Oswald's Story

Somebody recently broke down Oswald's Theme from Epic Mickey as having "acts" that represent the character's life.
I was pretty darn moved by it and then I got the inspiration to illustrate the story.
Act 1: A Star is Born
Act 2: Oswald's Career
Act 3: The Contract
Act 4: Under New Management
Act 5: Replaced and Forgotten
Music by the talented Jim Dooley, I just drew along with it.
If you like the song, please buy it!
_____
Notes:
-Human characters, in order of appearance are Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney, and Charles Mintz
-I know Oswald wasn't exactly forgotten as he still had a career with Universal. But by "forgotten" I'm referring to his long absence under the Disney name.
-Apologies for the darkness of some of the images! But working with just monotone is tricky and I tried my best. :/ YT compressed some of the quality and clarity.
-Toy Story 3 vibes? Well, that honestly wasn't intentional; was following the story written out and it called for Oswald looking in from the window. Don't shoot the illustrator!
Thanks for the suggestions of doing another video of how Oswald got involved in Epic Mickey or returning to the Disney-family, but I guess you guys aren't following his Tales of the Wasteland it's been done!
-Hm, pacing towards the end is a bit fast the more I look at it. Sorry about that!
~

[@sushiicat3503]

That is one of the most saddest things I've ever seen

[@TheLoneClaw]

Oswald, the only character I feel genuinely sorry for for a meta reason. Poor Oswald. ;.=.; Disney really should use him more now that he's back, maybe put him in a movie or something.

[@notbobby125]

The real life story of Oswald is even sadder than the one shown here. After being taken away from his creators, Oswald only starred in a handful of shorts, with any characterization being taken away until he was just a funny cartoon animal. Mickey was so successful that Oswald's owners just stopped using him in 1943. For decades, Oswald was unused, unloved, and forgotten. Until, that it is, 2006, when Disney traded their flesh and blood sports caster for the rights to Oswald from NBC.

[@HorrorLuva4Life]

I'm glad that they put Oswald in Epic Mickey. Now all of the players are realizing poor Oswald's story. || amazing video. made me tear up at the end..

[@808INFantry11X]

It sucks because at the end of the day it was neither Walt Disney or Mickey's fault about Oswald it was just a situation that no one had any real control over and its tragic that Oswald had to pay the price but I love both Mickey and Oswald glad he's back.

[@RoarOfRa]

Cut to 89 years later, and Disney (awesomely) trades a HUMAN BEING for the rights to a cartoon rabbit.

[@ThePeacekeeperj3low]

Pure genius. Your story sketches matches with the music flow and seeing Oswald's point of view into a story is perfect. Looks like you might become the next 'Disney' genius. Walt Disney himself would be very proud if he was still alive to see this. But I'm sure he's already happy seeing it in heaven.

[@epicmickey716]

89 years later....

[@leahrocks444]

I just always LOVED Oswald. He was (and will always be) my favorite character EVER.

[@daniexists6]

And the first to become forgotten.

[@Ulquiorra4forever]

I love oswald no matter what

[@BlizzardTH]

This is utterly heartbreaking. Poor Oswald.... Hopefully Disney'll notice how many fans he has now and keep him around.

[@Tunazap]

As sad as Oswald's story is.... if that hadn't happened, we wouldn't have Disney the way it is today. It's very depressing, seeing poor Oswald be so unloved for so long, but that's over now :) As for the video... amazing. So simple, but so telling, you know how everyone feels by just expressions alone. That shadowy figure taking Oswald away was Mintz right?

[@808INFantry11X]

He's back been back since 2006 all in prep for this game and future releases welcome back Oswald one the hostage negotiations in history.

[@icecreamartsygirl]

I feel really bad for Oswald i do. He shouldn't have been forgotten at all, it should be almost impossible to forget the first cartoon ever created, but that doesn't mean you have to be hard on Mickey it's not his fault he was created he couldn't decide that on his own. There'dms always gonna be more cartoons, but no one not even mickey can replace Oswald the lucky rabbit.

[@wasd5688]

It's not fair! he was so good!

[@magic713m]

Aww. I just can't help but tear up at the end. I know that he's a fictional character, but I just feel sad that he was forgotten by so many for a long time. Under different circumstances he could have been where Mickey is today. At least he is back where he belongs now. Gr8 work.

[@MFGreth]

Oh holy shit. I started tearing up at the end.

[@ztslovebird]

This . . . words don't do it justice. It's a beautifully tragic look at Oswald's story! It's kind of how I pictured that meeting going if Oswald had been in the room!

[@nocommentletsplay]

Wow! This was an awesome animation! It really tells Oswald's story without any dialogue, just the expressions on the character's face tell so much about the his story.

[@yharu_hasaiko]

Poor Oswald... :'(

[@genisisbeing]

this is absolutly wonderful, poor oswald.

[@wespector]

This is really nice - frankly, we should have done it at Junction Point! I'm really impressed. Warren Spector Creative Director, Disney Epic Mickey Junction Point

[@ChiliDUDE27]

this is really sad, Oswald is the first to be forgotten, and so he makes his way to WasteLand, and tries to build a better world for those who were forgotten by Disney, he then saved WasteLand along with Mickey's help, then headed to Buena Vista Street in Disney's California Adventure Park. Recent Reports say he's headed back to wasterland for Epic Mickey 2.

[@UbberOswaldfan]

I really think this was a fitting master piece. It tells oswalds story very well.

[@yeshuasimons]

new cartoons and games for oswald. no mickey and oswald anymore (somtimes then,okay)

[@AiLess]

Broke my little heart. I love Oswald he's my favorite Disney character, and will only bevy favorite :) I'm glad he's involved with the parks and even target now. He's an awesome chacter. Too many good chacters get put under the rug..I can't wait to see more Oswald stuff as the years come.

[@DoNotTouchMyMusic]

I really miss Oswald I hope he comes back on Disney ):

[@LordKristine]

Words can not describe how good this is.

[@WEDenterprise]

Oswald is my favorite disney character, they should put more of him in the parks and cartoons, im glad hes slowly making his way in, such as in buena vista street in california adventure park

[@MegaJackson61]

Everytime I hear Oswald's name, it just makes me feel sorry, and it pains me a lot. Poor Oswald, you will never be forgotten in our hearts. We will love you forever...

[@naeon23]

I just finished Epic Mickey, and Oswald's starting to grow on me... Really liked how you told your story, and I love how it fits with the theme! Job well done. :D

[@Martiangrl86]

This made me feel like crying. I hope Oswald makes a comeback someday.

[@OrangeOctopi7]

Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I love it! It's pretty sad, and it's also kinda scary at the part where they're fighting over the contract. This conveys so much emotion, and the music from Epic Mickey really helps.

[@japanman501]

Walt lost the rights to Oswald when he quit Universal Entertainment, because the company owned his character. Disney got his rights back in 2009.

[@caldanwil]

Please tell me that there is a way to jump through the screen and hug oswald! i don't want him to be sad without me cheering him up!

[@Experiment510A]

I was able to keep a straight face through most of this... and then the ending comes up. (sheds a few tears)

[@alimezen3164]

Toy Story 3 feeling or not, this is really good. I'm loving the emotion and the drawings are amazing, too. You actually put the songs to good use in this cartoon. Love it, nice work.

[@Warner1929]

This made me cry. ;,(. But this made me an Oswald fan. I thank you for uploading this. :D

[@elrota]

Being an individual who has studied Disney Animation all his life in the hopes of becoming a Disney Animator himself and knowing the story of Oswald I must say this little video absolutely broke my heart.... beautifully done!

[@ReesiePuffs64]

This was great! I loved it! I like how you incorporated the real story with the Epic Mickey one. They really fit together nicely. And Walt and Ub were spot on! They looked perfect! I'd love to see more like this.

[@MusicMushi]

awww poor Oswald! D: I got teary eyed this is absolutely gorgeous simply amazing and other heartfelt praises...I love it! :'D

[@TwilSea]

@DoctorMGinius I officially cannot watch this anymore without thinking that. Thanks, man!

[@CHewittFilms]

FANTASTIC job! What a great tribute to one of animation's most beloved yet forgotten characters. Walt would certainly be proud.

[@TheLop909090]

It's so hard to watch this without crying! :,(

[@Tozzywozzy01]

I wanted to make an animation based around this theme and Oswald's story. You've done it 1000% better than the way I was imagining it. :o

[@Nerdstalgia_Jams]

Right in the feels. :C

[@Purplesubmariner]

and this is an amazing piece by the way, I really love the way you animated his story, it always makes me feel back at the end...

[@MistressZelda]

OMG this is so beautiful...I love it. You illustrated his story so well...I started tearing up at the end. Thank you so much for this! :)

[@KevinKess]

@TwilSea I really don't know what to say except... This is by far, one of the many greater examples of animation that I've ever seen yet. Thank you for making something as well-made as this.

[@CmdrVoltaire]

If Oswald hadn't taken the fall, we wouldn't have Mickey...and probably most of the others too... Good GOD, I feel so sorry for this guy.

[@mastromjm]

This is the most beautiful video I have ever seen in my life...brilliant work!

[@SuperShadowsGirl]

Ok, I have to admit, I was touched by this. The music fit perfectly, with the song being Oswald's theme from Epic Mickey and stuff. I like how you showed that son of a pickle, Mintz taking Oswald away when the music got intense. That was what had come to mind when I first heard his theme play at that part. You did a very nice job on this and I'm definitely liking and faving. ;)

[@gekkokkid]

yep this basicly tells everything and to make things much more cooler, by playing the epic mickey you can see how it all ended.. this story is touching.. im glad everything ended well for the littleguy lol i guess he is a lucky rabbit after all.

[@999haunted]

I can't believe I cried at this.

[@KadenzaKat98]

Poor Oswald! *Hugs the Lucky Rabbit*

[@walterhg67]

POOR Oswald!!!!!!! =:::::::(

[@Heavylight17]

This is an amazing peice of work you have here! I would love to see more like this.

[@ylady]

I think its to show how oswald was taken away from Walt eventhough he was Walt's idea.

[@japanman501]

I think my heart broke a little. I love you Oswald! Come back to us soon!!

[@nancy200111]

THAT WAS SO SAD. I love your work. bravo bravo!

[@MasterKenobiWan]

I was JUST thinking about this video. Didn't know who made it until now! Wonderful job. :)

[@lilg540]

I can't even handle this. Great job!!! Very beautiful. It's just perfect to me. I have such an attachment to Oswald, this made me cry!! Love it. Well done!

[@Polyphemus47]

This is nothing short of wonderful. Very sweet. Ub Iwerks has always been a hero of mine, since his was the first name I ever saw on a cartoon. His "Flip The Frog"s were shown on afternoon TV in Minneapolis in the very early '50s.

[@syxtfour]

Absolutely incredible

[@mariaalmanzor5460]

epic mickey, Oswald is back in a videogame!!!

[@Arisusa]

This is amazing!

[@mattcoonster]

Very good!

[@kyranthia]

This is amazing. Got me a little choked up too.

[@TwilSea]

@RogerDog Woah, thanks for linking me to that- I'm turning bright red over here!!! And thanks for the kind words!

[@Dreamergrl80]

poor ozzy :( *huggles*

[@caldanwil]

that almost made me cry. Very nice work.

[@garrettbakken7465]

He's my favorite also

[@Aecusim]

wow, yo're fantastic. This was amazingly well done. I'm positively speechless. I can't see anyone disliking this.

[@oniyurisan]

The ending had me in tears. But you forgot the happy ending, where Oswald get's merchandise and has a video game :) Beautiful work!

[@Cutelilanimegirl101]

Beautiful! Just absolutely amazing! Makes me tear up a bit. :'( Wow, even Warren Spector himself was impressed and commented! What an honor for you! :D

[@MeltingMan234]

Beautiful, there should be a 2nd part to this story when Al Micheals gets Oswald back to Disney and Waren Spector gives Oswald a new generation of fans

[@scared121]

OMG the last pic of this thing a actual disney dude drew it for me so happy

[@miketh2005]

You made this? WOW! It gave me chills! Your awesome, dude! Subscribed! Made me feel sad for poor Oswald. Had to remind myself that he's not real! Wow, just wow.

[@donnie1994]

inspirational

[@MongolianFistDemon97]

This was really good.

[@scared121]

I LOVE YOU OSWALD SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!

[@dougiedisarray]

OH GOD! HE'S A SCRIBBLENAUT!

[@Bulldozer4000]

Oh god my heart. This is so great and so sad. This also has to be one of the best drawn Oswalds I've seen. It looks very true to the original! And of course, the soundtrack of Epic Mickey is amazing too.

[@TheLanydx]

@wespector Wow Mr. S, I didn't think you'd be on something like this. I want to thank you for Epic Mickey, heck I'd like to thank the whole staff for the game, and for bringing Oswald back into the spotlight.

[@samrox317]

sooo sad but really good i almost cried i'm glad he's back :)

[@pikachalupa]

I LOVED IT!!! i almost cryed at the end D':!!! YOUR GREAT AT THIS!!! :D you should be a professional ^^

[@Jangwoofilms]

I almost cried, BRAVO!!!

[@SharpThought]

You did an amazing job on this, although very sad :(

[@SuperSenshi]

How sad...I hope Disney shows more of Oswald now that more people know about him.

[@BelBelle468]

amazing....i love this. seriously....

[@wizardwarrior713]

Aww Oswald's even cuter than Mickey...Anyway, good job on this, it's sweet/bittersweet and tells the story perfectly simple. Not to mention, the drawings are so adorable, and the music is perfect! Awww I just wanna hug Oswald at the end...reminds me of Toy Story, probably the 3rd one, except Oswald is a lot cuter than Lotso.

[@TwilSea]

@ThePixarPrincess Walt was yelling at Mintz. Ub joins later, standing behind Walt to comfort him. Was hoping the different hair would help differentiate them.

[@Wiccaphobiia]

oswald is cute and awesome!

[@christmasmatt21]

2:12, Oswald see Mickey as his new replacement. How sad! This remindof the part of the story in Peter Pan, when peter goes home to find a new baby. This made me tear up, no joke!

[@thred7777]

I just changed my whole thought about Oswald...

[@365ral]

That animation fits the song so well...and its so sad! :'( Poor Oswald!

[@TwilSea]

@MORENOx112486 Wow, thank you! That's quite a compliment! I really didn't plan on doing another one. Like I mentioned to somebody else, there's not much I can do since Warren and his team have tied up the story between what happens before and during Epic Mickey.

[@drewcomix]

Nice job on this! It definitely tells the story up to the point that Oswald is lost to Universal and Mickey is poised to surpass him, and the background music is nicely chosen and edited. The animation may be limited but the visual style is very cool nevertheless.

[@rebelaar]

@miketh2005 in 1928, Walt created Oswald and Oswald became the greatest cartoon star of the late 1920's. however, Walt and Charles Mintz had a contract dispute. Basically Walt had a choice to accept the cut in money for the cartoons and a smaller staff since Mintz took most of the staff or lose the character. Frustrated that he couldn't make high quality cartoons with the cut, Mintz took away Owsald from Walt and used him as his own. Soon, Walt created Mickey and so Oswald was forgotten till now