What began as a student project has transformed into one of the most talked-about indie animation projects in recent years. In 2013, a team of graduates from the Danish school The Animation Workshop released a short film, The Reward — a story of two adventurers told without a single word. The video quickly went viral, gathered enthusiastic reviews, and marked the beginning of an entire universe called Tales of Alethrion. This story proves that even a small team with a strong idea can conquer the industry.
The Story Behind the Creation: From Thesis to Kickstarter
It all started with The Reward — a student project by Mikkel Mainz and Kenneth Ladekjer. The video was released in 2013 and immediately went viral: within just a few weeks, it amassed hundreds of thousands of views and sparked a wave of fan excitement. Viewers were drawn to the unconventional storytelling without words, the lively pace, and the emotional finale.
Riding the wave of success, the team formed the independent studio Sun Creature Studio and launched a Kickstarter campaign to transform the short film into a full universe. Their first campaign raised over $80,000, which allowed them to create the pilot for Tales of Alethrion: The First Hero — the starting point for the series, where episodes, characters, and timelines intertwine into one unified story.
Who’s Behind Tales of Alethrion
Sun Creature Studio is a young independent team from Denmark, whose energy and creativity have been the driving force behind the project. Kenneth Ladekjer, one of the co-founders, continues to work on the visual style and storyboarding. Mikkel Mainz focuses on directing and storyline development. Alongside them, the studio works with young artists, writers, and producers — all of whom started practically from scratch.
Today, Sun Creature is a full-fledged studio, working not only on Tales of Alethrion but also on commercial projects for Netflix and other major platforms. Despite its growth, they continue to develop their unique universe through Patreon, YouTube, and comic books.
What Makes the Series Unique
Tales of Alethrion is a fantasy world with almost no words. In this universe, the characters speak a fictional language, and everything that happens is understood through facial expressions, intonations, and visual metaphors. This approach makes the series universal — it’s easily accessible to audiences from all over the world.
Animation, Style, and Humor
Visually, Tales of Alethrion is a true hybrid: it combines simple comic-style inserts with minimal animation, as well as highly detailed scenes with smooth movement and complex effects. The studio’s artists were inspired by European comics, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the style of Studio Ghibli.
The series cleverly balances humor and drama: you can laugh at absurd situations and immediately hold your breath in a tense moment. This isn’t a children’s tale; rather, it’s an adult story about courage, choices, and consequences.
Why the Project Is Loved Worldwide
Behind Tales of Alethrion is not only quality work but also strong community support. The creators involved the audience from the very beginning: sharing work-in-progress materials, hosting AMAs on Reddit, and engaging with fans on Patreon. This trust has led to over 2,000 patrons supporting the project each month.
The series has been translated by fans into dozens of languages, and it has over 170,000 subscribers on YouTube. The studio’s videos gather tens of thousands of views, despite the unconventional format.
How Young Studios Are Changing the Animation Industry
Tales of Alethrion is an example of how a small team, armed with an idea and energy, can compete with big studios. They don’t have a gigantic budget, but they have the freedom to experiment, honesty with their audience, and a passion for their craft.
Indie animation is experiencing a renaissance. Thanks to platforms like Kickstarter, YouTube, and Patreon, young animators can not only find an audience but also fund their ideas. Tales of Alethrion proves that if you’re passionate about your project and ready to work hard, the industry is ready to listen.
Tales of Alethrion is more than just an animated series. It’s proof that heartfelt, original animation can resonate worldwide. The young team, without words, told a powerful story, created a unique world, and inspired thousands of viewers. And this is just the beginning.
Elevate Your Animation Skills with Us: Short Film Creation Visual Development
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