twenty one pilots lore EXPLAINED

Summary

This video delves into the complex and interconnected lore of 21 Pilots, exploring themes of mental health, anxiety, and personal growth through their albums. It focuses on the key characters and symbolism, particularly Tyler Joseph’s battle with his anxiety, personified as 'Blurryface,' and the larger world of 'Dema' in albums like 'Trench' and 'Scaled and Icy.' The video breaks down the narrative into manageable segments, introducing characters like Nico, the Bishops, the Bandidos, and the symbolic role of creativity in overcoming struggles. The story is ongoing, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Blurryface* is a personification of Tyler Joseph's anxiety and depression, represented by blackened hands and neck, symbolizing the choking feeling caused by mental struggles.
• 😀 The storyline of *Blurryface* focuses on Tyler's attempt to battle his inner demons, with Blurryface being a representation of his darkest emotions.
• 😀 *Trench* introduces the dystopian world of Dema, ruled by nine Bishops, including Nico (who is also Blurryface). Dema represents a place of mental despair and insecurity.
• 😀 The Bandidos, led by Josh (Torchbearer), represent hope and the support system of loved ones, helping Tyler escape Dema and journey toward mental health recovery in Trench.
• 😀 The yellow color in *Trench* symbolizes hope, rebellion, and freedom, and is used by the Bandidos as camouflage against the Bishops’ surveillance.
• 😀 *Scaled and Icy* presents a darker development, where the Bishops possess individuals and control Tyler and Josh, forcing them into pop conformity, masking the sinister forces at play.
• 😀 The character of Ned in *Scaled and Icy* represents creativity and personal expression, symbolizing the power to overcome external control through artistic freedom.
• 😀 Trash, a giant blue dragon (or 'trash dragon'), is initially ambiguous but proves to be an ally, helping Tyler and Josh fight against the control of Dema and the Bishops.
• 😀 The mental health journey depicted in the 21 Pilots universe is non-linear—there are both good and bad days, as seen with the characters’ struggles to escape from Dema and find peace in Trench.
• 😀 The 21 Pilots lore is heavily rooted in symbolism, where characters and settings represent psychological battles, such as Blurryface (anxiety), Dema (depression), and the Bandidos (support systems).
• 😀 Despite the ongoing battles in *Scaled and Icy*, the story isn’t fully resolved yet, leaving room for future albums to continue Tyler and Josh's journey toward escaping Dema and achieving mental peace.

Q & A

What is Blurryface, and what does it represent in the context of 21 Pilots' lore?

Blurryface is a personification of Tyler Joseph’s anxiety and depression. In the lore, he is depicted with black neck, hands, and red eyes, symbolizing the suffocating nature of mental health struggles. Tyler is trying to battle and overcome these feelings of anxiety throughout the album.

How does the album Trench expand on the world introduced in Blurryface?

Trench expands the world by introducing the city of Dima, controlled by nine bishops, including Nico (who is revealed to be Blurryface). Dima represents a dark mental state, while Trench symbolizes a place of recovery. The album explores the journey from Dima to Trench, focusing on themes of mental health recovery and escape from oppression.

Who are the Bandidos, and what do they represent in the Trench narrative?

The Bandidos are a group of rebels living in Trench who help the citizens of Dima escape the oppressive control of the bishops. They represent the support systems in life, like friends and family, who help people escape dark mental states and move toward recovery.

What is the significance of the character Nico in the lore?

Nico is both a character and the personification of Blurryface, the antagonist in the lore. He controls Dima and is a representation of oppressive forces in Tyler's mental struggles. Nico's character shows how anxiety and depression can feel controlling and difficult to escape.

What role does the character of Trash Dragon play in the narrative?

Trash Dragon, or Vulture, symbolizes freedom and rebellion against the oppressive forces in Dima. Initially seen as ambiguous, Trash Dragon is revealed to be helping Tyler and Josh escape the control of the bishops. Trash represents hope and the fight against mental confinement.

How does Scaled and Icy further develop the themes of mental health and oppression?

Scaled and Icy deepens the narrative by showing that both Tyler and Josh are under the control of the bishops, who force them into compliance. The album explores themes of creating art as a form of resistance against mental oppression, with characters like Ned representing creativity as a weapon against control.

What is the role of the character Ned in Scaled and Icy?

Ned is a symbol of creativity in the lore. His character represents how creating art can be a way to regain control over one's life and mental health struggles. His antlers, which can possess others, serve as a metaphor for how creativity can help break free from negative influences.

What does the album title 'Scaled and Icy' refer to in relation to the lore?

The title 'Scaled and Icy' is a reference to the state of the world Tyler and Josh find themselves in. The album's title can be interpreted as a description of the cold, oppressive environment they are trapped in, while the word 'scaled' may refer to the heightened struggle and the appearance of new creatures like Trash Dragon.

What is the significance of the color yellow in the Trench world?

In the world of Trench, yellow is a symbol of hope and rebellion. The Bandidos wear yellow as a sign of resistance against the bishops’ control. It is also theorized that the bishops cannot see yellow, making it an act of camouflage as well as a symbol of defiance.

How does the lore of 21 Pilots reflect the journey of mental health?

The lore of 21 Pilots serves as a metaphor for the journey through mental health struggles. The albums depict the challenges of fighting internal demons like anxiety (Blurryface) and depression (Dima), with the characters representing different aspects of mental health recovery, such as support systems (Bandidos) and creativity (Ned).