Halloween special film Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! has granted the long-standing wish of the franchise’s fans. A clip going viral on social media showed Mystery Inc.’s bespectacled genius, Velma Dinkley, going head over heels for another female character, Coco Diablo. It wasn’t a surprise to many viewers as they always considered Velma gay or at least bisexual, despite her association with different male characters over the years. However, nothing could make them happier as the writers have officially confirmed Velma as a member of the LGBT community.
Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! Scene Shows Velma in Awe of Coco
In the viral scene from Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! Velma enters with a pack of Scooby-Snacks for the titular dog but instead finds a striking figure in front of her. It is Coco Diablo, the leader of a crime syndicate that operates wearing scary costumes. Velma is utterly stunned by Coco’s looks as her psychic analysis notes “Amazing Turtleneck”, “Incredible Glasses”, “Obviously Brilliant (hair)”, and “Loves Animals”. The encounter leaves Velma with foggy glasses and blushy cheeks, confirming her attraction toward ladies.
Response from the Actress in Live-Action Film
Besides many corny remarks from the fans, LGBT actress Hayley Kiyoko also responded to the news with joy. The American actress played the role of Velma in the 2009 live-action film Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins. She recalled how it was a huge moment for her to be gay and play one of the most loved characters in the world of cartoons. At that time, Velma was not gay or bi on screen, but the fans still felt that she should have been. Now thanks to Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! It feels like a dream come true.
Reaction from the Fans
It has been more than 50 years in the making, but it has happened nonetheless. For that, fans have thanked the crew for this perfect Halloween gift. The film is distributed by Warner Brothers Animation and features the voices of Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers, Grey DeLisle-Griffin as Daphne Blake, and Kate Micucci as Velma Dinkley.
Some viewers were sceptical about the decision to turn Velma LGBT because of her contradictory past. She has been seen swooning over male characters in various iterations. Shaggy, Johny Bravo, and Sam Winchester were the most notable male characters associated with Velma in different episodes. However, her relationship with men was never consistent and as comfortable as it was with Coco in Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! or Marcie Fleach in Mystery Incorporated.
Velma coming out as LGBT gave hope to fans about other theories coming true about this show. Many also wondered if they would ever see Shaggy as a stoner as he was originally intended to be. It would break a lot of other stereotypes related to cartoon characters. Last year, Superman did the same by introducing the man of steel’s son as gay in the comic book Superman: Son of Kal-El #5.
