To dear Raymond,

[Pop-tart]

All the super intense feelings towards Raymond from both haters and lovers (such as the person who DMed some stranger with "I've decided you don't deserve Raymond so I expect you to DM me when you have him in boxes so I can relinquish him to someone else") freaks me out. I think Raymond is very cute, but all of this is really insane.

Some of the Raymond in boxes memes really make me laugh tho

https://twitter.com/x/status/1260252984795189253

 

[Iris_T]

Just saw this comic today in twitter...lately I mostly see negative stuff about Raymond which I understand given all the crazy stuff around him but is also kinda bittersweet to me. I managed to get him recently thanks to the campsite trick and while I still like him and know that my island is my island and shouldn't care about others opinions, sometimes sucks knowing that people is going to judge me somehow because of him.

Anyways, it depends on my mood, today I'm sort of low, tomorrow I might not give a damn.

 

[SneezingSnake]

First of all I think it‘s a lovely comic and props to the artist.
I also think that there is some very valid critism regarding Raymond trading and selling as well as the behaviour of some of his hardcore fans. However instead of criticising that specific behaviour and the people exhibiting that behaviour it’s Raymond himself now becoming synonymous with the whole craze. People stopped separating the two and I can imagine that after a certain amount of ridiculousness it does get difficult to do that.

I believe some people should really reflect why they either stan or hate a certain thing, but I also don’t quite think that the people that should be doing that are here reading this and will reflect.


As a more personal addition: I actually really like Raymond, at least his design, because I haven’t had him on my island. I struggle a little with liking the smug personality and went through a bunch of characters in NL that I couldn’t warm up to, despite their great designs. So when I was island hopping for a smug I had really hoped to see Raymond to get to know him. However I ended up finding Shep and currently I can’t see letting him go at all! Shep basically not being able to see because of his bangs led to some hilarious conversations and I am too attached to everyone else to free up a spot currently.
I just think people should be able to like Raymond without getting hate dms. But I personally am also not on twitter or any big social media to see much of this craze and hate and I really think that helps, when it’s a possibility for you to not engage with it.

In the end these villagers live with you on the island, you talk to them everyday and it’s really only your opinion that matters on them, not their popularity or the opposite. I really hope that people that play this game and are/want to connect to their villagers won’t be swayed by the mass opinions of the internet, because personally I don’t think that leads to anything genuine.

Apologies for rambling here

 

[jiojiop]

Also to be clear: This post is not meant to guilt trip whoever dislikes him or sold him or thinks he's ugly. This is more of an appeal to the people who are feeling uneasy, ashamed or unsure if they should like Raymond because of his popularity or afraid of the hatemob he has. I just want to say "It's okay."

I just want to say, I really appreciate you being careful about not criticizing those who don't like Raymond.

I think it's natural and unavoidable that some people will be turned off a character if they see others going overboard for them, and that really applies to any game/movie/music group. Sometimes it's because people don't want to be associated with that fandom, other times it's because they think "well X is good but it's not that good..." and it starts making them think about the negative aspects of X in objection to the worship. Other people are just obstinate by nature, and they simply don't want a town like everyone else has. I totally understand that. I love Punchy and nothing will diminish that, but my friend whose island I visit all the time has Punchy right now, so it feels too weird for me to get Punchy too. I likely won't get Punchy till he leaves her island.

Also, I think it's awesome that villagers remember you when they are moving back to your island and all have something unique to say! It makes me wanna see what that text is for each personality type! I should have a Jock coming back soon.

 

[PugLovex]

@lieryl
View attachment 259991
View attachment 259990

A lot of the criticism is basically people saying “wHy Is ThIs JuSt GuIlT tRiPpInG fOr RaYmOnD?!?!1!!1!1! uGlY vIlLaGeRs DeSeRvE tHe LoVe ToO!1!!1!” and basically missing the whole point of the comic lol.

that irritates me. the message is SUPPOSED to be about raymond! the fact that is getting hated on for spreading a message is just so immature to me

 

[Dormire]

I just want to say, I really appreciate you being careful about not criticizing those who don't like Raymond.

I think it's natural and unavoidable that some people will be turned off a character if they see others going overboard for them, and that really applies to any game/movie/music group. Sometimes it's because people don't want to be associated with that fandom, other times it's because they think "well X is good but it's not that good..." and it starts making them think about the negative aspects of X in objection to the worship. Other people are just obstinate by nature, and they simply don't want a town like everyone else has. I totally understand that. I love Punchy and nothing will diminish that, but my friend whose island I visit all the time has Punchy right now, so it feels too weird for me to get Punchy too. I likely won't get Punchy till he leaves her island.

Also, I think it's awesome that villagers remember you when they are moving back to your island and all have something unique to say! It makes me wanna see what that text is for each personality type! I should have a Jock coming back soon.

I wholeheartedly believe not everyone is extreme when it comes to loving or disliking a villager so I wanted to clarify that I wish to respect people's personal preferences at the same time helping people who are afraid to express their love for a popular villager. It's very hard to talk about topics like this without unintentionally painting either sides as bad or intolerable. So, I'm glad that I didn't cause any misunderstandings.

TBT for me, is such a nice place to be in despite there's not a complete agreement, everything is discussed rationally and never to resort to any attempts of physical harm unlike other SNS sites.

Yeah! Not just that, your villager retains memories of everyone and your friendship levels! Raymond came back home and had a high level of friendship despite being moved to another island. It was so nice. Before in New Leaf, there wasn't exactly any memory retention at all.

 

[Fisher]

No one should feel bad for having Raymond on their island, or any villager for that matter.

Most people who hate Raymond are just extremely jealous of people who have him anyway.

I don’t think Raymond is really that special either (although he does have a very cool and unique design), but hating on people for having a popular villager is just petty internet crap that should just be ignored.

 

[jiojiop]

@lieryl
View attachment 259991
View attachment 259990

A lot of the criticism is basically people saying “wHy Is ThIs JuSt GuIlT tRiPpInG fOr RaYmOnD?!?!1!!1!1! uGlY vIlLaGeRs DeSeRvE tHe LoVe ToO!1!!1!” and basically missing the whole point of the comic lol.

that irritates me. the message is SUPPOSED to be about raymond! the fact that is getting hated on for spreading a message is just so immature to me

That's so gross. It's more than immature. Calling her a b because she... likes Raymond? ...Jeez. Twitter is too intense for me lol

Yeah! Not just that, your villager retains memories of everyone and your friendship levels! Raymond came back home and had a high level of friendship despite being moved to another island. It was so nice. Before in New Leaf, there wasn't exactly any memory retention at all.

Oh really! Wow I'm so glad! I had a really high friendship level with mine before he was forced out by a campsite visitor and I've been hoping I wouldn't lose friendship with him. I need his piccie D-:

 

[naranjita]

I remember seeing a comment, idk if it was on TBT or reddit, that was like "Raymond lovers and Raymond haters are about as common as each other at this point, but I'd rather see someone gush about a character they love for the millionth time than see someone complain about a character they hate for the millionth time", and I couldn't agree more with that sentiment.

 

[PugLovex]

That's so gross. It's more than immature. Calling her a b because she... likes Raymond? ...Jeez. Twitter is too intense for me lol


Oh really! Wow I'm so glad! I had a really high friendship level with mine before he was forced out by a campsite visitor and I've been hoping I wouldn't lose friendship with him. I need his piccie D-:

at this point you may as well call me a b for liking him, he’s one of my new favorites

 

[swifterly]

This thread actually is swaying me to go back to my original dream of having Raymond on my island. I loved his design the instant I saw it, before I had any idea how insanely popular he'd be (and before the maid dress memes lmao), and thought "I want this boy on my island!"

But then, with all the craze over him, I became intimidated. And when he started to gather a hatemob, with people viciously mocking aspects of his design and people who liked him, I decided to steer clear.

This comic though, it makes me remember the reasons I liked him in the first place, and makes me want to scoop him up and treat him right on my island so he has an oasis away from being despised (or on the other end, fetishized)...

 

[Maruchan]

Still super new to the game, have yet to consider villagers, but OP's post reminds me of Coco back in 2014.
Here is a fossil thread that I dug up lol
https://www.belltreeforums.com/threads/do-you-like-coco.220126/
( That Monster comic sure is a fav classic) )

My personal thoughts on those Ramondhatemob is that, like certain vocal groups irl society,
they just needed a host/vessel/scapegoat/excuse, so that they can scream and attack others under this thin veil of disguise.
There are always hidden agendas beneath these attacks imo.
Not sure what though, in Raymond's case, as I cannot comprehend why someone would get so warm over a video game virtual cat villager.

In the end of the day, you live in your own island and you're in control of it, not other people. Just be yourself in a place that's meant to be yours.
This can be also applied to real life as well.

Anyways, sorry for the somewhat serious topic. I felt like I needed to say it. I hope my message comes through clearly. I'm not a native English speaker so I might've fumbled some words.

My thoughts exactly. Well-said, and thank you OP for sharing! ^^

 

[Xara]

why am i sad now smh. listen, i don’t really care for raymond but i see no reason to attack anybody who likes/has him. he’s new and exciting and people should just be allowed to have preferences and like/what whatever villagers

 

[thatveryawkwardmayor]

this was a wonderful comic! it bothers me how decisive raymond makes the ac community but there is a real problem with people intensely fetishizing a video game cat :/

 

[MiraculousGiraffe]

This makes me think of the whole debacle surrounding people making fun of others for liking popular things. There's nothing wrong with liking popular things or in the case, popular villagers. I don't get the reason for berating someone for that. Why are you so angry at someone for having Raymond and Marshall and other popular villagers on their island???? Raymond isn't my favorite and I certainly wouldn't be dishing out 20mil bells and 400 NMT for him but if others want to, SO BE IT! That being said, It's totally fine to not like the popular villagers, but it's not fine to attack others for liking them. It doesn't make you extra cool or special in comparison becasue you don't like the popular villagers. It's not a competition!! Let people like what they like!! If you want an island full of top tier villagers, you go get them. If you want an island full of unpopular villagers, you go get them. It's all preference my guys.

 

[Jessi]

I mean I don't care for Raymond he grew on me a little, but hating on others because you don't like him is plan wrong. Maybe I dislike him, because of how much people charge for him which outrageous to me. That's why I gave my Raymond away for FREE. I do think he is a good villager just not my favs. I'm sorry to anyone getting hate because Raymond. Poor Raymond and to the people who have to get hate. Don't listen to them enjoy who you love. I mostly hate the dark side of the Raymond fandom. You know what i'm talking about...

 

[Neechan]

The most intense hateart I found was his (not alive) body in separate boxes. (I will omit details since I found it repulsive.) I get it that it's a joke but I think this is even worse than the net batting memes. At least the villager is alive. It was very (not pleasing) too.

Maybe I'm just being sensitive but honestly, he hasn't even done anything wrong? Should I really laugh at it? Like dang.

was this the ikea Raymond?

 

[seularin]

it always breaks my heart seeing people hate on a villager :c

 

[Dormire]

was this the ikea Raymond?

Spoiler

No. Raymond was not exactly shown but it showed a very uh, um...bloody, soggy-worn out box with implications he was...y'know...it was quite graphic to say the least.

 

[seularin]

i don't hate him, or dislike him. i just hate the people charging him for absurd prices-- "hey!! raymond's in boxes. buyout is 300 nmts" ;;;; in all honesty he's just a (imo) cute virtual cat