In Defence of Hiccup and Astrid

[@Crystalfrost8]

If people think their relationship is toxic, I kindly direct them to Cinema Therapy's video where a relationship therapist calls them "relationship goals."

[@Kamsy-gm8pe]

Real I love those guys

[@texposeidon1256]

Oh thank goodness, that was my first thought when I saw this video❣️

[@juliaboskamp9666]

Love those guys, they are like your cool uncles that are movie nerds and love to explain movies to you.

[@_star_flight_]

I was coming to say this too!!

[@pedrolemos8566]

I think a few people must have seen the tv series and got particularly stung by the ONE scene, in ONE episode, were Stoick asks the painter to make Hiccup as buff as Snotlout for the painting they are supposed to hang on a hall full of previous leaders and their sons respective paintings, and when shown the buffcup from the painting Astrid hormones are clearly rising up. Completly forgeting that she was the one who Hiccup confessed not wanting to be remembered as a dorito shaped lie by the future generations on the exact same episode, on the very next scene.

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

0:57 Already found the problem. Dude, wholesome and reddit mix together like water and Lithium. The moment they touch there's a violent reaction.

[@brandonatherton]

My thoughts exactly. Reddit is such a cesspool. They have a particular mindset, and if you're against it, you WILL be brigaded and made to feel like absolute crap for even thinking you're allowed to have your own opinion.

[@tylerian4648]

More like water and rubidium.

[@solo_steve]

being mad at "toxic" relationship of fictional characters, lmao people of reddit and twitter are built different

[@TheOffizier]

​@@solo_steveyeah cant take them seriously like fr Whats wrong with these people lol

[@derkylos]

@@TheOffizier Ironically, some of those same people will shit on KZbin comments sections. It's like there are a bunch of people that absolutely _hate_ social media of any kind and can't wait to recruit other people to their side...

[@BullGator-kd6ge]

“Astrid didn’t love the real Hiccup until after romantic flight” I guess they missed the scene immediately prior where Astrid threw Hiccup to the ground and told him to run after encountering a dragon that to her knowledge, no one survived an encounter with. She may not have loved him then, but she definitely cared enough.

[@tomatosoup1304]

That's also such a weird comment too! Why would she like him until afterwards anyway? He's her fellow viking but she also found him annoying (valid for their society). Then, she shows she's open-minded, learns more about him and they become close friends to lovers

[@raven1436]

​@@tomatosoup1304I think she found him more cowardly than annoying in their society strength is everything He's the chief's son and He doesn't fight and he's scrawny to boot. She just found him a weak coward but after she realized how much bravery he takes to befriend a dragon and there's other types of strength which shows hiccup in a new light. At least that's my opinion

[@gottesurteil3201]

Imagine needing something like romance to help realize love for one another? Literally has never happened before.

[@megadracosaurus]

I also don't even think that's unreasoneble. After that moment, Astrid finally gets to know Hiccup the way he truly is. It would be weird for her to have any feelings prior.

[@Pandanananananananan]

Seriously??? I mean it’s a romantic flight for a reason. It makes the other person see you in a romantic light and maybe even ignite a crush. What does going on a romantic drive back home and liking someone after that mean you didn’t “truly” love them? Do they think that romantic flights/drives/anything really is all calculated so the other person is “forced” to see them in a romantic light, so unless someone naturally falls in love with someone’s charms without anything romantic happening to drive it mean they’re not truly in love? If that’s the argument then when does something become romantic and not romantic. When only one person has romantic feelings for the other and does something? What could be seen as romantic to one person could be completely platonic to the other, so if on that flight neither of them had any romantic feelings for each other means that it wasn’t a romantic flight, bUT NO HICCUP HAD A CRUSH ON ASTRID, TOOK HER ON A FLIGHT, SHE SAW HIM IN A NEW LIGHT STARTED AND FELL FOR HIM Sorry got angry while typing all this

[@salty2761]

I think my favorite thing about Hiccup and Astrid is that Hiccup taught Astrid how to be more gentle and compassionate; he made her want to sit back and think about doing the right thing before just jumping in with an axe and going to angry town. In return, she bolsters his confidence and gives him the support/advice he needs when he needs someone to turn to- even if it's tough love that he doesn't realize he needs at the time. All in all, they're a really healthy couple that shows what many relationships should strive to look like. That's how relationships are supposed to be like; you both grow throughout it and become better versions of yourselves with your favorite person at your side

[@njivwathomassilavwe2056]

People just do not know what toxic means. They are so sweet and supportive. No matter how many crazy is going on they have each other's backs

[@LeonS.kennedyswife]

This!! Yet they also see nothing wrong with Aeon (Ada Wong X Leon Kennedy)... Yikes..

[@robinkholmes7127]

That can be said for the whole friend-group.

[@TheLuconic]

Ikr? Same with simp. You have no idea how many times I seen that word abused. And before that, people abused the thot which also didn’t make sense! Toxic is basically it just doesn’t work at all yet stay together. That’s a dumb down version. But people still don’t get it. It’s out ok to call out on someone for their dumb decisions but overall their love and support for each other is what overshadows that. People hyper focus on that one flaw, that one mistake and take it as that persons whole character as a whole. To me, that’s toxic labeling.

[@jasondobbins9735]

@@TheLuconic never have I agreed with someone so much until now seriously the definition of Simp thot and toxic have become so desaturated that they were sent. She became curse words now. Seriously Simp means that you worship and love someone who hates you. You essentially kiss their feet as they look down on you not feeling any form of love or respect for you at all. just like the definition of the B word. It was essentially a word just meant to identify female dogs, but now it’s a genuine insult to everybody or even the F word which was a little anagram for rape. But I was just thrown out willy-nilly. hack a thot is literally just another way to say Whore and yet it’s still abused to this day

[@usonohoshi6165]

The pacing of their relationship, even if you include the TV series, is well done.

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

Bros will see LITERALLY ANYONE having ANY happiness and call bullshit out of jealousy.

[@azaleabrian2619]

REALLL men can’t get enough

[@Captain_tiberius]

"She didn't like the REAL Hiccup" is such a tennager thing to say lol She barely knew him before the flight, and honestly, “real” Hiccup is more the boy she meet on that flight then the one who just sat in the smithy wishing he was someone else. There's an important life lesson for tennagers to be had there.

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

❤

[@tomraineofmagigor3499]

Yeah the "real Hiccup" was actively changing during the course of the movie. A large theme of the story is coming of age. I would be more concerned if she liked the verson of him before he "came of age" in a romantic way

[@megaman37456]

@@tomraineofmagigor3499 The real Hiccup also changes vastly throughout the entire animated series while still being himself.

[@tomraineofmagigor3499]

@@megaman37456 well yes. I was just talking about the context of when she started liking him

[@jendoe9436]

Yeah, the “real Hiccup” was struggling with a lot of self confidence issues and trying to find his footing among a society he was vastly different from. Obviously it’s not until he better understands HIMSELF will he be able to project who he is to others and that others will be able to better see and understand him as well. One thing about dating is you gotta know who you are before getting into a relationship that requires a lot of give and take.

[@zerstorer335]

In terms of "coming out of nowhere", that happens all the time in real life. You cross paths with a stranger, and it clicks. Or you learn something new about someone you've known, and THEN it clicks. If there was a regular, predictable way of finding love, we wouldn't have so many people going around, frustrated that they cannot find it. And let's not forget the impact of growing up in a small town or village. Sometimes a relationship that's not a textbook / romance-novel matchup is encouraged to happen and ends up working because there aren't a lot of options when it comes to partners, never mind ones who are a storybook match.

[@jk5067]

Being in a happy relationship is "toxic" to some people. Mostly because they know that they will never have one.

[@ERIK-457]

Feels like the kind of person who just wants something so badly but when they see the price tag they go "Nah man, this is bullshit! I didn't even want it anyway"

[@jalpat2272]

they have sunk so low like deep sea microorganism, anything resembling happiness is like oxygens toxic to them.

[@SoloRenegade]

exactly right, they are projecting their own failures onto anything that calls out their own failures.

[@denithwijesinghe4128]

As the old saying goes "Misery loves company"

[@azaleabrian2619]

LOLLLL REALLL

[@icedreamer9629]

Whaaaatattttttt?! Astrid and Hiccup are the definition of relationship goals! By far my favourite animation couple!

[@SpecklesTeeV]

Hiccup and Astrid’s love story in HTTYD Race To The Edge is absolutely perfect and so well written, even in the movies. I don’t know what people are talking about criticizing them so much.

[@sunnyshieldsvo588]

RttE is actually goated show

[@leebulger7112]

@@sunnyshieldsvo588 I think the HTTYD series is where the majority of Hiccup and Astrid's interactions are as a couple.

[@robinkholmes7127]

💯 You need to watch the show to get the dynamics of their relationships.

[@kyze8284]

RttE has been explained to not be canon... so us fans have kindly explained back that we like it, the third movie calls back to some RttE scenes, so it IS canon

[@leebulger7112]

@@kyze8284 There is more to the HTTYD series than just RTTE I believe.

[@RandomMackem0069_Official]

Astrid hitting Hiccup is more of a friendly kind of hit, like when friends give each other a little punch

[@cameronharmon3843]

Something that you didn’t touch on too much is how Astrid viewed him before the romantic flight in the first film. While she doesn’t initially reciprocate his crush she also doesn’t belittle him after the damage he causes after shooting down toothless. She just watches as he walks by but refrains from taunting him like the other teens. When training first starts she is is just brusk about his initial mistakes and states outright that she doesn’t need to read the manual with him because she’s already read it and thus doesn’t have a reason to spend time with him. She still notices he keeps sneaking off as evidenced by the campfire scene but she doesn’t make it a concern for herself until he suddenly starts upstaging her in training. After her initial fear of encountering the supposedly most deadly dragon known to man she still gives Hiccup a chance to explain. I also think you could have mentioned how their relationship slowly grew during the numerous tv series

[@ghosti3073]

She also tells him to get down and prepares to fight Toothless when she sees him for the first time. Keep in mind that all vikings know that there's nobody who survived an encounter with a night fury and "their only chance is to hide and prey it does not find them". She's practically sacrificing herself to give Hiccup time to run or hide. Again, this is before the romantic flight.

[@kyze8284]

In my eyes anyway; She would have been married to Hiccup regardless of how he did. Because she's the toughest warrior, he's the chief's son, and at the very least "Maybe she will put some fight into you or at least enough to cover your lacking, and have some sons that take after her" as early movie Stoic could have said if Hiccup had never done what he did with Toothless

[@yakirfrankoveig8094]

​@@ghosti3073and you know she would have said its just what any viking would do

[@StephenAngelico]

And if you could judge her for jealousy in the dragon training sequence, I think this just shows that she's not a Mary Sue and needs a bit of her own character development. The movies aren't about her so we don't see a whole lot of it (someone who has seen RTTE or any of the other series please tell me if Astrid gets her share of character development), but she really does change as a person when Hiccup shows her that new perspective on the world. It may seem cheesy when she says as much in the third film, but it's hard to imagine the mentally calloused heart Astrid would have had if Hiccup hadn't befriended a dragon and then her.

[@eurofalke6804]

@@StephenAngelico All of the characters in Riders/Defenders of Berk and RTTE get their share of character developement, this includes Astrid. In some episodes its more than in others but ig thats just the nature of a series. Overall you can really see her glowing up being with hiccup and softening (sound like you havent watched it so I kept it superficial, but i would definitely recommend you give the shows a try)

[@Sweetness71775]

"Recently I was scrolling along Reddit." Well there's your problem.

[@kokoro7996]

Who dared to talk negatively of my ship?! Who did it?!

[@lineanoves6650]

Imma go hunt them. Wanna join?

[@kokoro7996]

@ Yes! let’s go!

[@blackblaze4830]

Ignite the torch and sharpen pitchfork

[@memecliparchives2254]

​@@lineanoves6650Burn the heretics

[@alterego9082]

@@memecliparchives2254 they are savages! savages!

[@ringthatbell9597]

4:10 if Hicstrid won’t work what about Assup…

[@baberiel]

bruh

[@bemasaberwyn55]

😂😂

[@axelastori484]

Astriccup

[@terranceyelley9346]

I came to say this lol

[@Horseslover123]

I had no clue people thought of that of hiccup and Astrid. Honestly I want a relationship like them, they are always supporting each other’s, and truly love each other.

[@darkneon5637]

I really enjoy Astrid and Hiccup relationship it was handled pretty well and and I support 💙🤎

[@Horseslover123]

@@darkneon5637 it really was.

[@พันธ์พงศ์วงศ์วรรณา]

woman like astrid could consider be yamato nadeshiko from japan culture. which elusive in this modern time

[@SUSsyKAT]

if you've been in the HTTYD subreddit, you'll meet a lot of people there who doesn't like their relationship and straight up hates Astrid calling her toxic because she physically hurts him (the love punches) and "manipulates" him (that one episode with Garff). Not everyone, mind you. But you'll definitely meet them.

[@noahgoschen3753]

I feel like the people who think this relationship is toxic are people who have not experienced any type of relationship other being treated like a princess. Like my wife and I "bully" each other constantly but to us teasing each other is our love language. So to my wife and I, Hiccup and Astrid read as not just a realistic but relatable.

[@movies798]

In my opinion, Hiccup and Astrid are definitely one of the better cinema couples on film. Plus, one of the things I love about this couple is that unlike most female lovers Astrid not only understands Hiccup, but she literally supports him no matter what! Sure Hiccup may not have the best ideas and his plans sometimes sound crazy, but Astrid still supports him and stands by his side in the most difficult situations. The other great thing I love about Astrid and her relationship with Hiccup is that she wasn't selfish nor she tries to make anything about herself. And the other reason why I love about Astrid's character is that she always act as Hiccup's "voice of reason" and tries her best to guide him to the right direction. That's why she and Hiccup are a great match for each other. And the How To Train Your Dragon TV series really help out their relationship even further.

[@laurallimonaotero]

The TV series are the best for their love story, thats where everything kind of begins (like really). In those u can see how much they care and support each other no matter what

[@christoslazaridis7128]

Firmly agree, having seen ROB, DOB and RTTE the 2nd and especially the 3rd movie hit so much different. Would definately recommend at least RTTE to anyone interested in the franchise (the Cartoon Network series is a bit more childish) not only for Hiccup and Astrid content but in general the amount of world building and character development we get really elevates movies 2 and 3

[@ThreadBareHope1234]

They are likely the most functional young adult couple in fiction. They are cool on their own and help each other with their goals. Though that could be an issue reddit would have with them. In the films, it may look like she is just supporting him and following him around, but to that I say "whatever". She is an incredible Dragon Rider on her own and he has the vision and drive, so yeah, one of her expressions of love is supporting him.

[@Guardias]

The people who criticize their relationship consider the Joker and Harley Quinn ideal, they should be shunned.

[@notakiwi7151]

i think my favorite thing abt Hiccup and Astrid's relationship is that often they don't act as a "couple" all the time. They're both part of "the crew" and act as such, just like friends for most of the time. But there's still moments alone where they work together and have their romance that showcase their relationship. The romance isn't ever a major plot point, it's just a fact of the story.

[@ArinaSarina-v2i]

i dont know man, thats literally what couples do. they joke, they laugh together.

[@notakiwi7151]

@@ArinaSarina-v2i yeah, they're very casual like a real couple without drama

[@redactedinfo8557]

​@@ArinaSarina-v2iI'm going to assume you haven't experienced how annoying it is when two of your friends start dating followed up by them noogie-ing and only ever speaking to each other and making out every moment you hang out with the crew

[@azaleabrian2619]

Real

[@luciferneverchanges5841]

Whoever thought the relationship is toxic does not know what a toxic relationship is.

[@adamcunliffe5416]

I don’t get why people think the ship is toxic it’s a beautiful, wholesome and overall a great ship all together

[@martinderabbie3429]

It's because it's a 'Straight' Relationship

[@adamcunliffe5416]

you know what yeah probably

[@ThePrincessCH]

I think those people mostly just remember her trying to dislocate his arm and then kissing him in less than a day. I imagine the main argument about it is that people would have had a different reaction if that scene was genderswapped.

[@Andythesonicfan]

@@ThePrincessCHexactly

[@Andythesonicfan]

She physically attacked him at least twice

[@mileslugo6430]

It's cool to see them mature as a couple instead of break up in subsequent movies

[@azaleabrian2619]

Yeah they like “broke up” in rtte but like got back together in 2-5 HOURS LIKE LOLL

[@DinoTamer-22]

I think there’s a difference between rough play and abuse. The main differencing being both understanding and not going too far. Understanding that they don’t mean any harm and respect enough to stop before doing any real damage. Cats play fight with their claws hidden but real fight with claws out.

[@blackblaze4830]

Plus THEY'RE VIKINGS freaking hell they have big ass axes use for chopping a dragons head in and the way they look and act for day shows how rough they can play there sport is a racing dragons over obstacles that can maim you and it's normal to lose a limb hiccup jokes about it

[@nykthosacolyte]

Similarly I hate when people act like trash talk and ribbings are necessarily being mean or due to disliking them, because they can't tell the difference from that and actually bullying.

[@derkylos]

@@nykthosacolyte The key with trash talk is to only engage in it when you know how the recipient will respond. Like, it's fairly obvious that Hiccup can take it with the responses he gives, because he's part of the friend group and is accustomed to the dynamic. Obviously, if it goes to an outsider, similar comments can have different implications, which can be observed with the gang's interactions with their opponents.

[@Briskeeen]

​@@nykthosacolytefr, me My partner will literally alternate between calling each other bitch and calling each other mine.

[@CaptainRoyalty]

Astrid and Hiccup's relationship was better than most cinematic relationships are, because it was well paced, and it wasn't overly dramatic. Astrid and Hiccup's relationship was perfect.

[@shadowmarauder6033]

Hiccup & Astrid to me is one of the most developed & natural relationships I’ve seen in movies. This I think is not only due to the writing but also the fact they actually got sequels were the relationship is touched on and progresses, when many of the Disney ones and others are either one movie only or stay stagnant in the same place. The shows & specials improve on it as well, as it shows their development in even more detail with its ups & downs as well as the moments where they go on another level like when they officially become a couple & their engagement proposal.

[@ThePrincessCH]

I don't know about most developed. In the first film, they don't have much of a "getting to know you" phase as much as most other film couples. Sure, their relationship gets enhanced through the sequels and shows, but there's no guarantee that sequels were planned.

[@Kamsy-gm8pe]

​@ThePrincessCH but the sequels still took place so it doesn't matter

[@vikzion]

@@ThePrincessCH Keep in mind that Hiccup and Astrid have known each other for about 15 years when HTTYD 1 takes place. It wouldn't really make sense for a "getting to know you" phase since they do, in fact, know each other. I think the development of their relationship is more of Astrid getting to meet the *real* Hiccup. I do agree that their relationship in the first movie is a bit rushed, but also, Dreamworks didn't know they were making a sequel till after the release and they knew they needed to tie up any loose ends. This is part of why there's a little discontinuity between HTTYD 1 and the shows. To me though it's minor enough to not cause problems.

[@christoslazaridis7128]

They handled that in the shows that bridged the gap between movies 1 and 2. Mainly Race To The Edge (which if you ignore some of the childish humour is a worth watch if you are interested in the franchise). There we see their development from friends who care about each other to loving couple and honestly they did a really good job making it convincing. The first movie was kinda rushed on that department cause you can only do so much with 90 minutes of animation but they really build up their relationships from square one in the shows and it's actually rather beautiful to watch, although I feel ROB and DOB are a bit too childish for me to actually sit and watch them right now.. really wish I had access to cartoon network when I was the intended audience for these shows

[@ThreadBareHope1234]

Same. Being charitable for a minute, I get why their relationship in the first film could be seen as rushed or simplistic, or that maybe the fact that she starts out throwing her weight around and him around then very quickly falling in love could be seen as weird, but he already addressed that. Too, if we just see the films it seems like Astrid is always following and helping Hiccup, but to that I say "whatever". It is very clear that he earns her respect, even if it is not in the most layered way. Characters aren't people, and can't be very complex anyway, especially in cartoons. Through the second and third films, I swear they are the most functional young adult couple in fiction. They're very considerate and supportive of one another. She is an incredible Dragon Rider on her own and Hiccup is the one with the vision and drive, so yes. She can be a supportive girlfriend and awesome. They are one of my favorite couples. Close candidates would be Vi and Caitlyn in Arcane, and Cal and Merrin in Jedi Fallen Order (excluding the novel, and Cal and Merrin's relationship could become troubling later, idk yet).

[@Escuellagang5880]

11:44 hey be happy they could have picked Ascup

[@marvellux4654]

The first that came to mind for me was Asup💀

[@thatoneguywhodoesthatthing913]

Whenever I think “toxic couple” my mind goes to comic Joker and Harley. Harley is too obsessed with the joker to see how bad he abuses and manipulates her.

[@frozenkiller61]

I'm glad she's with Ivy now. Doing way better for herself in comics

[@ouroboros-37]

@@frozenkiller61 100%

[@occam7382]

Yes, THAT would be a textbook example of a toxic relationship. Hiccup and Astrid... not so much.

[@rookooful]

unfortunately harley and joker mimiks a lot of real relationships and those that are in those kind of relationships dont know what healthy looks like because they have never had it. And when they do get healthy it feels weird so they run away from it.

[@ul8532]

The thing with the joker /Harley was their toxic relationship, giving a more darker side to the relationship the master manipulator + the puppet, she would be even cooler if she never enter any type of relationship as the mental trauma and abuse from the joker would have left her jaded and utterly broken and she would knew that in psychological level, but instead since we know what type of fetishism have been around for quite some time they can't have anything without including politics which makes the people reject the product like the like the joker new girl or what happened to black lightning between others😅.

[@Chasewickb97]

I grew up on these movies, and well as Riders of Bern and Race to the Edge. And I tell you this, when I write stories, I can trace a lot of the relationship type stuff I write from these two characters. Their relationship is near perfection. “This, is cinema.”

[@miraculous-tales]

It's the healthiest relationship you can have! They work together and have each other's back! I bet it's people who like hierarchies in their relationships. Never concerning 😬

[@jonathanoriley8260]

It has nothing to do with "hierarchies"; where did you even get that notion? lol It has to do with people who are self-serving and narcissistic; people who only care about their own "needs" and desires while giving little to no care for others, and more often than not have zero sense of responsibility.

[@mauveskydiver3225]

@@jonathanoriley8260still, the relationship isn’t any of that

[@BenjaminAlternate]

...or maybe they are looking for a hierarchy because they have an assumption that long term typical relationships have heierchies

[@mryoungandbrave1]

Hiccstrid is one the healthiest relationships I've seen in Media. In ONE of the Tv Shows, Astrid gets struck by lightning, temporarily goes blind, and asks Hiccup to stay by her side, before they get together. When they go to swap betrothal gifts, Hiccup gives Astrid the same pendant that Stoick gave Valka when they were got betrothed. He tells her she is apart of his family, she always has been and he hopes she always will be. Astrid gets nervous, and Hiccup thinks the gift isn't good enough for her, to which she responds, it's prefect, but she couldn't find him a gift, good enough for him, and he replies, she is the greatest gift he could ever ask for, and the only gift he'll ever need.

[@Akigirl2004]

I very much enjoyed their relationship. And loved that they didn’t feel the need to reset the status quo with needless romantic drama for every movie

[@ZachSawyer2077]

Yes, that's another great aspect of their relationship. There's no "teen drama" between the two of them because they communicate with each other.

[@grindory]

​@@ZachSawyer2077 Exactly

[@christinehancock5995]

I think we have a lot young people who, tragically, have never seen a healthy male/female romantic relationship. These relationships are kind of scarce in real‐life, and even more rare on screen.

[@ShuraShcherbyna]

Let's not forget there is this obsession with worshiping or being compeletly an ass to your spouse, regardless of gender, I(a Gen-Z) have seen this way too many times, and those that want a wholesome relationship are being told that they are 'boring and plain' which is further from the truth. Not to mention there is another level where people think 'if they have a single argument they are bad for each other.' In reality? If the person you are with is just like you? One of you is not needed. That's narcissim. Don't take my word for it, it's litterally what many true therapists talk baout.

[@ul8532]

Of course not, but that is because they don't want to see it either, since they fetish homosexual relationships and believe they are most healthy ones when they are the most toxic irl (looking at the statistics, I would put links but KZbin erases them),and defending toxic behaviors.

[@lenastorm6280]

Hicstrid is one of the best & most healthy relationships I‘ve ever seen in movies! How can anyone think they’re toxic??

[@ThePrincessCH]

@@lenastorm6280 I imagine the main reason people would argue that would be the scene of Astrid nearly dislocating Hiccup's arm might have been received differently if it had been genderswapped.

[@lenastorm6280]

@ Yeah, ok, but they’re vikings. They weren’t know of being peaceful & gentle. 😂

[@ThePrincessCH]

@@lenastorm6280 Isn't that stereotyping?

[@lenastorm6280]

@@ThePrincessCH Does it count as stereotypical if they don’t exist anymore? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, it’s a historical fact that they were pretty brutal sometimes. (But tbf ALL human beings can be brutal if they want too.)

[@lineanoves6650]

​@@ThePrincessCHoh please. I read 2 fics of them being genderswapped. No significant difference at all.

[@thetechnocrat4979]

Hiccup and Astrid is one of those rare fictional relationships which is actually healthy.

[@olleselin]

No, they're not toxic at all! It is a sweet relationship. And also became great parents at the end of the 3rd film.

[@CharnelCrusader94532]

for me there the most iconic. this movie was my childhood. and seeing the last one 13 years after i saw the first one for the first time had me cryin

[@madrat8060]

A fine example of starting drama just to start drama.

[@koryonos-geheim-einherii]

Poeple saying she's abusive probably never had a tomboy friend or gf before, those arm punches are a given and absolutely the most adorable thing I've ever experienced

[@sinopale0606]

As a dude who's gotten arm punches from both firends and non-friends, i can testify......the pain is very different between the 2

[@lolcatz88]

You’re spot on with the teen romances changing like the flick of a switch. I still remember how my 15 year old brain thought, thanks to my old diaries.

[@SMM5]

8:25 it’s also worth noting that that they didn’t actually get together in the first movie, their relationship develops in Defenders of Berk & Race to the Edge, the latter series being where this ship finally becomes canon and the final two seasons have them together, being the great couple they are Mind you, RttE takes place 3 years after Defenders of Berk and lasts 1 year, whereas the time skip between HTTYD 1&2 is 5 years, meaning they haven’t even been together for most of that time gap. That’s pretty far from “out of nowhere” if you ask me

[@dspace4514]

Seriously? People think this ship is toxic?

[@gudanimatidze4697]

Yeah I know right the fact that they're going to call this relationship toxic when they are way worse relationships in actual Media will always be crazy to me.

[@BanishedSilentShadow3318]

Maybe they're just jealous that fictional characters like Hiccup and Astrid have a healthy and long commitment relationship

[@BrokensoulRider]

@@gudanimatidze4697 Yet they find Bella and Edward to be the perfect couple. I think this says a lot about our current dating pool's state of understanding relationships and what is healthy and what isn't. Media constantly portrays bad relationships as 'good and healthy and peak relationships' when they actually are manipulative or abusive in one way or another. Very few are actually healthy.

[@Blue-Gold_Crusader]

lmfao Seriously. I WISH I've ever had a relationship this nice.

[@mr.nobody2858]

**Cough Cough** Black Cat and Spider Man- **Cough Cough** Catwoman and Batman- **Cough Cough**

[@RandomMackem0069_Official]

Hiccup and Astrid is my favourite animated couple

[@crystalleddragon8838]

Astrid and Hiccup are one of the healthiest couples I have personally ever seen in media. They are also one of my favorites, and seeing her change throughout the films, and shown through her character design, shows how they both grew together. I disagree that her violence is toxic, that is how some people express affection, and she never did so with any ill intensions, and I loved your point with how that's how their society functions, and her being that way does work and does not make her toxic. Adding onto your second point, throughout race to the edge they show their romantic progression. And even in the movies, there are time skips, and this is a couple that has had very well written development, and if someone can't see it then they may be blind. I watch this channel called 'Cinema Therapy' and they even did an episode on why these two are couple goals.

[@BrokensoulRider]

People are actively ignoring the culture they're from on purpose I think.

[@azaleabrian2619]

Fr people can be so intelligently blind

[@zacbranch2083]

The Fantastic Mr Fox nearly earned the subscription. The Love Island reference sealed the deal lol. Great video!

[@dustinwashburn1283]

After their first flight together, Astrid always has Hiccups back. Something that Valka notices immediately in the second movie and encourages her to be his rock as he mourns his father and prepares to confront Drago again. As for the Toxic allegations, the only time she deliberately goes to hurt him is when she finds him and believes he's been lying to everyone (which he admittedly was). After that, the light (compared to what she is seen doing when she actually wants to hurt something) hits she gives him are more like a love language in a society where that is undoubtedly the norm.

[@Patrick-zr8tv]

The fact people call this a toxic relationship is testament to how warped the modern perception of an ideal relationship is

[@generalkenobi212th]

as someone who grew up with divorced parents i actually learned what a healthy relationship looks like from hickup and astrid. and if anyone ever askes me what my dream relationship looks like i show the the beginning of httyd 2

[@Some_Idiot_on_the_Internet]

Some people just hate for hate's sake.

[@TaskaRaine]

I'm a pipsqueak and a weakling, like Hiccup. A man at my workplace punches me in the shoulder exactly like Astrid does to Hiccup. It gives me a darn good jolt! Why does he do this? It's for comradery! We're in the fight together. This action does not equate to abuse unless it's unwanted or meant to harm someone. Myself, and Hiccup, are clearly fine with this as it's an interaction meant for good vibes. Do sports players get called out for abuse or harassment when they slap each other with sticks or give each other a smack on the rear? No! The context of the interaction gives it a whole different meaning. People who use this as a knock against the Astrid and Hiccup ship just completely miss the context of this interaction within their relationship.

[@westonsiegel2883]

Well said. I've been on both sides of this dynamic plenty throughout my life lol.

[@azaleabrian2619]

REALLL OFC ITS MEN SAYING ITS TOXIC (a lot of men not everyone dw) and then they go ahead in their sports and beat the shit out of each other and that’s considered okay?? The freak

[@azaleabrian2619]

@@westonsiegel2883why are u like a little bit of a hater??

[@crablord7934]

Whoever thinks they're toxic have their media literacy bent in all the wrong ways lol

[@lasercraft32]

Sounds like the only people calling them toxic are people who don't know how real relationships work.

[@CoolDude5633554]

Scratch and his Acorn were the true power couple carrying the animation industry… right up until the end of

[@Dinomatrix21]

She only really beats him up... before they start dating. Hell, before they even get to know each other. Aside from digs in the arm for kidnapping her and scaring her by almost dying, I don't think she hits him again. And even then, they're children. They're like, 12 in the first movie, kids do that.

[@TimberlakeTigerGirl]

Actually they are 15 in the first movie, 20 in the second and 21 in the third movie. And when they reunite with Toothless and the dragons after they left, they are in their early to mid 30's with kids.

[@Dinomatrix21]

@@TimberlakeTigerGirl Huh... Thanks for the correction. Point still stands though, kids do that, and aside from the 1st movie, she didn't really hit him

[@Xel.DubK.A1A]

Reverse Those Incidents Of Hitting. Hiccup Hits Her Instead, Still That Accountability Free Pass You're Giving Astrid Going To Hiccup In This What If?

[@Xel.DubK.A1A]

Hiccup's Given That Same Amount Of No Accountability Of What Would Be Perceived As Domestic Violence. Still, Think Their Shipping This Wonderfully Innocent Interaction With Zero Flaws, And Faults?

[@azaleabrian2619]

14-15 actually

[@brandonatherton]

Astrid and Hiccup are my favorite on screen romance. They're so wholesome and genuine. Having recently watched all the movies and shows, it's so nice that there's a smooth pace to everything. They have fights and disagreements, but reasonable ones, and they work it out and see each other's side. They WORK at their relationship. Astrid loved Hiccup because he's different. Everyone was after her because she was this strong warrior from an important family, and she was used to all the physicality and people only being after her because of her prestige or beauty. Hiccup fell in love with her for who she is. And as you said, it's Viking culture. They did a great job of conveying that while toning down the pillaging and other horrific acts. And her hits were never hard, just hard for hiccup as someone arguably weaker than the standard Viking. They were playful, and the way she showed affection, like a slap on the back. Furthermore, she also slowly grows out of this and learns to express herself better, both verbally and physically, as the movies and series go on. It's like they were teenagers and still learning to appropriate expressions. Hiccup had to learn how to be a leader, be more physical, and commanding. Astrid had to learn how to express her emotions more appropriately, communicate, and be physical in a softer way. They are one of the few, TRUE, romances and relationships that have made it on screen.

[@پوریاصحبتزاده-ب3ب]

4:25 Allow me to bestow a fitting name upon this union, From now on it shall be known AS....... Cupid (hiCUP + astrID)

[@wellidontknow1941]

Genius tbh

[@پوریاصحبتزاده-ب3ب]

@@wellidontknow1941 Thank you friend.

[@untainted_snail819]

AssUp is the true way to go

[@azaleabrian2619]

EHEHEHHEHE OMG YOU FOUND A NEW SHIP NAME IM GOING INSAIN EHHEHE

[@azaleabrian2619]

@@untainted_snail819LOLL

[@jngarrettart]

I have absolutely said before just what you did at the end - I think this is one of the healthiest couples I’ve ever seen portrayed on screen, and I found myself nodding in agreement with your thought process throughout the video.

[@MargaretStultz]

I never really thought this ship was toxic i think they are beautiful couple and I’m glad they end up together and this is coming from LGBTQ person like myself i don’t mind straight couples as long as it done so well and then i would fully support it and this is one of them

[@bungiecrimes7247]

okay... thanks for the info? 🤨

[@MargaretStultz]

@ don’t worry you don’t have to say anything to me

[@azaleabrian2619]

Uhh why would a straight couple be considered lesser to someone just because their in LGBTQ community?? I’m bisexual btw sooo?

[@RETROGRADE3438]

feels like people who're saying this is toxic might never had had a good relationship or ANY to begin with

[@FlowerMama23]

Hiccup and Astrid are my OTP of all time. Love them to pieces!!! I'm just surprised that some find their relationship "toxic". Hell, have these people seen Race to the Edge before?!!

[@ThePrincessCH]

Not everyone has Netflix, and some people don't really view affiliated and shorts as canon.

[@FlowerMama23]

@ThePrincessCH "Affiliated and shorts"?? What are you talking about?

[@ThePrincessCH]

@@FlowerMama23 Shorts like "Gift of the Nightfury" and "Dawn of the Racers."

[@FlowerMama23]

@ThePrincessCH Those are just fun bonus mini movies if you bought HTTYD 1 and 2 on DVD/Blu-ray. If you look at the character models from 'Dawn of the Racers' the creators were teasing RTTE as a continuation of the 'Riders of Berk' show, but on a bigger scale. They wanted to continue the franchise, as well as build-up on Hiccup and Astrid's relationship.

[@ThePrincessCH]

@@FlowerMama23 In either case, not everyone watches TV or has a streaming service subscription.

[@dragon2ajack]

I never saw anything in there relationship being toxic at all, it's wholesome, respectful true love relationship.

[@amaradove0403]

I've always been so proud of my relationship because it's SO much like Astrid and Hiccups relationship. It's inconceivable that people would call this "toxic" ❤

[@thatonkgau5221]

If people think THIS relationship is toxic then it shows our society is really lost. As we can't even recognise any real good healthy relationships.

[@blake_au]

1:29 Well clearly they haven't seen riders of berk, defenders of berk and race to the edge series of httyd.

[@cameo8996]

For those wondering, the post was made 12 days ago as a discussion. It has 242 comments as of now.

[@lovelylife-tz4be]

Hickup and Astrid are the best animated couple and I will die on that hill if I have to. Thank you for making excellent points smarty pants ❤️

[@azaleabrian2619]

Same

[@premyslsaidl9359]

as a extreme fan of httyd i loved the romance between them and do not at all think it is toxic

[@catrinajones9227]

I felt it was a natural progression throughout the movies, I saw all the movies before I watched the TV series and the series just added more fuel to the fire of their love. You're right, other people are wrong lol

[@Dumwiththeforce]

It’s been a while since I thought about this series it’s one of my favorites maybe because I watched it when I was younger and it’s nostalgia but it was one of my favorites thanks for letting me see it again

[@Ryko175]

One of the best couples in fiction. They’re so good.

[@blazingruin2975]

We live in a society where good is called evil, and evil is called good. This expands beyond just this example.

[@NikolPeeva-i9t]

I'm supporting these video. I don't understand why people calling these amazing couple toxic?

[@ThePrincessCH]

@@NikolPeeva-i9t My guess they're main argument is that the scene where Astrid nearly dislocates Hiccup's arm might have been received differently if it had been genderswapped.

[@wimsylogic65]

​@@ThePrincessCH Not really. These be taken into the context of the situation and the time period it takes place. They are vikings. Vikings who fight dragons. That is flirting.

[@Procraftbrother]

I absolutely love their love story!! It’s practically the ideal relationship every human should have with their partner

[@shadeon1851]

There's noo way that people know what the word toxic means anymore. Hiccup and Astrid are like "Couple goals". They're a team, they are communicative and supportive, they are openminded, they combine their strengths and they know the difference between sarcasm and playful teasing in one another. Need i wright more?

[@Just_your_adverage_dragon]

Nope. That was beautifully said 😄

[@Ricon313]

I just love how cool it's edited. How at certain moments the characters react in a way that matches what the author of the footage is currently saying. Great work!

[@samanthacamp6627]

Their beautiful relationship is even more cemented in the series! I loved watching the characters go through their trials as well the chemistry which only deepens throughout both HTTYD series!

[@ERIK-457]

People get mad that this is a thing? My dream relationship looks just like this thing what people nowadays calls "toxic", mutual respect and love, kindness and understanding, and mutual support, that screams "perfect" to me, and i can't understand how people seem to find this wrong and "toxic", what even is toxic anymore??? The word has lost all of it's meaning by this point!

[@GeorgeTankerYT]

Everyone knows that the best video on the subject is the 4.5 hours long video from Audrie Graywind.

[@FlowerMama23]

We love our girl Audrie! ❤

[@Ashaira]

Omg what spiral did you send me down through?

[@TheDarkLordoftheSiff]

The Nine Realms fans are scared of her and her friends

[@eurofalke6804]

@@TheDarkLordoftheSiff still waiting for that Season 8 review.. (or any signs of life from her, honestly (i think shes quite active on patreon? might look into that))

[@azaleabrian2619]

REAAALLL HELLOOO I SAW IT WHEN IT CAME OUT A YEAR AGO, didn’t think anyone was gonna type this

[@bensboneyard6379]

This relationship is up there as one if not my favorite on screen relationships, also I’ve seen so many, MANY horrible relationship (most of the time it’s relationships that everyone agrees are good, but in reality are awful and make me question why people like the show or movie the relationship comes from) so this one Is a breath of fresh air 👍

[@olliecook2860]

well i think they are one of the best couples in fiction. Other people who think otherwise are just dumb

[@89taklung]

That is even more true when taking the TV show into account. They demonstrate so well how their relationship grows and how they care. It is amazing.

[@littlesparrow303]

In the first movie I can get ppl thinking that way since she’s more physical but she did change within the movies & tv series. Their romance was natural & realistic becoming strangers to friends to lovers. Sure I like Hiccup with Heather but he did like Astrid first

[@attackmanatee02]

It really is nice to see the small intimate moments like they have. Like just that little moment when they just lean towards each other and and cuddle their heads together with eyes closed, scenes like that seem so rare in movies. Real genuine love is subtle most of the time

[@fatih9016]

6:38 That has like %40 of the force put behind playful punches in an average male friend group

[@badluck7286]

HTTYD is lowkey the best or at the very least one of the best series of movies, short films and tv series that although had many spinoffs and some downfalls I can confidently say was and will be a very immersing, tear inducing, romantic and heroic story. And to think it was written for children too, 2000's we're different ya'll. I highly recommend the book series too, if you're a fan of the movies and lack more lore/alternative stories in the universe. I think the story of HTTYD hits me and some others most because it's relatable aswell, being a boy who could never really fit into society, eventually proving himself but never letting go of his morals, and although proving himself in a rather inconventional way, still nonetheless achieving it. It's a story more and more teenagers go through with incoming years, but eventually the lucky few get to be accepted into society, not as "normal people", rather out of respect of what they've achieved. might be too biased on this one

[@acidbunny5]

Tell me those people didn't watch HTTYD with out telling me...

[@real_ujo4eva]

I watched the trilogy, Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, and Race to the Edge and enjoyed every minute of these two

[@zifir4803]

4:42 I mean, the other option is Ascup witch is like both better and worse

[@cephandriusmaxtori7089]

It is the superior ship name, what are you talking about?

[@thekingnerd6639]

i was personally thinking astrup, but I saw Assup from someone above us and that one is fucking gold

[@greenshyguyfrommario]

Having your ship name be “Ass up” isnt exactly the most subtle thing in the world…

[@parkerbond9400]

Astrup

[@treysabre2943]

I was 15 years old when this movie came out, and it was everything I needed to see and hear at that time. I’ve found my own Astrid now and I’m really glad I didn’t end it all.

[@areskidds]

If they're toxic I'm a unicorn

[@LjCast-b6q]

If they’re toxic, I’m Katy Perry

[@ReconViper1]

Holds up sign reading "Unicorn Season"

[@TheDarkLordoftheSiff]

Harvy Dent: If they're a toxic couple or if Bruce Wayne's Batman, then I'm the king of England

[@robertschmidt5425]

Idk how anyone can find this relationship toxic they would have literally never watched the series. BTW I feel like you have explained everything perfectly their relationship is great

[@ghosti3073]

Are people critisizing Astrid's light punches aware of the twins constantly beating eachother up for fun through the franchise, Ruffnut burying Snotlout alive for "only a few hours" and him joking about it while still having a crush on her?

[@patrickhatton4191]

I didn't know anyone considered this relationship toxic

[@wimsylogic65]

Anyone would be blessed and lucky to have a relationship like Astrid and hiccup.. Anyone that thinks that relationship is toxic I feel bad for because they will never know what having a good relationship is like. Astrid and hiccup are wholesome. And now it doesn't matter if the genders were swapped it's still wholesome and not toxic.

[@FarSeeker8]

One of the best animated couple stories ever. They learn to love each other by learning each other's strengths and weaknesses. For Astrid, it's especially important as she grow from contempt to understanding to loving.

[@benjaminwitham8142]

Great defence video Hiccup and Astrid are one of the best movie couples period they love and support each other all the way through thick and thin I honestly just don't get how someone could view them as toxic

[@patnev9296]

This is one of the most wholesome relationships in anything I've ever watched, 100% agree.

[@EneaAndAleasWorld970]

People think this relationship is toxic???? It's one of the most beautiful and well written relationships in all of cinema

[@khaliyahjefferson832]

They're probably mad because it's a straight couple or maybe because I can't even think about it, it's just so stupid like if characters do work for each other then that's fine

[@Redgirl-xt5tp]

I don't know why these people say it's toxic it's not is a sweet a lovely relationship one of my favourite relationships