Gaze of the Abyss - Dainsleif vs the Abyss Siblings [Genshin Anime Short from Hoyofair 2023]

Gaze not long into the abyss, lest it gaze back into you.
Separated from each other 500 years ago, the Travellers are brought together once more by an inter-dimensional power. But their fateful reunion is cut short by Bough-Keeper Dainsleif, a former companion of the Traveller, who fights to thwart the Abyss Order's sinister plot.
Will Dainsleif be able to save his friend from the darkness's call? Or will he too succumb to the endless void?
___________________________________________________
Massive thanks to everyone on the animation team:
EVAKOI - / evakoiani
aditya - / adityar51253736
Kurolee - / kurolee97
Sirbirbsalot - / sirbirbsalot
Romario Clarke - / raizakii
delta - / delta_0512
gin - / ginyoagoldie
Igor Oleynikov - / igoroleynikov2
Kitani - / kita_ni_
Moose - / moosey96
Jengkay - / jengkayart
chai - / chaiold
Nikolay - / nikolaikutuzov
Victoriavoid - linktr.ee/syringavoid
Kuroshiio
Also big thanks to everyone involved in background art!
K3nzoteruya - / k3nzoteruya
Perdizzion - / perdizzion
Suto - / akkaccel
ditanoka - / ditanoka
Lux - / lux_arts_
Last but not least, our amazing sound design team:
MicRezAudio - / micrezaudio
Skelktons - / skelktons
amenemone - / amenemone

[@nabhanhosyn3944]

i have a feeling Dainsleif was feeling really MOTIVATED during this fight bro turned into vergil with the flying swords

[@Vergil232]

You called me.

[@nabhanhosyn3944]

@@Vergil232 *BURY THE LIGHT INTENSIFIES*

[@puppetmaster8819]

Dainsleif used Mirage Blades and pulled a Storm Blades move from Vergil

[@mihacimpric745]

​@@nabhanhosyn3944IMMORTAL TEMPTATION

[@user-pk3ly7fp1z]

I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

It's really heartbreaking how both Lumine and Aether are in synch with their abilities, but only through mind manipulation.

[@KingKevin2024]

​@@Raine_Rayne_Raenethey were manipulated by the abyss

[@angelsigiloso3198]

Wait what? What are you mean?

[@j.d.clayborne5556]

​@@angelsigiloso3198 i believe what they're implying that the abyss twin is being controlled by the abyss itself or perhaps the sinner

[@angelsigiloso3198]

@@j.d.clayborne5556 Oh... it could be... but i don't think, Lumine wanted that we see the world by ourself before take a side, if she would been controlled by the abyss would taked us in that moment

[@saraheveraarts7937]

​@@j.d.clayborne5556I don't think the abyss sibling is the sinner. In chapter 3 act 6, the traveler sees events unfold through the sibling. The scene with the sinner implied that the sibling was persuaded by whatever that crystal is

[@EVAKOI]

Another Hoyofair, another work from us! Thank you everyone for watching!

[@KieruArt]

Fantastic work on keys and fx this time as well!

[@beezy3304]

Oh its you again. Good job!

[@CrackedPumpkim]

THIS IS ASTONISHING !!!! Amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥

[@OreoFlame]

i really loved lumines mirror fighting style, especially how you animated it. amazing work

[@fodoyusai8821]

Have you guys ever considered doing an animation for ORV? Seeing the HSY pfp you have

[@ThatOneGuyYaKnow]

Man Hoyofair really brings out all the God artists I love it!

[@hopeinvoked1822]

305 likes but no comments? Let me change that! 😎

[@aduckwashere8355]

628 likes and only 1 comment let me fix that

[@ezraanimusphere7673]

924 likes and only 2 comments let me fix that

[@uwu_ptc]

Omy goshhhh EPIC❤❤❤

[@Insomnia-ot1ef]

@@ezraanimusphere7673 1.3k likes and only 4 comments? lemme fix that grehehehehehehehee

[@akumu2225]

Both siblings siding with the Abyss is such a good concept!!!

[@KieruArt]

Thank you! Really it was just an excuse to design outfits for the two of them together yeah

[@controlcon]

this is what I imagine lumine wants aether to do at the end of his journey.

[@zerogear6049]

Eventually we will get to see some insane action when we have to side with Dainsleif or the twin but I think we have to save our twin from the abyss and Dainsleif will stand in our way but only to test our power to see if we have what it takes to save our twin. I wonder if our twin is on the same side as the Tsaritsa 🤔 they both want to bring down Celestia and will the Abyss help the Tsaritsa take down Celestia?🤔 2025/26 is gonna be good for Genshin

[@goddemon10]

wait what is that date ? @@zerogear6049

[@SuperWarriorcatslove]

​@@KieruArtIt's like the vision of a failed timeline. It's so scary and sad. But so cool visualized! Thanks for your hard work.

[@forscythejones8525]

The whole mirror fight scene is so well done. Plus I love the aspect of horror in this. Genshin has never truly explored that genre.

[@what-you-want-of-me-yt]

The dungeon with upside down statue was pretty horror, but that's not enough

[@calypselle2254]

genshin has explored the horror genre countless times, you must not read the story/lore

[@jcdentongaming1304]

@@calypselle2254 Yes but not enough

[@calypselle2254]

@@jcdentongaming1304 literally all of the lore for Teyvat is filled with horror themes, like every region has a terrifying backstory, again u clearly haven’t read the plot or the lore

[@jcdentongaming1304]

@@calypselle2254 Bro idk about you but having a dude who is corrupted by a God's remain and then he started killing people in inazuma ain't even that dark. sure its dark but there are worse things out there that they can do. And stop with the not reading lore accusation. I read the fucking item description in all souls game as a hobby ffs

[@HowlingMadness]

I absolutely love how they're in sync and when they break it, Dainsleif have to fight two different battles simultaniously.

[@Rayanfelt]

600-ый лайк

[@howisjason]

Dain and his reflection having to take on the twins is creative af. Your choreography is stellar too and not to mention the environment design OMG what a treat this was. Huge props 🙏

[@observer1799]

this

[@Dancho]

This truly captures the darkness of where I've been wanting the story of Genshin Impact to go. This animation is an absolute masterpiece!

[@Melotaku]

@@pending2381 ^exactly

[@xurek_mazino2836]

spoke my mind

[@playmobilegamescodm]

This is reality. Darkness. Why do we need darkness in game when we already have this terrible world? Is not game supposed to distract our attention from terrible world? If we see terrible things in game then might as well stay irl.

[@jps1873]

but I think this will never happening in the game, after 3 years we only have a little glinpse what it could be

[@SpenzOT]

@@jps1873 I dunno. They have been accelerating the more depressing aspects of the universe lately. I mean, Fontaine has a very high visible body count so far, something they haven't done in the past, and dark aspects such as the drug trade and sex trafficking are starting to creep into the actual story, instead of staying in either lore or world quests. I don't think the game can be as dark as some people want it to be, due to the broad audience they are trying to cater to, but I don't think the game will be hiding its darker aspects for much longer the closer we get to Celestia. I guess it all depends on how Fontaine's story will wrap up.

[@saif-gv6gl]

istg, your work is phenomenal, the fight choreography to the scale of whatever the fuk dainslef saw while falling down there was absolutely peak animation. this animation is crazy good.

[@KieruArt]

Thank you! We had lots of fun plotting out the mirror fights.

[@hansel6961]

An animation that lasts for only 2 minutes, but it makes you think where the story is headed in the future. I NEED KHAENRI'AH ALREADY!!!

[@simplenigel5608]

The detail at 0:32 is amazing, seeing how Lumine grabbed Dain by the hand like some apparition is a nice touch.

[@ezraanimusphere7673]

Lumine is giving me some serious Morgan vibes from FGO. And the fact Dainsleif barely escaped both the twins is so scary to think about. Wonderful work as always!

[@IsleyKoU]

That would mean Aether is proto saber then

[@user-eh9vv9su2x]

@@IsleyKoU soooo What about mordred

[@FifthTrumpet]

@@user-eh9vv9su2x sweet home khaenriah

[@JadeWasTaken]

@@user-eh9vv9su2xjust look it up later

[@IsleyKoU]

@@user-eh9vv9su2x uhhhh, best not to think about it.

[@elizabethk007]

The designs for the Abyss siblings was so cool! That last look between Dainsleif and the twins in the broken shards says so much

[@brennanwn]

0:23 - 0:54 Love how he’s fighting both Aether and Lumine at the same time.

[@GrimReaperTakeo]

Imagine that as a Dark Souls style bossfight You enter the bossroom and you screen turns into splitscreen. Fighting two bosses with different patterns while both affect your single control

[@Evil-V]

@@GrimReaperTakeoAether affects your HP while Lumine affects your stamina (restrained move or field of sight). If your stamina gets zero while being restrained by the shadows, one control (atk, evade, skill or ult) is disabled for 15s. If you get trapped again in disabled state, another control is disabled for 20/30s. In disabled state, you can't switch up and need to wait the end of the effects.

[@mihacimpric745]

Bro really fought the Starchildren to a standstill. Dude's a beast.

[@rottenpotat0]

And then Aether and Lumine fucked

[@tanodz7635]

@@GrimReaperTakeo , too hard. Just make it 2d and put a mirror in the background. It will be a lot easier since you don't have to switch your full attention to one of the screens.

[@kayleighdriessen]

Like anything else you've posted before, this is so gorgeous and epic, I for sure will rewatch this another few multiple times

[@jazz_intown4723]

I wouldn’t even mind both siblings siding with the abyss as long as they reunite... amazing work, literal chills omg

[@galaxytruth2823]

Dansielf could become new mc

[@ItzLunar_Pearl]

@@galaxytruth2823 I would honestly love that lmao

[@MihajloNastic]

Actually my opinion on lore is that i am on side with abyss they want their home back at any price and it is a bit similiar to kosovo serbia thing i am serb btw

[@bobylev-lu6us]

When Dain look in the shattered fragments and both siblings looks on him is such a great and creepy moment Like they know he's escaped from them but has nowhere to run, they find him anyway

[@Callmebackin1975]

The Abyss lore has got to be my favorite part of Genshin. This animation is just amazing.

[@temirnator]

Plot twist: Dainsleif is the real MC

[@omegaex2255]

dainsleif is just out of shape for being absent each year

[@Ctin23_3]

The mirror fight with the siblings is absolutely one of the most creative things I've seen! Truly amazing work 😍

[@onehalfmoon]

The character in the shadows, always fighting the shadows themselves...You did such a great job with Dain's character concept, his trauma, his motivations, his dedication, not to mention the fear he buries in his heart, 'What if they both turned to the Abyss?' I'm speechless. Thank you for you hard work, sincerely.

[@lazydoo8318]

this is so beautifully animated and GOD THE CHILLSSS R REALL

[@baritone_vocalist]

I knew Hoyofair was going to be good this time because of Kieru's trailer last week. Keep up the good work!

[@starmaker9804]

“A fate worse than death…” *To one who’s misfortune enough to relive the desolation of Khaenri’ah right before his very eyes* (Astonishing work of art this year as well! 👏)

[@oloyolopl]

This is a MASTERPIECE. The music fits so well. I would love for this to be what actually happens in the 7th act. The idea of the siblings both being on the 'bad' side seems so cool and fresh, instead of everything ending in a 'good' and happy way

[@nashwolf1731]

We got the Abyss ending. Damn now I gotta restart the game.

[@NitemareAfterKrismas]

The way this ended reminds me of this story that I’ve been writing, on and off since 2015. This has sent so many shivers down my spine. I wish i was able to spend at least 2 minutes, with the crew that created this masterpiece. Absolutely amazing.

[@uukiyo7099]

My dude can create a genshin Netflix anime and it would go crazy. Love the animations~!

[@ohmy-dooppyyy4923]

What scares Dainsleif more is the fact it hasn't happened - but there will always be a chance of it happening.

[@galaxpeace]

Just WOW, your fan animation is the one that gave me the most thrills and hype. Being a big fan of Dainsleif, I can only appreciate it! A big thank you to you and the staff, it’s sensational. You are a great source of motivation for me, thank you for brightening my day

[@WorstAbaYT]

the last shot of dain looking into the broken mirror shards actually gave me goosebumps

[@anexistingbeing621]

Im now starting to realise how much better and interesting it would be if Dainslef was the main character (Also this was an amazing animation because I can't imagine how much talent was poured into this)

[@galaxytruth2823]

It be interesting imagine him temporarily being mc for entire version 6 or 7 something next big update you try save sibling you picked as your mc

[@fethluna8641]

I love your animations so much!!!! I know this is not canon, but it is possible to see how the siblings we choose somehow got sick of the way teyvat runs, after its countless journey. It's a really interesting concept!

[@mitsuko0xidized]

I am speechless. This was stunning, exhilarating to watch, and the animation was so epic! Thank you so much for your hard work; it's so obvious that this was a labor of love!

[@flyingcow5235]

hoyofair restores my fate in genshin fandom. so glad there are so many talented people in our fandom! and the scene where lumine was fighting dainsleif through the mirror that was so cool

[@nicolas._.2294]

Ikr

[@magdalenakowalska1451]

Kieru, you're awesome. Thank you for this masterpiece ❤

[@zhenakolombini]

MY GOD, THIS IS JUST GREAT! The idea of ​​two twins going over to the side of the abyss is very good, and how you showed their fight is a separate art! I admire the ending, where Dainsleif during the fall got out of the mirror, and how the reflection of the twins changed to the reflection of Dainsleif. You are simply a genius, I admire you!

[@empathictitan9538]

looking at this, I’d totally side with the abyss

[@k-lara2219]

発表されてからホヨフェアの放送を凄く楽しみにしていました！ 素晴らしい作品をみせて下さりありがとうございます！応援しいてます🥳

[@AnlisiArt0103]

Это шедевр!!! Прикольная идея для анимации, Дайнслейф вообще красавчик. Спасибо вам за такую прекрасную работу!!😍

[@empty24r]

I had to watch this by continually pausing and unpausing to really appreciate the amount of time and effort really goes into this animation and at the end I was speechless insanely good🗿

[@GostW]

1 years and you created so many masterpiece like this! And the anime art style! Dude not gonna lie your animations give me motivation and high hope for genshin future and its anime. Thank you, for your hard work.

[@user-wr3rz6tf3x]

This is the best hoyofair animation ive ever seen! Great work to everyone that contributed! ❤

[@anya.k]

This is visually cooler than most studio-made anime fight scenes I've seen! I love this!

[@vietbluecoeur]

There genuinely isn't even anything I can think to say that hasn't already been said by everyone else. But I'll try: the work designed, produced, and animated by your team is always setting a new standard, and for me, it always manages to topple the last standard set by your last work. There's so much thought put into the choreography and creativity of ALL your works: from Cyno facing against the old gods to this, where the idea of the Abyss as a mirror and everything in it affecting the outer world as well is just absolutely phenomenal! Major applause to the sound design team as well, because I seriously think this one couldn't have hit as hard as it did without all the shattering glass and warping dimensions and heavy sounds of combat. Just bravo!!

[@eevytoshiro6084]

I love dainsleif kit and how both sibling were fighting With him, seeing the other in the mirror, the tension Was well created, also i like how aether wanted to reunite With his Sister trhough the mirror but then he seems to hesitate, followed by the purple eye glow and the evil pressence of the sibling, giving me to understand she controlled him.

[@ziephel-6780]

She has the same empty expression as Aether, I think their both being controlled by something

[@narukamishirou284]

Gotta say I love the part when all 3 of them were in the scene falling, Aether and Lumine went after Dain and Dain deployed his flying swords around them. For a moment there I thought I saw Dain targeting Lumine behind Aether so Aether withdrew to go back and save her only for both got struck at the same time, which was why Dain was able to escape them and the mirror dimension. At least, that's my perception. Everything was so quick even in 0.25x speed. I could be wrong though, but still cool anyway

[@Ishakai_]

The mirror fight is amazing love how you took that detail of lumine qnd aether mirroring eachother and turn into an amazing concept of literally fighting the reflection

[@Swellowing]

Dainsleif fighting aether while lumine in the mirror fights his reflection is crazy

[@SheetsInc]

This is the kind of storytelling that can only be told through a visual medium live video, I love it so much even at a conceptual level.

[@TechnoCookieNG]

I found this through an ad, and despite not knowing anything about Genshin, this blew me away.

[@Billyboy13422]

POV: You're the REAL villain of the game. Travelers: Are we the baddies?

[@jayjayx5x1]

…. It’s not just me that thinks that last scene is like a bridge and groom right? Like the positioning, and the way they are holding hands. Is king and queen vibes.

[@yoruno7se]

あまりに綺麗に動くからびっくりしちゃった……すごい……良いもの見せてもらいました

[@BLforBloodLoss]

I am in LOVE with all of your animations, they're so gorgeous and breathtaking, thank you so much for sharing them with us!!! Wishing you the best of the best, truly you all deserve it for the masterpiece you've created!

[@fiaaaaaaaaaa]

I ADORE EVERYTHING HERE!!! this is such a brilliant one omg

[@zerotrig8331]

the gasp at the end send chills through my whole body "oh shi-" kind of chills

[@ChanhNguyen-dk4ef]

Dain: "You just went full Abyssal. Never went full Abyssal."

[@selenela]

Мурашки по коже😳 Это просто невероятная анимация! Есть ли смысл ждать чего-то от аниме, когда фанатская анимация задаёт ТАКУЮ планку😮😮😮

[@adahiotaku]

Same thinking, if fan works are like this, what we can hope for anime?

[@sirjoan6645]

Там аниме делает ufotable, которые делают клинок, так что еще есть, что ожидать

[@nakano8412]

The viasuals, art, animation, sounds etc is perfection. Watched this over a bunch of times, really great work!

[@maximalwiner]

Воу, воу ВОУ, получилось это просто шикарно. 🎉. Анимация на высшем уровне. Даже не знаю что и сказать. Это шедевр.

[@observer1799]

I had to watch multiple times to get all the little details. Truly amazing work!

[@lysfranc8782]

Everyone did such a lovely job and beautiful animation or songs again for this Hoyofair but your work was my favourite. So breathtaking, the music, the animation! Love the designs of the Abyss twins and the way they fight. The end gave me shivers when they look back at Dainsleif

[@herrcemacu]

this is just unbelievably good

[@IIlIllIlIIIlIllllI]

what in the actual fuck- How on lords galaxy did you manage to make this?? Tysm, I love it so bad... I'm not the most experienced with animating, but I bet a 1min 30sec animation with all these frames, color and fast action, took a TON of time and hard work. While I'm in my room drawing a frame for 2 days...🙄 This was truly a blessing to the mind and eye, thank you for the hard work❤

[@catiya_ofc]

You better get 1M views with this one

[@user-pj5md1sv5s]

やってくれたなぁ、運営さんよぉ！！！！（歓喜）

[@supremeoverlord0]

That reflection fight is genuinely one of the most creative battle concepts I've seen, and I wish it was used for a boss fight as it was here in any game, really.

[@lucastavares5103]

damn these artists every year simply deliver fire. Congrats to everyone involved

[@ahoge_lover]

おわぁ…天才がここにいる…綺麗すぎるしかっこよすぎる…言葉出てこない…

[@potetotezaurs]

KZbinの広告で出てきたけど 本当にアニメーションが凄い👍

[@trucecastle]

Great job, can't wait to see you guys again at the next hoyofair. Id like to think Dainsleif is the only who gazed into the abyss while the siblings have yet to experience what he did.

[@IshimurA99]

It's really cool and has a pure fighting style, I love it!

[@user-sw3ss4ev7y]

すごいよ。あとは溜めて放つカットがあれば完璧。

[@daviddelgadocovers]

Just an amazing work!

[@sleepypanda2696]

0:14 Would you like to enter the forgotten hall?

[@HonkaiMain]

This was absolutely fantastic! Such creativity and fluidity.

[@HEIWAhaMAMORAKnight]

ツダケンボイスで好きになったけどめっちゃかっこいい

[@dylanmcloughlin2187]

Your first few videos were enough to get me to sub, but these last two have just been outright stunning. Amazing work and amazing growth. Keep going.

[@KJatDawn]

This is absolutely amazing! Love the animation and concept with the video!

[@zerotrig8331]

ngl this could be in the game timeline an arc where we loses the MC and will have to play in Dain's POV for a while

[@aliahangelbayno6906]

Ive been waiting for this and it's really epic!! Gosh i really love how amazing artists and content creators comes out at Hoyofair

[@antonioluissantos3902]

What the hell is this masterpiece?! More importantly, is there more?! (Really good animation work! The mirror concept gave me chills and the music coupled with the animation was perfect!)

[@quadratos960]

I love the animation, this muss have taken such a long time. Thank you for your art

[@marion62442]

THIS IS SUCH A GOOD ANIMATION! IT'S LIKE I'M WATCHING A REALLY GOOD ANIME FIGHT! AMAZING!!!

[@rivertyl]

Marvelous work from everyone on the project!

[@yanderechan2365]

Soooo gooooooood

[@Feynreique]

you guys are setting a high bar for hoyo to chase after! amazing work!!

[@pranavchangra5818]

if you're giving your audience goosebumps, you know this is gonna be amazing

[@JuniperHaze]

This is absolutely amazing! I actually started tearing up from how fantastic it is. As an animator, I know how much time, effort and work goes into these things! Especially with this high quality work. Absolutely wonderful job I love it so much!

[@ToscaTee]

Oh man the production quality is INSANEEE here from the animation, composition, background, lighting & sound design. Biggest hats off to the team, everyone did an INCREDIBLE job. 60 rewatches and i’m still not over this it’s just _that_ good.

[@bishop849]

THE CHILLLSSS OMG AMAZING AS ALWAYSSSS ❤❤

[@Omni.999]

Not gonna lie, I need an audio of this wish they'd release it ❤

[@Wissle]

That is so insanely badass, awesome work!

[@alinka1364]

I'm going crazy this video is crazy bro it's just amazing 🤯✨👍

[@user-pq2yv3di1m]

うわ良……好きです

[@amatoyoichi8468]

Animating this must take a toll on this champion soul. May the archon bless him for his hardwork

[@jamarcusdavis4023]

Been waiting for this ever since the teaser and ya'll did not disappoint. Impeccable job!