Sans
Undertale character
3D render of Sans created for Fangamer
First appearance	Undertale (2015)
Designed by	Toby Fox Temmie Chang
In-universe information
Home	Snowdin

Sans the Skeleton is a character in the 2015 video game Undertale. He is the brother of Papyrus and initially appears as a friendly NPC with an easy-going, laid-back personality. Sans is also featured in the 2018 video game Deltarune, where he can only be found at his shop, which is a remodeled version of Grillby's Diner from the original game. Sans was created by Toby Fox with support from the artist Temmie Chang. The character's name is based on the Comic Sans font, which is used for most of his in-game dialogue. This sans typeface was replaced with a "cutesy irreverent typeface" in the Japanese version of the game.

Critics and fans have praised Sans' characterization. In particular, Sans has been noted for his humor and for breaking the fourth wall, as well as for his boss fight, including its musical theme, "Megalovania". The character, and a version of his fight song, were included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He has been used as an internet meme and has been the subject of several user-created mods and other projects. His likeness has been featured in merchandise produced by companies such as Good Smile, Fangamer, and Banpresto.

Concept and design

Sans was conceived by Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale. Fox has said he created Sans with "special inspiration" from J. N. Wiedle, author of the webcomic Helvetica—a series about an eponymous skeleton named after the Helvetica typeface.^[2] Fox made the initial concept sketch for the character on a college notebook;^[3] and he initially named him "Comic Sans" after the typeface. At this stage, the character was simply referred to as the brother of the game's second boss, Papyrus, who was similarly named after a typeface.^[4] When Fox first conceived the character, he intended for Sans to make more skeleton puns, but ultimately didn't think this was humorous enough, so he dropped the idea. Fox also collaborated with Temmie Chang on the design. Chang remarked that the character looked like he appeared to have been playing poker at the casino.^[1] For the boss battle against Sans, Fox chose to use "Megalovania", a song that had previously been used within Homestuck and in one of Fox's EarthBound ROM hacks.^[5][6] Artist Drak designed a Steam trading card based on Sans that came packaged with a collection of Undertale cards. Fox thought it would be intriguing if Sans was absent from the card itself and could only be seen in full view dozing over to the side. Since he wasn't sure if Steam would accept a card with nothing but blank black space, he added the spotlight to the center of the image. Fox has expressed his hope that "Sans' sleepy presence will continue to surprise someone every once in a while."^[1]

As with his brother, Papyrus, Sans is one of the characters whose dialogue does not normally use the game's default font. Instead, his words are usually displayed in Comic Sans. When he tells the player about the mechanics of the game, or when he threatens the player, his words then use the default font.^[7] When adapting Undertale into Japanese, however, this convention had to be changed, as it was too difficult to translate. The final Japanese version had Sans' dialogue communicated in a "cutesy irreverent typeface" that one might find used in stylized advertisements or on a television variety show.^[8]

Maria Christina Jørstad has analyzed specific language choices used to depict Sans in the Japanese version of Undertale. In Japanese, Sans refers to himself in as "Sanzu" (サンズ), which may refer to the Sanzu River, the river that separates life from death and judges those that pass it. When communicating to his friends, Sans uses Japanese pronouns such as oira, anta, and occasionally omae. Sans is often paired with his brother. When he is being serious or conversing with his brother, he also uses omae and ore, as well as sentence finals like sa and na. Sans uses Japanese expressions like "Kansai ben," which is again a dialect of Kansai, to tell his story of a meeting he had in the woods when he first meets the main character. He speaks the standard language in other contexts and only does this once. He wanted to practice his new puns with the women at the meeting and they had an absurd relationship known as "boke/tsukkomi." He then speaks yakuwarigo language as a male and uses masculine expressions such as ze, zo, sa and some commando forms when he speaks. However, in contrast to the "macho male", Sans more likely sounds less macho and is much goofier because of his persistent use of oira and anta, depending on the situation.^[9]

In 2023, Fox revealed cut content from Undertale that involved Sans eating ice cream for a minute, saying that it was "silly, irreverent, blurring the lines of the fourth wall."^[10]

Appearances

In Undertale

Prior to the events of Undertale, Sans had moved with his brother, Papyrus, from an unknown location to the settlement in Snowdin. Papyrus has been hired as a royal guard trainee sentry, and he forces his brother to help in his quest to capture a human.^[11] Sans follows the player throughout most of the forest of Snowdin, commentating on his brother's puzzles and interacting with the player. Sans continues to appear as a recurring character throughout the rest of the game, often appearing at sentry posts to make jokes and sell items. Near the climax of the game, Sans invites the player to eat at a restaurant with him, where he explains how he befriended Toriel behind the large door in Snowdin. He reveals that he has promised not to kill any humans who come to the Underground; and he states that if he had not made that promise, the player would be "dead where [they] stand".^[12][13]

In the "Last Corridor" (a room near the end of the game), Sans makes one more appearance where he reveals the true meaning of the "EXP" and "LV" values that the player has accumulated throughout the game: 'Execution Points' and 'Level of Violence', respectively. He then judges the player for their accumulated EXP and LV values, before disappearing and allowing the player to proceed and fight the king, Asgore.^[14] The dialogue changes once the player beats the last boss, based on what has happened previously in the game.^[15]

As the game progresses, Sans' behavior is modified to fit different scenarios, based on how often the player opts to kill the monsters in each area. Before the Papyrus boss fight, Sans threatens the player with a "bad time" if they proceed with their actions. If the player ignores this warning, Sans again confronts the player in the Judgement Hall, to prevent them from destroying the entire Underground,^[16] and acting as the route's final boss.^[17] Near the end of the game's "Genocide" route, Sans also fights the player, acting as the final boss. During the boss battle sequence with Sans, the song "Megalovania" plays.^[18]

In other media

Outside of Undertale, Sans appears as a character in Deltarune (2018), where he can be found at his shop, a remodeled version of Grillby's Diner from Undertale.^[19] For the Nintendo game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), a Sans costume for the playable Mii Gunner character was released as downloadable content on September 4, 2019.^[20] In the online game Among Us (2018), Sans' hoodie appears as a cosmetic belonging to the Cosmicube event called "Indie Hour", which also featured other characters from Undertale.^[21] In 2022, Sans appeared in the Japanese rhythm game Pop'n Music.^[22]

Promotion and reception

Merchandising

Sans has appeared in a variety of merchandise offered by different companies. Good Smile produced a Nendoroid figure of him that featured different poses and accessories.^[23] Fangamer featured Sans in series of Undertale figurines.^[24] Banpresto has also produced Sans-related merchandise, including a key chain, an acrylic plate, and a face cushion.^[25]

Critical reception

Since his appearance in Undertale, Sans has received generally positive reception. He has been well-received by Undertale fans, being the subject of many fan works and projects such as games, video game mods, and other creations.^{[26][27][28][29][30]} During the Undertale Q&A in 2016, Sans and Papyrus were the characters that received the most questions from fans.^[31] Leah Donato of Dualshockers wrote that Sans was the best character in the game, stating her feeling that his "comedic relief that is sorely needed." Donato added that "while this is true, he also has a very sarcastic side, which he indulges at every possible opportunity."^[32] Polygon staff staff writer Colin Campbell described Sans as one of the best video game characters of the 2010s. Campbell particularly praised how the game highlights Sans' humor: "When he makes a joke, the camera zooms in on him while he winks. It never gets old."^[33] Destructoid writer CJ Andriessen—who thought that he was too late to play Undertale—wrote that Sans' appearance in Smash Bros. had increased to his desire to try the game.^[34]

The character of Sans has also been discussed in relation to inclusion and how we build relationships. Author Gabriel Elvery, for example, has written about how parasocial relationships are formed with the character of Sans. He discusses how PSR's may be developed through playthroughs that run counter to convention; and how these can encourage care, mutual understanding, and community building. He further states that inclusion, which is part of PSR's and also a fundamental feature of Undertale, highlights the similarities between our interactions with people and with technology. He adds that we should never act mindlessly and should always question established procedures.^[7]

The sibling relationship between Papyrus and Sans has also been explored and praised. RPGFan writer Alana Hagues felt that their distinct personalities make them a great pair. She appreciated how their humor helped "carry [her] through a tearjerker of a game" and helped her "fall in love" with the setting.^[35] Nathan Grayson of Kotaku identifies Papyrus and Sans as two of Undertale's most "endearing" characters.^[36] He writes about his enjoyment of their relationship, and how he appreciated that their humor was "natural" instead of "dickish or ugly." He discussed how, despite the fact that their personality differences could cause them to sometimes hate each other, "they have each other's backs."^[37]

Conversely, one YouTuber gamer with the username Markiplier quit playing after two episodes after being harassed by fans, due to the way he played the game, specifically about giving Sans a "redneck voice". Hatred for the fandom has also appeared in the form of what have been described as "cringe-worthy videos" that feature a graphic representation of the two brothers, Sans and Papyrus, sometimes engaging in romantic and sexual activity. These anti-fan-videos have included anime tropes, in which sibling relationships are common; they have also parodied the idea of "forbidden love".^[38]

"Megalovania"

A final boss theme of the "genocide" route.

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Sans' boss fights and its theme, "Megalovania", have been well-received.^{[39][15][40][41][42]} The inclusion of Sans as a Mii fighter costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as the special remixed version of "Megalovania", garnered positive feedback from fans.^[43][44][45] Along with the song's popularity, the character itself became an Internet meme with multiple incarnations.^[45][46] The American television network ABC News also used the "Sans" Undertale OST theme tune in 2020 when discussing the coronavirus' origins and the persistence of life in China.^[47] In 2022, the song was also played at the Vatican as part of a papal audience circus act for Pope Francis.^[18][48]

Writer Frederic Seraphie compared the battle with Sans to breaking the fourth wall, stating that genocide happens in the game, notably in the fight with Sans. He considered it as a metaphorical way to "break" Undertale after concluding that it is the most discordant storyline in the game mechanic.^[49]

References in popular media

Ben Davis of Destructoid lauded his unexpected appearance on a Christian television program hosted by Pat Robertson, The 700 Club. The show has received a question from a certain viewer about the "several pictures of a strange cartoon skeleton with one glowing blue eye and wearing a hoodie." Which Davis is confident to confirmed that it was indeed Sans from Undertale and stated, "how could anyone find such a lovable scamp like Sans demonic?"^[50] Professional wrestler Kenny Omega has expressed his love for Undertale, dressing as Sans for the October 30, 2019 in the episode of All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite.^[51] On September 8, 2022, Sans was chosen as the "Ultimate Tumblr Sexyman" (referencing an online slang term for fictional characters who garner romantic and/or sexual interest from a large fanbase despite not being conventionally attractive) via a three-day tournament bracket of polls on Twitter. Sans was a finalist with Mob Psycho 100 character Arataka Reigen, whom Sans surpassed with 50.1% of the vote.^[52] Fox responded to the results by writing a short fan fiction comedically dramatizing Reigen's attempts at surpassing Sans in the poll,^[53] which he said that "Sans won by doing literally nothing, while Reigen cheated his way to the finals, only to come against the hard truth that Tumblr is not into conventionally attractive men."^[54] Sans' close victory also caused a massive influx of fan art and memes on both Twitter and Tumblr. The poll ended on the same day as the death of Elizabeth II, leading to jokes connecting the two events.^[55]

See also

• Megalovania

References