Vortex weaves two worlds together—2D animation breathes life into the characters, while 3D graphics unleashes elements of chaos, destruction, and light around them. The styles don’t compete; they amplify one another: drawn movement meets the volume and physics of digital effects, birthing a visual language that belongs to neither technique in isolation.
The vortex boils at her will—tons of stone rush through the funnel, crushing everything in its path. But he, whose core is woven with steel and vitality, stands in the epicenter and presses forward. Every strike is an answer; every second is pushed to the limit. Two beings, constrained by the same world, converge in a clash where yielding means vanishing.
The character aura effect was created using an effect attached to the character model, which later served as a mask for a pattern during compositing in After Effects. The pattern draws inspiration from a similar effect in «Mob Psycho 100.»
To emphasize the power of the tornado and the heroine’s capability, the decision was made to use impact frames, each of which, like the 2D segments, was hand-drawn.
Compositing for many shots followed this pipeline. Basic animation and 2D compositing were created based on the animatic, and then 3D simulations and camera animation were added on top to achieve a cinematic effect.
One of the most interesting experiences in the project was the use of Virtual Cam. With this technique, we achieved a highly effective and natural first-person fall during the impact, complete with stone simulation.