How I Started Late and Still Became an Animator

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In this video I’ll show you what led to me working as a 2D animator on Bleach, Boruto, Lackadaisy, Disney Descendants, Gawr Gura’s first music video, and how I conquered the obstacles of learning animation on my own.
This is the story of how Toy Story’s “We didn’t aim for the truck” changed my life and pushed me to try and make a Gobelins short film on my own.
I hope you too Don’t Aim for the Truck!
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Remember: "Every line you draw, you are one line closer to your dream!"
Thanks for watching!

[@ManuMercurial]

Why Animating on Lackadaisy Was Different kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGa9dXqEh6mNhJY If you enjoyed the video, consider checking out my Patreon and its perks: www.patreon.com/ManuMercurial Thanks for being here!

[@oamioxmocliox8082]

;)

[@MattPin]

Truely another great video, thank you for putting all this effort into making high quality content, I hope you reach 100K soon!

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

I'm honestly pretty demotivated. While on one hand being derivative is this big black mark on your work, actually good works like Star Wars THRIVE on their derivation, and that's essentailly what reference is. But you know HOW Star Wars gets popular? By mass audiences hating or ignoring all the source material it's derived from, dismiss the giants on whose shoulders George Lucas stood, and act like he's some decorated genius for coming up with such creative worlds "all by himself". Now fans want the derivation to come, not from a body of great works like Buck Rogers and Buster Keaton, but all this Legends content, which actually IS just paid-by-hour grunt work, paperback novel writing, that isn't rooted in ANY sort of artistic reference but simply stuff the writers came up with on the toilet. Rule of cool, and for fans by fans, who will outright get offended if you infer anything GEORGE LUCAS seems to have been trying to SAY through the work. Listening to the auteur gets you CALLED making up stuff that was never "official" (but what IS official, is money moving those paperbck novels, in publishing cartels adn their magazine stands). What does this tell me if I want to make MY art and have my word HEARD? It will only get popualr, if it gets backing by this huge industry of ECONOMICALLY legitimized fan-fiction, that DOESN'T know anything about 100 year old films or 1000 year old poems, and does't WANT to. They want to knee-cap the giants. THEY want movies that HATE the book, for being "only" a book, and "deserves" to be a 1:1 soulless recreation in film form, prioritizing the film MEDIUM. Or, you get the opposite end with Alan Moore and Frank Miller, who think the story s too sacred to adapt. The only way to make art, in THIS society, is to rob the graves of your predecessors and rely on the credit never being known: but dance like a maniac around all your contemporaries, who are screeching about their "creator's rights" about this or that Twitter art, "my own original chracter, do not steal". The hypocricy, is not something I WANT to get recognition from. I want to carry on the ideas that inspire me, but all it does is generate IP so that mass audiences can only watch stuff FOR the IP adn ignore the soul. For example, Spideverse ONLY is given the opportunity, because they made this fantasti Four or octro Strange kind of story, into a vacuous Spider-Man vehicle for the brand recognition and transforming exploited animator labor into profits. And the "fans" HAE you for not agreeing it's one-sidedly falwless, a thing you are ONLY allowed to have positive opinions on. Fans like that would be my death, as an artist.

[@aaronhoward646]

Looked up Twitch. You last streamed 5 years ago? Any plans on picking that up again?

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

woah!!

[@SATURNATIC]

I mean it when I say, this video is the best thing you can send to a fellow artist struggling to move on. Thank you for your work and for showing many that everyone can reach the top of the mountain.

[@ManuMercurial]

Thank you for the huge compliment! 🙇 I'm so very glad my emotions came across! As you can tell I'm extremely passionate about this craft we do, and was worried it could come out as self-centered, when what I wanted to make was a video that we can go back to when we're feeling down or demotivated. So your comment makes me so happy! Thanks for being here!!

[@Darth_Bateman]

Anime saved SO many lives, because remember the last time someone got kicked out of art school???

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

​@@Darth_BatemanYour try-hard edgy unfunny comment is not appreciated here.

[@peakdartpl7580]

@@YumegakaMurakumo 👏🏅I agree

[@topcatninjahousepetsdigian9336]

​@@ManuMercurialI'm Sorry If This Sounds Rude But If You Failed Art Then How Can You WORK Om The Anime In The Thumbnail🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨?”

[@leonardmcspazerton8912]

I always wanted to get into art but every time I thought about starting I kept remembering all the inconstancies and failures I had made with my art in the past and decided to put it off. This video has been my equivalent to "we're not aiming for the truck." Thank you.

[@soku330]

Toy Story?

[@leonardmcspazerton8912]

@@soku330 yeah. I'm just saying that this was inspiring to me

[@ManuMercurial]

So very happy to hear this! Wish you the best of luck in your journey! 💪

[@redpanda6497]

Same. I was the "little artist kid" growing up and I didn't care about being professional, I found new techniques and that's how I became better with time, but after taking it seriously and comparing myself to people who have much more knowledge than me I kept sabotaging myself and eventually gave up. But after finding this video I'm thinking about grabbing the pen again. I don't know... I'm basically having a battle with myself right now. Well, good luck, I hope you can make it.

[@AviBenhaim]

@@redpanda6497 don't compare yourself to others! the way you improve is unique to only you and if you must compare, then see what you can learn instead of how far behind you believe yourself to be lacking.

[@rachelmckelvey5938]

You have no idea how badly i needed to see this. I'm 20 years old now, nearly failed my last semester at college, and feel the same sort of intimidation when I go online and see people who are even younger than me already at a professional level. I struggle to do something even every day, but recently I've been trying to push myself, even if it's just a little bit of drawing/practice every day. I feel really alone in my journey, but after watching this, I feel much less alone. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@soku330]

Same here I’m 22 but I feel like you’re one of those people too who’s at a professional level

[@quit3118]

I’m 16 and I have a dream to start a series, have it well known, and work on a fan fiction of comic/animated series of my fanfiction that is about my favorite franchise, Sonic I had a spark of motivation after I Binged watched Sonic Prime and I will try everything to reach my dream I had faced bad art block and creative block

[@vickypedia1308]

What I find comforting is that even those who draw at a "professional" level often struggle with the same things beginners do. As someone who gets told that my art looks professional at times, I know that more than half of my work doesn't meet the same level as the art that I get those compliments for. And yet, the value of those "better" artworks doesn't diminish because I don't always draw that good. You might even say that makes them more special. I think I'm an intermediate on the artist growth scale. A lot of the people whose art looks professional are actually just intermediates like me, and we still struggle with anatomy, perspectives, composition, and all that hard stuff. There's a lot of things that I'm afraid to attempt drawing because I know it will look worse than my other work, due to my lack of experience in depicting that specific object. But it's only in taking that plunge and accepting that it will look bad, that I gain the experience needed to perfect it. When you're at that stage where you start to take art more seriously, it often stops being fun, because you're so caught up in getting better and catching up with those professionals. It's incredibly important to take a step back and examine what made you want to draw in the first place, and what you find most fun about the process. And when I do this for myself, I always remember how much I like experimenting, trying out new things instead of making myself conform to one specific style or theme. So not only was my fear of making bad art keeping me from improving, it also took the fun out of drawing. So when art starts to become stressful, exhausting and embarrassing to you, take a step back and ask yourself, "Why?"

[@annoyingwitch6769]

Simmilar here, i'm 20, went to study Logistics cause it's "useful". I passed my egzams and realised how misrable i am. Then decided to sign for art school. I had to made portfolio from a scratch in 3 months. Non of them wanted me. I have last interview next tuseday i Hope they would consider.

[@jojoiguess]

Keep pushing forward, you can make it bro 🔥

[@rowan404]

Thank you so much for this. I didn’t take art seriously until I was 17 and I’m 19 now. I see so many high schoolers and even middle schoolers who are leagues better than me. This video made me cry. You’re so inspiring. I hope I reach your level someday. Thank you so much for giving me hope.

[@Tanny-sd8jf]

Same here 🤚

[@UrBoiPika]

Exact same situation here

[@gardenpanicmusic]

Even though I don't do animation, Music is still in the same ball park, I'm 19 right now as well, And I've only just begun my first steps. I also teared up watching this vid, I hope that you become successful too my friend.

[@lucio-ohs8828]

Just remember that just because they’re younger and better than you doesn’t mean that they’re inherently a better artist, it just means they’ve likely done it longer. Even if they are a prodigy, being a prodigy is just a shortcut to something that anyone can achieve. Just because someone is better now doesn’t keep you from becoming as good or better later. I don’t know if this means anything to you specifically but it’s just something I wanted to say.

[@rowan404]

@@lucio-ohs8828 I just gave a shoutout to a 13 y/o prodigy, so thanks.

[@-mixu-]

Just one sentence : Thank you

[@user-id8ll5vt7x]

I`m genuinely crying right now. I`m not even an animator, I`m a pedagogy student. I`m horrible at my tasks, my lessons for kids are terrible and everything falls out of my hands. I watch my groupmates doing this so easily and feel so worthless. But I have a goal, and I see where I`m now. I just need to understand what to do, so I can achieve it. Thank you.

[@HumperJumper69]

I too am a medical student

[@pakretto]

No matter what profession, seems that we're all facing our weighty weakness haha. Wish the best for you. You'll be a great pedagogy student on your own, keep it up!

[@xueicchi]

I can't believe I'm sobbing in the middle of the day right now. I only draw as a hobby for the longest time, like really really long, and looking back I don't feel like I made any progress at all. This was like a reality check and it hit me like bricks. When you said "Whatever amount you put into it, you're going to get that amount of progress in return", I felt so guilty about how lazy I am about something I really love. But at the same time, it's very inspirational and it moved me to tears. Thank you sir for sharing this video. I will put more effort into my art!

[@drifty2921]

What really helped me to see if I improved or not is checking your oldest to latest art

[@meliponalord8892]

This is genuinely one of the greatest videos I've ever watched on this platform. The animation and art was top-notch and it was genuinely inspiring. I was smiling with your successes and enthralled with your stories. Thank you for making this video. And to anybody reading this: Practice beats talent, and harder practice beats practice, so no matter how far behind you are to those around you, you can always catch up and even beat them. It just takes a little work.

[@ManuMercurial]

Wow, thank you!! 🙇I have no words, truly appreciate the huge compliment! And absolutely!! Practice beats talent! 💪 That + deploying Patience and I truly believe we can achieve the goals we've set for ourselves! Wish you the best of luck in your journey!

[@newjqcrew]

This video moved me to tears. I believe it's because it spoke to something deep within me. As an artist myself, I was really inspired by your story and what it took for you to get where you are. And it makes me want to work even harder than I am now to achieve my goals. Hearing the authenticity in your voice and story sold me, Manuel. I wish you all the best in the world.

[@Wise_Llama]

I appreciate this video a lot, and I agree with everything you say on an intellectual level. But on an emotional level, I just can't compute. I'm a 23 yo animation graduate and I feel like giving up. I drew so much lately that my arms constantly hurt now, and yet I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I'm not creative or anything, I don't have a good story to tell. I just like animation. But I'm losing motivation. Man, it's hard not to feel like a failure, yknow.

[@dziankolack9331]

You don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes I spin my wheels practicing and getting nowhere. Idk if this is your issue, and I constantly struggle with motivation, but I can say this: I improved the most when I started taking classes at Concept Design Academy. They have online classes and all of the teachers are pros. A lot of schools aren’t great but this one is.

[@elijahbarnes6145]

This advice might seem weird, but it sounds like non-artistic problems of yours might be affecting your artistic growth. Personally, when I feel the way you described, I can usually get out of it by improving my mental state. Going for a walk, meditating, sleeping, etc. I find that creativity is mostly subconscious, so no matter how much I focus myself and consciously practice, if my subconscious is a mess then I won't have anything worthwhile to express. I mean, you said it yourself. You get it intellectually but not emotionally. Maybe what I'm saying is obvious. Everybody has a story to tell. Your foggy brain is just getting in your way. So clear your head! I hope I'm being helpful here lol

[@YVZSTUDIOS]

I think that everyone has their own personal things they are good at and things they aren't. I for example felt very confused when I saw that allmost all my fellow artist friends already have 20 OCs and full on saga of a story in their head. I couldn't grasp to any of that and respected them for that. I tried to learn how to write stories with all the theory in the world but nothing really sticks in my brain. Like I can tell what is a cool story is and what is a Deus ex machina moment but that's ok. That means that I'm still in the process of finding my artistic voice - what I want to tell. On the other hand now I'm pretty ok at drawing, colors and digital tools. And if I think about it.. it seems like it's the opposite with a lot of artists I know 😅 and yeah that's what led me to choosing a UX design as my profession and teaching the art side of things I'm good at as my passion project.

[@Rays_K]

Watching anime, cartoons, any sort of animations are the ways I get my motivation back. Don't stop improving, it's a struggle.

[@moonflower8968]

Don't give up! Everyone learns differently, for some they can pick it up very easily and others it takes alot longer to understand things. Thats ok, we are all unqiue and special and have our own storys to tell, i feel you should enjoy the journey of exploring and creating your style, enjoy learning how to animate even if it very hard, if you love it you should enjoy it and feel happy your creating artt! Ive been through many ups and down and ive still got do much to learn but im enjoying it and trying to be patient and kind to myself ❤ Good luck i believe in you:)

[@Template93]

As someone who has graduated with a bachelors of Game Art & Design, And struggles with my own worth and progress, I love this video. I can relate a lot with this, and even gives me a bit of inspiration for what I want to eventually do. We all have our own mountain to climb, and one day we'll reach the top we so desire. I wish you the best on your climb!

[@gummilee]

Just found your channel and omg you inspire me man! I'm an artist who's been drawing since I was a child but I have always wanted to make animation! And work within acting is my life passion and the way you describe how to reach your goal, where to go and how to see it is really motivating! As a disabled person I always think ''there's no way I can manage to do this'' but I need to think small steps at a time! Can't reach the top of the stairs by jumping, tysm for this man, genuinely! I will come back to this video when I doubt my art and when I need motivation for my passion in acting!

[@ThatGrayCartoonPony]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="643">10:43</a> Lol, I actually come from the same class at Gobelins as both of your competitors in this festival (I worked on COFFIN in case you're curious). Amazing people. And indeed, even though a good school can help, it's not mandatory to become a good animator (in fact one of my animation supervisors who worked on Arcane is fully self-taught). It's mainly a matter of investing yourself in your craft, little by little, surrounded by people who share your passion, while enjoying it despite the hurdles. Huge congratulations on your film and path, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors. 👍

[@kristofgriffin384]

I'm an artist and my dream goal in life is to one day work in the animation industry, and maybe even one day have my own studio. I loved watching cartoons and anime anime growing up. I was so inspired by what I saw that I drew for hours on end. I ddi everything I could to achieve it, from going to an art and design school, to pulling all noghters to hone my skills, etc. Sadly, after I graduated from college I was unable to get a job working as an artist, so I was forced to work as a carpenter. Right now I'm saving money and working on my art in my free time. I never gave up on being an artist, especially one that works in animation.

[@soku330]

What kind of art and design school did you go to? it doesn’t look like they taught you art and animation properly

[@halfwayATfinish]

I’d recommend being wary of the industry, considering how shoddily execs pay while time crunching you

[@C0rnFlakess1]

“And the answer was suddenly very clear, every day of my life when I laid in bed, when I listened to music, when I took a bus, I was thinking of characters and stories that will never see the light of day unless I make them myself.” This was enough to keep me motivated about starting my own journey and making more progress as a small artist who just started making 3D animations

[@pikaxuls]

I loved this video. I started drawing at 18, now 22. I've always had this feeling like I'm behind. I've started many projects, but stopped halfway because I thought I wasnt good enough. This video resonated a lot with me, thank you! I'm gonna keep on working! And also, congrats for your success, well deserved!

[@AdvosArt]

I kinda needed this. I might have a diploma in animation but I kinda felt it'd go nowhere. Hopefully I can still make use of it.

[@Noodleay]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="464">7:44</a> • Step 1 - Figure out the pieces of the puzzle <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="492">8:12</a> • Step 2 - Finding resources <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="520">8:40</a> • Step 3 - Find a mentor <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="536">8:56</a> • Step 4 - Find a community <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="558">9:18</a> • Step 5 - Ask for help

[@britt_ninja]

i'm not crying you are shut up In all seriousness, your passion and hard work is seriously inspiring. I literally have your Clip Studio Paint Animation tutorial in another tab right now; I've been watching it religiously in an attempt to force myself to learn to animate (a dream I've had for over a decade now and only just got the courage to actually attempt.) I too failed art school, and finally decided to try and chase my dreams again. It's almost a relief to see that almost every artist struggles at some point in their lives, and the only difference between a failed artist and those who make it are the ones who keep going. Seeing all your passion and hard work pay off in the end brings me absolute joy. Thank you for putting yourself out there, and allowing yourself to fail. Who needs a truck, anyway?? Keep doing amazing stuff, Manu!!! You deserve every win you've worked for!

[@teteotolis]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="145">2:25</a> That moment came to me at age 17 the last year of School , I was studying Chemistry and Physics , I loved the subject , I still do. But the moment I came back from my school or Cram school , I went straight into my room to get my sketchbook and start drawing ! One day as I was preparing myself for school, I stopped and looked to my reflection in the bathroom mirror and asked, "In 15 years from now, you look in the mirror , what do you see? , who are you? , what are you doing for a living , are you happy? " That day I didn't went to school. Had to think about that, I knew deep inside me what I really wanted to do , but I wasn't sure about myself. The day I told my parents about it was a day to remember ! But it all ended well , prepared for art school (it's different in Greece , the school is free, but very, VERY hard to get in), managed to pass the exams after 3 times (3 years) . The problems didn't stop there, but I knew that I was in the right path !

[@KittyCatAddict]

I really appreciate this. You’ve reached the frightened artist in me that no one else has been able to, and encouraged her. Gave her a nice look at the process, and was kind about it. I’m currently where you started off, overwhelmingly scared of the learning curve ahead, and that I’ll fail because art isn’t my strong suit. But you did it. Certainly then, I can as well. Congratulations on your journey. And thanks for sharing it with us. :)

[@Tsuraca]

This video was so nice to watch. I graduated from an art school with specifics in Game art, but I have nothing to show for it. In those years I've only done schoolprojects, but I never did anything related to art outside of it. Now looking back, and being 22, I wished I did more of what I've been wanting to do for so long, I wish I had been drawing more all these past years. I'll let this year be my new starting point in the journey I started so long ago, I want to give myself another chance at doing what I didn't do earlier.

[@silentobserver4425]

Keep going! For every person that went to art school there’s another who never had the opportunity despite wanting to go! So keep pushing! The world is literally in your hands.

[@nekorina9011]

This is really comforting, honestly. I'm about to be a senior at SCAD and I honestly feel like I haven't done enough at all. Videos like this make me realize that I just need to keep pushing and that my dreams will come true, too if I see to it.

[@elokin300]

As someone who’s applying to art schools for animation this year, what do you think of SCAD? I hear wildly different things about it all the time but it’d be nice to see the perspective of someone who’s currently attending

[@p.o.s.t9784]

Bro… it’s unbelievable that this guy drew drawings and wasn’t that good and now.. he works on amazing things… Amazing job :)

[@zefellowbud5970]

Thats how all artist starts. Everyone just like to simplify it as the accursed word that is “TALENT”

[@lefudj4236]

@@zefellowbud5970and when you tell them it’s kind of offensive because it diminishes your hard work they just ask you to take the compliment. It’s like saying to anyone in any other field of work that all their success and progress is due to luck.

[@LinkRammer]

Bro failed art school but chose the good ending💀

[@Prosto-Ban]

Just know you kinda saved me right now. Sometimes there are road blocks in life from small to big. In front of me right now is the biggest of them all. I have bad health,country at war,barely have time to go to the gym,bad at school,I can be drafted at any point,family slowly falling apart and trying to be a designer. You gave me a little bit more hope to not end it here thank you

[@ManuMercurial]

Wishing you all the best! Thank you for your kind words

[@PityMauArt]

I genuinely have tears in my eyes after watching. I'm already 28, very close to 29, failed my first attemp with my graduation film in university had to go again the next year and even then it wasn't that good. I've been struggling a lot, even more after the pandemic, because getting into the industry in a third world country really feels impossible sometimes. But this year an animated videoclip we made with friends got nominated to its first animation festival and it brought back the hope I had for my future when I was 18. I know I'm considered pretty old for many, but this video truly helped me to gain the energy and focus to go back and practice and learn so I can comeback with new strenght! And as you said be able to tell the stories we all imagined we we were kids. Thank youuuu!

[@chronicpaindiaries]

Thank you for this. Seriously. As someone who basically gave up on art after I graduated from high school and my longtime teacher passed away, this made me want to pick up a pencil again. Thank you.

[@ikarusrq4299]

I find the struggles you mentioned towards the middle of the video painfully relatable, aside from the fact that I'm currently a 20y/o from south america with long hair and glasses named Manuel who struggles to draw despite being in design school, the feeling of constantly being scared of not being good enough, of comparing myself to others, and the constant dread of thinking "what if i fail?" makes it hard to keep going sometimes. Thank you so much for telling your story, as it not only serves as an example of what's possible out of just pure effort and willingness to keep going, but also encourages those who are struggling and provides clear proof that, if you keep climbing, sooner or later you *will* reach the top of that mountain.

[@desadesa]

I took a day to reflect on your story. You pushed me to start doing animation as a way to further express my creativity. Thank you!

[@catgames703]

As someone who just turned 20 years old and is really struggling with art, I really needed to hear this, thank you. Man I cried

[@ReiseLukas]

I'm in my late 20s and I've grown to love art and animation more and more every year. I have so many stories I've wanted to share with others but I've always procrastinated from putting them on paper. Recently I've thought about creating my own comic or manga and the more I think about it the more I know that's the medium I want to tell my story. Only problem Is I'm not good at drawing. I haven't drawn in years and It seems like too big a mountain. Your "We're Not Aiming for the Truck" analogy is really encouraging. I actually have been collecting references recently so I have some understanding of what I needed before, I just need to take that leap of faith at work on my drawing every day.

[@spaceocelot35]

This is gonna be one of those videos I regularly return to for motivation when I'm feeling down.

[@nicks4727]

3 years sounds like a long time but a very short time to become extremely skilled at a trade

[@_Chessa_]

My brain disability prevents me from remembering things I’ve learned. So animation and learning to draw is taking me to basics again after again. It’s a passion of mine but my brain thinks it’s okay to lose everything I’ve learned. I’ve got multiple huge steep mountains to climb. If I can continue to keep climbing time after time, forgetting and relearning every month and year, I know others can too.

[@ARStudios2000]

I completely relate to this. My life had a lot of unclear directions on where I would like to go in life, until I realized my love for arts and animations from my sister who used to draw mangas at home when we were kids. She inspired me greatly and I will never forget that inspiration she gave me from the beauty of her work. I started drawing back in 2013, and all the way till college, I did dumb sketches and what not before finally moving onto properly uploading my work online (2017). After finishing college (2019), and entering university, I admit art department in my university (a public one) was not what I had expected. And though I needed those lessons honestly....Manu is right. Learning, especially if you're not into it, is absolute PAIN. I can shade and light digitally just fine but I just can't get it down traditionally man. Even by the end of my course (4 years, ending in 2023), I hadn't gotten the hang of those things that I was criticized about in my first two years and I legit was scared that I was going to be held back. But it was because of that that for my thesis, I just went "Fuck it" with my thesis and decided something unorthodox. A graphic novel. It took half a year, and the end result was only 17 pages BUT I felt proud to have managed to make an entire campaign on my graphic novel with posters, a full printed book, and even little trinkets to really sell it (like office cards to really make you feel like it was from within the story's setting). My thesis actually passed, and I was relieved. Heck, I even met my future employer there! I tried hunting for a job immediately after (mid of July) and didn't have much luck for a while till one of my sisters came to visit and then saw my work which I was trying to promote myself with for employers. To put it simply, she tore me a new one. She called everything I had done unprofessional, childish, rough, and that no one would hire me for seeing those. After passing my thesis, that was basically the worlds strongest gut punch, even less from my own sister. I was looking for a job already but with her, I now was job hunting overtime while trying to expand my portfolio as much as possible, and all that time, she never let up. She never let me breathe much either, every second she was pushing me to either buff up my portfolio or find a job, and often flounted how all my sisters found jobs day 1 (like as if people don't get lucky) and I had no excuse, and backed with those would be insults aimed at my abilities (even dismissing all the things I had done for my own damn house she herself had abandoned for a better one after marrying her husband who is a genuinely decent person). I tried to be respectful as much as possible to her but eventually I snapped from the pressure (hey, babysitting small children over years tends to take a toll on people mentally) and we got into a fight. She hasn't talked to me since, and I hope eventually we reconcile eventually. It then ended up being my friends who showed me the ad the employer I met at the thesis was showing online! It was a 2D animation job, and I had some skill in that as a hobbyist so I went all in. I landed the job! Obviously, working there, I had to learn new software, namely After Effects, which brought me to your channel, Maru, and to this message of yours. I have been learning and practicing a lot over the past few months I've worked here at my current office (started in September 2023), and it feels liberating to not only find a job I genuinely find joy in learning but one I have skills at and that helps me develop my hobby and dream to eventually become indie. It leads me to finding videos by guys like you in ways my previous situations never did (I guess I didn't have the pressure or the RIGHT push (not like what my sister tried) to learn those) and I am so thankful. You are a source of inspiration, Manu, and I hope you find only more success in the future! Take care out there. -a fellow animation and arts fan

[@StarIings]

This video brings me tears, its very relateable and to some extent sombre. My art journey it feels so similiar, i too was scared and enrolled into 3d because i didn't believe i could do 2d, i and made a terrible animatic. But the biggest failure that day wasn't the animatic i still believe it was myself. After the grades were out my animation teacher took me to one side and said he gave me a pity pass in hopes i would go to 3d modelling and not waste time restarting the course. I told him i wanted to learn animation not 3d and he said this to me "I've worked in Sega for 10 years... and your work its bad... i can't teach you and if you want to learn animation, you will have to leave this school but take it from me. I've seen a lot of people over the years and some people can't do it, and that includes you..." I had a lot of respect for him, my teacher did a lot of work in the sonic franchise and i grew up on that. I trusted him and i left the school and went into finance. Its been a decade now i just celebrated my 11th work anniversary a few weeks ago. But its always been on the back of my mine. Could i have really done it? Was he wrong? And as i get older the more i believed i allowed my idolization of him to make me walk away from happiness and a meaningful career. There is no color and no life in finance, i have not smiled or cried or felt anything in years now. I am as emotionless as the price delivery algorithm, the kind of ideas and dreams i had seem.. incomprehensible, looking at archives i can't believe i could ever think or come up with such things i did in the past. In the past 2 years, i've been working on and off to see if that might change if i could somehow correct that terrible decision that day and for that your channel's videos have been a great help. Its a great window on what could be a happier career.

[@PeachyyCatt]

I believe that your unique experience could spark an amazing and emotional story - even though you lost time changing career paths, its not too late to start. I believe every life experience gives us a unique outlook on the world, like what manual was saying. Practice hard and use it to create something only you can!

[@nile1528]

“Walk away from…” “No color, no life” wow, thank you for sharing this, it may help me not doing a dumb mistake.

[@StylizedKitsune]

You have potential to turn your actual life journey into an emotionally fueled animated piece. I'm sure a lot of people would relate.

[@Bats321]

as someone who is trying to make a carrer of animation for himself, you video inspired me, i have a animation project that i will start to work back again a try to make it work, thanks for everything

[@cr_charly3789]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="730">12:10</a> "...now I have to do it again- ohh shi-" Thank you I did a spit take almost HAHAH and I know the feeling but hey just think back to all your work when working and feel your accomplishments then get back to work after a small water break!

[@roseblite6449]

"Now I gotta do it again. Oh SH- - !" LOL, I couldn't help but laugh on that one, I had to stop the video at this point. Yep, you were successful with your animation, now you've got to do more. Congratulations, all your hard work paid off. I simply LOVE what you and the other artists have done with 'Lackadaisy', and I loved 'Bleach'.

[@TOTU]

"Everyone wants to be on the top of the mountian, but nobody wants to be seen climbing" Such a heartfelt scentence! I just woke up from bed, but I'm already feeling motivated from this quote.

[@ashtonphoenyx]

I cant even begin to explain how much this helped me. Thank you for sharing tour story 🙏🏽

[@parettomain]

The direction of this video its so inspiring and lovely, thank you for doing this video, it's gonna help me and a lot for the future 😭

[@BethieBunnie]

This video is making me cry. I recently worked on a short film as part of my degree in animation, and it was the hardest I’ve ever worked on something. But I felt I wasn’t as good as my classmates. They did so much better than me, but thinking about it now, it probably wasn’t easy for them either. Saving this to come back and watch it when I get start on something new !

[@venttsur2021]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, i've become inspired I'm also 20 yrs old now and was drawing but lost interest 5 yrs ago due to depression, pressure and like your struggle "what are you gonna do now" the pressure of other people might judge you negatively on your art affected me so hard like a brick, that made a domino effect and made me depressed for years, scared and feels like im losing interest and inspiration Im scared of what im gonna do.... Im actually lost I want a hard restart, for a long time, and watching your vid makes me wanna go and draw again Again, Thank you ❤

[@cayle2099]

Amazing video. Honestly Im on a similar path right now and somehow im at the edge of giving up. I graduated in the philippines called de la salle saint benilde in which the course is animation. I was supposed to go to canada to study in sheridan one of the top animation school in canada as soon as I graduate. I was never good at drawing so a friend of my father's was one of the students in that school I thought Id be able to ask for his help. His work was amazing and when I showed him my work... Well he said I wont make it in the industry and looking back I realize he was right. I try practicing but im always stuck in a loop and somehow something keeps blocking my path for that improvement. I got lost tried studying in CGMA as much as possible but i couldnt improve. I tried working at a studio but I didnt last a month since I was in probation. I was at my breaking point and I couldnt do well at this point and years go by I realize im getting old and im nowhere close to becoming a good animator. I realize life is a long journey and you have to be at your best but it will pass by so fast you wont realize how far youve gotten. I love animation but with my skills I couldnt be at my best. After watching this video I want to try my best again. Try to improve on my skills further and maybe just keep learning. Thank you for this video. I will try my best for now on.

[@someweirddog3009]

I don't comment often and especially on youtube, but I wanted to say thank you for making this video and the one where show how you worked on Lackadaisy. Both were really interesting and well made. It's rare that I find a video that really get all my attention to the point I didn't even notice I watched it until the end, and even more rare that I'm actually really moved by it. Your message through those videos are really encouraring for artists and it motivates me to care less about failing, being behind others or doubting myself. I really liked your video and I hope you continue, everything in it is great from the message to the advices, even the presentation and little jokes. I didn't expect to actually cry from genuine joy and inspiration/motivation by watching this, and I usually don't cry often, but I think "we're not aiming for the truck" will stay with me for a long time. Again you did an amazing job and thank you a lot for this video, I hope you have a nice day :] Also you animate and draw really well holy shit-

[@dizzyplaza1453]

20 and stuck in a day job where ill literally get fired if i have a pencil or paper on hand. I really needed this.

[@llynhunter]

Thanks Manu. Great inspiration, and the way to set definite goals was a wonderful reminder of what I should be doing in my own work.

[@dachi_art]

It's so nice to see your growth overtime. Thank you for sharing it with us Great storytelling!

[@dabidabi141]

thank you for making this video. i really really needed to hear this.

[@not_briana]

I just finished the video, and I can't begin to describe how much it means to me. For the longest time, but especially as of recent, I've been filled with doubts and worries about whether I have what it takes to pursue a career in the animation industry and I found this video in just the right moment. Thank you for that.

[@aquadust]

this is an incredible video, thank you so so much for sharing your story!! truly inspirational!!

[@sasuke35691]

I hardly ever comment on videos, but I related heavily with everything you pointed in the video. We're not aiming for the truck. This is what I feel oftentimes differentiates me from other people approaching art, art school, or animation, or anything that inquires creative endeavors. This video was like a breath of fresh air. The stimulant I needed in order to keep writing, keep drawing. One day, I wish to publish my works - my books, hopefully turn them into a show or anime of some kind. The sky's the limit. We can't stop at the peak of the mountain.

[@StarIings]

I'm excited to watch this, your lackadaisy video has been very inspiring to me what a journey!

[@todosauce]

man you got me choked up over here. im working on my final project right now, 3d animation, all that jazz. im proud of you dude, and thank you for such a heartfelt video

[@just_thammi]

your words really resonate with me. Not too many artist are willing to talk about their failures or show them like that. I am really inspired by this video. Thank you

[@jessejayjones]

Love this video Manu, really great story-telling and super heart-warming! I imagine this is going to encourage so many new animators and artists! ❤

[@mafu_ne]

Thank you for this, I'm going to my last year of high school and I was kinda scared of how the animation thing would be for me in the future. This whole video just shoeed me that even if I failed I could just keep on going, and try a different way.

[@kayjay1909]

Thank you so much for this! I'm tearing up, this video is so beautiful and inspiring, exactly what I needed!

[@pix9755]

shared this with my class of fellow animation/audiovisual students. There are a surprising amon of people who struggle with finding their footing, feel intimidated and hopeless on their art. This will surely be a saving grace for them, thank you. I hope you know how many souls you will uplift with this.

[@ChilledBacon]

phenomenal video, and super inspiring for any passionate animator, or even anyone just dabbling in it. Thank you for making this

[@scarlett6761]

I’ve been working through some intense burnout in my career over the past few years. Recently, I discovered making art and how much fulfillment it gives me. But I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed by how much there is to learn, and how it feels like everyone else who got into this as a hobby or career has been doing it their whole life. This video was super inspiring and when I saw you go up on stage to accept the award for your film, I had the BIGGEST smile on my face. I know I am just some random stranger on the internet, but I’m really proud of you, and I hope to one day follow in your footsteps 🙂

[@Loreage]

Literally my story but I’m starting first year of art uni at 19. OMG YOU MADE MEMORIES FOR SALE!?!?! This video gave me some hope that i could reach this level. This means a lot to me, im actually kinda welled up RN. Thank you for making this video

[@_Zushi_]

Currently I’m a very young artist who has a dream that’s probably way too big. I’m a sucker for one piece. That anime changed my life in ways you cant imagine. I want to create a life changing story like one piece. But right now I’m stuck. I don’t have any motivation to improve because no one seems to care. I’ve been looking at videos like this but this one really opened my eyes. This video gave me to hope to continue on my journey. Thank you so much for that!

[@ThatGuy-nc8nf]

Hello! I want to express this feeling inside of me right now, your message resonated with me. I'm currently a student, and art is my dream job, I want to create something that other people would say "wow" to, and I want to be inspiration for artists. But my circumstances now just screams the opposite, my parents want me to get a job in the medical field so my shs strand right now is STEM, I want to prove to them that I am a capable artist and that I have what it takes. Your video kinda made my eyes moisten and now, more than ever, I feel guided. I just want to say, thank you, I'll make sure to prove them wrong, and I hope a year from now, I can come back to this message and update.

[@stefoppse]

The beauty of this life is when you finally realize medicine itself is also art

[@leviathan67]

...im lost for words... i am thankful you shared this hell...it was your clipnstudio paint tutorial that got me to get into digital im finally getting somewhere and im going to try to animate now thanks for being there Manu really

[@kiiwiinii319]

This is one of the greatest videos in learning art, I can’t describe how perfectly this captures emotion

[@Arxari]

I've tried drawing, so many times in my life, I tried animation just as many, but I always gave up, always thinking I would never make it or that my art would always suck... And after an on/off drawing period I stopped completely. This video made me grab a pencil and paper, and just sketch, sure, it's not award winning artwork, but it's art that I MADE. Starting today I promise myself I won't give up and I will continue drawing. Thank you.

[@ackmanstein]

Bro... What a video. Congratulations on everything you've achieved.

[@kansai_arts]

Thank you so much. It's been ages since I've gotten this motivated and excited. I truly am grateful

[@zsmall]

Thanks, for this video! I really needed this. This is just the inspiration I needed to hear.

[@MJC09Z]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us! It’s so inspiring seeing that you went through the same feelings and worries I and many others went through with art. I’ve always had confidence issues with my work, especially when looking at what my classmates were making compared to me. It impacted my confidence and created a nasty habit of me procrastinating my work because I was scared of failing. However, because of your videos and showing how you overcame your fears. You’ve made me realise why I even started to draw in the first place, for me! Thank you so much man, you’re an amazing artist and an inspiration!

[@montgomery9188]

Thank you for making this video. I'm glad to hear your story, it inspires me to put in the diligent work that I know I can put in as I head towards my goal. You're awesome!

[@BobLennon315]

this moved me, thank you Manu!

[@EdomanCh]

Now I'm feeling motivated! thank so so much for making this video!!!

[@damjanmilenkovic5191]

I just wanna say thank you. I needed this

[@Hanh-Solo]

This is an underratedly good story telling and motivation,I think tears dropped from my eye.This is one of the best thing I have ever seen on youtube. Thank you for making this

[@itniya4]

im 22 couldnt afford art school but kept drawing anyways, im a mom now and while i still do art and im even hired to illustrate a children’s book i still dont feel like an artist. ive been trying to teach myself fundamentals so that my art can finally reach a level im proud of but its soo hard alone. it feels impossible even. im writing a graphic novel because comics and animation have always been my passion but despite my literal decades of drawing experience my art still feels like it’s missing something. i can tell the difference ive been beating myself up for not being able to go to college even if its not my fault i feel like i’ll forever be behind because of it. this was incredibly inspiring but i wish there were success stories like these coming from people who were self taught without any schooling

[@sajjadabouei6721]

Thank you man, i needed this video

[@diobrandodo3586]

Thank you for this video. Ignited back my spirits and put me back on the path I was on. You reminded me what I've always been passionate about, it means a lot. thank you so much ! :)

[@Raskal_VT]

Thank you for making this video. Obviously I am a struggling vtuber in med school but I always lean to the arts. This lesson in a fun and enticing video really helps lessen the pain of creating as well as really bring back that lost motivation I’ve had when making and hating my art. I do yo really know what to say other than thanks for this insight into you

[@Brokamatic]

Man, I literally needed this video. I have a really hard time staying motivated to keep working at my art. But while I was watching your video, I started crying. I’ve only cried from artists’ stories twice - once when I watched the director of Elemental discuss his journey and now, after watching you. I’m 28 now, and I just started drawing for the first time about a year ago. Your video and story motivated me to start climbing the mountain. Thank you.

[@TheTranquilCat]

I'll be honest, I was not prepared for the absolute spectacle this video is, it literally went and echoed through my soul, thanks a lot, really needed this.

[@zephyrartch]

Ah this is so emotional and motivating. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm in tears. I know this makes me and many artists out there want to keep doing our best. I hope this video reaches more and more people! Congratulations!

[@xprinceorcax]

I love when artists inspire other artists to do their best. Art improvement isn’t always linear and at many times seems very discouraging. To see someone overcome and continue to learn with passion is enough to move me deeply. Thank you so much for encouraging others and sharing your story!

[@TheRecluseOtaku]

Thank you for sharing your story. It has made me motivated to continue working towards my goals. This video is the type of video that makes you come back to it, whenever you need a boost to keep pushing foward. Thank You.

[@BishoySargius]

Thank you for this video. This helped me a lot during a tough time and I needed to see this.

[@chill_itsjustlife]

Congrats man, I am happy for you.

[@kotoa_sou]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Like many, this moved me to tears. Truly inspiring Manu, thank you!!

[@teteotolis]

Came back to re-watch , GREAT video , thank you for making it Manu !

[@mynkrafter]

This video was so well put together and inspirational Amazing job!

[@WillyNYenYen]

I needed this thank you thank you thank you, I cant give up now, I must find myself again and remember why I got into drawing and animation to begin with. This spoke to me on a deep level. So thank you for lighting that fire in me once again :)

[@ashfiire]

This video was incredibly moving to me. I can relate to a lot of the struggles and fear of not being good enough! Such an inspiring story! :)

[@thansiyapa4721]

Thank you so much for this... I don't have words to say. It touched so deep. Loved the way you told your story. All the best. Wishing to see your films in big screen some day...

[@wolfman1000000]

thank you for working on these projects. it means a lot to me. whether it was simple background or whatever. you helped make shows i love.

[@daniliotaloma]

I am not even an artist, but your video is too relatable no matter what avenue of life you are traveling. When I heard you talk about everything in this video, I immediately related it to my passion for music. Everything you say applies, and I am at that stage where I must define that goal and work out the steps toward it. A long path indeed! Thank you so much for inspiring me again and thank you for making beautiful art! Don't give up!

[@UNIVERSE_X_STUDIOS]

I definitely needed this sort of video. I’m dealing with procrastination but this really helped me get inspired and to get to work on my story. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@nyuszmeanimations760]

Bro the way this video gave me so much motivation and a peace of mind knowing that im not the only one who has to come over hardships while learning animation is so good