Adventure Time’s Princess Bubblegum & Marceline Are TV's Best LGBT Couple

First airing in 2010, Adventure Time came at a hopeful time in American culture when viewed through the lens of LGBT acceptance. LGBT rights were becoming more prominent, although each battle to reverse a harmful law proved difficult in their own ways. At the same time, in the land of Ooo, Adventure Time viewers met a pragmatic but sweet scientist, Princess Bubblegum, and a rocker vampire with a heart of gold, Marceline. The relationship between the two has been subtlety and confidently explored throughout the series, showcasing a fractured but caring connection that’s quietly made the pair the best LGBT romance on television.

I’m Just Your Problem

Both characters were introduced in the first season of the show. As the friendship between Finn and each girl strengthened, we got more insight into their (former) bond. They clearly used to be close but had a falling out, something that Finn tries to correct over the course of the series. They were snippy and judgmental with one another, all building to Marceline’s furious and heartbreaking song about her feelings in "What Was Missing."

Although the two do reach a point of understanding, it’s framed as a tense semi-friendship. But as the series continues, they rebuild that connection in episodes like "Sky Witch" and finding a place of understanding in "Varmints." That episode ends with their rift repaired, Marceline keeping an eye on the farm while Bubblegum cuddles against her and sleeps.

The subtext of the relationship became full on text during "Stakes." Marceline comes to the recently dethroned Bubblegum to try and remove her vampiric attributes. Doing so would remove Marceline’s immortality, and give her the chance to finally “grow up.”

This idealized version of growing old for her is an elderly Marceline living with Bubblegum in their cottage, getting an affectionate kiss from Bubblegum as she plays music. Their relationship in the entire arc plays out like this, their affection for one another spilling out onto the screen. They may not be dating anymore, but clearly still love one another.

Bubbleine

It would take until the Rebecca Sugar (an Adventure Time alum and creator of Marceline) series Steven Universe for an openly gay relationship to come out on Cartoon Network, and that was just in 2018. But Adventure Time has dealt with that by subtly using the pair to explore an accepting outlook on sexuality.

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Something that’s important is that them being two women is never commented on within the show. In a world where people are sometimes just piles of slime, sexuality is somewhat fluid. The implications of the past romance between Bubblegum and Marceline are never given so much as a side-eye or piece of commentary. It’s just part of the foundation of the characters, nothing controversial enough to actually confront.

Also notable is that both women are established as more than just being meant for one another. Both women fall somewhere on the sexuality spectrum, in different places. While Princess Bubblegum has always been cavalier about every potential romantic relationship outside of Marceline, the Vampire Queen previously had a boyfriend named Ash she lived with.

Bubblegum’s disinterest in boys could be taken as a general dedication to science, but it also suggests that she just isn’t all that interested in boys. It’s a suggestion that she’s a lesbian, tying into her strong commitment to Marceline. It’s important too that Marceline shows attraction to men, implying she’s bisexual. The two quietly introduce children to the idea of a variety of sexual orientations without ever pushing it. It means their gayness is never a factor of their personality, just a trait of their identity. There are people who like different people than others -- it's not a lesson about acceptance, just as matter of fact. It makes their relationship feel less sensationalist and more realistic.

I Want To Slow Dance With You

During "Sky Witch," we’re introduced to the idea that items of great sentimental meaning have the potential to be very powerful magics. Hambo, Marceline’s beloved teddy bear from her childhood, is treated as a powerful conductor of this power. But the shirt Marceline gave Bubblegum during the height of their relationship? That has ridiculous amounts of sentimental power.

Marceline doesn’t call Bubblegum by her royal title or by nicknames alone. She’s the only character who calls her real name, Bonnibel (or Bonnie, for short). Marceline has proven to be the one person Bubblegum can truly relax with, even in her lowest moments. Their love for one another has been shown on-screen for years, in the same bright and optimistic way that the rest of the show is.

By not forcing the issue and letting their relationship repair and regrow naturally throughout the series, Adventure Time has given audiences one of the most positive and heartfelt LGBT relationships on television.

Adventure Time: The Final Seasons four-DVD collection, which includes the series finale, is on sale now from Cartoon Network. The Adventure Time "Come Along With Me" original soundtrack is available for digital download and streaming on all major platforms.