Since its debut on Youtube in 2019, Hazbin Hotel has captivated the public. Created by Vivian Medrano, the show follows the princess of hell and daughter of Lucifer, Charlie Morningstar, and her pursuit to redeem sinners with her hotel. Despite its success, with Amazon Prime picking up the show for a full series, excitement surrounding the show has been met with controversy.
A debated aspect of the Amazon adaptation has been the recasting of main characters. Fans who had grown used to the voice actors from the pilot were devastated by the news. It made many feel as if the indie aspect of the project, what drew fans to the show in the first place, had been erased.
There have also been some things found about Medrano’s independent studio, Spindlehorse. Allegations have surfaced claiming that animators and staff receive a low wage. Conversations around this topic raised questions on fair compensation when it comes to Medrano’s animation projects.
Furthermore, allegations also suggest that Ken Draw, once Medrano’s friend, contributed a significant amount to the pilot script for Hazbin Hotel but did not receive proper credit for it. Additionally, claims point to Medrano tracing Ken’s reference for Cherry Bomb, a character in the show, without permission to do so.
Hazbin is still a popular show that’s loved by many. Whether or not Medrano or Spindlehorse decide to address the controversy, Hazbin Hotel has opened a conversation on indie animation, fair compensation, and creative ownership.