DragonKnight (CalArts21 Short Animated Student Film)

A knight grasps a victory she thought she'd never live to achieve, but the fulfillment she expected to feel had dissolved with the journey’s end.

[@IAmEvilTree]

2:20 The sewing lady and fisherman are there watching the fire; nice to see they both survived.

[@Mi..Mi..]

Well... They both have things covering their eyes so... They're feeling the fire

[@gatitofeli16]

@@Mi..Mi.. Thats the pure truth

[@charliedulol]

_"watching"_

[@sofiadotto2605]

i didn't notice

[@mirrikybird]

It was the fishes blood

[@industrialvatofjam4643]

I'm surprised they managed to even build the firestation after seeing that chair

[@clydemarshall8095]

I think she did it by herself

[@RushWheeler]

@Clyde Marshall they probably got the whole community to do it and then hammered in the last nail because it belongs to them

[@onalert413]

@@RushWheeler That sentence both is confusing and based on total conjecture.

[@momotech7648]

@@onalert413 very insightful addition for someone too pompous to know what "probably" means. also, it's perfectly coherent; you're just too obstinate to read two instances of a pronoun (gasp!) as being singular in a context where they would be singular *anyways*, because the character's gender is not given. maybe read a few more books before you make a fool of yourself on the internet (because god forbid you shut your mouth when you have nothing productive to say, right?)

[@Petrichorfox]

@@momotech7648 gender is given in the description... the character is a girl, no one except Clyde Marshall referenced the given pronoun correctly so you arent in much of a space to talk. dont insult people based on a single comment made, you've used some strong words for a matter that doesnt need it and it shows how much you care about some random internet person commenting on sentence structuring.

[@printedwit]

i burst out laughing when the butcher's knife split the table in two. honestly, this was a lot of story told in a tiny slice of time- without sacrificing pace. nothing really unnecessary at all, here. v cool.

[@daelnelbel]

And the hero and the carpenter just staring at the failed chair, both just mystified at how it ended up that way, lol

[@leucamaclean8900]

Lot of story told in a slightly larger slice of table.

[@jpthomas587]

I can’t even imagine how it feels to train yourself to do a single thing in life only to do it and have nothing left.

[@captainmaxel1223]

Welcome to being a veteran in the USA. 🤣

[@theant2266]

@@captainmaxel1223 oof

[@gameseeker6307]

@@captainmaxel1223 just gears in the machine at the end of it all

[@Bede__]

esports players after hitting age 24

[@slipspacesurvivalist9416]

This has literally summed up how it feels for those leaving the service when they're suddenly put into the civilian world.

[@Airshotmodder]

Definitely need more of this character. It's just too wholesome to not want more.

[@LizBizBean]

I love how chill everyone is at her just absolutely failing every job

[@goodboi1725]

they just feel bad, especially with the sick prosthetics she has, so they give her respect

[@LizBizBean]

@@goodboi1725 Oh, and because one passed out

[@goodboi1725]

@@LizBizBean "Yeah... this guy is gonna need a poison expert asap"

[@Raiigen]

The Pufferfish going back into the water with the fisherman's pipe had me rolling for a good five minutes straight XD Lovely little story, a hero who remained a hero, just changed his cape

[@berkleyhuffman48]

Calling the fire fighters "Dragon Knights" is a pretty awesome detail honestly

[@FlareShift]

THE GRANDMA MADE THE GMOD PROP NOISE I CAN'T IM DYING.

[@sloogsketch]

1:16 I should not have laughed as hard as I did 😭

[@u.g.3298]

Even managed to end a guy's life with a pufferfish!

[@RaspberrySuprise]

@@u.g.3298 he didn't die, he just got a really big boo boo.

[@shanon4768]

@@RaspberrySuprise puffer fish also stole his pipe

[@vitor900000]

I blame game physics.

[@Randomd0g]

Losing my shit at the faint gmod impact noises

[@chaserpurple5195]

I love how, during the job search, it went from property damage, to two maimings, to "I don't think that's what a chair is supposed to look like..."

[@simongingras-lafond9596]

What you're good at is not always what you enjoy doing. And you might not be good at other things! But when help is needed, the skills you hated so much can turn a bad situation into a good one. And in the end, what you're good at can translate to being good at similar things! What a good story. Well told, well drawn, well executed!

[@nicepeeva1048]

Thank you.😊 💓

[@rachelhulter3875]

THIS IS SO GOOOOOOOOD ahhhh you seriously did such a good job on this!! I am especially obsessed with the sequence from 0:58-1:34; the energy, timing, and backgrounds are spectacular, and I love the mood shift (I am also very specifically in love with the diagram of the dragon, with the wall of papers). Also... the shift in expressions at 0:46... BRUH... PLEASE IT'S SO GOOD

[@Pieces_Of_Eight]

This is truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your incredible art talent and absolutely fantastic story-telling!

[@agusanto162]

1:18 They were able to use a lot of sounds for that scene, but they decided to use the ones from Half Life 2 and that makes it gold.

[@starplane1239]

Source Engine prop-collision. Probably one of internet history's most well known audios

[@Archangel2794]

I love how they are also an amputee! It's so empowering and amazing to show what they can do! Amazing animation, music and colors!

[@lucielm]

It would be off if the dragon knight didn't lose a limb at one point

[@user-lv5rd6kb5o]

If you want empowerment, you should look at REAL people with disabilities: fiction can be anything, including lies to idiots.

[@clydemarshall8095]

There was only one individual with wooden legs

[@flaredesel3425]

@@clydemarshall8095 They can apply to a single person

[@flaredesel3425]

English is weird some times

[@BrownieTheCat_]

2:20 the fluent animation plus the slight hesitation of our hero before abandoning logic and charging in was amazing.

[@draco3314]

This is just spectacular visual storytelling, I love it so much! And the design of the knight is so perfectly androgynous, plus them having the prosthetic legs is just so good! I can barely put it into words, I just love the delivery and the style and the pacing and the message, it’s all so well-made!

[@40Kfrog]

Finally, a student film on KZbin that isn't absolutely miserable! I salute you

[@shawermus]

There's lots of them actually. Like cliffside. Sad part is that usually creators of these never publish something again.

[@rustern4681]

Cliffside's creator is actually making a series with another studio it's sort of similar to Cliffside but it's wayyy more edgy. You can view mist of his work on his channel: Liam Vickers

[@thealliedpowers]

@@shawermus liam made cliffside when he was a student?

[@strikezero01]

she will slay every dragon in every corners of the world, and now they're all gone, so as her way of living. Finding a job with dragon slaying is your only specialty.... I felt that .

[@tarotkillerpodcast]

Them just... Looking at the chair. XD This animation was equal parts funny and gripping in its reliability. Once the dragon is slain, then what? Achieving dreams doesn't always give you the feeling of fulfillment you expect. This animation portrays that sensation very well.

[@PrayingPanda]

And thus the FireForce anime began.

[@darienb1127]

Whenever I watch a student project or indie animation like this, I always execpt it to be completely serious or dramatic(not saying that'sa bad thing.). So whenever I see a joke in one of these, it always hits me twice as hard.

[@kawaiizinhawbaka7506]

this is so underrated like, she started to feel like she wasn't a good knight, starting to hate her job she tried to fit in somewhere else but these weren't for her. But when she saved that kid from death, she found out who she REALLY wanted to be, like a knight, but she wasnt there to kill beasts or enemies, she was there to SAVE lifes, and that's exactly what she wanted, not to kill, but to save, help. I love this.

[@Generixx254]

I cackled when the old lady got dragged into the sowing machine-

[@seanbigay1042]

Once a hero, always a hero. Also, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

[@dodo_doggy3045]

This was so cool, the change from dragon fighting to firefighting was a really great idea, I love a story I can't predict, and I didn't see that ending coming until it happened, the animation was great, when the knight was searching for a job was hilarious, I like how you added a bit of cartoon comedy to those bits, I do wonder what happened to the kid after that, but altogether, I loved this animation, you did an amazing job!

[@trippingflamegames]

the Fricked up chair killed me

[@danielgrossie7902]

The art style and execution of this piece is phenomenal! I would love to see more work from you in the future, you have serious talent and obviously worked so hard on this.

[@TheAce97Leo]

This is a very good representation of a veteran, the disabled, or any other awesome person who has that indomitable spirit to not give up. I love this, it deserves recognition.

[@georgelafner8760]

Gotta say, this is really beautiful. Thanks for making my day :)

[@garrettdemoss9465]

Without a villain, a hero is just another jobless bystander.

[@kiironch]

jasper this is stunning! so much attention to detail and a really heartwarming story, i am obsessed

[@Nir10000]

Это лучшая сильная и независимая женщина которую я видел!

[@io_online]

AGH THIS IS GORGEOUS! The movement and storytelling is everything!

[@noway3577]

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING

[@matthewjohnson8034]

Thank you for sharing this on Imgur, it is where I found it. I'm now subscribed and looking forward to more! I adore this character and want to see this story expanded!

[@STARFOXiswatchingYOU]

THE EMOTIONS, OH MY STAAAAARS… So freaking good! And also animation is really smooth

[@JerichoYeet]

That Gmod ragdoll noises will never be unfunny.

[@M0mmys.Milk_]

NOT THE OLD LADY AT 1:16 😭😭😭😂😂😂

[@flaagan]

Thank you for sharing this over on imgur, was a wonderful animation to watch!

[@hami00707]

THIS IS SO GOOOD I really love the knight and the character design!

[@memyselfandyourcat799]

That ending was pretty good!

[@stardustkidz]

Cute! I was so worried about their legs catching on fire though 😭

[@davidjohn_va]

Hope to see more of your work soon. This was incredible

[@breakshetheon]

God, the ragdoll sound when the seamstress hit the machine killed me! XD

[@oronsnibben]

Such a clear artstyle throughout the whole thing Love the storytelling through no words as well.

[@ElliotAltland]

oh god i did not expect the post-trauma but I love the ending, tks for a happy ending btw

[@Nothing92849]

gmod ragdoll sound effects will never not be funny when something or somebody is flailing around uncontrollably

[@giladharnik2499]

Very impressive! Nice work!

[@blakethebeast3174]

I thought they'd find a new career as a firefighter as soon as I saw the dropped lantern. Who else would know how to handle fire? Excellent short.

[@simonheadless7898]

1:17 I fucking love this moment

[@TRASH_CAN96]

I think this is so good and I hope that the person who made this continues to do such amazing work.

[@kails_creates]

Oh my gosh! Aha this is AMAZING! I've been following your work on IG for awhile now and you're just so talented!

[@graciliraptor3990]

WOAAAAAAH MASTERPIEEECE!!!!

[@cwistheentertainer7646]

Nah why is no one mentioning the gmod sound effects during her attempt on sewing, that was great 👌

[@v.s.4166]

Always nice to see these animated short films

[@carmineknight9123]

This is incredible work.

[@rickloftus9330]

What a great story- thank you for a well told tale with punch.

[@allpowerful5401]

I like how they’re too powerful to do practically anything other than heavy lifting and murder, so they accidentally destroy a table, kill two people, and end up saving a child after probably doing some sort of ritual to bring back the two people they killed.

[@MadGameBoy]

2:19 they are still alive, just horribly maimed

[@giselleaguilar2940]

OK this is great, I hope you make even more animations!

[@animal_gal_adventures9885]

1:15 I was not expecting the freaking Gmod rag doll. Amazing!

[@niccalee]

I love this! It's so underrated! How are there not more views??

[@Binary-]

Oh wow, I really love this! Such a beautiful story with such beautiful art

[@mr.foxasmg]

Bruh why not much comments and views! This is great!!!

[@Bloomsparktbh]

Omgg! I loved this! ❤️❤️ The characters, The story, The endinv, The art style, everything is just too cute and good! Great Great job ❤️

[@danarockwell9253]

Absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing on imgur.

[@maxdon2001]

Great animation!

[@nebuji]

That's amazing!

[@DJSourCreeps]

splendid

[@wizardofarts1276]

The character animation and body language is amazing!

[@cdtadoft]

Trained hard to be a hero. A hero they remain.

[@Zangizo]

The best kind of fighter.

[@amirdror4927]

I loved it! I see it was posted a year ago, I wonder where such an incredibly talented gourp of people, recently students, are today (in the industry)...

[@matty1094]

beautiful. amazing. deserves more views

[@codeswift27]

I really love the art style character design! Low-key gives me season 1 pokemon vibes. Really hope to see more of this character and art style!

[@13ayakashi]

From imgur here! Awesome work!

[@JMPT]

Incredibly Nice 🗡️

[@MadMooseMedic]

Came here from IMGUR. Was not disappointed! Aaarg! Update! So wholesome!

[@harrisbartlett6006]

That was so nice! 10/10 job!

[@jetstreamjackie3437]

This is beautiful!!

[@PeterBeilstein]

DUDE THIS WAS SO INCREDIBLE (here from Instagram)

[@SoulTuner]

Beautiful work!

[@TheOddHolloway]

How did you manage to get the pacing just right in such a short amount of time.!? This was honestly very well done, and would make a great slice-of-life type fantasy story!

[@somasaasaa4850]

1:22 that puffer fish just stole that man’s pipe and got away with it

[@visalakshik.raman.6278]

The Dragon Knight knew how to take advantage of his disadvantages.👍 This secret is called converting ones curses into blessings. 👌 Nothing or Nobody is really useless in this creation. 🍀

[@nickvids4272]

THHHIISS IISS SSOOO BEUTYFUULL !!!

[@ImmortalTimothyM]

I hope to see more like this. I have subscribed.

[@Nir10000]

This is the best strong and independent woman I've ever seen!

[@0RawWasHere0]

Very cool one! Short and succinct :)

[@psilimit]

You don't have to slay dragons to be a hero. You don't have to have all your limbs to reach thoes in need. You don't have to have both eyes to see what's right.

[@h.yamashita]

1:21 omg the pufferfish having the pipe in it's mouth as it falls

[@elijahwilson5530]

Omg I LOVE this!

[@cardboardcreationsart]

This is adorable!!!

[@yuliettbravo5762]

I hope you make more work like this!!!!>:3

[@hugoscreatures9777]

I want more if this little knight person :)

[@retnuhretnuh]

Well done, that was very cute.

[@Ly_7838]

Awwwwww how adorable

[@argetlam5964]

Love it.