'Shroomfest (Round 9) - DUCKS vs RABBITS

[Mr. Shbeeg]

Too many duck posts today, need more rabbit posts

 

[Diamant]

JUDGE SESSION #2​

Is it already time for the second judge session? Really!? Wow, it felt like I just went away for a mere second. Oh well, guess the clock wanted to show me it can too go fast like a ninja. Hmm, maybe I should take note of that somewhere so I not allow time to mold my abilities. Speaking of which, I am pretty sure I can do some silly plans out of it.

Okay, forget that I said anything. Without further ado, let us look at our cases this week.

View attachment 63149​

That's right, Bugs Bunny! One of the world's most famous cartoon characters, appearing in more films than any other. His wisecracking nature and slapstick antics have endeared him to audiences for nearly 90 years! The 1954 cartoon What's Opera, Doc? is considered by many to be one of the greatest cartoons of all time, and was the first cartoon short film inducted into the US National Film Registry, if you need any convincing on how culturally significant Bugs is. Of course, since this is a competition with ducks, I would be remiss not to mention Bugs' longstanding rivalry with Daffy Duck, and let's just say that the wascally wabbit has outsmarted him on more than one occasion - just watch one of the famous duck season vs. rabbit season exchanges!

Even in this very community, Bugs has served in some way as an influence for various characters and creative works, and there's a good chance you'll find his exhausted grimace among the emote collection of just about any Discord server with community ties.

The leader of Team Rabbits started this week strong I see. I cannot pass by without acknowledging just how much iconic Bugs Bunny is as a character, and even more so when you take this very community into consideration. I mean, who hasn't heard the famous "What's up, doc?".

Waluigi Time brought us some very fun facts about Bugs Bunny, but did you know that Bugs Bunny was the second cartoon character (after Mickey Mouse) to ever receive as star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Speaking of this community, the popular :bugs: emote comes to mind, like come on, there's always a moment in time we felt it lol (in my case, way too many times to count).

(I absolutely love this emote)​

There's also Big Changes, prominent character from Mario Awards Killing Game 4, which inspired the character of Shbig Changes who later became Mr. Shbeeg who has been here with us during this 'Shroomfest. Actually there's also Big Chungus but uh, allow me to conveniently ignore it.

Bugs Bunny is such a prime example of rabbits playing a prominent role in the world of cartoons, and this certainly deserves to be recognized.

Well then… it seems I'll have to try harder to bring Ducks to victory! It'll be tough, but anything is possible.

Oh, bringing out Bugs Bunny eh? Now's my chance to present a character of equal popularity: Daffy Duck!
View attachment 63152
Daffy Duck is Bugs' best pal. He's prone to get into all kinds of wacky situations and maybe a few competitions with the iconic rabbit himself, but he's always ready to help out whenever needed. Basically he's Warner Bros. version of Donald Duck, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!

View attachment 63153
I should also mention that he (along with Porky Pig) starred in The Day the Earth Blew Up, a Looney-Toons film that doesn't star Bugs Bunny! It went on to garner a very positive reception, proving we don't need Bugs to make a great Looney-Toons film. I have yet to see it myself, but I think I will in the near future just to see for myself. Oh, and to support Team Ducks of course!

Alrighty then, time for Donald Duck, who could possibly be the most popular Duck in the world!
View attachment 63157
Good ol' Donald! He's one of Mickey Mouse's great friends with a heck of a voice. Seriously, he sounds so hilarious! It makes impersonating him so much fun. Anyways, he's another character bound to get into mischief, but hey! He's also a hero too. One advantage is that he's in Kingdom Hearts! Oh yes.

But wait, there's more! Wait until you hear about his rich uncle/adventurer - Scrooge Mcduck! Donald also happens to have three nephews too: Huey, Dewey, and Louie!

View attachment 63158View attachment 63159
Ducktales is a beloved 1987 cartoon featuring these very characters. Heck, it was so awesome it got a reboot in 2017! I could go on and on about it, but I don't want to clog up this thread. So I'll conclude with this incredible track from the NES Ducktales video game (which also got a remake)!

THE MOON THEME!!!!

Rabbits aren't the only ones related to the Moon in some way! Endorse: Team Ducks!​

In the opposite side, we have a strong defense from the leader of Team Ducks itself. I must also admit that it is hard to not think of Daffy Duck when you think of Bugs Bunny. The two almost form a pair, and it's always fun seeing the two of them together.

​

Oh, and yeah, Donald Duck is also a very popular duck character from the world of Disney. Just like Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck also earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an even more amusing fact! Did you know that Donald Duck has appeared in more films than any other Disney characters? Yes, that short-tempered duck actually appeared in more films than Disney's mascot Mickey Mouse! Donald Duck was also ranked by TVGuide among the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all-time. That's quite the feat.


That said...

Daffy Ducks and Bugs Bunny also made it into the ranking, and to which rank?
Donald Duck at #43, Daffy Duck at #14, and Bugs Bunny? Bugs managed to grab the number 1 spot! I guess rabbits win the glory here.

---

HONORARY MENTIONS:

View attachment 63240
Let us discuss Minecraft. The game may not have any rabbit "characters", per se, but it has rabbit representation nonetheless. Given its status as one of the best-selling video games of all time, I have to say we'd be doing a disservice not to mention it. There is quite a nice variety of rabbits in the game, spread across the various biomes, but all gathered together here for illustrative purposes.

View attachment 63234​

And that is not even all of the types of rabbits in the game, as a matter of fact. An additional texture appears as an easter egg when naming a rabbit "Toast", in tribute to a missing pet rabbit in real life. Quite a heartwarming gesture, if I may say, and in fact the only easter egg of its kind in the game - while there are other easter eggs tied to specific names, none of them involve a wholly unique texture. The infamous Killer Rabbit of Monty Python fame also lies within the game's code - it was ultimately rejected early in development, but remains functional and can be summoned with commands even twelve years later.

I can't say that one's the most flattering portrayal of rabbits, mind you... But I suppose it remains a significant cultural influence nonetheless. Consider that a bonus for this post.

Being added several years after the other iconic farm animals in the game, one must ask what purpose rabbits serve beyond yet another food source, besides looking "cute" and "fuzzy". While I cannot personally condone the slaying of my fellow rabbits, they do have the rare unique drop of a rabbit's foot, which has nothing to do with luck and instead allows the brewing of potions increasing jump height. Rabbit hide also serves as an alternative source of leather, which can be surprisingly tricky to obtain in large amounts in the early game. But personally, I would suggest letting them liven up the landscape instead.

Oh, and they've recently received updated models as well. Reception is mixed, as humans often find themselves opposed to changes. Particularly big ones. But perhaps you'll like them better, and it's nice to see that some attention is still being paid to them despite having been in the game for such a long time.

View attachment 63235​

And where are ducks, you might ask? Why, I'm afraid they "aren't all they're quacked up to be" and have officially been rejected as of 2018.

Now then, I believe that wraps up- oh?

View attachment 63236
​

Hm. Perhaps I will.

While Terraria's critters may not be as key to the core gameplay as Minecraft's animals, bunnies have a significant presence here as well. They're the most common critters, as a matter of fact, and feature heavily in the game's promotional materials, functioning as something of a mascot. They even dress up for special occasions, joining in with party hats when the townspeople hold a celebration, masquerading in slime costumes during the Halloween season (the slimes reciprocate the gesture, by the way), or dressing in Santa outfits during Christmastime. And no, I'm not playing favorites, they're the only type of critter that does this. Clearly, the developers enjoy having a bit of fun with them. Perhaps a bit too much, as one can also make a more... explosive sort of bunny... and load them into cannons...

Hmph. Yes, well, what do you expect from the game that also has toilet-shaped minecarts.

Ah, but you can also purchase a special bunny that serves as a pet NPC for your town, and owners of the Collector's Edition get an exclusive bunny pet that follows them around. There are even multiple bunny-themed cosmetic items!

View attachment 63239
​

Unfortunately, I am too busy trying to keep this company from destruction at the hands of a certain CEO, so I do not have time to partake in video games. The rest of you will have to enjoy rabbit-themed encounters for me.

Shall we add some more duck-inspired Pocket Monsters? There is, of course, the headache-plagued Psyduck and its evolution, the sleek-looking Golduck. Yes, they have been mentioned already, but let's dig a little deeper into Psyduck's most prominent role.

View attachment 63263​

Psyduck certainly made a splash in the early years of the Pokémon anime as one of Misty's Pokémon, and not just because it sank like a stone in water! Though usually comic relief with its dopey personality and lack of battle or swimming prowess, Psyduck occasionally showed a flash of strength or cleverness. When its headache intensified, it could wield powerful Psychic-type moves, as it demonstrated by chucking Arbok, Weezing, and company blasting off during an encounter near Fuchsia City. On plenty of occasions, Psyduck managed to slip out of sticky situations to save the day, running off to get help when Misty fell into an opportunistic trap at Salon Roquet or making its way back to Misty when her Pokémon were stolen by a thief and his Farfetch'd.

Ol' Psyduck may have appeared inept and incompetent, but it shows that there's more to some fictional ducks than meets the eye!

Then, of course, we have... Hmm... Hrm....

View attachment 63264
​

Is Ducklett a duck? It looks like a duckling, and "duck" is in its English name. Yet, it evolves into a swan... I mean, Swanna is clearly a swan. Well, I fear we won't get anywhere by discussing the delineation between a duck and a swan in a world of fantastical monsters, but Ducklett and Swanna clearly reference the classic fairytale, The Ugly Duckling, in which an apparent-duckling shunned by its own kind eventually discovers it is in fact a beautiful swan. Hoho, how is that for demonstrating that ducks can be more than they seem at first blush?

Do remember this! If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck... there may still be more to discover beyond initial appearances! Oho! Endorse: Ducks

Hey guys. Toadettefan here. Before I say anything, I'm sorry I missed out on the last Shroomfest about Sci-Fi VS Fantasy. I was going through a rough stage of my life around that time, and I wasn't as active on the boards as I used to be.

I'd like to point out some rabbits that have had a positive influence on me growing up. The first one is none other than Cream the Rabbit!

Spoiler

Cream has a very positive outlook on life and is kind, polite, and considerate towards others. She does not have a bad bone in her body, as such, she is honest, friendly, and has a generally happy attitude. For someone her age, she is quite courageous, brave and noble, and not afraid to face danger in order to protect her friends. When she sees something she doesn't like, she will point out her anger and disgust, but never in a rude way. She detests both violence and cruelty, furiously condeming Zeena of the Deadly Six for her show of it during their battle in Sunset City within IDW's Metal Virus Storyline.

I like a Cream a lot as a character because not only do we share certain interests, like baking and gardening, but I'm also a very peaceful person who tries to see the best in others and help them out when they need it. I believe that in a lot of real life situations, negotiation is better than confrontation when trying to solve problems. Not only do people understand what others are saying, but their feelings aren't hurt as much this way.

Another set of rabbits that have had a positive influence on me (and I'm shocked that no one has brought them up yet) are Clover, Mallow, Kale, and Shallot from the Manga series Happy Happy Clover by Sayuri Tatsuyama.

Spoiler

Clover, the white rabbit, is the main character of the series. She is a lively and happy bunny who sometimes get herself into trouble, often dragging her friends along for the ride. She is quite scatterbrained, and isn't the most responsible, with her mistakes often escalating into big problems that she needs to resolve. However, she is very close to her friends and is always willing to stick up for them, especially Mallow and Rambler (aka Bramble).

Kale, the brown rabbit, is Clover's oldest friend. He is mature for his age, often seen caring for his six younger brothers alongside his parents. He's friendly, loyal, and eager about going on adventures as well as playing sports. At times, however, he can make harsh comments towards others and hates to lose. He cares a lot about his friends and family, and often thinks of the most logical solution to various problems.

Shallot, the yellow rabbit, is a studious bookworm. He is very knowledgeable about the forest and its inhabitants, and out of his group of friends, he is the one who often tries to avoid getting into trouble. He has a crush on Mallow, and acts as the foil to both the adventurous Kale and the rowdy, scatterbrained Clover. At first, he preferred reading books over hanging out with the other animals, but later on, he protected both Clover and Kale from Cinnamon the fox and Twirl the squirrel, showing that he knows right from wrong.

Mallow, the pink rabbit, is shy, kind, and has only recently moved into the forest. Early on, she was very unfamiliar with her new home, and often had to rely on Clover's instincts in order to get out of bad situations. But as the manga continued, Mallow became more assertive and intelligent. While still bashful, she acted as the group's medic, healing her friends from injuries and eventually becoming a Nurse during the manga's epilogue.

Happy Happy Clover was one of the first Manga series I read as a child, alongside Hamtaro and Chi's Sweet Home. I found the characters to be very relatable, and the stories were both fun and interesting. I often borrowed the Volumes from my local library growing up, and my interest in it inspired my older sister to give me a complete set of a similar Manga called Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamoroll at Christmas in 2015. While I haven't read Clover as much now, I still find the characters to be quite inspiring to this day.

---

VERDICT:
In terms of media and characters, and considering the cases presented this week, it's hard not to highlight Bugs Bunny's importance to our entertainment and our community. While other very interesting characters were discussed this week, including those from our Honorary Mentions, Team Rabbits made a remarkable effort to demonstrate how important rabbits are to them, and that certainly deserves recognition.

In conclusion, I will say that Bugs Bunny is the Miss Piggy of Team Rabbits.

Do remember this! If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck... there may still be more to discover beyond initial appearances! Oho!

This is cleary a sw- Oh no, this is clearly an attempt at creating a wedge issue here. Mwahaha, I will not get caught up with that one!

Winner of Week 2
TEAM RABBITS
Congratulations Team Rabbits, you earned +3 extra points to the EFFORT category!​

---

Three valuable extra points are remaining! Will Team Rabbits go for a perfect sweep, or Team Ducks will ultimately get the upper hand on this one? Let's see where WEEK 3 will bring us!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Let's move into a very creative week! As I was talking about entertainment and how important a role rabbits and ducks have played in it, can you think of any popular memes or amusing scenarios involving ducks or rabbits? Just how entertaining can they be? Show us your best memes or make your own!

'SHROOMFEST DEBATE ROUND 9 - WEEK 3 BEGINS NOW!​

 

[Diamant]

The third and final week of 'Shroomfest has started! ​

This is your last chance to give another point per category to your team! You can do so by either:

• VOTES: The number of votes for each side. To cast a vote on the 'Shroomfest poll, click here. Remember to vote once a week.
• ENDORSEMENTS: The number of users of the community who endorse a team.
  • In order to provide an endorsement, simply post Endorse: [Team] in this thread, in bold, and offer a few short words of support (examples below) if you're so inclined.
    • Vote Ducks
    • Go Rabbits!
    • I support Team Ducks
    • Rabbits for the win!
• EFFORT: The effort that has been put into the event.
  • There isn't a hard and fast rule as to what constitutes an "effort" post. As a rule of thumb, if you contribute something that reasonably takes more than a few minutes to create, it'll count.
  • Users must participate in the event by providing:
    • Arguments and Examples
    • Artwork
    • Stories
    • Memes
    • Other forms of creative work that reflect a degree of thought and effort beyond just a few words.
  • If you aren't sure if something counts as an effort post or not, ask the judge via Discord or via a PM!