#the team really outdid themselves

[barbiequed]

Burrow’s End Episode 2 Spoilers without Context

[sheathnknife]

og silent hill 2 james: *disassociating suicidal trembling like a chihuahua just trying to find his wife*

james in the remake:

[goldennika]

i honestly don’t know if i could pick a favorite concept for minisode 3 bc they’re all so special to me 🥹

Light had blonde ot5 in balletcore…

Ethereal was giving LO$ER=LO♡ER and Reality vibes…

Romantic was angsty lonely royalty…

and Promise gave off lost prince in dark modern AU…

how could you pick just one!!

[awestruck-atrophy]

shen is peak character design. the way his fight style is animated is so visually interesting. he is the jewel in the middle of the kung fu panda series. his weapons are cool as fuck (the feather daggers?? the flamberge?!?!). his metal tips he wears on his claws that adds both a cool visual touch and a SOUND that we can associate with him. he’s voiced by GARY OLDMAN (who has the perfect voice for him, by the way. No notes). He’s the perfect escalation of villainy from what Tai Lung was in the first film. the use of his tail feathers actually doing what they do in nature (which is startle predators).

he is what made me want to create visually stunning characters. he is why color is so important in every film I make. He has what makes a villain a villain.

AND HE LOOKS AMAZING DOING IT.

[sportsallover]

@.GB, don't you dare pass us by! 😁

[cigaretteparfum]

anyway, go read ikoku nikki.

[i-want-a-bagel]

the series finale of GameChanger is fucking awesome

[acstation206]

Turn off your porcelain face…

a redraw(ish) thing of that one shot from the latest Digital Circus episode cuz it was just THAT BEAUTIFUL you guys OMG - the team really outdid themselves with that one

wow that’s TWO redraws of a Digital Circus screencap in one year… I think you know the rest

anyway some other doodles n stuff:

[just-a-simple-dyke]

Saddened to say i am not immune to the 대학부 사랑해 누나 performance i think it was cute that was a perfect concept and execution for them

[kinghomebody]

YEAR OF SHADOW IS CORRECT!

Some observational notes:

I LOVE seeing Team Dark back again (noticeably Rouge wearing her classic attire and not new style).

Omega is back!

Shadow can use telekinesis? Poor Silver!

Mephiles is back!

Emerl and Shadow are scraping! Now imagine what Sonic had to go through fighting Emerl who was full awakened Gizoid and exposed to stars exploding light years away in Sonic Battle!!! HE PUT IN THE WORK! HE'S ALSO SLIGHTLY COPING SHADOW'S MOVES BRO and lets not forget the movie in December!!

Sega really outdid themselves this time!

[sainsa-in-eorzea]

I was flying around and just had to stop and just look. The art team and the designers really outdid themselves this expansion.

[romchat]

Favorite Visual Storytelling of 2024: Cdrama Edition

Although I spent the better part of 2024 complaining about the state of Chinese dramas, one thing I did appreciate seeing in this year's lineup was all the lovely cinematography and production design on display. Not only did these visuals look great, but they were meaningful to the story.

In no particular order, here are my top picks of the year...

Favorite Use of Color: The Double

Evocative and theatrical, The Double's cinematography definitely caught people's attention, splitting viewers into those who liked it and those who thought it was too much.

But what always struck me as refreshingly unique about the drama was its careful use of color . Check out how the following scenes have a completely different feeling because of their color palettes:

Whether it's the fairytale romanticism of a white blossom forest or the queasy yellow and pink of a brothel, the show's colors always give us a sense of mood (and character) without needing much exposition. Really efficient storytelling!

Favorite Production Design #1: Fangs of Fortune

If I included screenshots of all my favorite sets and costumes from my next pick, we'd be here all day.

I've always loved the energy and symbolism of Director Guo Jingming's visual storytelling, but his production design team in Fangs of Fortune really outdid themselves. The scale, shapes, and most importantly texture of each set gives the show a sweepingly immersive quality that we rarely seen in Cdramas. It is true high fantasy come to life, asking us to reflect on what it means to be human through the eyes of those who are otherworldly.

Favorite Use of Production Design #2: To the Wonder

I was uncomfortable with the tacit political messaging of To the Wonder but the amount of care and detail that went into its production design is undeniable. People seem to mostly praise the drama for its idyllic on-location shots but I think it's the prop design and interiors that really sing because they provide insight into lives we rarely see represented on screen.

Favorite Use of Light: Love in a Dream

When I see dramas like Love in a Dream , it makes me wish the industry would just throw money at all the talented and creative visual directors in the short drama circuit. A masterclass in contrast, this drama is absolutely gorgeous, and its dramatic use of chiaroscuro lighting makes it look like a cross between a Renaissance painting and shadow puppet show.

Was I always able to follow the plot? No, but who cares when every other scene looks like art.

Favorite Use of Camera Language #1: Tender Light

Tender Light is a great example of using cinematography to establish the right tone for a story.

The story follows a woman being accused of murdering her abusive husband and the camera language actually mimics the social fallout of his death. Look at how it uses dirty framing, overhead shots, tracking, etc. to give the story a voyeuristic and surveillant feeling. It's like we (the audience) are being forced to invade the privacy of these characters, and in doing so, the show implicates us in the nasty gossip that surrounds our FL as much as the local townspeople spreading it. We see more than we should but are trapped and unable to do anything about that knowledge just like the townspeople saw signs of the FL's abuse but didn't do anything about it.

Favorite Use of Camera Language #2: Regeneration

From the opening shot of Regeneration , we learn that this is a world where it's difficult to distinguish reality from its equally compelling reflection. The drama is all about the stories people weave and the show plays with subjective cinematography to make us question what we perceive as the truth.

Runners-Up

I dropped Blossom before I could get a sense of its visual storytelling, but the drama has Director Zeng Qingjie's signature dreamy, romantic visuals . Bonus: Li Yunrui looking hot in his gray wig.

Riverside Code at Qingming Festival didn't quite work for me as a case-breaking story but the amount of research they put in the costuming and prop design is incredible. I hope Director Yang Fan gets more opportunities to direct big budget period dramas because his attention to detail is immaculate .

--

And that's a wrap!

What was everyone else's favorite Cdrama visuals of 2024?

[wishful-soda]

I didn’t think it was possible to hate a team more than I hate McLaren but RB & Red Bull really outdid themselves.

[xstea]

Emotion In Tranquility.

LOOK AT HER.

They truly outdid themselves with this design because oh my it is a sight to see.

Full video of the garment display right here.

And, a neat lil comparison I'd like to point out between both of Sonetto's garments was that on both her buff and ult animation, they've been designed with four-petaled yellow flowers that "spring forth" when casted, in comparison with her Parade Anthem garment, which instead, had been purposefully designed with the Foundation's signature chequered B&W pattern. After all, the forms of arcanum had been another way of reflecting of who Arcanists are, and Sonetto has always been tied back to the Foundation in her own sense of self.

Perhaps setting it in 1.9, this signifies much of the process about steering away from the Foundation's ideals of their perfect 'martyr' as she spends more time with Vertin and her team, choosing to now reflect herself not as the loyal hound ready to bleed and burn for the Foundation's cause but instead as, Sonetto: the young adolescent who recognises that what she feels to be an integral part of herself, identifying with her emotion-driven curiosity for the world, and choosing to further develop an understanding for it. (+throughout the garment trailer most voicelines they picked out were the ones that centralise around the idea of spending time together with Vertin, or displaying an appreciation for Vertin being there.)

And yet there's still a chequered ribbon attached to her collar.

Much like that of her hairband, and even that of her hair ties. Perhaps in the end they're just there to stand that elements of herself within the Foundation are as what she chooses to be part of her own; that she does show gratefulness towards the Foundation for what they've provided for her and thus appreciates them for that, but does not want them to overshadow her own sense of being.

Or perhaps I'm just delusional in my entirety and pouring out what's left in this cranium that I'd think her garment would represent, note I do not have a single droplet of clue what 1.9 would be about so I might have overlooked some key elements that they'd want to showcase in the garment for the event.

Oh well, either way, her brand new outfit's really neat isn't it.

[lunatxckxngdom]

Everything about digital circus episode 4 was so good. This one really spoke to me and I loved how accurate this episode's depiction of "masking" was, the faux-confidence boost Gangle got from the new comedy mask. The reveal that the mask didn't actually do anything, building up to an inevitable huge emotional breakdown* near the end, was extremely relatable - and seeing Gangle feel so liberated about being able to stop "masking" was too. I don't know why I didn't expect a narrative about masking in an episode about Gangle but i was nevertheless joyfully surprised watching. This may usurp Episode 2 as my favourite TADC so far.

Side note, but I adored the character building for everyone else too. Everyone in the main cast is so casual with each other now rather than acting like terrified strangers, especially Pomni who's seamlessly mixed into the ensemble. Seeing Jax getting put in his place was funny too, but I also enjoyed how mellow he became to everyone else as a result - his short exchange with Pomni is living rent free in my mind...

Still can't get the episode out of my mind so here are some of my favourite shots... Goose's team outdid themselves like crazy as usual. Seeing Gangle more in motion was a treat too, her mask being so expressive was really captivating.

[randomnessofthehighestorder]

My ranking of Arcane S2 soundtrack

Because they outdid themselves this season…

(Spoilers ahead)

Paint the Town Blue - Ashnikko came up with such a bop for our favourite Loose Cannon and her followers. Consider me a Jinxer for life! 💙

Ma Meilleuer Ennemie - this scene was so beautiful! Ekko and Powder dancing the night away, I could feel their chemistry from the other side of the screen. Timebomb shippers, rejoice! Oh, what could’ve been…

Enemy (intro version) - the song stayed the same for the intro, but the visuals! So much symbolism! My Film Studies brain and English brain were analysing like the wind! Also this song is a classic…

Come Play - as an Arcane fan and a Stay, it made me so happy that they were gonna be featured on the soundtrack, especially when I heard it in the most epic scene in the show: Zaun entering the war against Noxus, the twin cities united against a common enemy. (Stray Kids everywhere, all around the world!)

Remember Me - the intro was so hauntingly good and the main song was so beautiful. It always makes me think of the scene it came with: Vander’s watercolour memories of life before the bridge riot, which in turn makes me cry. This show really knows how to tug on my heartstrings…

Blood Sweat and Tears - I know Ambessa was the villain of the season, but you gotta admit, her song and music video was awesome! I mean, she proved herself worthy of life in front of the Kindred and survived being shot with an arrow, while being pregnant with Mel! She truly is the Matriarch of War. (And yes, that is her official LoL champion title)

Sucker - I had Ep 2’s opening on loop because of this song, it’s so good! The scene that went with it was so good too. Jinx walking through Zaun in the aftermath of Silco’s death, avoiding the Chembaron war at all costs. Man, it really set the tone for the episode…

Heavy is the Crown - this dramatic remix of the 2024 Worlds anthem was perfect for this scene. When the strike team pulled up in the council meeting, I was like “oh shit, it’s getting serious”.

Hellfire - Caitlyn was on a path of vengeance in this scene, but the animation was so cool! The strike team really tore up the Lanes…

Renegade (We Never Run) - I have never danced so much to a fight scene, but this song made me bounce as ass was being kicked. Jinx and Sevika are so badass!

What Have They Done To Us - when the family reunited, I cried so much! What a way to end an episode. The song made it extra sad… 😭

The Line - twenty one pilots outdid themselves with this song! But the scene it came with made me shed a tear lowkey. Vander’s memories fading away in favour for Viktor’s glorious evolution…

Fantastic - CaitVi finally hooked up! True love wins! 👩‍❤️‍👩 🎉

Cocktail Molotov - Vi’s emo pit fighter era was so cool, despite the fact that this was also her post breakup era. Take note: alcohol and violence is not the best way to get over a breakup…

Rebel Heart - another Djerv Jinx anthem and it’s glorious. A perfect way to set off a rebellion, anarchy style! 🤘

To Ashes and Blood - this scene was so epic. The boys going through an Arcane mind trip, while the strike squad battle Jinx and Sevika. This was when I realised shit was getting so real… (also those chants are Shuriman. For those LoL players and loreheads, IYKYK…)

Isha’s Song - she made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her mama. Rest in Peace, Isha… 😭

Wasteland - poor Jinx. She went through it this season. It made me want to give her a hug. 🫂 Hopefully she found peace and broke the cycle…

The Beast - a metal song for such a metal character. Warwick Vs Jinx was so terrifying and so awesome at the same. There’s a reason his champion title is the Uncaged Wrath of Zaun…

I Can’t Hear It Now - RIP Cassandra Kiramman. This scene was so beautiful and sad…

Spin the Wheel - I did not know Mick Wingert could sing, but this song was so adorable! Contrasted with the flashback from the other universe, it really showed how things are different there…

These songs were amazing and such great fits for the show! I wish this show never ended so we could get more amazing music collabs along with amazing animation… if you haven’t heard the soundtrack, go listen to it!