History WebAnimation / DrCrafty

* HalloweenEpisode: The finale for Season 1 is the [=HalloWinter=] Special, a set of Halloween episodes that aired in December.

* ''Crafty's Chara-Cafe'' has a format similar to the main show's, with an exclusive focus on original characters. The specific theme of each episode's character design is voted upon by the show's Patreon supporters, from a selection of theme-appropriate choices. The show is co-hosted by Pepper the Octo-Chef, who is shy, kindhearted, and motherly, and Pickles the Sea Cucumber, Pepper's loyal and constant companion.

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped," Crafty's lab receives a substantial redesign. In addition to being brighter and roomier than its predecessor, the new design replaces the imagery related to Tansley's other work in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects]]. However, later episodes imply that this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle in subsequent episodes show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

* SwampsAreEvil: The main setting of the show is an isolated area of the Florida Everglades, with the Crafty Crew's castle being located at the area's highest point and Disgustilda's cottage being the castle's sole neighbor further down. While its residents are relatively benevolent--the Crewmates only sell themselves as villains for branding purposes, and Disgustilda is an annoyance at worst--the castle hides a dark secret: it houses one a divine artifact in its lowest levels, the Infinian Door, which allegedly contains unlimited power. Mindstein reveals as much during "I Need a Hero Academia" Part 2 as she discusses her plans to harness that energy with Screw, and she also reveals the castle's proper name: Castle Infinia.

* SwampsAreEvil: The main setting of the show is an isolated area of the Florida Everglades, with the Crafty Crew's castle being located at the area's highest point and Disgustilda's cottage being the castle's sole neighbor further down. While its residents are relatively benevolent--the Crewmates only sell themselves as villains for branding purposes, and Disgustilda is an annoyance at worst--the castle hides a dark secret: it houses one a divine artifact in its lowest levels, the Infinian Door, which allegedly contains unlimited power. Mindstein reveals as much during "I Need a Hero Academia" Part 2 as she describes her plans to Screw, and she also reveals the castle's proper name: Castle Infinia.

** Throughout Seasons 1 and 2, the Crafty Crew's Castle Lab is a much smaller space that bears iconography related to several of Alex Tansley's other characters, such as a stained-glass window of [[VideoGame/FionaFrighteningAndTheWickedWardrobe Fiona Frightening]]. Starting with Season 3, the lab would be renovated completely, becoming visibly larger and accommodating a stained-glass window of the Crafty Crewmates, which itself is quietly updated in Season 4 to include a few other characters.

* BigFancyCastle: The Crafty Crew lives inside a massive castle with quite a bit of extra space. Episode 58 finally gives us a look at Crafty's lair from the outside, as seen [[https://twitter.com/BluePaintSea/status/1113972805597638657 here]]. It's depicted as an elaborate castle located in the Florida Everglades, complete with specific sections for the kitchen and bathroom.

* CuteMonsterGirl: Most of Crafty's cohosts are cute monster women, and quite a diverse bunch at that. The first is Nurse Worse, a cheerful and plump young woman reminiscent of Frankenstein's Monster. Season 2 introduces viewers to the remaining core characters: Pepper, a kindhearted Octopus mutant, and Messibelle, an energetically lewd slime maid, and both are occasionally portrayed as some of the most desirable women in the cast (Pepper receives Valentine's gifts in abundance in "Ad-ORC-Able," and Prince Sidon reveals that Messi is quite famous for her beauty in "Aquatic Characters").

* BlackComedy: Many unwanted characters, be they people from other intellectual properties or some of [[ArtInitiatesLife Crafty's art coming to life]] get stuffed in a crate a-la {{Franchise/Indiana Jones}} [[ImAHumanitarian and get eaten]] by a [[VideoGame/{{Overwatch}} Junkrat]] that Crafty drew during "A Lovely Day for Meihem!"

* DeepSleep: Crafty ended up in a coma after ''The Foreshadow Game.'' He wakes up after four months--just in time for the Season 3 Premiere Month--but not before having a conversation with Sasha while he was still unconscious.

** Throughout Seasons 1 and 2, the Crafty Crew's Castle Lab is a much smaller space that bears iconography related to several of Alex Tansley's other characters, such as a stained-glass window of [[VideoGame/FionaFrighteningAndTheWickedWardrobe Fiona Frightening]]. Starting with Season 3, the lab would be renovated completely, becoming visibly larger and accommodating a stained-glass window of the Crafty Crewmates, which itself is quietly updated in Season 4 to include Crystelle and Stylene.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Season 1 is somewhat different compared to what succeeds it, thanks to the show trying to find its footing early on.
** Some of the Season 1 episodes are a bit rough around the edges, as the production team was still trying to find their footing. The sound-mixing occasionally makes the music and sound effects louder than the characters' voices, there are a lot more technical difficulties with the footage, and the talking bits are shorter and contain a lot more throw-away jokes. Also, unlike later seasons, the character's pose sets are not fully lip-synced to their speech. For example, there are times throughout Season 1's episodes where Crafty's mouth still hangs open after he's done speaking.
** Narratively speaking, Season 1 is the only season without spin-off segments or the principal conflict of the show. This leaves the main cast and the events that they partake in at their smallest until Season 2.

* MythologyGag: A stained glass window in the laboratory depicts [[VideoGame/FionaFrighteningAndTheWickedWardrobe Fiona Frightening]], another character created by Alexander Tansley. Notably, the updated laboratory removes this reference, as between seasons 2 and 3, ''VideoGame/FionaFrighteningAndTheWickedWardrobe'' had been canceled.

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped," Crafty's lab receives a substantial redesign. In addition to being brighter and roomier than its predecessor, the new design replaces the old's ''Fiona Frightening'' imagery in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects]]. However, later episodes imply that this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle in subsequent episodes show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

* EvilVersusEvil: [[DownplayedTrope Despite only playing a villain for his webshow]], Crafty's efforts to advertise himself that way in ''and'' out of the show greatly affects peoples' perception of him. Yet he's never regularly antagonized by a heroic foil; his show's most recurring antagonists are other (actual) villains. In "Crafty Idol", the 4th-ranking ''Dr. Crafty'' OC, Arigeta Kuroko, applies to Crafty Industries to fill that void.

* EvilVersusEvil: [[DownplayedTrope Despite only playing a villain for his webshow]], Crafty's efforts to advertise himself that way in ''and'' out of the show greatly affects peoples' perception of him. Yet he's never regularly antagonized by a heroic foil; his show's most recurring antagonists are other (actual) villains, not heroes. In "Crafty Idol", the 4th-ranking ''Dr. Crafty'' OC, Arigeta Kuroko, applies to Crafty Industries to fill that void.

* EvilVersusEvil: Crafty sells himself as a VillainProtagonist as part of his act, but most of the show's antagonists are other villains, not heroes. In "Crafty Idol", the 4th-ranking ''Dr. Crafty'' OC, Arigeta Kuroko, [[LampshadeHanging points this out]]. Her whole reason for signing up to work with the Crew is so she can be a hero for Crafty to fight.

* EvilVSEvil: Despite Crafty being a VillainProtagonist, most of the show's antagonists are other villains, and not heroes. In "Crafty Idol", the 4th-ranking Dr. Crafty OC [[LampshadeHanging points this out]], which Disgustilda agrees with, so the OC in question offers her services as a hero for Crafty to fight.

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped," Crafty's lab receives a substantial redesign. In addition to being brighter and roomier than its predecessor, the new lab replaces the ''Fiona Frightening'' imagery in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects]]. However, later episodes imply that this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle in subsequent episodes show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

** Characters from other works, be they be the subject of an episode's artwork or just dropping by in general, show up to commentate

** Jedah Dohma, being the AmoralAttorney, sometimes holds humorous ads on ''Dr. Crafty.''

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped," Crafty's lab receives a substantial redesign. In addition to being brighter and roomier than its predecessor, the new lab replaces the ''Fiona Frightening'' imagery in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects]]. However, later episodes imply this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle in subsequent episodes show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" The third season introduces a redesigned laboratory for Crafty's castle. In addition to being brighter and roomier, the new lab replaces the ''Fiona Frightening'' imagery in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects]]. However, later episodes imply this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle, such as the ones in "[=LoveCrafty=]" and "GEMS! Truly Outrageous," show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

* RebuiltSet: Starting with "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" The third season introduces a redesigned laboratory for Crafty's castle. In addition to being brighter and roomier, the new lab replaces the ''Fiona Frightening'' imagery in favor of more iconography tied to ''Dr. Crafty,'' namely a stained glass window depicting all of the show's hosts (which itself updates in Season 4 to accommodate Crystelle and Stylene). The end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped" reveals that the lab is a [[ChromaKey merely a green screen projection with special effects. However, later episodes imply this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle, such as the ones in "[=LoveCrafty=]" and "GEMS! Truly Outrageous," show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

* RebuiltSet: The third season introduced a new laboratory for the background, which is much brighter and bigger and includes a stained-glass window of all four hosts. Although at the end of "Crafty Hearts Re:Grouped," it's revealed the lab was created [[ChromaKey using a green screen and special effects]]. However, later episodes imply this projection quickly became a reality. Exterior shots of the castle, such as the ones in "[=LoveCrafty=]" and "GEMS! Truly Outrageous," show that the stained-glass window is now fully integrated into the castle's facade. And in "Magic Kingdom Mania," [[spoiler: when Screw sends Crafty flying through the window, it shatters apart, cementing its authenticity.]]

** The Infinium Door holds an unimaginable power behind it. Obtaining that power is the goal of Mindstein's plan. The door just so happens to be located in Crafty's castle basement; it's not until "We're Back! A Crafty Story" that he and the crew learn of its significance.

** The Infinium Door holds an unimaginable power behind it. Obtaining that power is the goal of Mindstein's plan. The door just so happens to be located in Crafty's castle basement; it's not until "We're Back! A Crafty" story that he and the crew learn of its significance.

** The Infinium Door holds an unimaginable power behind it. Obtaining that power is the goal of Mindstein's plan.

* AncientArtifacts: The central conflict between the Crafty Crew and Dr. Mindstein involves the Infinium Relics, which first appear throughout the third season. There are seven in total, and so far four of them have been revealed, along with the Infinium Door, to which the seven artifacts act as a lock.

*** All seven relics are required to unlock the Infinium Door, which holds an unimaginable power behind them. It's the centerpiece of Mindstein's endgame.

The show also gives insight on the behind-the-scenes stories of the characters involved. From the weird situations with characters from other works to their fundamental personalities, the Crew's lives turn out to be not much different from what is shown in the art-commentary segments. They’re less actors and more internet personalities. Thus, there is great focus on how the Crewmates' group and interpersonal chemistry improves over time as they come together to maintain their production. As they do, the mysterious pasts of Crafty and Nurse are both gradually uncovered. Crafty's strained relationship with a deity is given much focus; from that is Nurse's equally strained relationship with a (genuine) mad scientist and her minions, who are obsessed with the show and its connection to said deity.

The show also gives insight on the behind-the-scenes stories of the characters involved. From the weird situations with characters from other works and their fundamental personalities, the Crew's lives turn out to be not much different from what is shown in the art-commentary segments. Thus, there is great focus on how the Crewmates' group and interpersonal chemistry improves over time as they come together to maintain their production. As they do, the mysterious pasts of Crafty and Nurse are both gradually uncovered. Crafty's strained relationship with a deity is given much focus; from that is Nurse's equally strained relationship with a (genuine) mad scientist and her minions, who are obsessed with the show and its connection to said deity.

* TwoForOneShow: Because the Crafty Crewmates are fictional internet personalities instead of actors, ''Dr. Crafty'' places equal focus on the Crew's production and their behind-the-scenes lives. The characters' antics off-camera sometimes inspire an episode's subject matter, the characters grow increasingly comfortable discussing their back-stage lives on-camera, and the art commentary segments are occasionally intercut with the characters' flashbacks. These presentation choices eventually culminate in SeasonFinale months like Yu-Gi-Oh Month and Hero Month, in which the show's antagonists interrupt the show's schedule and place everyone's lives in danger. These interruptions force the Crewmates to try and keep their show going while fighting to return things to normal, in turn experiencing personal growth from both tasks.