"...because he understands that the monster and the scared little kid are not one and the same." "...because he understands that the monster and the scared little kid are one and the same." amazing how small the difference between a tragic and joyful ending is

Nimona isn’t a very accurate adaptation of the narrative of the original comic but it’s a perfect adaptation of the emotion of that narrative and that’s really what matters most.

The comic ends with him hoping Nimona saw him for who he was to her: a friend. The movie ends with Nimona returning and knowing him for who he was to her: a friend.

You just made me freaking cry, god i remember when the comic was coming out and i read the first few chapters off a tumblr link and everyone just adored it but was so worried it'd just be abandoned one day and never finished- and it was for a while! There was this big hiatus at one point and everyone was so disappointed! But then the author came back and continued! Im so glad they did!

Disney has made a lot of poor decisions lately, but choosing to abandon Nimona is definitely up there as one of their worst 😟

Same genre as Arcane, I've heard it called "magitech"

13:16 “maybe it’s ok for someone not to be who you thought they were if that means being themself” im so emotional at this line as a trans girl only coming out at 19 after knowing for my entire adolescence

I really miss video essays like this, with narration that is dry and matter of fact, with no gimmicks or editing tricks, without even a single joke or distraction. It speaks to a deep trust in one's own work, and an understanding that if your argument is good enough you don't actually need anything else.

I had a very… bad night before watching the Nimona movie for the first time, and the scene with Ballister confronting Nimona in dragon-form was so ironically similar to my situation that it left me speechless and makes me cry every time I think about. Such a good movie.

I worked on Nimona, not a huge role, mostly technical, but out of all the films I have worked on so far, this one felt special

THE LAST LINE HIT ME LIKE A TRUCK OKAY????? INSTA TEARS??

Oh wow. WOW. I’d never considered the idea of Nimona herself being aware of the different story, and how the process of adaptation parallels reincarnation. I love the way you structured and delivered your deductions in a parallel way, highlighting their similarities using the same subtextual tools that you pointed out. Brilliant. Your video functions as cinema in its own right.

Excellently written essay! I actually had never read the original comic but absolutely loved the movie, so I didn't know how different the narratives were. Your use of flipping the theming around by changing the description of Nimona was really great too.

I read the webcomic after seeing the movie, and I was blown away by how starkly different they were in narrative, but how perfectly they made the best of their mediums to convey the same core. They are both some of my most treasured pieces of media.

One example of what I feel is a good "bodysnatcher" trope use is in wolf 359 (spoiler warning). It is revealed that one of the characters is an alien, a perfect clone with the memories of the original. The thing is, she DIDNT know. She thought she was the original. However, the villain did know, and used that information to attempt to get her allies to distrust her. Instead, her allies trust her the same. Instead of the horror of your allies being replaced being used as the main fear here, it instead is her lack of identity and her OWN fears of being manipulated. Everyone around her has no issues with her, except herself

This is a wonderfully put-together video, but just a correction: Ballister isn't white in the graphic novel. ND Stevenson has said multiple times that he was intended as East Asian, but it doesn't come across very well in the art style. He's also said that Ambrosius was very intentionally designed as a white man as a commentary on white privilege, although him being Asian works in the movie because it utilizes his character rather differently than the graphic novel.

I remember loving the movie as I was watching it. The whole climax was what made me truly love it. I think I loved this part the most because I understand the feeling of being in a world where everything and everyone just hates you for being you. But then realizing that, not everyone hates you, and knowing you’re not the only one feeling this way. I was also able to see why Nimona felt this way, even though never going through a similar thing. I was genuinely crying while watching it

This was fantastic in how the two halves mirror each other. Really good writing. I'm struck by the section you draw on body snatcher tropes and refugees. I remember coming across an essay on the Simpsons (I think it's in Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture) that talked about the impact of the Cold War upon the American consciousness, and while I didn't really see it at the time, I think I notice more and more how much Cold War aesthetics and concepts inform fiction from the US. It's also interesting as you point out the way this folds back into 9/11 and the resurgence of paranoia and tropes from previous wars.

13:16 "Though maybe it's okay for someone not to be who you thought they were if that means being themself" is such a poignant statement

Ooooh that last line with the reiterating of the ‘a friend’ thing got me right in my squishy heart!! TEARS!! One tiny thing: from what I’ve seen (and I haven’t seen a lot, to be fair) Ballister is actually supposed to be east asian in the comic? If I’m remembering correctly from the thing I saw? But of course with the original art style it wouldn’t be obvious either way.

I’ll second it, I cried at this video essay. It’s really good! I missed the nimona train before the movie, but the story of nimona means a lot to me.

I think this is the first time I've cried about a video essay

Nimona is the most important movie for a child to see, I think. It doesn't do a "one of the good ones" narrative. It genuinely dismantles the idea that outsiders are bad in a way that extends beyond the film

I watched the movie and then returned to the comic and i love how well put all your thoughts are! I feel like i’m constantly saying that a “faithful” adaptation doesn’t make it good and it’s so lovely to hear thoughts about two different versions of a story that isn’t about upholding one or the other!!! wonderful work !!!!

After seeing Netflix upload the entire movie on UKposts I've finally gotten to see how amazing the film is, and this essay gave this whole franchise so much more depth. Your writing is feels so sophisticated and your transitions from the source to the film are flawless. I loved this essay overall, and am absolutely going to read the graphic novel.

As I heard somebody else say: it's important to note that most of the destruction of the city (if not all) at the end of the movie is caused by the Militarized State Police Forces and not Nimona herself. She just wanted to grant the misguided citizens their wish and die by the sword, not to destroy the city. Loved your video essay and I'm glad to know there was a graphic novel before the movie, thanks!

As someone who read the original comic and then the movie, I have to say that this is quite an emotional essay for me Beautiful work!

I was lucky enough to read Nimona back in my highschool days, the original comic. I don't remember too much about the story itself but I remember the twist. I remember that ending. It's stuck with me

oh my god the ending of this essay is so powerful! I know this doesn't have to do anything with the subject, but this was a really good essay, big respect!

I never read the original comic, I only watched the movie when it came out. I loved the movie, but I got more appreciation and love for Nimona after watching this lovely video essay. I especially admire the process of how Author wrote his stories. It's raw and I sympathise with it. I really find the connection, similarities and using some ideas in another story very neat. I like seeing bits of behind the scenes, even if it's the tip of the iceburg. I haven't felt these particular feelings from a video essay in a while. Had my full attention from start to finish, feeling different and inspired. It makes me think about some stuff about writing. Very cool! I truly enjoyed the video, the way you wrote and narrated made my brain and heart tingle in a good way. I hope you enjoy your work and know that this is some amazing stuff. You're doing it!! :]👍✨️

im glad it changes, the way you pointed things out, it feels special. Like a shift of the atmosphere of the world now, vs how it used to be. I feel like it makes sense with Nate's coming out. To one that was gone and repressed to one that is open and true.

I like calling this sort of setting Sci-Fantasy (where Sci-Fi meets Fantasy). A unique opportunity for similarly unique stories to be told. Nimona will always have a part of me break whenever I see it, ready to cry at a moment's notice, but I'm glad that this story was one of Adaptation, 3 times over. Once in the original comic, once in the animated film, and once more in our own narrative, the struggles made from its humble BlueSky beginnings to the Netflix masterpiece it has proven itself to be.

by far one of the best video essays i have ever watched. it definitely helps that nimona is an amazing story. but you took it to a whole new level

(essayist narration slowly transitions into Ballister's narration) "...or maybe the story is not over yet" Me: (SUDDENLY SOBBING)

i love the ending, it perfectly parallels the tragic tale that was the first story. you orchestrated this video so well this channel needs more views, more attention

Oh my GOD, INSTANT SUBSCRIBE, YOUR READ OF THIS IS SO WELL DONE. Integrating shape shifting into the discussion of adapting from a novel to a movie?!! BRILLIANT!!

I never read the comics (nor knew it was an adaptation going in), I just got drawn in by the interesting art and figured ,''Why not? It looks pretty cool.'' Walked into the movie without much expectations but from the word go, I was hooked. I think I was genuinely surprised just how well they handled the plethora of complex themes in what looked like 'just another kid's film', but now having the context of it being an adaptation and how they built off of it and somewhat did their own thing, I have a new found appreciation for the film. This video essay was excellent and honestly feels like a necessary add on to both the movie and the original artist in general. It's not often I retread media, so I'm often really thrilled when there's content that meaningfully contextualizes (or recontextualizes) something I enjoyed. Definitely earned a sub and I'll be checking out your stuff both past and future.

This is quite possibly the most beautiful video essay I’ve ever watched, I cried like a baby all over again Thank you for this masterpiece

Making me cry more than the og comic did drawing all these threads togather. Tysm. Sharing this with my neurospicy forum 😊

I love your comparison of ND’s works and how they compliment each other! Another fantastic video

This was an amazing essay, the way you speak and write is so smooth with subtle emotion and the transitions are amazing! genuinely love this video you did a wonderful job

i let out a banshee screech at the last line oh my god this video SLAPPED

You want to know how Nimona shapeshifts because you want it to make sense. I want to know how Nimona shapeshift, because I want to do it too. We are not the same.

this is my favorite video essay ever omg, i adore nimona and all the depth from both the graphic novel and the movie. Great work!

This video was so good, I wish it was 3 times as long!! Can't wait to see more from you!

What a brilliant video essay on two masterpieces, you just made me appreciate them both for what they are!

hey i loved this video, you have a great way of putting subtext into words, you have a great voice and i love the connections you bring across. it's all so soothing. you're doing great work

This is a brillant piece of work. Thank you for such a gorgeous analysis of Nimona.

Wow, this is wonderfully written. What a compellingly conveyed analysis.

Hands down one of the best video essays I have ever seen in my entire life.

That last line brought a tear to my eye, beautiful video

There's a special kind of analysis that lets me feel the emotions a work of art gave me more powerfully than the work itself. As if by unlocking some message in the work itself, it also unlocks the response to that message in me. All of which is to say, I loved watching Nimona, but it didn't make me cry until I watched this video.

Im crying, omg, i cant see nimona's story without doing so, great analysis!!

The last part of your video made me cry. You got my sub.

That's the first video essay I've ever seen that actually made me cry, holy crap this is amazing.

I absolutely love this! Wonderful writing and framing, excellent narration and insight. I cried at the end. So poetically wrapping it all up with a bow. Well done! ❤

IMPECCABLE, IMPECCABLE, THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFULLY NUANCED REVIEW AND THE LAST PART MADE ME SQUEAL OUT LOUD, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Thank you for such a great video!! 💖

I gotta say your writing is top notch the ending almost made me cry

I can’t believe how beautiful this video is. Amazing work

I saw the film and was deeply moved and captivated by all of the quiet parts that were not said out loud but that I was allowed to see and experience and draw my own conclusions about.

Weirdly, I can actually think of ONE instance of left leaning body snwfatcher story. Vee from the Owl House. She a minor character that has voice line in a total of four out of the 46 episodes (and two are like one line, so really it two), who can shapshift and take the main protagonist place, Luz Noceda, on earth while Luz does stuff in an alternative dimension. It also of note, that the equivalent of the animal kingdom in said dimension call themselves Demons. Anyway, in S2E10 Camila, Luz mom, desover that Vee has a) been impersonating Luz, and B) had been kidnap by a literal flat earther. Despite all that working against Vee Camila fully accepts her, and in S3E1, has her own look. Unfortunately, do to Disney being dumb, the series was cut short to 2 full seasons and 3 specials for season 3, so any interesting plot from this had to be cut.

The movie makes me cry everytime, so surely a short video essay won't do the same right? I have underestimated.

Wow I never really thought of it like this I’m so glad I watched this, it just makes me love Nimona even more

That ending made me tear up, that was beautiful.

This was really well written. Thank you for the insight into the Nimona comic!! I didn't know that it ended so sadly and bittersweetly. I'm so glad the movie has a happier ending. Such queer joy was so needed.

This is so brilliantly thorough. I hadn't thought about it nearly this much, but definitely got the impression that differences in presentation and tone between the novel and movie were representative of not just the change in audience rating but also ND Stevenson's perspective on how much *he* had changed since writing the character.

I had no idea Nimona was a comic, I just knew it as a movie I loved. Thanks for opening my eyes so thoroughly

Goddamit now im crying. Good video, starts off strong and ends strong

I absolutely had tears in my eyes during the end

This video essay is a work of art.

I read the comic and was so excited when the movie came out, both are amazing, its not a plot adaptation, its an emotional adaptation

Great video. It shows that good adaptations must use the medium and the opportunity to tell a unique version of the story, developing the original themes further.

The ending of the movie still breaks me everytime I watch it. Now you made it hurt more.

The ending of this essay gave me genuine chills. The structure and buildup of the thought process behind these ultimately intertwined narratives was shown so flawlessly. Highlighting adaptations as a whole and how both pieces of media are so distinct yet so powerful as a pair is so interesting. This is probably one of my favorite video essays ever I loved this

The film always makes me cry. I relate so much to her just being tired of the hate and fear, and just wanting to end it

I really admire how Nimona the film adaptation critiques power structures in a way that little kids can understand. They probably won't be able to apply that lesson to the world they live in until they're much older, but the very clear argument that the Institution is inherently, PURPOSEFULLY flawed and needs to be torn down, rather than being purified of a few bad apples, is so punk, and so queer, and so very, very needed for anyone who belongs to an oppressed group. I hope that little seed planted in the minds of a new generation helps them see the world for what it is, rather than what power structures TELL them it is.

Loved your interpretation of Nimona Movie!

SupersupersUPER cool lovely video essay and breakdown!! I found out about the original comic after watching the movie- and i didnt even know She-Ra was by the same creator! - and im just so blown away by the stories and the artistry and just everything!!!

The end of the movie already made me bawl my eyes out and now this video ending made me cry AGAIN! How dare you! And thank you. ❤

Damn. That was beautiful. Like woah. You just gave me a newfound appreciation for this movie.

Dude that's Such a good essay it's like poetry

This reminds of a light novel I read, although with very different themes. One of the characters was a shapeshifter prowling the forest, thoughtless. They stumbled upon a small girl and ate them, taking her form. With the assumption of her form came sapience and wrenching guilt. She took the life of the girl and decided to live it for her. Eventually, when she was found out, the people feared and despised that monster.

Amazing, I instantly recognized the artist from "To Be or Not To Be", never knew he was behind Nimona as well.

How did I JUST put those two together! I got the graphic novel when it first came out Yearrrrs ago, I loved it. Havnt watched the show yet but keep hearing good things about it

I adore and love both the graphic novel and cartoon feature that came after it for both plots as separate things-kinda like a fan fiction of the previously created beautiful graphic novel.

I can’t really put it into words so I’ll just say thank you, so much, for this video. It means everything and is so well done and I’m crying now

Just gonna mark this one down as yet another video essay that made ME CRY WTF

You’ve explained everything perfectly I’m bout to cry

This was so beautiful I have no choice but to subscribe and watch all your content

I LOVE YOUR DELIVERY this video essay is so good RAHHHH

sobbing rn, i'll be right back----

This was very excellent! Wonderful work!

Loved that essay, instant subscribe.

Amazing analysis of this beautiful piece 💖💖💖 Truly amazing video 💖💖

both stories of nimona feed into each other in a really interesting way that i think I've only seen done by revolutionary girl utena and adolescence of utena. cycles begin again and things are allowed to play out differently, nimona and anthy are somewhat aware of the story they were in before. this time it's different. a glimpse of hope, understanding and companionship is enough to bring them out of the cycle. utena and anthy leave ohtori together because of utena's love and extending her hand to anthy. utena holds the door open and anthy makes the choice to walk out of it to chase a spark of a better life. next time, she pulls utena out too now that they aren't being pitted against each other. they bridge the gap that was forced between them. nimona does the same. this time, ballister reaches out to her. this time, he understands.

the video essays on this movie gotta stop making me cry

I loved this! Your voice is beautiful!

literally gonna cry thx

I think the differences between graphic novel and movie might be a result of Stevenson's past and present mental state. When he wrote the comic, he was struggling with self-identity, him expressing his own rage and feelings of hopelessness. The movie though, was made after his transition. He already made another successful work, people respected and celebrated his identity, he felt better about himself and how others treated him. And that might be reflected in the bittersweetness and gloomy look of the graphic novel, and the joyful chaos and hopeful notes of the movie.

Amazing essay the narration at the end almost made me cry also adaptations have the need and the right to be different from the source