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Winter Burrow Review - A Little Survival Treat
Woods, snow, a warm fire, and soft critters are the definition of cozy. Developer Pine Creek Games and Publisher Noodlecake bring all of these quintessential qualities together in the woodland survival game, Winter Burrow, to make for a nicely paced, albeit short experience that is best experienced in a few comfy gaming sessions.
Rightfully, Beary Arms Review
Whenever I browse the Xbox storefront, I’m mostly looking for sales on games I’ve missed out on or possible hidden gems I can recommend to gamers. Rightfully, Beary Arms is one such title and it’s one that really took me by surprise. Not just because I kept calling it “Rightfully, Bear Arms” but because its simple premise hooked me right from the get go.
Unboxing Vintage Furry Zines with Arrkay, Tempo and Dralen | Issue 2
Arrkay has so many zines to catalogue! Keep him company while he and Tempe O'kun chat about vintage furry art and writing and the furries we meet along the way. Dralen Dragonfox joins us and reminisces about furry life in the 1990s. We sort through the raw original master zines of Taral Wayne (and some Rowrbrazzles!) Merch, Sweet Tees and stuff: https://culturally-fd-merchandise.creator-spring.com/ Support Culturally F'd: https://www.patreon.com/culturallyfd Listen in on TEMPO TALKS with Tempe O'Kun https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPyIK2c7mK-LpbvfDNqfcSW Check out Tempe O'Kun's books "Sixes Wild" and "Windfall" here: http://furplanet.com/shop/?affillink=YOUTU2907 Here's a playlist of his other Culturally F'd videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPS7tnT4hdJwBI-CeLF8Kb_
Toothy Trouble
Found this over at Animation World Network: “Nickelodeon has set a February 23 U.S. debut for the animated preschool series Mr. Crocodile. The show is based on the French children’s book Monsieur Crocodile a Beaucoup Faim (Mister Crocodile is Very Hungry) by Joann Sfar, published by Gallimard… The series follows the toothy, loveable Mr. Crocodile and his best friend Daisy as he cheerfully navigates life with comical misunderstandings. In the premiere episode ‘Lucky Croc / Sleepover Croc,’ Daisy and Mr. Crocodile search for a lucky item to help them win a bike raffle. Then, Mr. Crocodile can’t fall asleep at his first sleepover until the whole family pitches in to help.” There’s a link to the series trailer too.
image c. 2026 Nickelodeon
Bel’s Fanfare Kickstarter - A New Adventure Awaits
Every once in a while, an intriguing looking Kickstarter crosses my feed. Bel’s Fanfare just launched and it's already making waves. Straight from indie developer Chibig(Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, Deiland, and more) comes another Kickstarter for a beautiful looking game. And this one is worth the excitement.
Bel’s Fanfare follows Bel, a demon whose family has spent many years trapped in the depths of The Witch of the Sea, as she becomes the new Aura Cleaner of the ship at the behest of Captain Popplar. Bel also receives a family heirloom from her dad Belceboo before reporting in: the ukobach shield. Armed with her family shield, Bel must venture into the many mysterious areas of the once prestigious The Witch of the Sea and cleanse them of Aura(which is created from impurities of the soul). While doing so, Bel is also working to finally free her family from the ship. Along the way, she meets a number of interesting patrons, including the reptile controlled chef Eden, the lion like theater director Sr. Fos and the Queen of the Sea, Rovella. And that’s just the start.
The Kickstarter launched only a few days ago and it’s already made over $250k and still climbing. I can see why too. Inspired by Zelda and Spirited Away, this game looks stunning from the visuals on offer and seems to include some pretty neat puzzles and boss battles. Just from the Kickstarter alone, I’m very intrigued by the premise and the mysteries lurking within The Witch of the Sea. The Kickstarter ends on March 7 so there’s plenty of time left to back it and get exclusive rewards like a special shield skin, physical copies and even a statue of Bel! Bel's Fanfare is well on track to release on all major platforms, with an early release possible in 2027.
Be sure to follow Chibig on Twitter and Instagram and other socials for updates!
2XKO Review
Despite being a rather slow month for major releases, January does, once in a while, sneak in a surprise or two. The oddly titled 2XKO, a fighting game from the makers of League Of Legends and one I’ve called 2KXO more times than I can count, is one of those surprises of the month. Now, I’ll freely admit I know next to nothing about League Of Legends: I never played the MOBA, I never paid much attention to the lore, nor have I watched the Netflix series Arcane. The most I know of the series is the song ‘Get Jinxed’, which I’ll admit is a pretty darn catchy tune, so a lot of the in-game lore and references I won’t be delving into and, instead, will just be focusing on the game itself. Which, spoilers, is quite possibly one of the more fun fighting games I’ve played in a good while.
Inside the Furry Community: Online Culture, Games, and Media
Introduction
Online spaces are at the heart of modern furry culture. From social platforms and games to media and creative communities, much of the fandom’s interaction happens digitally. These spaces allow people to express themselves, share art, and build lasting connections through a shared love of anthropomorphic characters. Platforms like Discord, TikTok, games, and virtual worlds all play a role in how the community grows and stays connected, while creative hubs like Fursonafy help fans take the next step by turning ideas into custom characters, art, and designs that represent who they are.
Virtual Worlds and Interactive SpacesBeyond social platforms, many furries connect through virtual worlds and interactive games. These spaces allow people to step directly into digital environments where identity, creativity, and community overlap. For some, this is about play and exploration. For others, it is about expressing a character in a way that feels immersive and social.
Virtual spaces give the fandom something unique. Instead of just sharing content, users can actively inhabit worlds as avatars and interact with others in real time even if that’s through video games or dating services.
Second Life and Persistent Virtual WorldsSecond Life has become a long-standing home for many furries. Its open-ended design allows users to create detailed avatars, build environments, host events, and form communities that persist over time. Furry regions within Second Life often include social hubs, clubs, art spaces, and roleplay areas where people meet regularly.
What makes Second Life especially appealing is the level of control users have over their appearance and environment. This freedom allows for deep character expression and long-term social bonds that feel closer to real-world communities than traditional games.
Video games also play a major role in furry interaction. Whether it’s Fortnite or Pokémon, some games feature anthropomorphic characters directly, while others attract furry communities because they support character customisation, roleplay, or social interaction.
Multiplayer games, sandbox worlds, and roleplay-focused servers give furries a shared activity that naturally encourages communication and collaboration. These spaces often blur the line between gaming and socialising, making them ideal for building friendships.
Furries in VRChat
Image via Reddit
Identity Through AvatarsAvatars are central to how furries interact in virtual spaces. A well-designed avatar allows someone to express personality, mood, and creativity visually. Whether it is a custom character in a game or a fully realised digital fursona in a virtual world like a vtuber, avatars act as both representation and performance.
This form of identity expression connects closely to how furries engage with mainstream games and franchises that allow character customisation or feature anthropomorphic designs.
Events and Shared Experiences
Virtual spaces, and networks also host events such as dance nights, art showcases, and social meetups. These gatherings mirror real-world conventions in a digital format and make participation possible for people who cannot travel or attend in person.
Music-driven events, including virtual dance nights and DJ sets, are especially popular in these spaces. They allow people to perform, socialise, and celebrate creativity together in real time.
This type of shared experience helps virtual worlds feel alive and deeply social rather than temporary or anonymous.
Commissioning a fursuit has never been so easy!
"They where extremely understanding and patient. They provided fast response times and amazing communication"
Edward .blog-banner-button{ background: transparent; border-radius: 6px 0px 6px 6px; border: none; padding: 16px 28px; position: relative; cursor: pointer; margin-top: 0px; font-family: 'Lato'; font-style: normal; font-weight: 800; font-size: 14px; line-height: 140%; align-items: center; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; color: #1D022E; border: 1px solid #1D022E; width:100%; max-width:200px; } .black-point{ position: absolute; width: 16px; height: 16px; top: 0px; right: 0; background: #1D022E; border-radius: 0px 0px 0px 12px; } .blog-banner-button:hover{ background:#1D022E; color:white; transition: 1s cubic-bezier(0.57, -0.43, 0.37, 1.1); } .banner-flex{ display:flex; align-items:center; max-width:450px; width:100%; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; justify-content:center; } .banner-p{ color: #1D022E; text-align: center; font-family: Lato; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 800; line-height: 140%; /* 19.6px */ text-transform: uppercase; } @media (max-width:540px){ .banner-flex{ flex-direction:column; } .banner-p{ margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; } .blog-banner-button{ max-width:287px; width:100%; padding:12px 20px; } .banner-flex a{ max-width:287px; width:100%; } } Build my fursuit Furry Media in Anime, Manga, Comics, and BooksBeyond games and virtual worlds, furry culture is strongly shaped by long-form storytelling. Anime, manga, comics, and books give creators the space to explore character development, emotion, and worldbuilding in much greater depth. These formats often act as a gateway into the fandom for people who first connect with anthropomorphic characters through narrative media.
Stories allow furry characters to exist in fully realised worlds, making them feel relatable, complex, and emotionally grounded.
Anime and Animated StorytellingAnime has played a major role in shaping modern furry aesthetics. Many series feature animal characters or humanoid designs that explore themes such as identity, belonging, and society. These stories often resonate strongly with furry audiences because they treat anthropomorphic characters as more than mascots.
Anime-inspired art styles have also influenced furry design, particularly through expressive eyes, simplified shapes, and emotional storytelling.
Manga provides a different kind of storytelling experience. Its focus on visual pacing and character emotion makes it well suited to anthropomorphic stories. Many furry fans enjoy manga because it allows artists to explore mood, relationships, and character growth in a way that feels intimate and personal.
Manga has also influenced furry comics and web-based storytelling, especially in panel layout and character expression.
Furry Comic: Love Me Maybe
Image via Reddit
Comics and Independent CreatorsComics are one of the most important creative pillars of the furry fandom. Independent artists often use comics to tell original stories featuring their own characters. These works range from lighthearted adventures to serious, emotionally driven narratives.
Because comics are often creator-owned, they allow for a level of freedom that appeals strongly to furry audiences. Many popular furry characters and storylines originated in independent comics rather than mainstream media.
Books and Long-Form StoriesBooks give furry storytelling its deepest form. Novels and anthologies allow authors to explore detailed worlds, complex themes, and long character arcs. These stories often appeal to readers who want immersive experiences rather than short-form content.
Furry books also tend to attract older or long-term fans who enjoy reflective or emotionally rich narratives.
Looking for a place to meet other furries like yourself?
Click the button below and join the Fursonafy discord today!
Join our Discord 
Lifestyle and Everyday Furry Culture
Furry culture does not exist only online or in media. For many people, it becomes part of everyday life through smaller, personal forms of expression. These quieter interactions with the fandom are often just as meaningful as social platforms or virtual worlds.
Some fans enjoy displaying artwork, collecting themed items, or incorporating furry aesthetics into their personal spaces. Others engage through comfort focused items that reflect characters or designs they connect with like a body pillow. These elements allow people to feel close to the fandom without needing to participate publicly or socially.
Lifestyle engagement often includes things like prints, plush items, clothing, or character themed comfort objects. For some, this might be artwork on a wall or a favourite book on a shelf. For others, it might be something more personal, such as a character themed pillow used for relaxation or emotional comfort. These items help make furry culture feel present in everyday routines.
What makes this aspect of the fandom important is choice. Not everyone wants to be active on social platforms, attend events, or participate in games. Lifestyle engagement gives people a way to connect on their own terms, privately and comfortably.
By embracing both highly social spaces and quieter personal expressions, the furry fandom remains flexible and inclusive. It allows people to engage at whatever level feels right for them, whether that means creating art, joining conversations, or simply enjoying a favourite character in their own space.
Example Furry Body Pillow
Image via Furry Body Pillows
ConclusionFurry culture today exists across many different spaces. Online communities, virtual worlds, games, media, and everyday life all play a role in how the fandom connects and grows. These spaces give people the freedom to engage in ways that suit their personalities, interests, and comfort levels.
For some, connection comes through social platforms and shared conversations. For others, it comes from immersive virtual worlds, storytelling through anime and books, or quiet personal expressions that make furry culture part of daily life. Others prefer social media spaces like reddit, tiktok or discord. Together, these experiences form a living ecosystem that continues to evolve as technology and creativity change.
What unites all of these elements is a shared appreciation for imagination, identity, and creativity. The furry fandom thrives because it allows people to express themselves authentically while finding community and belonging along the way.
If you are exploring the furry world for the first time or looking for a deeper way to engage with it, Fursonafy is here to help. Whether you are interested in learning more about the fandom or bringing your own character ideas to life, Fursonafy supports creativity at every stage of the journey.
Xege Kheiru
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Escape From Ever After Review - A Fairytale Adventure
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in an actual fairytale? To approach the castle of your archnemesis, knock down the door and…find it converted into an office space? That’s the premise behind Escape From Ever After, a delightful rpg inspired by the classic Paper Mario games. If you needed a fun game to take you back to those days and scratch an itch you didn’t know you had, Escape From Ever After is for you. This was one charming story that had me smiling the whole time despite a few minor kinks.
Self-declared Extrovert Has Trouble Socializing in Groups
I hope I'm finding you well. I'm Vodka, and I'm 18 years old as of now and have been in the fandom for a few years already. I'm in a weird position: both in the fandom and outside. I'm seeking some advice from somebody much wiser than me.
I'm an extrovert who, like other extroverts, likes partying, meeting new people, and being around the center of attention. I consider myself an interesting person. I have a good collection of nice and particular stories that people like to hear. For every taste, I have something. But the problem is I can't get myself to be alone and throw myself out there. I always need somebody to introduce me and start the conversation. Even online, I have issues. I fear being judged (even though I'm confident) and leaving a bad impression.
One time I was at meetup at an anime/cosplay convention with a friend I met on Barq (I have issues only with groups). I knew I was going to struggle socially. So, to boost my social skills, I brought half a liter of Vodka to calm myself down. It did nothing. My brain overrode the ethanol somehow. This shows how much I struggled. Thankfully, the friend of my friend introduced us, and after that we started talking with other people.
On the other hand, I managed to become a well-known member of my local MTB group of around 150 people by only joining the chat and riding with 2-3 people at a time (I got in because I met someone while riding). I even got assigned a nickname, "Mono Palla," which translates to "Single Ball." It has to do with my bike--not going to prolong on that.
I really can't figure out what to do. I joined Discord servers and the Telegram group of the meetup, but I always feel like I dont belong since I'm a stranger and they all know each other. I don't know where to seriously start. I already have a few friends, but for one reason or another they can't get me into their group (it's for valid reasons, nothing to do with me as me). I feel like I'm walking in the darkness. I'm looking for any advice, anything that will help.
Thank You,
Vodka (age 18; Rome, Italy)
* * *
Salve, Amico Mio,
Interesting letter that has a thread of contradiction (or irony?) in it. For example, you can't actually be self-confident if you are afraid of being judged by others. The confident person is assured in themself and doesn't, frankly, give a rat's ass about other people's approval. At least, that is what someone would initially believe, right?
Yet, it IS possible to be a social extrovert AND have social anxiety or a lack of self-confidence. My beloved late first husband, Jim, is a perfect example of this. To anyone who didn't know him deeply, Jim was a huge extrovert. He spent most of his working career in television and radio. He was a news director for a TV station in Lansing, Michigan, as well as being an entertainment reporter, and he spent many years in radio and, the last few years while he was with me, he ran podcasts, first in Michigan and then here in SoCal. When he was with a group of people, Jim's big personality would fill the room. He had an infectious laugh and would always make people feel comfortable with him and important. Yet, inside, Jim was actually a scared little boy in many ways. He said he had Peter Pan Syndrome--never wanting to grow up, not really. There were times I saw him weep with anxiety.
People like Jim, and, I think, you, often cover up their self-doubt, anxiety, and fear of the world with a coating of social extroversion (and often with humor, which is why many great comedians got that way because they used humor to cover up the anxiety they have had since childhood). You aren't actually comfortable with people; you pretend to be in an attempt to overcome your inner fears. You insert yourself into the groupies of the actual social butterflies, circling the centers of attention at parties, without ever becoming the center yourself. The danger of forcing yourself to be sociable is the potential for leaning on chemical help--booze or drugs--to give you the strength to continue the charade. This is why drinking vodka didn't help you: Booze just covers things up; it doesn't solve the problem. Worse, if you allow yourself to descend into addiction, you can ruin your life (please, I beg you, don't go down that path; just because the legal drinking age in Italy is 18 doesn't mean you should drink booze).
What is the problem then? The problem is you do not believe in yourself, Vodka. This is far from uncommon in one so young as you, and the solution isn't to figure out how to join a social group. The path to build self-confidence has many facets. "How do I build self-confidence?" you might understandably query. As you might guess, that's not something that happens overnight but that can take years to achieve. There are several areas to focus on that will help:
- Affirm your strengths each day by recognizing the positive qualities you possess and skills that you have. Acknowledge that you are a good person who has value in the world. Some psychologists suggest that it is helpful to get up in the morning each day, look in the mirror, and say something good about yourself. It helps, truly, to look in the mirror while doing this, literally facing yourself.
- Avoid self-criticism. Don't say things like, "I'm so stupid for doing such-and-such," or, "I'm always making mistakes." Also, avoid criticizing your appearance or personality. Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes; everyone has flaws. Dwelling on them with that self-critical inner voice will do nothing but erode your view of yourself. Whenever you make a mistake, don't obsess over it; learn from it and move on.
- Do not compare yourself to others. There will always be people who seem richer, more skilled, smarter, or more accomplished than you (as well as people who are poorer, more inept, dumber, less accomplished than you, so don't go the other way and put them down, either). The only thing you have control over is improving yourself, and I mean as a person, not in a material sense of wealth and possessing things.
- Surround yourself with true friends and supportive family. A true friend doesn't put you down or reject you for being you; a good family member doesn't do that, either. I'm not saying you should surround yourself with yes men; constructive criticism can be a good thing. But people who just put you down because they are trying to feel better about themselves or control you? Avoid them like the plague.
- Take time for solo meditation or just being by yourself, learning to enjoy your own company. Learn to create your own identity rather than being a mere reflection of other people's vision of who you are. You can do this simply by taking 10 minutes a day to sit quietly by yourself, or by taking a walk, especially a walk in nature.
- Always remember that you were not put here on Earth to please others. You are here to experience the world and to live on your own terms (as long as that doesn't involve hurting others, of course!)
We are all works in progress. Truly working on yourself is a self-improvement project, though. While socializing is an important skill and can be rewarding (we are a social species that needs to do this), it is not the tool we need to improve ourselves. That only comes from within. With work, you can come to believe in yourself, and when you have done that--when you no longer need approval from others because you approve of yourself--you will find that this makes you a very attractive person. There is, frankly, nothing more attractive than the person who is truly confident in who they are, and that is when you will find yourself easily accepted into social groups: when you do not need to be accepted; when it is a choice rather than a mandate.
So, focus on the things you love such as anime, cosplay, mountain biking, and anything else you enjoy. Learn about the world, learn new skills, educate yourself, do volunteer work in your community. All these things will build confidence and make you more well-rounded and interesting. That's much more valuable than being the fellow who is popular at parties.
Take Care!
Papabear
Unboxing Vintage Furry Zines with Arrkay, Tempo and Slate | Issue 1
Arrkay has so many zines to catalogue! Keep him company while he and Tempe O'kun chat about vintage furry art and writing and the furries we meet along the way. This first official stream features a number of Rowrbrazzles, and we chat with special guest Slate about performative adult-ness. Merch, Sweet Tees and stuff: https://culturally-fd-merchandise.creator-spring.com/ Support Culturally F'd: https://www.patreon.com/culturallyfd Listen in on TEMPO TALKS with Tempe O'Kun https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPyIK2c7mK-LpbvfDNqfcSW Check out Tempe O'Kun's books "Sixes Wild" and "Windfall" here: http://furplanet.com/shop/?affillink=YOUTU2907 Here's a playlist of his other Culturally F'd videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPS7tnT4hdJwBI-CeLF8Kb_
MtG: Lorwyn Eclipsed is Out Now
January has been a big month for Magic the Gathering as its latest in-universe set, Lorwyn Eclipsed, released on the 23rd with its pre-release the week before. What’s Lorwyn you ask? Lorwyn-Shadowmoor is a plane with a duel nature that’s often at odds with itself, as plants, animals and even the inhabitants themselves change drastically between the daytime of Lorwyn and the nighttime of Shadowmoor. Originally visited in the original Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block almost 20 years ago, the time has come to return to the iconic setting in this highly anticipated expansion.
Unexpected Heritage
More notable young-adult fantasy from Penguin Random House: Dragonborn, by Struan Murray. “There is a secret world of dragons that lurks at the edges of our own. But dragons also live among us. These Slumberers have been human for so long they have forgotten their true selves — until something awakens the dragon within… Twelve-year-old Alex Evans is about to wake up. Ever since her father’s death, Alex’s overprotective mother has smothered her with unbreakable rules and unspoken fears. Feeling trapped, Alex’s frustration has become too big to hide away. Burning inside, she erupts into a fierce, fiery roar… A new school and a new life await Alex on the legendary island of Skralla, one of the last surviving dragon havens. There, she will train alongside other young dragons who are wild, untamed, and — unlike Alex — skilled at transforming and embracing their dragons within. As dark factions begin to rise, Alex finds herself in a race to unlock her long-dormant power before Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, rises again to wage war against the human world.” Minor thing perhaps, but check out that dragon scale decoration on the pages. This is something else!
image c. 2026 Penguin Random House
Furry-led volunteer rescue team responds to medical incident at a furry convention
兽展中游客突发不适 长春兽迷民间救援队第一时间支援
Author Ponders How to Use Furries Effectively in Fiction
I’ve been working on this gay furry romance comic, which I’ve decided to fully throw myself into finishing. The script is written, and I’ve completed 22 pages so far. I’m fairly confident in my writing, but my story turned out to be heavier than when I first started. It touches on themes like addiction, creative burnout, grief, and mortality. Throughout this project, I occasionally remember the characters are anthropomorphic animals and I wonder, “Is this too silly?”
It’s not like the whole comic is heavy. There are moments of comic relief here and there. I just worry that the whole furry aesthetic would undermine those themes. Am I overthinking this?
Second, my story has a few sex scenes in it, but they’re not the main focus of the story and are used to show the bond of the two main characters. However, I’m conflicted on how much I should actually show I’m not opposed to romance comics having explicit sex scenes, I just worry people will only read the comic for those scenes. Should I make it softcore, or just go all out and show everything?
In short, do furry characters undermine a story with more serious themes? Also, how much sexual explicitness is appropriate for this kind of story?
Cheers,
Steve
* * *
Dear Steve,
What a great question! There is absolutely nothing wrong with a comic (or graphic novel) that is furry and has mature themes. In a very real way, this is why the furry fandom was founded in the first place. A lot of adults (college age, mostly, at the time) wanted to take the Funny Animal tradition and make it more for adults, which gave rise to such things as Albedo Anthropomorphics, Associated Student Bodies, The Usagi Chronicles, Cerebus the Aardvark, Black Sad, and Omaha, the Cat Dancer, not to mention the non-furry Art Spiegelman's Pulitzer-winning Maus. So, you are on very solid ground here. If you are unfamiliar with any of these, I would suggest you look them up and read, read, read.
Some of these--especially Omaha and ASB--have some pretty kinky scenes, and you can bet that a lot of people bought them just for these. But! A lot of people bought them because they are good stories with well-rounded and interesting characters. ASB deals with some serious themes, too, such as one of the main characters being HIV+. When you are aiming for an adult audience, it is legit to address topics that include violence, drugs, racism, political corruption, sex, and more. It is fine to have sex scenes in your story, especially if it is sex with a purpose. Do you know what the difference is between a mature sex scene and porn? Porn only has one purpose: to get you off. Story and characterization are superfluous to porn. But a sex scene can be used in serious literature to advance the story and motivate characters. So, when you draw these scenes, consider whether what you are drawing contributes to your tale or if you are just doing it to get someone to buy the comic so they can pleasure themselves. When you answer that question honestly, you will know how to draw it.
The same is true with other elements in your story, not just sex. Do the comical scenes serve a function? Or are you just doing something idiotic like putting Jar Jar Binks in the story for slapstick? Is the violence gratuitous for shock value? Or are you making a point for the reader? I am a big fan of subtlety myself. A master writer, artist, or filmmaker can do wonders with suggestion. That's why Alfred Hitchcock was so brilliant. He could do more with a creaky door slowly opening in a hallway than M. Night Shyamalan does with all the buckets of blood and freaky CGI a big studio can afford.
This leads me to another element of your question: Why do people write stories with furries in them instead of human beings? One big reason is that they serve as tropes to quickly express what a character is all about. If you want a clever character, it's a fox; loyal and true, dog; selfish and sexy, cat; scary fierce, dragon; a brave leader, lion; meek but honest, mouse; and so on. It's quick characterization in a suit of fur. Furry characters can also be used as symbolic in expressing a theme. For example, there was an issue of Black Sad about racism in which animals such as polar bears and Arctic foxes and ermines represented (obviously) white people, and animals with black fur were of course representing Blacks. The hero has both white and black fur as he is from a mixed lineage. Here, you can get the clear message and yet avoid stereotypes that are often assigned to people of certain races (a technique Disney grossly failed at when creating the Siamese cat character in The Aristocats--OMG). And, of course, anthros are often seen in fantasy and sci-fi tales simply to create interesting and exotic characters for the reader. However, skilled authors use them with a purpose.
So, when you create your furry characters, do so with purpose. Don't just make your hero, say, a husky because you like huskies. Perhaps make them a hippo with something to prove because they never got over being mocked for being heavy when they were in public school, or make them a homely lizard with a heart of gold. Use the physical form to complement the spirit of your hero or heroine and all the supporting characters in the cast.
Good Luck with Your Story!
Papabear