Stars || Short animation

Just to be clear, my birthday was on August 10th. This is a late celebration :]

At first I was planning something fun and vibrant to fit the more celebration vibe. But the more I think about the circumstances of this year birthday, I just want to do something more mature and calm. They're just casually reminising about life and growing up xD

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This part is a slight vent but it would explain the story behind this video :3 You can skip if you want!

The first half of 2024, the imposter syndrome was getting to me really slowly after graduation (since during my uni year, I always kept criticise, undervalued and forced to makes thing I didn't want to). To the point when I got out of uni, I kept thinking if art is the right path for me. I tried doing more personal AMVs and random, but I guess people still like animation memes and silly Apocalypse series I made when I was 14 (which I'm kinda over and want to grow out of) Art slowly feel more like a chore then a hobby
Seeing how half-dead and under-perform this year videos been doing, I've been thinking about retiring this channel and get a different degree and get a normal job...

July and August I was at a low point, I've been questioning myself that what I'm doing is right and I should throw all of this behind since animation deemed too childish. I stopped art entiretly for those span of 2 months. Entirely as like not even go online, not even listen to music, no any form of art in general
I'm not gonna type my whole thought process in here but I start drawing again late August like, ... for fun, not for posting! And then my brain is like "I still don't want to skip this year birthday just for being stinki" I'll just do a short animation no matter the quality, nor the views/likes, nor being late, anything" i just want to celebrate my birthday, and no deadline so I won't stress out about art again!"

This year birthday is less flashy and celebrat-y like last year, but I just simply want to show my gradtitude for being alive I guess!

Silly little me, I guess I'll wait until I'm a little more grown up before making any other radical desicsion again xD

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Don't worry, I won't drop animation memes completely, but it'll be less frequent! I'll just want to do what I like rather than forced to do what people liked (cuz it reminded me so much during uni hell and that burn me out so badly)

If you still like what I'm doing despite the slight content shift. You can support me through Ko-fi or Patreon. I', starting to do more short animation and AMVs from music I like that means my future video gonna get even more copyrighted :'D That means a lot to me!

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Thank you to my Supporters:
DiegoDutchie, erk1, Lokrongl, Xtrazxz, jameramen122, Abzy, Blackcannk, Carrion or Viktor, flyingpanic 7, Foxy Hunter, Frenchmanwon, Grant9446, Kurai, Samuru, RetroKing, Akuma Izuki, Catwithapen_, DevlinsGambit, sgnihtecin, Goriz 1995, MONG, Quang Minh, Cribuz99, Anthony Skaldi, The Danner, TheRyotea, LIZ

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Animating Program: TV Paint 10 (animation), Clip studio Paint (background)
Editing program: After Effect CC, Vegas Pro 21
Drawing Tablet Used: XP Pen Art Pro 16 (Gen 2)

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DO NOT REUPLOAD / TRACE / REDISTRIBUTE / EDIT MY VIDEOS. THAT ALSO INCLUDES COMPILATIONS

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Youtube: you are here

[RikoSakari]

As usual, I write the lore as well as the story behind the making of the video in the description! But this one is a bit heavier than usual so I'd really apreciate if you have already read through all of that lol! Other than that! You can enjoy the video as a form of art without any deep meanings!
Thank you all for sticking with me after 7 years of making animation, it means a lot to me to see there're people out there who like watching me creating silly little content about an orange cat with his sheinanigans!

[BonnesZaruky]

Truly this is like friendship should be

[SashaHyus]

I felt so old too realizing that it all started from a creative beginning into something new but also has this nostalgic scene where we realize that it is good to grow up with you and that makes it an "Epic Animation" for every post knowing that in this page is now considered as a WHOLESOME COMMUNITY. Happy Birthday Riko

[Caffeinated_Ink]

I swear I almost cried for how beautiful this animation is. The concept, the atmosphere and the lights are just stunning. Every second waiting for your animation is more than worthed, so don't worry and take your time!

[zSyrupp]

Ooo what a pretty animation, that ending just ensured them +2k friendship points

[myhelshik]

The grin at the end is something. Well done as always!

[brickDOTbrock]

I'm glad you're taking time to find what you like doing. I feel a lot of what you're going through and reading the description made me sorta emotional because it reminded me of myself. The animation is very melancholic and beautiful. Good luck finding your place and stay strong ❤️

[VividlyNight]

“do u like stars?”
“ya, theyre cool”




alienposting aside the atmosphere and vibes are so cool, everything works so well with eachother, every frame was made with love and it was definitely worth it, good job!! also sorry to hear about everything else, it really does suck, but maybe everything will get better, and we’re all still here :)

[xynthia]

Thanks for being so strong, and happy late birthday! Please take all the time you need <3
Your animations have inspired me a lot over the years, I can't really describe how much they mean.
Please look after yourself first, and thanks for sharing all your arts and animations to spread joy and wonder to us. I just always hope you feel that sense of happiness too :)

[Drawsca]

Hey Riko, don't know if you'll ever see this, but I just wanted to say that you're one of my biggest inspiration. Your universe, characters, and way of conveying emotions through your art have, and keep motivating me to pursue an art career. I'm starting my first year of animation school this september, and looking back a few years ago, I wouldn't even have dreamt that this career was possible, if it wasn't for the hours I spent admiring each and every one of your animations, wondering when I'll finally reach that level, too.
All this to say, your art has had more impact on people than you realise, and I'm sure that i speak for a lot of us when I say that we will enjoy and admire any art that you feel drawn to, even if it's not the most "popular" on the Internet.

I loved this animation, and how subtle some of the acting of emotion was, because it feels so real, and so relatable. Truly felt like talking with an old friend under the stars !
Happy birthday!

[BonnesZaruky]

We all need time to relax and reflect on the past sometimes, even if it's hard to leave it behind, we have to stay strong to achieve a bright future. Do more things that make you happy, have fun, don't let yourself be carried away by stress. You have our support 💖
Also happy belated birthday Riko! ^w^🎉

[Shorkyo_official]

this is wholesome and also deep at the same time! I love how you animate the movements, they feel so real! Love your animations

[mattiesmusic]

Watching this just made my day today. It's so beautiful! Somehow, you've done it again. Your animations are worth the wait, .. always! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us again ^-^

[TokoShrimp]

happy bdayyyy toooo happy bday to
happy happy bddaayyyy happy bdayyyy tooo :3 😩😩😩😩😩😩

[TheBourneFreedom]

This is absolutely magical. The power of art is extraordinary. It makes people lose themselves, even if just for a few seconds and experience emotions they may not have even expected in those precious moments of forgetful wandering - happiness, sadness, the list goes on.

I am so sorry to hear you hit a rough patch. I truly empathise with you. As someone in the creative field myself (professional videographer/filmmaker), I hit a low point last year regarding my work due to a bad working environment and insane burnout. I began to question whether I was good enough or strong enough to handle it, if I even enjoyed what I was doing anymore. I lost interest in making even my own, fun little content pieces and animations.
But, after a long journey, I am getting better. And I truly hope the same for you. Your work is beautiful and it inspires. You help bring a smile to people who may be going through hard times, themselves. I certainly had one on my face watching this!
So thank you. Dreams are not childish. Make art that causes your heart to sing. And remember, nothing worth doing is ever easy.

[SivRox]

You're an incredible animator, and it's fine if you want to do things that you like instead of things that you think will make more. I'm sure it's gonna be good nonethless
Besides, if you try to make something that's not for yourself, it'll end up empty. Art has to have meaning. If you try it, you'll end up in an art block like you did for two months. So just try to focus on making yourself happy with your art!
Anyways, happy late birthday, Riko!! My birthday is on the same day as yours, so your bdays animations are special to me as well!

[garden_creature]

I love the detail of this being a direct continuation of the ending of Amoeba. I see your galaxy brain!! This is beautiful =)

[ToasterwithToast.]

This is the message I feel more people need to hear.

[akumarou]

I followed you for 5 years and I'm super happy to see how much you improved! I'm so glad that you're doing what you really like to do rather than forcing! <3 also the animation is looking really good!, i like the friendship between them!

[Chihirosanwa]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WORK OMG the lip sync was perfect <333 top tier work