DeadFish | Short Film

[@Manwoker]

I liked how no one else there thought anything was off - while I know its probably just a moment of 'it's all in their head' I like to think of those times where you wonder how everyone else doesn't see what you see.

[@skibble2628]

I thought of this and that maybe- there is a possibility that maybe things like this were normalized? Not everyone likes hunting or fishing. Imagine if a species fish did have human like faces? (If not already). In our reality and possibility their's- that feature wouldn't stop anyone from trying to see what it tastes like and practice on how to cook it. If it was normalized- there would be a few people who are disgusted or disturbed by that. Most likely they would probably be looked upon as weird or too squeamish if the villagers of that area or the manager of a store has done the same for years and has stopped associating fish with human faces with the fact it seems odd.

[@AXYER]

As someone with schizoaffective who has experienced this in the past, it's like everyone telling you that pigs are bugs when they're obviously mammals.

[@dentheduck2095]

@@AXYER they are mammals

[@marselo1316]

@@AXYERthey are bugs

[@monkqp]

​@@AXYERthey are bugs

[@fruitcakerambler4930]

I kept expecting the sting ray and the fish to go back to normal, like the person was going crazy, but they never did. Creepy!

[@dogmax.]

I was expecting them to scream I don't know why

[@Dummy_1]

@@dogmax. same….

[@SamThornat]

Poor man needs a different job. 😢

[@LJ-ry3ny]

Not a manta ray, its a sting ray

[@fruitcakerambler4930]

@@LJ-ry3nyOh you right, learned a thing today

[@haylea.grace_creates]

This is a really cool concept, I can see it being an RPG horror game where the delusion gets worse and worse

[@kin1849]

It's probably based of a game called mourning tide

[@Googoogaga2455]

What if it was based on the concept of the deep ones from HP Lovecraft's books , they re basically half humans and half fish people that are functionally immortal, but sometimes there are hybrids of both humans and deep ones that have to undergo a painful process of psychological changes and hallucinations before fully transforming at around their 30s from a normal human into a deep one

[@AnEmu404]

Reminds me of Dredge and the aberrations

[@EelGood]

Mourning Tide is like this!

[@alyxgraff9121]

That's what I was thinking. Especially with that subtle Caution Seaman reference.

[@BloomBlanche]

I once had a dream that I had to move a fish from one aquarium to another by carrying it in my hand. Then, I zoned out a little and accidentally took a bite out of the fish. I felt incredibly guilty and didn't want the fish to suffer any further, so I panicked and continued taking bites until I ate it completely. This animation reminds me a lot of that dream. It's amazing, the way it evoked the same emotions that I felt.

[@sammuelcruz4169]

Man that sounds like one trippy dream. Did it scar you?

[@BloomBlanche]

@@sammuelcruz4169 I did feel pretty unnerved the morning after the dream, but I got over it since

[@jawzea4000]

This is the first time someone has told me their dream and I wanted to then share that story with others. 10/10 very fd up man thankyou for sharing

[@Tialovestea]

My brain completely ignored the word dream 😭😭

[@Hello-ud2kj]

@@TialovesteaLOLL😭

[@Silver-Rexy]

You're telling me I can go there and buy a whole Seaman? Incredible, truly a market that caters to my needs.

[@twinfantasytowers]

“quick quick QUICK QUICK- HEAVEN! HEAVEN- you- ENGLISH- heaven!- everything’s gonna be alright-“ (if someone understands what im referencing I both love you and am extremely concerned for your wellbeing)

[@Beanman745]

@@twinfantasytowersjerma’s fish ramblings

[@The_VHS]

​​@@twinfantasytowers (in a dead cold voice) " h e a v e n. h e a v e n. "

[@Furrysm]

I love seamen

[@twinfantasytowers]

The jerma people in the audience here 🫡

[@Sentinel_Surge]

For some reason this artstyle is reminding me of the indie game called, "Dead Plate".

[@Confusedconfusi0n]

They worked on the game!! Vincent is their oc!

[@kj6053]

It might seem crazy what I’m boutta say….

[@campcampcamp]

Yeah, cause Ekrix is one of the creators of Dead Plate lol

[@JustMooshie]

Lol I knew it looked familiar!!

[@aarasko]

it might seem crazy what im about to say

[@guacdahuman5626]

The faces of the fishes reminded me of that indie game where a fishermen is fishing from a boat, and as the game progresses they can see faces and even whole humanoid bodies in the fishes as it gets put on the hook. Really cool stuff!

[@ItsPlayer_3O66]

Mourning tide? Yeah, I thought so too, rlly cool ‘is this all in my head or no?’ vibe to the animation tho

[@ChrisSpams]

played that game too. The game is called mourning tide. The 2 concepts are very similar

[@snailsnip]

I love how unexplained this is. People have already mentioned how the fish never go "back to normal", but you'd at least expect the butcher to try to get his coworkers to react, except he never does, either. Does he not want to be seen as "crazy", or is what he's seeing exactly the same as what everyone else sees? If so, why is he so shocked? There's so many questions to ask, and each answer you can come up with contradicts another one.

[@Mister-Blake]

I think he's experiencing hallucinations (maybe from some trauma or idk, I'm not really good with that stuff) and that he doesn't want to seem crazy as he realizes others don't see what he sees.

[@senpai2.054]

sometimes the hallucinations do not go away

[@pacomatic9833]

From what I can tell, he thinks that everyone sees this and that it's perfectly normal. He just never expected it and was never told about it, I suppose.

[@LamplightProductions]

The line boil really adds to the sense of anxiety and panic, even, and perhaps especially, when the main character isn't doing anything.

[@faebunnix]

This short really reminds me of the game “Mourning Tide” with like the same premise as this !! You could really feel the horror through the screen as the hallucinations got more and more vivid !! THIS IS SO COOL AHHH i just love concepts like this really great work !!

[@thebotanist7145]

Yeah I was about to say!

[@al5vin964]

Yeah it is. I remember Markiplier did play it

[@Sunny_Omori12352]

A(greed)

[@regi5436]

ohhhh you cooked with this one . the main character's design differing from everyone else just to further show his inner guilt and anxiety in every single shot was an amazing move. priceless work, this deserves an award from me personally.

[@U_003]

めっちゃ好き。 環境音とガヤの声と…言葉が無いのに伝わる冷たさが良き良き。

[@桜川桜-q3d]

日本人いて助かりましてよ

[@DustBunny777]

This is so uneasy feeling, the color and animation is fantastic! I love the design of our "main character" so to speak, but the fact that what they're seeing doesn't go away when they look away and look back feels so _wrong_ but in a good way, it feels like these weird things with these fish could very well be what they actually look like, but only from the reaction of others does it make us second guess ourself, maybe these fish really are _normal,_ maybe _we're_ seeing things.

[@derpboxstudios]

Does the word "he" in the description mean nothing to you?

[@Skylareed-k3z]

​@@derpboxstudios wtf are you talking about?

[@creisoldacc]

I want to give the main character a hug, they seem like they desperately need it!! :(

[@derpboxstudios]

He's a guy.

[@creisoldacc]

@@derpboxstudios sorry, didn't know

[@derpboxstudios]

@@creisoldacc why do all you LGBT tryandfirasmanygendersintothepronountabaspossible people always call everyone a they regardless how obvious said person's gender is

[@averagecupoftea4168]

THE SHORT FILM IS AMAZING OH MY DAYS :DDDD I love how smooth the animation is and the stingray and the fish really gave me the shivers!! I can feel the discomfort of the butcher when he cut up the stingray and fish, great work Rix!!❤❤❤

[@su4682]

Yas

[@Ктоя-ь1м]

Vincent in your pfp :3

[@averagecupoftea4168]

@@Ктоя-ь1м yurrr

[@RlsForRyan]

I actually like this a lot. Portrayal of true fear of having to face slicing/butchering something to turn into EDIBLE eats! Can be PRETTY unnerving!

[@flameheart87]

I did not expect to be so freaked out by fish today.

[@luislee3247]

This reminded me a Taiwanese urban legend about human faced fish: A bunch of guys went fishing and caught a big one, they then grilled the fish and enjoyed the meal. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an old lady voice asked them in local accent: "How's the fish taste?" They looked around and realized that voice is coming from the grilled fish. The fish just opened its mouth and talked like a human. They took a closer look and noticed there's a face of an old lady popping out of the fish's body. The rest just went with the typical horror tale ending: everyone is horrified and ran away, then the next day someone (or everyone) died due to an unknown cause.

[@drunkendye4892]

Fascinating, is this tale tied to a specific region of Taiwan?

[@luislee3247]

​@@drunkendye4892 In many versions, the story took place in the southern side (probably since the fish speaks in Taiwanese Hokkien, which is the local dialogue of many southern cities). As for how wide the story spreads, it's sorta everywhere. Likely due to the fact it was mentioned in a famous paranormal talk show (Nights of the Rose) before. From what I've heard, their intention was to stop the urban legend from spreading since it's damaging the aquacultural business (the fish mentioned in the story, Tilapia, is a common breed in aquaculture), but unfortunately, doing so actually made the story more well-known to people.

[@onuhrita5009]

Yeah, there's a similar story in my country, Nigeria . Actually, you saying this just unlocked a very old childhood memory. Similar story but they told the man/group of people not to fish around that time in the night. So when they caught the fish, the fish keep asking them to return it back to the river through the various steps of cooking. When they finally ate it, the fish keep singing in their stomach so they had to vomit it out for it to return it back to the river. Something, something about involving the whole village, can't really remember. It's a moral lesson story of not going to river at night and also on obedience. Thanks for reminding me😅

[@luislee3247]

@@onuhrita5009 Sounds interesting! Is this one of the folklores about the curse of Inachalo River?

[@onuhrita5009]

@@luislee3247 no actually! It's more of our local rivers and the sea . It's a local folktales 🤔 That's why it's amazing that countries that are far apart can share similar stories

[@talkssstuff]

as someone who used to experience hallucanations, the anxiety i felt through watching this was real. peak horror.

[@sjfjdhg]

OHHHH I LOVE THIS SOSO MUCH this actually in some parts was so satisfying to watch i adore the way you in general draw meat food, etc.. and the horror here is illustrated so well the face fish's movements and design were so disturbing i love it

[@paradoxicalirony]

WHOA THIS IS AWESOME

[@su4682]

Yaes

[@felisazure1820]

Extremely effective horror. I love horror that isolates the main character even in a crowded place.

[@Jerotero]

I enjoy stories that are left up for interpretation because it makes the horror scarier at times

[@nightcatssketchbook]

This is really cool. When I first watched it I was expecting the unnatural visuals like the human face on the fish to go away after he gave it a second look. It’s so interesting to me that it didn’t. It makes me ask, “Is what the butcher’s seeing real, and everyone around him is desensitized to it? Is it normalized? Or is it his imagination?” I like how the question is left open. The whole short film has such a cool, surreal vibe

[@lolatray7]

This is absolutely amazing the phycological horror of the animal industry and the strain on ones mind really is clear in this animation you're criminally underated and very talented. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Dummy_1]

Dude, I was so incredibly exited when I saw this thing pop on my KZbin, I actually saw the wip on twitter but I had no idea it was gonna be this intense and interesting!, you really portrayed well their panic in this situation, it was definitely really uncanny, I’ve seen how you draw settings and your character designs before and I just really love the colors you used and your artwork/ art style in general! Overall great job

[@I33YYanuaria]

This seems like a play on how animals have feelings. Because he was hesitant the moment they became 'alive' and how the fish with the humanoid face looked like it was in pain.

[@chloet9263]

1:06 what Steven saw on that island in that one episode

[@PixelOwer]

I really like how you potrayed this character with the shade falling on his eyes and them being visible wide open to actually not be some psycho but regular guy with some funny visions Tldr; i really like

[@trayjburner]

The subtle effect near the end of having the brim of the hat simultaneously look like worried eyebrows helps the character feel even more expressive, this can especially be seen in the shot at 1:34. Excellent work, awesome animation!!!!

[@Novaurawr]

Very nice attention to detail

[@skullydotexe]

I feel like this perfectly captures how I feel when I hallucinate: the distorted reality, the sudden panic, the realization that nobody else sees what you're seeing. It's so strange, terrifying, and almost lonely. Like you're in a separate world that's so different from everybody else's. The film is beautiful, and I love the art style as well. The slightly scribbled lines of the characters contrast well with the clean background. Whether intended or not, it's a beautiful clash of chaos and control, one that I find quite appealing to the eye.

[@BabyGhast4]

0:57 Did anybody else get a little irritated by the employee not washing their hands and the fish after both touched the floor here?

[@basilmelonn]

nooo youre right 😭

[@phamminhquan5054]

It's realistic though. They almost never wash their hands.

[@thatonedrainedplatter5421]

My mother watched a dude grab raw chicken off of the bottom of his shoe before going back to work, this is why you wash everything before you cook it.

[@lohe2.041]

0:13 is that money boy saying "schnitzel" ? or am i crazy

[@boredundertalefan9898]

It’s possible! I heard someone saying “bitte” in the background so I assume the background audio is German ‼️‼️

[@aweirdsimon6554]

​​@@boredundertalefan9898Yes, that is German. To be specific Table 7 ordered the Schnitzel. Honestly all the Background Audio is about the Schnitzel.

[@パラレルパンダ]

どことなく不気味な雰囲気がクセになる。すごく好きなアニメ。セリフがなくてもわかるアニメって良いよね。 あとキャラデザがみんな最高👍

[@BabyGhast4]

I like how despite being a horror animation, it still ends with a goofy little “Fin”. This short film was also very visually appealing with the charming animation style and the use of lighting.

[@Pureo.]

I love the audio change of the animatic and the finished version. The stressful music replaced with the heartbeat makes it more scary, and I'm here for it

[@shiny_sylveon11]

the art style reminds me of the creators of Deadplate/Elevator Hitch/Cold Front and i love it

[@Stella-i1q1l]

STUDIO INVESTIGRAVE GAMES.

[@cloudykid7278]

Bro this creator's art is amazing, it's beautiful and I love their work on the games like Deadplate. (Also the protag oddly hot tho)

[@vitsune6945]

1:34 this sounds like fnaf 3...

[@zonamortadamaru]

Omg! This is so perfect! So creepy and uncomfortable

[@nyuh]

yes !! finally they adapted one of my favourite esoteric programming languages into a short film !!

[@Freebie.43]

Turning it around is so real. I’m not looking at its eyes bro

[@__________________________9190]

I feel like this is gonna turn into one of those childhood animatics/short films and everyone's gonna be like "Oh i watched this when i was a fetus and it scared me so bad when i was a child" in the future"

[@Moxie-2763]

I love how realistic the sounds are and the animation style is beautiful 🤩

[@jat_art]

it's already night and I'm watching this on mute in bed while bugs are chirping outside the window, it's such a good job, I love the color and the character, the darkening of it on his eyes, the design is very good and the atmosphere too! I really got scared towards the end

[@campcampcamp]

This is amazing!! To see your own work outside of Studio Investigrave, I love it! Your artstyle really adds to the discomfort of the situation! Stuff like animals with human faces has a creepy uncanny feel to it so it's cool that you explored it in your film!

[@SCP_with_a_stolen_phone_hehe]

i like the german restaurant background loop lol

[@W31RD.FR34K]

Saw this on my previous account. I actually love this guys simple design so much.

[@Stranger1616.mp4]

Just a guy having a psychosis attack, actually cool and well executed, great work

[@desthinbloom]

i love how it says "fin" and IT'S FISH PART, IT'S SUCH A GOOD DETAIL WHATTT

[@tacticalkitty2727]

fun? fact alot of people in the industrial butchering/slaughterhouses can develop psychological problems due to the constant imagery, it might be like watching live leaks 24/7

[@weirdnerdygoat]

who knew that naturally compassionate creatures would develop mental issues by constantly being surrounded by killing ;_;

[@tacticalkitty2727]

@@weirdnerdygoat compassionate at heart, cruel by thought, think of how most dictators get young impressionable men to join their armies and commit horrible atrocities

[@Strawberrilemon8]

The fishes actually reminds me of that one fishing indie game. (I can't remember the name, BUT! I've seen Jay play it before.)

[@Shy0z]

FR THE FISH WITH THE FACE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE IN THE GAME

[@puzhang465]

Are you talking about Mourning Tide?

[@Shy0z]

@@puzhang465 idk what the game was called all I remember is watching Jay and markiplier play it, it's about fishing from a boat in the sea and everything starts getting more and more creepy and the fish have human faces and stuff like that

[@shrewkit]

yeah it's the name that guy said!​@@Shy0z

[@OminousBro]

I thought this was about spatun

[@aarasko]

OMG IM LOVING THIS CONCEPT…ANOTHER BANGER FROM RIX

[@betabahar4479]

I HAVE TO TELL SOMETHING!!!! I loooveeee fishes, like... im obsessed. I have always drew sea creatures in general and wrote stories using them as metaphores and as a consept in general. Back then i was a little shy about it but now i feel like theres many people can understand this. ANYWAY I REALLY LIKED THIS ANIMATION ITS AMAZING I CANT EXPLAIN- have a nice day everyone :3

[@PASTEL777-r4s]

DIOS HACE TIEMPO ALGO NO ME HABIA DADO ESCALOFRIOS COMO ESTE CORto. Increible Trabajo!

[@ValolitaVetonio]

I can see this having a fandom, trust

[@Hellogoodmorning740]

I love this short film! This might just be my favorite

[@VLuddd]

1:41 "...schnitzel restaurant jetz bitte" 🔥🔥🗣📣‼️‼️

[@AceyKayn]

THIS IS SO WELL DONE !! Love the work done on the sound. It really gives a scary aura, it's so cool 🥰

[@juanchopingo]

Wow, that springray was a punch in the gut.

[@phoenixartist7893]

as someone who works in a kitchen and watches my boss butcher fish this is really well animated, I can't butcher anything because of this

[@rsrctbpoplaterbox3290]

I misread your comment, and I thought you said your boss was a butchered fish

[@Sunny_Omori12352]

@@rsrctbpoplaterbox3290 🤣😂

[@MisterMoodyHere]

that “fin” at the end was genius

[@capristone]

this is how it feels working at a sub shop knowing that the hunks of meat i put on the slicer were once living animals with feelings and sentience; another soul in a different vessel than us

[@HaraDuran]

And we can't do much, there's always the life cycle,and we're on top.

[@Kuba_K]

You worry too much

[@Bit-fz9md]

Oh well i want it taste good

[@moltendiamonds1567]

This is why I'm vegetarian. They're all just so similar to us.

[@iamablacksabbathsong9765]

@@moltendiamonds1567 if vegetable could walk and move like an animal , you would be struggling too eat them

[@I-Need-A-New-Hobby4186]

This is a pretty cool concept ngl I suddenly imagined that, like the butcher guy is an alien in an alien food market and all the different kinds of fish are other smaller, dumber, sentient aliens, including humans. Sometimes, they didn't die completely yet, so the butcher chopped them into food. But sometimes, he sees them still alive, squirming, begging, and trying to escape. Can't help but feel bad and distruebd but also have to work for his job. Pretty kewl

[@YunuelYAHR]

That's why you shouldn't catch fish from Chernobyl

[@BryanStarsBrightness]

ONE COMPLETE YEAR FOR THAT ANIMATION THANK YOU ITS JUST- SUUUUUPER COOL!

[@cornchipgod8609]

I thought it was Splatoon before I clicked the video lmao

[@just_call_me_leo]

same

[@Emma-mj3pz]

the suspense is built up so well and I really like the sudden switch to the only red color palette. the way you draw the different faces of the fish and the protagonist invoke so much horror and fear

[@katenafazbear]

This is how I struggle with eating too......

[@getmeundercontrol]

This gives me Dead Plate aesthetic vibes

[@N3M0_______________________243]

While the animation is great i honestly think the sound design is one of the best parts of this

[@Vynsomnia]

I can not express how much I utterly adore this artstyle! Also love how perfectly and clearly everything is portrayed without any dialouge

[@RetroGhost16]

Splatoon reference?!?! Jist kidding. Awesome animation!

[@Budgie_Films]

I thought the same thing

[@CosimoPlasmati]

I loved everything. The line, the color, the animation, the facial expressions and the vibe of it all. B-R-A-V-O!!!

[@tsukadasatoru]

delicioues... scrumpdiiddlly umtious animation.... Edible art... SCARY FISH

[@thereishope.3313]

ЭТО ТАК АТМОСФЕРНО И НЕВЕРОЯТНО!!! ОБОЖАЮ ВАШЕ ТВОРЧЕСТВО🛐🛐🛐🛐🛐

[@桜-d7y]

口や言葉が無くても伝わるのってやっぱ凄いよなあ✨ あとお兄さんのキャラデザが好き

[@thetwelfthuwu1492]

Something I love is that when the main character looks away and looks back, the "delusion" is still there. It makes you wonder if its actually real, which is genius because thats exactly how main character feels.

[@cartodelina7715]

Oh yeah oh yeah

[@thesillylittlegal]

The animation, art style and backgrounds- AHHH I LOVE IT 😭

[@princessthyemis]

Whoa😱😱😱 Coincidentally , this happens to be the second hand-drawn short film that i've seen today that are both really creepy and about fish. Well done!!! 👏 👏 👏

[@crryptid]

there’s a horror game that kinda uses this concept. It’s a fishing game and every fish you catch has a human face.

[@kittmrru]

I could really see him continuing to hallucinate and learn to accept what he sees as murder, which could probably lead to the start of a villain arc hehehe

[@helen5272]

I really like the way the sounds were worked in this. And the artstyle is incredibly well fitting.

[@IATERODYSEAR]

'Dead fish' Me= Nuh uh 'Dead plate' Me; Yuh uh

[@TheTurtleyOne]

This is incredible, I love the art style and the whole horrifying situation, I hope you do more stuff like this.

[@strangemiscellaneousfruit9222]

ah, yes, vince’s long-lost pale-haired sibling who works at a fish market. all jokes aside, this is an extremely nice animation. i love how the overall feel of it has been created

[@spoongodess]

This animation is so cool, awesome job!!!

[@nezzapiggaTT]

This was ASS! Where were the action scenes? Why was he not voiced by Chris Pratt?

[@TyrannosaurusRex..]

Everything is Christ Pratt. Chris Pratt is love, Christ Pratt is life.

[@ujlt7198]

when the shape language is absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS

[@wkwkwk12]

Vegan be like :

[@justsomeannoyingredpanda]

Thiss is really cool! I watched this without audio and i love the ambiguity of the fish after he cut them. the one with the eyes was never turned over to see it's reaction, similar to how the head of the one with the face suddenly disappears, preventing us from seeing the aftermath of his work. (Though the fish would be dead, obviously :p)

[@lowerrred]

this perfectly shows one aspect on why i’m afraid of fish / eating fish / looking at dead fish or fish in general. it’s just so euhgshujexi why

[@VicRoycce]

It's very rare for an animation to give me the scares...this was too good 💯

[@AVLITZX]

AAAAH i love this the animation is so good, the lore, the characters, everything!! I LOVE THIS.

[@francoalmiron5107]

Man this is amazing, i truly love the psychological dread the protagonist experiences.

[@zMacah]

I love this animation, you can really feel his emotions

[@zdog2543]

fasinating atmosphere, it was a good watch!

[@ManicDymanic]

This represents this feeling so well, it genuinly gets a me a little freaked out

[@stramberrymilk5249]

The art, skill, and story are so amazing! While this may not have been the artist's intent, the butcher's isolating experience of horror as they realize that the creatures they're cutting are suffering lowkey reminds me of what it's like to be a vegetarian working with meat. You're poignantly aware of the life and suffering that went into the production of that meat, while everyone else sees it as completely normal