Prismo, a beloved character in the animated series Adventure Time, was created by Pendleton Ward and holds a unique role as a Wish Master. He exists as a manifestation of an elderly man’s dream and resides within the Time Room at the epicenter of the multiverse. His power lies in his ability to grant any being across the multiverse one wish, albeit with unpredictable consequences.
First introduced in the Adventure Time episode titled “Finn the Human,” Prismo played a pivotal role by fulfilling Finn’s wish to create an alternate timeline without the menacing presence of the Lich. Over time, Prismo formed a close friendship with Jake, and together they worked to reverse Jake’s wish. Prismo’s appearances extended to other episodes, including “Wake Up,” “Is That You?,” “Crossover,” and “The Lich.”
However, Prismo’s fate became enigmatic after the events of the series finale, “Come Along With Me.” In this concluding episode, Prismo was observed mingling at a gathering of cosmic entities, including the Cosmic Owl, Party God, Death, and GOLB. He engaged in a conversation with Betty Grof, who had gained formidable magical abilities after absorbing GOLB’s essence.
Betty requested Prismo to grant her one final wish: the opportunity to travel back in time and prevent Simon Petrikov from transforming into the Ice King. Prismo accepted her wish, but he cautioned her that doing so would erase all events following Simon’s discovery of the enchanted crown. Betty accepted the risk and made her wish.
As the screen faded to black, it left viewers pondering the fate of Prismo and the other characters. Did Prismo meet his demise when he fulfilled Betty’s wish? Did he survive and create an entirely new timeline? Did he manage to restore the original timeline somehow? These questions remained unanswered, as the show concluded without revealing the outcome of Betty’s wish.
Speculations among fans abound regarding Prismo’s fate. Some argue that Prismo did not perish but instead entered a state of hibernation, akin to what happened when his elderly host was slain by the Lich in the episode “Wake Up.” These proponents assert that Prismo’s power and significance make him too resilient to be eliminated by a single wish, anticipating that he would eventually awaken and restore the original timeline.
Alternatively, some suggest that Prismo did indeed meet his demise but posit that his death might not have been permanent. They cite instances where Prismo displayed the ability to resurrect both himself and others, such as when he revived Finn and Jake after their encounter with GOLB in the episode “Crossover.” They speculate that Prismo could have accomplished a similar feat after granting Betty’s wish or that another entity might have resurrected him.
Nonetheless, the possibility remains that Prismo met his end for good, and this might have had irreversible repercussions across the multiverse. This could potentially explain why in “Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake,” Prismo appears as a distinct version not voiced by Kumail Nanjiani, who portrayed him in the original series. It’s conceivable that this alternate Prismo hails from a different dimension or represents a new creation of his elderly host.
In conclusion, Prismo’s death remains one of the most profound mysteries in Adventure Time. Fans hold out hope that future spin-offs or specials may provide insight into his fate and offer him a fitting farewell. Until then, Prismo is cherished as one of the most captivating and charismatic characters in the show’s rich tapestry.