Adventure Timechallengedanimation in an unprecedented way. The line between good and evil was as thick as a strand of hair. Each seemingly good person had flaws they either confronted or accepted. Finn was the main protagonist of the show, but he lived for the adrenaline rush, often putting himself or others in danger. Some villains, on the other hand, are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Princess Bubblegum seems as sweet as candy, but puts her needs ahead of all of Ooo, like when she colonized space. Then, there are villains who are pure evil, like The Lich and Patience St. Pim.
Yet one character is a sheep trying to be a wolf. Ice King definitely has a sordid past, considering that he kidnaps princesses. He tells Finn and Jake, repeatedly, that he wants to be loved, and when he is denied friendship, he lashes out. Over the course ofAdventure Time, Ice King is redeemed through the revelations of his past and being reunited with Marceline. Therefore, Ice King isn’t a villain but an anti-hero. Here are 10 reasons why.
10The Crown Corrupted Simon
Before Ice King came to be, he was a man named Simon Petrikov. He stumbled upon the magic crown in his pursuit of unlimited power. The crown has a powerful gemstone that can create and manipulate ice. Urgence Evergreen (Tom Kenny), the ice elemental during the Cretaceous period, created the crown to grant one wish to the wearer. Though the consequence of wearing the crown is the wearer becomes corrupted the longer they wear it.
9Ally to Finn and Jake
Because Simon has been corrupted by the crown for at least a millennium, his wants for romance and companionship are corrupted into kidnappings and stalking. Though these are not commendable actions as Finn and Jake are called in by princesses to render. After hundreds, if not thousands, of rescues by Finn and Jake, Ice King begins building an actual friendship with them. The tables turned when the brothers learned about the crown’s ability to rot the wearer’s mind.
8Reacts to Disrespect
When Finn and Jake first meet Ice King, they mock him relentlessly. He even meets the Cosmic Owl, who calls him a sociopath. Though Ice King doesn’t take these insults lying down, he responds to them either by insulting them back or retaliating. When Finn and Flame Princess are dating, he realizes that Flame Princess and Ice King’s epic battles trigger the Cosmic Owl to appear in his dreams. to make these dreams occur more, Finn writes two letters full of insults that not only trigger the most epic fire and ice battle but end his relationship with Flame Princess.
Related:Adventure Time: The Biggest Rivalries, Explained
7Simon was Seeking Unlimited Power
Before finding the crown, Simon was an antiquarian. People who are antiquarians are collectors of antiques and are often archeologists, asBritannicaexplains. During his studies, he discovered the crown and an eternal being called GOLB. These discoveries led him to become obsessed with unlocking unlimited. When he first came into possession of the crown, he recorded his findings and his descent into power-induced madness.
6Friendship with Marceline
According to theAmerican Psychological Association, 42-45% of civilians harmed or killed during modern combat at children. The children who remain unharmed are either orphaned or left with a single parent. The Land of Ooo comes to be after the Mushroom War inAdventure Time. Humans were virtually wiped out due to a huge bomb going off and decimating America. People who managed to survive, like Marceline and her mom, are on the run or go into hiding. After her mother died, Marceline was orphaned and found Simon, who had the crown for some time. For as long as he could, Simon cared for and protected Marceline.
5Kind of Helps Patience St. Pim
The four symbols are earth, wind, fire, and water. Each element represents certain aspects of the physical world and people. The idea of the four elements evolved inAdventure Timeto be slime, candy, ice, and fire. Patience St. Pim is the reincarnated ice elemental who was hiding out in Ice King’s lair. When they met, she asked him to round up the current elementals: Flame and Slime Princess and Princess Bubblegum. Even though this is his first bad deed in a long time, he’s still kidnapping princesses and helping someone who freezes Jake and Finn for trying to intervene.
Related:Adventure Time: 6 Times Princess Bubblegum Was the Real Villain
4Soothes Finn when Trapped Inside GOLB
Moments after Princess Bubblegum declares that two candy kingdoms are in the land of Ooo, Magic Man, Betty, and Maja appear on a flying carpet chanting. The ritual they are performing will bring GOLB, an all-powerful entity that brings discord and chaos to the world. In an attempt to save Betty and the Land of Ooo, Ice King and Finn try to fight GOLB. The three of them were swallowed by GOLB and as Finn tries to fight his way out, Simon, in human form, consoles him. They’re all facing the same fate, but Simon, who is reunited with his true princess, Betty, is comforting Finn.
3Misunderstood the Hit Man Concept
Ice King has been alive for over a millennium and it shows. Not only does he misunderstand what is cool, the lingo he uses is outdated. He uses modern terms like “bros” and “nerd” — slang no one else in Ooo uses or uses very little in comparison. Ice King is also behind on certain concepts like hit men. Finn and Jake really upset him, and he hired a hitman to literally hit them. Though when the hitman attempts to kill the boys, Ice King gets mad and intervenes. He tries to hire a hitman for the original hitman.
2Stopped Kidnapping Princesses
For much of the series, Ice King kidnaps princesses. One time he capturesa dozen princessesand asks them personal questions to find a wife. Though he has one princess he kidnaps the most: Princess Bubblegum. Yet through his friendship with Finn and Jake, he begins to build a really solid friendship which results in him ending the kidnapping of princesses. The final nail in the coffin is reuniting with Marceline after a millennium.
1Became an Ally to All of Ooo
Ice King was a nuisance to all of Ooo. Whether he was kidnapping princesses or spying on Finn and Jake, Ice King was a thorn in everyone’s side. Yet he becomes a close friend and ally to those who he once annoyed. While his actions are not commendable, friendship and compassion helped him become a better person. In the end, it was the Ice King who saved all of Ooo.
