The Bully Fan Theory That Makes Grand Theft Auto Even Darker

"Bully" is still one of the most controversial titles in the Rockstar Games canon, and for obvious reasons: The game puts players in control of a juvenile delinquent named Jimmy Hopkins as he attempts to strong-arm the various cliques at the stuck-up Bullworth Academy into getting along. The young protagonist opened the game up to tons of criticism from parental groups, and plans for a sequel were eventually abandoned by Rockstar. However, one fan theory proposes that the story of "Bully" extends far beyond the single game — it may actually impact the reality of the "Grand Theft Auto" series in a horrifying way.

The "Grand Theft Auto" series is full of things that don't really make sense, from the high cost of changing a business name to the existence of hospitals that raise the dead. However, one thing that has always stuck out to players invested in the lives of "GTA" characters is the utter lack of children in Vice City, Los Santos, and the like. It seems like nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to inhabit these crime-infested cities, which is probably for the best. The most likely reason for this omission is that Rockstar probably wants to avoid the controversy that would come with including younger characters in this world of drugs and violence, regardless of the logistical questions that this choice invites. However, fans of both "GTA" and the aforementioned "Bully" have come up with a theory surrounding the missing kids — one that ties both Rockstar IPs together.

Redditor u/GayBoyAdvance posits that "Bully" shows Rockstar fans exactly where all of the kids from previous "GTA" settings have been dropped off. They write, "carjackings, riots, armed robberies, murders, gang wars, police chases happen way too often [in "GTA"] and so people with children have decided to move to suburbs or to small towns like Bully's Bullworth and therefore major cities are empty of minors." That's right: According to this theory, the world of "GTA" has gotten so messed up that children have to be sent away from home to be safe. This theory has gained a bit of traction since GayBoyAdvance first posted it 11 years ago, particularly since "GTA 5" and "GTA Online" have since been released (and subsequently updated) without introducing any younger characters.

Why there aren't any children in the GTA universe.
by
u/GayBoyAdvance in
FanTheories

It's worth noting that a few references in "Bully" tie the game to "Grand Theft Auto." As pointed out by GayBoyAdvance and other fans over the years, cars and band merch from "GTA" can be spotted in "Bully." However, eagle-eyed fans will also note that Bullworth Academy was also briefly spotted in "Grand Theft Auto 4," where it's said to be the school attended by teen heiress Jill Von Crastenburg. If this theory holds true, it makes total sense that the rich and powerful Crastenburg family would want to get their daughter as far away from Liberty City as possible — just like everyone else in the city apparently did. 

Most fans don't seem to believe that the move to Bullworth did much to curb the violent impulses of people in the shared Rockstar universe. As one Redditor joked, kids in the world of "GTA"/"Bully" are no doubt keeping busy at Bullworth, "making stink bombs with their chemistry sets."