Bitter Water | TAZ Balance Animatic

Thank you for watching!!!! I've had this idea in my brain for over year now. But it's been a very turbulent time and I didn't have the energy or commitment to work on this project until November 2021. Giant thanks to everyone who watched me toil with this on art streams. I hope my suffering was entertaining. Extra Special Thank You to my patrons for supporting my art over the past year!
You can find me here:
Twitter: / herbgerb
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"Bitter Water" © The Oh Hellos
"The Adventure Zone" © The McElroy Family

[@pickledragon]

"how does magnus die? how does magnus *live?*" 😭💕✨

[@spacetearable]

"It took a lot longer for you to get here than I thought." "Yeah...sorry for makin' you wait."

[@musicalraven1997]

I can't describe how amazing this is. All the little details like the slow adding to the house, the photographs, Magnus' ring on his finger as he catches the petals. But I expecially love the Hands Outstretched moment. Your switch between all the things he is and was was so beautifully done. I had to rewatch that part a few times just to catch all the beautiful details. Just AHHH this was so good. You obviously put so much work into it and it shows. I love this so much

[@StarClan4evr]

The meaning of this song changes so much in this context, it's genuinely beautiful. "All the days of our delights are poison in my veins, I know I shouldn't love you, I know" being about Magnus forever grief stricken and lovesick to "You'll bury me beneath the tree I climbed when I was a child" being about wanting to be at rest with Julia is tearing me apart and I haven't watched this yet without crying

[@Grace-ie8bz]

this made me cry so much oh my god,,, he literally had a family again and he was happy and they were happy and he lived his life exactly as she would have wanted: absolutely fucking full of love. GOD this is good.

[@Grace-ie8bz]

i can’t believe it hasn’t even been a year, it feels like so much longer. but here i am, crying again

[@atomicpancake1255]

I was already crying, but the touch of Julia's hand on his shoulder at the end. the fabric, damn. i could almost feel it. I'm devastated, this is beautiful beyond imagination.

[@sarabearas.7645]

Wow, this actually destroyed me. I was crying within a minute... right at the moment he set out without her and he blew this kiss and it just hit me... he wasn't going to see her again... and then the transition to Magnus with Merle and Taako and I just, DID NOT expect it and oh my gosh... I am ruined right now, holding back tears even as I write this ahhhh. Thank you so much for sharing this beauty.

[@birdsnores]

that’s it!! no more the oh hellos for taz balance! it’s far too emotionally destructive

[@10010571]

I don’t know if this makes sense, but there is so much love in this. So much love. Thank you.

[@haniakupczak2068]

"you lived... so much longer than i thought you would"

[@williamk.1539]

I have been WAITING for the day I'd be able to see one of your animatics again, can't believe it's TAZ balance again too! It was an absolute treat to watch and remember when I first finished TAZ years ago, brought back so many memories and the music is a personal favourite. Keep up the great work! I hope you get to keep doing art, because your work never fails to amaze me or the tons of other people that watch it. Wish the best for you, and thank you for blessing this fandom once again!

[@timburns5610]

It's not exaggerating to say The Adventure Zone changed my life. I got into it a little before Graduation ended, and I've loved every moment of it. Listening to the Adventure, the Drama and all the funny moments gave me a reason to smile. And now, watching this, I'm smiling just as wide as the day I gave the Adventure Zone a try. It's perfect.

[@zenodotus-xxiv785]

Every single oh hellos animatic that you make builds onto my soul

[@ilariacarloni8393]

everything is just perfect but the shelf with the carved ducks, it's just the cherry on the top

[@cassievining2955]

This is amazing. I love your transitions (0:54 is great), and your art style and character designs are fantastic. Also, I love how well synced to the music this is. You really take your time on the scenes that need time to breathe, and have things moving more quickly in places that work really well. Not to mention, you captured so much more of the story's depth in details like Magnus's shield and the photos on the walls. You also fit so much so well into 1:06-1:24, and you did a fantastic job of showing the personalities of the other characters through their design, posture, and body language. The more I write here, the more I realize that there's no way to capture everything great about this animatic- you did a fantastic job all around! on an unrelated note I am almost crying help

[@mayae743]

man, as soon as i saw julia i KNEW this was going to make me cry and it DID!! The way you transition from him losing Julia and his memories to building a new home and finding his family again makes me lose it, it's so sweet and hopefully and it just perfectly captures the spirit of magnus's arc to me. i love it!!

[@knightmare6229]

Ok, now this, is the most recent taz animation ive seen, glad there is still a community left, or maybe the few who didnt leave yet.

[@reverselemon]

i havent listened to taz balance but i want to say this animatic is underrated af. the art is so beautiful and polished!! you can see all the love put into it - especially the detailed BGs and the clean line art! im trying to work on animatics myself and your work is really inspiring

[@flickerfireden]

I can't even describe how beautiful and wonderful this is and how hard it made me cry. I genuinely love the way you draw our lovely bois and the like from Taz it's so perfect, I could gush for hours over a few chosen compositions and designs you did but just- Thank you for this and from one artist to another, dear god please never give up, it's the stuff like this that keeps us all going

[@madbadash]

This hurts my heart in just the right way. It's so beautiful and so true to just the normalness of life. It makes me miss Magnus more than I ever have. Your art is always so pretty

[@krisandthebluesurgeons]

STOP ITTTT. YOUR EVIL!! I LOVE THIS SO MUCH BLESS YOUR HEART

[@Anuluxe]

I've always loved your animatics, but only just realized I wasn't subscribed. This one really knocked me off my feet. Maybe it's the expressions. Maybe it's some nascent desire in me to retire to a cottage with all my friends in the woods and not worry about anything anymore. Maybe it's the way you breathed life into Magnus *specifically* by only really showing him alive and doing his own thing during the parts we don't actually get to see in the podcast--showing him as, you know, happy. This is such a joyous work. It's alive with passion for the show and a genuine adoration for all of the characters and I'm just so fucking happy and sad and full of love now that I've watched it, and I hope you are too.

[@jonclegg8353]

only 11,000 views(as of writing this)? That is criminally low, this animatic is amazing. Great drawings, great designs, love it! Somehow captured Balance in a way that I wasn't expecting, especially the different interpretations of the characters and items.

[@frankied3777]

HERBGERB U SHATTERED ME I WAS LOOKING FOR NEW TAZ ANIMATICS AND YOU DELIVERED

[@xr00n]

Finding this immediately after my annual re-listen has demolished me, thank you

[@redhairshanks9491]

Words can't describe how much I love this, the art is so beautiful, the song fits so well, the designs art perfect. I'm so happy to see balance content still being made, it really is a work of art. I have so many songs I want to make animatics too but I can't draw at all, this is a huge inspiration for me to keep practicing

[@Gracyn1102]

Days since rewatching this animatic and not crying over Magnus: 0

[@DollFaceThornback]

I'm so drained from work, this was lovely to find in my recommended when I came home. I'm too tired to offer better compliments so just know that I'd be crying if I had the energy.

[@queenaunt4531]

Even after these years, Balance can still make me teary eyed. This is absolutely beautiful, not just the art, but all the little details that you included "I feel it in my soul, I feel the empty hole, the cup that can't refill" * shows the chalice and Magnus' empty hole * Me: Bruh The different weapons Magnus has used and the Shield of Heroic Memories, all ending on a filled back and the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword Of Doom The different forms of Magnus all being "Outstretched" to The Ending! The house Magnus built being *So Lived In* and *Full* Jesus, you draw clothing fuffles So Good, I could practically *Feel Julia's hand on my own back! What?!* Anyway🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@katiek.6333]

I am doing a Taz relisten now and just finished the 11th hour and I am fully weeping watching this its beautiful

[@milkfri]

This really captures the fullness of a life

[@miachilders5750]

Holy hell dude I just came here from your Youth video and between Julia and Ned I CANNOT stop crying, you are incredible

[@chemmra]

I relisted to Balance (again lol) over the holidays so I've been in the mood for sentiment and this really hit the spot. Magnus' story is so bittersweet & full of love and you've done an incredible job capturing both his grief and his dogged determination to live & enjoy his (re)found family. I cried a little. Truly, this is so gorgeous -- such a good song choice, I adore the Oh Hellos but have never seen them applied to TAZ outside of Soldier Poet King. (The cup that can't be filled!! -- all of Magnus' weapons & forms throughout the adventure -- and the pictures on the walls! the slow building of his home, cozy & warm & full of his friends! If you ever worried that people wouldn't appreciate the little details, I ate them all up). I hope you still get notifications on this video so you know people are still finding & loving it :)

[@carolinemckee7009]

Man, it's been a hot minute since I've seen a TAZ animatic. But HOLY FUCK this is so PRETTY. It's like every frame is a work of art, this is simply beautiful 💜

[@bagelprince3]

i just nee d you to know that your aert style combined with the oh hellos music is PERFECT and is making my cold death hearth thaw a lil THANK YOU SJDFLSDKLFJ

[@geethenerd]

Such a soft touch. The fabric creased and the love overflowed. Thank you for posting this!!

[@thatchannelofnothing]

this is absolutely beautiful, also how dare you make me sob over taz balance in 2022

[@sleepyselkiesiren]

There are absolutely no words to convery how FRIKKIN AWESOME THIS IS!!!!! DUUUUUDE!!!!

[@mirasollie7823]

I don’t usually comment on yt but this is the first new taz animatic I’ve seen ever since I finished balance a month ago. What luck that it’s a really good one of my favorite character and couple! Your art is amazing! Magnus has been through a lot and you showed it all so well. I especially loved when the house was slowly being built and furnished and everyone was there with him at the end, him having found something to live for and making Julia proud. It’s also a personal bonus for me to see a work with most of the characters looking like how I imagine them. Thank you so much for this and congratulations on finishing it!

[@christinelavallee57]

Bawling, sobbing, crying, wailing, quiet tears rolling down my cheeks. You did it again

[@kenobi_-mn6vb]

New favorite taz animatic! You have my respect and admiration! Such a work of art.

[@evethedragon4484]

Im going to have to listen to balance again now arent i

[@thesaltytangerine507]

I'm sobbing 😭 I got into taz last summer & right now I'm on my 2nd listening. Words could never describe how wonderful your animatic is. Your art style is beautiful & the amount of details & references are amazing💛 (also Davenport on a tree bird watching made my day)

[@skullisbones]

rewatching this now made me remember how important taz was to me all those years ago

[@easternCriminal]

Ugh I can’t get enough of this video. Makes me emotional every time. Especially the walk cycle part or when it flashes to him in the cart with the boys

[@hermione13131313]

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW YOUR DESIGN FOR JULIA IS CANON??? ALSO THIS IS BEAUTIFUL AND I AM CRYING

[@waywardh9528]

I can't believe I'm just finding this!!!

[@smidgen7773]

currently weeping over this, this is such a beautiful testament to his character

[@enigmaodell6806]

Sometimes... you really need some wholesome stuff. I don't know these characters, but it seems like you could do a short one with a bit from The Longest John's "Retirement Song"

[@camillestephens1378]

this is so indescribably lovely oh my god I love this so much holy shit it made me tear up and and it made me laugh and it made me smile and I just ahhh it's amazing

[@vulpesursae4934]

I just binged balance for the first time and Magnus definitely has my heart. what a sweet man. he definitely, definitely deserved his happy ending.

[@Rose-xh9tb]

Bro my hyperfixation on taz JUST restarted and now there’s new animatics?? Amazing

[@love-bug]

just rewatched this because i forgot what happened in it and now i'm sobbing. god your art and this video especially are so AMAZING

[@taylorking8457]

god this just wrecks me in the best way. so gorgeous, so well thought out, so detailed and intentional. such a joy to watch. thank you for this xoxo

[@Goldenheart_345]

You're going to have to pay for my therapy

[@nyuhnerysmexecutioner7963]

Idk what is taz but this is really crack

[@Red-qu3hw]

I find myself coming back to this every so often and it always makes me smile. Thank you for making it :D

[@pinkjaguar12]

*resurfaces from my Critical Role bender back onto my TAZ shores* holy MOLY this is INCREDIBLE. I have missed your animatics, I've missed your art!!!! This is so beautiful it made me cry like goddamn. This right here made me wanna relisten to TAZ:B like no joke, and it's been a hot minute since I was even active in the TAZ fandom so that's high praise. Kudos!!!!

[@mariellemadden6949]

YOU'RE A GENIUS AND I AM *WEEPING*

[@teejaykaye4357]

Oh this is an absolutely gorgeous animatic I’m gonna cry

[@maddie6560]

IM SO UPSET RN BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING YOURE AN AMAZING ARTIST

[@Index_IIIX]

Nothing grandiose to say here other then this was fantastic!!! Thanks for making this I loved it!

[@TeamNeidig]

sobbing. Absolutely devastated. Very well done

[@shelbyj6783]

I finished the finale today (been putting it off for literally a year) and was already in my feelings about it, but this is such a good summary of how much I’ve grown to love Magnus as a character and how important he is to the story. You did such a beautiful job. The Oh Hellos are PERFECT for him.

[@vhirapi7234]

um i’m debilitated. um. um um FUCK!!!! this animatic is everything that i hope that i can achieve someday….so polished and lovely, full of thought and care and tenderness. the way you turned that house into a home, adding photos and comforters and pillows and each personal touch that made it into comfort. it reminded me of my girlfriend and i moving in together. i hope your life is full of love like the love you portray.

[@eleanorryder4676]

So beautiful. Wonderfully detailed and so well crafted. Made me tear up, the story was so well shown and told. Amazing.

[@ianfurman5503]

Who could I’m losing it

[@wasababi]

This is beautiful i have chills and im crying wow

[@rexhex3700]

Fricken fanstic work! The character designs, the storyboarding, the use of color, all were expertly done!

[@sloanethefullygrown5086]

The Oh Hellos + TAZ???? You cannot do this to me I'm sobbing!! This is genuinely so cute and so emotional.

[@birdsnores]

THE PHOTOSSS WAHHHHHH 🤧🤧

[@rorygal2991]

Literally subscribed to your channel as soon as I saw this video. You are an absolutely incredible artist! The way you draw these sweet boys literally made me cry, so so beautiful ❤️

[@just__abee]

I’ve seen you posting about making this but oh my god it’s even better than I imagined, this is so good. The arms outstretched scene having him turn from Magnus to a bear to a red robe to a mannequin and then a bird was just…amazing. Could not imagine a better rendition.

[@reagendewolf9914]

Magnus and the Oh hellos 😭💚 This is beautiful excuse me while I *cries and presses replay

[@Luke-mi6gb]

Oh boy. Can't wait for this to blow up

[@cube3648]

genuinely this is incredible

[@m.j.r.8579]

This is so good!!! Great job! I'm gonna go re-process my emotional attachment to Balance, now.

[@saharawilcock1463]

This is amazing. It had me feeling so many feelings. Thank you for this art

[@saturnkirkland7027]

this is so beautiful holy shit i miss them so much........

[@roguetheotter]

oh my god oh my GOD. this is so so good ohmygods. i wasn't ready honestly. absolutely gorgeous. perfect song choice, and such a wonderful video. I love the idea that magnus got to live his life happy and loved and everything that he deserved. he had his weird wonderful family and his dogs and gods. the moment that griffin asks "how does magnus die" i literally just can't stop crying. Story and Song is one of the most beautiful pieces of art i've ever experienced and this is a gorgeous tribute to it.

[@Marchchio]

So this did make me cry. It's so beautiful ♥️

[@katiek.6333]

after watching this months ago I downloaded the song and it made it to my top 10 songs and I think about this video all the time.

[@emmygoatart859]

Ohhh my heart I can't. I love this so much

[@hannaha8566]

I love this so, so much!! Such a fantastic representation of Magnus's arc!

[@benkenobi834]

This is Phenomenal !

[@mysticalasduck6514]

bro i am tearing up this is genuinely amazing ahhh all the details skfjgdedmhpgodfsph

[@andyyankovich69]

I wish i could like this more than once

[@Zephyrs]

That was amazing! Beautiful art and wonderfully put together!

[@alex_ol1776]

This is absolutely gorgoeus, congratulations on the amazing work

[@jessicawolfe5293]

I have, no joke, watched this at minimum ten times. I can't describe how much joy it brings me. I can't even listen to the song on Spotify anymore without thinking of this! The care and attention to detail is out of this world; I remember crying my eyes out over Magnus when Balance ended and this made me experience All The Feels again. Truly stunning and a masterpiece!!

[@jewelswhite5366]

Ohh this artstyle is beautiful. You have a gorgeous style.

[@stormtheninja]

Oh my word this is so beautiful- don't mind me running to go binge TAZ Balance again

[@easternskylite4003]

I am absolutely left sobbing because of this. It’s so gorgeous and beautifully done! Words cannot explain how much this impacted me!! Such such beautiful work as always❤️

[@haliku9705]

MAGNUS FEELINGS OUGH

[@haliku9705]

This is really beautiful. So detailed and so tender

[@DarienSmartt]

Truley stunning!! This is amazing and wonderful! Thank you for making it and shaking it with us all

[@smolsaturn]

Oh my god this animatic brought me to tears, im on my 4th relisten of Balance and just...WOW amazing job♥️

[@user-zk9pe2ed6w]

CRYING SCREAMING ETC THIS IS GORGEOUS

[@maddie6560]

im literally in awe

[@bellaglover3780]

This brought me to tears, honestly all the detail in the characters, the way they move, the artefacts, the house, it’s all just so wonderful! Thank you for this 😊

[@dontwatchtheworldburn3673]

I have no idea what's going on or who these folks are. Why am I crying?