See this is one of the hardest hitting moments in the show because it’s the time Magnus was the one who needed protecting, the time Taako was entirely selfless, and the time Merle was perfectly competent, with a grasp of what he needed to do to help his friends.

@yenee94

5 жыл бұрын

Beautifully put

@belenhernandoscocchi649

5 жыл бұрын

ha a grasp

@jorjastevens984

4 жыл бұрын

So beautiful- Taako overcame his selfish nature to take care of his friends, Magnus let someone else save him for once instead of taking the big hit, and Merle... Merle wasn’t a dumbass! For once! Hallelujah!

@fluffies2981

4 жыл бұрын

@@jorjastevens984 PRASE PAN

@TheLawlessRogue

4 жыл бұрын

It's funny because the spell Merle used wasn't even supposed to do what he did

And just like that, they bypassed an entire arc through the astral plane

@9-bitfox

5 жыл бұрын

Fox: The momment they all couldve said " Abraca-FUCKYOU" lol

@FunnyFany

5 жыл бұрын

D&D 5e speedrun strats

@ShapCast

5 жыл бұрын

Was this an actual arc that Griffin planned to do?

@ethanrajczak3041

5 жыл бұрын

NothinButRags ye Magnus was supposed to go in alone and fight the big bad. While friends had to find a way to get to him.

@sofialaya596

5 жыл бұрын

@@ShapCast they talk about it on the The The adventure zone zone podcast, after the episode of Balance final

Of course the dad is gonna save his boys though

@gimmicsripoff

5 жыл бұрын

I was just scrolling through and that comment killed me

@kuukuusings9641

5 жыл бұрын

Could you imagine how Clint would have felt ooc if he did not do anything during this all and magnus or even taako was just gone

@soble5535

5 жыл бұрын

man why you gotta do me like that

@MiloKuroshiro

5 жыл бұрын

Fuuuck you, you kill me like that

@Sco6014

4 жыл бұрын

it goes even further than that. it's all of them trying to save their late mother from the Astral plane. it really tugs at my heart strings because in fiction they can pull someone back from death but not in real life. such a great story I love TAZ

Love that Griffin fully intended to kill someone off but everyone went “actually fuck this”. It was such a good moment that despite knowing Merle’s spell wasn’t supposed to work like that, and despite knowing he’d have to scrap his partially fleshed out idea for an entirely different arch, Griffin was 10000% on board for the direction the end of the Wonderland arch was now hurtling towards

That moment when you realize that Taako and Merle basically just did necromancy.

@MrStrife137

5 жыл бұрын

Fist-of-doom nothing wrong with a little necromancy between friends

@RedLithic

5 жыл бұрын

Necromancy is just late healing, and healing is for frens.

@JDDragon2009

5 жыл бұрын

No technically about it in Taako's case, Magic Jar is 100% a Necromancy spell lol

@krullachief669

5 жыл бұрын

Long as it ain't like Lichdom or unwilling soul revival, or just revival outside a certain timescale, I don't think the Raven Queen cares too much

@wigglespeedturbo6324

5 жыл бұрын

@@RedLithic It's the only healing Merle does

The way you drew Taako’s expression when he sees Kravitz destroyed me

@soble5535

5 жыл бұрын

sorry to ruin 69 likes but the comment was just so good

@restlesswretch3555

5 жыл бұрын

I didn't get any sense of attachment between the two at that point in the story though. They hadn't gone on the date yet, I think that was (and was represented in the animation as) simple horror at the knowledge of the coming end of another. Watching people get hurt does things to you, and watching them die does moreso.

@musicalraven1997

5 жыл бұрын

@@restlesswretch3555 I get where you're coming from but they had gone on the date by that point. Idk where exactly the date was but it was def before this point as Kravitz is trapped until Taako and Jaqueen(?) pull him out. So there was definitely some attachment at this point

@restlesswretch3555

5 жыл бұрын

Oh you're right. I was sure the date happened after, but I just checked.

@echoyanez662

5 жыл бұрын

the look on Taako's face said "I want to save Kravitz, but my friends come first" and as a person who loves his friends, this hit me hard. I love Taako's character development throughout the entirety of the Balance arc. he goes from "I don't really care about you guys" to "I am willing to sacrifice everything to save the ones i love". they all have gone through the same transition, and its not just Griffin's storytelling, its the rest of the McElroy's connecting with their characters. -Weaver of Stories

"Magnus, you landed on skull in the last round, didn't you?" "Yes." "𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬."

Y’all think that when Taako saw Magnus’ body suddenly gone, somewhere deep in his mind he thought “I can’t lose him. Not another one. Not again”

@Blitzcomo

5 жыл бұрын

Handy Sandy OH YIKES

@bonhll8070

5 жыл бұрын

Handy Sandy HOW DARE YOU

@spider_plantt

5 жыл бұрын

:( hey man

@fluffypuff766

5 жыл бұрын

Well..um...bud...about that L_L:

@GreenGirl713

5 жыл бұрын

excUSE YOU HOW DARE

Absolutely love the touch that Merle straight up turns his back on the enemy to save his friends

merle: *slam dunks magnus' soul into a mannequin*

@icaruslukas7041

4 жыл бұрын

at first i read mannequin as napkin

Merle is the true MVP of this whole thing, and honestly, I rarely see people give him his due in his moment of awesome here during the Wonderland arc. Exceptionally well done. Definitely gonna be sitting in my Favorites from here on.

@cricocadazzle4439

5 жыл бұрын

Especially since that's not how planar ally works at all.

@YeetSpace

5 жыл бұрын

@@cricocadazzle4439 FINE, NEW SPELL, UM, UHHHHH,

@YeetSpace

5 жыл бұрын

@@cricocadazzle4439 RECLAIM THE LOST

@Judgepokemon

5 жыл бұрын

Literally his “are you my friend?” line is probably the best in the show

@hamc7112

4 жыл бұрын

For this spell not really, he used it super fucking wrong.Merle does deserve all the love for the hunger arc tho

When Merle clearly breaks the rules of his spell but finally gets away with it and results in one of the best moments of TAZ history. I cried when this happened. Great animation on Edward and Lydia!

@cscotch1127

3 жыл бұрын

The Rule of Cool should be written into the DM book, TBH. Because it allows for moments like this.

@eldon8712

2 жыл бұрын

@@cscotch1127 I'm pretty sure it is, something along the lines of "Don't be afraid to make your own rulings if it makes the game more fun"

"I cast Planar Ally!" I cast Crying My Eyes Out 😭

How is it that every single thing related to TAZ gives me chills without fail?

@RobertSmith-be2mq

5 жыл бұрын

its just all so good

@sofialaya596

5 жыл бұрын

because they're great storytellers

"Because you're dying." Mnf, chef kiss. One of the overlooked lines of the series for how it was delivered. Astounding job with how this scene was handled, with the moment of Magnus' soul being so beautifully shot with sudden monochrome and blackness along with the titlecard, and the flashing descriptions of the scene, mmnf, all of it is tasty.

@scj8863

2 жыл бұрын

How does Magnus die?

@MinkSignal

5 ай бұрын

​@@scj8863"bad luck", a result of a sacrifice made to progress. Very bad luck indeed.

as much as i love this moment, i'm still kinda sad we didn't see magnus and kravitz team up...

@betsyb

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah it’s kinda sad to think about the Kravitz content we missed out on, but I wouldn’t trade this scene for the world

@Companion92

3 жыл бұрын

@@betsyb same

Your expressions and mannerisms are spot-on. I didn't even think what this would've looked like for Merle at the beginning, but you showed him being worried when Taako suddenly fell to the ground. The way you showed the differences between the planes was beautiful. The arms that Merle made? Stunning. Your art is so good, and I loved it all as both a consumer of art and an artist.

Magnus and Taako die: Merle: *"n0t t0day-"*

It's even more hard hitting because there aren't any words. Excellent job.

This was awesome! This is one of the most touching scenes in the show, right after when they restarted the bond engine, because it really shows despite all of the teasing and sometimes downright cruel remarks they make to each other, they really are super good friends.

@YeetSpace

5 жыл бұрын

I think the best part is that them saving him want supposed to even happen, he(magnus) was supposed to go with kravitz but they rolled a nat20 and sved him

This is two years late, but the shot of Merle with his arms literally outstretched as he casts Planar Ally is frigging AMAZING

When they all say “word of mouth” in unison I got CHILLS-

@Ray-hk1zm

4 жыл бұрын

I KNOW Because that's something Griffin's been saying throughout the ENTIRE SERIES and they all know it so well and the moment you realize that it's not just Magnus, Merle, and Taako figuring out the liches' plan, it's Travis, Clint, and Justin, too, and AA. Also, maybe an unpopular opinion, but I always wish these animatics would leave the voiceover in? Especially Justin's parts, they make me feel feelings. Just something about the boys saying 'to hell with it' and choosing to stick by each other, no matter what, KILLS me.

I have yet to see an animatic of this scene that gave me the same visceral response as listening to it the first time did. Until this one. I got chills, teared up, and was grinning ear to ear. Like frick you nailed it.

Anyone who makes any form of Arms Outstretched animatic is blessed by Pan, Istus, and the Raven Queen.

I love the look Merle gives the twins when they're grinning at him. Annoyed but also like he kind of pities them.

God. How the sound just drops out when the song starts gives me chills every time. The text flashing across the screen really gives me a Monogatari vibe. Just in general you really well captured the feelings of this moment. The linework and colors are so nice I even forget it's an animatic completely. Love your Taako btw. What a good lookin young lad. I like it when male characters have braids.

@ArtisticAzurite

5 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU!!! And yes you're absolutely right about the monogatari vibe, that is absolutely what inspired that part :') I think you're the first person to point that out.

@WakkaMadeInYevon

5 жыл бұрын

It really meshes well with that first part of the song. Kinda gives you a mixed feeling of confusion and dread.

God I love Merle in this scene what a DAD

@ceilingeye

5 жыл бұрын

Erin McCubbery this is one of those moments where Clint really shines through his character. He’s just protecting his boys

this is the first time that an Arms Outstretched animatic with no dialogue has given me goosebumps. Griffin's narration is definitely a huge factor at making this scene so chilling but u made do with just the soundtrack and ur incredible art and direction. ur freaking awesome. excuse me as i watch this about 20 more times again

HOLY FUCKKK What really gets me every time during this scene is Merle casting planar ally, because I already died when taako went to help but seeing the two of them working together to rescue their best friend gets me every damn time. The three of them working together and being so competent then for each other makes me wanna cry and the song captures it so well. God this was done really well thank you

I like the animation of Merle scooping them up way more than them grabbing on to an astral hand for him to pull them.

Despite all of the teasing, between this and "Are we friends?" Merle has some of the most amazing moments in the show

not gonna lie, this is the best Taako i've seen yet :D also this is really great, thanks for posting it

@kylemercier7549

6 жыл бұрын

pluto they all look really good

@iffern

6 жыл бұрын

it's really true, they do. you are absolutely correct

This is absolutely stunning. The love you put behind every single frame of this masterpiece is self evident. I hope you're incredibly proud of this piece because you really, really should be. It brought me to tears all over again, especially the look on Merle's face right before he cast planar ally. Gorgeous, incredible work. Two thumbs so far up they're through the ceiling.

@PetDrAndrea

6 жыл бұрын

yes yes yes! The look on Merle's face right before he turns is solid gold.

@elithezombieguy8872

5 жыл бұрын

To me, his face says one thing: “No one else. Not today.”

That "Bad luck" spooks me every time. I love the editing you did on this video. The text narration and the music transition were perfect. I got chills.

I love how at 2:37 Magnus is clearly Edward because he has the same smile as Lydia. Such a great detail! This is awesome.

I remember listening to this scene, feeling like my heart had dropped into my stomach. I was so tense I was almost breathless. This animation perfectly captures that. Well done!!!!!!

-Smashes that like button. Adds to favourites. Subscribes- Aaaand I'm crying again. This was, this is...brilliant. Beyond words brilliant with everything you did. Aaaaaaa.

I've seen pretty much no one else taking this approach to animatics - just drawing the events instead of using the podcast audio - and I'm now all in for it. Love Merle's look of screw-you-elves determination when he casts Planar Ally, and the way his hands cradle them as he brings them back in.

Does anyone else notice how Merle’s spell just cradles them gently to bring them back? Well done my friend nice detail

This is one of my favourite animatics of this scene because you very clearly included the part about Merle turning his back on the liches to reach out to his friends (2:43) and that to me has always been one of the most impactful parts of this scene and one of my favourite moments in the show. Awesome job!

Dang. When Taako stood up, just...dang!

that shot of merle turning around to cast gets me EVERY TIME. i cry EVERY TIME. god bless the adventure zone

Arms Outstretched is one of the best moments not in TAZ but in DnD history overall It captures the spirit of freedom, imagination, comradery and fantasy and I LOVE IT

Holy crap this is great. I love how you only took the music and not the rest of the podcast audio, it is so dope!

arms outstretched will always be my favorite part of the podcast, along with "i saw seven birds", lup's return and taako's speech to barry during stolen century. god tier.

@trinity6302

3 жыл бұрын

And Lup and Barry's performance together

dang these visuals made it like hearing this scene for the first time all over again .. chills

This is so rad. Gave me the chills. The character designs? Lovely.

This is hands down the coolest portrayal of arms outstretched I’ve seen, it was gorgeous

This is the best rendition of this scene I have found thus far! I just finished the Balance arc today, and bar none, this has to be my favorite moment in the podcast. The danger that Magnus was in felt so real, and you present that wonderfully. I felt like I was listening to this scene all over again, on the edge of my seat. The visuals lined up with how I imagined it, the white creatures and Kraavitz and the mannequin. And the detail! Magnus' armor, Lydia's dress, and the contrast between the grey scale and color environments, which I didn't even catch onto until when Merle was casting Planar Ally. And the way he cups them! When he pulls them back in! Just!! This is absolutely stunning!!

I love this and especially the facial expressions?? Even tho it's music playing I can practically HEAR them shout Also the colors are fab and I love how you made the astral plane colorless :D

I don't think I've ever seen a video with so many likes not have a single dislike before (as of writing this comment anyway). But you deserve it--amazing work.

@stankywizzleteets8305

6 жыл бұрын

Saki McGee i disliked it then liked it because of this comment

@Stanzafly

6 жыл бұрын

Saki McGee ya jinxed it. :(

@alexadams4017

6 жыл бұрын

Saki McGee Now there are 11 people who disliked it and 11 people that need to be banned

@jamesscott7215

5 жыл бұрын

Still even now, over 20 k likes and only 16 dislikes

@jamesscott7215

5 жыл бұрын

Oops meant over 5 k my bad

It's funny because I've been holding off on watching this, because I haven't actually listened to the moment in the podcast. Well, I just finished and raced over here and I've never been so happy to watch something. This's so amazing and well done

poor Kravitz in the back

Holy shit this made me cry so much, thank you. This is amazing.

I love the blithely menacing expressions of Lydia and Edward, especially Edward-as-Magnus. Really amazing.

Not sure why i decided to watch this in a cafe since i'm now having to try so hard not to cry in public. amazing work, the colours, the expressions, the timing....

This animation was so beautiful it made me cry. I just finished balance and listening to TTAZZ and finding out this wasn't how this scene was supposed to play out and yet these characters' willingness to sacrifice for each other was awesome. You captured this BEAUTIFULLY (and probably my favorite depictions of the tres horny bois I've ever seen)

this is an INCREDIBLE animatic. usually I prefer ones that keep all the talk in, but this? this is made more powerful because they say *nothing*. because, in the show, they don't have to say anything, it's the first time they're so perfectly in-sync. the colors are vibrant, the expressions are perfect (special mention to Taako's face when he sees Kravitz, and then closing his eyes as he focuses on Magnus, what's right in front of him, what he can do now). Merle locking gazes with Edward and Lydia before he turns his back on them and saves his friends. the way Magnus and Taako's faces light up when they see Merle's soul hands. you capture the power in this moment so incredibly well.

This is years old, but I just want to say what a brilliant choice it was to make the Ethereal plane void of color

This is so beautiful and amazingly dramatic!

This, has to be, the best thing ever. The art is really well made, awesome alongside the lack of sound giving an even greater sense of power, not forgetting the amazing music which really adds to the feeling of struggle and wonder. Thank you for this wonderful video.

my favorite moment of the whole series had me in literal tears and you sir pulled it off perfectly out of all the other animations of this scene by far the greatest one

This was so well done, it gave me chills. It brought together all of the emotions I felt listening to this scene.

I didn't even think about the fact that for a moment there, poor merle was left completely alone

when Merle casted that spell it was just a moment of "I hope to *Pan* this works"

This was incredible! Also one of my favorite moments, and this captures it perfectly!

I have watched this moment, so, so, many times and every-time I get teared up. Wonderful video!

You even gave the mannequin a little eye scar ahhhh that's so amazing!!!!!!

The most incredible moment in a podcast full of incredible moments, and like most of them it's elevated by Griffin's constantly flawless musical choices.

I absolutely love all of this! But the moment that made me like and comment was when Merle looked at the situation and his expression dropped into a "done with this shit" and he turned his back to perform his most MVP moment ever! Thanks for making such an amazing version of this scene!

This is amazing! The synchronization of the animation/music timing, the use of color vs. B&W, the scar on the mannequin... I could go on. Beautiful art and brilliant video.

this brought tears to my eyes, awesome job animating this scene! I'm so hyped for my re-listening

This was one of my favourite scenes and you have done so well capturing all the emotion packed into this moment. I absolutely love this

Oh my god I just started crying watching this. The music, the art, and just the memories are so amazing. Thank you so much!

Oh my god I love this! All that time spent was well worth this end product, this is awesome! And the audio and art and everything, so amazing!!

Amazing! I've love what you've done. Right in the feels.

HOLY CRAP this was so GOOD I love it man you did so good

One of my favorite moments in the podcast, and you did it justice. Beautiful work.

So great. That moment was so powerful and emotional that I can't describe it in less than one thosand words.

Moment of appreciation for how fucking cool you made Kravitz.

SOOOO AMAZING. the cuts between the characters were so good! So impactful!

This is hands down my favorite rendition of this moment. The art is gorgeous, I love Taako's design, the whole thing is beautiful

This is wonderful! The timing of the music to the visuals was perfect. Thank you so much for giving focus to Merle!! Like, 2:50, with the lights dancing softly behind him?? Stunning. He always seems to get left behind in animatics for this scene even though it's, without question, one of his most defining actions in the entire campaign, so I really appreciate seeing him get some love too 🌱❤️

Seriously, I just keep coming back every so often to watch this because I love it so much

this is so perfect, incredible work i love all your animations

This video is so damn powerful. I adore this scene so much and you captured it so well. I can't stop replaying this

one of my favorite scenes and so beautifully animated!! the details were so beautiful!!

This is so beautiful! I got chills at *least* 3 times!

That was lovely and subtle and clear. Thank you.

Super well done animatic! Love everything about this!

This is awesome!!! I love your character design!

This is so amazing!!! You are insanely talented. I am emotional

simply amazing

THIS IS SO AMAZING! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!

Wow, this moment was awesome in the podcast and without words at all, you've captured this beautiful moment. I've got tears going right now with how you've done this. The expressions are flawless and convey so much here.

This is amazing! Thank you so much for making this and posting it for the public eye. I cried even more watching this than just listening to the podcast!

this is amazing thank you for making me cry

You can bet your ass I'm crying. This is so amazing to see one of the most emotional scenes in taz so beautifully animated with so few of the words that originally partnered it. Just the music to guide the absolutely fucking *stunning* just unbelievably *amazing* art

I absolutely love this scene ❤️ The animation is synced so well with the music. There is so much emotion! And I love your character designs ❤️ I could watch this over and over.

Omg I love the way you pictured Merle’s arms 😭😭 it makes the scene so much cooler