What's the deal with Nunu & Willump? || Character design & lore discussion

[@timothymclean]

I like that this version of Nunu clearly has something Willump needs. It's obvious that Willump provides something to Nunu, especially after giving Nunu the yeti magic, but it wasn't so clear what Willump got in return. And now we know; this isn't an exploitative or otherwise unhealthy relationship, it's one where each satisfies a need the other has. Willump lets Nunu live out his fantasies, and Nunu gives Willump hope for the future. It's almost a parental relationship, with Willump helping Nunu the boy become Nunu the man while Nunu provides Willump with a legacy that he can be proud of.

[@timothymclean]

Asides: I'd like to see you talk more about animation. I saw you mention on the new PlayFrame video that you wanted to see Dan Floyd talk about how the Game & Watch guy was adapted to Smash; even if you don't feel up to tackling that specific character, you could look at some of the other members of the roster. Dan can't do them all himself, you know? The Notai make me think of Inuit/Sami Romani, except they're actually trusted by some of the people they travel among...though I don't know much about the Romani. Alright, I probably should have waited until the end of the video to see if you brought up part of what I commented about. I look forward to seeing more Nunu lore. I want to see him throw a wrench into the Freljord conflicts, and see how those conflicts shape him. Can Nunu maintain his innocence, or will Nunu the man lose what made Willump choose Nunu the boy? (I mean, given how rarely Riot changes the status quo, it's probably going to be the first...but maybe we'll get a good short story or something first.)

[@StrikingThe450]

Reading that and then remembering Nunu's new death animation, it just broke my heart

[@MuraCasardis]

Their new designs are definitely one of my favorites in this game. Nunewnew

[@themememan2759]

Wonder if they're eventually going to do something with Nunu and Annie. They're basically opposites if you think about it. Boy with ice powers and friendly guardian who go on adventures fueled by imagination Girl with fire powers and unfriendly guardian who's basically a manifestation of her emotions going wild

[@eduardoserpa1682]

This. Sadly, there is nothing for Annie gameplay or visuals-wise down the line. Still, I like the idea of playing up that kind of duality in future stories or lore updates.

[@ruanvitor513]

True Ice can't melt so Annie would be stomped

[@Azazreal]

Tibbers isnt a guardian. He's just something Annie pumps power into. Thats why he doesnt exist at all times, just an ult.

[@mattockmaniac4727]

Annie redemption arc? 🤔

[@rommdan2716]

Ok, time to ship them

[@aptalsandvic5355]

That death animation, though. THAT DEATH ANIMATION. Oh my godness, i tried to play Nunu and Willump and the moment i saw that death animation i knew i couldnt play it because as soon as i die i would be a useless jungler for my team. You can't play games while you are crying uncontrollably, you know?

[@Mirro18]

I am listening to this again I just realized a thing. Nunu is basically the epiphany of what his people are. Those traveling bards that as the mother says "bings one village to the next" basically binds them together in song as they travel through the frozen tundra of the Freljord. They do not go only to the Avarosan, they go to the Winterclaw and to the Frostguards as well. They basically connect Freljord already in a sense, transcending each village by giving them all the same stories to tell and songs to sing. If there was every a book where it was about Nunu (now older and maybe even matured) coming in and having to unite the Freljord for real, I would not be surprised if that is how. Also may I just say that I am basically in a constant state of bawling my eyes out whenever I hear or read Nunu's lore? It is just so strangely powerful and beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes always. I really hope Newnus never falls victim to the squandered potential

[@jibxjib]

Nunu is criminally cute.

[@Jedran275]

The change in theme for Nunu is something I find to be the greatest strength of what League lore is currently doing. Between the reworks, and the rewrites, and the retcons...theres just a purity to the old characters that comes from how basic they are. New Nunu smacked the nail right on the head with finding the right amount of that purity to keep in the game, while still making the character have depth and potential for growth. Like all of us at one point in our lives Nunu is JUST a kid. He lives in a world of really cool magical creatures and other natural magic sources...still just a kid though. I love how Willump has this dynamic of letting Nunu play leader while also doing all the heavy work with no complaints. True pure older brother/parenting stuff right there. I'm genuinely surprised that this is the same Riot that reworked Urgot. Nothing against New Urgod but I will always miss his cheesiness and resemblance to the last surviving Dwemer from Morrowind. Like many old characters he was a joke given life and pizza feet, but with one key feature- he had a REALLY unique gameplay mechanic with his lock-on Q's. Proper prediction and execution could kill people through fog of war. Story-wise his new lore plays well with other characters but his writers really tried too hard to bring old Noxus into the new Noxus. Darius I feel was already a good progression of how you cant have literally everything be "might is right" or you lose sight of the important stuff. Urgot with his whole "down with the three, up with Noxus" mindset is a really bad influence on the up-and-comers of Noxian society...but then again if Urgot wasn't there to show what kind of contempt for the "weak" their society breeds I feel it would also under-represent the comlexities of Noxus' quasi-anarchy. Let me just suffice to say I do love hearing every video from you, and I have a great announcement. I have gotten to a point where I have a spare dollary-doo each month! I can think of nobody I follow on here who needs consistent relief from the stress of food and rent-paying more...I hope it helps even if its just one dollhair.

[@alcazar8224]

Ivern is also kinda like nunu. He has no quest and doesnt have a lot of damage. Hes just having fun with the animals of the forest and teaches people nature stuff.

[@felixrivera895]

Well he does have a difinitive drive: Watch, Listen, Grow, Teach. Which is similar but more directed.

[@peppermeister8165]

Then again, before the hippie tree, he was a warlord barbarian of the Freljord. Wait what if pre-Ivern took Nunu’s Mom? Or is Ivern so old at this point that it wouldn’t make sense?

[@GoldLight73]

It wouldn't make sense. Ivern has been around for centuries; possibly millennia. He probably outdates the Notak tribe itself, let-alone Nunu and his mother.

[@silverun280]

@@peppermeister8165 it would make newnu phrase: "but what if it was all ivern's fault?' extremely dark. And is not really possible, albeit it would have been interesting, because between barbarian ivern and uncle pine ivern centuries has passed, if I remember correctly.

[@randomnpc7773]

Nunu doesn't do a lot of damage? You've clearly never used his ult or played AP Nunu and Willump

[@LittleDevilKamiChan]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[@alexandrebois9276]

This dislike button has more lore than Gragas

[@RTDice11]

A fantasy character coming to terms with their power, growing mature, but not losing sight of the hope, wonder, and goodness that made them worthy in the first place? If Aang can do it, I'm sure our snowball fighter can do it too!

[@gexianhen]

the yeti magic gem CAn create TRUE ICE. so lysandra sure need it to re-freeze the watcher. now that the power is in nunu she need nunu to do the job

[@conejitorosada2326]

Lissandra to Willump: GIVE ME THE CHILD

[@infinite_ammo]

willump is like a fusion between totoro and appa (from the last airbender)

[@themissinghalfstep5772]

Siiiiigh...everytime i read Nunu's lore or play him in game I have to grab flippin tissue. Bless this kid!

[@theanxiousace3783]

Maybe it's because I'm feeling a tad under the weather and thus a little more emotional, but both these lore stories made me tear up a bit. I have a big soft spot for a child and their monster friend dynamics, especially when the kid is so hopeful and innocent. Also, I just really enjoy that Riot seems to have taken inspiration from first nation cultures as indigenous representation is so rare. I'm also reminded of the game Never Alone just looking at the artwork and designs, which includes several cultural insight videos about indigenous peoples in Alaska and Canada from the actual tribal people that worked on the game. Would definitely recommend it both as a game and a learning experience.

[@olianims]

imagine if nunu grows up to look like braum XD

[@jimstoesz3878]

I really like how Nunu's toque links him to Willump while nothing in Willump's design links him to Nunu. There's lots of mutual love and respect between them, but they're *VERY* different people with very different interpretations of their relationship that's communicated excellently through their differences in design.

[@mafiablokes]

I think the biggest theme of Nunu is imagination. Even the character design itself is based off the archetype of a kid and his imaginary friend

[@bardoamigodosmipes6716]

Yes, but Willump is not imaginary.

[@mafiablokes]

@@bardoamigodosmipes6716 Obviously it’s an actual being in the lore of the game, I’m talking about the theme

[@NeverDry999]

Gnar recently got a new bio, I think you should read it since it explains a few things: -The "prehistoric Yordles" used to inhabit the Freljord before it was overtaken by permafrost, and got along with the Yetis (which Gnar called "bit white yordles") -The Yetis were present on the Howling Abyss when the Watchers first arose in the Freljord, and the permafrost only came after they were sealed. -During the big battle with the Watchers was the first time Gnar went "Mega Gnar" and it verbatim says "Gnar had grown as large as the big white yordles", so his Mega Gnar form may have been spurned on by the same Yeti magic that Willump was protecting and passed on to Nunu (be it a World Rune or not, which I personally reckon it is, the Rune of Inspiration specifically). -During the battle, Gnar was encased in True Ice, though it's not mentioned in the Bio who froze him, I seem to recall Riot mentioning in a Q&A that Anivia was the one who did it. Overall, great video, and I do agree that Nunununew is probably one of the better Champion Reworks overall.

[@hailsatan6678]

Throughout like half of this video you can hear TBs voice on the edge of cracking

[@strahinjaspasic9865]

When you said that none of the league characters are motivated by love and forget about Aurelion who is deeply in love with himself and his stars

[@matthewandrews2267]

Every time I play Nunu I think of how Kindred was supposed to feel like playing two characters, and they just, don't, really. But Nunu? Yeah, that feels like playing two champions.

[@chitisright1337]

Watching this now and remembering the lore behind Nunu and Willump makes me super excited for The Song of Nunu

[@Pedropaulopoloni]

I cried mutiple times during this video because their story is so cute and beautiful.

[@roveaalcart7479]

As for ur question on what tribe was referenced for Nunu's mother i think its heavily influenced by the tribe known in china as the XiongNu who are a Nomadic tribe in the upper northern parts of china. they are the typical heavy fur wearing tribes due to the cold and they move around. they make up one of the few major barbarian tribes in china and was involved in wars with other factions in the north. Inuits tend to seem to have majorly fur outfits but Nunu's mother seems to be a more mixed with leather,whilst having just enough fur lining inside and where it matters. Plus their accessories suggest a more resourceful central area where they can make accessories out of wood carving and metal work. Inuit accessories tend to be made heavily out of bone and thin wood but not metalwork. this is my reason for saying that i think the influence comes more heavily from the XiongNu tribes...but i could be wrong.

[@mafiablokes]

I always thought it was the Northern Siberian tribes which was the influence

[@onieli]

Omg Nunu and Braum interacting would be so wholesome and sweet

[@gamaielgacasan8962]

Everytime Skyen tries to act like a child, i always imagine it was Nunu talking. Nunu is just too adorable and his story is very veeeeryyyyy different

[@ApexGale]

The new Gnar bio confirms your belief that it was the battle at the howling abyss that killed the yetis. He used to travel with them and during the battle Lissandra's ice froze him. His mega form is him transforming into the yordle equivalent of a yeti.

[@souffrantdepine3762]

The function of Nunu and Willump as characters: "Silly Rabbit! Cynicism's for losers!"

[@Sequellbellhelmel]

SKyen is Willump confirmed

[@timothymclean]

What are you talking about? Skyen has glasses, he can't be Willump.

[@Sequellbellhelmel]

Clark Kent also has glasses, yet he's never been seen in the same room as Superman, has he?

[@gubbebubbe4942]

@@Sequellbellhelmel technically he has.

[@crimsonboop902]

Heh, I kept hoping Sky would pronounce ''New Nunu'' as ''Nununu Nunu Nunu'' to the tune of ''Bobobo Bobo Bobo''

[@teotaggas9137]

You REEEEALLY love irelia's theme dont you Skyen? Keep doing an awesome job!

[@ljmax8693]

I like that you talked about how the abilities build a character! not much but however! Great video as always. Not said much about their design but i dont think that theres more to say ;)

[@DestruktoDoodle]

They need to make Nunu & Willump a Netflix series like Arcana for Jinx and Vi

[@lorenzoguerrero7520]

Piltover and Zaun is going to end on season 2. The production staff says that they want to focus on another part of Runeterra. I want season 3 to focus on the Frelijord.

[@maddiemcnugget1076]

Ok but the Bot skin reminds me of Big Hero 6 and I cannot let that go

[@greenwren5072]

[@Chowder_T]

Heck yeah, I've been looking forward to when you do What's the deal with for Nunu.

[@imarock8763]

Fun little detail ive noticed about this 11:55 ..is that if you listen to Braums theme and then nunu and willumps theme youll notice a good amount of simiarities bewteen the two..its funny you mentioned nunus mother taught him all these songs about legends, and how Braum is one of the big ones in the freljord i think they did that intentionally.

[@anlize3422]

Well.. while you explained and detailed the relationship between Nunu and Willump(especially when you mentioned Nunu's mother) you made me tear up. Mainly because that story is the kind of thing I want to experience once in a while and man, your reading of that delivers. Keep up the good work TB,

[@eliasfender3532]

looked up the nunu death animation bc of this and now my life is ruined thanks tb i didn't need my heart anyway :(

[@clairechaxel8070]

I did not thought I needed a totoro skin for Willump yet here I am

[@Shamanized]

I want you to know at work I do everything at half efficiency because I'm busy listening to you the whole time and I love your videos and over the past month my life has been absorbing your information as if you're some sort of character-design sun nourishing character-design trees such as myself as we bask in your glory and shun the dislike button which is like a weed in our garden that we must not speak of except at the end of all videos where it is accepted. I've been quiet for the last like 100 videos of yours and I felt it isn't right to watch any longer without saying thank you at least once whether you see this or not so thank you very much we love you and I'm so excited for whatever videos you'd like to make in the future, whether they're the same or very different, you've been a blessing on the youtubes with your knowledge, kindness, and ethic. If you'd like even MORE suggestions for videos I would throw in a few like Ziggs, the Soul Calibur series, and broadway costume interpretations of characters from other mediums.

[@MayaPannkaka]

I could watch your videos forever honestly

[@MinecraftDude007]

Hol up from the Lurkers

[@btd9lord]

HellNightFlare Lurkers rise up, Skyen is afraid of us

[@gexianhen]

love squad - nunu, taric, ivern and... rakan lets say... he do things for love no?

[@manueldominguez1282]

Fernando Moraga add braum to the equation and we’re set!

[@gnralZTT]

love squad = support squad?

[@eldritch.madness]

jinx...? she does whatever, as long as its fun

[@maovmp3825]

Take Rakan out, add Braum and we are good to go.

[@bramsteenhoek2674]

@@eldritch.madness what

[@LordVanOskuro]

So they're Stanley and his monster.

[@k-sanend6474]

it's been a while since i cried from a story i love this story

[@junkm0d628]

Playing numu for me is about going on the adventure with a friend.

[@jenniferlin1389]

Is it just me or willump looked like appa from avatar the last air bender but instead of being a bison he’s a reindeer

[@victoralcantara8510]

Nomads and Snowmads. I dig it.

[@temparalflux914]

Riot put a lot of Love into this Rework

[@abby7762]

love u and your channel!

[@Lunari_wolph]

DISCORD SQUAD

[@musicvibes7017]

It be cool if they got reworked again like pantheon, the story moves forward and the character change based on time

[@phantomparty2079]

the way you said melancholy made my brain emplode

[@Ladygothii12]

I don't know why but when you wee talk g about mothers , I had the sudden thought that wouldn't it be interesting that Annie's mother could come back in the story, like that upcoming champ rumored to be chained up beneath Demacia. Random though is random.

[@drakonova]

I love that the dislike button could follow its dreams and be who it always wanted to be

[@Thevoidlezz]

would like it that willump is the acronym for the yeti's true name in his language

[@forresttoyne8559]

Evelynn is motivated by love

[@dividedtime8529]

I didnt think i would needed tissues when watching this vid

[@teodorpirnat8386]

im early, leet me make a joke T B Skyen is gonna release a bad video

[@o.w.7679]

It's actually heart-wrming to see Riot do more and more good as they progress...

[@Armaggedon185]

I wasn't sure where else to put this, so I've decided on your latest What's the Deal With to ask. This is merely an errant request from a non-Patron, but I've recently been taken in by Galio's aesthetic and was wondering whether he could be put on your radar for a future What's the Deal With.

[@RedDotPink]

What I just realized looking at Ashe... ICE IS FLEXIBLE?!

[@RowanB6]

0:40 one might say, when new Nunu was new?

[@zaolat9440]

Maybe the best "what's the deal with" so far...

[@RowanB6]

Your unhinged absurdist stories about the dislike button are some of the best humor on the internet

[@hummingvoid7824]

Thank you for giving a positive vibe to the dislije button.

[@liamcrowley2619]

Am i the only one who loves and emphasizes with Lissandra she was a tad power hungry but was just thinking she was unlocking godhood or a portal to the gods not the void creatures then she had to sacrifice everything to stop her mistake to now have a ends justifies the means outlook shes already sacrificed her own sisters she cant let the void creatures out now no boundary is enough to break to try and save the world Dx so compelling an absolute queen

[@demsterclippy4252]

I should have said it earlier, but you should call the rework Newnu and willump, and the prework Oldnu to save yourself the trouble.

[@jesseflora8843]

I think that at the end of the day, every champion has a power fantasy. Nunu's power fantasy is that he has the power to go on fun adventures and be a hero, which is what Nunu has been raised to admire from the stories his mother has told him. Willump has the power of having someone that trusts him and whom he can mentor for the good of everyone involved. I wouldn't say these power fantasies are necessarily at the "core," as you say, of their characters as much as they are inevitable side effects of their main fantasies. But if we're only talking about characters' CORE fantasies, there are plenty of champions who don't have major power fantasies. The example you gave, Rammus, doesn't have power at the core of its character, it's just that power is one of the many things that can be extracted from the character they emit, in that Rammus, being who they are, the ambiguous mythological armordillo, holds power over people in that people somewhat worship them and are curious about them. Even someone like Fiddlesticks, who is an incredibly powerful character in the lore, I would argue isn't innately about power at its core. While it has the power fantasy that can be interpreted by the fright it causes people and its ability to kill, that is just a side effect of its main fantasy, which is to cause fear. If Fiddlesticks causing fear is an innately powerful thing, than so the love which you, yourself, say is at the center of Nunu's and Willump's characters. We can't really say if fear is more powerful than love or vice versa, as both use emotion as motivators. You seem to define a core power fantasy as a character having a quest to overcome a power that is aligned against them, which I guess is fine, but I personally don't think that's a good definition because I don't think that's what makes people or characters powerful. But I also don't know enough about storytelling to say so, and if you have some fundamental reason based around the art of literature why a quest as such would forge a power fantasy, then I can't necessarily disagree with that. Still, I disagree with the statement that most champions in League of Legends are based around a power fantasy while Nunu & Willump aren't. I think that most champions in League of Legends, at their core, are very much about something other than power. However, any core character fantasy can be used to gain power, Nunu's and Willump's included.

[@GotTM87]

New nunu, is the new tongue twister.

[@invadercivic2774]

My favorite thing about all these videos is the dislike butten story art the end 😂

[@endodouble6691]

Yeah i main Nunu and I just want to chill in Silver, eventhough I could be in Diamond. 😄

[@DronesOverTheMoon]

He did a way better job than all the other characters they try to make "cute".

[@Crowned_Hearts]

12:58 Necrit intro XD

[@kigon1000]

~ 5:05 "out to accomplish some kind of goal through the means..." OF PRODUCTION (Communism Intensifies)

[@TBSkyen]

Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!

[@ottodavis-octane3839]

@@TBSkyen What?

[@ВадимТенек]

dem the newnew nunu part killed me XDDDDDD

[@countjeffery7828]

Well at least he was able to find himself 👍

[@andrewzhao444]

new nunu nununu nu nununu nunununu.

[@Jeremy-xs4gt]

Ive been waiting! :D

[@dcung8833]

The dreams of a demented 8 year old: killing people with giant snowballs

[@pooyajalali7309]

its so random but story of the dislike button actually help me

[@fireflyer97]

If Nunu can create true ice, that is a really big fucking deal.

[@MagnyrDelorn]

What's the deal with Zilean?

[@melonrap3858]

Wholesome.PNG

[@Cepadre]

man that story of the dislike button was too real.

[@X.A.K.]

annie is kinda that way but not that many for sure you can count shacko and fid but they whant to kill so idk only this 3 i can think

[@dillweed6151]

rakan is motivated by love :'^)

[@stijnvandevyver7958]

I love Nunu and Willump's new design, he's fun and lighthearted without being annoying like Zoe.

[@moisessosa6281]

Im always damn late for the Discord link

[@Quinti22]

what's the deal with swain?

[@tobyfastjr]

I thought I was at x2 speed at the beginning

[@juannata6415]

I'm not crying, you crying

[@theaeon]

notification squad whooo!

[@deoxlogius]

That's gotta be one of the best dislike button rants i've seen from you so far omg XD

[@XanKreigor]

The best thing about the new Nunu is his death animation. It makes the sadist in me happy.

[@talisman9778]

I'd just like to say that the notai are nothing like the Inuit people here in Canada, Inuit were not nomadic, they hunkered down near water for their food and survival,

[@clcreations9571]

Wow, such a uniqe and delightful consept. At least compared to all the other shampions who is so ditached from the normal, the comon, the human side of the world. Makes you want to write something yourself.

[@jacenkallner]

I cant speak to the European first nations, but as a member of a native Alaskan tribe, can confirm that they are not based off of any north American first nations.