Monster Boy

“Monster Boy” is an animation project currently^[when?] in the works at Bournemouth University. It is based in a world where humans carry invisible “monsters”. These creatures are always attached to their bodies in some way, and represent all that is negative about that person’s personality. Their forms are impressioned by aspects of their host, but exist in a plane entirely seperate to reality. They cannot affect the real world, nor can they be seen or heard.

The main character, however, breaks this mould when he first becomes aware of his monster, the self-titled Vex, at age 13. At first, the boy can only hear his voice, but Vex is quick to reveal himself, and the idea of monsters, to him.

The boy discovers that, indeed, he is not alone. Everyone he meets has a monster of their own design, yet are completely unaware of them: his teachers, the school children, even his own parents.

As Vex will explain to the boy in due time, these monsters seem to appear to humans in times of turmoil, and represent their current situation. For example, Chris is suffering greatly from an inferiority complex and artistic frustration, of which Nexus is quick to remind him.

The story explores the lives of the three main characters, their lives, and their monsters; it addresses topics such as bullying, loneliness, social awkwardness, loss of loved ones, etc.

Monster Boy was created by Rebekka Hearl. Once she graduates, she hopes to pitch this idea and the work to an animation company, in hopes of having it produced as a computer animated feature film. Currently, she is uploading the pre-production work to her Deviant ART, YouTube, and Tumblr. Proper production of a 3-5 minute computer animated scene is expected to commence in the fall.

A link to the author's Deviant ART is Here and a link to the debut animatic is Here!

Tropes used in Monster Boy include:

A Boy and His X: More like a boy and his amorphous mass of darkness which happens to be feeding off of his negativity.
Aliens and Monsters
Anti-Villain: Viola's monster is said to feed less "fervently" on its host's emotions than most monsters, and actually seems to care for her to some extent.
Beware the Silly Ones: To a point, Nexus.
Big Bad: The creator has implied that the "villain" of the show may actually be Chris or, more specifically, Nexus controlling Chris.
Blob Monster: Vex is an amorphous mass of shadows that "stands" at about eight feet in height and is covered in faces with rapidly-changing expressions.)
Child-Hater: The monsters seem to primarily target children.
The Danza: Christopher Niosi (aka Kirbopher) as the character Chris.
Deadpan Snarker: Nexus is a particularly malicious example.
Demonic Possession: What Nexus apparently has in mind for Chris.
Determinator: Chris. No matter how many times Nexus destroys his artwork, he just keeps on drawing.
Emotion Eater: The monsters function as this, feeding off their respective child's negative emotions.
Everyone Meets Everyone: In the pilot, Viola meets Boy (though off screen), Boy meets Chris, Nexus meets Boy, Chris and Viola meet Vex, Boy sort of meets Emese.
Heroic Albino: Viola.
Hey, It's That Voice!: The storyboard animatic on Youtube has ShadyVox as the Boy and Kirbopher as Chris, while Nexus is voiced by none other than Little Kuriboh (using his Frieza voice, no less!) it is currently unknown whether they will be permanent additions to the voice cast, however.
Ink Suit Actor: While it could be unintentional, Chris does look a lot like Kirbopher. Also see The Danza above.
Invisible to Normals: The eponymous Monsters can only be seen by a select few individuals.
Jerkass: Nexus.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Chris. To a point.
Like Brother and Sister: Chris and Viola.
Meaningful Name: Vex (meaning "to annoy" or, more fittingly "to bring distress") and Nexus (meaning "chains").
Missing Mom: Part of Viola's backstory.
No Hugging, No Kissing
No Name Given: The main character's name is never given, so the creator and the fans simply refer to him as Boy. Apparently his name will be revealed eventually, but that may not be for a while.
Troll: Nexus, Chris's monster, is essentially this, constantly belittling Chris's art and messing with him in general.
Two Guys and a Girl: Chris, Boy, and Viola.
Word of God: Since the series is still in the early stages of development, most of the information about it can be found on the creator's deviantART and tumblr accounts.