and reflection.

4. What impact and inspiration does this genre of work have on the entertainment internet content industry?

Numerous industries within the internet sector need to enhance the conceptualization of their works. They should allow their creations to logically detach from reality while maintaining a connection to the intrinsic aspects of reality. For instance, many contemporary urban dramas claim to depict the daily struggles of ordinary people but often center around affluent families in first-tier cities. When a work deviates from the masses, it also detaches itself from reality, making it challenging to resonate with a broader audience. The prevailing theme in society is the yearning for beauty amid the rough and ordinary, rather than the meticulously crafted idealized lifestyles that are ultimately fragile. Therefore, it is crucial to reflect the true melody of society, which lies in the aspiration for beauty within the context of a simple and ordinary life.

Furthermore, there should be more reflection on and contemplation of societal issues in works, enhancing content depth. This is an unavoidable aspect and an area where the internet industry in our country needs to strengthen itself. Encouraging people in the right way is imperative. "Rick and Morty," with its global popularity, proves that these elements and commercial success can coexist harmoniously when approached correctly.

Fresh Thematic Content

Rules-based Strange Story(规则类怪谈)

1. What is a "Rules-based Strange Story"?

A "Rules-based Strange Story" is a type of narrative that describes strange occurrences using a style that emphasizes horror, mystery, and inexplicable elements, creating an atmosphere of deep contemplation and fear. Recently, there has been a surge in popularity for this genre online, and it represents one of the many variations within the broader category of strange stories. However, what sets it apart is its presentation in the form of rules, regulations, or ordinances. Among these, the most trending subgenre is the "Zoo Rules Strange Story," which has taken social media by storm, filling friend circles and online platforms with extensive analyses, often spanning thousands of words. It can be described as a phenomenon that has made quite an impact.

2. Why does it feel so fresh?

Ghost tales are a common genre in light horror works, and their appeal is determined only by the author's skill in creating terror. However, the emergence of 'rule-based ghost tales' has overturned this conclusion. In the "Zoo Rules Ghost Tale," readers initially think that a zoo's regulations hardly qualify as a "ghost tale." But as they read on, they find irrational rules and meaningless descriptions, revealing a sinister and eerie side to the normally benign animals like 'rabbits' and 'elephants' we accept in daily life. This reversal of good and evil causes a logical upheaval and contrast, bringing a novel sensation.

Furthermore, post-reading, when readers link together mentally disturbing and contradictory statements, they uncover a darker and more sinister conspiracy hidden within the zoo. The rules appear to be written by 'humans' from different factions, making it hard to discern good from evil. The integration of terrifying and bizarre elements into ordinary rules and narrating from multiple perspectives offers a fresh experience, immersively engaging the reader.

3. How did it become popular?

The trend of rule-based ghost tales was initially confined to a small circle. Its popularity surged with "Zoo Rules Ghost Tale" posted by Shiliu Yezhi on A Island's anonymous forum. Soon after its posting, it was shared by A Island's official Weibo account. This post quickly garnered over 20,000 shares and went viral on Zhihu, Bilibili, and Douyin, sparking a wave of enthusiastic decoding and secondary creations.

4. What does its popularity reflect about changing user demands?

Most youths worldwide are drawn to thrilling experiences, and the same goes for horror and bizarre works: they stimulate dopamine release, providing a thrill. Traditional horror content has become formulaic and stereotypical, often predictable from the beginning, lacking in surprise and stimulation. Thus, the audience's demand has shifted from "repetitive excellence" to "novelty in excellence". Unpredictability is the essence of these works. Moreover, these ghost tales often instruct viewers on what they should or shouldn’t do, without revealing the consequences. This partial description further sparks the audience's imagination, allowing them to incorporate their deepest fears, generating a more profound sense of terror. The underlying trend is that audiences are now more stimulated by the roots of their fears rather than tangible monsters, preferring the insecurity of "endless dark imaginings" over fixed plotlines.

5. What impact and inspiration does this change have on the entertainment and internet content industry?

1. Leveraging user emotions and imagination to enhance the appeal of content. For example, the horror game "Phasmophobia" uses players' fear of the unknown. Players must face ghosts to gather evidence, but the ghost's location is unpredictable. The more the player avoids contact, the more paranormal activities and active the ghost becomes, creating a vicious cycle. The game's events are not so terrifying in themselves; it's the players' imaginations that make it compelling.

2. Creating suspense in storytelling. Shows like "Upload" and "Mob Psycho 100" have a common trait of ending episodes at intriguing or pivotal moments, leaving the audience eager for the next episode, thus enhancing the appeal.

3. Leaving room for user creativity. In the gaming industry, players understand players best. Allowing them a degree of freedom to design or modify game content can lead to unexpected results, especially in horror-themed games. The "Left 4 Dead" series is a prime example, where many player-designed maps rival official ones and have even become official maps later.