I started this passion project of mine the moment I invented Zyne- back in middle school!

Just kidding. I ACTUALLY began developing what is now known as Hellbound by first constructing the characters apart of the main cast, and their individual roles, both how they relate narratively, why they can't be cut, and how they can be designed to perfectly reflect that.

Mr. Clean - My starting idea for this character was "Stoner Himbo Drug Dealer" (based-off-my-friend-who-curses-a-lot). If anything, that friend IS Mr. Clean! He was supposed to remain a full comedy character, but was given more depth as I wrote Hellbound's script. How annoying would it be if he was *just* the loud sexy stoner guy?

Moose - The planner, and the ex, mostly to illustrate who Zyne really is... then, like any narrative, I gave her more meaning than that alone. Characters are people- fully rounded individuals- treat them like one.

Zyne - The ex mob boss. The absentee father. The mentor... originally, he wasn't all these things. He was just an edgy demon oc with green hair and lots of self loathing. Now he's a fully rounded, edgy demon oc! The character I've put the most thought into. His psychology, his themes, what his character means, his arc, why Hellbound IS "Hellbound." It's him. He's the Hellbound!

Arania - The heart of the story, and the team. Maybe she's secretly the main character! For the most part, she was made to illustrate Hellbound's main theme of being outcast for simply being mixed. She's Zyne without all the ego, the trauma, the ambition, the craziness! Probably the most normal one amongst them.

Damian - Used to be Zyne's evil twin named "Neo Zyne", back when Zyne was this weird mix of a hero yet not, but the story acted like he was, and that he was good deep down. Back when I didn't know that characters need to actually serve a purpose, not just be needlessly evil yet still must be rooted for/be a good person. It clashes; makes you wonder what the end goal or message is. But the new Damian is the one who brought Zyne into the world of crime; mostly to turn their oppressive, power-based system around, but we all know how that turned out! She's here so the story makes sense, and so certain events actually matter in the end. If this wasn't a visual novel, and I'd had the help of a studio to make this in a different medium, then Damian wouldn't be as much of a side character as she is, as well. She doesn't fit in all the way, just by the nature of not really being able to focus on her. If the story didn't have to be condensed, and confined in this way, she'd even be one of the main player characters. Maybe in Hellbound 2, though? When I have the resources to do what I really want with HB.