Better Late Than Never - A Deltarune Christmas Story

I’m aware how late this is… Anyways, the concept of this one actually came to me in a dream! It was the second to last scene, and I thought, hey, why not try making an animation on it. So I made a little story out of it (that somehow came out to 26 MINUTES, kill me). I took a lot of inspiration from classic TV shows that make Christmas specials, a big one being the Danny Phantom Christmas episode if anyone remembers that. That’s why I wanted to challenge my writing skills by making the dialogue rhyme and stuff (it was torture). So, uh, I hope you can stomach an overly mushy story. Btw pretend this takes place in some post Chapter 7 pacifist route where Kris and Susie were able to reconcile with all the other classmates and that’s why everyone’s on good terms (and the Dark World went away or something idk). BIG THANKS to Gregeth Geist for providing the new songs heard throughout this thing, he was a BIG help and deserves to be checked out, so please give him your support!! He should be uploading these songs shortly after this vid’s out so if you want to listen to them separately then you know where to look!
Here's the playlist of his songs: • Deltarune UST - Better...
Twitter: / gregethgeist
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/gregethgeist
Soundcloud: / mm-ghosty
KZbin: / @gregethgeist
Anyways, now’s the point where I unload or whatever (I’ll try keeping this one shorter than the others, but no promises lol). Oh boy, where do I start? Well, thanks to a number of factors between December to January I had HUGE burnout. Like, REALLY BAD. And this animation was also partly responsible, I hate to admit it . I’ll hold myself back from ranting too hard so as not to spoil the good mood, but man… I didn’t realize how much of a pain it was disliking something I was making and slowing down productivity because of it; it was unbelievably frustrating. No lie, I legit thought about scrapping the whole thing about 5 different times throughout its completion. Only reason I didn’t was cuz I couldn’t let a person’s good help go to waste and I thought you guys deserve SOMETHING after going so long without a video. It was especially frustrating once I missed the Christmas deadline, and then the December deadline, and then the New Years deadline, and now I’m barely getting this out before the end of JANUARY!!! (If you comment on it don't be surprised if I don't heart it, nothing personal just very salty lmao)
The only saving grace to being more tardy than Sr Pelo (no offense lol) is that being late actually gave me the idea of how I’d rewrite the plot and make it more of a Boxing Day themed animation. Did you guys know that was what the holiday was for, giving up presents to the poor. Upon reading that I realized I could totally fit that theme into the animation and give it a bit of originality. Not to mention over the course of my struggles, I found ways to improve making these animations and I even managed to improve the text voices of some characters. Feels like I finally figured out how to recreate Alphys and Noelle’s voice like that of the game. I also got the chance to try writing a bunch of new characters like Ralsei, Lancer, and all of the other classmates, so that was neat. I still think the animation overall is only okay and only gets really good by the second half. But, one thing that helped me be confident in releasing this thing was showing it to my mother, and she loved it so I guess I can’t be too hard on myself. This thing’s obviously not my best work, and didn't deserve to be over 20 minutes long, but I do hope anyone watching enjoys it regardless and gets something out of it even if it’s not the holidays anymore.

[@SpriterMike]

-Merry Christmas!- -Happy New Years!- You know what, screw it! How about “Happy You’re Alive Day!” I’m happy that I’m alive. I’m happy that you’re alive. I’m happy that you’re viewing this, regardless if you’re subscribed or not (tho I’d appreciate it if you were), watching these dumb little vids of mine and giving support. It means the world to me! Idk what the new year holds for me and this channel, but I do hope to make more stuff in the future that you’ll enjoy. (And hopefully I won’t take tooooo long on this kinda stuff).

[@TheAdvertisement]

Hey, man, I get it. I've had many a sleepless night stressing to get an animation done by some arbitrary holiday due date. I've decided to myself I'm gonna stop doing that now cus it just leaves me burned out, so I'm glad you're not killing yourself over dates either. Don't worry about it!

[@flowerzika7852]

Happy birthday to me!!! Thanks for the gift!

[@forkalamari6093]

The rhymes are soooo good and actually in character. You really captured Toby’s characters well!

[@hypnospaceoutlaw3376]

This was fun. Like some sort of Holiday Hack or something.

[@VaiCaDep0893]

Screw Christmas, me and the boys celebrate the Lunar New Year

[@Colddirector]

I love the subtle touch of Kris' gift being a letter from Ralsei/Lancer. It's a great gift but also keeps Kris' actual personality and thoughts a mystery

[@LancerDeltarune-mp3ne]

I love writing Susie letters!

[@0kay_I_Gu3ss]

Wait a minute, my god, RALSEI SAID IN THE LETTER “Based on what kris told me” KRIS SPOKESEEEE

[@pikapikachu4665]

@@0kay_I_Gu3sshe speaks, he speaks in the acts sometimes and he replies to other characters sometimes

[@Colddirector]

@@pikapikachu4665 yeah I don’t think we’re meant to interpret it as kris literally being mute, more that we just don’t get to see what they’re saying

[@saulgoodmanproductions2993]

@@pikapikachu4665 they

[@tripletsborn4628]

Gotta love seeing Berdly not being written as a complete asshole or the butt of the joke. Just writing him as goofily awkward, misunderstanding, and well intentioned seems a lot better IMO.

[@manteroid]

respect for my favorite bird boy

[@flameblade3]

Because that’s like- his actual character. He always means well, he’s just a little stuck in his own world and takes things the wrong way or gets the wrong idea across

[@Kyumifun]

And he didn't even done anything wrong or dumb either. He just explained how christmas goes.

[@MSh-pe6oy]

​@@YTgavinlilmamDamn, you couldn't ever L harder.

[@Ralsei_we]

G A M E R MOVES ARE U N P R E D I C T A B L E

[@buddy9848]

The fact that Kris went to the Dark World so Ralsei could give Susie a gift was so sweet, my heart almost melted.

[@cjleehaze]

Hearing Ralsei speak in that message just got to me. Knowing Kris went down there to talk to him about it.

[@chriswillis5541]

​​@@cjleehazeI wonder why susie couldn't go visit🤔 Edit: never mind

[@Brwigames]

​@@chriswillis5541Why couldn't she?

[@chriswillis5541]

@@Brwigames the Creator told me on a community post that kris didn't actually go to the dark world and wrote it themselves. You should still be able to see the post

[@bdhhsgbyddhggg]

I like to imagine Roulxs also tried to send Susie a gift (a picture of himself, obviously) but Ralsei had to hurry up and give Kris the box before Roulxs got there

[@jpnona3544]

imagine him with his default T-pose like sprite flying 2000km per hour to get the gift to kris before he goes

[@thebazingaboi2545]

Or a box of Mac and cheese

[@consumetm]

​@@jpnona3544this is a hilarious thing to imagine, thank you for the imagery

[@elijahray5194]

Man actually rhymed for 26 minutes. Jokes aside, this feels official, except for the fact it wasn't. Great work!

[@CreatorProductionsOriginal]

Wait- what? No way everything rhymes

[@angeliquecheung574]

Yes, they did. Gives "Twas' The Night Before Christmas" vibes.

[@seesaw41]

Oh shrikes. I noticed the narrator rhyming, but not that it was EVERYONE

[@TrueTerrariaEnthusiast]

Bruh I was looking for this comment

[@elias0240]

„*(Everyone in town eagerly awaited the incoming holiday.“, aka *“Noelle Holiday is rapidly approaching your location.“*

[@leedlelel2373]

Catti giving susie a voodoo doll because of her previous dislike of her is a nice detail

[@JakeTheArmyGuy]

I really dug this. I like how you didn't show Asriel, thus keeping in line with the game's thing about him. Though I must say, the part that made me smile the most was how casual Toriel was with Asgore. It seems they've come to terms with everything and are friendly again.

[@chuckles2364]

Yeah I noticed that too, I'm hoping that they do genuinely get to be on good terms in one of the chapters.

[@AJLord]

Yeah, I fully understand that Toriel and Asgore will never be as close as they used to be, whether the story in question be Undertale or Deltarune, but I do hope they'll at least be able to be friends.

[@octopuszombie8744]

Exactly. There are some frighteningly good theories that Ralsei is similar to Flowey, having no soul, created by the essence of Asriel's dust on a mundane object, exposed to the determination of a dark fountain (specifically the one in the closet). Basically, the Asriel here might even be Ralsei disguised as him. Or not. It really depends on what the truth is.

[@chrissysonicutdrloz]

Hey, Asgore had to come. Susie still needs a present from Santa!

[@bucketbutters866]

@@octopuszombie8744 no

[@dcx_6412]

*knowing that you have to save susie from another Christmas disappointment *you are filled with the power of Christmas spirit

[@MSh-pe6oy]

Awh, there is no rhyme... Now, this hovertext doesn't worth even a dime! (This reply wasn't meant to offend you.)

[@mooncake8059]

This is really accurate to Susies personality… and gives us on a probably accurate view point on her home life

[@MAXIMUMPOWER42]

If Berdly just spends Christmas playing DBO then he might not have a good home life either.

[@NCSGaming15]

@@MAXIMUMPOWER42Berdly is 100% a 4chan user

[@Voidmoth1]

based on this animation, it's prob more of a lack thereof lol

[@kris.p.bacon1361]

Yeah looks like Susie’s homeless

[@sorbetshark4339]

@@kris.p.bacon1361she might be homeless in the game too

[@Ezunal]

I gotta love how every line rhymes with at least one before or after it Really does kinda bring out the Christmas spirit!

[@frostplays155]

the rhymes make it feel like a kids story, but with the plot, that descriptions befitting of it a lot

[@gabrote42]

I see what you did there

[@NCSGaming15]

@@frostplays155I hate you so much right now

[@samohanka]

@@gabrote42 Wait, see where..?

[@gabrote42]

@@samohanka spirit rhymes with after it.

[@inthedust12]

I love the subtle holiday clothes, like Kris having a festive sweater. Merry January!

[@AniJSon]

Merry Krismas

[@averagedingus]

@@AniJSon uhm actually its January 🤓🤓

[@bloxywatergamer9945]

@@averagedingus yeh duh krismas idk what you are tryng tu prov by syang janeruray

[@4ntok]

@@bloxywatergamer9945 I think they had a stroke

[@NekkiFan]

@@4ntok i tgink theyir jus norel dud. lev hm alon

[@MrGrippy]

Susie: explaining her hard time of Christmas. Kris: -_-

[@CheeseSummoner]

actually it's more of _

[@greenknight9000]

Seeing all the kindness towards Susie made me teary-eyed, then seeing her cry happily just broke me......then seeing the photograph broke me again. Congrats! You nailed the Feels-Trips that Deltarune brings, so I say you've nailed the storytelling down to a T!

[@Neodel]

I cant even imagine how long it would have taken him to rhyme all the lines lol

[@CheeseSummoner]

the rymeing is driving me insane

[@hyunwonchang1380]

that susie crying face caught me off guard, dang it

[@elliecassar1881]

this is honestly so dramatic but its also wholesome at the same time..

[@knoxthecat8051]

i found u again >:)

[@knoxthecat8051]

watch this make sure to turn off ur audio tho bc it has cringe music in the backround

[@knoxthecat8051]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV68c3eKpr2SkLc

[@mrperfectcell5079]

Damn. I cannot emphasize how heartwarming and good this was. Just pure great animation and storytelling

[@MsDaBoss7]

Aww, Susie tearing up genuinely made me start to tear up as well! 🥲 This was absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!!

[@trudyyy9395]

the fact that everything felt so natural while also having that typical rhyming poem feel that youd get from a Dr Seus christmas movie just itched my brain in the best way possible. your work is truly amazing spritermike

[@channel_name-xt3sw]

i’m glad susie is forgiving of berdly. she knows that none of the kids in school know about her dislike of christmas, i think that’s quite in character for her, especially after her arc into becoming a better person

[@enzomessina2858]

Amazing animation as ever. That was almost TOO sweet, I nearly teared up.

[@emilienclosmenil1642]

Okay, let's just say I tried my hardest to not cry out loud, NOTABLY when Noelle say that her gift came from someone special or when Berdly excuse himself to Susie and then offers what might be the best "Gamer gift" in the Deltarune universe. Awesome animation as always, loved every part of it and also how much the different gift that receive Susie are all perfectly in character with the different friends offering it, (Also I completly died of laugh during the "Su-see Deez-" part x) ) Anyway, again awesome work and Happy (late) Holiday/New year to you ^^ (PS: And sry if my english is not perfect, it's not my first language lol)

[@interlouper]

I'm gonna have to save this for next year..

[@Miriam3742]

I actually shed a tear at the part with the note from Ralsei. But my favorite part was the very end. Great Job, and merry (belated) Christmas!

[@cjleehaze]

Same here

[@leonardorolingstella8554]

There was no “almost” for me, I did cry a bit

[@SheepDeprived]

I love how the entire thing is written like a poem. This is going into my playlist.

[@gaster000]

The thing that surprised me the most is the level of rimes that Susie is able to use. She's on the level of Dr. Seuss!

[@MemeMaker274]

Dr. Seussie

[@darkecstaticcomment]

That was another one of your awesome storywriting! You have a lot of potential and we can't thank you enough for the content you've made for us!

[@OvercastWarmth]

Literally love this, don’t stress about it being late because it doesn’t make it any less good.

[@colonel_yuri]

the musical remixes and motifs with an added christmas tone is very satisfying to hear, good work!

[@gregethgeist]

Hey! I'm the composer of those tracks and I just wanted to say thanks! I made sure to make it as Christmas sounding as possible lol

[@ki2348]

I relate to Susie a lot in this animation. I don't have a community where I live and I'm Russian so my family celebrates a little differently (Literally a week after the christmas spirit has died down) and in general I haven't got many friends this year. Seeing people out having fun together feels so foreign sometimes. This animation made me feel a little bit better. Thank you for putting so much work and attention to detail in it!

[@abhikergaming7783]

I'l be honest. I think Berdly was made excellent here,it feels like this would be him after chapter 2. So i'm happy to see him like this. Also love every other aspect of this video

[@Kie3s]

He'd be frozen.

[@Elif-ow1tf]

Tgats only in Snowgrave tho

[@mushroom4466]

the christmas curse of everyone rhyming their words... including the jocks, gossipers, and even the nerds.. Oh God, it's affected me! This is too Christmassy!

[@WORMPONY]

I really liked this. I spent my very first christmas last year, and this reminded me of that. Because of how and where I was raised, I never celebrated it, and I didn’t know about it until some of my friends mentioned it. I had a really fun first christmas, and I think what I enjoyed the most was how clearly happy I and everyone was. It was like a promise of nothing bad to happen that day, because everyone got along and was kind and laughed. And I know not everyone gets this kind of luxury, because I didn’t either for so many years. This video made me feel happy to remember that day, and helped me to remember just how loved I am by my friends, and I’m appreciative of them and the holiday I was able to celebrate.

[@-.0eclipse0.-]

23:38 nah but Susie crying made me cry😭

[@kaysrandomchannel4618]

The fact that everything rhymed made me die inside a little, but it's a great video.

[@notfloweyyt7618]

It took me about half way into the video to realize the hilariously high amount of rhymes literally went full Christmas carol with this one

[@LennyTheSniper]

Such an unbelievably cute story. Holy crap. Sprites are looking great as always. Put a big smile on my face the entire time (safe for Susie's backstory but... you get it)

[@chrissysonicutdrloz]

The part about Dess' sweater got me, as did hearing from Ralsei and Lancer. I think Kris would totally do that.

[@bodaciousstyle]

It must have taken forever to make all those rhymes! Love that you took the time to add them in though, really adds to that "Christmas Tale" feeling, very nice job!!

[@TheAdvertisement]

Until took me until around 3 minutes in to realize the dialogue was all in rhyme, great job. xD

[@wondermanp15]

I love the rhyming It’s like a Dr. Seuss story or something

[@bustah-jam7801]

I loved how you made all the text rhyme, making it seem like something like the grinch. This is just awesome, fantastic job!

[@nasinnarcotics]

I love how this rhymes all the way through! It really gives it the vibe of a festive tale for kids.

[@finnvaneekelen4966]

This is so cute. Ive only watched the first part but the cute rhymes and noelle being a sweatheart and berdly trying to be nice but being annoying anyway it all fits

[@mrindeed247]

i love how susies reasoning towards hating christmas is the exact same as the grinches, literal toby levels of writing

[@Definitely_Not_A_Furry11]

its built like a Dr. Suess book, as in it rhymes, and that is really great about this animation i guess its also like nice that susie gets Christmas or whatever but like still

[@user-jk1pv2fh8y]

Seeing Susie being grateful for each gift (almost each gift) breaks my vision on her I played as in game, she was always an edgy person, pushed people past her, I thought she would have hated it. Nah, she changed.

[@dwerical]

This fills me with joy honestly. Thank you so much for this!

[@SillyLilFellaInABasement]

Im not joking, but at the part when susie cried in the classroom i actually almost did too. Seeing a person like her cry, just. That hit me hard this is an amazing animation and this deserves to be in the real game.

[@flameblade3]

Found myself late to the party, but I just wanted to say, this story is absolutely beautiful. The rhymes were cute, the story was heartwarming enough to thaw a blizzard, and the animation was one of the greatest gifts I could’ve asked for. You do astounding work keeping the story in line with the character’s true personalities, every facet of them, too. Berdly comes off as a snarky know it all but he always means well, Kris is silent and still but cares about his friends, Susie’s past always still leaves questions and she has grown past the person she used to be, lamenting the moment she turned back for only a bit. All that is to say, I love this story

[@rich_gamer0667]

Love this, I. Love the photo ending I love this video, seriously it's amazing

[@schwa4883]

What a wholesome belated Christmas video! The rhyming, the music, the actual story; I loved all of it. I really liked how natural you made the rhyming feel; at the start I didn’t even notice they were. And the track that played during Susie’s flashback was pretty cool, pun intended. Merry (late) Christmas, SpriterMike!

[@tvgg4376]

7:51 I'm not even halfway through the video and I'm already crying (am I that sentimental?) Edit: very good animation, seriously you are to be congratulated, and I don't know how but you make some amazing animations that even seem to be in the game

[@0utL0ud]

You could also consider this an extremely early Christmas present

[@denontown]

teared up a lot when susie turned her back dude, this is just simply AMAZING!!! though i don’t think susie would know that much words, but otherwise amazing video!!!

[@ProtoSpectra]

Coolios! We're glad theres another video! Doesnt matter if its late, we're glad ourselfs

[@Ice_Kem]

It was so funny when Ralsei and Lancer wrote the note, and you don’t usually talk on a note. Also the end made me cry, great job on this

[@cptndltrne]

A SpriterMike Deltarune animation is never late. Nor is it early. It arrives precisely when it means to!

[@Crimsalwaysawake]

I love the mental image of Susie holding a ridiculously long note

[@ZeroKay]

This animation is really epic and I get what the animation was going for which is epic. 10/10, this animation epic which is epic imo.

[@austinclay427]

Ending is so good with the photo that it's sad that it's not cannon. Ties together to Sans/Gaster perfectly.

[@leonardorolingstella8554]

Thia has got to be the most wholesome DR animation I’ve ever seen, thank you for making this!

[@pocketkobold893]

I absolutely adore this! the rhymes, the sprite changes, and the music was all top-notch! i hope this gets tons of views!

[@krisonthefamilycomputer]

the writing on this is great, this is super heartwarming, the animation is amazing and the christmas remixes are just the cherry on top, it just feels like one of those cartoon christmas specials, i seriously love this.

[@Deku910IM]

Bro got more poetic than some whrighters he got me holding back tears give this man a f*ckin novele prize

[@MoRPho151]

I binged all your videos today and ended crying with this one!! Very well done it really feels like a Deltarune Christmas special!!

[@kheidchaichorn9687]

i remember watching this a few days ago at midnight on christmas eve shoving pasta down my throat and crying at the end. truly a masterpiece.

[@axelarias1950]

Oh my God this is so good. Thank you for this. What a great story. I cried when Susie starting crying 🥹🥹🥹

[@Iron_Hiro]

Great storyline,tragic past,extremely happy and very beautiful end!?THIS IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE DELTARUNE ANIMATIONS OF ALL TIME!Thank You so much for making this for everyone,unlike many things,it was one of the very few things to cause tears,and they were tears of joy!

[@johandraws3166]

This was such a beautiful video, unlike other videos this made me feel some stuff. It was a sad video, but that ending was extremely wholesome

[@PanMan47]

Man the effort you put into these.. I can feel it in my bones hahai. Fantastic job

[@yeetaleet_gd]

I never saw this coming, but it looked hella good. Nice job on this.

[@mufinboi975]

This just Kinda shows that we the fans can create our own story with these lovely characters and words he has created. (OH and temmie ofc)

[@StealthDude2176]

Amazing rhyming Christmas spirit video!!! Watching this really fills me with DETERMINATION ❤️

[@SwagSwagSenate]

My favourite part of this is catching all the rhymes

[@Johnny-Number-One]

This was absolutely adorable! And the rhyming was very impressive!

[@Ninjacat25]

This animation was indeed truly amazing, such skill and style is surely worth praising!

[@thatoneidiotcurrentlyliving]

I think it was nice how you tried rhyming everything, it was a nice detail. ALSO WHEN NOELLE GAVE SUSIE DESS’S (I assume) SWEATER, MY HEART CRIED

[@joeknuts7912]

I didn't think I'd like this... But I LOVED it!! This is amazing, if I remember, I'm probably watching it next Christmas.

[@noyneimkakoito]

Wow... It's all so cute... I almost cried, thank you so much! Honestly, Susie is my favorite Deltarune character and the kindness towards her is beyond words.

[@braxflip]

HOLY SHIT I'VE MISSED YOUUUUUUUU Haven't even started watching it, and I already know that this is going to be a banger!

[@enzomessina2858]

Well this came out of nowhere (and I'm all for it)

[@anonalpaca2513]

23:28 Can we appreciate the bait and switch here? The previous rhyme was "grow," which REALLY made me think Susie was going to say no, but...no!

[@jennathrem1462]

Spritermike, if your reading this, have you seen the Disney movie Mickey’s once upon a Christmas? It’s a movie where it shows three skits of Mickey and friends celebrating Christmas in different ways. After I watched this, I was thinking, what if there was a video game version of that movie. A movie called a gamer’s once upon a Christmas. Basically the same thing right? We could take this sprite animation and turn it into a nice Christmas skit along with other characters. This animation needs to get an award

[@BimbusBobus]

i was already loving this cause of how well written it was, but once i finally realised they were rhyming i gave a round of applause. 10/10 also at 4:36 i imagined a literal spotlight getting put on Susie, and it was the funniest thing i ever did see

[@crazyanimations2097]

Yoo! Bro you're always doing the best Deltarune content! I really love them, yunno? The animations quality, new sprites you made and how canon the characters are... it's really awesome, keep this up!

[@buddersib_]

I absolutely adored this, i smiled from happy awe feels the whole time! so wholesome

[@emiliavalentino7226]

Man hod did i miss this. Anyway,even if i am late,truly amazing video! Even if in some parts i find it truly too poetic,even if it's a mix of deltarune and whatever that one christmas recotal was called. I think my favourite part was probably the lancer and ralsei gift one. Kinda sad we didn't get to see her wear them.

[@joewilliams-un8vu]

I like how it rhymed like an actual Christmas Poem

[@anthonycuevasproduction]

Omg i love this another one of your Best animations The part with ralsei’s note and him giving Susie his scarf and lancer’s pin was just so freaking sweet 🎄😊

[@enemykiller30]

Even if you post this in mid-June, this would still be as amazing! Love the designs, and Ralsei and Lancer's dialogue was sweet and funny at the same time! Great work 69/420, nice.

[@georgianagheorghe8848]

It's such a heartwarming story! Thank you for sharing!

[@lasagna3289]

This is so sweet ❤️ I love that the whole thing rhymed!

[@funnybones2015]

DAMN THE AMOUNT OF RHYMES IN THIS LMAO ITS LIKE A CHRISTMAS MOVIE

[@nhu21122006]

This is so wholesome man, it makes my day! Keep up the great work!🤑

[@realsimplyeli]

Oh my god this is so fucking sweet I love your animations so much and this one brings me so much joy

[@DoggoDoesStuff1]

I cried bro I’m shook, I love your animations so much hwiaisbehaisne

[@Maximas00]

The rhyming is a great touch I never considered it would be a bit much!