Helluva Boss is an American adult animated web series created by Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano. It revolves around the employees of I.M.P (Immediate Murder Professionals), an imp-run assassination company in Hell, on their many different jobs.[1][2] The members of I.M.P include Blitzo "Blitz", the boss of the venture, along with weapons specialist Moxxie, powerhouse Millie, and receptionist hellhound Loona. With the help of an ancient book obtained from Stolas, a Goetial demon of Hell, they access the human world to complete their tasks on order from demons in Hell.

The series' pilot was released on November 25, 2019,[3] while the first episode of the first season premiered on October 31, 2020.[4] The show is produced by SpindleHorse Toons. The show is released exclusively to Medrano's YouTube channel[5][6][7][8] The show's second season premiered on July 30, 2022.[9] On March 27, 2023, the show was confirmed to be renewed for a third season, in active production.[10]

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedCumulative views (in millions)
First releasedLast released
Pilot1 (+1 dub)November 25, 2019 (2019-11-25)64.5
18[11]October 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)June 24, 2023 (2023-06-24)329
212[12]July 30, 2022 (2022-07-30)TBA134

Episodes

Pilot (2019)

Note: The pilot is no longer canon to the series.[13]

TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release date
"Pilot[14]"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersSamantha Ames, Amanda Heard, Amy Heard, & Lidia LiuNovember 25, 2019 (2019-11-25)

Blitzo and his employees, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona, discuss ways to get business rolling again at their assassination company.

Musical numbers: "I.M.P Jingle" and "Oh Millie" (end credits)

Season 1 (2020–2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release dateOnline views (in millions)
11"Murder Family"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersSamantha Ambriz, Thomas Brooks, & Nick SwiftOctober 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)61

A schoolteacher hires I.M.P to kill her husband's mistress.

Musical numbers: "Teacher's Song"
22"Loo Loo Land"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersSeth Anderholm, Zach Giering, Jess Sims, & Paul VillecoDecember 9, 2020 (2020-12-09)51

Stolas takes his daughter, Octavia, to an amusement park and hires I.M.P to serve as bodyguards. Stolas and Octavia discuss their relationship, as well as Stolas' troubles with his wife, Stella.

Musical numbers: "You Will Be Okay" and "Loo Loo Land"
33"Spring Broken"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersZi Chen, Adam Ford, Zach Giering, Amanda Heard, & Lidia LiuJanuary 31, 2021 (2021-01-31)50

I.M.P's company parking space is stolen by Blitzo's ex, Verosika, and several of her succubi friends. He challenges her for ownership of the parking space, and the two groups go to Earth in order to compete.

Musical numbers: "Vacay to Bonetown" and "Mustang Dong" (end credits)
44"C.H.E.R.U.B."Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersSeth Anderholm, Thomas Brooks, Kyle Bullock, & Paul VillecoMarch 14, 2021 (2021-03-14)38

An inventor who has just entered Hell hires I.M.P to kill his business partner, Lyle Lipton. Before they can, three cherubs from Heaven arrive and try to convince Lipton his life is worth living. I.M.P and the cherubs battle over Lipton before the cherubs accidentally kill him.

Musical numbers: "C.H.E.R.U.B Jingle"
55"The Harvest Moon Festival"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersKyle Bullock, Zach Giering, Arielle Somerville, Nick Swift, & Ang VondraApril 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)38

I.M.P visits Millie's parents in the Wrath ring during the Harvest Moon Festival. Their farmhand, Striker, is revealed to be an assassin plotting to kill Stolas. He fails, and informs his client: Stolas' wife, Stella.

Musical numbers: "Striker's Song"
66"Truth Seekers"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersSamantha Ames, Seth Anderholm, Zach Giering, Arielle Somerville, & Nick SwiftAugust 21, 2021 (2021-08-21)40

While on a mission, Blitzo and Moxxie are captured by secret agents. They are interrogated in a facility, where they confess their emotional issues with one another under the influence of a truth serum. Millie and Loona rescue them, but are cornered. The group is ultimately saved by Stolas, who possesses an agent and opens a portal to Hell for I.M.P.

Musical numbers: "Moxxie's Bad Trip"
77"Ozzie's"Vivienne MedranoVivienne MedranoZach Giering, Amanda Heard, Amy Heard, & Arielle SomervilleOctober 31, 2021 (2021-10-31)31

Moxxie and Millie go to a couples-only restaurant for their anniversary. Blitzo follows them into the restaurant, and takes Stolas with him in order to get in. Stolas is later spotted with Blitzo, and the two are humiliated by the restaurant's owner and head entertainer.

Musical numbers: "House of Asmodeus"
88"Queen Bee"Vivienne MedranoVivienne Medrano & Brandon RogersNick Swift, Kevin Slawinski, Zach Giering, & Amanda HeardJune 24, 2023 (2023-06-24)16

Loona is invited to a Hellhound party in the Gluttony ring by Vortex and meets his girlfriend, the Queen of Gluttony, Queen Bee-lzebub.

Musical numbers: "Cotton Candy" and "Monster's Ball" (end credits)

Season 2 (2022–present)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title[15]Directed byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release dateOnline viewers (in millions)
91"The Circus"Vivienne MedranoVivienne MedranoSamantha Ambritz, Zach Giering, & Lidia LiuJuly 30, 2022 (2022-07-30)27

A young Stolas goes to a circus and meets Blitzo, and the two become friends. 25 years later, Stolas meets Blitzo again, where the two have sex and Blitzo steals Stolas' grimoire. When Stella finds out, Stolas tells her he is divorcing her.

Musical numbers: "Stolas Sings"[16][17][18]
102"Seeing Stars"Vivienne MedranoAdam NeylanGavin Arucan, Mariya Kharlamova, & Sophia Magallanes MoralesOctober 19, 2022 (2022-10-19)22

Stolas forgets about a meteor shower he had promised to take Octavia to when she was young. Upset, Octavia asks Stolas' grimoire to "take her to see the stars." The book instead transports her to Los Angeles along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where I.M.P and Stolas follow her in order to bring her back home.

Musical numbers: "I Like It" and "Til the Day We Die" (end credits)
113"Exes and Oohs"Vivienne MedranoAdam NeylanArielle Somerville, Samantha Ambriz, Amanda Heard, & Kaden WestbrookMarch 11, 2023 (2023-03-11)20

I.M.P goes to visit Moxxie's father, Crimson, a high profile mafia crime boss. Crimson tries to force Moxxie to marry Chaz, a shark demon whom both Moxxie and Millie previously dated.

Musical numbers: "Chaz Time", "Crashin' A Wedding"
124"Western Energy"Vivienne MedranoVivienne MedranoSeth Anderholm, Arielle Somerville, Sandra D. Rivas, & Gabe Del ValleMay 20, 2023 (2023-05-20)16

Striker kidnaps Stolas and intends to kill him under Stella's orders, but her brother Andrealphus informs her that if he does die, his power will go to their daughter (making her realize she will get nothing); so she has Striker spare him. Striker fights I.M.P, but escapes them, leaving Stolas alive but severely injured.

Musical numbers: "The Ballad of Striker"
135"Unhappy Campers"Vivienne MedranoAdam NeylanEddie Mead, Amanda Heard, Nick Swift, Gavin Arucan, Anna Lencioni, and Nicole RodriguezJuly 8, 2023 (2023-07-08)13

Moxxie gets a chance to lead a mission for I.M.P. for the very first time, and it doesn't go as planned. Meanwhile, Blitzo searches for his sister, Barbie Wire, who he attempts to reconcile his relationship with.

Musical numbers: "Regular Joe", "Everybody Look At Me" and "You Got The Power"
146"Oops"Vivienne MedranoVivienne MedranoNicole Rodriguez and Mariya KharlamovaSeptember 9, 2023 (2023-09-09)17

Blitzo and Fizzarolli are kidnapped by Crimson and Striker, who demand a large ransom from Asmodeus in exchange for Fizzarolli's release. With no one else coming to their rescue, Blitzo and Fizzarolli have to work together to save themselves, reconciling their past friendship in the process. Meanwhile, Stolas visits Asmodeus to request a crystal that would allow Blitzo to freely traverse between Hell and Earth.

Musical numbers: "Look at This"
157"Mammon's Magnificent Musical Mid-Season Special (ft Fizzarolli)"Vivienne MedranoVivienne MedranoAmanda Heard, Nick Swift, and Kevin SlawinskiOctober 29, 2023 (2023-10-29)16

Fizzarolli competes in a clown pageant held by Mammon, the Prince of Greed, much to Asmodeus’ dismay. Blitzo, brought in to serve as Fizzarolli's bodyguard, also tries to convince his friend to cut ties with Mammon.

Musical numbers: "Juggling iz Cool," "Klown Bitch," "Crooked," and "2 Minutes Notice"
168"The Full Moon"TBDTBDTBA2024TBA
179"Apology Tour"TBDTBDTBA2024TBA
1810"Ghostfuckers"TBDTBDTBA2024TBA
1911"Mastermind"TBDTBDTBA2024TBA
2012"Sinsmas"TBDTBDTBA2024TBA

Viewership

Helluva Boss: U.S. viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
161.8051.0150.1338.6838.4640.8731.3516.75329.09
227.2122.6720.8116.1413.7617.4616TBATBATBATBATBA134.07
Audience measurement performed by Nielsen Media Research[lower-alpha 1]

Other media

Music videos

An extended music video of the song "Oh Millie," sung by Richard Horvitz and Erica Lindbeck and previously featured in the series' the pilot, was released on February 14, 2020.[19]

A music video of the song "Just Look My Way", sung by Bryce Pinkham as Stolas, was released on December 3, 2023. The song itself was written and originally performed by YouTuber PARANOID DJ over two years prior as a fanmade tribute.[20] The music video occurs after season 2 episode 7.[21]

Dubs

A French dub of the pilot was released on September 16, 2020.[22]

Reception

Critical reception

Pilot

Mercedes Milligan of Animation Magazine lauded the pilot's "devilishly twisted comic tone," calling it "wildly popular" and "an overnight sensation."[23] Reuben Baron of Comic Book Resources noted the episode's "warranted criticism" from its "edgy" humor, while also praising it as a "clear labor of love from an animation standpoint."[24] Hope Mullinax of The Geeky Waffle similarly complimented the episode's "rewatchable" nature as "a solid introduction" to its characters, concluding by describing it as "a great time and a fantastic start to this well-built world" and "an excellent introduction to how each [character] functions within the narrative."[25] Mark Radulich of W2Mnet praised the pilot as "worth watching."[26]

Season 1

Amari Allah of Wherever I Look described "Murder Family" as "feel[ing] like what would have happened if Ren & Stimpy [and] the other insane and dark cartoons of the 90s [had] evolved and continued to have a platform," praising the series' "delicious" premise and the "dysfunctional family vibe [for] giv[ing] the show heart."[27] Hope Mullinax of The Geeky Waffle complimented the episode's exploration of "Moxxie and Mille's marriage [a]s tooth-rottenly sweet, [that] it's nice to have an on-screen happy relationship with little drama which is actually fresher than one would think."[28] Comic Book Resources praised "the chaotic humor of Helluva Boss' first episode."[29] Brendan Kachel of Flayrah complimented its "horror movie tributes a[s] well done," in particular praising the first episode's opening scene, where "the poor teacher only snaps when someone does something genuinely terrible to her as a good encapsulation of the show's themes."[30]

Season 2

In a retrospect of the series, Hope Mullinax of The Geeky Waffle marked Blitzo's and Stolas' romance in "The Circus" as "everything to me!...it’s many of my favorite romantic tropes rolled up into one series: different class backgrounds, power dynamics, two single dorky dads trying to raise their daughters, insecurities abound, a childhood background together, and miscommunications."[28] Zoe Dumas of MovieWeb noted that "Disney fans will recognize Stolas’ father Paimon as Jonathan Freeman, the long-time voice of Jafar."[31]

Reporting on a shot of Stolas from "The Circus" having become an internet meme, Jessica Nicole of Inside the Magic complimented Stolas' "fairly dramatic and theatrical character" in the episode, stating "the Disney princess sob is pretty in-character for him."[32]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2020 Ursa Major Awards Best Dramatic Series Helluva Boss for "Murder Family" and "Loo Loo Land" Nominated [33][34]
2021 Helluva Boss Won [35][36]
2022 Helluva Boss for "The Circus" and "Seeing Stars" Nominated [37]
2023 Streamy Awards Subject Award Animated Helluva Boss by VivziePop Won [38]

Notes

  1. The viewership statistics in the graph and table are sourced from the citations in the season-specific tables above.

References

  1. "Helluva Boss (2019) directed by Vivienne Medrano". Letterboxd. November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  2. Troup, Margaret (December 10, 2020). "'Helluva Boss' creator Vivienne Medrano releases second episode of her spinoff series". Iowa State Daily. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. Short, Dan (December 18, 2020). "Helluva Boss". Animated Views. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  4. Vivziepop (November 1, 2020). "Helluva Boss - Murder Family // S1: Episode 1". Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020 via YouTube.
  5. "'Hazbin Hotel' Creator and Horseless Cowboy Team on Devilish 'Helluva Boss'". Animation World Network. October 7, 2020. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  6. James, Tito W. (November 3, 2020). "Watch The New Helluva Boss Episode 'Murder Family'". Comicon.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  7. eloiseedgington (March 23, 2020). "7 Animators That You Should Get To Know". Domestika. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. Troup, Margaret (November 2, 2020). "'Hazbin Hotel' creator releases new episode of spinoff series 'Helluva Boss'". Iowa State Daily. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  9. Llewellyn, Tom (July 31, 2022). "The Iconic Helluva Boss Is Finally Back And Season 2 Goes Viral Almost Instantly". HITC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  10. Streamily.com Presents: The Helluva Boss Live Autograph Signing (17:30)
  11. Helluva Boss [@IMPmurderpros] (June 4, 2022). "Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Have a big #HelluvaBoss update!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 4, 2022 via Twitter.
  12. Vivienne Medrano 💖 [@VivziePop] (May 23, 2023). "There are 12 episodes this season! 💕" (Tweet). Retrieved May 24, 2023 via Twitter.
  13. "https://twitter.com/VivziePop/status/1725566557320028525?s=19". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-11-18. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  14. Medrano, Vivienne (November 25, 2019). Helluva Boss (Pilot). VivziePop. Retrieved November 25, 2019 via YouTube.
  15. Medrano, Vivienne (31 July 2023). "For some positivity I wanted to share the titles for the rest of #HelluvaBoss S2! Enjoy!". Twitter. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. Medrano, Vivienne (July 30, 2022). Helluva Boss – The Circus // S2: Episode 1. VivziePop. Retrieved July 30, 2022 via YouTube.
  17. Helluva Boss [@IMPmurderpros] (July 30, 2022). "TOMORROW MORNING! 10 am PST!" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  18. Llewellyn, Tom (July 31, 2022). "Helluva Boss Season Is Back, Episode 1 Passes 4 Million Views In Just 15 Hours". HITC. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  19. Medrano, Vivienne (February 14, 2020). Oh Millie (Official Music Video) – Helluva Boss. VivziePop. Retrieved February 14, 2020 via YouTube.
  20. PARANOID DJ - Just Look My Way (Stolas' lament)
  21. Medrano, Vivienne (December 3, 2023). Just Look My Way (Official Music Video) – Helluva Boss. VivziePop. Retrieved December 3, 2023 via YouTube.
  22. Medrano, Vivienne (September 16, 2020). Helluva Boss (Pilot): French. VivziePop. Retrieved September 16, 2020 via YouTube.
  23. "'Hazbin Hotel' creator Vivziepop teams with Horseless Cowboy on devilishly twisted 'Helluva Boss'". Animation Magazine. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  24. Baron, Reuben (December 2, 2019). "Adult Animation Is Better Than Ever – So Why Does It Draw Ridicule?". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  25. Mullinax, Hope (June 24, 2023). "Helluva Boss Episode Review: Pilot". The Geeky Waffle. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  26. Radulich, Mark (July 10, 2021). "Helluva Boss Review (Pilot–Episode 3, Youtube, 2019)". W2Mnet. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  27. Allah, Amari (November 1, 2020). "Helluva Boss: Season 1 / Episode 1 "Murder Family" [Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)". Wherever I Look. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  28. 1 2 Mullinax, Hope (February 25, 2023). "You Should Be Watching Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss". The Geeky Waffle. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  29. Appelgate, Jaclyn (March 26, 2022). "The 10 Greatest Musical Performances In Cartoons, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  30. Kachel, Brendan (June 30, 2023). "'Helluva Boss' Season 1 episodes ranked". Flayrah. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  31. Dumas, Zoe (July 2, 2023). "Why Helluva Boss Is the Best Web Series Right Now". MovieWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  32. Nicole, Jessica (June 6, 2023). "Current State of Disney Leads to Fans Mistaking Adult Cartoon Characters for Disney Princesses". Inside the Magic. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  33. "Voting". Ursa Major Awards. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  34. dronon (March 14, 2020). "Voting opens for the 2020 Ursa Major Awards". FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  35. dronon (March 18, 2022). "Voting is open for the 2021 Ursa Major Awards". FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  36. Perry, Laurence (May 18, 2022). "'Shine', 'Awoo!' take 2021 Ursa Major Awards by landslides; K. Garrison wins three". FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  37. "Award Winners 2022". Ursa Major Awards. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  38. Milligan, Mercedes (July 24, 2023). "Streamy Awards Announce 2023 Nominees". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023.
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