Francis, also known as Friend Francis, is a major supporting character who first appeared in Season 1. He is a friend of Angel Gabby, and as such is the "Fran" of Angel Hare.
Background[]
Friend Francis, or Francis for short, acts as the layman side-character in the Angel Hare TV Show alongside the main character, Angel Gabby. He's a short, overweight, stout badger in a black robe with a soft, southern voice. While sweet and with good intentions, Francis often finds himself into trouble or give up easily in order for Gabby to have a vehicle for the episode's lesson of the day. He has several nervous mannerisms, including tapping his hands together and rubbing the back of his neck.
On the home video release, Francis is a devoted, if troubled, friend and an overall charming character. He'll steal or cheat, as seen in Tape 3, but will always admit fault when confronted and strive, however meekly, to apply Gabby's teachings. This persona appears to be consistent on Jonah's old broadcast tapes, as Francis appeared unaware of Gabby's sentience, instead carrying on with the episode as if Gabby was still there. His character appeared to have more agency in the bonus videos, where he discussed things he thinks Gabby wouldn't want him to say, and most notably, when meta elements are pointed out, he starts to glitch and sputter. He'll persist with his letter readings through the glitches, but the scene ultimately ends with the room's assets banishing into blackness. However, it wouldn't be until Case 2 when Francis showed his first true signs of sentience in the tapes, and has since regularly acted outside of his script.
Outside of working with Gabby, Francis claims to be an actuary. He has also show a deep interest in art and regularly draws his observations and dreams, including images of other angel hares and even some angel demons. These drawings, in the style of old engravings, contain intricate linework and ghoulish characters. According to Francine, his interest in art often leads to him spending hours in art museums.
Relationships[]
Angel Gabby[]
Francis is devotedly respectful of Gabby, always eager for her aid and grateful for her approval. Despite this, he does tend to stray from her influence often, which requires frequent correction. This causes strains in their relationship where Gabby will have moments of impatience or pity towards Francis, however this strain is often to teach Francis, and therefore the viewer, a lesson at the end of the episode.
Likewise, it seems like Gabby trusts Francis greatly despite his flaws, as Francis has inside knowledge on other angels that he appears to have acquired through several deeper, private conversations with Gabby. He shows hesitation, yet excitement, at the idea of sharing this knowledge. It's unclear just how much he knows or how deep his conversations go.
Angel Zaggy[]
Despite not being his Fran, the two are on good terms with each other, even if Zaggy can at times push Francis around. The two also seems to regularly hang out when Francis is in Zaggy's universe, including going fishing on one occasion.
Francine[]
Although they initially met in unfriendly terms, they eventually grew to respect each other, with Francis believing the two were friends. Similar to his relationship with Zaggy, Francis is often pushed around by Francine, including being dragged into reading fan mail even after being caught by Gabby for doing so.
Trivia[]
- While Francis' feet are the color of his dark fur stripe when he's standing in most episodes, he's seen with light-gray feet while sitting (as seen in both the apiary tree scene of Tape 2 and his chair in the letters videos.)
- Francis didn't have existing art of him smiling until the first letters video, when it had to be added to his rig to accommodate his positive interactions with the fans.