Some spoilers for Panderverse.
In the most recent seasons and specials, I’ve noticed Cartman is becoming more rational and openly affectionate towards his friends. He’s still a little shit, but he’s losing a lot of his previous malice and worst child in the world traits.
In Post Covid, we were shown that Cartman does have the ability to change, value others, and unlearn his antisemitism.
In season 25 he openly admits he loves his friends and seems to genuinely cherish the time they spend together playing airsoft with no funny business or schemes.
In season 26, Cartman gets mad at Cupid Ye for going too far in his antisemitism and abandoning his (again seemingly genuine) goal of helping Stan get Kyle back. He also gets him to take his meds - which while in real life Kanye does have unmedicated bipolar, might still imply Cartman actively takes psych meds now.
Then in Panderverse, Cartman is talking to a therapist about his fears of his loved ones being replaced and does again refer to them as his favourite people. He’s able to level with Kathleen Kennedy and makes a real change in his thinking even calling her awesome at the end while being very affectionate towards his friends and even hugging Kyle.
It’s my theory that we might be in the homestretch of the show and knowing that, they are looking to at least somewhat redeem Cartman’s character towards a happy ending where he isn’t a bigoted hateful psychopath anymore. Thoughts?