Animal Quote by Raphael Bob-Waksberg
“One of the things I've found really interesting about the show is that a lot of people really relate to our animal characters, more than we thought they would. Part of that is, because they are animals, people project themselves onto them. If BoJack just looks like Will Arnett, people go, "Oh, I know who that guy is. That's a Will Arnett type." But because he's a horse, people can go, "Oh, I'm kind of like him in some ways."”
About This Quote
Source TV Show: BoJack Horseman, Netflix, 2014‑2020
People connect more deeply with animal characters because they serve as neutral canvases for self‑projection, allowing viewers to see aspects of themselves without the constraints of human identity.
In simple terms: Animal characters let viewers project themselves onto them.
Key Takeaway
Use animal figures to explore identity and empathy.
Themes
identity
empathy
media
character design
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
interpretive
When to use this quote
- TV series analysis
- character development workshops
- psychotherapy
- marketing focus groups
Key Concepts
projection
anthropomorphism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does animal symbolism affect personal insight?
- What limits does anthropomorphism impose on audience connection?
A Different Perspective
Some viewers may still see human traits, limiting the neutrality of animal avatars.
