We regularly bemoan the loss of the 24 episode TV season, but we should also appreciate the conciseness of a novel idea executed with clear precision and intent. Animated shorts are like poetry in that way. And because of that, you can do some pretty wild things.
Star Wars Visions is a collection of shorts where Disney threw money at at bunch of different animation studios and told them to make Star Wars stuff. Screecher's Reach is the best of the bunch. Cartoon Saloon knocked it out of the park, and it makes me deeply regret I haven't found the time to watch more of their stuff. The vibes and tone are similar to something like Over the Garden Wall, but I like this better if you can believe it. 11/10
One Piece Fan Letter requires you to have experienced the first third of its story to appreciate it, and because of that I don't recommend it to folks who aren't into it. I think the pathos simply wont land. But that's the beauty of shorts; you can make stuff catered to a specific audience. This is animated One Piece at its best. If you are a One Piece fan and you haven't seen it yet... what- what are you doing. Go watch it.
You've probably heard of Little Witch Academia, but you might not be aware that the series started as a pair of OVAs, the first one premiering in 2013 and the other two years later. I am incredibly fond of both. The animation is typically excellent for Trigger, and the stories are simple but really heartfelt. It is my opinion that the material works far better in this condensed format, and while I'm glad we got a TV series, for my money I would rather they had continued to develop it as a series of short films.
I'm not gonna talk too much about Angel's Egg because the film has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence recently. Hugely influential, other people have talked about it better than I will, you should watch it
World of Tomorrow is a trilogy of films made by Don Hertzfeldt, who also made Rejected. You know, this thing:
so that's the kind of pedigree we're talking about here. World of Tomorrow is great. It's absurd, hilarious, dark, and often all three at once. Watch these on a discord call with friends. You'll laugh your asses off and the company will help stave off the existential dread.
Gobelins Paris is an art school best known for their animation department. Every year they upload a bevy of student films, and every once in awhile I like to go through a batch just to see what the kids are up to these days. There are so many of these now and I have not seen all of them, so here's just a quick sampling of my personal favorites:
Dix-huit kilomètres trois is a perfect little snapshot of what it was like to be a kid grabbing what freedom you could away from the prying eyes of adults. Deeply nostalgic
QUAND J'AI REMPLACÉ CAMILLE is about a swimmer pushing herself to the breaking point in order to compete. Subtle it is not, but the ending manages to hit such a specific uncomfortable note that it's stuck with me forever
CHILDERIC, LES NERFS DE LA GUERRE is about a young commander in the middle ages getting ready for battle, shot mockumentary style. Great concept, great execution. No notes
Caldeira is about a volcanologist struggling with her inferiority complex toward her sister, and baby that's what being a student filmmaker is all about
Many student films are about as subtle as a sack of bricks, but Protocole Sandwich is executed with such confidence it feels like it done by seasoned professionals. While one could read it as criticism of the very necessary safety measures put in place during covid, we are fortunately spared that interpretation by virtue of it premiering in 2019
