This page lists fan theories about the television series Ed, Edd N Eddy.
The Purgatory Theory[]
Overview[]
The Purgatory Theory is a fan theory about the characters from the TV show Ed, Edd n Eddy that suggest they are dead and living in a purgatory-like state. The theory suggests that the kids are from The Cul-de-sac, come from different eras, and the early 1900s to the early 2000s. This would explain why the show's year is hard to pinpoint and why there aren't many adults in the show. The theory also suggests that the kids' previous lives and debts fit well with how they are portrayed in the show. The theory suggests that the green-purple color of the kids' tongues is the color of the people when they die. You can also watch a video where Ed, Edd and Eddy are actually DEAD!
Details[]
According to this theory, each child in the Cul-de-sac originates from a different historical era, ranging from the early 1900s to the early 2000s that represents their past lives and sins. This explains various anachronisms and the absence of adults.
- Rolf: Died in the early 1900s after being trampled by farm animals.
- Johnny 2x4: Died of tuberculosis in 1922; brought Plank into the afterlife.
- Eddy: Drowned while escaping angry kids after a failed scam during the Great Depression.
- Ed and Sarah: Killed in a car accident in 1953; their father had died in WWII.
- Nazz: Murdered by a serial killer in 1979.
- Edd: Died from a gas leak explosion in 1986.
- Kevin: Died in 1999 from injuries caused by his abusive father.
- Jimmy: Passed away due to leukemia in the early 1990s.
The Kankers[]
Unlike the other kids, the Kankers are theorized to be demons sent to torment the souls in purgatory. Another interpretation suggests they were victims of a tragic murder-suicide in the 1970s, leading them to obsessively pursue affection in the afterlife.
Supporting Points[]
- Characters have bluish-green tongues, similar to corpses.
- Lack of adults and children outside cul-de-sac.
- Endless summer setting in early seasons.
- Very consistent neighborhood location.
- The show's year is hard to pinpoint.
Counterarguments[]
- The show's creator, Danny Antonucci, said the tongue colors are inspired from candies that his kids had, their tongues were blue and green.
- Antonucci explained that his parents are just not around during summer vacation, influencing this show.
- There are moments when you see shadows or body parts of adults.
- The show includes modern items like video games and magazines from the 2000s.
- Official artwork and interviews have shown the kids alive and interacting normally with parents.
What's Under Edd's Hat Theory[]
Many theories surround the mystery of Edd’s iconic hat:
- Deformity or twin: Based on the characters' reactions in Ed, Edd n Eddy’s Big Picture Show, suggesting something visually shocking.
- Baldness or blonde hair: Popular theories from a non-canonical video game are debunked by canonical episodes clearly showing black hair.
- Cancer or injury: Suggested by dialogue and circumstantial evidence, implying Edd may have a surgery scar or burnt hair from his Bunsen burner accident.
- Dodgeball incident: Briefly mentioned in the series but never fully explained, possibly tied to his emotional attachment to the hat.
Eddy dreamed the entire show[]
Remember the last episode of season 4, "Take this Ed and Shove It?" Most episodes of the show are, well, episodic and run-of-the-mill and usually not referenced again in later episodes. In this episode, this is where all of Eddy's usual schtick is starting to get old on the neighborhood kids and that they are all growing up and are taking more mature hobbies. Double D further emphasizes the kids growing to one day be adults with fulfilling careers. However, in usual Eddy fashion, he seizes another opportunity for a quick buck and decides to profile and hand the kids a career. With his quest for the almighty cash and to get his jawbreaker fix, the Eds get into slapstick trouble as usual and need to get their jawbreakers out of the locked desk. Eddy gets into an accident and awakens as an old man. Throughout the episode, Eddy continues to emphasize how he never wants to or will ever grow up, naturally this feels like a horrible nightmare to learn the entire resident of the cul-de-sac are also senior citizens.
Learning the jawbreakers are still locked in the desk, he believes this will be the key to his youth. However, with Ed's sneeze, the table along with its contents turn to dust. This drives Eddy mad to beat himself with his cane only to awaken as a kid again as Ed is sawing the table and gets the jawbreakers. Eddy is excited and before eating the jawbreaker, declares once more that he never wants to grow up. However, it cuts to him awakening as an old man, with elder Edd saying he dozed off again and was recounting their past as children again. This horrifies Eddy once more realizing they really are old, ending the episode. This is a rather dark ending to this light-hearted slapstick cartoon, even more morbid was how this was intended to be the series finale. However, due to high popular demand by Cartoon Network, the series got renewed for another season (2 episodes for season 6 also), 4 specials, and a finale movie.
Now it can be easily debunked that since the series renewal, this could also be another run-of-the-mill edgy, just-a-dream trope episode. However, these later episodes and specials got much zanier and slapstick than usual. Who's to say Eddy is still dreaming this up and maybe even exaggerating some of these later events? After all, he is a senile old man.