A few months back, I wrote “Parks and Rec Characters as UNCW Students.” Since then, I’ve been inspired to write a similar article about one of Netflix’s newest originals, The Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy is based on the Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá comic book series of the same name. It’s about a group of siblings—all adopted—who were raised by an eccentric billionaire to be superheroes. They fight crime under the name “The Umbrella Academy,” but the show picks up 17 years after their glory days. Now, they’re adults with lots of baggage thanks to their unconventional upbringing. Think of it this way: if the Justice League were raised in the same house, neglected by their crappy adoptive father, and grew up to be pretty messed up, you’d have The Umbrella Academy.
The comic and show also feature time travel elements, assassins, space travel, and a fairly dysfunctional family dynamic. The people of the internet have taken a liking to the show, maybe because of its underdog storyline and lots of plot twists. The Umbrella Academy is on the fast-track to being a fan favorite for many years to come. Of course, every fan favorite show is instantly “memed” by the internet, and this show is no exception.
I’d like to throw my hat in the proverbial ring and meme this show as well. So, without further ado: The Umbrella Academy as UNCW Students. (As always, spoilers ahead.) Umbrella Academy, assemble!
Number One/Luther/Spaceboy: Physics with a minor in Sustainability
Luther is the strongest of the Hargreeves’ siblings (physically, not emotionally). In his quest to follow his father’s instructions and report any suspicious lunar activity, Luther would major in physics and take as many astronomy classes as possible. He would minor in sustainability because of his quest to help stop the apocalypse. He would probably join a few intramural sports teams because of his strength and athletic prowess, but he would be banned from any sort of wrestling. I mean, he’s got an unfair advantage.
Diego/Number 2/The Kraken: Criminology and Sociology
Diego’s quest to be a police officer would start at UNCW. He would sit at the front of the classroom competing with Eudora Patch for the highest grades. As the semesters would go, Diego would get more and more disillusioned with studying and tests and lean more into the no-holds-barred vigilante work we see him doing in the show. If he joined any clubs, it would be the archery club—shooting bows and arrows would be as close as throwing knives as Diego could get.
Allison/Number 3/The Rumor: Theatre Performance and Communications
Allison would be a theatre and comm studies double-major because of her affinity for speaking in front of crowds. Some of the other theatre majors would get annoyed when she got cast in nearly every production, but the teachers and paying audiences would be absolutely hypnotized by her acting abilities. She would host CAB After Hours every semester and would always perform a big opening number with her siblings.
Klaus/Number 4/The Séance: Undecided (but eventually History)
Klaus pretty much came to UNCW to party by the beach. He constantly changes his mind on what to major in, and after a while, he would consider dropping out. When his brother Ben convinces him to give school one more shot, Klaus would sign up for a history class and realize just how interesting the past can be. After acing a test on the Vietnam War, Klaus would officially declare History as his major. He wouldn’t join any extracurriculars, but his sister Allison would convince him to audition for the Mainstage Theatre production of Hamlet, where he would play the titular role. His specialty, of course, would be the scenes talking to the deceased Hamlet Sr.
Number 5/The Boy: Studio Art with a minor in Digital Arts
Five would discover a newfound hobby in his gen ed classes—drawing. His teachers would learn that he could draw the most lifelike faces of inanimate objects that they had ever seen, and they would praise his sketches of mannequins. All of Five’s pieces would seemingly leap off the canvas as if the mannequins in the pictures were about to come alive and start up a conversation or crack a few jokes. Five would also minor in digital art to work on his animation skills. Five would join the Aikido Club but get put on probation after putting a fellow Seahawk in a headlock over an argument about the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Ben/Number 6/The Horror: History with a minor in Oceanography
The only classes Ben can attend are the ones Klaus attends, so he takes advantage of his History major. (Klaus, the good brother he is, always buys an extra Blue Book for his dearly deceased brother and puts Ben’s name on it.) Ben, interested in squids and other sea creatures, drags Klaus to oceanography classes so he can get a minor in it as well. Ben is also in the Wilmington Paranormal Research club—not as a club member, but as the paranormal phenomenon, they’re studying.
Vanya/Number 7/The White Violin: Music Performance (Instrument option) with a minor in Psychology
Vanya would major in music, the one thing she thinks she’s good at. All her teachers would praise her for “powerful performances,” and she would easily become first chair in the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. Vanya would also tutor people in the violin as a side job. All her siblings would surprise her at her first performance, where she has a solo part in the songs “Clair de Lune” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Vanya would minor in psychology to learn more about her own anxiety and mental health.
BONUS: Minor Characters as UNCW Faculty
Grace/Mom: TA in the Computer Science program
Hazel: Works at Dunkin Donuts
It’s the closest thing to Griddy’s Donuts in Wilmington.
Cha-Cha: Everyone’s Least Favorite RA
You know the one—she always crashes parties before they even start.
If you haven’t watched The Umbrella Academy on Netflix yet, I highly recommend it! It’s funny, action-packed, and so deliciously weird, and some of the more obscure references in this article will make more sense once you’ve watched it. Tweet @HerCampusUNCW with your favorite part of this article and/or the show!
What are you still doing here? It’s time for you to go save the world with the superpower of binge watching!