Pink Corruption (virus)

Pink Corruption described by Cube in Episode 1

**The Pink Corruption** is a titular virus that corrupts and dements its victims. It is very contagious, a single touch can infect one within minutes, except for Heroes, who get a piece broken off of their head instead.

The Pink Corruption Virus is symbolized by the distinct pink octagram shape, which replaces the triangle marking of infected shapes. In Episode 5, it appears that corrupted shapes have communication devices to serve as a means of communication, allowing them to contact Dub or other corrupts during missions.

## **Symptoms**

#### **Infection**

Although the Pink Corruption Virus shares some similarities with the common cold, its effects are drastically different. While the symptoms are delayed in caretakers, heroes do not experience any symptoms but instead sustain damage and run the risk of fracturing into multiple pieces, like shattering glass.

Those infected by The Pink Corruption will start experiencing symptoms such as:

* Sweating excessively, like a fever.
* Involuntarily jerk their head and body backward from time to time, briefly flickering the color pink as this happens.
* Difficulty of standing.
* Trouble Speaking.
* Panting heavily.

#### **Personality Change**

On a psychological level, Corrupts undergo a notable shift in personality from their pure counterparts. They may display increased levels of aggression, rudeness, cockiness, and confidence. As an example, corrupted shapes are prone to insulting individuals who are not corrupted, with insults exchanged between corrupt individuals being far less frequent and reserved only for those of lower status.

#### **Physical Traits and Clothing**

Furthermore, there is a possibility for Corrupts to acquire new physical traits, (the most prevalent of which is the growth of hair). In most cases, a Corrupt is considered a distinct individual from their pure counterpart. Along with changes to their physical appearance, their clothing and accessories may also undergo alterations. For instance, in Episode 9, we observe that Hexagram's corrupted counterpart dons a new outfit complete with a Viking hat.

#### **Powers and Abilities**

Reportedly, shapes that undergo the Pink Corruption may also acquire new abilities. Some of the abilities that have been seen thus far are:

* **Corruption -** The most prominent ability possessed by Corrupts is their capacity to infect others. They can corrupt individuals either through physical or non-physical means, employing their powers to do so. As revealed in Episode 9, anything that comes into contact with a Corrupt turns pink, infecting living beings and objects.
* **Pink Corruption Manipulation -** It is shown that some corrupted shapes can influence and control the virus. An example of this in Episode 5, when Ajaceare starts influencing Cube's infection, making him lose control easily.
* **Extrasensory Perception -** Sensing is a sixth sense ability that enables them to detect shapes nearby or at far distances who don't or carry the virus within them, such as Cube. In Episode 5, Ajaceare demonstrates this by detecting the presence of one or more shapes nearby without relying on sight or sound. Likewise, in Episode 9, Cubic also displays this ability by using it to locate and track Cube's whereabouts.
* **Mind Manipulation -** Once a pure shape has been completely corrupted, the Corrupt host gains increasing influence and control over their minds, preventing them from retaining full control over their bodies. However, there have been instances where pure shapes attempt to resist and regain control. An example of Circubit's part video can be seen in one of the upcoming villain characters, Circubit in the second season. After he has been resurrected and corrupted, it appears that he has acquired a new ability to control minds through his music.
* **Dream Manipulation (Possibly) -** Although not explicitly implied, it appears that Corrupts who inhabit partially infected shapes may have the ability to influence their hosts' dreams. Cubic may be an example of this, as he is able to interact with Cube inside his soul while he sleeps and can possibly manipulate his dreams too, causing Cube to have a nightmare about him somewhere at the end of Episode 7.
* **Purification Immunity -** Shapes that are perma-corrupts are resistant to being cured. Dub and Barracuda, as the controllers of the virus, appear to be immune to purification.

#### **Purification**

Any corrupted shape that has been exposed to a hero's purification blast or a caretaker's triangle for an extended period can be restored to its original color. Once purified, the shape may experience a few minor symptoms before regaining full consciousness, including:

* Passing Out
* Disorientation and Dizziness

Shortly after, the shape will have fully recovered and resumed their normal activities, unless they become corrupted again.

An example of this is Cube, who, despite being only half-corrupted at the time of purification, was not completely cured due to receiving temporary treatment from Iris's orange triangle in Episode 2, instead of a full cleansing blast from the Heroes. This suggests that the purification powers of the Heroes themselves are more potent than those of the caretakers' triangles, implying that Circumsphere may become infected once again over time which happened in Episode 6.

Purifying a corrupted shape can prove to be a difficult task because they will do whatever they can to avoid the eventuality of shapes trying to purify them. This is particularly true in the case of heroes, as killing and corrupting the purifying shapes becomes an even graver threat.

#### **Permanent**

As previously mentioned, Dub and Barracuda are the only monster shapes confirmed to be in a permanent state of corruption, rendering them unable to be purified, regardless of whether they choose to reform. This is exemplified in the short animation "Cube's Concert," where Dub is seen remaining in his corrupted state.

#### **Resurrected**

In the Circubit's Past video, it is strongly suggested that deceased shapes can potentially be revived as undead corrupts, as hinted by the presence of a mysterious creature named La Danse Macabre.

## **Weaknesses**

#### **The Heroes**

The heroes themselves are immune to infection and will shatter like glass after receiving three to six hits. Furthermore, they possess the ability to purify the pink corruption virus.

#### **The Caretakers**

Cube's bond with his hero, Cyan, seemed to have provided him with some level of protection against the pink corruption virus. It is unknown whether this applies to other caretakers, however, other corrupts seem to know that caretakers get corrupted slower. Despite this resistance, Cubic, the corrupted half of Cube, was still present and aware within his soul. His goal was to become powerful enough to take over completely, and he believed that Cube's bond with Cyan would somehow contribute to this as his ultimate goal throughout Episode 5. However, it is unknown how this would be the case.

## **Cures**

#### **Tree Purification**

This type of cure is used for temporary cure shapes not permanent. In Episode 2, Iris employed this tactic to prevent Cube from losing control of his infection despite his best efforts. Similarly, he also used it on Commando Circumsphere in Episode 5, but unfortunately, he returned to a corrupted state in the next episode.

#### **Heroes' Mature Form**

In Episode 6, Cyan, in his second maturity, demonstrated his purification powers by instantly curing Cube and destroying Cubic once and for all. However, it was also revealed that even a formerly infected shape can be re-infected again.

## **Trivia**

* So far, we don't really know how the Pink Corruption Virus was actually created from the villain characters, Dub and Barracuda, as characters such as Cube from the beginning of Episode 5 still question the creation of the virus.
* In Episode 9, it is implied that corrupted shapes could in fact disguise themselves as fake pure shapes to trick others into thinking they aren't infected.
* Brittany Robinson confirmed that we will see more unusual things about the Pink Corruption Virus liquid in season 2.
* It is confirmed that the virus can only make a clone if the virus gathers enough information from the host.