grape flask
A very unprofessional little rambling about Alchemist Cookie. Warning: Contains massive amounts of cringe (but you already knew that), a lot of overly wordly sentences (I'm terrible at writing efficently) and so much of my own personal interpertations. THIS IS STILL A HIGH WORK IN PROGRESS and will also very likely always going to be as long as I like Alchemist Cookie. I have thoughts constantly.

Out of all my favorite Cookie Run characters, Alchemist Cookie has always captured my attention in a way that is incomparable to the rest. I think it’s because compared to a lot of the other characters in the series, Alchemist Cookie is one of the few who is explicitly flawed in a way that isn't portrayed as flattering or adoring (at least, to most of the players), but depth of her personality is something very, very frequently overlooked because she is untraditionally abrasive and complex for a female character in Cookie Run.

Her Personality

Alchemist Cookie is a highly passionate, curious and brilliant alchemist that dedicates every minute of her free-time to improve her craft. She despises sitting around idly and letting other people do things for her. Confident in herself and her intelligence, she has a high standard for herself that she implements onto others, resulting in her being perceived as overly pretentious, blunt, and controlling. Furthermore, she is prideful in her work to the point where she ends up being boastful and consumed by jealousy when the admiration isn’t directed towards her, and when an experiment goes horribly wrong or something doesn't go as planned, she's seen on the brink the of tears, or at least biting her lower lip sadly (Like a sopping wet cat...). She truly loves alchemy and out of love, she wants to be the absolute best. It is also out of her pride and love for alchemy that she looks down upon magic and even goes as far as to consistently argue with a literal child about it. Granted, she might not know he’s a kid, lol.

However, that’s not to say she is completely heartless! Even though she's usually tagging along with others mainly for her own gain, she doesn't treat them like tools or garbage like most are led to assume. In fact, the people she follows are people she genuinely, or eventually, considers to be her friends, and as such, she treats them kindly and protects them when they're in danger. Along with that, her first appearance in the main story of Cookie Run Ovenbreak is actually when she’s helping Cream Puff Cookie practice her magic. Now, why would someone who despises magic and being disturbed go out of her way to do that? Because she's caring, and she doesn't just mindlessly insult people left and right. She knows Cream Puff Cookie is a gentle and sensitive child, and Alchemist Cookie is willing to put aside her beliefs because she genuinely wants to see her succeed.

It is also out of her caringness why she’s so critical towards people close to her, namely her brother, Vampire Cookie. Due to the alcohol in his dough, Vampire Cookie is notoriously lazy and self-indulgent, and he would much rather spend his time sleeping or getting drunk than actually putting in effort towards anything productive in his life. In Alchemist Cookie’s eyes, she is watching her brother waste away his life succumbing to hedonism when he could be so much more, and like any other family member, she wants to help him. So, she tries to set him straight with her words, and when that’s not enough, she even goes as far as to blame the ingredients in his dough and attempts to transmutate him into a “non-alcoholic” Cookie like herself. Now, is it right? No, of course not, but it is precisely why she’s so complex. She loves him, but she is so headstrong that she can't help but see any sort of carefreeness as foolishness, so she tries to make him like herself. The ironic part is that when Vampire Cookie actually does start acting like her and following her footsteps in alchemy and dilligence, she actually starts to feel threatened of her status, as seen in the cookie bond "Sibling Rivalry". In fact, she was so upset that she actually went out of her way to create a potion to turn him back to his drunkard self!

Inconsistent characterization? No, in fact, I'd say it's the opposite. As stated before, she's deeply prideful to a fault. She may constantly nag her brother over his laziness, but deep down, she actually feels a sense of satisfaction over being the smarter, more competent one. Having to share that position with her brother irks her more than anything. To me, this is shockingly realistic to people in real life. Perhaps it's just me, but I feel like we have all been in a position where we've been with someone, perhaps a friend or a family member, who is completely incompetent in a certain area, and felt pride at being better than them in that sense, even if we don't mean it maliciously, and when they start becoming more skilled in that area, we feel happy for them, but also a bit disappointed that we no longer are "the best one". For me, it was art. When I was younger, I used to be the absolute best artist in school. I was constantly praised for my ability and even favored by my art teachers. I was friends with a lot of like-minded artists, and although I truly cared about them, I always felt a little jealous when I found that some of them were actually starting to become better than me. It's a lingering bitterness that we know is wrong and make sure to push away, but Alchemist Cookie is flawed in a way that she actually holds onto that bitterness inside and acts out because of it. It's something you don't see often in a lot of Cookie Run character, and it only makes me appreciate her even more.

Her Design

There is a charming and satisfying simplicity in her design, it's able to effectively communicate her occupation and ingredient without being over the top or overdetailed. It's especially refreshing given the recent Cookie Run Kingdom and Witch's Castle designs, but that's another rant for later...

alchemist cookie alchemist cookie run

Her ingredient is grapes, which both come in purple and green and are circular and round in nature. As a result, these colors and round shapes were very clearly implemented throughout her design. Her hair is the most obvious, but also her flask, her glasses, her hat, her brooch, and her eyes! Speaking of her flask, it seems that the designers were thinking of grape juice and the round shape of grapes, and were able to come up with the idea of combining both as some sort like a potion, which then later evolved into alchemy entirely!

Her Brooch

alchemist cookie's beaded brooch

In Cookie Run Kakao, we have an upclose view and description of the brooch that holds her cloak together in the form of a treasure. Called "Alchemist Cookie's Beaded Brooch", it very clearly resembles a molecular bond, specifically, a water molecule.

water bond

In fact, the description of this treasure seems to actually refer to this: "Alchemist Cookie's powerful beaded brooch glistens like water." What does this mean? Devsisters, what did you mean by "powerful"!? Honestly, I have no idea, because nothing else in her design or history seems to refer water apart from this, so I think it's just simply a cool little chemistry reference. When you evolve the treasure, you get this:

atomic model of a grape brooch

The Atomic Model of a Grape Brooch. Of course, this is very blatantly an allusion to the actual atomic model in science. The description of this treasure states: "Alchemist Cookie's best theories are said to come from this."

Princess Maker 3

According to the Korean Cookie Run wiki, it's stated that her design was possibly inspired off of the alchemist ending in the game, Princess Maker 3, also known as Princess Maker ~Faery Tales Come True~.

alchemist ending PM3

Although the design is, uh, very sexualized, there are clear resembles between Alchemist Cookie's design and this ending! Princess Maker 3 did come out in 1997 while Cookie Run Kakao, the game that Alchemist Cookie debuted in, was released in 2014. There is a large time gap, so it's certainly possible that some elements were pulled from this ending.

From the Princess Maker wiki, this is the script to the alchemist ending.

Father, thanks to your education.
I was able to discover the world.
I didn't know existed.
The world of science and physics.
My mind is always racing
since it shares opposite values from the world we live in.
Ahah,
but the world of science is really deep.
There really is no end to research.
It pulls me in so much that
it is almost scary.
I don't think I will be able to return to my old life.
I am thinking of dedicating my life to science and physics.
I have no regrets abandoning my dream of
becoming a princess.
Since I have science by my side.
Though, I guess I would have never met science
if I didn't have that dream.
And if I put it that way.
I guess having a dream is something
precious to have after all.
Anyways, thank you for raising me all this time.
Please be well, father.

Now, I know nothing about this game other than it's fucking weird and gross, but this dialogue, by itself, does seem to encapsulate a lot of Alchemist Cookie's beliefs. Being so enraptured with alchemy and science that it drives her entire life. Watching the alchemist ending on Youtube, there are some notable quotes I picked from it.

PM3 alchemist ending 1  PM3 alchemist ending 2  PM3 alchemist ending 3 

Does that sound familiar to you? Because it sure does for me! Alchemist Cookie's well known disdain for magic does seem to trace its roots back to here. If you told me that these were Alchemist Cookie quotes instead, I would've believed you.

PM3 alchemist ending 4

Um... Okay, ignore that part. Wait, no, don't ignore it entirely, because (and I realize I am reaching) that this might be the precursor to Alchemist Cookie's pridefulness!

My View On Popular Opinion

One reason I like her is because of how unapologetically blunt and "herself" she is. As a person, I am very sensitive, shy and insecure, and I'm rather embarrassed about it, because I'm conforming to the stereotypical image of an emotional woman. When I'm met with a change in tone or, god forbid, criticism, I literally burst into tears, give up, and wonder why I’m such a loser. But Alchemist Cookie? No, she doesn't do that, in fact, she would criticize me for being so embarrassingly weak-willed (Or maybe that’s just my self-deprecation talking, lol). I feel like if she was ever aware of her “haters”, she would only be more determined to work harder, to really show off how intelligent and incredible she is. And if they’re still not impressed? Well, to hell with those idiots, they could never understand alchemy anyway. She knows her worth and would never bow down to anyone. Throw whatever you want at her, she'll overcome it, no matter how much it frustrates her.

To most, all of these traits and flaws of hers are seen as annoying, and crudely enough, “bitchy”. I can understand why some might be put off by her at first, because she is very “in your face”, but I do genuinely believe that a lot of the hatred for her personality is simply because she is female.

Compare her to popular male characters such as Espresso Cookie and Prune Juice Cookie. They’re both really quite similar to Alchemist Cookie– they’re scientist-like, no nonsense characters passionate and prideful in their craft to the point where they’re seen as snobby or rude to others who they perceive as “not meeting their standards”. However, the only difference is that they’re both attractive male characters, and as a result, they’re incredibly loved in the fandom. People love to praise the depth and complexity of male characters, but the second the same complexity is shown in a female character, all of the sudden, she’s “an annoying bitch”! Listen, it's okay to dislike her. I’ll admit, I do like when the characters I like are unpopular, because it makes me feel special for liking them, but if the reason why the character is unpopular is because of misogyny, then I feel like I need to knock some sense into people.

Anyways, Alchemist Cookie haters when you ask them why they hate her:

TLDR:

She’s a complex girlboss and I love her for it.

More Rambling

This section is mostly just going to be for extra fun facts, things I like about her, or headcannons.

Divinity

Not just in a "godly" way, but I feel like she's always been hinted towards being greater than most? Right off the bat, in her description, her ingredient, grapes, is described as "the fruit of gods", which already gives a few ideas since she's the only cookie to have such an important and heavy title.

In general, we can say that the witches are akin to godly beings, even worshipped as actual Gods in the St. Pastry Order. In the Cookie Run VR game, The Darkest Night, she quite buddy buddy with the witches, even going as far as to say that she doesn't want to escape the castle, because she still has research to do there, likely because she doesn't feel threatened at all by the witches (even though they, um, eat cookies). She speaks with the witches and they even let her sift through the knowledge in their libraries, save for that one book in the mainline story. She states that she was created to control Franken Cookie, a monster that was completely out of the witches control. And the most insane part is that she did it. She managed to control something that godlike beings couldn't even do. "Whenever the witches fail, Alchemist Cookie succeeds."

Life

Particularly in Ovenbreak, Alchemist Cookie seems quite concerned and interested in the value and creation of life. Perhaps it's because the ability to create anything with alchemy will inevitably lead to the question about creating life! Her opinions on other cookies reveals that she values life more than anything, but she also fears the ability to create life.

relationship with lotus dragon  relationship with butterbear

Also another reach, but I find it funny how in Vampire Cookie's opinion about her, he also mentions life, but in a different manner.

vampire cookie relationship

A possible parallell? Or just a coincidence? Perhaps it's hinting at how Vampire Cookie finds the value in life in being able to relax and do whatever you want, while Alchemist Cookie sees the value of life in being able to obtain knowledge and work to discover new things.

Frankenstein

Ohhh, The Darkest Night gave me so many thoughts...

Ships

Alchemist Cookie is one of the few of my favorite characters where it's hard for me to ship them with other people because I'm so. Possessive. Over them. Also, I'm going to be completely honest: I hate like, 99% of straight Alchemist Ships. I either see that woman as a lesbian or very female-leaning bisexual, sorry! I also hate proships, they're disgusting, enough said. The lucky thing is though, due to the fact that she's not popular at all in the fandom, no one really aggressively ships her with anyone! However, regardless, there are a few rare Alchemist Cookie ships that stick out to me because I can't help but just see the potential in.

Twizzly Gummy Cookie

OKAY, yes, I stumbled upon this ship by complete chance. There's literally only one work with it, and it's not even a full dedicated work, just a single, short and incredible chapter that completely got me obsessed with this ship. According to the original work, the ship was probably randomly generated, but it's crazy because when you read the work and really think about it, the ship actually works?

They're obviously extremely toxic and bad for each other, but in a hot kinda way. Twizzly Gummy and Alchemist Cookie are both so incredibly headstrong and set in their own ways, and they clash so dangerously hard. They hate each other to the point where it's passionate, and passion can make you do some very, very crazy things. It's not enemies to lovers, it's more of enemies to enemies with benefits. It's not that hard to imagine how they met—Alchemist Cookie needs some incredibly rare ingredients from another timeline, and who can jump timelines? Well, Twizzly Gummy Cookie can. She would hate her for a multitude of reasons (She's too loud, too aggressive, too immoral, too much of a reckless, selfish loose canon), but she knows she's the only one who can help her, so she has to go to her. Well, that's Alchemist Cookie's excuse, that Twizzly Gummy Cookie is the only one. Twizzly Gummy Cookie would say that the only reason she's helping her is because Alchemist Cookie pays handsomely because Alchemist Cookie is too snobby, too snarky, too frustrating. But deep down, they are both unable to deny that there's this part of their hearts enjoys the fiery, passionate hatred between their arguments and fights. It makes them both feel something that no one is able to do.

you want me  im ruining her day!!!

Espresso Cookie

Probably the only straight Alchemist Cookie ship I tolerate, I'm going to be real. I mean, they just work well. They're both highly intelligent and have similar mindsets and attitudes. They would debate over different methods or research conclusions, but at the end of the day, they would both hold a respect for each other that's different from anyone else. This is also a ship I could see working well as just friends, and to be honest, it's better platonically, but if I had to choose a man out of all the people for Alchemist Cookie, it would be Espresso Cookie!

Lesser Ships

These are ships that I just think are cute. That's it. I really have no excuse.

Alchemist Cookie/Kumiho Cookie & Alchemist Cookie/Bellflower Cookie. When I made this section, I thought there would be more, but nope. Just know that if the ship is yuri, there is a 99% chance I like it, even if I don't have many thoughts about them.

Her Height

She is SMALL. We love a short queen. Typically, short female characters are confined in the "uwu shy girl" stereotype, so having her be an assertive and strong woman instead is really refreshing! However, as much as I love it, I HATE how it makes people assume that she's a child. I'm sure she would hate it too, but she seems to be regularly perceived as an adult in the Cookie Run world.