FNAF: Unraveling the Mystery of The Bite of ’87

What single event casts the longest shadow over the Five Nights at Freddy’s lore? It’s not a killer robot, not a child’s ghost, but the infamous, whispered about, and never fully explained: The Bite of ’87. For those unfamiliar, Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) is a survival horror video game series that has captivated players with its unique blend of jump scares, cryptic storytelling, and chilling atmosphere. At the heart of this sprawling narrative lies a mysterious incident that has become the source of endless speculation and fan theories: The Bite of ’87. This event, mentioned briefly in the early games, has become the franchise’s most speculated incident, with countless theories swirling about who was bitten and, most importantly, who the biter was.

The Bite of ’87 is a singular event that had major consequences in the *FNAF* universe. Let’s delve into the initial clues the games provide us, examining the scant information that kickstarted this franchise’s most engaging mystery.

The Initial Clues: What We Know From The Games

The primary source of information regarding the Bite of ’87 comes from Phone Guy’s dialogue, a recurring character who delivers crucial exposition through pre-recorded messages. In *Five Nights at Freddy’s*, Phone Guy mentions the incident in passing, referring to an event that led to changes in the pizzeria’s operation, including a daytime security guard being assigned. However, it is in *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* where the Bite of ’87 is explicitly referenced. Phone Guy mentions that someone had their frontal lobe bitten off by an animatronic.

This single, gruesome detail became the cornerstone of all subsequent theories. The frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, being the target immediately established the Bite of ’87 as a brutal and significant event. However, the devil is in the details – or, in this case, the *lack* of details. Beyond Phone Guy’s brief statement, the games offer virtually no concrete evidence about the Bite of ’87. There are no eyewitness accounts, no crime scene photos, and no explicit mention of the animatronic responsible. It’s as if the incident was deliberately shrouded in secrecy, leaving players to piece together the puzzle from scattered fragments of information.

Adding to the intrigue is the lack of CCTV footage of the incident, meaning the biter was never officially confirmed. While many would assume that the FNAF establishment keeps detailed records and footage of all animatronic behavior, there seems to be a blind spot in the timeline. This further solidifies the mystery and provides fertile ground for fan speculation.

The Ambiguity Factor

The deliberate vagueness surrounding the Bite of ’87 is undoubtedly intentional on the part of the game’s creator, Scott Cawthon. The lack of explicit information allows players to fill in the blanks with their own interpretations, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the lore. This ambiguity creates a constant sense of unease and uncertainty, encouraging players to scrutinize every detail, analyze every line of dialogue, and dissect every animatronic’s behavior.

The game’s unwillingness to provide a definitive answer to the mystery of the Bite of ’87 has been a masterstroke of storytelling. By leaving the details ambiguous, Cawthon has transformed a single incident into an enduring enigma that continues to captivate and challenge players years after its initial introduction.

The Prime Suspects: Animatronics Under Scrutiny

With so little concrete evidence, the identity of the animatronic responsible for the Bite of ’87 has become the subject of intense debate. Several animatronics have emerged as prime suspects, each with their own compelling arguments for and against their involvement.

Mangle

Mangle, the dilapidated and mangled version of Foxy, is perhaps the most popular suspect in the Bite of ’87 case. Several factors contribute to this theory. First, Mangle’s jaws appear capable of inflicting the kind of damage described in the incident. Her broken and twisted endoskeleton features sharp edges and exposed wires, making her a potentially dangerous animatronic. Second, Mangle’s behavior in *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2* further fuels suspicion. She is known for lunging at the player’s head when entering the office, suggesting a possible predisposition towards targeting the head area. The last supporting factor for Mangle being the culprit is how the pizzeria children would always break her down, leading to potential malfunctions with Mangle’s code and programming, resulting in her attacking a guest.

However, there are also arguments against Mangle’s involvement. Some argue that Mangle’s broken and damaged state would have made it difficult for her to exert the necessary force to bite off someone’s frontal lobe. Additionally, Mangle’s overall design and appearance suggest that she was not originally intended to be aggressive, raising questions about whether she would have deliberately attacked someone.

Freddy Fazbear

Freddy Fazbear, the titular character and mascot of the pizzeria, is another potential suspect in the Bite of ’87 case. While Freddy may seem like an unlikely candidate, given his generally docile demeanor, some argue that he may have been driven to violence under specific circumstances. Maybe the violence was justified to protect his friends from getting hurt by a possible offender.

However, there is little evidence to directly implicate Freddy in the Bite of ’87. He is not known for aggressive behavior, and his overall design does not suggest that he is capable of inflicting serious harm. Additionally, his role as the face of the franchise makes it unlikely that he would be depicted as the perpetrator of such a gruesome act.

Foxy

Foxy, the pirate fox animatronic, is another long-standing suspect in the Bite of ’87 case. Foxy’s out-of-order sign, implying a potential malfunction, has long fueled speculation about his involvement in the Bite of ’87. His aggressive behavior and tendency to sprint towards the player in the first game suggest a potential for violence, making him a plausible candidate for the animatronic responsible for the Bite.

However, some argue that Foxy’s jaws may not be capable of inflicting the kind of damage described in the incident. His design, while intimidating, does not necessarily suggest that he is capable of biting off someone’s frontal lobe.

Bonnie

Bonnie, the purple bunny animatronic, is a less commonly discussed suspect in the Bite of ’87 case. His close friendship with Freddy Fazbear is the main supporting argument for Bonnie being the biter. If Bonnie perceived a threat toward Freddy, maybe he would retaliate.

However, there is little to suggest that Bonnie was the biter. He is not known for aggressive behavior, and his overall design does not suggest that he is capable of inflicting serious harm.

Golden Freddy

Golden Freddy, the ghostly and mysterious animatronic, is another outside candidate for being the culprit of the Bite of ’87. As a ghost, he may be able to manipulate the other animatronics to commit acts of violence.

However, there is little to suggest that Golden Freddy was the biter. He is not known for aggressive behavior, and his overall design does not suggest that he is capable of inflicting serious harm.

The Victims: Identifying Who Suffered The Bite

Identifying the victim of the Bite of ’87 is another aspect of the mystery that has sparked debate. While the identity of the biter remains uncertain, speculation has focused on several potential candidates, each with their own set of arguments for and against.

Jeremy Fitzgerald

Jeremy Fitzgerald, the security guard in *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2*, is a popular choice among fans. Jeremy is transferred to the day shift after the bite incident occurs, suggesting a possible link between his shift change and the attack. The fact that the pizzeria shuts down after Jeremy’s week of work is over also suggests that the Bite may have involved him.

However, Jeremy’s relative lack of importance in the overall FNAF lore is a significant argument against his involvement. He does not appear in any subsequent games, and his character is not explicitly tied to any of the overarching plotlines.

Other Potential Victims

The victim of the Bite of ’87 may have simply been a child in the pizzeria. This would be a gruesome explanation, and certainly one that would make the owners of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza close down the location. This act of violence would result in changes to the establishment’s code of conduct, most importantly being that the animatronics are never allowed to roam freely during open hours.

Lore Implications and Fan Theories

Regardless of who the biter and victim were, the Bite of ’87 had significant consequences for the FNAF universe. The incident led to changes in restaurant closures and safety procedures, including a daytime security guard being assigned, and animatronic behavior.

The incident also had an impact on future games and plotlines, serving as a recurring plot point and source of mystery. The Bite of ’87 is referenced in later games through easter eggs, vague allusions, and recurring themes, further emphasizing its significance in the overall FNAF narrative.

In addition to the prime suspects and potential victims, numerous fan theories have emerged over the years, attempting to explain the circumstances surrounding the Bite of ’87. Some theories suggest that the incident was a cover-up, orchestrated by the owners of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza to conceal a more sinister truth. Other theories propose that the Bite was a pre-planned event, designed to silence a witness or eliminate a threat.

These fan theories highlight the creativity and engagement of the FNAF community, demonstrating the enduring power of the Bite of ’87 as a source of inspiration and speculation.

The Bite of ’87 Today

The Bite of ’87 continues to be referenced in later games, either directly or indirectly through easter eggs and vague references. In some cases, characters may allude to the incident without explicitly naming it, while in others, visual cues or audio clips may hint at the events of that fateful day. These references serve to remind players of the Bite of ’87’s enduring significance in the FNAF universe, ensuring that it remains a topic of discussion and speculation for years to come.

The enduring mystery of the Bite of ’87 is due to the careful balance between explicit information and ambiguity. By providing just enough details to spark curiosity but withholding the full truth, the game’s creator has created an enduring enigma that continues to captivate and challenge players.

Conclusion

The Bite of ’87 remains one of the most intriguing and debated events in the entire FNAF saga. From the initial clues provided in the early games to the endless fan theories that continue to circulate, the Bite of ’87 has left an indelible mark on the FNAF universe, shaping its lore, influencing its characters, and captivating its audience.

Whether the truth behind the Bite of ’87 will ever be fully revealed remains to be seen. But for now, the mystery continues to fascinate, challenge, and inspire players to delve deeper into the dark and twisted world of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Will the bite ever be solved? Only time will tell.