ENA - Power of Potluck

Support the channel on Patreon: / joelg
ENA merch: www.joelgc.com
Music by VLIF
• VLIF - ENA : Power of ...
• VLIF - ENA : Power of ...
CREDITS
John Fraser......................3D Character Modeler/Animator/3D Background
/ sleepcircle
Luke "Floofinator" Thomson.......3D Character Modeler/Animator
floofinator.neocities.org/
VLIF.............................3D Character Modeler/Animator/3D Background
/ @vlif_youtube
Evan Nave (Mrpalland)............3D Character Animator/3D Background
www.evannave.com/
/ mrpalland
Utu-Nui..........................3D ENA Model
/ utu_nui
sketchfab.com/utu_nui
Marco Cárdenas...................2D Character Animator
/ marcocardenas2d
FERCI............................2D Animator (Rough Assist)
/ neiith525
Abby F...................Script Revisionist
/ porkymoon
Brian Zavala.............Post-Production
/ mizu_wolf
CAST
Lizzie Freeman as ENA(sad)/Moony/Mask
/ lizzierfreeman
Griffin Puatu as ENA(Happy)
linktr.ee/gpuatu
K Beau Foster as "The Therapist"
/ kbeaufoster
Audio Design by John Fraser
Directed by Joel Guerra
Special thanks to Sr Pelo

[@JoelG]

New ENA Plushies right here!! fanga.me/r/ena Hello everyone, this video should have been 40 seconds long, but everything went out of control amidst the process as everyone's already noticed. Enjoy!

[@idrankperfume]

YIPPEE ENA PLUSHIE

[@Polygonfella1662]

Neato

[@wintercandyfox]

OMG

[@IDesireToUpliftOthers]

Wago wago

[@lorenamonsalvefrias3179]

Poss

[@cocaine.cowgirl]

I don't know what it is, but ENA seems a lot more sentient in this episode, as if she's out of place in this nonsensical world now. Your mind truly is something Joel.

[@lukevia4448]

So real

[@Danteruckland]

Yes

[@6H0UL_G1RL]

Fr

[@AidanDargenio]

i feel like the blue part of her face is where all the randomness comes from because when the blue part of the face is talking it sounds like how she would sound in the older episodes

[@toddhoward1498]

yes, you should be afraid

[@Sleepy12ftPanda]

Seeing ENA go to therapy and talk out her feelings seems like the resolution of a series-long character arc that we hadn't known was there until now.

[@SandyStella]

Stop pretending like you know the hidden meaning, she went to the theater!

[@justaperson1123]

​@@SandyStella then she meets the therapist

[@mjcox242]

​@@SandyStellaact 5 is literally called therapy

[@kaicoelho515]

​@@SandyStellahoney, sweetie, just admit you didn't see a relatively blatant narrative instead of thinking others are lying or making it up.

[@dildonius]

​@@SandyStellaHidden meaning?! The final segment is LITERALLY NAMED "THERAPY" ffs! 🫵🤣

[@derpiedoxie]

I only just noticed that right at the beginning you can hear Moony yell “ENA, RUN” after she rings the doorbell and doesn’t move. It’s the perfect foreshadowing to the later gag!

[@doodlebro.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA JUST REALIZED

[@RoastyRoachy]

Timestamp if you so please.

[@derpiedoxie]

@@RoastyRoachy 0:09 Although I now realise Moony starts with “RUN”

[@RoastyRoachy]

​@@derpiedoxieENA!!!!! RUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!

[@howdyfolks69]

SO GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HEARD IT

[@SerialNumberK2AR4A0YY2I4S]

8:40: LMAO THEY CAPTIONED THAT

[@crazyboy-dq8jh]

*ragdol lhuman noises*

[@__the_end__]

THE "."

[@Muslim-hw9ig]

“fjingdkfngklfnlkdfgadfgdgf”

[@samsam5864]

I love moments where Ena just realizes a lot of things doesn't make sense around her

[@cassiapeian]

Ena is like someone who was plopped into this world and is trying reeeeaally hard to be chill with it

[@BrendanSmallButera]

@@cassiapeian Pomni?

[@LilLainaGS]

SAME!! It just gives alot to the story and i love it

[@cassiapeian]

@@BrendanSmallButera you're so right

[@JacklynBurn]

Mood tbh Both loving those moments and feeling that myself, I mean.

[@derimik15]

Its like Joel G decided that poetry, painting and animation were boring so he mixed them together to create ultimate art. And also, spiced it up with gaming. Truly epic.

[@Sanguine_Vampyre]

All of the ENA videos are like games though 😭

[@Smurfthere]

​@@Sanguine_VampyreI was going to reply that but yeah they're put together like games

[@tcsa872]

@@Sanguine_VampyreTrue, but I find this one to be much more… inspired, I guess. Like, for when ENA is travelling through the Acts, it reminds me of Final Fantasy VII with the contrasting 2D backgrounds & 3D models , and the way the models are textured and shaded make me think of GameCube games like Wario World and Smash Bros. Melee.

[@elskie5421]

the bunny lady is such a neat design concept and the chirping singing voice equally rad.

[@BandLBestiebros]

Ena's happy male voice kinda sounds like Veneer from Trolls 3

[@pokegirl2731]

I love how you can hear Moony telling Ena to run from the door at the beginning. Homegirl went inside and got therapy instead.

[@azealot7112]

My theory is that in the previous episode, ENA wished to be more fun (or happy, or something like that), and so her peppy side (yellow) took over her body. Her other side, when kicked out, manifested as the mask. It wasn't possible to get rid of it entirely, so it stayed attached to her. Through her experience in this episode, she learned to accept that her blue side was a part of her, and it's not possible to always be happy and have fun.

[@sent_wolf]

I actually like this theory alot!

[@Neganerd]

This is the one.

[@clawcakes2]

i saw this episode as taking place before temptation stairway, but i love this theory and am now adopting it. (and as for how moony un-thinned after temptation stairway, we do see her arm come out of her hole when she gmod ragdoll sounds the weird guy, so maybe she just, like. put her shell back on.)

[@Kepl77]

I like the theory, really! But I believe this is a prequel episode especially since Moony is not thin.

[@NanoNovaBlast]

​@Kepl77 either that or its after and she piloting her old body like a mech or as a protective shell

[@shadyshopkeep2211]

ENA as a character has been so consistently extra that having her simmer down and describe something as mid feels like a big step forward

[@tsunertoo9149]

Also she finally expresses her general befuddlement with whatever the heck Moonie is doing/hanging out with. Like I think her staring at that weird 3D horse dude thing inspired such a level of perplexion in her that I'm earnestly amazzed I don't think we've seen it before.

[@Exipher222]

Overrated character

[@grammy_hnng]

theres something so cursed about confused ENA, girl if you dont know whats going on how are we supposed to know??

[@ThatRandomVoid]

@@grammy_hnng Ena is just a loveable polygon trying reallyyyyy hard to just vibe with everything

[@SirBitesALot101]

@@Exipher222Underrated* There, fixed

[@standuserjustice]

3:19 I f*cking love how she walks into there backwards

[@sillycookie]

After rewatching, the message hits hard. "Fun is an elusive varmit....but it is never lost forever." As someone who's dealt with stuff regarding emotions, it's REALLY HARD to feel like anything gets better when you get in a rut, but it's so true. Bad things never last forever. Bad feelings don't last forever. It's okay to admit when you feel bad, to not put on a happy mask, but it's also imperative to remember you won't feel bad forever. There's good in the little things.

[@endieend129]

I love the symbolism in this one, the way ENA positions herself in the camera to hide her sad side and the literal mask she puts on to hide her sadness.

[@endieend129]

The acts too are symbolic. I don't understand the first one but the second seems to be an abstraction of a party at a concert, something where a crowd of people follow the same rhythm. The third and fourth acts seem to relate to some kind of performative art, so the joy of performance or maybe the joy of creation. ENA refers to it as a chore meaning her lack of enjoyment may be something similar to burnout. I don't know any of these things for certain, I'm just throwing interpretations on the wall.

[@UltraFicus]

cuz that's what the mask is, that's what the point of the mask is

[@sea7710]

i wear a mask with a smile@@UltraFicus

[@RottenWitch]

Been wearin' a smile for so long, it's real

[@RottenWitch]

so long it's real

[@fakequetz]

My interpretation is that after temptation stairway, instead of getting rid of her sad face, she just manages to conceal it on a mask that mimics happiness while literally chewing her depresive antisocial self. She tries to have fun, but fail's to understand what is about. In act I, she doesn't get how funny actions and the amazement you get from them are supposed to give you "fun", on act II she understands that people flow along with that "fun", and while her mask pretends to have fun alongside them, inside she doesn't understand where's the "fun", to her all the expresions remain bored. On act III she becomes the source of "fun" to the audience, showing a funny silhouette while her inside remains dead, and act IV is about how, even though she gets pleasure from the audience's praise, she can't get the fun she's been looking for, finally breaking, her mask no longer concealing her sad side In act V her mask is desperately trying to hide her evident sadness, and once she gets therapy, she destroys her mask and aknowledge that she just can't feel fun. To summarize, I think the mask is a representation of her denying and concealing all her sadness and atempting to live a 100% fun life, but in the process she lost the meaning of what "fun" is supossed to mean. in the end, "fun" trully is precious when it's in balance with sadness, is it's scarcity what gives it it's value. Or perhaps, ENA's weird and has no repair, I'll have to rewatch the video a couple dozen times just in case i missed something. I really love these series. pd: VLIF's dog-horse thing at the end is the first time I hate a character in these series, but seeing ENA makes my day so I don't mind, I hope you keep up with this amazing work

[@crabinijig8403]

I think it being about fun is true, but she can't feel fun mostly because she isn't able to let herself feel anything else. Even though the pain is still there from the sadness, she convinced herself she needs to be happy and do things that make people happy, sposedly; and when she gets the thing she wants, she feels not the happiness, but the feeling of shame that she isnt immediately happy. She's feeling emptiness inside. Meanwhile your mask that you show others begins trying to change how you feel and it immediately starts to make you feel ashamed that you really arent like this on the inside as well as argue for you tto stop liking the things you do like. Idk

[@Thejigholeman]

i think the mask is the wish she got from the great runas. she wished to be happy, but one cannot be made to feel happy. The mask was a drug that may have "worked" at first, but eventually wore off. notice how the mask is the only one that seems happy throughout all this, while ena could only question what she was feeling. When the mask came off, the true ena came out.

[@doodlebro.]

@@SmugBab it was an extension of hers, intended or not, although ripped off and destroyed easily, it didn't really change what's outside, only what's inside if it had more of an external effect it'd change her appearance drastically more, but all it did was channel her sad part forcibly, and chewed on it

[@Rocksteady72a]

That's an impressively detailed analysis of the video so short after release! Well done :D

[@ARandomEliatrope]

Pretty good concept!, but why do you hate the Doghorse?

[@Nancy_Zheng]

I just realized, ENA’s hair is short on one side (the happy side) and long on the other (the sad side). This could symbolize the saying of ‘hair holding memories’. Cutting her hair short on the happy side could mean she is trying out a new start in life and forgetting anything bad that happened in the past, making that side happy. However, leaving her hair long on the sad side could mean that she can’t get rid of any memories of traumatic events or sad events in her life, making that side sad and kinda su!cid@l. It’s just a theory though. A film theory.

[@joelcombs7588]

Huh, interesting.

[@AZrA0.2]

YA I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT

[@BandLBestiebros]

Idk why, but i would like it as a real hair style.

[@terrified_bat8056]

or that she hasno motivation tocut it when shes sad, since, you dont really have motivation when your sad

[@crystalkrustal]

bro its just rep she isnt feeling su1c1dal or anything calm down

[@MrDawn]

LOVED the source engine ragdoll sounds at 8:40 Really brings the whole thing together

[@bulcanworks]

and the fact that they *captioned* the bloody thing helps too

[@g-knux]

Ena goes to the theater, gets therapy instead My thoughts on this episode is that the mask is covering her sad side with a very happy go lucky personality ,it almost acts like a parasite.Ena herself doesn't think and feel this is "real joy",the therapist comments on it saying how exaggerated it is and Ena admits it, destroying the mask so now her sad side is unhidden. Her emotions are unmasked. I love how confused she is here 8:20 / 8:35 , honestly Ena seemed really expressive in this episode and i like it, 3:19 and this powerfull walk

[@fefe_10]

i had to rewatch it, but now i think i have my own interpretation. i know you already have said this, but throughout the episode, ena tries to find "joy" in herself, and she even gets lost in this small journey, but she keeps saying how she can't understand other people's hapiness ( 2:05 , 5:23 ) and i really like how in the therapy act, the mask she had keeps bouncing around the screen, and exagerating and being super energetic, just to then, when ena actually tell how she feels, it explodes. and after that, ena actually seeks help with the, guy she was talking to, and the episode basically ends. i really like this episode because it allows you to have just so many interpretations of the characters, the visuals, and a lot more. it was very deeply explored.

[@nitricswight]

I got the feeling that it was about the cycle of depression, especially with how the skull guy says that she "has been here a few times". Which is really sad, but also there is a silver lining now I think about it. We thought ENA had finally become fully happy at the end of Temptation Stairway, but this shows that you have to take the good with the bad, and being happy all the time is no real way to live

[@fefe_10]

@@nitricswight i really like your interpretation! depression is a word that can describe a lot about this episode, especially the parts where she doubts about her own hapiness and seems to can't find joy in her life.

[@g-knux]

@@nitricswight while there's still the question if every Ena in the episodes is the same or different Enas, i really like that question if the Ena in Temptation Stairway did actually get "happy" Ena is a troubled individual who has a hard time with her emotions and she thinks being happy all the time is the solution ,and the "people" around her influence that,like how moony gets pissed at her distress

[@Might_Be_Acting_Emo_Bc_Im_Uzi]

.

[@d4rln_snstr534]

This has to be my favourite ENA episode being the fact that Ena is actually questioning what the hell is going on in her fever dream of a world is genuinely interesting, we never see her that confused before

[@jojoojoratti123]

Alice in Wonderland vibes.

[@TheLastHylianTitan]

@@jojoojoratti123 complete with a Cheshire Cat/Blue Caterpillar figure in the form of a gigantic smiley face made of skulls dropping some sage advice

[@aubreystrickler]

So true

[@themasterblaze7563]

It's quite strange. This is easily the most coherent and "normal" ENA has been outside of the Yellow half. ENA was confused by their surroundings and the abstractions here felt very on-the-nose about each of ENA's emotions and therapy.

[@warbossgegguz679]

The problem is that if it's true surrealism, you're never going to understand it beyond the raw emotion it generates. It's like when people try to give lore to Salad Fingers or analyze the "deeper meanings" of work by Dahli or Magritte: trying to "understand" it is missing the point.

[@boysRcute15]

the way I interpret it, this is about living with depression and each act is meant to represent common beliefs on how to derive happiness or purpose in life. Act 1: Joy through social connections, love of friends and family Act 2: Joy through exploring the world and learning new things Act 3 and 4: Joy through serving others Act 5, Therapy: Though these things may work for others, continually forcing yourself into them with the expectation that they Should make you happy too will only make you more miserable. Forget about trying to find deeper meaning in nonsense. Instead, find happiness in life’s little moments- hearing your favorite song, eating something delicious, witnessing a sunrise. These are small moments of joy, but they are joy still.

[@TommysGreatRevenge]

*3:20* i love this, it looks so ominous, especially the smile

[@negai_]

IKR that was an evil *** walk xD

[@kisuette]

I genuinely love how everything still remains weird to ENA herself and not to others. Like the ending with the... dog... man... thing. She's really hard trying to comprehend what the hell she is looking at -relatable- and Moony doesn't even question it.

[@iamwoke322]

the gmod ragdoll sounds got me laughing

[@Dogman_35]

Rude

[@Ech0Chamber]

She'll never understand what she's looking at. But she accepts that anyway.

[@userinker004]

theyre just that silly

[@bakatoaster6000-yt]

Moony is just chill like that

[@NecoLumi]

An observation: This is the first ENA video where we follow her from an isometric perspective, as opposed to a first person perspective. It also happens to be an episode where half of her face is literally separated from her body for most of the runtime. While I'm not sure if it was intentional, it lends to the vibe that ENA's quite literally not feeling like herself, as if she's outside of her own body.

[@thosebloodybadgers8499]

Statement: Yes! It fits within the interpretation of depressive feelings or other issues of mental health rather nicely, I feel Observation: Even more than that, this perspective also gives a constant view of the mask which pushes her forward. If the mask could be interpreted as Ena's repressed negativity, then one could say in that, the viewer and Ena are made aware of the theatricity of this and how the faked enthusiasm of the mask hides behind it a very real, if unconscious, push towards fixing this forced display and attempting to live in the present once more.

[@lkierzx]

@@thosebloodybadgers8499 Are you talking like Juno?

[@thosebloodybadgers8499]

@@lkierzx Objection: Negative, master. It is merely one of the quirks of my model.

[@doginthedark]

​@@thosebloodybadgers8499the way you are talking personally reminds me of HK-47

[@freitchetsleimwor2406]

That's always been the vibe tho, I'd say all of the character designs have this aspect of them with the face being distant from the body

[@lion_boi_ash]

Is it just me or is this clearly a representation of masking when you're neurodivergent? The way ENA is constantly struggling to keep up with her emotions and has trouble trying to adapt in her constantly changing environment definitely feels relatable as someone on the spectrum. Society tries constantly telling her to perform, yet when she has the chance to talk about her feelings, the mask disintegrates. She also cant begin to comprehend unpleasant sensations / feelings. Thoughts?

[@amayama623]

You cant read into ena, only watch

[@lindenbree9188]

Yeah, the masking metaphor seemed pretty on the nose to me. The rest of it though still feels like an abstract fever dream of nonsense. It could be a metaphor for depression in which you can't find joy, or perhaps autism or alexithymia, where you struggle to recognise your own feelings. But that's just this episode... most the series still seems like nonsense to me, so I'm not sure if it was meant to be neurodivergence the whole time

[@randomperson4915]

Honestly, as a neurodivergent myself? I totally agree. When I was in my early years of schooling, I remember having to hide my tics from the public like I was following some sort of script.

[@wingdingfontbro]

I see the mask as also some sorta parasite. It's not just a mask, it's attached to her, feeding off of her through veins. This was genuinely disturbing as it's like ena just... broke. A parasite burrowed itself between the cracks in ena's heart and started to, quite literally mask over her, a fake invader making you something your not. I guess the best way to describe this is ego-horror or identity-horror. It's like body horror but involves the crude manipulation and distortion of the psyche. As someone who is also on the spectrum, this hit a bit close.

[@Crystal_Drawings]

I thought about the internet lol But that makes sense too

[@McStebb]

I'm so glad we live in a time where creative tools are freely available and self-publishing is easy because we get to explore the VAST and UNIQUE worlds that are spun by creative visionaries like Joel. It's art in every sense of the word. I love it.

[@spiceo2]

Seems like ENA's happy side is a lot more aware in this video. Like, instead of facing every situation with the same cheery attitude, we see her feeling a range of "negative" emotions without switching straight to sadness- such as being confused or underwhelmed, and generally a little less extroverted than usual. Not just that, but she's also thinking a lot more reasonably, with moments where she actually questions why things are happening or where she is, when normally she'd just go along with anything (you can also see this in her greater variety of expressions). It's really interesting to see!

[@stitchthelilo]

yesss im so glad someone else noticed this! the happy side was definitely less extroverted this time, and felt way more emotions, especially negative ones, which is so intriguing.. so im interested as to where this will go as it definitely isnt a one off thing

[@CounterCurseMantra]

The mask of denial

[@GameBreaker1055]

The mask that was so gluttoning for fun seemed to had her sad side quit literally eaten up. Only once it got detached, did her sad side return

[@novamoon5083]

ENA seems a lot more emotive now, and more sure of what she does and does not want. Seeing both sides of her essentially have a conversation (blue mask and yellow side of face) was very interesting. I think ENA is amazing, honestly.

[@letssaveourplanet5738]

not only that, but also she seems to be committed to finding some sort of meaning like happiness. Also, the crazy emotions disappeared, probably meaning that she has solved the drinking problem in extinction party.

[@TayoEXE]

Wait, there's an actual story to all of this? I thought it was just chaos.

[@fwromel]

​@@TayoEXEyou just gotta analyze it lol

[@charismaentertainer1657]

@@TayoEXEit’s orderly chaos believe it or not

[@Asiya__Devorak]

​@@TayoEXEit is chaos but the more deep we go the more meaning we give it and gain more questions as well. Kinda like with life in general?

[@vindi167]

2:55 the corners pulse when ƎNA says "Wowie!" update: i just realized that's for EVERY text box

[@zoltanvarga3109]

One thing I love about Ena as a whole, is that it's never on the nose; there are so many twists and turns, and yet there's a solid story, and perhaps even message to be found. But, I suppose part of the fun is not knowing if those things are there at all. I could just be making it up. No matter what one chooses to believe they watched, I had fun! Amazing work as always! Ena never seems to disappoint as a series.

[@maplerose5468]

Huge props to Griffin Puatu, the new VA for Ena’s happy side! They did an incredible job! So excited to see Ena back!

[@Stroyer09]

What happened to the old actor?

[@--Ch3rry-B1oss0m--]

​@@Stroyer09he was exposed for some nasty stuff. i recommend just looking it up

[@AlexParr]

​@@Stroyer09Trust me, you don't wanna know.

[@funkemonke3767]

@@Stroyer09they were a creep

[@l_zzie.]

@@Stroyer09their ex girlfriend spoke out about how terrible, disgusting and abusive they were to her

[@XSunpawX]

small detail i liked: when Ena greets the bunny dancer, Ena asks for her to 'sing her towards the fun', which on its own is a quirky way to ask for directions, but then you realize that the bunny actually 'sings' along with the music and Ena knows this because they've met already!

[@_tinsel_7979]

I kinda wanna cosplay the bunny dancer

[@XSunpawX]

do it, her design is really gorgeous!@@_tinsel_7979

[@DaisyFlowuh1014]

What's her name????

[@karluchapro4062]

@@DaisyFlowuh1014 i think is ivy

[@DaisyFlowuh1014]

@@karluchapro4062 omg tyy

[@sanstheskeleton6791]

The ENA series looks like a video game id want to play

[@BandLBestiebros]

SAME! 🟨◾️🟦◼️🔷️🟡⬛️🔘🔲🔳💠▫️▪️

[@kadonaut_]

thankfully theres gonna be one soon, its called dream bbq

[@Jack_Woods]

I like seeing ENA confused at something for once, it's so rare yet it feels like one of the few familiar things you get to share with the character after so many instances of just getting shaken along in this abstract ride of concepts everyone in this universe seemingly don't even question and take as ordinary

[@calnecalx]

ITS BEEN 96 YEARS ENA FANS RISE UP

[@foxysparrot]

ARISING

[@Solesteam]

Unfortunately most of them are in urns as dust because it's been so long.

[@vinylbird]

RISEEE

[@childeofepickness]

I HAVE AWOKEN

[@_jeni]

Rises audibly

[@Tesl8n]

So, one of the things about Ena is that she mostly talks with her happy side. Like, throughout all of the videos so far, the happy side gets the most lines, especially of lines that actually move conversations forward or serve to interact with others. The sad side gets comedic asides and bits that mostly go ignored, or are treated as annoying and rude by the other characters. And that goes for this video as well - in fact, Ena doesn't use her sad side at any point up until the mask is destroyed. Given the mask is credited as a different character, and that it doesn't use the same dialect (the uwu speak) of her sad side, I'm going to count that as not her sad side speaking. But the emotional climax of this one seems to be about Ena denying her sad side, masking it for the sake of others, and seeking happiness at the sad side's expense. And the biggest line in this video was the sad side's, acknowledging her true negative feelings rather than the performative thing she does normally. Idk if that's going to end up meaning something for her sad side going forward (especially considering the game is eschewing happy/sad for a different pairing). But it have some interesting interplay with previous videos, at least.

[@clawcakes2]

girlie pop had character development!

[@ScripulousFingore6133]

Seems anxiety is only a temporary distraction for her

[@Nobynoby2763]

I wouldn't use the word masking since it has a connotation with recent internet culture, even if it is literally a mask.

[@hat-desu]

@@Nobynoby2763 On the contrary, it's probably better to use it more in the correct way so that it does not gain a connotation.

[@obwan1]

​@@Nobynoby2763 bro masking is literally a term, it being a mask is a metaphor for the word masking, used in the sense to hide the truth of your emotions on the matter. its irrelevant to anything else going on

[@yalony]

0:17 -May i see it? -Nope. *end*

[@zcramblo]

Aurora borealis

[@drealidia]

deltarune reference?????

[@yalony]

@@drealidia No. In any way

[@drealidia]

@@yalony Ah. I see.

[@TaikoIsReal1273]

7:14 after he said that my PC violently crashed because of some overheating problems I've been having... Needless to say my soul left my body (for how loud it was) and I think the universe was sending me a message.

[@jetstreamjackie3437]

i think the mask represents “masking”-hiding your true sadness behind a veneer of false joy. This whole journey, Ena was searching for fun. And while the mask outwardly seemed to enjoy it all, Ena’s normally happy side was always confused that they weren’t feeling the same. “I don’t recognize this strain of joy.” It’s only when she finally allows her sad side to speak that the mask finally cracks and Ena becomes herself again. Ena is depressed, and is looking for some way to escape-which is why she’s been visiting this place “over and over”. But at the end she leaves, accepting that this facade will never make her truly happy

[@Iyannah15]

You ever read a comment and go « damn they put it perfectly Im now gonna adopt thier train of thought to better understand/explain this perspective » because this is one of them. CONGRATS!

[@ninjireal]

I think this also says in a very layman way that without sadness there can’t be happiness.

[@luna_872]

I love how you found logic in the illogical.

[@king2.0smods17]

One that that stood out to me regarding the mask is that it seems rather parasitic. Notice how its attached to ENA's sad side via a veiny tether that it uses to drag ENA along, and yet when ENA's sad side reemerges and admits her problems, the mask turns grey and dies. In other words, it only has power over ENA because she allows it to, and when she decides to try being herself again, the mask loses all it's power over her.

[@Finita_LucoMedia]

Also the mask is moving just like Moony in the beginning of the third episode at 1:55 🤔

[@lite8230]

6:10 I like how for the first time we see both personalities coming together and not interrupting each other. Happy begins his somber sentence and sad seamlessly finishes it, as if they agreed to throw the mask away.

[@RMOB]

And at the begining of the video both "speak" at same time the samething. (Don't remember that happening in others videos.)

[@moony8842]

I also noticed that happy was talking about things that bring joy to the brain, like pleasure and excitement. While sad, talks about the more pessimistic and repressed part of their phrase, like they began to understand themselves, but still used their own personalities.

[@extraterrestrialcontent]

Omg that’s what was different!

[@leonardomadera3157]

Naah, we see them doing that in temptation stairway. Look out for the first turron scene, and then when after entering the runas for the first time

[@Gacha_Nazrinofficial]

​@@leonardomadera3157They meant that both happy and sad side was talking

[@AymenZero]

3:20 this scene goes hard tho

[@fairy.lights]

6:35 she has been coming to the drug dealer to buy drugs

[@micklemackle207]

That ending was strange It was as if Ena was becoming self aware of her existence and realizing how chaotically awful it must feel to exist in this digital nightmare world.

[@MeloniestNeon]

Yeah, I really like the consistent theming of Ena just not quite fitting in, like she's unfamiliar with how the place she's seemingly always lived in works. The dog man is both unexplained to the viewer and to Ena, and I love the consistency of her being presented in a videogame-y way with us in the position of the player, despite our lack of control, all soon coming to a head with Dream Barbeque where we actually ARE playing as her.

[@parvitz]

@@MeloniestNeon Well, i think it's confimed it won't be the ENA we know. ENAs are confirmed to be a species, and Joel himself has said the ENA from Dream Barbeque (aka ENA Season 2 Episode 1) is a whole another ENA. I guess that if they ever make other seasons, they'll make more ENAs.

[@ScatterSocks]

She does this in almost every episode too, it’s definitely something note worthy

[@MeloniestNeon]

@@parvitz I know, I just mean the consistent theming will have its payoff in us finally playing as "an" Ena, even if it's a different... Subspecies??? than usual, lol.

[@BlueAmpharos]

Everyone talking about Digital Circus when ENA was the original 90's-early 2000's era digital nightmare world series. This series deserves so much more attention.

[@WTheKnight]

words to a friend when explaining this video: I think it was ENA seeking this figment of fun they heard so much about. They understand the surface level of self expression, posters, films, and even silent plays and choreography. They wanted to go onto stage and advance through the acts to get to that forespoken FUN. They felt the need to show off a mask of FUN to even get into the playhouse - but they never achieved it. And that deeply bothered them. I believe the therapy💀guy saw this - heck a lot of other playgoers saw this, the lack of fun ENA displayed - and gave ENA some words of advice. "Fun is quite the elusive varmint. But remember: it is never lost forever." what's even sadder to me is that ENA had to ditch Moony and her other friends to get into the playhouse, like they felt ashamed or embarrassed to hide this side of themselves, like they would be a social reject if they didn't always be all peppy, zany, and wacky. So they play on the idea of "oops, I did not know I was supposed to run afterwards" when confronted. But yeah, that's at least my idea of it. I heavily relate to ENA a lot, especially about presenting that mask she carried around... and then Moony shoved stuff into her weird cube hole lMAO.

[@sunrisejackdaw1779]

So you don't enjoy putting things in your cube hole?

[@Js_Marley]

Ena’s a girl, not a they (just saying)

[@drujam1766]

@@Js_Marleypeople can use they regardless of gender, it’s not strictly within pronouns

[@PeriluneStar]

​@@Js_MarleyIt's okay if they used they, it's easy to get confused about Ena's gender because of her different voices

[@some-tiny-little-idiot8862]

Isn’t ENA like…two entities in one? You’re both right okay?

[@Greennoob2]

I love that the plot is starting to connect and resolve. It didn't seem possible with how wacky and unspoken everything else is. I'm extra excited now

[@cherryperson6783]

Can I just throw all my love and appreciation for this episode? It's LONG, so just sayin. Personally it's been my favourite so far. From the soundtrack, npc's, desings, to the message. The music was absolutely beautiful and fitting for this webcore series. The new characters here are so cool, literally my favourites out of the bunch. The fact that their dialogue sounds are "part" of the music makes it so much better, and don't even get me started on the desings. The bunny woman, the fact she is like split in several places makes it so cool to me. The water creatures that speak through a head coming out of their mouth and projecting the mouth like a film??? This is so original and awesome. I love the fact that the film is literally a moving mouth. The shadow-skeletons are kind of drowning in all of this but I absolutely love therapist's voice. His conversation with Ena is a really good finale to Ena's journey in that place. The whole shtick with them ripping a part of her face is really interesting, even if it doesn't mean anything, I'm adding it to my lore theories. And finally, I was afraid I wouldn't see Moonie but here we are. Overally I love this episode and can't wait for dream bbq

[@MeloniestNeon]

This is such a fascinating in-universe breakdown of Ena as a character, managing to be just a bit more comprehensible than usual while still providing no concrete lore or answers. I love how the mask was used to cover up and detach Ena's sad side while also showing that the two sides aren't always as clear as they seem, a wonderful continuation of the story from Temptation Stairway! Also Moony just grabbing literally anything she can find and stuffing it into her weird eye hole thing is such a great bit, I love it.

[@anoyint]

Agreed on every point you made!

[@Ech0Chamber]

Having more ENA screen time in the first place is all the lore I'll need.

[@daviddebroux4708]

You have 666 likes as of 1436 PST, 28 Nov 2023 I must say: one has invoked the number of the beast.

[@ReturnOfQwari]

​@@daviddebroux4708within less than 5 minutes, that number has increased by over half its value

[@PopfulFrost]

I love how, for as weird as ENA herself is, even she has moments where she's baffled by the world around her.

[@maddrumsticks]

Strangely enough, this episode feels the most real and relatable episode. It's a weird feeling, to say the least.

[@FandomShifts]

The joy is a lie if it’s not paid in tears.

[@Jake28]

seriously, ENA keeps progressively becoming more and more like a rational human person and it's weirding me out

[@randomnoob101flyhightweek]

ong

[@yello784]

yeah it's a little unsettling

[@user-fu5ey3to3o]

久々に見返しに来てみたら何か更新されてんだけど！？会いたかったぞぉENAァ!!!!!

[@derbydali]

Vlif and Joel are like peanut butter and jelly. This is animation history in the making i feel ngl, like what peter chung or mike judge were for 90s tv is what Sr Pelo and Joel or VLIF are now. Ilysm for giving your talents your much deserved love and care

[@kufgeo]

Who knew that a pile of skulls could be a better therapist than his licensed counterparts

[@TheSilly6403]

What kind of therapists do people on the internet go to... I've never heard a single good thing said about them

[@MrLastlived]

@@TheSilly6403 There are a lot of different approaches to how a therapist may approach therapy, and some people are more receptive to different formats than others. If it works, I feel like a person is less likely to go spilling out about it because it just feels like becoming normal and 'ok'. If it doesn't work though, it makes a person feel unfixable or their condition worsens over the time used. Since the negatives are dramatic and the upside is just stopping the negatives, more people are liable to complain. There's also a few forms of analytical therapy styles that don't 'feel' like the therapist necessarily fixed you, so much as gave you the right kind of push in the right direction and then you figured the rest out for yourself. The type of therapy that worked on me for instance didn't necessarily fix me, *I* fixed me using the therapy. I was simply given a handful of definitions that I was able to use to re-contextualize my emotional problems into something I was able to use and understand under my own light. As such even though it worked for me, I would never really say that to anyone offhand. I would just talk about the journey itself without the context of mentors who lit the path, if that makes sense.

[@silversforest]

Who’s to say they aren’t licensed?

[@trustytrest]

​@@TheSilly6403Never tried an internet therapist. I have gone to IRL therapists before. One of em was a religious hardliner who believed only prayer worked to solve anything, and if the problem wasn't solved from it then clearly you didn't pray hard enough. He would tell literal schizophrenics to just pray and listen to whatever "signs" that "God communicates through".

[@TheSilly6403]

@@trustytrest that is pretty bad, i am a Christian myself but i know that God doesn't solve problems that way

[@clochard4074]

The social pressure to perform a role, the difficulty in understanding the emotions of others and their own, I'm scared how ENA makes more and more sense each time.

[@kaxcommentssomethingREAL]

she's getting smarter if she wasn't already, becoming sentient each passing episode i feel like... but sadly i don't think we'll see more about _this_ Ena for a long while. very much loved this episode, the game is also going to be such a fever dream to watch

[@wetheepiphany]

Random thought but y'know how ENA seems to be struggling to find satisfaction or happiness in all of these episodes (with her trying to achieve a goal as a form of happiness achievement or purpose)? You think Moony, despite her confident and brash exterior, is also struggling to find happiness/satisfaction in her own way? One of the key details about Moony's design is the big square shaped hole in her face, which is always carrying something different in it- as anything that goes in never stays forever. It's like she's trying to fill a void in herself (literally, but perhaps also metaphorically) but the pieces she tries to put in there do not fit (or she herself ends up throwing them away, like she did with the red piece in this episode). Moony is also shown to be very willing to grab/steal things that belong to other people in order to fill the hole, such as the zipper guy's...guy at the end of this episode, or the Shepherdess' staff + a mannequin person's limb in Temptation Stairway. Maybe she's willing to steal things from other people to fill the void, in hopes that the things that make other people happy/complete will make her happy/complete? ENA's search for happiness is shown in a very emotion/character based way, but she's also our focus character- perhaps Moony's own search for happiness is also happening in the background, never shown emotionally since Moony acts so brashly outwardly, but rather in Moony's actions ENA and Moony also both lose critical details of their designs in the finale of Temptation Stairway: ENA's body becomes entirely yellow (losing her iconic two-toned palette- losing the blue side of her that represents sadness), while Moony's entire old design is lost when she develops a humanoid body that barely resembles her old self (and lacks the square hole she's always trying to fill)- and these are both implied to be the combined results of a wish to the Great Runas and the winner of their race paying the debts of the loser (a wish that would presumably give the winner/wisher happiness, and repaying the debts of the loser would presumably also give the loser happiness) I dunno...maybe that's just a bunch of nonsense but just a shower thought I had XD

[@CaptainGancena]

Upon seeing this a second time (both times without the subtitles, which outright show what I'm about to mention), I can *hear* Moony screaming at ENA to run after she ring-rongs the bell. And I found it *hysterical*.

[@ThatSmolFloof]

Only Joel would give us a whole new animation as an apology for a delay with his game

[@Harper-Totally]

Even under the pressure of not being able to release the game, a new episode was produced with the same quality and enjoyment of the series.

[@dryeraseboredom3645]

Can I just say, from someone who adores art history, I just love all the character designs with inspirations from cultures around the world.

[@berhonkusbardledoo]

As well as the nonsense

[@dryeraseboredom3645]

@@berhonkusbardledoo Yes, as well as the nonsense. Adds to the beauty of it.

[@PrideEepy64]

It appears a certain yellow thing I can’t say his name is no more ENA Now it’s a new fella I hope this works out well

[@MaeIsOkay]

Oh outside of Ena I didn't realize the characters designs were inspired by stuff like that. Do you mind saying which characters were inspired by what?

[@Ech0Chamber]

That's the fascination behind this internet webcore aesthetic. It's multi-cultural from focused early internet history. Makes me happy to know others appreciate that :)

[@queefcheif9306]

Any one gonna mention how seamlessly Joel G can add in and work with so many different kind of animation styles in such a mismatch late 90's early 2000's internet style of a game akin to Alice in wonderland

[@irusuferal3834]

ive been watching this everyday because I haven't gotten this kind of motivation for art since I was a teen, and its truly inspiring

[@Yormunzumr]

"Every time, I acknowledged the enjoyment and pleasure... and all I got were incomprehensible feelings... and this lousy mask." Normally ENA as a series is a mostly incomprehensible word-salad in its dialogue, but this line in particular resonated with me on a deep level.

[@Celeste-hu5vg]

Neurodivergent moment

[@darlananaa]

Ena is so relatable, she looks for happiness in this episode but its all just so absurd to her while everyone else enjoys it, shes different in some way from the others, even though she probably isnt, she FEELS different, it FEELS different and weird for her, everything is weird for her while shes just as weird, i also like her friendship, she finds her friend weird but they still hang out and seem to get eachother on a level where ena enjoys her company and even visits her

[@zombathinlostleghackercat5233]

"WOOOOOAAAAH!!! *I'M* THE GIFT!!" Is still the cutest and most heartwarming line in this entire series to me.

[@AmunRa1]

I also relate to that so much. As someone on the spectrum I often feel like I'm just wired different than everyone around me. I've often been in situations where everyone around me is laughing and having fun, and here I am clearly NOT having fun, and trying to figure out WHY I'm not enjoying the situation like everyone else, yet at the same time trying to wear the mask of someone who is having fun.

[@lxmesoda]

me when i hear people talking about gender envy

[@jjadac3529]

From the first ENA episode to this one just feels like a journey of someone slowly realizing their mentally ill and that jist male me feel seen beyond belief, thank you Joel G you truly made a masterpiece ❤❤

[@kleindirndlfein]

The physical collision noises at the end cracked me up

[@theoriginalrandomman]

I think the joy she doesn't recognize is the prank her friend keeps dragging her along to participate in. The mask comes from trying to fit in, trying to get the same fun out of it that her friend does. The therapy is in finally understanding that she really doesn't get anything out of all this.

[@Himynameisnotcarpet]

Ooh, that’s a fun take.

[@ayline131]

That makes a lot of sense

[@smudgethemonster9194]

8:39 the perfect place to hide a dead body

[@Jellyselfhat]

100% fr

[@smudgethemonster9194]

@@Jellyselfhat ikr

[@Kat_TheENAfan]

Can't wait to get my Moony plush, I don't have any place to put the remaining limbs in 😊

[@isyaamsplaysroblox]

​@@Kat_TheENAfanI love ur pfp

[@yashiro-nene195]

JAJAJAJAJ

[@user-ny6et1fp5e]

I like how ENA doesn’t question strange “connection” place, she’s more confused because thing that supposed to bring her joy didn’t do it for her. It’s really relatable, even if her world itself is very wacky.

[@Hatsumemiku313]

I truly find this series interesting with the character designs and stories are very good as well!

[@LaggerKnight]

6:51 "Fun is quite the elusive varmint - isn't it? But remember: it is never lost forever. Often, the greatest of fun can be found in the little moments." Wise words indeed.

[@EngineerMonkey-zp3yj]

Thank you, skull.

[@caioalves8110]

How little are they tho???

[@kerropinii]

@@caioalves8110as little as you need to have fun

[@caioalves8110]

@@kerropinii That's a really good answer

[@carpamart1896]

I think skull represents this: 💀💀💀

[@BL4RG4N]

I love that Moonie's distorted voice is shouting "RUN!" at the beginning and "ENA RUN!" When she starts snapping out of the trip.

[@lexo632]

The question is, what was that zip-dog thing?

[@rancholotl3384]

@@lexo632 *nacho*

[@Game_Hero]

"I-NA"!

[@BL4RG4N]

​@@Game_HeroUUUUUUGH Whatever, I'm over it

[@8QueenArt8]

Maybe ENA mistakes “run” for “fun”

[@Memi_749]

In 7:32 I heard *BRUHHHHHHHHH* actually

[@leahthebearyLVz]

IM SCREAMING CRYING AND VOMITING

[@kellanshiloh2778]

The punchline is hilarious. Can we have more of ENA not understanding how pranks work?

[@il-dottore]

"More lies! More lies! Why does everybody keep. LYING TO ME!?" "INNA there wasn't any peanut brittle. AND PUT IT BACK! the whole point of it, was THEY open the can, AND THEY GET SCARED!"

[@pearlyp9898]

Some thoughts on this wonderful episode. This seems to be a clear continuation of some sort to Temptation Stairway. Remember how ENA seem even more overwhelmed than usual in that ep? Even to the point of being downright suicidal with some of the comments she made... and at the very end, once they've seemingly reached the Runas, her blue side has suddenly disappeared. It makes me think that the wish that ENA made was to get rid of her sadness, finding it too much to bear. But as Ulysses warned her... desires are never fulfilled nor quenched. So she hasn't gotten rid of her problems, not really. She's just literally 'masked' them now. And as a result of this repression, even her happy side isn't as bright as it used to be - now more passive and doubtful, downright confused on how, no matter how much she searches for happiness, it seems so far out of reach now. She feels utterly out of place in this world that she used to fit right into, even if it overwhelmed her at times. Because how can you feel connected to what's around you if you don't even feel connected to yourself? And while that's all obvious enough - I wanted to try and theorize a bit on the different acts here, too, and what they mean. Before the acts even start, we meet the Bunny, who says "What a stink! That is not the essence of merriness... aren't you entertained enough?" Irl, there's plenty of people who make comments like that towards depressed people. _What's with the long face? Why aren't you happy? You have everything you need, right? Your life is good, right? Quit moping, you're bringing the mood down..._ and sentiments along the sort. That's just what that made me think of. Now, the first act is a bunch of pipes connecting - "Connections and bonds that are meant to transmit cheerfulness", as ENA puts it. And the immediate first thing that came to my mind, both from the visuals and the wording, are... the neural pathways in our brains. Whatever is wrong with ENA, it's obviously neurological, as all mental illnesses/disorders are, and it's not something that you can just 'think' away. There is something legitimately different in your brain. "I don't recognize this strain of joy." Before the second act, we meet the lady in the wall, who is crying. ENA, almost accusatory, asks her "aren't you supposed to be cheering?", as if she has come to believe that emotions, the 'bad' ones at least, are a inherently, well... bad. And the lady just replies that these tears are from joy, and that this happiness isn't one that can be bought. I think this represents what it's like to truly be able to experience your emotions in full - unembarrassed, and not caused by anything like drugs or any other addictions... just fully so happy you could cry. But, of course, ENA can't understand that concept yet. Which we see in the second act - the one that supposedly made the lady that happy, and one that ENA can't comprehend at all. "Am I the one the rhythm can't catch?" _Am I just the odd one out here?_ If we're stretching the metaphors, we could also extrapolate that the mask's line of "the entire universe is waltzing with me" has a sort of meaning of feeling connected to the world around you and stuff... and I could try to explain what the visuals mean, but that might be digging too far even for me, lol. Important thing is, again, ENA struggles to find joy in things others can. The third and fourth act, is a "story of silent movements." A performance. I think this represents ENA trying to go along and _pretend_ to be happy even if she can't feel it inside. Maybe if she just looks the part, if she gives out something to the world, it'll help, right? But... "Though I feel the gratification of the audience, I can't feel any change in me." She can try to be happy for others, but she _can't_ fake it 'till she makes it, not on this. All that it makes her realize is, in contrast, how miserable she feels deep down. "Hey... how could a chore like this jollify someone, anywho?" That's all that this is to her, at this point. A chore - anything that seems fun just feels like a chore to her now. This could be many things - art, performing, eating, waking up in the morning, meeting with friends... when you're depressed, things that would bring you joy normally no longer do, and you're left just cruising, forcing yourself into things. And that can be... very tiring. Notice how the mask falls, when she says that. She's finally out of her denial. And then she, quite _literally,_ goes to therapy LMAO Which, the fifth act speaks for itself, I think, and this comment is already WAYY too long so I'll just end it here lol If anyone actually read this - hi and have a virtual cookie, thank you 🍪 Gosh this series is amazing

[@splitendautumn]

good comment

[@pearlyp9898]

@@splitendautumn thank you kind commenter 👍

[@catsinwonderland7473]

I think this comment is definitely onto something, if not you at least added some pretty insightful commentary. Besides, overanalyzing is fun. The only issue is that, that Game Theory guy gets paid to do it and we don't...

[@aliensfromearth5270]

This was worded amazingly, thank you.

[@sparthucket6320]

you need an award. absolutely heroic how you wrote all that 🎖

[@handfulofmushrooms1135]

8:35 me when I have to look at something far away without my glasses (I have myopia)

[@Rainy_traffic__cone]

I’m so confused… BUT IN LOOOVE!!!😊

[@AloeHalo]

This type of fun is of the highest quality! I love how " fun " equates to being happy in this one, and how the " sad mask " seems to represent some form of forced positivity, tho i'm not sure how it came to be now if Ena didn't make it herself

[@Game_Hero]

the mask is litterally distached from her

[@AloeHalo]

wait how did i get so much attention lol

[@AloeHalo]

@@Game_Hero It did replace sad ena for most of the video, so i interpreted it as that

[@Game_Hero]

@@AloeHalo exactly, litterally detached from her emotions

[@AloeHalo]

@@Game_Hero I made an edit, It should be more accurate now, salutations as I go to sleep!

[@hunterloxar0269]

It’s insane how much talent goes into Ena. Absolutely no dissatisfaction coming from any Ena video.

[@Stoobid666]

I don’t like how moony casually absorbs another…living being (?) into herself and just says “WhAaaAaAtT?”

[@trulyinfamous]

I have never seen anything ENA related other than seeing what the character looks like, but this is one of the most impressive animations I have ever seen.

[@irgendwer3610]

interesting how the previous ENA episodes weren't trying to say anything, they were just completely surreal, this one does have a message

[@billyharris2794]

It is possible to derive meaning from the previous ENA episodes, it's just that this one is far more explicit in its symbolism.

[@FoolMisinfo]

Her last episode before this one(Temptation stairway) actually did have quite some meaning and symbolism regarding the past and past lives thats at least the theory people had of. Meanwhile i believe the only one that holds no symbolism is extinction party so far but i might be wrong.

[@DoltonI]

​@@billyharris2794It's possible to derive meaning from anything.

[@billyharris2794]

@@DoltonIExactly, actually. _Nothing_ is trying to say nothing. Even if you attempt to say nothing, in doing that you'll in fact be trying to say something about the need for art to say something.

[@irgendwer3610]

@@FoolMisinfo honestly I just interpreted it as too vague to be concluded as actual symbolism, and a lot of people were really stretching to get something out of it. Like people said above, you can derive meaning from anything even if there is none

[@chewing782]

I love watching the very beginning in hindsight so much: both of ENA's voices talking in unision, and the psychedelic animation of her pressing the doorbell.

[@Ignite-pd1ss]

Its actually Mooney telling her to run because they are pulling a prank

[@Y0lood]

@@Ignite-pd1ssWell yes but no, they are both talking of you listen

[@TENITSH]

ENA, in my eyes, is becoming more and more of the dichotomy of emotion and logic. in the past, though blue may have always been rather down, she kept the character grounded, while yellow excels at interacting with and understanding the logic of world. we got to see their inherent flaws from time to time through blues various breakdowns, and yellow not making sense of various actions, but here, they are both so far removed from their respective element that their flaws shine right on through. blue is quite literally masking the whole episode and pretending to be joyful, while yellow is way too logical to even comprehend what joy is supposed to be. and both of them in the end struggle with the same subject and find a sense of unity in this. like the therapist said, they both have to enjoy the little moments, even if the moments are too small for blue, and even if yellow may not understand these feelings.

[@domsooch]

"Without your permission, may I" 3:08 🤣🤣🤣

[@londonhogner6034]

3:21 The way she disappeared behind the curtain is iconic, I adore ALL of the ENA animations. What a true masterpiece!

[@twixysnicker7230]

IKR IT WAS MY FAVORITE PART

[@kerropinii]

ITS SO SATISFYING

[@chadspamton2159]

“Without your permission, may I check it out?” Followed by her not waiting for a response and just leaving was so funny to me

[@Nanami_Yuu]

Great work, Joel! I really love this series, your hard work should totally be applauded! ❤

[@LexV-xi5lj]

"Every time I acknowledged the enjoyment and pleasure...and all I got were incomprehensible feelings...and this lousy mask!" As a high masking autistic with mental health issues, I relate

[@CantusTropus]

Act 1 - "Connections and tubes" (social and personal connections, maybe specifically social media?) fail to make ENA happy. Act 2 - "The cosmic rhythm" (maybe representing music or art in general?) can't "catch" ENA - it doesn't provide the ecstatic bliss that it offered to the crying women earlier. Acts 3 & 4 - "Acting" or creating content for others to make them happy lets ENA see and acknowledge the joy that others feel, but still doesn't allow her to feel it herself. Yep, sounds like Depression.

[@rileycoyote4924]

In act 5, when she goes to therapy and the therapist says "because it's a joy that you still don't understand" makes me think that her possible depression is treatment resistant and linked with something more serious than the therapist can't help with. When the therapist says "you need not return here anymore" it feels like they mean: "You've been coming here for a very long time and even with all the work that we've put in, you don't seem to be getting any better. I don't think I can do anything for you.

[@SpinningScrewball]

​@rileycoyote4924 I also believe however, that ena is improving, she may not ever be like other people, but at least they're free of the need to act exactly like them either, the mask was a parasite, and although i don't know what it symbolizes, i do have a feeling ENA is better off without it

[@rileycoyote4924]

@@SpinningScrewball Yeah, I will admit that my interpretation of it is filtered through my own personal experiences.

[@doodlebro.]

didn't even have to finish it was so on the nose im hopeful that the ENA team doesn't go through that often, they just made an episode about it for people in need

[@mouwmmm9181]

After rewatching the other episodes, i realize that Ena is frequently sad, and plenty of times during the outbreaks Ena yells about wanting to die, but then apologizes afterwords or brushes it off, and her friend moony seems very self centered, not paying attention to the outbursts and just brushing them off aswell. Though maybe I’ve ignored the times Ena was happy?

[@shadangel47]

I find it interesting that ENA's mask seems to latch on to the blue half like a parasite, dragging ENA wherever there's supposedly fun, and while ENA herseld does understand why the inhabitants of the Acts find it joyful, she can't connect with it like they can. ENA finds fun simply hanging out with her friends, even if she doesn't understand some of the things they find fun. She can even find them weird. I like how this episode felt more focused on ENA's character, rather than it being ENA interacting and reacting to the environment, it's her reacting and speaking her thoughts on the fact now that her emotions have been somewhat subdued.

[@joelcombs7588]

I think the mask is meant to be like a "replacement" for her sad side, which is why it attached to her blue side, as an act of trying to make Ena have fun constantly. Once ENA’s sad side actually popped out, her mask fell apart. It’s like being depressed and taking drugs or alcohol-you think it’s helping you or making you feel better, but in reality, it isn’t.

[@starmaker75]

Yeah. To me, it can even be how high functioning neuro-divergent like me have to put a mask to be part of the neuro-typical world while you also can't get into. That just my interpretation. Again their different way to interpretation this episode that are valid.

[@themenestrel13]

I think this was my favorite ENA episode so far. I have a lot of difficulty understanding things, between messages and meanings, and I thought this ep would be the same, especially because ENA is a different type of media (I don't know what they call it). Lately I feel empty, I don't feel happy , and I desperately try to look for something that can entertain me and make me happy for a long period of time. I'm kind of desperate not to feel so sad, thinking about forcing joy and wearing some mask. But the skull man's message about happiness being in the little, little ones things brought me comfort, because really, when I'm least expecting it, the little things bring me comfort, I don't need to wait for the results to be huge and for me to feel complete, I can enjoy one little thing at a time, even if I'm suffering to not feel like this, like something is missing or that I should wear a mask all the time. I really needed that message, to know that just... It's okay.

[@pearlyp9898]

Agreed. Hope things get easier for you with time

[@themenestrel13]

@@pearlyp9898 Thank you!! I hope too :'))

[@MorangoComCerveja]

How did i just saw this video today?

[@PseudoSamurai686]

Good lord, seeing Ena's sad face be so forcibly happy reminded me so much of my own struggles with depression. The happy face being able to tell that this ain't right and the sad face just forcing it out the whole time... Feels weird. Thanks for making this Joel

[@Euanverse]

If there’s 1 thing that does give me joy it’s these wonderfully wild character designs

[@citley6042]

where can I go to become a shadow skeleton lol

[@user-cu4qi8yc6b]

Thinking of those weird characters must be so hard

[@floweytheflower5261]

I love when ENA uses phrases I had never heard before Also thought her personalities split apart with the sad one becoming the joyful mask

[@Banim]

The amount of creativity in the ENA series has always been so insane. The character design is out of this world. Every time there's a new episode I know I won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the game.

[@Game_Hero]

Skull therapist is my favourite! Yours?

[@MiIIiezz]

@@Game_HeroI absolutely loved the silhouette mage…skeleton…thing, couldn’t stop smiling when I saw it! Character design (along with everything else) is no doubt amazing.

[@zarlathevenecianwreck]

Ena searching through so many ways to find joy or pleasure, either through acting, hiding, a dance of death and displaying for others, mindless activities... It's kind of amazing how uncomfortable an abstract character can feel in a world of senslessness. I love how stuffy the building actually managaed to be, compared to outside. HOW DOES SOMEONE CREATE A STUFFY WORLD IN A PLACE OF RANDOMNESS??

[@CR34T0R]

ITS BEEN A MILLION YEARS-

[@HotFuss-gd9qr]

Well, the wait was worth it. The combination of 3-D and 2-D pixel animation truly exemplifies the digital polygonal dreamscapes of ENA's world. I also love that we get a little more insight into ENA. Her happy and sad sides are slowly fusing together which intrigues me. Also, I love the message of finding happiness in the smallest of moments. Overall, this is a masterpiece. Great work, Joel!

[@lasagna3289]

Thanks to 7:40 & 8:40, we finally know what the deal is with Moony having random objects in her eye is! She just grabs random things and stuffs them in there. Can't believe people were theorizing that she killed the shepherd from Temptation Stairway...

[@clawcakes2]

moony didn't kill shepherd, just grabbed her cane on the way out LMAO

[@justinkianaalfredo6843]

She ate the man who was previously eaten by the dog anomaly

[@c0l0rslayer31]

That little animation with ena walking backwards was so devious. I love it

[@d4rln_snstr534]

It's also so satisfying to watch for some reason😭

[@TillianN-ew5nz]

EVERY ENA FAN STILL STANDING 👇

[@pyxesghost1426]

" *sniff * like, how little they are?", lool Ena is so good