Gwimbly

Gwimbly is the titular supporting character in the Smiling Friends episode "Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director’s Cut)". 
He's a retired video game star and the former mascot of Insane Groundbreaking Games, who became homeless after his series got cancelled. He eventually comes across Pim, a fan of his video game series, who decides to help him get back into the spotlight with a new game.
He is voiced by co-creator Zach Hadel, who also voices Charlie and Glep in the same show.
==Appearance==
As a late-90s video game character. Gwimbly is composed of low-resolution polygons and CGI. He is an anthropomorphic, rodent-like creature with sickly yellow fur, a long, hooked snout with a black nose, a wide mouth with two giant front teeth, a bare belly and strained, saggy blue eyes. He also has what is presumably a fluffy pink tail on his rear, although it resembles a swollen clitoris or a prolapsed anus, and his skin has numerous scabs and bruises. He appears to be unhealthy and frail in general.
He wears a shirt with a retro arcade carpet design featuring blue, yellow, and magenta lines shapes, along with a blue and black baseball cap with a magenta brim. His shoes are light blue with magenta soles, and the left one has a worn-down hole that exposes his toes. 
In his appearance in the Smash Clone towards the end of the episode, Gwimbly regains the brighter and cleaner likeness he had during his prime, alongside a much higher fidelity 3D model.
== Personality ==
Following his thankless experiences with the video game industry, Gwimbly has contempt for his old, unappreciative company as well as little prospect for his own future. He became sickly and frail while also prone to violent outbursts if insulted or humiliated. He has a large sense of pride and self-respect, initially declining the help from the Smiling Friends and later violently threatening the IGBG CEO over his humiliating, bad-faith offer. However, he is quite optimistic, as he wanted to convince himself and others that he was "thriving" in these circumstances. 
Gwimbly is very grateful and affable to anyone who appreciates him and his work, telling Pim to "rock on" after learning that he was a fan, yet dismissing Allan for not appreciating him. He is quick to forgive those who have previously wronged him, as he was willing to work alongside Allan and Troglor, despite Allan hosing him and Troglor working for the IGBG CEO, and he loves his former co-workers Mr. Millipede and Count Groxia, especially the former. He is also exhibits a fair amount of charisma and enthusiasm for his work while conversing with the Smiling Friends and others, as shown when he passionately does his victory dance, or when he reminiscences about his old line of work. 
In general, Gwimbly is a somewhat eccentric yet endearing character who prided himself on being self-reliant and self-assured, prone to quick-tempered outbursts if insulted or demeaned, the result of falling on undeserved hard times. However, he finds joy in letting go of the past and starring in a new, modern game, appreciative of the help from the Smiling Friends.
==Biography==
Gwimbly was once the star of his own titular video game series during the 90s 3D platformer era. His franchise was a massive success, with games like Gwimbly 3: Gwimbly's Revenge. However, after leaving his company, Insane Groundbreaking Games (IGBG), Gwimbly fell into poverty and homelessness. This downfall was due to the video game industry shifting toward microtransactions and downloadable content (DLCs) and away from platforming and collecting cans of creamed corn—activities that had originally made Gwimbly a hit. He began surviving by creating fan-requested content on Cameo and performing street dances for money.
One day, while loitering outside the Smiling Friends headquarters, Gwimbly was sprayed with dirty brown water by Allan, who wanted to get rid of him. This upset Pim, who recognized Gwimbly as the iconic mascot of the video game franchise he had loved as a child. Pim convinced Allan to help Gwimbly revive his career by pitching him to star in a new game. They approached the IGBG CEO, but their idea to feature Gwimbly in a new game was ridiculed by him. During the meeting, the CEO introduced Troglor, IGBG's new mascot—a character made of one trillion polygons and hailed as the new icon of modern gaming. Despite the setback, the trio decided to crowdfund an independent Gwimbly game, hoping to bring back his sidekick, Mr. Millipede, and his arch-enemy, Count Groxia. However, their efforts were a failure; Count Groxia had become a busy family man, and Mr. Millipede had tragically died from a fentanyl overdose, a fact unknown to Gwimbly.
Meanwhile, the CEO ordered Troglor to kill Gwimbly and his companions to maintain control over the Gwimbly license and prevent them from creating a new game. As Gwimbly mourned the loss of Mr. Millipede with Pim and Allan, Troglor appeared, destroyed Mr. Millipede's grave, and chased the trio. They escaped to the Smiling Friends break room, where they were inadvertantly saved by James, who killed the CEO by stabbing him in the head. With the CEO gone, Gwimbly and a now-lonely Troglor teamed up to star in a new fighting game, featuring high-fidelity graphics and modern mechanics in the style of Super Smash Bros..
== Gallery ==
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’02”.jpg|Gwimbly getting hosed with dirty water.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’06”.jpg|Gwimbly meeting Pim.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’26”.jpg|Gwimbly before performing his victory dance.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’36”.jpg|Gwimbly recovering after he made himself dizzy.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’52” (1).jpg|Gwimbly's cameo request for James.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-0’59”.jpg|Gwimbly after vomiting.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’02”.jpg|Gwimbly in the IGBG building.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’08”.jpg|Gwimbly looking at his old video game.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’26”.jpg|Gwimbly trying to attack his old boss.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’37”.jpg|Gwimbly informing Allan of Mr. Millipede.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’44”.jpg|Gwimbly learning that Mr. Millipede has passed away.
File:VS--YouTube-SmilingFriendsbutitsonlyGwimbly-1’56”.jpg|Gwimbly teaming up with Troglor.
== Quotes ==
==Trivia==
*Gwimbly is an obvious reference to platformer video game characters from the early 3D era, such as Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Klonoa and Banjo. The fact his series was eventually sidelined by the company could also be a riff on how many of these franchises ended up forgotten by their own companies, despite their prior success.
*His voice has a bit crushed compression to it, reminiscent of the early video game aesthetic that he is parodying.
*The episode's official description describes Gwimbly as a "disgusting, vile loser."
== External Links ==
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
==Navigation==
Category:Smiling Friends Heroes
Category:Cartoon Heroes
Category:Comedy Heroes
Category:TV Show Heroes
Category:Action Heroes
Category:Sitcom Heroes
Category:Internet Heroes
Category:Science Fantasy Heroes
Category:Fictional Fictional
Category:Male
Category:Chaotic Good
Category:Animals
Category:Anthropomorphic
Category:Parody/Homage
Category:Charismatic
Category:Optimists
Category:Friend of a Villain
Category:Adventurers
Category:Scapegoat
Category:Successful
Category:Famous
Category:Mascots
Category:Tragic
Category:Insecure
Category:Self-Aware
Category:Loyal
Category:Betrayed
Category:Liars
Category:Victims
Category:Arrogant
Category:Fighters
Category:Wrathful
Category:Vengeful
Category:Traitor
Category:Rebellion Heroes
Category:Titular
Category:Dimwits
Category:Retired
Category:Poor
Category:Artificial Intelligence
Category:Envious
Category:Thrill-Seekers
Category:Role Models
Category:Good Vs. Good
Category:Jerks
Category:Unwanted
Category:Archenemy
Category:The Hero
Category:Lethal
Category:Monster Slayers