Hey Brother - The Adventure Zone Animatic/PMV

[@bookclubish1689]

I didn't start crying until Taako grew his hair out (without even knowing why,,, fuck,,,,) but after that there was no going back I am a mess

[@XeansIcemane]

"...Who?" One of the most crushing lines in podcasting

[@Skidoodle18]

Right there with “You fucking took everything from me!” “Do what you want, I don’t care anymore.” and “That was the last time you saw your sister.”

[@if7723]

@@Skidoodle18 The "Who?" really sinks the knife though, its a double combo of absolutely fantastic improv and the biggest gut punch I've ever felt from a single word.

[@MidnightStarlight_07]

Indeed

[@rlvids9889]

*Taako grabs umbrella* "There's an endless road to rediscover" oh god my heart that's the most badass starblaster I've ever seen. and I love what looks like a memento from Kravitz on Taako's hat in the beginning?

[@CJtheRad]

Thanks for pointing out the Kravitz' flair. That's such a rad detail.

[@clecanadalawexplained6330]

I love how some lines just sync so perfectly with certain moments.

[@TheAmazingBoogeyMan]

I've watched this video dozens of times, and I missed that. Makes me want to go frame by frame. Today I noticed Barry and Lup's hands are entwined in that first portrait. Just really great stuff left for us to find, so great!

[@threshy5670]

Peceptive af

[@queensalmon4905]

The umbrella snap when it says "Sister I will help you out" was PERFECT!!!

[@sosayweall_jpg]

yeah that moment is pure magic. even before, the line is "what if I'm far from home? oh brother I will hear you call" while Taako has collapsed, crossing into the ethereal plane to rescue Magnus in arms outstretched - rack focus on the umbra staff and Lup inside, waiting and listening

[@friedegg1237]

I all most started crying

[@oobelgraw]

My brother showed me this video when we were both listening to the show together. Even years after he's passed, I still come back to this for a good cry now and then.

[@CrackedDota]

RIP to him, hope you are holding up ok

[@jaredbranch8907]

I'm sure he was listening with you all the way even now

[@carolmorris1142]

I"m sorry for your loss, and I'm also sure he still listens with you

[@zarchblarch2490]

I love how we’ve made it cannon that Barry j blue jeans just looks exactly like griffin macelroy

[@sosayweall_jpg]

well he's described as looking like Tom Arnold and I think that there's an attempt to replicate that look, perhaps a younger version of him. but yeah he does look kinda like Griff

[@jackpumpoen]

back when taz was first coming out and i hadn't seen it yet, i was so curious as to why people were shipping griffin with a random elf girl

[@Sup3rD4ve]

It's more fanon than canon, but it *was* a cute idea.

[@taakofromtv150]

Well it is around what he looks like in the books so yeah

[@Dersingoki]

If you would've told me "They made this song for TAZ" I would have believed you

[@Gnagniel]

Me:"I'm all done crying over Balance" TalkingBunnyRabbits:"I'm about to end this man's whole career."

[@29demonfish]

every time i come back to this video I fucking bawl holy SHIT

[@Bodmanford]

Litlamp SAME

[@kofimoon-vv-8279]

I'm about to end this man's whole happiness

[@maggienewson8859]

i don't think I'll ever be done crying over balance.

[@babyslime]

I tried to leave a comment twice before but accidentally closed it, but I had to come back to make sure I gave you mad props. I love this so much. How the time-lapses fall on the “ah-ah-ah”, the way the lyrics match up, the layers of story being told. I can’t even decide which is my favourite part. The vision of Davenport as he truly is when they first “meet” Lucretia, and the deep breath she takes. I love me some morally grey Lucretia imagery. Taako and Lup’s synchronous frames in their moments of horrible guilt; him with the cooking event and her with the gauntlet. Lup and Barry’s blush while they learn the mongoose language. “There’s an endless road to rediscover” as Taako reaches for the umbra staff for the first time. I think one of my favourite frames in all of this is them facing the huge bear, wolf and owl - it really translates the awesome power of that scene, in the literal sense of the world. I don’t even like this song but now I sort of love it?? This was straight up amazing.

[@SakiMcGee]

I had to rewind to 2:33 repeatedly to really let it sink in. Those few seconds were beautifully heartbreaking

[@emmagrace1812]

Saki McGee i did the same thing

[@WizardlyMagicks]

Yup. Same. Apparently I like to suffer but it's so good? I'm going to go lay on the floor now.

[@vickymccallum1126]

hey you wanna get real fucked up? play those few seconds on 0.25 speed

[@faitheloo]

FRICK YOU VICKY THANK YOU

[@ShyyGaladriel]

Saki McGee I did the exact same thing.

[@Dark14Fairy]

Someone said this sounded like it was Clint singing this and now that's all I can hear

[@emmagrace1812]

Nims Oh god OH GOD *O H G O D* I'll never hear it the same again

[@Nico47915]

Nims wh a t have you d o ne??

[@Dan_Wait]

Wowow! Can't miss it now.

[@andypalmer5095]

WOW THANKS FOR THE EXTRA *PAIN*

[@sphinktore]

OMG. Please make a GoFundMe or Kickstarter or whatever to make this a reality.

[@polilyen]

The transition from Taako forgetting about Lup to starting Sizzle It Up with Taako fucking HURTED and i APPLAUD YOU SO MUCH OH MY G O D ALSO DAVENPORT DRIVING THE SHIP BUT REACHING FOR THE GROUPS HANDS?? GOLDEN AND PERFECT Summary: MY CROPS ARE WATERED AND MY FACE IS CLEAR. I LOVE THIS VIDEO WITH A SEARING PASSION AND IM PROBABLY GONNA ADD MORE TO THIS COMMENT EDIT: i just noticed the parallel from the two shots with Taako and Lup at the beginning walking away holding their shoes and with the very last shot of them bumping hands and i am SOBBING

[@if7723]

Capenport not getting to be in a feel good moment because of his duty to work is so in character and also makes me feel bad that I can't hug a fictional character and let him know that his friend get it.

[@XionXIVRikuXV]

HEY, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTIONS AND I WENT FROM GRINNING LIKE AN IDIOT TO NEARLY SOBBING IN THE SPAN OF A SECOND. THIS IS AMAZING

[@npcflip]

it's been years since i first saw this and taako growing out his hair probably without even knowing why still makes me cry

[@alohalyon6643]

This truly captures Taako and Lup so beautifully! As well as their relationship with the others. Perfect!

[@alohalyon6643]

P.s. The fist bumps that they do is awesome!

[@DeathnoteBB]

I forgot almost everything about this animatic visually speaking. But this song just came on while I was getting a drink and I had to just stop for a full minute because I remembered it from this animatic *it’s been 6 years*

[@MissXaverie]

All right. Okay. Okay. FIne. All right. I thought I was done sniffling over this stupid show, but I GUESS not. Whatever, OP. That's fine.

[@UncoolNerd93]

Same though. I was straight up blubbering after/during watching this.

[@kennyoverstreet2937]

I knew this shit was gonna make me cry, but l also knew if i didn't watch it i would see it everyday in my reccommends for a month

[@BasilBard]

the sniffling is eternal. at least the laughing is, too.

[@UncoolNerd93]

Every time I watch this video it's a like a big Abra-ka-fuck-you to my heart and I love it.

[@TrishaAnnwithanE]

AHHHHH T-T

[@MeiWatashi]

this is the vid that finally made me actually listen to taz instead of just animated tidbits

[@kennylog1ns]

"There's an endless road to rediscover" indeed.

[@taylorbreckenridge6390]

I sincerely hope the McElroys have seen this. Imagine getting such incredible fanart of your ocs! It'd probably make them really happy, it's so cool!

[@HydrallUrakan]

This is INCREDIBLE.

[@mahlonpatterson6883]

I posted this on reddits r/theadventurezone subreddit and they LOVED IT amazing job

[@eternallamppost]

thanks OP, i was just thinking "i should burst into tears on the toilet"

[@SirRJtheSwell]

Seriously amazing. This needs to be seen by every TAZ fan.

[@statelyelms]

I started watching this WAY too early into the adventure zone (about 2/3 of the way through, hadn't even finished Wonderland), got spoiled on a little, and had to close the tab. Glad it got recommended to me again because I cried

[@jaydayart9526]

IS THERE A LOVE BUTTON??? THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INFINITE LOVE BUTTON. This brought me to tears!!!

[@hetalia11]

This animatic was what got me INTO TAZ: Balance. It’s so incredible and after finally finishing the whole arc and watching this back, I’m blown away all over again. Such a magnificent job 💖

[@kiananwendell8350]

To this day, this is one of the most stunning amv's I've ever seen. Words cannot describe it's beauty

[@Robrono]

I have come back to this over a dozen times to see if it still makes me cry. Each time I have left with swollen eyes.

[@spicy_seagull]

This is amazing, Davenport reaching out from the captain’s chair 👌

[@zenodotus-xxiv785]

i want to look at every single frame in this over and over and over again but the flow is too good i cant ruin it!!

[@BradGreer]

Even just from an "individual pieces of fanart" perspective, I love your interpretations of the characters and scenes. Stitching them all together into a narrative with a perfect backing track is transcendent. Bravo!

[@thealisontay]

This is one of my absolute favorites I could watch it over and over

[@TheMemeticWind]

I REALLY like the way you drew the actual surroundings in these, they're all so varied and exactly how I imagined them in my head!

[@kookiepup12]

I gotta say I keep coming back to this one over and over, just that first scene with them walking and Lup's becoming clearer and clearer to the beat T-T Taako was never alone, and now he remembers, I love this animatic so much

[@zenodotus-xxiv785]

I've watched this so many times I memorized the song, and yet every single time I get choked up when Lup rises, "phantasmal and resplendent"

[@birdportant]

The words "phantasmal and resplendent" are etched in my mind forever, even 6+ years later.

[@Sellswordking]

It is 9:30 in the morning, I haven’t slept, I’ve been watching TAZ animatics for the last three hours, and this one is the one that literally broke my soul. I am sobbing like a six year old boy, thank you.

[@_SquishyFishy_]

I've only just started listening to this podcast, and I'm in the middle of The Lost Century right now. I found this video in between the Crystal Kingdom arc and The Suffering Game arc, so I didn't know much of what was going on in this video, but I keep coming back to it as I hear things in the podcast I can clearly remember seeing in this video, and holy shit I love this video so much

[@sarahmccabe174]

Honestly every time I watch this I get full body chills. It’s so incredible.

[@cosmotrance3965]

Ow my heart..... but like... in a good way. Gonna show this to all my friends who listened to TAZ. Tbh, the Taako/Lup storyline is by far the highlight of that whole series.

[@mistysilence2]

UNCONTROLLABLE SOBBING

[@phantasmal_detective]

ouch. thank you so much. edit: also i love how you managed to picture the TAZ Nights cycle perfectly, like at 1:51 when you can tell that's when taako is telling lup that he really wants to smash the crystal

[@phantasmal_detective]

also love at 2:54 when you can see merle in the background having been zapped by the umbrastaff and just lying on the floor

[@lanmoore895]

I know I absolutely cannot say anything you haven't heard about this already, but this is phenomenal. Your Taako and Lup are perfect and exactly how I've always pictured them. The colors and tones of each frame are so fucking well put together and thought out and invoke strong specific emotions every time I watch this. Your design for the Hunger is terrifying and awe-inspiring and perfect. Each fucking frame is on beat and fits so well with the song and I love this so much please put this on a loop on my gravestone

[@lanmoore895]

also, i just rewatched this and noticed the raven's skull on taako's hat in the first bit. that's a really cool, subtle detail. im forwarding this to everyone i know who listens to taz

[@lanmoore895]

also if this wasn't immediately obvious i would love to see more work like this from you, OP. you have a talent and i know a lot of hard work went into this but you've made it look effortless. sorry if none of my comments make sense it's very late in my time zone

[@rubyvanhouten2556]

i rewatch this video every few months, thank you for marking the best thing on the internet

[@Brooknium]

Thank you for this, I come back every time I need a good cry. It's my official cry song!

[@wildandschmit]

Just came back for the same reason...hope your doing well and ok.

[@Mimble_Doodles]

Once in a while I come back to videos like these and cry because wow

[@alioth0358]

Still beautiful, with an added layer of nostalgia now.

[@zrrob1149]

Not me still crying about this video 4 years later... Thanks for this. Probably my favorite balance animatic I've seen. I cry every time.

[@Crystalfalls100]

This is AMAZING... my favorite moment is the quick cuts between each arc's Taako, but on the whole I am in love with this.

[@shriyauday6874]

I can’t believe I’m just seeing this now but this one of the most beautiful animatics I’ve seen. In tears rn

[@mikihayama1677]

The bits where it shifted between current characters and past versions of them was super duper cool and would look great in gif form!

[@krzlcve]

This sub plot has never been given this much justice before. Amazing beyond words

[@jonthecary]

TAZ was my first DnD podcast, and it ruined all others for me by somehow being both the funniest and the most emotional. This is a brilliant and beautiful example of the impact the McElroys have made on fans. Well done. Very well done.

[@EliTheEnlightened]

Jon Cary I feel you dude. Griffin is pretty bad ass at weaving a story together especially incorporating all his brothers’ and father’s bullshiting around.

[@afterlight7632]

This is absolutely beautiful. Watching this honestly made me cry lol

[@theartofnina]

Hi I just finished this silly podcast today and this is the best thing I've ever watched

[@MrMrsmalfoy98]

something I just figured out: If you play the video at .75 speed it A) gives you more time to see and appreciate the beautiful art, and also B) makes the music WAY MORE HEARTBREAKING.

[@Lucas-rz3vl]

The sound gets a bit warped, but overall it does get more awesome!

[@emmagrace1812]

Lindsay Morrison *oh no.*

[@mothman6652]

Woah

[@Arokiuru]

But it's all grainy and static- oh. Brilliant. Thank you for this, I never noticed Lup's and Barry's entwined fingers in the portrait!

[@WizardlyMagicks]

Why did I decide this was a good idea. This was a terrible idea. Ouch. OUCH. I'M CRYING ALL OVER AGAIN!

[@beck4930]

This honestly my favorite AMV--not just for these characters, not just for TAZ--but for any fandom, ever. I've watched it at least 15 times, and every time, it gives me shivers. The song is such a perfect fit for Taako and Lup, and your art is STUNNING! I love how you followed what the podcast did, by starting with Taako remembering and then circling back to Lup's return. This is so good!!

[@AClarke-_-]

Holy fuck this the best thing I've ever seen!!! How am I finding this so late??? This is absolutely stunning and perfect and an absolute punch to the gut in the best way!! Wish I hadn't watched this on my lunch break though, how am I supposed to go back to work with this in my soul?

[@nannaluna]

This is absolutely breathtaking. I love all the details: The use of static How Taako's hear grows to show time has passed How Lup, Lup is The sheer sadness of Taako forgetting her and the joy of getting her back The MONGOOSES Also I love your design for their ship You are incredible, thank you for sharing! And OMG how you matched the lyrics to both the hunger and Lup falling in love. And the "Ah, ah, ah" with different cycles. Just wow!

[@WelcomeToTheCosmos]

This makes me tear up every time I watch it

[@shiny_owl9171]

Good Job on making me cry over Taz. Again. No but seriously I adore this from the very start. The way lucretia is the only one who's face isn't obsucred by static at first. How Lup "Steps out" of the static in all these scenes of Taakos Childhood. The way Barry Blushes when Lup is at the podium. All the Blupjeans in this tbh. Their reaction faces for the hunger. The three giant animals being swallowed by the Hunger. Taako dragging Lup who is casting fireballs. Their faces and bodys during the argument are so telling, you can't hear them but still it is so clear what is happening. Lups Determination as she steps in front of the crystal. Davenport from his seat reaching his hand out. Everything that is the Beach scenes. Lup turning to static. Sizzle it up with Taako. Magic Brian. Lucretians reaction to Taako. Them reuniting. It's all these beautiful, emotinal scenes amazingly illustrated and there are sooo many great ideas in this. I also ADORE your Designs for everyone. They're very fitting and just sooo beautiful. I especially adore your Davenport. I don't know why.

[@spiraljumper74]

I weep every time, seriously.

[@mysticalblue2352]

I just finished the campaign and I’m crying

[@carolmorris1142]

Congratulations and welcome. I also came late to the podcast (couple years) and this video makes me want to relisten....again....

[@chrisnicole7544]

this made me cry. thank you

[@sammyt1470]

the colors are so pretty??? and thats such a cool design for the starblaster!!

[@demonqueenplays3216]

This has made me cry every time I've watched this... and I'm okay with that

[@charlulu6786]

This has me bawling! Taako and Lup's relationship was always my favorite and this is such an amazing video of it!

[@Tails7777]

This still makes me tear up watching.

[@yungdracula1068]

I DID NOT HAVE MY PERMISSION SLIP SIGNED FOR THIS FEELS TRIP seriously, though, very beautiful art and well done! I can't believe I'm just now seeing this

[@fused_ice]

This is still one kf my absolute favorite TAZ videos. You didnsuch a phenomenal job with it!

[@kia2285]

i don't even have the words to express how gorgeous and heartbreaking this is and how legitimately joyous the ending made me, you somehow perfectly captured what this podcast is all about

[@statelyelms]

That scene with Barry, destabilizing from his grief over remembering losing and forgetting Lup over and over.. that's what starts the waterworks every time.

[@LMichaela94]

I hated this song when it was released and now I'm going to cry any time I hear it bc I'll be thinking about Lup and Taako. This is fantastic and you should be very proud.

[@MsOAWR]

hard same. this has single handly redeemed country music for me.

[@lort8334]

same

[@n0vaaaskyy]

Same with me too, I never really liked this song but I will always be remined of these two whenever I hear it

[@Kaplvv_Missing]

This is like one of the very few country songs I like and I like everything except for country

[@bloodbrothermoon4715]

m'kay so- I know Im late to the TAZ party (I found it about a year ago during the pandemic) but I just wanted to leave this comment anyway. I finished balance a few months after starting to binge it, relatively tear-free all things considered, and then got on to youtube to find this in my recommended. I thought I had cried at story and song, but let me tell you, this BROKE me. I didn't leave a comment then, mostly cuz I was sobbing uncontrollably, but I wanted to come back and tell you how effing good you are. Still cant watch through it without crying. (I tried.)

[@milliequick1271]

Whenever I feel down in the evenings, this is the last video I watch before bed. It picks me right up, and reminds me what I care about in this world...getting my money back from Greg Grimaldis!!

[@Midgar310]

I have lost count of how many times I've come back and watched this video. Bonding over TAZ helped me repair a strained relationship with my brother, and he confessed he cried over TSC and the ending as well- both of us did, even on multiple relistenings. Every time I watch this video I feel big fat tears roll down my cheeks. Everything about it is beautifully done and I hope you are still so proud of what you have made here. Thank you.

[@hazel61kinzel]

I can't even handle how amazing this is.

[@ahsatan6232]

I want you to know that THIS video is the one I think of whenever i hear the song it is amazing!!

[@SylviaDragon]

I got chills. this is an absolutely amazing labor of love.

[@jonpinyan]

I know we're all posting about the frames and cuts that made us cry, and hell yes to all of that (and also how could you), but I wanna take a moment to appreciate at 2:55, Merle zonked out from his unsuccessful attempt to grab the umbrastaff.

[@KaeWinters]

This is beautiful and amazing and heartbreaking but I burst out laughing at Davenport desperately trying to join in the pact but his little arms are too short

[@squid65635]

This is so incredibly amazing! I've watched ot so many times, and it somehow makes me cry almost every time. Each piece is so well done and could be it's own picture. Them with the shoes, Taako and Lup facing off about the crystal, Barry crying, the note, the end!! It's all drawn and conveyed so well!

[@tripleteevee8122]

I'm here in late 2021 and God this video still gives me chills and can still make me cry. (Not every time though, I'm occasionally immune) I love this so much, thank you for doing such justice to some of my favorite characters in all of TAZ. Just brilliant.

[@juno5756]

i wish i could give this double likes, even years later i still love this!!

[@darmocat]

Holy shit. I almost didn't watch it because the music isn't my style but this fit SO PERFECTLY! A+ fucking work my dude; this is so good! I have no words. Just gonna go cry...again. Will there ever come a time where The Adventure Zone doesn't make me cry?

[@darmocat]

Came back to say your art style is amazing and I love your interpretation of events. Your timing of everything set to the music is also impeccable.

[@Asyipyip]

I don’t know why, but what hit me the hardest is in the very beginning, when they’re walking together and each frame the static clears from lups form, moving in time with the strums. It shook me to the core. Phenomenal work

[@rachelkersten4457]

Alright, this was uncalled for. My heart clenched so tight in my chest when that shot of Lup in the cave lit up. OOF.

[@skiesquiggles7319]

The attention to all the little moments in the show are all so good and I appreciate every bit of it

[@weegee1204]

2:33 to 2:35 always makes me gasp out loud. that part alone has so much emotion and story in such a short amount of time, but it captures the theme of the entire thing unbelievably well. this is an amazing video

[@cardinal_Arche]

My god, seriously, I can't handle this video. I really loved that campaign, it was the first podcast I really ever got into and it rekindled my love for DnD. But more than that the McElroys just created such an incredible, beautiful, organic story, with such an amazing conclusion, and every time I watch this video I am again lost in the story's bittersweet beauty. Part of that is due to Avicii's incredible music, but a larger part is due to the amazing art and brilliance in the video itself/it's timing with the music. So, long story short (too late) thank you, this video allows me to revisit that story and feel those emotions again every time I watch it, I love this video.

[@AcidicGumdrops]

i love this with my entire heart and also it made me cry thanks

[@lerualnaej5917]

Yeah this still makes me cry like a baby.

[@Mr_Boggles]

This is absolutely phenomenal. It goes perfectly with the music and the way you put things together you wouldn't have to have listened to the Podcast to understand and appreciate what is going on. I would call this, the best TAZ fan piece i've experienced. Well done sir or madame. Well done.

[@roguetheotter]

many years later and i've finally found this. i have no words for how beautiful this is. i am sitting here sobbing like i did the first time i listened to Story and Song (and every time thereafter, tbh) gorgeous animation, beautiful timing and transitions.... everything is just fuckign spot on and stunning.

[@archofroses]

this is INCREDIBLE and i may be crying a little

[@marsupialsofmars3886]

I love them so much. The first time I cried in the whole podcast was "I love Barry with all my heart but Taako, you ARE my heart"

[@seanthebluesheep]

Awww, dog. I was just bumming around watching old videos and stuff, and I clicked on this one and after about 20 seconds I got really sad because I remembered whose song it was. Then I just got sadder and sadder.

[@rainbowofdarknezz]

THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL IM CRYING THE QUICK PANNELS OF TAAKO AND LUP EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT REALITIES AND THEN IN THE ADVENTURE ZONE ITS JUST TAAKO STANDING ALONE I AM S O B B I N G

[@miniplanet9021]

i’m literally shaking. i had to put my sketchbook down and put my full attention onto the video. this is phenomenal and i’m at a loss for words. thank you.

[@metabonk6680]

I was so moved by the skill and earnestness of this art, I have two younger brothers and the song plus the perfect timeline of the series brought me to tears. Thank you !

[@FluffyCatWombat]

All these years on, even after watching this animatic thousands of times it still makes me cry. well done once again for portraying the emotin of the story so well through your beautiful art and this song.

[@SURAYANNECHAN]

I've been watching this regularly for the past two years, ever since I discovered TaZ and you know what? I still havent succeeded in watching it once without bursting into tears. Congratulations.