"Kaeru" Animated Short Film (2019)

[@kaerufilm5238]

Thank you so much for supporting our film. I hope that watching "Kaeru" will remind you that even when you experience self-doubt, the creative joys of art are what got you into it in the first place! We'll continue to post behind the scenes content on this channel so make sure to subscribe and follow our social media @kaerushortfilm for updates. :) -Denise

[@kiwiabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw]

Great, so are you guys planning on making a series 👀❤️

[@SRCreativeStudios]

This is so inspiring to see, thank you for creating this channel and sharing this amazing short film. I'm currently working on an animated short film too and so content like this really helps! :)

[@northernlights9533]

Im jelly

[@aazizul2250]

Youre gonna blown up ! :D

[@TigaToonsELTiagor]

Thank you so much for making this, you deserve millions of subscribers!

[@lotusgal313]

Sometimes we lose ourselves in our passions. And forget to just enjoy them

[@Hecktic117]

The same thing soul taught us. I’ve actually went through a recent experience when making a video where I was so obsessed with it and was so tired of it. But in the end, I still made it through.

[@Danielmarq606]

agreed pretty nice animation too tho its honestly hard to perform lineless animation

[@alexandratwoface6422]

Yeah

[@alyssak1327]

Thank you Daniel that is actually exactly what I needed to know right now

[@sheetart5839]

Much like me I'm losing passion and really needs support

[@waffielz3106]

don't you hate it when you turn into a water elemental out of sheer anger

[@davidisraelii2694]

😂

[@movedaccountscyayalls7119]

Despise it when it happens. 🙄✋

[@Pancakeboii]

Bro i always hate when it happens!

[@pandamusic984]

this comment made my day thank you xD

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPdf2ZuaZhjo7c

[@esverker7018]

In Japanese, the word 帰る ("kaeru") means "to return" or "to go back" or "to go home". In this case, perhaps to return to your beginnings.

[@hat7475]

OooH this could be also meaning for going back to 'how it used to be' with the joyful experience!

[@hat7475]

@@nexustom5823 ooh adorable and very interesting. Now I see how good the creators are

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPdf2ZuaZhjo7c

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@diino8081]

interesting

[@veronicaryder7553]

personally feeling dissatisfaction with my interests and works at moment so when the younger version of the character gave them their camera, in a way, sort of giving their lens of perspective on things then revisiting certain places they found genuine joy in made me tear up. I don't know much about the technicalities of animation, but I think I can say that this is a good art. Thank you for making and showing this to us.

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@LiiiiiiMa]

This is so lovely and it really hit home. I am so happy to be an artistic person, even if it comes with its fair share of challenges :)

[@momoe9349]

I do art but more of as a fun side thing that I do with my writing. To me it related to when I write. When you are a writer you can't always write things just for yourself (the audience needs to be able to connect with it) and sometimes you forget why you even started writing. Sometimes I really struggle with my writing and wonder why I even like it, but then when I get new ideas that seems to flow and connect things I get all excited and really enjoy writing. I forget that I was struggling. But sometimes that excitement doesn't last because I realize that there are some things that have to change so that what I am writing can relate to the audience more. It can be pretty upsetting sometimes when you have to change some things you really liked because it won't work (whether because no one but you would get it or even if people did it just doesn't fit). So I started keeping a world to myself, sometimes I do talk about it with others, but it is a world were I can write whatever I want with no worries, I can change whatever whenever, I can use it to experiment, I can use it to understand my characters better, and I never have to worry about whether or not someone else would like or understand whatever exists in it. It really helps with my writing but also with the fact that I get to remember why I like writing- so I can live in the crazy things I create and share it with others to love just as much as I do (even if others is only other fictional characters).

[@zellafae]

@@momoe9349 I’m sure people would love read little snippets of your characters doing different stuff. That is what some comics basically do.

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPdf2ZuaZhjo7c

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@the_ceo_of_funny1014]

I still haven't read the comments, this is my interpretation: when we put ourself too much in a passion, there's the chance that we are gonna burn out at a certain point, mabye because we think we aren't good enough or we work too much. If this thing continue, we could end up disliking our passion. Sometimes we need to go back and do it just because we like to do it, not to achive something, some artist and creator forget about it and just get mad when instead art should be a thing for ourself to enjoy

[@tanikaradia]

Right 😇👍

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@enderex1653]

"Hey, where's my sketchbook?" "Outside" "Okay" "It's raining"

[@jleenz_8381]

F

[@hat7475]

F

[@movedaccountscyayalls7119]

Cries in artist

[@honeybrownbear7923]

I would die if that happened to me

[@hat7475]

@@honeybrownbear7923 mood

[@krissyseptember5241]

I love the name Kaeru which can mean frog or return home. In which main character finds back the passion.

[@da-vids3359]

Or a frog

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@pai-tsuhi1131]

Yes, both. 😊

[@tiffy717]

wow! Super cool. I missed the talk you guys gave, but this felt like it was about the artist's perception of their own work, and the need to return to the appreciation, joy, and simplicity you had for art as a child.

[@kaerufilm5238]

You got it! Her encounter with her younger self reminds her of the childhood joy of creating art. :) We'll be posting a lot of the stuff from the presentation in the coming weeks so stay tuned! -Denise

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@magicorn2117]

This kinda reminds me of Disney’s Soul: the whole “lost in your passion lesson” is one that both films aim to teach. IMO they both convey it beautifully.

[@ethandew1768]

Ikr

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@birukyohannes5723]

this is something that i took from this don't forget why you do what you do you do it for the love ....in a professional note your sound design ,smooth animation ,clean up and colors, story integration is just amazing and on point *Pixar wants to know your location*

[@CrossBonez2980]

I dunno how the hell there’s less views than there is this is a masterpiece of an animation As an artist I approve

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@somescottishlassie891]

This is gorgeous and OMG THAT FROG IS ADORABLE AHH

[@emilywilling8484]

This hit home, I'm currently trying to reignite my passion for photography so I can fulfill my dreams. I definitely needed to see this

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@Sharklosreef]

Ok I know there was story board and, probably a team of awesome people worked on this... But many ppl are putting down the “theme” of the story in the comments.. but I just want to give some love to the animators!!! This is awesome!!! The movement of water, and animals.. Animating is hard! There might have been lots of love, crying, and regret making this! I love this... also the makers of the story! I lover everything about this!!! I think u should be proud of ur work.. 🤗

[@foureyedpossum4613]

There is always that dreadful part of an artist that denies their talent.

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@Proj3ta]

I've been obsessed with arts for the past 8 years. I've made so much progress during these years and my biggest dream was to be an animator. Recently I started worrying a lot about it. Thinking that it's not good enough, that it won't take me anywhere and that I can't get a living out of it. I've been considering to quit arts simply because I think It's not going to be useful, and that I should get a "real job". This animation made me remember that, it doesn't matter how many benefits or how much money arts is going to get me. I simply enjoy being an artist, so that's why I should keep doing it. Thank you for this animation, I hope that one day I can inspire other people with animations like this one :)

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@andreesond]

You're a waterbender, Harry(ette)

[@KaiSwift]

Only 66k in 2 months? Hella underrated for such a masterpiece.

[@RealmSprinter]

This was gorgeous

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@crisfernanda7093]

Just me who noticed the black panter poster ?

[@kaerufilm5238]

Well spotted! There are a lot of poster easter eggs in the film so keep an eye out! -Denise

[@Okaiako]

hehe i just found it

[@bigbomb5904]

What time is it at

[@alpha_jasperflair1097]

@@bigbomb5904 4:31 pause your device check the background

[@ladyskitett1160]

I was looking for this comment

[@ravenblack6175]

I love how the tempo of the portrayal of her breaking down into a fit of rage from her self doubt. From one moment they were just enjoying the process, and then suddenly they see this.. spark of imperfection. So miniscule, maybe even arbitrary, but they stood out to them. And then all of the others, one by one, popped out and they all became the same to her, a blank picture. Worthless. Nothing but pieces of paper that didn't mean something. So this feeling of being incompetent just burned and tore them inside. From doing what they love but still came up empty. I felt that. I've often felt this feeling towards my works and beaten myself up for not being good enough. But this made me remember that one time I felt so happy to have my first sketchbook, and the day I got it, I already got half of it filled to the brim of Anime characters. I was so proud. I truly felt joy and just wanted to keep doing that. I had the time of my life having fun just sketching away. Thank you for this. I needed that.

[@spookijasper4309]

Absolutely stunning, this deserves much more.

[@Abuuu2007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Wyp3xreLSml7s

[@Polygutz]

this went from 1- 100 and then back to 1 real quick

[@LanceC17]

I just love how this beautifully conveys someone's experience with burn-out, and rediscovering the love she had for her craft. Bravo!

[@super_vampire_princess]

YES TOTALLY!!!!!!!!

[@Rainder]

Oh hell yea, indie animations! this is great! Here is my personal interpertation: The photos becoming blue/water is them thinking they made a mistake, and then they realise more, and more mistakes in their work, and they think it sucks. Even if it doesn't actually suck. to them? It doesn't fit their standard, and they have a very warped view on their own work (that's why it has a warping effect when the blue hits the photos) The person desperately tries to cling onto their best works (the ones that hasn't been hit by the blue effect), and even then they find a way to warp it and see mistakes (even if there isn't any to some people). Until it divolves to them thinking that their entire being _is_ a mistake, or that they suck, hence them becoming entirely made of water. Ofcourse they re-live their childhood joys, and learn that being creative is something that brings happiness, the joy of creation, and not to find perfection. That's my personal interpertation, and its based off what I feel and my own experiences. -- Btw, that is some nice water effects, I love lineless artstyles, and the color composition, is great. Animation is a very hard skill to acquire, so I applaud the team who had done that! The music and sound design is absolutely delicious aswell.

[@BlackCover95]

How many kids watching this would even understand film photography? I must be one of the last generations who can instantly recognize it.

[@DJ-Sellout]

Probably the best looking 720P video on KZbin

[@xingqiuneko3852]

I love how this film conveys the message in a way where everyone gets it. In the beginning, the photos she takes start out blurry, indicating that she's losing sight of her passion in her work. She notices a blemish in a picture and starts to see the imperfections everywhere, she becomes so maddeningly frustrated that her work isn't 'good enough' and her dissatisfaction overpowers her passion, leading her to break her camera. I adore the bit where she meets her younger self, seen in the title 'Kaeru' which means 'to return' in Japanese. She goes back to when she was younger, when her skill wasn't as good (shown by the camera she was using) but when she was happier with her work. It's by returning that she's able to enjoy her passion again.

[@super_vampire_princess]

YESS TOTALLY!!!

[@nope8977]

yall did such a great job on this film!!

[@muniratuali9072]

She loves taking photos of different things since she was a kid. What a beautiful site.

[@WhatItDoTwinsies]

why doesn't this have more views? this short is like Disney material

[@ElzLandeLV]

This is so beautiful it made me cry. I always keep telling myself I must go and draw but don't do it cause I feel like I don't like it but I loved doing it since I was a kid and back then I didn't have to worry about whether it's good enough to post or what will people think of it, back then I just did it because I liked to. Now I should return to that good old mindset and maybe then my joy for art will return.

[@backgroundcharacter2615]

I once spilled water all over my sketchbook and I cried for a whole 3 days. It really sucks when you forget what you admire most about something.

[@annaowenson9088]

really beautiful work!! I was so struck by the visual design, the colors are wonderful

[@pendiro]

It is a wonderful piece of art. In adulthood, the ones lucky enough of working in what we love have to bend to the exigencies of the market. It could be doing pictures (marketing) for a big brand or working really hard in some science project (as many other examples). In any case, the pressure for getting results fast or "good enough" can erode our passion. It is important to award ourselves with some time, and as it is pointed out in the video remember which was the essence of what we liked from our activities.

[@ayushjain1691]

Views does not do justice to this video :(. Its pure gold which people does not see much.

[@Mohtasimmow]

I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WATER FEELING IS REAL, AND ITS REALLY FEELING LIKE THAT.SO SUPPORT THEM PLEASE.

[@moonflower1729]

This film was really beautiful along with the animation and it’s style, and I’m very grateful you shared it. Thank you the people who put their time and thought into this, and also shared something I know some of you on the team must’ve felt. This film hit home for me, and I’ve personally been struggling to try to find my love for animation, storytelling and art again. The story you told is very right here, we should do our passions because we love them, that’s why we start them and try to grow them. And because we love it, we want to share that feeling with others, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of ourselves. I know I’ll still have to figure my way out, but you guys, you really did put something a little back, and that’s more then enough. Thank you for creating and sharing, and helping me cry a little in order to feel and see what is important. Thank you for creating something that helped make a difference, it really shows the people you are and that is uplifting to me. ^w^

[@ubebutter]

Congratulations Allie! You guys did an amazing job!

[@coorpate]

I love this animation, it includes a bunch of stuff that I love. First the frog, then photography, and of course the story and meaning behind the whole animation

[@naogomi-san7162]

Dissatisfaction are one of the few obstacles that us artist need to face, and most of use get too distracted by it to even enjoy art. It's eather your self-dout or the lack of motivation. Even how you feel can affect your art in many ways. Just remember to not get lost into too much thoughts, or else art will be a lost hobby or job. And I'm thankful for learning that through experience ☺️

[@dontlookatme6395]

i'd watched this awhile ago, not fully understanding what it meant but now i found it again and started watching it because i remember it looking really cool and now looking through the comments and really seeing the animation- i understand how this relates to me, i started to tear up at the part with the little kid hopefully i can find peace like the character in this film- i'm struggling in the same way and i hope i can fully recover and find real joy in what i do amazing animation! it's so beautiful, from the visuals to the message/concept, really amazing work!!!!

[@lynxhart101]

Can we talk about the neat choice to have the photographs center around a frog's life cycle? Changing and growing into something new, leaning to love the tadpole and the frog. Idk I thought it was a super cute choice

[@javierdefaria4178]

I have to admit, I don't like photography but something in this video made something awake in me, thank you.

[@Munalaxy]

This is amazing and the art style and animation is beautiful! Such a great story

[@mystryvexyll]

this showed up in my recommended at the absolute perfect time. i’ve been feeling empty this summer because everything i make is just the same and i dont have the energy to try anything new. ive been creating for the sake of creating and forgot to actually have fun with it.

[@ClayDress]

Give us the nice bright colors. Give us the greens of summer. Makes me think all the world is a sunny day.

[@ClayDress]

I got a Nikon camera. I’d love to take a photograph, So mama don’t take my Kodachrome away.

[@Stormeo04]

This hit really close to home, I went through a phase in my life where nothing brought me joy or excitement, I even started thinking that acting could never get me far and that there were so many better actors than me and that I would never have a stable life after college. But then I started remembering how much joy acting had brought me in the past and I started think of the reason why I started all of this. I understand so many parts of this video because I feel like anyone who works for what they love has or will experience this at some point in their life. But it’s something that we go through and I’m glad that I haven’t given up on my dream of being an actor. And nothing is going to bring me down!!!

[@deadaccount2002]

I LOST MY MIND OVER OVER THE FROG CROAKING

[@aceknowles8841]

Who stole your views, and how can I give them back, because more people need to know about this masterpiece!

[@rend.9965]

this is a lovely short film!! :D

[@nhunguyen3547]

WOW THAT WAS AMAZING!!! I love the message behind this. Best 5 minutes and 37 seconds spent. (also WOOO go Marie!!

[@xiomarasaint2375]

The visuals and music are fantastic!! I love how everything is. How the emotions are shown, motivations are, what the resolution is, everything is just so perfect!!

[@LavaOcto]

Such a wonderful animation and message!

[@Patrick-vt2zo]

Brought me to tears. Great work from the entire team, you should all be very proud. This is a beautiful piece ❤️

[@awesomesofar5963]

I love how well all the symbolism ties together! the life stages of the frog mirroring the stages of the main character's life, and how she needs to remember what it's like being a tadpole. that ties to water symbolizing her self-doubt, because self-doubt leads to crying and tears. then, when she becomes a water creature, it shows her self-doubt taking over her, dictating her actions (lashing at the world in rage) and literally defining who she is. water connects to her passion, photography, because of how she uses it to make the pictures appear. photography and looking at things through cameras also symbolizes her perspective, because she's literally looking at the world through a lens. when she starts being taken over by water, the camera breaks because her perspective of the world is warped and untrue. then, her past self gives her her camera so she'll look at things from her perspective. clear from self-doubt, from tears, from water - as we see the water being drained out of the camera when she looks through it. and lastly, she photographs - or in other words, reexamines, the life stages of a frog - her own life. she remembers what it was like to be a tadpole who just enjoyed her passion without self-doubt getting in the way. it all ties back together beautifully. fantastic job!!

[@super_vampire_princess]

YESS TOTALLY!!!

[@brendatizianaalejoyave2393]

This will be part of my Animation Inspiring Videos because is such a beautiful masterpiece! and also a great reminder to enjoy instead of just "work"

[@wesleyl3207]

This is so beautiful!

[@CaptainFishEye]

perfectionism is one hell of a drug

[@natasha_anstee9646]

This is so beautiful and well-made! I was completely captivated the whole time; I loved it.

[@optimisticlight_]

The film is way sadder when u actually understand its meaning

[@Thefent30]

I feel like this is supposed to be set either in the 60s or 70s or the 80s.

[@axserwz5022]

This is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, being a creative is part of what makes me, me and what makes us, us, but we should still remember to have fun with it and not always force ourselves to be the best or to be perfect. Remember that fun that brought you to your creative fields in the first place❤

[@travelingworldwide01]

This made me tear up. If you look very closely at 0:28 you see the girl her name is Mitsuko. And he starts to cry at 2:15 because he starts remember his memories. And then he meets her again. And I am not sure if it’s his sister or a friend but it made me sad. I don’t know what happened between those two but I think the meaning Kaeru is also going back to the past and remember the memories with his friend Mitsuko. It really touched my heart and I was impressed by this Animation.

[@NorimichiTeves]

I actually think it's the same person. Nicee, interpretation btw

[@MiraculousViolet]

Wow this is so amazing.The animation is so good and the story is clear with no words spoken.This deserves more views!

[@candiidoggii1360]

i got recommended this in just the right time, im drawing something for my friend right now and it looked really bad to me and i procrastinated on working on it for a few weeks now because i didn't want to disappoint myself again. i really love how fluid and pretty this looks and i love the message even more, thanks for making this :)

[@zillionstar98]

Beautiful story! I nearly shed a tear at the end! Fantastic work! Such a lovable art style.

[@thebaneofhumanity.]

how tf do you still have only 964 subscribes and how come there's not even a million views yet? this is awesome, thank yourself! Edit: so this is why people say they're feeling 'blue'

[@rubinjuwel5671]

I love that for once, blue is used as a colour of anger and frustration while red is the calm one it's a very interesting invertation of the usual and I love it a whole lot!

[@papayadoodlez9994]

This is honestly a mood "I hate everything I make"

[@rockeydog9549]

this is better then almost every single animated show I've seen

[@team10leader1]

She noticed a flaw in her art, and as with most perfectionists, it bothered her. It bugged her. It consumed her. The more she thought about it, the more she questioned if she was "professional" at all. And that turned into despair: her mistake meant she was hopeless. But a look into her past told her she wasn't "hopeless". Looking through the lenses of a younger self, she realized she had indeed improved, and had grown into someone her younger self would've looked up to. We are all like frogs sometimes: our imperfections define how far we've come. 🐸

[@pomelochai]

oh golly, this film deserves so much more attention and praise!! beautifully made and really hit home. outstanding work

[@BananaParrot]

This was outstanding! I’m really glad I found this in my recommendations right now since I really needed it, thanks ^^

[@youngsun.mp4]

17k VIEWS?? This deserves so much more!!

[@paperairplaneo]

I loved the watercolor illustration look

[@kyde2534]

What an amazing job!! I love it!! 👏👏🥺😊✨✨✨✨

[@kanalet8460]

This is great! I love the style ❤️

[@safegourd]

this reminds me of how i would used to spend more time researching fancy art supplies than actually drawing. the most important thing is to have passion and motivation to create. beautiful film, i loved the story!

[@shortsinspirationalstories284]

Just amazing, congratulations you are the future of animation.

[@minminlink]

This red room turned blue ❤️💙 very beautiful!!!

[@kiwiabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw]

I just watched the live action edit video lol, this is amazing

[@sueaniart]

Lovely short film, thank you for sharing it with us! You guys did a wonderful job portraying art block and self doubt in creatives. Here's to enjoying art for the sake of creating instead of beating ourselves up over it 🥂

[@nemui_3680]

How are you so Underrated?? Give this man some attention :(

[@daylilyanimation8939]

This very accurately portrays the feeling when there's a light leak in the dark room

[@alittlebitd3ad]

Such a beautiful film with a heartwarming message, I can't stop watching this, the colour palette is SO GOOD 😱😱💖💖✨

[@deepinmind712]

I couldn't even reliz that this video was 5min long . Awesome work mann

[@Fudgeler]

love this so much! the art style is absolutely stunning :]

[@henloworld514]

love the little bt21 details hidden throughout the film!

[@justjordosprout]

As someone who has been doing film photography since earlier this year, seeing all the details for it was really nice :D

[@justjordosprout]

Rewatched and saw this comment. I forgot how much I miss film. Hopefully I'll be able to find a way to do it after my gap year!!

[@TheSkysCloud]

Can I just mention how amazing this animation is, I mean wow!

[@TheGamingBun]

This was too beautiful I don't even know what to comment

[@pedroconte4668]

I can't remember my past, my wishes and desires when I was a child, and I don't know if I can get it back. But I got the message. Thank you.

[@OkamiVines]

had a stressed morning, this calmed me down, thank you!

[@JustArt_736]

This was really touching and that animation 😭

[@JustArt_736]

So good

[@martezosunde]

Be Respect for putting Black Panther on the Walls 🌍❤️🚀

[@kingflatern8423]

KAERU FILM presents Avatar: The Last Waterbender

[@danielvona8118]

This struck a chord with me, thank you