Out of all the clips that we’ve gotten for Inside Out 2, the one introducing Lance Slashblade as the emotions are trapped might be the most relatable. At least for me. When I was Riley’s age, video game crushes were a real thing. And I know Riley would understand the appeal of falling in love with a hunky video game character with an amazing voice. It wouldn’t matter that they glitch out and are a little boxy in design. When you’re that age, you’re discovering what appeals to you. No longer is it vampire boys who would die for you. Now it’s rugged men who stare off into the distance and angst over their powers while brushing back their hair.
Lance Slashblade is hot. He’s hot in the same way that 13-year-old me sought Knuckles or Shadow from Sonic was hot. Same thing goes for Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. That lady was boxy and she still made me swoon. Can’t forget Chun-Li from Street Fighter and Jill Valentine from Resident Evil either. And if there’s anyone that Lance Slashblade reminds us gamer girlies about it has to be Sephiroth and Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy. One is all about the heroic deeds and the other is due to him being a maniacal baddie with flowing locks for days.
The point being, video game crushes for girls who game are the standard. These crushes help shape who we are in the same way that someone watching a movie or TV show and having a crush there. The difference is that these gamer girls will end up cosplaying these characters, reading fanfiction, and drawing the wildest fan art. And I can totally see the same thing happening with Lance Slashblade in Inside Out 2. Because he looks like Cloud un Sephiroth had a baby and got Yong Yea to voice him aka Father Pucchin from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures. And even without watching, we approve.
Watch the clip below:
Inside Out 2 hits theaters on June 14, 2024.
