Reacting to Neal Illustrator's God Games | EPIC: The Musical Animatic

[@OpenArmsReactions]

What animatics should we check out next? 👇

[@omarsalem1219]

Falperio05 for the underworld song

[@omarsalem1219]

Laritamiauu for wouldn't you like

[@werewolfgirl19Springleforever]

I don’t have anything right now, but I know you guys are going to love Neal’s God Games and her future videos too. Love your videos too, have a great day, afternoon, or night 😁👋🏼💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

[@omarsalem1219]

Also anniflamma is finally back to working on her full thunder bringer animatic so when it's out maybe check it

[@CyrahLia_459]

Krieo's No Longer You is really good! And Crashite's Scylla

[@CFEntertains]

Neal Illustrator is one of the BEST in the game ❤‍🔥

[@omarsalem1219]

She started doing both get in the water and six hundred strike

[@omarsalem1219]

Casper have you and Mortuis thought about streaming stray gods together here on oar?

[@Lillyishere86143]

Fr! I had my friend watch it and she really liked it and is one of my favorite she's really good at it! And mortis singing wouldn't you like was a really good too it's one of my fav songs in epic

[@readingwizard2394]

@CFEntertains So buddy you caught on to it at the beginning. Remember the baby statue? If you pause it that baby is wearing a certain owl medal while the other part is wearing a lightning medal. Connect that to the end of the song and uuuuuhhhh... yeah :(

[@RubenAssassinRose]

Neal is mad! But I love it so much!

[@littlesnake573]

Athena and Zeus are literally: "My father is the worst man alive, and I am his favourite daughter"

[@CreatureCreations-]

Hunter Of Artemis has a great edit with them and that audio!

[@AngieTheSilly]

Honestly-

[@ritasallai152]

9:42 yes being thrown of the mountain that iswhat I thought as well, by the way he has an amazing voice!

[@itz_iren]

YESS! The fact I keep thinking of that quote everytime this song comes on

[@nathananderson2314]

One thing I never see people say is that it's so cool Neal made Athena actually look like Zeus. Like there's no doubt she's his daughter.

[@bpsara]

Right?! Especially giving their hair the same shape/texture so that transition makes it even more obvious

[@Crying2Death]

@@bpsaraand the fact that she comes only from Zeus and no mother? It’s practically a clone atp so she should resemble him more than anyone

[@jesseparrish7075]

THANK YOU!!!! I made almost the exact Comment yet hardly anyone else did.

[@RWQFSFASXC8]

​@@Crying2DeathErm.... Metis?

[@Croakersilent]

Literally been saying this anywhere Neil’s stuff is posted 😂

[@steelefold9639]

That hug meant a lot and some didn't get it at that moment that Athena stoped talking to the king of gods and begged her dad.

[@finanightmare1993]

Yeah LOVE that about this animatic, I cry every time because it touches me so much

[@esbeng.s.a9761]

Yeah and it makes the "fight" between them even sadder as it is a dad beating his daughter

[@hyorinmaru121]

Man, this as well! Coupled with the cannon animation it makes the ending make so much more sense. She won over zeus by becoming a damsel in distress!

[@breakeable4631]

What gets me sad is that is straight up a reference to the statue at the beginning of the video, when Athena say "Rarely do I ask for favors" and it shows a corridor with statues, the statue that makes the transition is literally Zeus holding Athena as a baby, in a room full of his own statues, basically reinforcing the fact that she's his favorite daughter.

[@DannyRayqu]

And it makes sense as the goddess of strategy, she knows she can’t defeat him by force so she had to appeal to the part of him that was her dad, also I bet Ares won’t let her live it down

[@ruedays]

Love that it ends with a hug, and that flicker of regret as Zeus remembers this is his favorite daughter. Ares and Aphrodite are KILLER in this, they get done so dirty all the time. Living for Ares being allowed a personality and Aphrodite getting to be the bad bitch she is. There's a reason the saying is, "All is fair in LOVE and war."

[@colt1903]

Also, y'know, she WAS A Goddess of War at one point as well iirc😂

[@kennethmorgan8795]

Not just favorite daughter, favorite kid period.

[@kuroganekaze]

@@colt1903 Aphrodite Areia is the specific epitath iirc. Worshipped by the Spartans.

[@felixhenson9926]

Aphrodite used to be more strongly associated with war than love even. Even on her own she is both love and war but yeah it can be the two of them too

[@castlegarden2999]

I legitimately did the Dicaprio pointing meme when I saw that, I was like, "THAT'S AN ELDEN RING REFERENCE!! IT'S THE MIQUELLA AND RADAHN FIGHT!!!" I don't even play Elden Ring myself, a streamer I watch loves it, and I happened to remember.

[@Poisonbb666]

I always here Heras "try harder" and "you can do better than that" as a motherly way of saying Keep trying I know you're smart enough to convince me

[@AngieTheSilly]

Yeah I see it like that (Even if hera isn't a good mother or step-mother....ares, Hephaestus and all her step kids are there as prove...and apollo and artemis who she attempted to kill even before birth-)

[@connieharris-g8u]

I think it almost feels like she feels a level of respect for Athena, since she's the only Step-Child that didn't come from Zeus cheating; she's the child from the previous marriage, before Zeus got with Hera, so she doesn't have any reason to hate her and since Athena as the Goddess of Wisdom, is a natural leader, somthing Hera would want to nuture

[@aniflowers1998]

One of my favorite little details, that is so quickly overlooked, is that in the fight with Aris, after he insults Telemachus, Athina SPECIFICALLY targets Aphrodite with her strikes! That forces Ares into the difensive to protect her, and also throws him of balance, giving Athena the perfect oportunity to overpower him! It plays well into her howl thing of fighting with smarts, tactics and tricks, instead of brude strenght.

[@enamiamappi]

THAT IS SOOO COOL !! How do you even notice details like that 😭💗

[@lilaculots]

also imo it was for real a direct response fo him insulting telemachus, who had no involvement. "oh, we're attacking people the other cares about now? i can do that too, you're not special."

[@Eszra]

Notice once his mask comes off and Athena throws him by the face and then shoots her weapon at him, you can see Aries covering Aphrodite to protect her.

[@ChristianLopez-xx5nw]

Also a thing I love that happens quickly is right before Athenas attack lands on Aris and Aphrodite, Aris shields Aphrodite from the blow with his body. I thought that was an awesome touch.

[@NitrogenBomb828]

I'm unsure why Casper has beef with Ares, I would love to hear why, because Ares is actually one of the more respectable Gods. He was disliked by the greeks for... respecting women. One of Poseidon's son's assaulted his daughter and Ares murked the son in response. He was taken to court by Poseidon for this, but Ares was found 'innocent' because the lady Gods all supported him and outnumbered the male ones.

[@Michaellearnsart]

I guess Casper is jealous because he got Aphrodite Also I loved that story. Also wasn't he the patron gods of the Amazon's so yeah he is the goat

[@flounderingfish2480]

@@Michaellearnsart He even had an Amazonian daughter! Her name is Penthesilia, and her story is she killed a family member, got chased by the Furies (who wanted to punish her familicide) into a Trojan War battlefield (where she proceeded to just be like “Oh cool, killing Greeks!” and also greatly inspired the women of Troy?), entered combat with Achilles, and died by his sword. An unfortunate end to a pretty cool lady, but after realizing who she was, Achilles mourned her due to her might and beauty. Some guy then made fun of Achilles, and he proceeded to punch the idiot so hard, he died. Not sure how Ares reacted to it all, but it must’ve not been good.

[@bluebay1031]

​@@Michaellearnsart I mean he's got beef with Aphrodite too so it might not be that lol

[@janellelin9135]

@@bluebay1031I wonder if it’s because of how they are portrayed in a lot of media (no hate to creators or anything) like in the PJO series or animatics and other stuff. Kind of like how Zeus and Hades were portrayed in Hercules. It’s very easy to have beef with Ares cause he is the god of WAR and when you think about him, you associate him with, well, war. Idk I’m probably looking too deep into this haha

[@felixhenson9926]

@@janellelin9135 No, I think you're onto something. I think esp considering he is SPECIFICALLY associated with the brute violence of war as opposed to Athena's more 'respectable' war strategy angle.

[@SkyJustDontCare]

The thing that makes this animatic one of the best besides the animation, is the fact that here they actually all seem like a family even Zeus. I love all the God Games animatic I’ve seen, but they’ve not been able to capture the family aspect of the Gods of Olympus. Here you can see all the little things that make them a family. Apollo’s nonchalance and knowing expression that his sister Athena would make it through him no problem, Hephaestus giving Athena a shield, Ares accepting Athena’s hand after she beat him with a smile as well as his constant worry and yelling of “Athena” when she fights back against Zeus, Aphrodite’s complete shock and hands over her mouth after Athena gets struck by Zeus, Hera’s satisfied look after Athena’s final good reason to her as well as her breaking down during the Athena and Zeus battle. Even just having them walking with her with smiles on their faces to Zeus after she wins the game, and finally Zeus’ complete realization while he cradled Athena in his arms when she gave out. And these are just some of them, every little thing just makes them look like an actual family who care about each other, and that’s what makes this undoubtedly the Best God Games Animatic.

[@shinraset]

Neal illustrator's interpretation of God Games feels like it would fit well in the same universe as Hades the game and I love it!!

[@Nyx_TheIdiot]

funnily enough, neal mkes a lot of hades animatics!!!

[@Phasmania]

The Aphrodite love sword definitely gave me that same thought

[@dwell7315]

Aphrodite completing one of Ares' two swords (bc yeah he has two if you missed it) really helps highlight one of the main reasons Ares would have been worshipped/liked and also, symbolically, why he's in a relationship with her at all in the mythos. Why does anyone go to war? Why do people willingly put their lives and safety on the line in such an extreme way? In many cases, it's to protect one's nation, home, family, etc. People go to war for love. Aphrodite completing Ares' weapon is a perfect metaphor for their entire relationship and it's one of my favorite details in the entirety of this INCREDIBLY dense animatic. One of my other favorite details is Aphrodite using a dagger as her weapon (as well as her reflection/clone selves). A short blade. One you have to get in close to use. One you can hide from those around you. One that, when positioned just right, can turn an embrace into a stab to the heart. Even in Epic, the only other dagger we've seen was used by Circe, mid-seduction, for the exact same purpose. Get close enough to someone and you can do some pretty significant damage. Idk entirely why that's specifically her weapon but thematically it makes sense that the goddess of love would use it.

[@MowzerJ]

On many levels Love and War go hand in hand

[@_sunnytoast]

at 15:05, you can actually see Hephaestus's full body, and he does actually have a mobility aid! (his prosthetic leg) :D

[@deviboodhai2800]

Mortius reaction to Aphrodite was cool while Casper's was smash

[@meaypie11]

That's bc Neal gets him with Poseidon

[@colt1903]

Athena: Somehow, my family is the most dysfunctional yet loving sack of eccentric assholes in the world.

[@sakurap95]

3:57 Technically Athena was born as an adult clad in armor from her dad’s split head, but I don’t care too much about accuracy if it means we get adorable baby Athena! 😅

[@OliveDiamonds]

you could also take it since its probably hidden by his posing statues it was crafted for mostly him to see because he wanted to have a visual of holding his daughter since he couldn't do that when she was born.

[@sundalosketch4769]

@@OliveDiamonds I now imagine he hid the statue because he knew Athena would fact-check him on the lore of her own birth. Possibly embarrassing him further.

[@OliveDiamonds]

@sundalosketch4769 If Hera ever sees it you know she'll tell Athena and watch that show go down lol

[@boomgirlbucko]

I think he was referring to the infant

[@bfw3472]

in God games they're not all Cloud women if you look closely some of them are men 4:44

[@sorufa888]

Lore accurate

[@CrimsonHybrid]

18:10 - It's a mirror of the statue in the beginning where a baby Athena is in statue Zeus' arms.

[@Chloesongbird803]

My three favorite things from this animatic are 1. Hephaestus's design is a literal volcano 2. You can see the sibling bond between Athena and Ares throughout the entire animatic And my very favorite one 3. At 16:58 you can see Ares literally scream Athena's name as she's attacking Zeus, like he's worried for her safety🥺

[@steelefold9639]

The thing with hepestuses head is he is meant to look like a statue that's broken or in other words imperfect.

[@sungunner6244]

He also has cracks all over his body, yeah

[@josephperez2004]

He is also the God of Volcanoes, so it could have multiple aspects to it.

[@steelefold9639]

@@josephperez2004 true that.

[@themoonthathitsyoureye5902]

A detail i love is the lichtenberg scars athena has after being hit by zeus lightning. I hope in any chronologically future animatics neal does she still has those as a nod to this.

[@RatatoskClarke]

I think the "shadow" of Aphrodite in the mirror that leaps out and starts messing with Athena is actually supposed to be a sea-foam version of her! It makes the most sense to me considering her origins, and I fucking LOVE that for her character design. It makes me want to make my own aphrodite design now haha!

[@emerson4140]

I haven’t seen anybody mention or point this out yet but when Athena is struck by Zeus you can see Hera draped over something/hiding her face as if she’s crying. She’s so worried!!

[@liana_ana]

the fact that dude was down bad for Aphrodite 😂 he immediately said smash and played it off

[@jennifersmith2957]

Family meeting Zeus= Dad Athena= daughter from 1st marriage Hera= mom/stepmom Apollo= bother who is a musician Hephaestus= brother who is to invested in his work/hobby Aphrodite= aunt/sister who doesn’t accept the responsibility of STARTING THE WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! Ares= meathead brother with a weird thing for aunt/sister but still kinda supportive of other sister

[@kaiburrus3190]

Apollo really is a bother isn't he

[@enamiamappi]

@@kaiburrus3190HELPPPP 😭😭

[@dwell7315]

@@kaiburrus3190 Just ask....every Greek from the Trojan war lol (but especially Achilles. Ouch.)

[@Michaellearnsart]

Hepeasthus just has ADHD and autism

[@thenosieyartist6924]

More so messy sister in law still YES

[@silvamillion21]

The small detail that I absolutely love in Neal's animatic is that all the damage that Athena does to the gigantic cloud form of Zeus actually reflects on his real body. In the end of the animatic with the hug you can see that he has scars on his left arm and his face.

[@bug_a_boo3309]

that’s one of my favorite details in this

[@Eszra]

I'm shocked the baby statue was seen but had you looked at it as a whole it's Athena after her birth in her fathers arms and he also has her helmit as well. The fact it's in the hallway to her Father it shows how much he does love his daughter.

[@chuck6968]

Zeus out here whipping out the spirit bomb. The God equivalent of getting the belt Zeus out here saying WHAT YOU SAY TO ME

[@dwell7315]

idk why Neal decided that ball lightning is Zeus' big explosion moment (he does a very similar, albeit much less powerful version in her Thunderbringer) but it makes it feel a lot more impactful than a simple lightning bolt

[@ritasallai152]

​​@@dwell7315I read in another comment that if you look closely that little ball is Jupiter😂 another sick detail added Honestly on another note: I really hate remakes, but this makes me reconsider, that in the right hands you can add a lot even to such old stories

[@Wiram_wiara]

Idk if anyone had said this but i'm gonna say it. Neal make it feel like this is a family game. Like everyone is competitive at first, sure cause it's a game but then when they got defeated instead of grieving, they accepts it and when they loses they help her. Feels like a game where one person need to defeat each levels or each one of the family members then takes them in to your team. Everyone after get defeated chills about it(even tho ares and aphrodite at first looked hate getting defeated but then got chill about it eventually) excepts Zeus who looks more competitive than others feels like he cant loose to his own daughter so athena reminds him "Father it's just a family game." Before Zeus relise he went to far she already fainted kind of thing.

[@meaypie11]

Someone else reacted to God Games and spotted that the baby Casper noticed at the beginning os Athena, and that the statue mirrors the closing illustration of the video. ❤

[@colt1903]

Airier?

[@Izzy-uc3ze]

Things i'm just noticing 1. Tree in Apollo's area is his past lover who turned into a tree Daphne 2. Statue at the beginnings are Zeus posing and the one with the baby is of him holding a newborn Athena, this seems to be where she gets her pin and helmet headband thing 3. Zeus throws a planet fireball at Athena, representing his connection to Roman Jupiter 4. In the background of the Zeus/athena fight is the planet Saturn, which connects to Zeus's father Kronos, god of time, which is a reoccurring theme with Athena 5. Wolf on Ares's shoulder is likely the she-wolf who raised his sons Romulus and Remus, who go on to rule the Roman empire. Also coincidentally the shoulder Aphrodite sits on 6. After Ares's taunts Athena for caring for Odysseus and Thelemachus, who starts attacking Aphrodite, and because he is protecting her that athena can beat him, showing how love is both a strength and weakness Srry for the long post 😁

[@ChibiCherub]

It ends with a father and his favorite child a daughter desperately begging for the understanding and mercy of her father, on behalf of a beloved friend

[@gryfon_gamez8184]

In every other animatic, the ending was a goddess begging to her king In this, the ending was a daughter begging to her father

[@squishydragon6652]

I haven't seen anyone comment this, but at 13:35, Athena is attacking Ares and Aphrodite and if you look closely, Ares is covering Athena with his own body to protect her! :D

[@sakryh]

if you look, the cloud throne has men in it too.

[@caetrds]

Ganymedes???

[@jaearnell]

The family dynamics at a GOD level that Neal brought into their animatic is insanely good. Such a creative animation with attention to detail.

[@AislingNausicaa]

🌊🎼🌊 I've been waiting… for this moment… for my favorite God Games animatic!🎵🎶🦉🌞🔥💄⚔🦚⚡

[@x_glitched]

I loved how they fan-boyed in the same places that I did, Neal had me floored at the end of this animatic

[@malenaseiguer2081]

“As the hype is building back up” makes it sound as if it had ever ebbed… I’m still hyped since the first Epic song

[@yoyoman195]

Damn Neal is the GOAT at actually making the gods feel GODLY

[@1243-Maria-_]

Did anyone see Hera crying in the background? Like even tho Athena had no mom she still cared for her like a daughter. 😭

[@ChaosOnyx]

I love Casper's random "E" at 7:21

[@celestia9793]

in 13:35 , I think I saw Ares lean towards Aphrodite to protect her from Athene's plunge attack and I just love that detail

[@shineyydesigns7696]

8:10 If you havent heard of it, No Straight Roads is exactly what you're thinking of it. It's a rhythm action boss rush game where you fight enemies to the flow of their soundtracks!

[@MakoHarpy]

NSR mention :D

[@themoonthathitsyoureye5902]

Seeing you both have the same reactions i did at every amazing moment (the entire thing tbh). Watched this when it first came out. Apollos bow being an instument is so cool. the haephestus mech made me explode, the heart of smoke aphrodite makes, SYMBOLISM of aphrodite making ares' weapon complete and more powerful as he carries her on his back JUST INSANE. Athena having absorbed zeus' power and half her face looking like his. Its all just 👨‍🍳💋 HOW DOES NEAL DO IT.

[@irik_art]

YEEEES!!! I have watched this. It is the best animatic for this song I've seen so far. It is not what you're expecting. The end is like: 😲... 🤩!!!

[@FalafelMonkey]

The design of Ares and Aphrodite in their fight together being designed after Elden Ring's Promised Consort Radahn and Miquella fight is making me giggle so much

[@artemis_719]

10:03 Casper is so valid though.

[@ShyyGaladriel]

Glad you guys got to watch that. I adore how Hephaestus is portrayed in this. All of them really.

[@songsayswhat]

Athena's supposed to be Zeus's favorite child. Loved the hug at the end.

[@justanaveragehumanbean]

Neal knocked this one OUT OF THE PARK

[@makerofthebroken]

A lot of people forget, but Athena kinda was the one child Zeus loved very clearly. He literally incubated her inside his own mind so that Hera wouldn't kill her before she was born. He broke his own head open to give birth to her, according to mythos that's why she's so wise and strong in the ways of the mind. She was born and partly raised in one.

[@jans.g6033]

Didn't he eat her and Metis (if I remember correctly, she's Athena's mom) because of a prophecy that if Athena was born a man she would've overthrown Zeus? So Zeus basically did what his father did, but didn't even wait for Metis to give birth and just ate them both

[@makerofthebroken]

@@jans.g6033 I'd never heard that version.

[@ethanandluinor6993]

I already have a little essay analyzing and nerding out about it on Neal's actual video, but I love this animatic so freaking much, Neal has consistently made amazing animatics and I love them all so much, her God Games one is easily my favorite out of them all though, genuinely please go check them out

[@gabrijelakelec4361]

Neal and Aniflamma both made AMAZING animations for God Games. Another fantastic animation I recommend for Ruthlessness is from Tamatama. I LOVE the way they show Poseidon's might and just how above he is from Ody and his crew.

[@CelestialMoonDragon]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS THANK GOD. OMG they way Neil portrays the Gods as a family in the background and little actions!!! The Zeus statue with baby Athena, Apollo's little playful fight, Hephestus giving her a shield, Ares shielding Aphrodite & clapping Athena's hand after her win, them all going to Zues together, Ares crying out, Hera looking away bc she can't bear it, Athena actually enjoying her fight with Zeus & the HUG. Oh, the hug.

[@AB-gw6li]

Zeus becomes Raid boss with multicolored health bar Athena: Crap.

[@aaronthedwg]

So imnot sure if you guys noticed this in the beginning besides Casper saying "Da Baby" But if you look back at it, its a baby Athena in Zeus' arms. It was a foreshadowing of the ending scene

[@anniefemmas5097]

The final embrace is depicted with Zeus holding baby Athena at the beginning of the animatic.

[@KureruElric]

got the pleasure of meeting neal at a local con here in MN, she’s so nice!! got tipped off on her next animatic too 😉 don’t get too used to her posidon design, i’m told she’s “gonna destroy him” lol

[@WittySomething]

And now you guys see why we've been foaming at the mouth for you to watch Neal's version. They're the only ones I've seen to actually make the whole thing like a fight, not just the part with Ares, and that bit at the end is just heartwrenching.

[@TrenaHamm]

So I saw someone else point this out in a reaction before but the statue at the begining was actually of Zeus holding a baby Athena(You can tell by the symbol on the blanket the baby is wrapped in)So this means the frame in the credits of the animatic was a parallel to how he held her when she was a baby. Okay, anyways keep up the good work you guys are awesome. Love your videos❤

[@rpgrage7711]

Neal once again providing the BEST DESIGNS BY FAR imo i literally cant go into all the things i love about this without this comment being long af

[@freddiesintrouble]

Hera crying, Ares and Aphrodite (both gods of war with Athena) not knowing what to do but to hold each other hoping everything is going to resolve, Ares screaming for her sister and Zeus regretful face after calming himself when Athena’s hugging him because in a fit of rage he literally went all out on his favourite child. Literal masterpiece

[@blue-eyeswhitekirbo2543]

While you were away, the animators were quick on the draw for vengeance. Just wanted to shout out a “get in the water animatic” by messymoonmess to check out when y’all get to it. It’s a banger.

[@Ninalikewhaa]

Y'all didn't pause to see Ares shielding Aphrodite from Athena's final strike 😭 I loved that detail so muchhhhh

[@artemisfowl7332]

Neal is an animatic god. And i think she's currently working on some vengeance saga stuff

[@malenaseiguer2081]

Hera grows a tail on the word “tale”!

[@isabellamendoza6835]

But why th does it hit so much harder the fact that they hug, than when she ends up all injured laying on the floor?!

[@Deimos_1877]

I'm going to steal a comment I read about this animatic and it's that "In the end, Athena greeted her father with Open Arms"

[@twilight1527298]

I was tearing up at the ending art of the animatic! That was so powerful! Also y'all missed where Ares shielded Aphrodite with his body when Athena sent her spear soaring down towards them.

[@Anurahm_Kycor]

Neal illustrator is the only one that captures the full essence of what God Games actually is. The song is, at its core, a family arguing and a daughter (favorite daughter by the way) asking... No... Begging her father to let her friend live. Apollo giving up without much effort or convincing is very much a "I'm just here cause dad said I need to be." mood. Haephestus having strong feelings about betrayal but still agreeing in the end because SHE'S loyal and helping Athena by giving her a shield is pretty uncle behavior. Aphrodite being a bit more spiteful because of their rivalry (remember Athena and Aphrodite were both in a mortal debate about beauty alongside Helen of Troy.) Ares not only backing his boo bear but also having a strong sense of warrior rivalry with Athena because they are opposing War gods. Ares is a very straightforward war god while Athena is a Wisdom War god. He still respects her as a war god and his sister, just doesnt like the roundabout ways she goes about war. Hera being relatively dismissive of a daughter she did not give birth to, (remember that Athena only has 1 parent since zues pulled her from his body.) but still caving because of the last point. Ody isn't a cheater. Also Hera's scene was a double entandre. Not only did the hands symbolize a peacock, they also turned into her Hand Maidens. Aphrodite's reflection also seems to symbolize Toxic love. This is just a theory mind you but that's the vibe I get from it. Aphrodite being the goddess of love is great and all, but love takes many forms. True love (her real body) and toxic love (her reflection, which could be interpreted as her opposite)

[@Theoriginalp]

Casper: “smash.” Mason: “Casper no.”

[@capt.wobbles6279]

Fun (or not so Fun) Fact about that Couch Cloud! Neal mentioned she added Men into the mix as well! When Zues is singing "But if he's worth the risk", you can find a cloud man that's hinted to be in the likeness of Ganymede near his knee/between his legs.

[@danicrose9352]

Just here to point out, the first time Athena gets hit, you can see Hera crying(?) behind everyone else

[@m-s-j7298]

My favorite detail in this animatic is the statue at the start where Casper pointed it out as a recall of the infant from the Troy saga, but when you pause and look at it, it actually is Zeus holding baby Athena, literal tears shot in my eyes as I saw that the first time, so heartwarming 🥹

[@wiredjeweler211]

So.. this for the new vengeance saga when you get to more animatics past the initial reaction. Dangerous animatic by Orange. Also, great reaction! Love Neal's animatics!!

[@Blu_Ink]

Highly highly highly recommended looking at neals community post since all the featured gods show up in cute behind the scene moments and in their fully colored states.

[@MagicHecateDaughter101]

Neal's animation style and video in general 10/10. THE DETAILS are phenomenal

[@driananium]

2:44 has there been an official release date put out or are we all speculating a Christmas release date? If there is. I missed it.

[@SATURNS_OCEAN]

I just now realized, after watching this multiple times THAT LUKES BEHIND CASPER.

[@reneehunt5590]

Great detail ya'll missed is in the beginning is a statue of Zeus holding baby Athena.

[@falcoskywolf]

Fun fact! (And I promise this one is actually fun!) Hephaestus DOES canonically have automatons to help him out! HOMER HIMSELF mentions them. So using a mecha as a mobility tool is 100% in line with what ORIGINAL GREEK MYTH would have believed possible. Also, I can't believe I've never seen anyone mention that so many instances of Ares look like Barry the Chopper from Fullmetal Alchemist.

[@Jackie-McCann]

I knew you guys would go nuts over the Hephaestus mech! 🤣

[@SiberianRomeo]

One of the things I like about this version of God Games is that despite how weird JojoDBZ it is, it really fits with how the Vengeance Saga ends. Especially with the animations they used in the live show.

[@Author1219]

The first 45 seconds of these two being giggly *bzzrt* and setting each other off again has me giggling too.

[@riallebalfour4767]

I still laugh each time I hear the Queen of Olympus say “groovy”. 😂

[@area52ron]

Fun fact: Athena is Aroace which is why Aphrodite’s power doesn’t work in her

[@AUCreatoer]

I LOVE the family dynamic Neal gave them sm. It really feels like a family, albeit a dysfunctional one lol

[@fireflyer97]

No clue if either of you have ever played Elden Ring but Aphrodite climbing onto Ares' back is reference to the final boss fight of the game's DLC package, Shadow of the Erdtree.

[@tyj2001]

One of my favorite details with Neal's animatic is that in the beginning with all the Zeus statues, you see one of him holding baby Athena (shown by the thunder and owl sigils on them) and it ends with him holding her the same way.

[@morrowzoranov]

I haven't seen anyone mention it here yet so I have to point out that the shot of Zeus and Athena in the credits mirrors the statue of him holding her as a baby near the start, Athena was never a baby but I'll happily ignore that cause this detail makes me want to sob

[@olessiatchijova8605]

This is my favorite animatic! The hug at the end gets me every time

[@thefandomtraveler2082]

neal locked in so hard with this one, saw a bit of their process on twitter and the end result is truly INSANE

[@Hyperfixating.101]

That final scene is really wholesome… (God can’t believe I’m making this joke) But knowing what Zeus would have done in this scenario in the actual mythology kinda… changes that a smidge

[@drageangreyfield5087]

Who knew “Elden Ring” inspired Ares and Aphrodite would fit so perfectly because I sure didn’t.

[@Aynathediva]

here is a fact: in the underworld saga in the anamatic you watched you could see ody drowning and that is a hint to Get in the water

[@tiredcosplay6538]

I’m glad for the call backs to Aphrodite being a war goddess in her beginning

[@BianaAmberlyVacker]

5:40 CASPER!!!😭😭😭

[@NateD6547]

Neal Illustrator has the most godly gods. Its the best.

[@boomgirlbucko]

So sweet that y'all got to meet each-other in person. And you got to officially see your height difference