How SpongeBob Reframes Masculinity 

SpongeBob crying always breaks my heart. It never feels fake or insincere. I must protect him.

Squidward slamming the pizza on the customer's face after both seeing how distraught Spongebob was by the customer's response, and also considering how much both of them went through just to deliver it, gives such a sense of empathetic comradery, even lying to Spongebob implying the customer did accept and enjoy it in the end since he kniows that would make him happy, these very spare moments of a bond between them are so amazing, which I notice sparingly happen only or mostly in earlier seasons

i always thought Spongebob was an example of how people should behave socially, not only on the attitude but how to enjoy things with no shame

I always love just how realistic his emotions are in those early seasons. He never tries to suppress his emotions or pretend like everything is perfectly fine when it isn’t, and I really like that about him.

IM A GOOFY GOOBER!

this show helped me grow up and deal with my emotions, in the 'tough american midwest' you would often have to defend your tears, a lot

I kinda feel like as the show went on, it joked more about SpongeBob crying, main example I think of being SpongeBob You’re Fired

Weirdly deep analysis of spunchbop psychology, i didn't realized how grounded and defined his character was

i wanna be masculine in the way spongebob is masculine dang

Wow, normally I don't say this because everyone else does it, but this is very underrated. Keep up the great work!

It took me almost the whole video to realize this doesnt even have 200 views yet. This is well made and honestly a great video, i love this content

I never considered the concepts of masculinity or the subversion of it within SpongeBob, super insightful content and well put!

I love how SpongeBob never feels afraid to be vulnerable (at least in these early seasons, idk about later on I kinda blocked a lot of the newer seasons out-). Very good analysis, I think you explained everything well and it was easy to follow!

Amazing video! I’ve always really loved this underlying element throughout the show and I’m glad somebody talked about it in depth. There are quite a few “newer episodes” like “Blackened Sponge” or “BlackJack” that also focus on this idea and even more modern eps like “Larry’s Gym” continue to showcase it. SpongeBob’s lack of masculinity and subsequent femininity are both used as gags and as character material, post S1 there is a bit more of an ironic edge to the scenes of SB crying like you are supposed to be laughing at him but the message of the first movie is really sweet and powerful. Nice job!

Once again, RU-vid is recommending small, but great creators, and I'm really happy for that. Good work on this video, it was very nice. I don't personally have much to add, but it was really interesting tomjust hear this perspective in general.

Honestly a banger of a video. In a similar vein to this discussion, I think SpongeBob taught me how to be a person. SpongeBob was and to some extent still is my special interest. I also have low empathy brand of autism, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel emotions at all. I think watching SpongeBob practically every day until I was like 12, seeing how these characters (and SpongeBob especially) acted and interacted with eachother and the world, I think that helped fill gaps in my personality that wouldn’t have been filled without it. Even if I don’t quite understand people and even if I still struggle to actually feel empathy, I know what it is and I know how to employ my own version of it. I know that sounds bad to say “I don’t feel empathy but I can pretend I do”, but it’s a lot deeper than I’m able to article. I look back on the show now that I know I’m trans. I love and appreciate how gender roles were treated, because it never installed a belief in binary gender roles into myself. Even if part of me strives for “traditional” masculinity, SpongeBob himself makes me feel comfortable in things like wearing skirts and makeup (though granted I only ever wear nail polish) and having “feminine” hobbies. SpongeBob to me is what I strive to be as not only a person, but specifically a man. And i really appreciate this analysis because it helps me realized a lot of this mini essay I just wrote. Thank you, and I hope you keep creating, this video was a delight :)

I’m surprised this doesn’t have 100K views yet. Great stuff

When squidward did his cruel rendition of a aprils fools prank that make spongebob cry, gets me everytime. Or when he experienced trauma and stayed inside with Chip, Penny and Tissue i felt that. Great insight. 🙂

0:41 stephen hillenburg never left the show, he kept producing episodes after the movie. just stepped down as show runner

The SpongeBob crying compilation in the beginning actually made me cry too 😭

I think the animations of spongebob getting upset and crying just always feel so real, like when he's shaking and trying to hold it all in. This was a really interesting video, I've never had anyone analyse the show from this perspective!

I didn’t even remember the scene with Pearl at the prom. (Great scene to prove your point) Actually, overall, you made your points super well. It made me go “Oh yeaah” Great job on the video!

Awesome video. Very well spoken and a great message

Amazing video! Can't believe i got my sense of masculinity from SPONGEBOB of all things

wow. this is a banger. i never once thought about this

As an autistic person I often wish I had the ability to express my emotions to the level SpongeBob can, I wish people could just get how I feel. Something I’ve especially had to grapple with being born a guy and having since transitioned, I feel like society has basically conditioned me to assume when I’m sad people won’t care. I dunno, I could go deeper into this but don’t really want to. I absolutely loved this video though, really spoke to me in a lot of ways!

I kind of realised that Spongebob gave me a very important lesson that I kind of had to shove away as the years went by: it's okay to cry, and you need it when you feel too many negative emotions to ease your emotional struggle. Yeah, I'm a girl, but people still judge me for being overly sensitive and that I used to cry a lot in the public until I've turned 18 and got severe anger issues, yay, I guess (to cope with it I used to tire myself with beating pillows up until my hands are tired). Also, gotta love the role reversal in any kind of relationships, where the man is more feminine, and the woman is more masculine, that works really well if done with care and limits, in my opinion. Like, Spongebob and Sandy's friendship from earlier seasons is a great example.

This video really showed me why SpongeBob is one character that I found comfort in. Personally speaking, I like a lot of childish and feminine things, I cry a lot, I'm not extremely masculine so you can understand why I was drawn to him. Also, the way he tries to be more masculine but ultimately falls back to just being who he is really hits home with me as well. Of course, there's nothing wrong with trying to improve yourself if you want to but doing so because you want to fit in isn't the best thing to do. The movie really taught me that despite having a naive and childlike attitude, you can still accomplish something. I needed to hear that.

I unironically consider (early) SpongeBob to be one of my role-models.

Incredibly well written and insightful video! Can’t wait to see what’s next time come! 👀

This video comes at a good time in my life and I feel lucky to feel a bit moved by it. Thank you

Now I love SpongeBob even more because I realized it shaped who I am.

i love a good ol media video essay for silly cartoons

This is great! I never considered this aspect of the series before! Informative and well-written! Would love to see another video like this

This was a refreshing take. Thank you

This is so good!!! Pls make more of these!!

This is actually really good and I think your analysis is great! I’d like to see more from you for sure

This is exactly the type of content I come to youtube for

I'm so glad yt recommended me this video! Great analysis :D

I love this video! this is a great video essay breakdown on this

this is the video i’ve been waiting for:) subscribing❤️

Super interesting analysis!! This is something I never thought about, and makes me love the cartoon even more :]

Very well made video. I always enjoyed the themes of the series

Awesome video examining my most favorite show of all time! 😊

Thank you for this, it’s so good, i love the show and your analysis

....listening to this as a transmasc who loved SpongeBob growing up is making me realize things about myself (in a good way)

This video is literally so well made - I hadn't ever thought about the show in this light. I'm glad to see this video doing so well, and I wish you well in the future!

I loved this video. There was always something about the way spongebob used to write their characters early on that made them so lovable and human and I never could put my finger on it but you explained it in such a good way. The earlier seasons have such a quality to them that always made me feel with spongebob and ever scene he cried in still make me feel for him to this day. That alone is such powerful writing

Great video I just find you channel and as someone who grew up with SpongeBob I didn’t relate to the character of SpongeBob until this video so I appreciate this video and i can tell you are very well spoken and good at getting your points across

Great video! I watched it while I was doing my hair and makeup!

I remember I was 12 when it aired and seeing the commercials prior and thinking omg that show looks soooooo freaking dumb but I had little sisters so we watched it and it took me a few episodes but I liked it! Now I’m 36 and I appreciate it more now than I did then

This video feels like it came from a 1M channel! You did an amazing job and I can't wait to see your next video! ✨

This is an amazing analysis! I wish I had the words to write a really long and detailed compliment but this meant a lot to me growing up with spongebob! tysm for making this video!

What a great video this was, and it just so happened to be in my recommended! Keep up the great work! 👍🏿

Very insightful! I hope this channel goes far.

this was an absolute masterpiece thank you for creating such a thought provoking video. i never thought about spongebob like this.. makes me love spongebob even more than i already did

I really adore this video for opening a new perspective of SpongeBob to me as well as exploring the underlying importance of Masculinity and Feminity as a whole that everyone can find their footing in

Excellent video, thank you so much for making this

This is such a great video, thank you!

I think you should continue in this format. I enjoyed it

good, i was a big fan of SpongeBob in childhood. Very refreshing approach to masculinity after Hamza etc. gonna rewatch some series, especially about fake muscles hehe 😊

spongebob video essays keep me going

Y'know, looking at the scenes where SpongeBob breaks down, I could argue that the emotion is purposely a little overdramatic for a kind of comedic effect, but in a different way than how you'd usually see it. I do laugh when SpongeBob cries, but it's an empathetic laugh, as in i relate to that reaction to a situation and find it cathartic in a way, considering most social norms won't allow me that unrestrained emotion. Thanks for the video, I'm so happy i found such a gem

Great analysis!

This is such an amazing video! It made me even realize some stuff about myself. Amazing please do more of these! Keep doing what you are doing!

this video was awesome you should definitely make more like this if the inspo ever strikes !

Spongebob crying after the drink guy is so relatable...customer service sucks lol

I always remember getting really mad at other kids calling sponegbob gay as an insult during middle school, now I'm a trans man who's not afraid to still embrace femininity (and also coincidentally very interested in other men hehe) I think deep inside younger me knew what was up

I really enjoyed this. SpongeBob was my favorite show growing up, and some of my favorite parts of him are how he cries so openly. Something about him crying and not being given shit for it has always been really cathartic. The show leans very queer at times as well, and it honestly amazes me how much really insightful and varied rep there is. I heavily relate to him as someone who is often the oddest one in the room but so full of energy.

when i saw that you only had 75 subs it was surprising because your content is great, keep up to good work and i know you’ll go far

I'm here before the video blows up even more!

Popped into my recommended keep these vids up your channel will reach 10k before the end of the year trust

I didnt know I needed reasonable-spongebob-crying-core.

spongebob being my biggest kin has a lot more to do with his masculinity (or lack there of) more than i realized until this video analysis lol thank you ❤😭

this video was beautiful, thank you. i feel so lucky to have grown up on spongebob :D

wow, what an amazing video. This insight on how the franchise really views and interprets masculinity was captured so well, the conclusion honestly made me emotional lmao. The movie scene with Spongebob’s speech fit so well in this video, it was a perfect moment and definitely gave the best message it possibly could have. P.S, i’m not a video essay person, but god damn is this a great one!

love this video i wish you become a great youtuber ill be always here to support you ❤❤❤❤❤❤ love spongebob

happy to be your 242nd sub.

Insightful stuff. Subbed

Spongebob is a real man to me tbh, He has his stuff together, he has his own house, he has a full-time job he loves, is financially stable, is comfortable being himself, and doesnt need to be a toxic alpha masculine male type. Early Spongebob was a sensitive, empathetic friendly eccentric guy, but had a more mature sage like personality to him. He also was not afraid to stand up for himself at times and had a spine.

Finally, a solid and lucid definition of which masculinity is toxic! Thank you!

Just watched some of your other videos like the one about "failing at minecraft" and it's fun to watch. It must be really surprising to have a video blow up like this.

I really enjoyed watching this one

here before this channel blows up

This was a good analysis video. I like seeing old SpongeBob again. Btw skibidi toilet 75 is out.

There’s many parts of SpongeBob, where it kills me to see him cry, one of them being the pizza delivery and the other one is 2:39. I wanted to fight Squidward in that episode. 😭

I've always said Sandy was a butch icon 💅 Incredible video!

I once quoted spongebob saying "I can't do it Mr krabs!" and he legit smacked me in the face and said we don't talk like that. Dude backhanded me, and now as an adult I've brought it up and he just shrugged it off and chuckled like I'm making a big deal out of nothing. Spongebob is for real men, not fake men.

Great job, you have covered some very interesting facts about the early days of the show.. It's very interesting to realistic how emotions are being handled.. In the later seasons emotions aren't a topic or even the topic of the humour (It's intended to laugh about a crying SpongeBob).. This feels like a blank treason to the early seasons... Beside from that, I hope you do similar videos, maybe about SpongeBob or about such topics like Masculinity or stuff like how a show deals with LGBTQIA+

awesome video. I never really noticed how much early spongebob toyed around with gender roles. especially in regards of spongebob and patrick‘s friendship and sandy as a whole. I love the point you brought up - everyone carries „male“ and „female“ characteristics in them. We all should embrace this. „Toxic masculinity“ wouldn’t be a topic if some men dropped their mask and see (and feel!) how much more they carry in themselves. I never related to spongebob as a character - but from the perspective you showed here, it totally changed my view on it

Amazing video!

Great vid!

If SpongeBob was real we'd see people on the Internet make him a soyjack, but instead they express admiration through the use ef memes. I forgot the video that influenced my aforementioned thought but it was about the first movie's themes. I've honestly should've thought more thoroughly about this show's, and movie's, themes in my late teenage years, though my mother's attitudes caused myself, and my siblings, massive issues so it wasn't solely this but assuredly it contributed in my case. I often share both masculine and feminine traits, and my gender expression doesn't fit the norm. Like as I was reading about how gender influences in what way you enjoy spicy foods; as I've read, it said that men tend to enjoy the spice as a sense of accomplishment and endurance, while women tend to enjoy it for the sensation and taste. For me, I love hot sauce for the flavor and sensation while also I feel accomplished when I can handle something very spicy. My reasons are definitely multifactorial.

I have never struggled with my own (unmasculine), I am what I am, I have hated when others have bulled me for not being masculine, even though almost all women (are not even feminine anymore) we have completely destroyed the idea of what a women even is, but have not done so for men, so I got bulled

Stephen left after S3, not S4

I'm not sure if SpongeBob was intended to be a childish, immature and annoying (plot sometimes treats him as such), but the more I watch pre-movie seasons, the more charming, whimsical and sincere he comes off as a character.

Im a trans guy who held onto my love of "girly" things. Im so happy that no one can make me feel inferior for it! Now brb while I go put a cute lil hat on my doll lol

you, you are cool. you need more subscribers like right now. where is everyone

2:54 tell me why I was waiting for the “way to go squidward”

awe hell yeah feminist analisys of my favorite sponge