【SURFACE PRESSURE | Kingdom Hearts Animatic】 -「March Caprice 2023」

Set during her time in the Realm of Darkness, Aqua has to figure out what it is she really fights for... all while she faces a desperate bid for survival.
Animatic submitted for March Caprice 2023, a weekend long fandom showcase of all things Kingdom Hearts. Do check out what so many other talented participants have in store - you won't regret it!
Check out March Caprice!
www.marchcaprice.com/
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Programs used:
Animation - ClipStudio Paint EX
Editing - Adobe Premiere Pro
Music: "Surface Pressure" from Disney's Encanto

[@EspurrRoba]

The algorithm's been really kind to this video the last few weeks, lmao. Let me take this moment to share with you some of the other March Caprice animatics you might enjoy if you liked this one! "Nothing Left" by Frootoon is an absolute banger that ALSO is a Disney song set to Aqua's time in the RoD. If more Aqua content's your thing, deffo give this one a watch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DJYod5aMqnoLc "Best Friend" by uts in boots is a catchy as hell song parody that gives you all the fun you could ask for out of the sea salt trio. If you love Days, you're deffo gonna love this one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYKViaCpp9aGeKs ☆ ☆ ☆ This part right here's just gonna be me being all sappy. I read every comment that pops up, new and old, and every time I'm always so blown away by how kind everyone is. It makes me so incredibly happy to know that my animatic has been enjoyed by and inspired others the way that it has. I'm grateful I could share my Aqua pseudo-character study to you all, ha ha! To everyone who's commented, liked the video, or even just watched the video, thank you for taking the time out of your day to do so, it means the world. May your hearts be your guiding key. 💖

[@baconeater_toby2383]

Oh my god you are so talented and you can tell how much of a fan you are with the deep lore you included in this amv and the Riku one you did. So good and I hope to see more! I would love a Terra one

[@shadowldrago]

I saw Aqua and thought this would be heartbreaking. I was right. I quite like the unhinged look in "Anti-Aqua"'s face. She's been dealt a staggeringly unfair hand. The fact that Aqua is even REMOTELY stable, when she's in probably the singularly most hostile realm in the Kingdom Hearts cosmos for nearly 10 years straight is insane.

[@MrRobot-0]

Time doesn't exist on the dark world so for better or worse these 10 years may be from a couple of days to a couple of eternities... Yeah she had ir rough, Good on Sora for hitting her with a ship and dragging her back to home.

[@shadowldrago]

@@MrRobot-0 Oh yes. At this point, it's probably easier to list what Kingdom Hearts characters don't need some form of mental health help.

[@kingnamor7777]

This tribute video goes to show that Aqua was dealt with a bad hand. She taken on the responsibility as a new keyblade master, only to fail losing her closest friends when things don’t go as planned.

[@MrRobot-0]

@@kingnamor7777 Honestly Aqua may be one of the keybladers that got it worse but fuck every single one of them needs therapy, when you think about it Namine probably got the lightest... Namine.

[@kingnamor7777]

@@MrRobot-0 So true, they all need a serious therapy session, the main question is. Which disney character would qualify as a good therapist🤔

[@horsez219]

“Give it to your sister, it doesn’t hurt and See if she can handle every family burden” *pain intensifies*

[@endmylifeplz]

Mickey: hey, aqua! i hope i didn’t leave you- Aqua: IN A DECADE OF DARKNESS!?

[@Ghostel3591]

But he didn't. Aqua literally went by herself w/o ever telling anyone where she went... Meanwhile Mickey, who never had Sora's levels of ability to connect and track Hearts, after being talked from retiring completely, as he felt immense Survivor's Guilt over failing to prevent the tragedy, took it upon himself ENOURMOUS RESPONSOBILITY of protecting local cluster of multiverse ALONE for 10 long years and when faced with world ending threat of a Heartless horde - decided to take one way trip, a most certain death sentence as far as he knows, to The Realm of Darkness... And still once there the moment he felt Aqua - rushed to her side to help her and didn't drag her out there ONLY because SHE ORDERED HIM TO LEAVE HER BEHIND AND SAVE RIKU. Heck, he even made sure RIKU got out FIRST when DiZ aporoached him. Seriously, if Aqua was under pressure of surviving for 10 years, Mickey certainly didn't have a vacation and was under pressure of his Survivor's Guilt and Responsobility of protecting and making sure that MULTIVERSE will survive through Heartless invasion... Even if he will not. Seriously if you want to blame anyone blame YEN SID who was clearly shown in KH3 to be capable of at least helping Mickey to contain the situation... But instead sat this whole time in his tower.

[@endmylifeplz]

@@Ghostel3591 honestly, all the most helpful characters dissapear when they’re needed most XD

[@kingnamor7777]

@@endmylifeplz one thing I don’t get is that. Why didn’t the seven of light gather all there disney world friends/heroes to fight against the thirteen members of darkness?

[@endmylifeplz]

@@kingnamor7777 ask mickey mouse, not me lmao

[@mumpas-1043]

This is absolutely INCREDIBLE. As an animator and HUGE Kingdom Hearts fan, with Aqua being one of my favourite characters, I can say this is top tier

[@gamingdemon1235]

I saw a post of people saying aqua is one of the weakest keyblade masters as she fell to darkness and had to have sora save her, but people don't remember she lost her keyblade. she fought for YEARS in the deepest areas of the realm of darkness WITHOUT a keyblade. not only that but she survived in the end and people comment saying she was weak when you play her in kh3, and she couldn't protect ven but she says she doesn't have her full power yet. she is still recovering and still did a decent job trying to pkeyboard..,. Without her full strength give her her credit.

[@skydragonslayer9820]

Anyone who says that she's the weakest is straight up just an idiot lol.

[@superbradengaming625]

wait she fought without her main weapon????

[@gamingdemon1235]

@@superbradengaming625 yes that's why she takes Mickey's in kh3 when you fight her

[@sirisknite]

Yeah, going through BBS (before KH3 came out) I wasn't expecting much from her. I thought Terra and Ven were the important ones, and she was just there. And then I finished the game, and saw that she was the one who saved Terra and Ven from falling into darkness, sacrificing herself in the process. And I realized "Oh, She Da Real MVP!" With that, I was a little disappointed she didn't get to shine more in KH3, but she's still my MVP.

[@MrRobot-0]

I mean people call her weak? Sure she may not quite have the raw power like Sora have or be extremely martially talented but she Knows her stuff, better than Ventus or terra and the twilight trio at least.

[@dmnapier7]

"Was Hercules ever like yo I don't wanna fight Cerebus?" Hit me harder than I expected it to

[@tabletopnephilim4633]

Aqua spent over 10 years fighting Heartless in the Realm of Darkness, where Heartless are at their strongest. It took her losing her Keyblade and getting thrown into the ocean of darkness, where they straight up say the darkness is at its MOST concentrated, before she finally broke. And maybe I'm remembering it wrong, but the game seemed to imply that she had only JUST broke right when Riku found her. And then immediately after that, she's back to fighting, no time for rest. And people call her WEAK?! The fact she can even keep going after all of that proves that she's the strongest of them all!

[@XekutoZoren]

The part where she realises she's daydreaming in the Reflect spell and the timing with of the music beat is so gut wrenchingly good. 😢

[@greenythegoblin7105]

This has to be one of the single greatest pieces of fan-made Kingdom Hearts content out there. Definitely the peak of March Caprice for me, possibly out of all 3 years. Thanks for all of the hard work you put into this video. I’m going to be sharing it far and wide wherever I can.

[@purthro]

I feel it's rare that any sort of fan-made content serves to enhance the existing material to such a large degree. Friend, in my opinion you've explored Aqua's character in 4 minutes better than 0.2 did in 4 hours. Very well done. More views deserved here.

[@JHVZ23]

She always was the strongest of them all. She did everything in her power to save her friends and condemned herself to ten years in hell which probably felt even longer. Nobody should ever say that Sora has suffered the most or Riku or anyone. She lost everything: her home, her surrogate father, her closest friends, and finally her resolve. I swear, every time I hear Mickey say, "Saya fellas, did someone mention the door to darkness, I'll remember Aqua and how Mickey left her in the dark realm not just once but twice.

[@Ghostel3591]

First time she left by herself w/o saying ANYONE where she is going. Mickey is no Sora he can't just FEEL someone he met just 2 times and barely knows across the multiverse and then go to them. Second when he actually got to Realm of Darkness and felt Aqua nearby - HE RUSHED to her side and left her behind not because he wanted but because AQUA HERSELF ORDERED HIM TO GO AND PROTECT RIKU after which got dragged to who knows where while Mickey was left with a KID on his hands - which he will make sure leaves Dark Realm first when DiZ approaches him. Seriously this is some kind of Mandela effect in community where meme is now percieved as a fact. You want to blame anyone blame Yen Sid who just shoved all multiverse protection job on traumatized by BBS tragedy Mickey who almost retired from being a Keyblade Wielder out of SHAME and SURVIVOR'S GUILT. (scene in BBS credits).

[@JHVZ23]

@@Ghostel3591 You know what, you do have a point. Maybe I am being too hard on Mickey. It just feels strange that neither he nor Yen Sid thought to check the Land of Departure which had become Castle Oblivion at that point. Regardless, I apologize to all you Kingdom Hearts Micky fans. I don't want to become part of a toxic jaded fandom. My real point I was trying to make is that Aqua was the most emotionally invincible Kingdom Hearts character and it ended up being more critical of Mickey. Once more, I am sorry.

[@Ghostel3591]

@@JHVZ23No need for apologies. Mickey's story arc usually ends up unnoticed due to it being always in the background of main events. Anyway checking Castle Oblivion wouldn't have given any results due to how it works - obfuscating the fact that it is a transformed Land of Departure to anyone who are NOT local - only those who are directly affiliated with the place knew what it is and didn't lose that knowledge upon approach. Basically Aqua herself erased any evidence that would've helped to find her (or at least Ventus comatose body) and to general public "Land of Departure ceased to be" while "One day Castle Oblivion just came into reality". Heck, arguably Mickey had more chances to get on Aqua's track during his visits to Radiant Garden but by this point he was already discussing Heartless problem with Ansem The Wise and due to him never seeing Terra he didn't had any chance to make a connection that Apprentice Xehanort looks like a very tanned Terra with a white hair. In essence Mickey was stuck in a situation where he would've WANTED to help but he either had no idea where to look (pre-KH1) or in a situation where he CANNOT look for Aqua due to Multiverse Ending Threat being present or kids safety taking priority over safety of a Keyblade Master. I mean if he didn't care - when he met AntiAqua he would've just recalled his Keyblade when she stole it... Instead something inside him finally snapped and he left her with a weapon which almost allowed her to kill him if Riku didn't intervene.

[@AlastorNahIdWinRadioDemon]

In the words of RegularPat, unlike most of the other characters who had tragic things happen to them, Aqua didn't have the good fortune of dying, and instead had to live in hell for over 10 years lol.

[@Ghostel3591]

@@AlastorNahIdWinRadioDemon Aqua is basically "Samurai Jack" of Kingdom Hearts... "Fif- TEN years have passed, but, I do not age. Time has lost its effect on me, yet the suffering continues. Xehanort's grasp chokes the past, present and future. Hope is lost. Got to get back. Back to the Light. Master Aqua." Though to be fair Terra's fate is even worse... His Being broken into a Heart, Body and Mind, enslaved by the one who stole everything from him, forced to bear witness to every atrocity Xehanort commited unable to do anything but watch. Literally a case of "I have no mouth and I must scream" situation... And man still refused to give up as he refused to break his last promise... "One day I will set this Right"

[@RenatoGPadilla]

This is a song that I thought could apply to all of the girls in KH at one point... But making it a solo Aqua number is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, considering... Well. Considering what the pressure did. Thank you for this. Somebody show Willa Holland!

[@yedffgd]

I never realized how well “surface pressure” actually fits Aqua…

[@isneezelightning]

HEY THIS RULES..... you setting it over aqua in the realm of darkness is inspired. i love aqua angst. i screamed when phantom aqua showed up and aqua's expressions etc they're all just SO good brb im gonna rewatch this five billion times

[@KaosDeathLord]

Aqua was given a great burden, one of leadership and to follow the laws of light no matter how much she suffered...she shouldered the burden of being the responsible one and had to deal with her friends hating her for it. Aqua suffered just as much as Sora did and yet noone ever gives her credit.

[@zacharydane4606]

Makes you really feel the wieght of the "Master" in "Master Aqua"

[@StormyBuckets]

i thought of Aqua pretty much as soon as i first heard this song, it fits her so well. You did both this song and Aqua herself justice with this animatic, its amazing! i love the action sequences and the use of color to convey the mood of each scene. 10/10!!

[@Ww_Epsilon_wW]

Aqua's suffering is underrated. 10 years. Damn. So glad she got a happy ending. Excellent work with this.

[@MrSuperTeenGohan]

I do agree, but since time flows differently in the realm of darkness, she didn't experience those full 10 years

[@Ww_Epsilon_wW]

@@MrSuperTeenGohan I see. I haven't looked at it that way. Usually in narratives its the opposite. But that is kind of a weird way to twist it for Kingdom Hearts. Ten years going by so Sora can grow up while it might have been like 24 hours of hell for Aqua.... hm.

[@rosariocrimson]

@@MrSuperTeenGohan I think it was more that she didn't age during the 10 years, 5 minutes in and out of the Realm of Darkness are the same, it just doesn't manifest as age. Makes me wonder if you have to eat/sleep/defecate as time goes by there.

[@raphaelalima6117]

​@@rosariocrimsonSince time doesn't pass there, I believe that your body won't feel starved nor sleepy.

[@Milo-ux7qp]

​@@rosariocrimson Well, personally in this case and in every question I ask myself in kh, I take the option I prefer, because it doesn't change at all the story :p

[@itsallinthesoup2543]

Aqua needs a hug and a vacation

[@mafecxe3736]

2:51 "Last mistake... No more mistakes".

[@lilytiger8746]

Why am I being recommended this only now? How has this not gotten more likes? This is an injustice that needs to be fixed

[@ivanelugo]

0:40 Hercules leaving Sora to deal with Cerberus on KH1

[@Aquaxelsa]

I have to say this is not only one of the greatest Kingdom hearts animatics of all time but one of the pieces of animatic art I've seen on KZbin. The way you captured everything I love about aquas character while also tying it to a song that fits her incredibly well is breathtaking. The color switches and different lighting changes mixed with some really amazing small character details like aquas determination to keep her wayfinder is just perfection. As someone who loves aqua to bits and has wanted to see more animatics with her this set the bar so high. Amazing amazing job I can't express how amazing and perfect this is. Major major props to you

[@Tomotasauce]

This actually almost made me cry. IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD!!!

[@lisa-vitares-arts9010]

This has to be one of the best animatics for kingdom hearts that has been made to this date, everything looks so pretty and the song choice is also phenomenal

[@LightyVox]

I cant get over how amazing this was - this is definitely one of the vids I'm going to be watching on loop for a couple of weeks!

[@somanyshananigans]

Oh my gosh I found this through tumblr LOSING MY MIND this is insane!!!! Absolutey amazing!!!!!

[@righthandstep5]

Such a badass video! I've never once typed that and I'm glad I did. Dear sweet Aqua been through so much! This video really exemplifies her struggles and her courage amidst depression, both literal in the realm of darkness and mental.

[@ProjectDestati]

!!!!!! This is just outstanding!!!

[@cassettemokarosa5108]

THE FUCKING NECK DODGE INTO THE DARQUA EYES HAD ME REWINDING, ITS SO INCREDIBLE ,,, THE WAY SHE LOSES ALL COMPOSURE AND JUST SHOWS HER TRUE NATURE!!!!!! AAAAAAA

[@theheartattorney]

10/10 peak of march caprice

[@foxblaze1505]

Wow this and your How Far Ill Go i just came from are really well done! But the visuals and symbolism in this one especially! Aqua is my favorite character, and this song fits her so well it hurts ToT

[@utsinboots]

IVE WATCHED THIS LIKE 50 TIMES I SWEAR

[@EspurrRoba]

omg okay but what a coincidence, I've been watching YOUR animatic so much since it premiered, it's FIRE 🔥🔥🔥

[@endmylifeplz]

@@EspurrRoba lol this is so cool how two great artists love eachothers’ work

[@sparo_art]

I know nothing about Kingdom Heart but i LOVE animatics and damn this is top notch! It's so good, I love all the "more animated" little nuggets and everything :D and the slight change in the bridge ! as a fellow creator, congrats!

[@shadowrosepaiton_7205]

this is so good!!! the facial expressions were EVERYTHING!

[@tylerweaver4414]

UGHHH THIS IS SO GENUINELY AMAZING!!! THE IMAGERY WITH THE WAYFINDER AND WHEN THE LINE ABOUT THE EARTHS CRUST!!!! AGGHGHGH THIS WAS SO WELL DONE IN EVERY SINGLE WAY AND THE IDEA ITSELF FITS TOGETHER WITH AQUA SO WELL!!! YOU DESERVE SO MUCH ATTENTION FOR THIS AND THE OTHER GOOD STUFF YOU'VE DONE!!

[@timoram26]

Such an incredible staging and timing to the music, you captured very well Aqua's emotions and journey with this, it's amazing!

[@fauxsynder]

This was absolutely stunning!!! I loved everything about this from the movement to the timing and your style in general is beautiful! Amazing job ❤

[@MrZombiescordo]

At the moment, 2:21 ,where aqua's happy break stopped, my heart completely sunk. Fantastic video, chills.

[@arx_5744]

YOOOOO! The expressions, the scenes, everything was so cool!

[@dmnapier7]

The artwork is giving Steven Universe vibes, Aqua is like a Lapis parallel, and I'm here for it.

[@aduck8842]

OMGGGGG this was incredible, expectations well and truly exceeded Espurr!

[@raphaelalima6117]

Incredible! Can't believe how youtube took so long to recommend me this, I love Kingdom Hearts and your job was just amazing! Congratulations!

[@RalphSnackshi]

This was awesome! the art is stunning and matches the song perfectly. Well done!

[@peckyjr-sx7et]

Probably already said this, but the song fits perfectly! Also poor Aqua… she’s been through so much…

[@PKpaula425]

This is LEGITIMATELY one of the BEST fan animations I have EVER seen. The quality and framing are SO SO GOOD!

[@isabelrodriguez4845]

I llove this so so much!!!!! thank you so much for this absolute treat to watch, it was amazing

[@bubbles093]

THIS IS REALLY GREAT HOLY SHIT?!?!?! Found it thru tumblr and just. Wow 🤩

[@jamman499]

How am I just finding this?! This is awesome!

[@gunnysora9606]

Okay Picasso I like it. On a serious note you combined my favorite Encanto song with one my favorite KH characters.😊

[@utsinboots]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE ALL DAY IM SO EXCITED AHHHH

[@zephyrcalantian3223]

Incredible!

[@oluvids]

Fitting!

[@meowsteryy140]

OMG!! i love aqua so much. I love her character and story! You portrayed her so perfectly, her struggles, fears, her hope, will and strength! I love how you drew expressions and the EVERYTHING!!! BEAUTIFUL! also i love the song choice! i literally just rewatched encanto a few hours ago hahaha

[@kirstenonic05]

This is absolutely stunning!

[@linnylinkylinklonk]

This is awesome!!

[@ladyashley6182]

Wonderful ✨

[@littlelightfury]

THIS IS SO COOL :O

[@TheEnder515]

Freakin.... Awesome. No notes. Absolutely beautiful!

[@BioRoxas]

This was incredible!!! Wow

[@simosa.sokariz]

This is so amazing! Everything seemed to make sense and the song fit so well!!

[@0OB08O]

I know almost nothing about Kingdom Hearts but this is SO COOL.

[@jenshinimpact2224]

This was incredible!!! Great job!!

[@trevhart2124]

Amazing! Expressive and love the exaggeration in some shots Great work!

[@devinbaer4193]

This was great, Tank you. This is amazing. All the fights with Dark Aqua were really well done +

[@Buzziebee760]

This is so good! like what 😭

[@secondaryatlac]

Whoa 😮

[@StripesChaosGremlin]

I loved to get someone who can do a good Aqua voice to actually sing this. Even tweak the lyrics maybe?

[@MimoK.]

this is freaking amazing

[@piotrsienicki3115]

the best thing I have ever seen

[@ZombiBunni_]

This is AMAZING!! 🥺

[@kicktwine2098]

HEY THIS RULES!!!! I love the ending sequence so much, I love aqua she is so , this is such her song too. awesome work!!!!!

[@Joost8910]

I absolutely adore this animatic! I love how dynamic the camera angles are and how expressive you draw faces!

[@DavidRussell323]

WHOAAA

[@triplezeroxz5875]

I'm tearing up ...thank you

[@utsinboots]

WATCHING THIS FOR INSPIRATION DURING MARCH CAPRICE CRUNCH I LOVE THIS SO MUCH GOD

[@EspurrRoba]

YEAHAH MARCH CAPRICE CRUNCH LET'S GOOO 🎉 SO PSYCHED TO SEE WHAT YOU'LL MAKE, YOU'VE GOT THIS!!

[@thesmollestkat9006]

OH MY GOD YES!!! this is incredible! the little snippets of animation in-between animatic shots are *mwah*

[@Breezyfeather]

AMAZING! You clearly put in a SHIT ton of work on this animatic and it really shows. Well done!

[@Kiokoyasu]

This made me tear up. The song fits so well!

[@kingmurder8245]

oh my goodness this was straight 🔥❤‍🔥🔥

[@JustUsMiners]

Lowkey hate the Kingdom Hearts fandom lol cuz we're all so passionate and sensitive to this stuff, this video genuinely resonated so deep with me and it's obviously so full of understanding of Aqua's character that I'm super shaken, and that makes me feel like just another commenter, which I guess I am 😛. But I don't see as much Aqua love, especially content that goes beyond essays and theories, so when I saw this video, genuinely floored, so thankful that this was put into creation. Obviously it's beautiful, and masterfully animated, but really want to express how much I appreciate a lot of the little things, like the depths of the realm of darkness and the heartless, the expressions, the flashbacks, the magic she casts, just genuinely in love with this piece, my only critic is that there aren't 9 more of these videos, each 10 minutes long, seriously now I just hunger for more intricate Aqua content that this video proves can exist.

[@S0M3SK1TTL3]

I’ve never kept up with the march caprice, your work is so amazing that I’m gonna have to change that.

[@XeZzamE]

excellent work!!! i wish i had seen this sooner, you did an amazing job

[@GarnetBlazeAnimator]

I've got a similar project on my schedule, but I love the expressiveness of this piece.

[@snowcapmt]

NO YOU’RE UNDERRATED WHAT THIS IS SO COOL

[@VReduxx]

I know it’s been a year since this but I would kill for an animation of axel with “remember me” over it

[@TheAnimeXIII]

This such a brilliant animation, I love the comedic expressions in the beginning. The dynamic movement when she encounters her dark self. I really love the beautiful imagery when you had Ven and Terra appear (the stomach drop when Erquas appeared was amaxing). Also the timing and picture when Aqua snaps out when she held back the tide of heartless. This made my day and made me remember why I love KH. Thank you so much.

[@yodizzle]

This was so fantastic!!!!!

[@themostop6142]

This fits so well! Not just in general, but like, each individual shot is so perfect! This is so good!

[@Ryu_D]

Wow. Just, wow!

[@jamarcusdavis4023]

Ironic. I watched Encanto a few days ago and now I find this. Stellar work!

[@fluoriteoctet]

im VERY sad about aqua thank you. this is incredible

[@MrKevinR]

This is fantastic! Very well done!

[@kovuska2749]

This was amazing! I love the joyful part that slowly turns into less than pleasant. Relief to fear .

[@Kat097]

thank you 4am youtube reccomendations I have discovered another amazing animator to subscribe to with a great taste in music ^_^ Disney did fantastic with Encanto's music

[@juno2no]

That was amazing!

[@BatuqueOnda]

This is awesome!!!🤩

[@Nemshek]

Dude, this was awesome. Great animation.

[@tommywashere1837]

YOOOOO I am in love with this masterpiece!!! Dude this is the best thing I have seen all day