WHEN the live-action version of “One Piece” came out, it was expected that people would fawn over Roronoa Zoa, played by Mackenyu Maeda. With his brooding demeanor and toned physique, who wouldn’t fall for him?
What was less expected though was that people thirsted for another character … Buggy. Yes, the clown.
“They really had no reason making Buggy that hot in the live action,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Goddamn it, live-action Buggy[‘s] kinda hot,” another said.
The same phenomenon was evident when “Breaking Bad” was released a few years ago. As a teenager, your options of people to crush on would probably be Jesse Eisenberg or Jane Margolis.
Surprisingly enough, a lot of Gen Zs had an infinitely more interesting pick: Saul Goodman, as proven by this X user who writes that, for them, Goodman is hot, and they won’t be denying it any longer.
It’s a curious thing, the brain of a teenager. TV shows and films work so hard to create these attractive characters that they’re sure their viewers will lust over, only for viewers to grow attached to the creepy little guy or the villain who’s definitely too old for them.
We at republicasia were curious to see if this phenomenon was happening locally as well, so we took to Instagram to ask people who their most questionable childhood crushes were, and why they fell for them in the first place.
From Willem Dafoe to Gordon Ramsay to Lightning McQueen to Gill to Gummo, the answers were surprising, to say the least. Here are some of our favorites.
- Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg (“The Social Network”) – Matt, 20
What he liked about Jesse: He was a medium-ugly nerd; he got that lanky guy rizz! He looked like he didn’t have a digital footprint (even though he basically invented it in the movie) and I find that cute! When I saw him, I thought: why he kinda cute?
He was literally the definition of IDGAF! I remember that scene where the business partner who he turned his back on smashed a gadget in front of him and he was just so nonchalant. There’s also this delusion in my head that he hates everyone but he likes me. I’m different, not like other people!
Advice to the people who judge his taste: You should try it! It’s so funny and silly. I would argue it’s more enjoyable than crushing on the lead or the “attractive” ones. It makes you think you’re different… even though you’re not!
- Magenta (“Sky High”) – Neil, 21
What he liked about Magenta: She was so cool and nonchalant. There was something in 3-year-old me that wanted her to take me out on a date and talk about what she’s done as a guinea pig, and the adventures she’s had as a guinea pig.
I think people would find that Magenta turning into a guinea pig to be kind of disgusting, but I think it’s cool. I wanna know what she turns into a guinea pig for, and the different ways she has fun in her human state and her animal state.
Other unconventional crushes: Eve from “Wall-E,” Shego from “Kim Possible,” Coral from “Finding Nemo,” Nani from “Lilo & Stitch”
- Gill (“Finding Nemo”) – Bini, 22
What she liked about Gill: I like his vibe and voice. I’ve just loved edgy, brooding characters ever since. He’s a fish, yes, but the vibe is immaculate… I can fix him.
Other unconventional crushes: Diego from “Ice Age” and Louis from “Beastars”
- Wardrobe / Madame de Garderobe (“Beauty and the Beast”) – Mari, 21
What she liked about Wardrobe: When I was watching “Beauty and the Beast” at 5 years old, I was like yo, she’s so tall and strong. Honestly, I looked up the Wardrobe again now and I was like, “I get my 5-year-old self… we love powerful, strong-built women.”
[I liked that] she had broad shoulders – I mean, she’s a cabinet. I think it was less about the looks [and] more on the fact that she looked super strong and powerful; I thought she was badass.
Advice to the people who judge her taste: The heart wants what it wants.
- Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek – Jayslee, 16
What he liked about Shelley and Sissy: When I first saw the movie “3 Women” starring Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek, both unconventionally beautiful, eccentrically gorgeous women who, in the past, were regarded as having unique facial features, their beauty might be very contentious in today’s society where beauty is only effective when it meets the Eurocentric beauty standard.
I immediately fixated on how doe-like, large, and dull Duvall’s eyes were; [they] emit so many tragic, sad stories and emotions. I also adore how Duvall’s lips looked, giving her such a fascinating and savage as f**k personality.
Additionally, Spacek’s nearly nonexistent eyebrows and radiant blonde hair gave her a devilish heart and a sensible, innocent and sensitive personality that no other female actress could match. It makes her ideal for innocent-girl-gone-bad story pipelines.
Other unconventional crushes: Gummo from “Gummo,” Taylor Russell
- Will Poulter – Krisha, 21
What she liked about Will: I found him attractive after I watched “Midsommar” and “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.” I started searching for interviews and compilations after that. I recognized him as the kid with the weird eyebrows, but his glow-up was [immaculate.]
Feel ko for most people, unconventional na mismo si Will Poulter dahil nga sa kilay. Pero surprisingly, his eyebrows don’t stick out like a sore thumb now. He just looks like a calm but confident guy (has great hair and body, dresses well, and presents himself well.) That’s what makes him attractive.
Advice to the people who judge her taste: Beauty is subjective. Aminin natin, maraming tao ang hindi naman talaga conventionally attractive yung features. Pero I’m telling you, malaki ang nagagawa ng talino, porma, at confidence. Exhibit A: Will Poulter.
