The Greatest Living Show /Toby Fox & Itoki Hana

[@it0ki]

◆◇◆◇Lyrics◆◇◆◇ 青く　憂う月が かじかむ森を　照らしだす そこに　はるか ひめられた 誰も知らない舞台が あるの ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 「明かり灯せ」 きらめく琥珀と影が ドアをいきまじる夜 「明かり灯せ」 踊り子たちは囀る オパールのくちばしで 熱狂に 満ちる客席を 【Shwoman】(彼) は 傀儡たちと　見下ろす その振り上げた 腕に、幕が落ちたなら さあ、ショーのはじまりだ ライオンが吠え 狂ったラッパが鳴く わたしは恐怖に惹かれていく 「「さあ、飛べ！」」 「「舞え！」」 「「身体よじらせて　ねじ切れるまで踊れ！」」 最高のショーが 呼んでいる 最後の章が 呼んでいる 最高のショーが… 子供たちの起きる時間まで ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ ちいさな幕間に　星明かりが消えたなら つかれた役者たちが　列なして　はける 煙と くゆった　つめたい舞台裏から 駈け出せば　鮮やかな ひかりに　出会った 恋をして 知らない「あなた」とワルツを踊りたい 誰もが皆 見とれるような それは　素敵な結末が… あるの ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 「明かり灯せ」 コルセットの夜闇と 【Shwoman】(彼)に囚われていた 「明かり灯せ」 あまたの囁きが　ほら、 名前を呼んでいる 「明かり灯せ」 スパンコオルのドレスと 上がる息は　まばゆく けれども、どうだ わたしの演技は、どこか 「正しく」ないようだ　― ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 仮面の男が グラスを手に笑う わたしは舞台を転げまわる 「「さあ、飛べ！」」 「「舞え！」」 身体よじらせて　ねじ切れ　引き裂かれる 「最高のショーだ」 声がする 最後の章だ 声がする 「最高のショーだ」 ちぎれてく、 さ　い　ご　の・・・

[@spacedoodles]

beautiful work here

[@ari638]

This was hauntingly beautiful, but I'd like to know the English translation of the lyrics ;-;

[@tintop8520]

@@ari638 ◆◇◆◇Lyrics◆◇◆◇ The blue, sorrowful moon Light up the numb forest there Haruka was beaten A stage that no one knows Is there ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ "Light up" Glittering amber and shadows the night you mess with the door "Light up" the dancers sing with an opal beak enthusiastically full audience 【Shwoman】(he) is Looking down with the puppets raised it If the curtain falls on your arm Let the show begin lion roaring mad trumpet sounds I'm drawn to fear ""Come on, let's fly!"" ""Dance!"" "Twist your body and dance until it breaks!" the best show calling the last chapter calling The best show... until the children wake up ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ If the starlight disappears in a small interval Tired actors walk out without a line From the smoky and cold behind the scenes If you start running, it will be vivid I met Hikari in love I want to dance a waltz with "you" I don't know everyone everyone Admiring That's a nice ending... Is there ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ "Light up" The darkness of the corset and [Shwoman] was imprisoned by (him) "Light up" A lot of whispers, look, calling your name "Light up" spangle dress and The rising breath is dazzling but how where is my acting It doesn't seem "correct" - ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ the masked man laugh with a glass I roll around the stage ""Come on, let's fly!"" ""Dance!"" Twist your body, twist it, tear it apart "It's a great show" I hear a voice it's the last chapter I hear a voice "It's a great show" torn off, The last moment··· 💀 DEPRESSING AHH LYRICS

[@lisbonmapping8425]

@@tintop8520 The main character woman is a moron lmao. The hell did she think was gonna happen?

[@Home-body]

The blue, melancholy moon The blue, melancholy moon illuminates the biting forest. There, far away the stage is set There is a stage that no one knows that no one knows about. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ "Let the lights shine." Glittering amber and shadows The night the door is bustling Let the lights come on Dancers chirp With beaks of opal In a frenzy The audience in a frenzy. Shwoman looks down with her puppets Looking down with his puppets If the curtain falls on his upraised When the curtain falls on his arms Then the show is about to begin. The lions howl And the mad trumpet sounds I'm drawn to fear "Come on, fly! Dance! Dance till you twist and turn and twist! The best show in town Calls to you. The last chapter The last chapter The best show... Till it's time for the kids to wake up ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ When the starlight goes out in the tiny interlude The weary performers line up to leave from the smoky, smoky, clammy backstage I ran out from the choking backstage I met a bright light I want to fall in love I want to dance the waltz with "you" I don't know I want to dance a waltz with someone I don't know I want to dance with you, whom I don't know. It's a beautiful ending. There is. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Light the Lights." The night darkness of the corset and [Shwoman](He) held me captive. Turn on the light. And the whispers, you see, They're calling my name. "Turn on the lights." Spangled dress And the breath that rises in the air But what do you think? My performance is somehow Is somehow not "right." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ The masked man Laughing with a glass in his hand I roll around the stage "Come on, fly!" Dance! Twisting and turning, twisting and tearing Best show ever. I hear voices. It's the last chapter. I hear voices. "Greatest show on earth." Tearing, The first... Translated with DeepL I don’t know much about Japanese but take any pronouns you see with a grain of salt. Pronouns aren’t really used in JP as far as I know so gender markers are contextual, meaning the translator apps are guessing which pronouns to use without context. EDIT: fwugradiation is Toby’s official KZbin account and he has included his original English lyrics of which the Japanese was based on in the comments below. To me that is the most true English lyrics you can get! My comment is simply using DeepL on the Japanese lyrics~

[@RosieTheRo]

This feels like watching a fairytale. Not the "happily ever after" kind, the kind that warns you to never tell your name to the fae or else they'll steal it from you

[@still_your_zelda]

Well the good news is fairy tales are like that. We are just used to the watered down disney Hollywood versions that paint them as something romantic.

[@mifiwi3438]

@@sirei01 I'm kinda saddened that future generations in germany likely will also grow up on the "kids-friendly" modern variants. I loved hearing or reading the original (well, close enough at least) fairtales as a kid.

[@claruwu]

@@sirei01 So true! Because english and german are the only 2 languages that exist in the world right

[@yassinefarah2423]

​​@@johnDoe-uw2zs "unfortunately for the girl and so many others before her, only the ringmaster will have his happily ever after."

[@mimisezlol]

The lyrics align with that by telling us Haruka's fate at the very beginning

[@Ketsui.]

The fact Bani-chan went from UNDERTALE fan animations to _this_ collaboration with Toby Fox is nothing short of amazing

[@Envy_May]

SO IT IS THE SAME BANI-CHAN GNBFJBFDCKJNXMX

[@Ketsui.]

@@Envy_May Pretty sure, yeah! The art style seems like it is, right?

[@sacredsprings3933]

Yup, it is the same Bani! She said on her channel a few years ago she was working with toby on something.

[@T.JacobMain]

I was thinking the same thing! The name sounded familiar, and then I had a whole memory whiplash lol

[@bateli9733]

Oh my! It is the same person from all those years ago...

[@expealidocious]

i still can't wrap my mind around the fact that this was animated by one person. so insanely beautiful.

[@IchiAriichisanroku]

The fact that they also animate undertale stuff and this MV with its ties to Toby Fox!

[@Einzeilhandery]

it is never a one person project

[@zturtle781]

@@Einzeilhandery well in this case the visuals were done entirely by bani-chan. although the music side was done by multiple people

[@jackmagic8420]

I hope they were paid well!

[@athenosvermillion]

Bani chan, check out her socials!

[@korvidkillz]

The fact that, after a year, this still only has 2.8m views is CRIMINAL. I hope in a few more years, the algorythym will catch on and make this one of those viral older music videos

[@im.going.to_hell]

Real, also Magolor pfp 🤑

[@korvidkillz]

@@im.going.to_hell RAAAAAAAAH MAGOGANG RISE UP

[@n4r1z_0utp0zt]

​@@korvidkillz GAAAHHHH HELLO FELLOW MAGOLOR FAN🔥🔥🔥

[@AshTehRat]

​@@korvidkillz I've found my people... :D

[@wildfire9280]

@@im.going.to_hell egg with hair

[@Caroline15390]

One thing that stood out to me in this piece was how strangely, unnervingly organic the curtains looked at times, like the stage was a living thing.

[@jonathan_herr]

Glad to see it wasn't just me that thought/was noticing the... "Living" nature/feel of the "circus"... Like some sort of malevolent mushroom?

[@kruxdewdrop1220]

It is called the greatest "living" show after all. It'd be false advertising to have it otherwise, would it not?

[@plates7245]

It reminds me of the image used for 74.

[@powerofspiral9716]

I think through background we were intentionally shown imagery that resembles genitals to enhance the "living" feeling of the show and as well add subtle nuance to storytelling

[@ladylark10884]

indeed, i assume it was supposed to give off yonic imagery

[@DarkMarxSoul]

The thing that gets me about this video on a repeat watch is that she should have KNOWN what was going to happen. She SAW the strings, she SAW those ceramic dolls get cracked apart. The truth of the show was right in front of her eyes but she ignored it and thought she would be an exception, that the puppetmaster would treat her differently than his dolls. But he didn't, and she met the same fate, and unlike a ceramic doll she didn't crack-she was torn apart in a stream of blood. Chilling.

[@netoeythedestroyer8468]

she looked scared as she stood behind the cirtains. maybe she thought she wasn't going to be like the others, that he loved her and she was special. but she then realised thats exactly how he made every girl feel before tearing them apart

[@NasusKim]

i feel like most people or young naïve girls wants to be different in the hands of a brutal man kind of like the "i can fix them" mentality. tragic. everyone wants feel special to someone.

[@acyned8079]

I feel what that part shows is that the ability and skill of the showman was so great that it made the obvious seem not obvious at all.

[@komarimo]

Sometimes abusers make it seem like it isn't their fault and that their victims were just being fragile and "overdramatic" and sometimes new victims think "well I'm different/it won't be that way with me" until they're in that situation and realize how real it is (maybe why we see her being torn apart vs the cracks, as it's her perspective). Very tragic cycle.

[@liben5052]

Shes very innocent and that ended up costing her life, which makes the whole thing so tragic.

[@leendaleendawhatsinmyagenda]

I love how her eyes combined with her overall "whiteness" at the start of the story are so innocent. While after she falls into the puppeteer's trap her eyes and whiteness reminds so much of sickness and illnesses

[@Noursinette_]

999th like, first reply

[@ecru_5819]

This is a really good observation I never even considered She's so pristine and pure looking, even down to her white sclera and simple black eyes But as soon as it starts coming apart they become red and yellow

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

​@@ecru_5819she looked like amalthea last unicorn and angel egg Sabine movie the girl

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

​@@ecru_5819this animation similar to the medicine Seller in Mononoke anime

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

​@@ecru_5819reminds me of jareth and Sarah the goblin king

[@MrStrawbcheesecake]

I love how both the ringmaster and the stage have many predatory aspects in their design. The flash of his teeth, his slitted eyes and blood coloured clothes, as well as the structure and setting of the stage looking almost organic. Sort of like an extension of himself. The girl is very much in his world now, where he dominates and controls most, if not all that happens in the tent, and he manages it almost as naturally as any creature would handle their own physical body. I also love how disorienting it becomes for her. How it's somewhat overwhelming at the beginning, watching the graceful moves of the performers and the enjoyment and admiration taken from the crowd, she becomes somewhat lost in the phenomenon around her. Then the next time we meet such a scene is when she's under the influence of the puppet master herself, being thrown and pulled about, no grace present anymore, just a sickening ride she cannot endure, until the point where she is pulled to pieces, much in a way that mirrors how a cat plays with a mouse it's caught . The shot of the ringmaster closing the book at the end reminds us that the girl has become just another story for people to tell. She no longer exists in the realm of potential. She is now just another page in his story, and to him that's all that matters. She was only ever a means to an end. The lost white ribbon is now all that remains of her in the time before the circus, left in a simpler and more natural time and setting, no longer attached, only once belonging. Like a memory of her untainted youth, it's small, dainty and fragile. Almost ethemeral, taken by the wind and impossible to find again. Amazing video and music. Awesome talent! Thankyou so much for sharing this with us! How I miss this level of expression and art! So Amano-esque! Toby, Beni-chan and Itoki-sans talent and creativity in this video is reminiscent of the sacred three responsible of the early final fantasy's! (Uematsu, Sakaguchi and Amano) Such a delight to see something of that incredible standard!

[@finimoth]

I AM READIN ALLAT ‼️‼️🔥🔥🔥

[@Kris_P108]

Great comment, you're really intelligent

[@Fuyaera]

❤

[@Kiwivoli]

You are like a poet of some sort

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

This animation screams medicine Seller mononoke ,last unicorn and angels egg animated movie

[@FwugRadiation]

Original English Lyrics Silent blue So cried the somber moon Above the oaken forest starving in the cold There lay a carnival With a showman's hall The GREATEST LIVING SHOW Never been told So I go Bring the stage alight Was the amber writing plain across the door Glinting bright Drawing figures from the night Bring the stage alight Went the opal-beaked dancers chanting plight Casting shadows that reek Of cologne Braving through the sight To the seats replete with shaking heat and fright High he stands Twisting puppets on his throne Let him raise his arms in might To the Greatest Show that's ever never known Falling curtains that shine Like a bone Soaring round above the ground With threads so brightly blaring Mouth apart A smile twisting Like a plaything on a string Lions roar With force For what is in store As the trumpets are bleating Like broken violins The last curtain is calling For the show tonight The last curtain is calling For the show tonight The last curtain is calling For it's time for all little children to take their daily Then to the lonely middle time Where the star-painted dancers take the lights off Out go the tired middle men Who retire in dirty lines Then to the ending time again Where the haze heavy room is cold and empty Trotting across the middle when A new light colors in my mind If I love the show Shall I waltz onstage and be a dancer in the glow For all to know And then the watcher's eyes Will be my glaring prize Here in the Greatest Living Show Never been told So I go Bring the stage alight As I slip into the corset of the night In the wings When he traps me in his sight Bring the stage alight Was the candied whisper made to take my fright "Can't you hear them all calling your name?" Bring the stage alight With a sequined dress to draw my breath In white Cheers the crowd Screaming black into the light Bring the stage alight But the poems I've been praying don't seem right Falling curtains that shine On a doll Soaring round above the ground With threads so tight they tear me Head apart My body twisting Like a plaything on a string Men in masks They laugh In brandy and glass Through their spectacled grins As I'm falling limb from limb The last curtain is calling For the show to end The last curtain is calling For the show to end The last curtain is calling For the show to end End End End End --- The Japanese lyrics were based off of the English lyrics. And, the music video was mostly based off of the Japanese lyrics.

[@cylindricalcat1]

These are amazing, as is the song! I was wondering if you were able to say who contributed background vocals to sections such as 03:06.

[@Sodaim]

I loved this a lot Toby

[@goopi_eh]

That was beyond incredible!

[@EidolonOrpheus]

Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long, long time...

[@jackatk]

He’s not dead! Toby this is awesome!

[@shugendorites428]

What gets to me most is that single ribbon at the end. It’s just the quiet assurance that yes, this has already happened to a thousand girls already, and it’s GOING to happen to a million more. It’s that idea of an endless cycle that’s the most haunting.

[@NiennaFan1]

OK if you understand could you explain what's going on? I watched it once trying to read the English lyrics at the same time and once just focusing on the video - so the girl goes to the show and likes it and decides to perform but then it turns out everyone who performs randomly dies? I get it's supposed to be like being fooled and seduced and then something bad happens to you and it's a metaphor for manipulation and abuse because that's what all the comments are saying, but why do everyone's limbs fall off? Is that the whole plot that you perform in this show and then you randomly die, or am I missing something? The comments said something about everyone else being ceramic dolls and the main character is the only human? Why do they get ripped apart? And is the girl whose limbs fall off at the end the main character or someone else? I thought it was the main character but then I saw the main character with the ringmaster afterwards?

[@elusivemayfly7534]

I think it’s a metaphor for being “torn apart.” The woman in white innocently believes she is choosing to dance but finds there are “strings attached” to her being part of the show. The show and love affair with the Showman felt like achieving her dreams, but in fact she has given her soul to the devil, and her dreams are really nightmares. The Showman even transforms to have long horns, a pointed tail, and red wings (formed by his cloak) (you can see these features at 4:16). The feel makes me think of the story of Bluebeard (I think that’s the one), where a young woman peers into a secret place she should not see and is punished by being dismembered, like the other women before her. Those are my thoughts, anyway! I’m sure the OP will have more good insights. EDIT: I think the Showman is dancing with the main character’s naked, decapitated body at the end. I had to go back and look again because it was hard to see with the dreamy, flowy style of animation. Even the bad things look beautiful in this style

[@NiennaFan1]

@@elusivemayfly7534 yeah he is dancing with the dead body- and the strings attached thing makes a lot of- WAIT WAS THE WHOLE SPAMTON PLOT LINE A [50% OFF]ING PUN

[@elusivemayfly7534]

@@NiennaFan1 LOL!!!!

[@ChillPatrick]

at least ribbon escaped...

[@beebs4283]

I feel like I’m watching Yoshitaka Amano art coming to life. This is incredible. Yet another hit for Itoki Hana and Toby Fox

[@elefenrir7]

Fr fr

[@vanderkarl3927]

Don't forget Bani-chan, who brought it to life!

[@kiraakuma5933]

I was thinking the same thing the whole time I was watching!~

[@LoiValdes]

Exactly

[@UshioKiss]

I personally feel bani-chan's art is very different from Yoshitaka Amano. I've been a fan of their art for a long time, and while some techniques are similar, the style and proportions are rather different I think.

[@TheAdvertisement]

I love how subtly the animation shows the poor girl's obliviousness at the start. The people around her are shadowed, drops dissipating from them for the show. All she's focused on are the bright lights, the show, the wonder of the circus. So much so that she doesn't notice the girls ripped to shreds on the stage, not registering the blood and pain they're sacrificing. It's not until the very end that the curtain is lifted, literally. As the curtain rises, the faceless are finally seen by her. A cruel, rich crowd, enjoying watching her pain, taking pleasure from a show that will be her end. And of course, she becomes aware of the bloodshed, the bright scarlet magenta of her own blood filling in when she only saw cracks on the other girls. The other girls were puppets to her, nothing to paying attention to once they'd served their purpose. But now she's become all too aware that she is not just a puppet, and treating her like one breaks her.

[@missrae1869]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIa9qpSLetOSjrM @TheAdvertisement

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

No like the other girl she agreed to get killed she fell for him he wasnt human he collect Girls and their souls pose he Kills her is a demon but catcher soul she embrace him

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

The other male watchers who visit him arent human either the Girls married him had a relationship with him than they argged to be his brideswife of show he killed them

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

He owns the souls he reconstroct the souless bodys with his demon magic hangs them on walls in his circus this he dont crushed tossed aside were girls like her fallen for his charms they all let him kill them he dont age she wasnt speciel he will use her to lure the next girl until one woman is Smart reject him his death trap

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

All this Girls loved him he didnt No one he spared none of them showed mercy they wre toys to play around with fake love than toss aside until he had them already Lost interest bored him he aint human hmm love is blind one sided pf all this Girls sie still attached to him dud she hope he change for hil tue show is everything not the Girls lives his Grotesce existance the circle continue since others argue like her to be with him

[@neosaneo2]

i love how 2:02 shows exactly what will happen to the girl in the end but since their insides are seen as chalky and porcelain the horror isn't fully realized until the end where the blood fills the stage

[@FungalFury]

I interpreted it as her intentionally ignoring the horror of it because she's too bewitched by the spectatle, too entranced to care about the grime of the performance. Reminds me of stories about Faye

[@RectPropagation]

She might have also expected to be treated like one of the beak faced dancers (who are fine when the show ends) and not like the dolls.

[@RectPropagation]

@@recordofragnarokisapurehyp6660 I see the light blue, dark blue, and a gold color but not the red. Which shoe is it on?

[@recordofragnarokisapurehyp6660]

@@RectPropagation Oh, sorry, I mistook gold for red due to the quality on my phone.

[@RectPropagation]

@@recordofragnarokisapurehyp6660 Oh, no problem!

[@prism_OS]

The parts where Showmaster's voice mix with Itoki's gave me chills.

[@rayman1900]

This was actually Toby's singing for that part!

[@android_K05]

@@rayman1900 source?

[@zturtle781]

@@android_K05 it seems to not be credited here, but check out the background vocals Toby did for Itoki Hana's "74"; they sound very similar. Also, if you listen carefully, towards the end of the song you can also hear that voice singing "The last curtain is calling / For the show to end" in the background, which is the final line of the original English lyrics Toby wrote (which he posted in this comment section under his old FwugRadiation account). So, while no direct confirmation, it's fairly reasonable to assume it's him.

[@Cherished.Beloved]

Oof which part because I didn't notice💀 Edit: wait I think I know which part, which happens to be my favorite lol

[@luiswaverly5632]

@@zturtle781 I WAS WONDERING IF THAT WAS ENGLISH, thank you so much for sharing what was being said

[@Drescota]

On one hand, it wonderful that we live in a time when smaller creators have the means of creating works of such high quality as this from across the world; on the other hand, it's a shame that these people do not get the industry support that they should. Image what these creators could do if they had the budget of even one of the smaller animations companies.

[@marmorad4319]

Not to diminish Toby Fox or Itoki Hana, but I feel similarly in that Bani-chan deserves top billing alongside them.

[@Zionswasd]

the false value of money that the world relies on is the issue in and of itself, we do not need it to survive or to be happy, it is only the ultra rich who propagate that fool's gold, in lieu of having any true values or valuables in their souls to bring to the table.

[@dormir2072]

I feel like this is the style someone would need to animate in if they wanted to adapt the character designs of Yoshitaka Amano well. imagine what we could have with that kind of character design concept, and this kind of animation style and approach.

[@ashross5860]

@@dormir2072 Amano is my favorite artist and I agree wholeheartedly. the whole "threatening whimsical" vibe is perfect

[@tkg353]

You can't call Toby Fox a small creator, wtf, he may've started small, but almost everyone does.

[@mu4784]

I love that at the end, the head, the actual person, is seperated and the puppeteer is still dancing with the body. Makes me feel how some people see women's bodies as objects, they are literally blind to the fact that there is a person there, a head attached.

[@hazepages]

I LOVE how at around 4:09 you can hear "The last curtain is calling, For the show to end" in subtle male vocals!

[@RoseOfNight]

I believe that's Toby singing, too.

[@hazepages]

@@RoseOfNight didn't know Toby Fox sang too. But that would explain additional vocals not being credited anywhere, can totally see him doing that.

[@noirwashere]

​@@hazepages yea thats him he also sings along with her in a few other lines

[@Vinesus]

@@hazepages I mean, we know Toby be [Rappin’]

[@LocalPostal]

​@hazepages He has a few songs with vocals, a good example would be The Baby Is You

[@greyscaleadaven]

That whole arc was so fun to watch, from someone stunned by the visuals of this performance, to the enticement of them by the puppeteer, to the end in which they become the puppet they so idolized before. Seems like a great commentary on how peeking behind the curtains isn't all its chalked up to be. I really liked the end too, where you can see malevolence enter the picture as the main character is torn to pieces by their captor in front of a captivated audience. Simultaneously beautiful and horrific all in the same breath.

[@chrissysonicutdrloz]

What I find interesting is that she didn't see the blood when she was a spectator, only when she became a performer.

[@Crystalis39]

@@chrissysonicutdrloz Yeah. When she was a spectator, the dancers were cracking like porcelain dolls and losing their limbs (there's even a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment around 1:51 where one dancer's head is about to tear off), but they neither bled nor lost their dresses, unlike the protagonist. On a literal level you could interpret this as the protagonist getting special treatment in the worst possible sense (it makes sense for the lead role to be given higher expectations, no?), but I think it's probably a metaphor for how people tend to see suffering (both generally and more specifically in the name of art) as something beautiful and dignified, but once you're actually in that position you'll find that it's mostly just painful, especially when combined with the expectations of a crowd. And there's an exploitative angle too with whatever's going on with the Showman/puppeteer, IDK I'm not very good at reading stuff past the surface level.

[@juliewinchester1488]

@@Crystalis39 I actually interpreted that as them not being real, just puppets. They're meant for the kind of dances the showman is making them do, and they're appendages are designed to be loosely connected A flesh and blood human isn't

[@chrissysonicutdrloz]

@Julie Winchester yes, I thought of that after I'd left my other comment. Maybe the girl was the puppeteer's first human performer. But if that's the case, it's actually worse, because the puppeteer seems enthralled by watching her die. He rushes to meet her headless body as it falls, dancing with it as her lifeless head falls to the stage. And at the very end, he closes up this magic spellbook and vanishes, presumably to set off and find other victims. The worst kind of predator.

[@chrissysonicutdrloz]

Either way you look at it, whether the troupe of dancers were real or puppets, it's an excellent commentary on the life of an entertainer. Especially when you consider that everyone who made this is a different kind of entertainer: a singer, musicians, an animator, and a writer. Especially the writer, who happens to be, quite possibly, the single most well-known name in indie game development. His work is constantly under scrutiny from every angle, by both his fans and numerous big businesses that he has to deal with for publishing &c, but he also has a team of people assisting him in creating his game. So does Toby see himself as the dancer, or the puppeteer?

[@bec-sauce8375]

actually astounded by the fact that this was all animated by one person. this is some professional animation studio type shit.

[@floralrune]

hi homestuck pfp

[@floralrune]

also (actual on-topic comment now) apparently it took 2 years !

[@bec-sauce8375]

@@floralrune first reply i get to this comment and its about my homestuck pfp. literally 1984. also i give up on projects when they take over a week to create how tf do you work on the same thing for two years...great googly moogly

[@astrea4020]

@@floralrune That is still WILDLY impressive for a project of this caliber. Puparia took 3 years and was a one person project.

[@remixtheidiot5771]

​@@bec-sauce8375 my personal record is 6 months. still ended up canning it after all that time and energy... willpower made of steel that animator has.

[@rihito4544]

なんか、20年くらい前の時代のアニメ、ゲームの世界観‥‥なんだろうこのとてつもない懐かしい感じ‥‥‥

[@honeysstar]

Definitely Toby's most ambitious composition so far. Also, those vocals are incredible.

[@fatfetus5544]

​@@slimgrim3607 half bread chaos?

[@Jake28]

@@slimgrim3607 r-ribbon, p-p-puppets--

[@NumbHydro]

​@@slimgrim3607 Power of memes, since he is mostly known for the memes and everyone does not want to admit that.

[@UnderseaDee]

@@NumbHydro Okay buddy I know a lot of ya came from the Foam Incident but not all of us

[@senokawsomemusicchannel]

@@slimgrim3607 there's strings like spporotmnon

[@somebody4952]

3:41 Gosh, this shot... It happens for only a few seconds, you could blink and miss it. But here, we can see how many women were used like the protagonist here

[@chienne414]

and just like them, she won't be the last

[@tokka9150]

Oh my gosh great catch here, never would've seen that panel

[@tofidu]

If you're wondering who made visuals, it's bani-chan. Wish people knew her more

[@janova1699]

Been following Bani for years now and I can say the same. Makes me so happy to see them moving up in the world like this

[@donhuea447]

Bani has come so far. From making short undertale fan animations to animating an incredibly ambitious and gorgeous video for a song composed by Toby Fox.

[@weedmantrudeau5783]

it reminds me of the classic art for final fantasy; I really like it

[@Nighttale233]

The veiled dancers wept for the girls after they passed away. Their tears could serve as a warning and red flag not to approach the ring master. Despite that, the protagonist still went after the ring master.

[@Nighttale233]

Basically the protagonist’s curiosity for the ring master led to her death. Which is to say “curiosity killed the cat.”

[@iguessthisismyworkaccountl8437]

another way to interpret them is that they willingly close their eyes as if to appear innocent, a see no evil kind of deal

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

Like all the other Girls shoukd habe gone to the exist the ringmaster aint human a demon he collect her soul the torn bodies he rebuild porcelan with demon magic

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

The male watchers who saw her werent human either

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

​@@Nighttale233its was love one sided love like the other Girls

[@Fang_Tooth]

I love that the dancers appear to have strings attached to them, at first it looks like a normal stage show but then you realize it's more like a puppet show controlled by a puppet master. the backgrounds and small details are so unbelievably good and fitting it's hard to imagine it was animated by one person. I've only seen this once and i love it i know i'm going to rewatch it again every single time i think of it

[@rayman1900]

You could interpret that those performers are all controlled by the greed of the puppet master, and that they are forced to dance and fly around until the end of their life, which is also what happened to the main character after falling in love with him. She is blinded by love and want to become a fulfilled actress and thus, can be moved around like a puppet at her's master wish until her inevitable demise.

[@tepig2828]

“It pulls the strings and makes them ring until your heart gets ripped up”

[@AshenDust_]

@@tepig2828 Deltarune fans try not to relate unrelated works to Deltarune challenge (Impossible)

[@opagel]

Toby Fox fans when they see strings: OMGGGG DERMTALRUN REFERNCC??? 🥺🥺😲😲😲💀💀💀💀💀🥶🥶🥶😳😳😳🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@meganegan5992]

@@opagel it's a Toby Fox production, luv, ain't that out of left field

[@prettypinksewerrat]

its so gorgeously unsettling, like a nightmare that you enjoy just a little bit.

[@Dorked]

Absolutely gorgeous animation with hauntingly beautiful vocals. Well done to all involved parties!

[@ikame387]

Hi dorked

[@cosmoredeathwish2319]

Eyyy it’s the funny unique swap au fan

[@Dorked]

@@cosmoredeathwish2319 Creator, rather. xD I made IF and all.

[@CoxinhaAleatoria]

Hello

[@Tramon81]

👋😌

[@maryfernandes8633]

There's just so many things to unpack here that I had to see this a dozen times before writting anything. But first, It's soooo beautiful and well done! It creeps the hell out of me and yet, I was fully captivated by all this alluring circus atmosphere for all the times I saw it on repeat. To make things easier, I'll share my thoughts divided in three parts. Also, I'll be referencing the original english lyrics below. 1. THE AMUSEMENT, in which the protagonist loves the show: - First of all, referencing the lyrics "Silent blue // So cried the somber moon // Above the oaken forest starving in the cold", I think this verse hides the fact that the moon is sorrowful in anticipation, knowing that the puppeteer is about to make a new victim, but she can do nothing. It even appears - to me, at least - that the forest's roots in the first pannel surround the moon in the water mirror in a cagelike form. - Then we have the first glimpse of the protagonist and she's all white, aside from her eyes. I think it symbolizes both naivety and purity, plus her eyes being dark could mean she's kind of blind to the true colors of the show itself, as she's completely amazed by it all. - The rest of the audience being just dark shadows could mean that the girl isn't paying attention to them at all, as her focus seems to be solely on the show. - At 1:08 we see the puppeteer at his throne from below. This angle assert the dominance of the character and also, he seems to be the only being in the entire animation that has real control over his movements, as the rest is flowy and dreamlike. - From 1:09 to 1:12 > the strings attached to the marionette girls are shining. My take is that it represents something that seems rather beautiful and desirable from afar, till you are inside the situation. It could also mean the romanticization of the whole situation by the protagonist. - The frame at 1:15 has the puppeteer looking directly to the girl and his hand is reaching out to her (it's subtle, at the center bottom), before he raises both hands to begin the show. It's like he's inviting her to take a ride in his "beautiful" world. At 1:32 he smirks, probably knowing she has taken the bite, by how amused she looks. - At 1:40 and 1:51 > the marionette girls break like porcelain. I think they're real girls, but there's no blood in their breaking because either they're long dead and have been mended a lot of times, or it's a metaphor for the blindness of the protagonist. She could be so entertained by the show that she fails to notice the suffering that's happening right before her eyes. It doesn't feel real to her, though she seems kinda shocked at 1:59. - Back to the lyrics, "Lions roar // With force // For what is in store // As the trumpets are bleating // Like broken violins" sounds like a warning to the white girl, foreshadowing that the spectacle is not what she thinks it is, but she can't see it. Again, because she's blind to all the red flags. - At the 2:07, she's still at the tent, but the show has ended and she finally sees the artists outside of the perfect act, tired and panting. It doesn't ends the magic for her tho, as all the figures still shine in her eyes. - At 2:35, while she fantasizes about being a dancer in the show, we can see her accepting the invite of the puppeteer (that happened at 1:15), holding his hand. At 2:37, she startles as he grasps her hand, but then settles right after, giving away her freedom as the price for the prestige she wants. Then she dives right in for the ride. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. THE DOWNFALL, where she finds out the truth that has never been told, but was written all over: - At 2:47 we see the moon again, but now in the sky. As the camera moves down it gets darker and we can see the puppeteer got the white girl trapped in the darkness, out of the moon's sight. While they dance, the blue butterfly turns into blue roses that bloom and die, which could represent her free self turning captive and emotionally dependant of the puppeteer. It seems to me that, at the beginning, he was kind to the girl, to earn her trust and respect, so it would be easier to manipulate her later. - At 3:04 she's sinking deeper, her hand reaching out to someone. I believe here's the point where the magic ends and she's already starting to regret her choice - probably cause her relationship with the puppeteer is getting bitter and more abusive -, but there's no one to save her now. - At 3:09 she's gazing behind, probably seeing the puppeteer in her room. At 3:12 she embraces herself, in a protective manner, but it's no use as she's already " trapped is his sight". Also, the black wings behind her and the makeup she wears now indicates that she's lost her purity. It's confirmed at 3:14, when he pushes her at the bed of roses and she bleeds, a metaphor for being "deflowered". It's clearly non-consensual and abusive, as she looks betrayed after it. That's when she starts to fear him, rather than love him. - At 3:19 she's clearly broken and doesn't want to proceed, but the puppeteer encourages her, as in the lyrics "Bring the stage alight // Was the candied whisper made to take my fright // 'Can't you hear them all calling your name?'". It was her wish to " waltz onstage and be a dancer in the glow" after all. That motivates her to continue, as what she wants is right before her eyes now. - From 3:24 to 3:31 > she walks towards the stage looking more composed, but the only thing that shines is her sequined dress, meaning she no longer sees the show as magical and beautiful. - At 3:37, when white girl gazes upwards she's striken with fear once again, as she sees the corpses of many other girls that were turned into marionettes (seen at 3:40). When the puppeteer aproaches her, she knows it'll be her fate too and finally understands that she will never perform freely at the stage, as she wanted. She's not special, just another plaything on the string for the puppet master to control, and it's terrifying (seen at 3:45). - At 3:48, 3:49 and 3:50 the audience is no longer shadows but masked men. They appear monstruous in the eyes of the protagonist, not caring about her performance or her suffering onstage, as long as it's entertaining. - At 3:55 the puppeteer seems to comfort the girl, now totally disappointed for her dream was just an illusion and there's nothing but suffering for her. I absolutely like this frame, it's my favorite! - From 4:08 to 4:15, as the girl's body tears and her eyes are wide, she remembers the marionettes she saw back in the show as they break and fall apart (seen in the animated lines at the black background). For me, it's just here that she realizes how monstruous and apathetic she must have looked, from the views of the other girls. Now she also understands it was all there - the red flags - but she couldn't see it. - At 4:16 the puppet master appears in a demon form as he goes to catch the falling girl. It's probably a metaphor to her finally seeing his true colors, but it's already too late. Then he waltz with her headless and torn apart body at 4:19, making her wish "come true". For me, it's like he's mocking her naivety for believing in his words. - From 4:24 to the end, we see the puppet master out of stage, in casual clothes, closing a book. This scene is intercalated with breaking bones and the remainings of the girl completely desappearing. My guess is that her soul is now trapped inside the book, unable to scape the puppet master, as she's reduced to just another sad fairytale. That's probably the process all the other girls have gone through, to fully turn into souless dolls. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS, in which I'll be brief (I guess): - After seeing this animation for so many times, I've come to realize the puppeteer could also just be a writer. In the final scene, when he's closing the book, it could mean that he created the whole story and none of this is actually real. As a writer myself, I've toyed with so many characters, making them go through horrendous things, just to entertain me and my readers, so I think it's really plausible. - The animation itself makes me think it's a metaphor for how toxic the relationships inside the entertainment industry are. Like the marionettes, a lot of artists don't get to control their own art and just act as they're told to, captive to their managers. It breaks them, little by little, until there's nothing left apart from souless bodies, and it's extremely sad. Especially because most are so hopeful at the beginning, just like the white girl. It could also work for toxic relationships of daily life. It remembers me a lot of domestic abuse cases. - At long last, this was a long ride for me. I'm totally obsessed with the music, the lyrics (both japanese and english) and the animation. I'll probably keep listening it on repeat until I myself break apart haha And if you read it all, have a nice day! Hope all your dreams come true ♥ EDIT: I've replied my own comment with some other points about this MV, so if you liked it, there's more down there :)

[@SamaraASAIKA]

AMAZING THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO READ IN THE COMMENTS BLESS YOU

[@maryfernandes8633]

@@SamaraASAIKA Awww thank you so much, blessed be ❤️

[@blara2401]

Thank you so much for all your hard work with these details ! I have a question though. You refer to the English lyrics as "original". Do you have any source that indicates that the Japanese lyrics were adapted from them, and not the other way around ?

[@maryfernandes8633]

@@blara2401 Oh, thank you so much! ♥ Regarding the english lyrics, if you scroll down the comment section there's a comment made by Toby under the username FwugRadiation, where you can find the full lyrics as well as his statement about the japanese lyrics being based off of the english ones (and the music video being based off of the japanese lyrics). Hope you have a nice week :)

[@blara2401]

@@maryfernandes8633 Thank you !

[@liamace1107]

You can feel the love for 80's anime like Angel's Egg/ Tenshi No Tamago absolutely dripping from every frame and design. Hat's off to you, such a melancholic nostalgia

[@MissusAnon]

I actually thought this was something about angels egg at first, really awesome

[@facefullofcat101]

yess very yoshitaka amano,, on that guud shii

[@LittleLightsDub]

THE LAST UNICORN

[@xXxRaizexXx]

I also got some major Belladonna of Sadness vibes (although 70s anime)

[@shizukagozen777]

I was just thinking about Angel's Egg.

[@l1ghtd3m0n3]

I'd kill for an animated series of this caliber. It's like the work of Yoshitaka Amano got fused with a dark fairytale that warns of exploitation in entertainment. The ringleader even gives me Kefka vibes - I imagine him having the same jovial insanity, only subtler. Everyone involved in this has serious talent, and it shows.

[@fionamaecry7579]

YES! its totally giving yoshitaka amano. its so so beautiful

[@heikoy]

It's as if this is his animated version of Moulin Rouge.

[@jeriemiahborela4433]

i thought of the vid looking final fantasy vi coded while watching literally a minute ago and here it is in the comments! you put into words how i felt even better than i can lol

[@mrwizard5012]

Dancing with a decapitated body is a very Kefka thing to do I think. lol

[@VJFranzK]

Yes, it's very Amano-esque! colors, design, themes. This animator could have a bright (dark?) future!

[@abicus3502]

Notice how the girl doesn't see other victim girls bleeding, but when she is torn into pieces, she herself bleeds. This represents how we don't see suffering and pain of others, only understanding how it hurts when we are in their shoes.

[@ExWifeHaver287]

🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@rz2374]

@@ExWifeHaver287 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@kendisnauss]

​@@ExWifeHaver287 no way it's the redditor

[@_Iscream]

I think you’re reading too deep into it

[@testhekid]

and they cant see the pain and suffering in the first place because theyre blinded by the lighrs of the stage

[@eyi4O79]

3:06 the girl's corset is fastened at the back, but at the same time she has no servants and she has to lace up the dress herself. That's an interesting detail, maybe the girl is from a poor family

[@NiennaFan1]

I think her life is miserable before and that’s why the circus is attractive - look at the descriptions and the drawings of the outside world!

[@lakeswirl6985]

ALSO you know what really gets to me? that shot at 3:34 (and similarly the ones at 3:47) -- from the view she has from the stage, the audience look like monsters. "why are you enjoying this? why are you watching and smiling? don't you you realize what's happening to me?" when just moments ago she was among them and probably looked just like that to the girls before her. god

[@anastasiakrieger8822]

The audiance this time were males demo like him but unlike her they left not became part of his collection seeked him out

[@princessthyemis]

ohhhh man!

[@Thewhiteandorange]

this has all the "Last Night in Soho" vibes.

[@cassidynoelle741]

This really gives me Belladonna of Sadness vibes with the overall animation style and use of watercolor-painted scenes. Absolutely beautiful! Few animators today can achieve something of this caliber, let alone by themselves

[@zeera2854]

I agree; the animation also reminded me of Angel's Egg and Vampire Hunter D.

[@nightmarefanatic1819]

Belladonna of Sadness combined with Angel's Egg.

[@boombox2ikik239]

@@zeera2854 exactly Vampire Hunter D and more of Yoshitaka Amano’s art was what I was thinking of and it’s glorious

[@AnotherDante]

Angel's Egg 1991 (CLAMP)

[@mhiggs8001]

Hell yeah I was thinking Amano as well! Belladonna of sadness was one of the strangest, but most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Really cool stuff

[@DelRae]

I like how you can tell she’s clearly more progressively stressed out too via the more obnoxious makeup she wears and red rimmed exhaustion

[@Okubyoumono0123]

御伽の世界の音楽 イラストの細い線がうねる動きが 幻想的で美しい

[@Rubberman202]

Knowing that this was all drawn and animated by one person over the course of two years has me all the more impressed. Incredible stuff!

[@it0ki]

(Romaji lyrics : aoku　ureu　tsukiga kajikamu　mori　o　terashidasu sokoni　haruka　himerareta daremo　shiranai　butai　ga aru　no akari　tomose kirameku　kohaku　to　kage　ga doa　o　ikimajiru　yoru akari　tomose odoriko　tachi　ha　saezuru oparu　no　kuchibashi　de nekkyo　ni michiru　kyakuseki　o kare　ha kugutsu　tachi　to　miorosu sono　furiageta ude　ni　maku　ga　ochita　nara saa　sho　no　hajimari　da raion　ga　hoe kurutta　rappa　ga　naku watashi　ha　kyofu　ni　hikarete　iku saa　tobe mae karada　yojirasete　nejikireru　made　odore saiko　no　sho　ga yonde　iru saigo　no　sho　ga yonde　iru saiko　no　sho　ga　 kodomo　tachi　no　okiru　jikan　made chiisana　makuma　ni　hoshiakari　ga　kieta　nara tsukareta　yakusha　tachi　ga　retsunashite　hakeru kemuri　to　kuyutta　tsumetai　butaiura　kara kaketaseba　azayakana hikari　ni　deatta koi　o　shite shiranai　anata　to　warutsu　o　odoritai daremo　ga　mina mitoreru　yona soreha　suteki　na　ketsumatsu　ga aru　no akari　tomose korusetto　no　yoruyami　to kare　ni　torawarete　ita akari　tomose amata　no　sasayaki　ga　hora namae　o　yonde　iru akari　tomose supankoru　no　doresu　to agaru　iki　ha　mabayuku keredomo　doda watashi　no　engi　ha　dokoka tadashiku　nai　yoda kamen　no　otoko　ga gurasu　o　te　ni　warau watashi　ha　butai　o　koroge　mawaru saa　tobe mae karada　yojirasete　nejikire　hikisakareru saiko　no　sho　da koe　ga　suru saigo　no　sho　da koe　ga　suru saiko　no　sho　da chigireteku sa　i　go　no ) Thank you so much for watching and for your comments... !!

[@Finikux]

yess

[@leedlelel2373]

Did you also voice the showman(or whatever deep voice is in the background) or was it someone else? Im curious due to no one other than you being in the vocal credits!

[@WhistleAndSnap]

Thank you for the translations! Now I can sing along without guessing too much at what the heck I should actually say! You have a wonderful voice, and I love it when singers put actual emotion into their performance. You have great range and really captured the feeling behind the story! Phenomenal work.

[@ae831]

@@leedlelel2373 it was toby fox himself

[@sophieNuke]

thank you :) you have an extraordinary and beautiful voice.

[@ChristopherMoom]

Everything about this song's presentation is drop dead gorgeous, Hana has such bewitching vocals, and I can tell Bani-Chan put her soul into the massive undertaking that is the animation (I especially like the segment starting from around 4:09), I can't believe she spent 2 years animating this This is the type of creation where I'm shocked I get to enjoy this for free, wonderful work from everyone!

[@idontwanthishandle]

hi christpger moon

[@blu8096]

When is cdl 3 dropping

[@SomeGalNamedEve]

I see you everywhere, I will never get how you do it

[@justdean887]

I guess I’ll be regularly seeing your comments again

[@empanado8304]

oh shit ur the guy that comments on every single undertale video arent you!!

[@celestial.faerie]

Isn't it a little weird that when it pans down at 2:50 it looks like the tent has roots going into the ground? Almost like it's quite literally LIVING...

[@biaj.8864]

Well, I guess it's called "The Greatest LIVING show" for a reason-

[@oszmin3513]

Since we dont have a translation, its interesting seeing everyone's interpretations. One thing I want to share is how a lot of sinking and downward motion is used. We see the girl underwater at 2:39 and sinking into a bed of flowers at 3:13 (also possibly a euphamism for her being "deflowered". For the most part the camera continues to pan down over the video. But there's one scene where there's upward motion - right after the girl sees the aftermath of the performance. She looks like she's about to as end the stairs but stops to look back. She had a chance to leave but was drawn back in by the ringmaster.

[@zturtle781]

Scroll down to FwugRadiation (aka Toby Fox)'s comment; it contains the original English lyrics for this song. Not a translation -- Toby originally wrote this song in English, and it was adapted into Japanese by Itoki Hana. You can hear Toby echoing some of the English lyrics in the background towards the end, as well.

[@Signedcentaur]

I took this song being about sex trafficking, strip clubs, adult content creators, and how women working in that industry are usually beaten and destroyed before eventually their bodies are thrown away for the rats to feast upon... just my interpretation though

[@marb5027]

its realy interesting interpretation since the circus master seem to be some sort of vampire or incubus , vampire witch are simolic of the loss of virginity ( the blood flow and the loss of purity )

[@ChillPatrick]

Her legs disappear when she doing horrible mistakes first time when she goes in theatre second where she decides to dance

[@SatanEnjoyer]

Yup it's the loss of innocence

[@SomeGalNamedEve]

Toby Fox's style, and Itoki Hana's voice (and lyrics), and Bani-Chan's animations could not be a more perfect combination. And I can't forget to give credit to everyone else too, Kataoka Yasuhisa, Noel Sawdin, Carlos Eiene, and Marcy Nabors all did a fantastic job on their parts as well.

[@chartcarr]

toby's voice in this was also really funny to hear lol

[@coolkid9448]

​@@chartcarr where does It happens?

[@chartcarr]

@@coolkid9448 the deeper voice in the backing at 4:08

[@heikoy]

This also gives me strong Mononoke vibes.

[@Astareia7312]

tbh this doesnt sound like something made by toby fox. Its cool that he moved to different style, but this no longer feels like it has the same soul like in the Undertale

[@madamadadane7989]

Bani-chan the animator and artist is immensely talented 😭 I knew them from their onmyoji fanart on Twitter but they disappeared and I was very concerned because I thought they had artist burn out. I'm so happy for them that they were working with tobi. This is just an absolute masterpiece with blood, love, and thought into it. I love their art so much. It's ethereal and has so much story telling. Thank you guys for this, it's such a gift.

[@mmwangy]

I wonder how long for her to create this masterpiece?

[@zturtle781]

@@mmwangy in the most recent Undertale/Deltarune newsletter, Toby said it took Bani-chan roughly two years to complete animating this (she is credited as the sole artist/animator for this video - everything from the animations to the coloring and backgrounds were done by her alone)

[@acyned8079]

Yooo Omnyouji! A game I haven't heard about in a while

[@realtimestatic]

It's not just talent, it's a lot of hard work being put into this each and every day working on this project and long before refining the skill

[@aldranzam3456]

the art glow-up is astounding and inspiring! It made me wanna go back into animation

[@mioko2974]

It's amazing to see Toby's works outside of Undertale and Homestuck, collaborating with other artists.

[@適所適材]

最初の方で壊れていた操り人形は主人公の女の子みたいにこのショーに魅入られた人たちだったんですな😮

[@SamaraASAIKA]

i don't think so, they got Not bleeded wounds, the got damaged lie real dolls but the Protagonist Had blood so she is real

[@nagawa867]

​@@SamaraASAIKA 最終的にshowmanは悪魔のような正体を露わにしたので、もしかしたら客席からは(たとえ本当は人間であっても)演者達は人形にしか見えないのかもしれない…って可能性もありますね。考察が捗る！

[@適所適材]

Toby氏はやっぱ変態だ(褒め言葉)

[@w0lfsblade]

this is literally one of the best animations I have ever seen. I would watch a whole movie in this style.

[@astrea4020]

Belladonna of Sadness (1973) is a full length animated film and is probably the closest you’ll find to this style

[@starrysky8118]

Seconding Belladonna of Sadness, as well as Angel's Egg and Mononoke, which have similar styles to this (Mononoke looks a bit more modern, but it's just as surreal)

[@fionaflop300]

This isn’t a movie, but the manga houseki no kuni has a super similar style

[@RoseOfNight]

@@fionaflop300 should warn that HNK is Existential Dread: the manga, lmao

[@fionaflop300]

@@RoseOfNight FR it’s gunna make ya cry, and just have an emotional meltdown

[@triangle6871]

i'm a squeamish person, but it's difficult not to replay the music video and watch it all again.. the visuals are amazing!

[@matchabiscuits]

same!!

[@Finikux]

me too.. i just cant resist not watching the entire animation and listening to the song, its all so beautiful.. bani, toby and itoki did such an amazing job ! i think bani said on her channel last year that she was working on an artistic animation with toby, i forgot until now :0

[@mimszanadunstedt441]

My squeamishness is situational. I am desensitized, yet am impacted strongly depending on intensity or frequency of the content. Perhaps I am not desensitized but merely ignorant to some of its effects on me. It is amazing and good art, I wonder why it was made as such tho. Perhaps what most complimented the music, perhaps what most complimented the video. Perhaps a discussion was had on how to complement each other's talents, or genuine interest in the joint creative process. It seems to be indifferent to purpose, or if it has purpose I cannot fathom it immediately.

[@CatTrauma]

So squeamish that I bought the art book, completely worth it ❤❤❤

[@WhistleAndSnap]

@@CatTrauma eyyyy me too! We should start a club - the "horrified yet simultaneously so enchanted by this work of art that we bought the book anyways" club!

[@domodata6219]

I can really feel Yoshitaka Amano's influence on the art. Bani-Chan did a fantastic job capturing the aesthetic of a twisted carnival! Such a powerhouse artist.

[@MetanteiTriforce]

I have no idea at all how this managed t EXACTLY capture what my childhood nightmares looked like and inspire actual, genuine _terror_ deep in my gut while simultaneously making me not want to look away and compelling me to play this thing on loop but. This is more than a song, this is an experience. THIS is what it means to be haunted.

[@Pitufichingada]

I love the voice, i love the piano, i love the violin, i love Toby, EVERYTHING I LOVE EVERYTHING

[@talkingfez1265]

Exactly!

[@shrek3747]

Do u love me, Shreg

[@Pitufichingada]

@@shrek3747 Yes i do

[@LillianGraceFullofficial]

The visuals look like they’re from a professional 90s anime movie. The imagery of the puppet people reminds me of robot carnival and memories. also the heck this music is so creative and beautiful! 100000/10 this deserves a actual award

[@RoxasHyemalis]

I think all the white flowers behind the curtains are the bodies of the previous victims seen in detail at 3:40. She is just too blinded by what is going on and can only see then when she is alone (away from the ringmaster). In the same way she does not see the dancers bleed in the performance she watches, she is blind to the suffering around her until it is too late.

[@鈴黄鈴貨]

糸奇さんもTobyさんも、青春時代お世話になったクリエイター様なので2023年の現在もこうして活躍を目にする機会があると幸せな気持ちになります。

[@sonicrunner9734]

What did they do, you don't need to answer if you don't want to.

[@鈴黄鈴貨]

@@sonicrunner9734 えっと…糸奇さんに関しては、かなり昔から姉がライブに足を運んでいました。古参からのファンなので、姉とは面識があるそうです。現在も、オリジナルグッズなどを買って支援しています。 Tobyさんに関しては、Undertaleが発売された時に詳細を知り、ファンになりました。日本でも有名なクリエイター様なのでいちファンとして応援しています。

[@sonicrunner9734]

@@鈴黄鈴貨 Thats nice😄

[@桃谷カエル]

すごい、こんなにも痛くて苦しくて可哀想な気持ちになるのに、それ以上にそれを美しく思える映像 こんな芸術的なアニメをこの時代で作られていることに驚いた

[@doomdragon6]

There's nothing I could say that could possibly compliment this single-person, frame-by-frame, two years in the making video enough. What I will say is that it gives me very Thief and the Cobbler animation vibes.

[@doomdragon6]

Toby: And let's just put a little white ribbon at the end. As a treat.

[@scarletempress2652]

‘Single-person’? Toby was far from the only one working on this

[@doomdragon6]

@@scarletempress2652 I was talking about the animator... It was animated by only one person over two years

[@scarletempress2652]

@@doomdragon6 Ah right, gotcha sorry

[@thotobliterator1587]

1:24 When the drums drop, you can really feel how much more emphasis and raw emotional power she’s putting into her singing. I remember being a kid just listening to her Kirby remixes, and I was amazed by her beautiful voice and artistry. Seeing her work now, brings me even more wonder because she has evolved. I didn’t think her work could get any better but it did. I’m very happy I found this video and that she collaborated with Toby Fox, another musical genius.

[@pratima2209]

Toby, Bani, Itoki and Carlos making a song together? THIS IS HEAVEN!!

[@ikec-pw5sb]

I mean I get what you mean but Bani made the music video not the song

[@pratima2209]

@@ikec-pw5sb I know but, I was saying that it's great to see them collaborating.

[@ikec-pw5sb]

@@pratima2209 It really is

[@muffin_crow]

This is like, (in my opinion) the best collab ever.

[@spooki3382]

Bani’s artstyle in this looks very similar to the land of the lustrous manga

[@srrycantthinkofagoodname]

Everything about this is incredible. The music, the vocals, oh my god the art and animation, every part of this music video is just amazing. The entire ending sequence starting around 3:40 especially stood out to me as being both beautiful and absolutely terrifying. Incredible job to Toby, Hana, Bani, and everyone else who worked on this masterpiece.

[@going_richard9134]

Couldn't agree more

[@Ringo_Ringon]

初めから鳥肌たった、本当に世界観が独特で好き。 何でこんなに引き込まれる歌声、そして引き込まれる曲を作れるのか…最高過ぎる。 悪夢のようだけど美しい。 この2人のコラボにハズレは絶対に無い。

[@mmgmagic]

A detail that I found interesting was how the seats (2:22) look similar to the Showmaster's throne (1:11), including the very one the main girl was sat in when she first watched the show. (2:07). It's a neat way of visually representing how the Showmaster lures women in by making them feel like something special to be on the same level as him, only to be just another victim in a sea of other women before them, and another sea that will come after them.

[@kristen2693]

Good eye

[@casinopolis]

3:42 man, i'm already re-watching this sequence over and over. it's just so gorgeously animated??? the visuals are so disturbing but beautiful at the same time. i really love the how unique and abstract the art style is, it fits so well with the music but can still hold up as its own animation. just so so so stunning i can't get enough of it!!

[@SomeGalNamedEve]

Bani-Chan's 2 years of hard work definitely paid off.

[@casinopolis]

@@SomeGalNamedEve absolutely! it still really amazes me how the animation was done only by one person. i can only imagine the amount of patience and care it took to create something this wonderful

[@Calimdir]

It's beautiful! Also, not to imply that this animation isn't unique, but if you like this type of animation definitely check out Masaaki Yuasa's works if you haven't.

[@casinopolis]

@@Calimdir thanks for the recommendation, i'll be sure to check them out!

[@sergejkonstantinovic4866]

I mean the song is good, but wtf is this video about? I dont understand japanese and to me its just disturbing

[@abd6170]

It's crazy the amount of layers and love this small video has to it. Bani-Chan going from an Undertale Fan-animator to working directly next to Toby Fox, and having imrpoved so much that their artstyle, while recognizable, is clearly improved. Itoki Hana working with her amazing voice with Toby yet again, and Toby Fox's music perfectly complimenting that voice. Even the small leitmotif of Dragon Temple from Temmie's Game: Dweller's Empty Path (which starts from 0:43, and repeats much of the same melody.), it's all so clearly a beautiful labor of love. Well done to all parties involved, can't wait to see what other projects are in store!

[@toukuuora9397]

スリルと恋と舞台の悲劇という属性だったり、最初は観客側だったのに最後は出演者となる展開だったりして、構成としては王道なものなのにここまで魅力的なのは実力の証明って感じがする

[@MinDhack1616]

クチバシのない少女は、ショーマンにただ魅了されてしまうんでしょうなぁ 魅了にかかると、そのショーはただ恐ろしく最高のものに見える 舞台で他の少女が引き裂かれても、ただ人形が激しく儚く踊っているようにしか見えない ショーマンに深く恋し、純粋な肉欲に目覚める ついには少女はショーマンと関係を持ち、その最中で知らぬ間にか、承知の上か、糸で結ばれてしまう 少女はショーマンに気に入られるために、手間暇かけて自分を美しく飾る、豪華なドレスを着る 最期、少女の魅了は解けず舞台に上がる はじめ少女は自分の演技に違和感を覚えている と同時に、人形たちは糸で繋がれていたことを思い出し、自分の首にもそれが結ばれていることに気づく ショーマンの号令があり、自分も人形のように踊ることができる 次第に可憐な踊りではなくなり、高く激しく舞うようになる その時彼女は、手間をかけて着込んだドレスの一切をはぎ取られてしまう そして、身体を引き裂かれながら実感する 「舞台に立っていた他の彼女たちも生きながらに踊っていたんだ、恋に落ちて踊っていたんだ」 “Living show”であったことを理解する クチバシの女たちと群衆はただ満足して劇場を後にする クチバシってなんだ？

[@無課金10連爆死]

彼女らが被ってるのはクチバシのついたマスクだと思います。 舞台に上がるも仮面をつけた踊り子は素顔の傀儡とは違い傷つかない存在。 もし仮面が愛憎劇における裏の顔を表し、素顔が心の純粋/無垢さを表すのでしたら まっ白な少女は思うまま/本能のまま仮面の男の催す悪趣味な愛憎劇の舞台を糸を引かれ飛び舞わる。 しかし少女は違和感を感じ続けていた 台本の意図の通り無理やり続けた結末は

[@LiLi-qi9ws]

衝撃的な作品で、とても惹き込まれました。 女の子は最後人形になって壊されてしまったのかな。仮面の男は実は悪魔だった？ 前半に出てきたあやつり人形の女の子たちも人間だったのかな。 様々な解釈ができる本当に素晴らしい作品でした。

[@おもち-k1d]

みんなのうたとかにありそうな何処か懐かしい感じが素敵

[@占灬]

わかります！私はこの作品を見て、「月のワルツ」を思い出しました。 とはいっても、この作品ならではの大人向けな、破滅的で美しいところが好きです。

[@Mochi餅Mochi]

私もサムネで一瞬月のワルツだと勘違いし、反射で動画を開いてから違うことに気付きました。

[@因幡てゐ-k9w]

だけど曲がかっこいいのと 作品がうまく、そして美しく できてるっていうのがまた良きって感じです

[@はるか赤木]

よくよく見てみたら劇団に入ってから人形になっているわけじゃなくて、人形部屋？らしきところに誘導されてから気づいたら宙を飛ぶ人形にされてたのか…。 考察が楽しい。

[@you2angel1]

Bella °~•.☆.•~°

[@GoldenPeaches]

I'd just like to point out that the girl only has any shine/depth in her eyes when she's looking on the carnival/circus with adoration/favor. When she idolizes it and the Showman, her eyes light up. When she doesn't, her eyes are dull. A fun feature often seen depicted in anime to show fear/some level of placidity/etc. I really love all of the storytelling that both the lyrics and music video incorporate to weave quite the many facetted work of art.

[@katiemorwick9615]

I see this as being paraded around as an object. This man uses girls to put on "a show" for others. He doesn't care if they hurt in the process, and when it's over, they are discarded like trash. Our main girl becomes his next "arm candy," but she thinks she is different from his other girls. Maybe he actually loves her. Nope. Same story-- she gets used to boost his personal image, and all that's left of her is a broken doll. Beautiful story

[@NubSaysHoi]

This might be obvious, but I think she saw the pointy nosed dancers and wanted to be like them. She thought the other girls were only dolls, but in the end, she became one of those "dolls".

[@fuzzyd1436]

The lyrics imply that she was aware that it kills them as she states she think this sparkling and beautiful show and being seen by all the people is something to envy. I think she didn't they were dolls but more didn't asign any humanity to them. This switch in perspective is I think amplified by the contrast between the first and second chorus. In the first one she sees the majesty of only what's happening on the stage, all other viewers are nothing but vague shadows. In the 2nd one the perspective changes and she sees both the pain of what the dancers feel and how caring and malicious the crowd is, laughing with masks and uncaring to the pain happening right infront of them.

[@Dr.mothman]

This is such a masterpiece. The animation with its smooth and fluid movements, the color and textures. This is a masterpiece of animation. The lyrics and the music are majestic, conveying the emotions of being in a circus/carnival yet never taking back the sensation of gracefulness. The ending was truly gruesome in a beautiful way. This is truly something deserving of a prize. Good work to everyone involved, y'all did a splendid job.

[@superipermagererata5084]

This is a blessing to my ears. The piano harmony in background; the angelic but at the same time intense and strong vocals; the art! omg the art is just something else…The symphony is majestic. Thank you, thank you for creating such a piece of art.

[@saryenn]

I died in awe watching this. Feels like Belladonna of Sadness, Revolutionary girl Utena, Studio Ghibli and old-school french animation came to remix and have a love child. The song gave me shivers but the animation dug a hole in my heart and ripped it up from inside out.

[@xBlacksStarx]

What a strange coincidence I just began to listen to interviews of Jeffery Epstein victims and survivors and how much I imagine this song rings true to sexual abused victims everywhere. To young girls who are lured by beauty, love bombing, fortune, fame, and lied to about the opportunity to be reveled for their beauty... only to be trapped and abused and destroyed from the inside out. This song and animation is very powerful. As someone who was in a toxic relationship, I can relate to it. The allure of someone beautiful seeing beauty in you, gives this false sense of confidence and awe. The opportunity to being seen with someone beautiful, to everyone you know, and the false idea that you are the exception among all the other girls he threw away. Please, like the circus tents, notice the red flags. Thank you for making this Toby, Itoki Hana and Bani Chan.

[@qaztim11]

extremely underrated comment 99% of those abusers are still free and in power and sadly wont face any punishment in this life We can only warn the next generations and try to get people out of those situations before it is too late

[@kio-hei]

I think, this girl fell in love with the guy, the lyric about that scene is about love

[@kio-hei]

Something like "i fell in love with you, im curious about how mysterious you are'

[@xBlacksStarx]

@@kio-hei For sure, I agree; I definitely see that in the video and lyrics. I meant to say this music video is abstract enough it almost could fit all toxic relationships. But with the story I agree, this one is definitely, in regards to a girl who falls in love with a seemingly perfect, mysterious and handsome guy and miss the warning signs of the other girls that were hurt by him in the past. I suppose what I meant to say was a lot of things in this music video just reminded me a lot of the themes victims of Jeffery Epstein described. A man who seemed nice, enticed them with a great reward, and when they sensed things were off, they ignored it because of the grandeur and warm atmosphere that surrounded them. But when they tried to escape this seemingly nice person suddenly turned sadistic and enjoyed their pain.

[@Benzinilinguine]

Thank god, someone who can explain what the hell this was about.

[@LePLusCoolDesCools]

COULD ANIMATING UNBELIEVABLY STELLAR MUSIC VIDEOS BE AN OLYMPIC SPORT SO WE CAN GIVE BANI-CHAN A GOLD MEDAL ?!

[@Gustoberg]

I like how once she is on stage her perception changes, instead if faceles people passing by, she can now see the maliciousness on their faces, same for the gurls who died, who were nothing but dolls breaking, but when she breaks, we are seeing the reality, flesh and blood spilled, while the people there see nothing but another doll breaking for their amusement.

[@GI7V]

On my first watch of this, seeing Toby Fox's name in the title and looking at the beautiful animation, I couldn't help but be reminded of the wonderful undertale animations made by Bani-chan years and years ago, and thought "Man, that person would probably love this. I wonder if they gave up animating since they haven't uploaded anything on youtube in years..." Then I saw the animation credits and felt incredibly happy for them

[@blara2401]

The more time goes on, the more reoccurring themes appear in Toby's universe. The aesthetics of a circus ; menacing, yet playful figures ; deception ; control and violation of self. Themes inherited in part from what we know to be his great inspirations (Porky in Mother being chief among these), but that he has definitely made his own. On another note, this gives me so many amazing vibes on the creative side. Everything from Vocaloid to Madoka and Utena, to obscure shoujo manga. I love it to bits.

[@infopointsummonte]

The penis theme too

[@darklink8423]

we find the mother of kris. she as with his son have a problem with strings.

[@galaxychill9578]

@@darklink8423 kris is nonbinary and uses they/them

[@darklink8423]

​@@galaxychill9578 ok? i am used to call character he. yeah

[@CG09_TMP]

​@@darklink8423they

[@mateotorres777]

I really love how they added a representation of each one of them at the end: Toby's classic white dog, Bani-chan's pink haired girl (her avatar in her KZbin channel) and Hana as a flower (pun totally intended).

[@himapyneni550]

Is it just me, or does this animation look a lot more polished ( Smoother, slight changes and better) than like a year ago? I love it!

[@soulite2574]

Never a miss with these two, animation is breathtaking. Just, bravo.

[@SamaraASAIKA]

The Animateur is calling Bani Chan "Hachimitsubani un Tumblr"

[@MFDOOOOM]

@@SamaraASAIKA what do these words mean lol

[@Cadoe]

​@@MFDOOOOMfr

[@SpaceLobster21]

My interpretation of the song: The girl sees all the famous celebrities and whatnot, sees how perfect and incredible they are, wants to be like them. One day she meets someone who offers her a deal, says they can fulfil her dream of being famous. She gets her dream, but at a cost. She becomes a “puppet” for her manager, no longer able to be true to herself, forced to act a certain way to uphold her image. She is exposed to the dark side of fame that she never saw growing up. The people admire her, but she is ruined.

[@silverpiano2363]

cool idea

[@tobysinbad]

much less interesting than the spooky fae porcelain puppet-master stealing a girl’s body I just watched imo, but managers do hurt young people so fair

[@nitrosix3206]

​@@tobysinbad old dark fairytales tend to be exagerrated metaphors for real things to be wary of, so both idea works

[@0Havianas]

nah, is only man, I wish to see she revenge him

[@Texmex386]

This hits so many of my interests. The FF6 looking visuals, the mysterious carnival setting, even a nostalgia for some Vocaloid MV's I would watch years ago. Awesome work from everyone involved.

[@RoseOfNight]

Yeah, it gave me Dark Woods Circus vibes at times

[@trentsuki]

im glad you thought of FF6 too, i can't help but think of kefka

[@RoseOfNight]

@@trentsuki it's very Amano-ish. The circus master reminds me of Amano's illustrations for Vampire Hunter D

[@JeanKP14]

@@trentsuki it looks specifically a LOT like a few of the FFVI illustrations, down to the colours, so I wonder if it's an actual inspiration.

[@bateli9733]

​@@trentsuki Kefka Palazzo would certainly love the show...

[@fool6162]

On a simple level, this is the story of seeing only the good in something and realizing only after letting it get its claws on you that you're now bound to something that's destroying you This the story of everybody, a wonderful tale of warning for whoever might be lucky to find it. Amazing art 10/10, thanks for this.

[@EBThisThat]

This is hauntingly beautiful and disturbing. There are so many allusions here, but in essence it’s a cautionary tale not to allow beauty to deceive you, for sometimes, it can be a snare (like the spider and the fly fable).

[@qaztim11]

It can also be seen trough the lens of how the entertainment industry uses and corrupts innocent starry eyed children/teens just to discard them once they have been used up. Also gives me so major Epstein island vibes

[@unitymask]

I've translated the japanese lyrics! I've noticed it's pretty similar to the original, but with just a few differences, so here's for the Truck Freaks among us who like to pick everything apart. The moon illuminates the forest, numb with cold In a melancholy blue glow There, so distant Hidden away Is a stage nobody knows of "Bring the stage alight" So said the glimmering amber sign Shadows of the night all around the door "Bring the stage alight" So chant the dancers With their beaks of opal To the guest seats, filled with heated enthusiasm (He) [The Showman] overlooks with his puppets His arms raised overhead, so falls the curtain Come now, it's the start of the show... The lions roar And the trumpets ring out like mad The dread is drawing me in "Now, fly!" "Dance!" "Dance until your bodies are twisted apart!" The most wonderful show is calling The very last act is calling The most wonderful show runs... Until the children wake In the brief intermission, when all the tiny stars are gone When all the tired actors exit in a line From the backstage filled with smoke Running across the room, I find A fresh new light Having fallen in love I want to waltz with the unknown you For everyone to see That would be a wonderful ending... "Bring the stage alight" With my corset of the night I find myself ensnared by (him) [The Showman] "Bring the stage alight" His sweet whisper "Hear, they're calling your name" "Bring the stage alight" With a dress full of sequins, The audience cheering so intense But somehow, somewhere My performance doesn't seem quite "right"... All the masked men laughing, glasses in hand I twist and spin upon the stage "Now, fly!" "Dance!" I dance until my body is wrenched part to part The most wonderful show is calling The very last act is calling The most wonderful show... Tearing apart. T h e v e r y l a s t ...

[@okeanos6391]

Thank you!!

[@oceanicGrimalkin]

Thank you. The focus is the translation of the Japanese, but I think it's also worth noting that the last stanza also has the male vocal backing with "The last curtain is calling for the show to end." based on Toby's English lyrics on it.

[@Vocaloidluver01]

I’m late to this, so pardon my asking but what do you mean by ‘original’? Is there an English version of these lyrics that precedes this video? :0

[@oceanicGrimalkin]

@@Vocaloidluver01 Toby posted it here in the comment section. He's named FwugRadiation, iirc.

[@unitymask]

@@Vocaloidluver01 Yeah! you can look for them in the comments

[@RichaadEB]

unbelievably good animation and work from everyone all around - this is amazing

[@Summer_turtle_]

Ikr, this is my favourite song that’s released this year so far

[@lasile2305]

*天使のたまご*と*月のワルツ*を彷彿とさせる作画。美しい狂気さのあるストーリー性アニメーションに一気に魅入られてしまった。出会えて本当によかったです。一生、好きだといえるくらい、私もこのショーに囚われてしまいました…。

[@LawOfOne_Elris]

Incredibly moving and deep. We live in a world where the glitz, glam, materialism, and fake puppet show rules our senses, mind, body, and soul. We get baited into the shininess of it all just to be used for our time and soul and then discarded while they move on to the next victim.

[@squidolian]

I would expect nothing less from Itoki Hana and Toby Fox at this point, that was incredible

[@juliam.426]

And Bani-Chan!

[@nalanhazzard]

The animation is like a painting and a sketch book come to life more tv shows and movies needs this kind of style

[@hhsea]

i love how the music in the 1:24 part and the 3:48 part are the same but with diferent intensity represents that her tragedy was literally before her eyes but she didnt see it until its too late edit: and also in the first part the male vocals sing lower but in the second part they sing louder

[@Kisatu05]

耽美で繊細な幻想的な雰囲気なのに、力強い何かがあると感じました…… 絵本のような世界観でとても素敵です……！！

[@EnderKingDubs]

First off, this is absolutely breathtaking. Toby's skillful composition and storytelling, Itoki Hana's beautiful voice and lyricism, and of course, the total star of the show, Bani-chan's incredible animation. But with how frequently the motif of a puppet on strings appears in Toby's work, I can't help but feel he's trying to tell us something. Considering that this song seems to be (to me at least) about the alure of notoriety/fame, the parasitic nature of both entertainers and their fans on performers, and the tendency of the lifestyle to push talent to their breaking point, I'd say this very well could be a commentary of the pressure he's felt to "perform" (in terms of making good stories consistently) for his fanbase. What's more of a puppet on strings than someone who must work tirelessly, to the breaking point, to meet some invisible hand's expectations? Toby has steadily been losing the ability to play the piano among other tasks like writing, the newsletter also implies that Bani-chan sacrificed a lot for this project, following in that same vein. After all, supposedly, "all great artists suffer for their art". Personally, I think that's a dangerous mindset that can cut lives short, and if my hunch is correct that this is the source of inspiration for the song, I'd think Toby agrees.

[@DarkMarxSoul]

I had similar thoughts while watching this. I hope Toby's inner life is not that sad, but I can imagine there must be some pressure to it.

[@hsd6716]

wait wasnt there something similar like that with spamton? hold on...

[@andrewprasifka8571]

Its crazy how breathtakingly beautiful it is while also being a rather gruesome depiction of the suffering that goes into works like this. It kinda makes it hard not to feel a little conflicted about loving it so much. It almost feels like I'm one of the masked audience members just enjoying the show as the performer is torn apart. Do we not all encourage this sort of mindset by only praising the most labor-intensive, complex, self-sacrificial artworks?

[@bradreed2001]

@@andrewprasifka8571 Indeed. I hope to see these artists find the projects they enjoy creating be received with appreciation rather than more pressure and the toxic negativity as well as positivity that society puts on artists. It’s the passion and personality Toby brings to his work that makes it special. When I read the news letter that informed me of this video, his personality showed in the writing. It was very well done and very intentionally presented, surely taking much work to put together by all the people behind it, but it didn’t take itself too seriously. There were random gaming references and meta jokes, making it feel like Toby just put what he wanted to in there. And that’s precisely what made it a great read! There was likely a background pressure to make it have such personality, but I hope to see his work and the work of all the artists associated with this project be a new kind of inspiration in the arts. To be oneself and make what you enjoy like they do, to hopefully cut the strings that bind them.

[@aimtoart2772]

In the newsletter, it says the video was 2 years in the making, placing the initial idea (mostly by toby) for this in early 2021 or late 2020. I reckon that the depressing picture of the effort put into art is partly tied to the fact that Toby suffered a few setbacks making chapters 2, to the point where he decided to change his plans for releasing Chapters 2,3,4 and 5 together as a paid game. Probably wrong but interesting to think about.

[@xelectrix_1863]

Are you kidding me, I haven't finished learning Skies Forever Blue on the piano yet hahah. Beautiful work as expected you two! Aswell as everyone else on the project, we dont deserve such beautiful compositions and animations.

[@psidrako]

You say this as if it has connections to deltarune. Toby does other stuff y'know.

[@dapygor9339]

​@@psidrako I'm pretty sure they weren't referencing deltarune

[@zturtle781]

@@psidrako you people are starting to get more annoying than the deltarune theorists

[@Patrick11nf]

@@psidrako Noone mentioned deltarune until you did

[@hellishlycute]

i'm pretty sure it reuses motifs from dweller's empty path but i don't know which track in particular

[@飛鳥先輩-r1g]

この美しさと恐怖が入り混じった感じがたまらん

[@doggeenayter]

it feels like everytime i rewatch this i notice more and more small details its incredible

[@CSGetto1997]

same. like the stage being super organic and the shwoman not having any boobs

[@cryptid_cactus]

This is elegant, dazzling, majestic, gorgeous, magnificent, transcendent, ethereal, holy shit this is the most visually astounding thing I’ve ever had the honor to witness

[@fusulyesheep4781]

I'm fucking astonished, this is a masterpiece Itoki Hana's voice is almost angelic to an unsettling degree (what fits the music perfectly), Toby Fox made amazing music like always, and the animation by bani-chan is truly one of the MOST IMPRESSIVE works of arts I've ever seen. The effort that was put here, the heart, is so incredible and beautiful that I can already see myself rewatching this video an unhealthy amount of times

[@holybamboozler]

Bruh I just now noticed that toward the end the deeper voice in the background is singing in English... this song is so good

[@taciotertosilva4377]

Those are also the original lyrics, that were written by Toby and then translated to japanese

[@matcha-mooon]

Thank you so much! I noticed cuz of uu!🥂