Bells Hells Campaign 3 Opening Title 2023 | It’s Thursday Night (Critical Role Theme) 

Will and Derrig disappearing with the lyrics "two-by-two, we fall" delights me, intellectually and hurts me, emotionally

This is the best intro Campaign 3 has had, by a mile.

Laudna's form of dread being shown brings me so much joy. I flash back to every time she's done it and it makes the visuals so much better

Laudna's face when Imogen puts her head on her shoulder then going from darkness to light got me in tears. That was beautiful.

The flash of Delilah caught me off guard. So impressed they packed so much into this short intro without it being incoherent.

when Ashton came flying out of the air with his potential images ... goosebumps

Man that sudden flash of when Laudna is puppeting and it’s Delilah puppeting her is so great. This was so well done.

Imogen resting her head on Laudna's shoulder and bringing light into her life. I AM IN TEARS. Incredible intro!

I love how FCG appears with the “from the healer to the renegade” because he is technically both

Living for Travis and Taliesin celebrating the Ashton and Chetney moments like they are each other's characters (I love their friendship sm)

0:35 Love that the animators perfectly captured Ashley's facial expression on Fearne

Fearne pickpocketing Ashton in both the ship scene and the FCG hug scene (with orym noticing it on the latter) is just top tier stuff!

That quick flash of Laudna becoming the puppet with Delilah pulling the strings. Brilliance! Effin' Goosebumps!

I hadn’t realized how much the Mighty Nein’s animations help me bond to those characters. The lingering bit of indifference I’ve had for this 3rd crew just vanished as I watched this, cheering for them and tearing up a little, too. ❤️

Things I love about the Airship sequence: - Ashton immediately grabbing Laudna, swinging her over to Imogen by using their hammer as a counterbalance - Fearne transforms into a bird and catches Ashton - Orym catches Chetney's hat after it falls off - Imogen casts a spell on FCG, FCG flies over and presumably catches Orym (hidden behind the witches) - and obviously the witches together

0:32 How Ashton throws Laudna to Imogen first as they're falling to save her. Ashton has always paid great attention to Laudna's safety after her resurrection in the campaign. Love that detail man

I love the detail of Imogen in the storm seeing the people that she felt had died. Bertrand, the twins, and Eshteross.

The amount of detail in this intro is mind blowing. From moments like falling off the airship, Laudna acting as the puppet in Delilah’s hands, Bell and Esteross walking into the red storm, and FCG’s rampage lining up with the “from a healer to the renegade” lyric?? These creators did a fantastic job!!

I absolutely adore the moment when laudna is sitting despondent under the tree only for Imogen to drop her head on her shoulder and that immediately changes the feeling of the scene

As someone who understands the technicalities of 2D animation the quality of this is ASTOUNDING. The fact that it was all done by a team of four people is insane!! From the incredible hand drawn effects to the tiniest of details, this is a masterpiece. Not don’t mind me I’m just going to watch this 20 more times

I love the addition of the cast reaction here, that was an amazing touch.

I love how much detail there is packed into every single frame! Anyone notice in 1:09 how Ashton gets a slice on their arm and the blue trail going to FCG as they take some of the pain? Amazing!

I know its a small thing, but the way ashton threw Laudna towards Imogen. Also, Laudna loving the chaos of the ship falling while Imogen is terrified. It's the small things, but this was a master piece.

Bell, Eshteross, and the Lumas Twins walking into the mist was the first set of goosebumps and then sooo much more so quickly!!!

The scene with Orym's husband and father in law disappearing into petals made me cry

1:14 the form of dread + imogen flying when the lyrics say "rise" are so gorgeous.

Love that Liam and Matt basically start crying from the offset. Animators did incredible work

1:10 you can see the enemy shot hitting Ashton's arm, but then redirecting to FCG's arm as they take the damage instead. Quick little thing, but godDAMN what great attention to detail!!!

Nothing can beat an animated intro featuring all the player characters, it’s so damn good

BEAUTIFULLY done, I was tearing up while watching this be unveiled on stream!!

WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT FORM OF DREAD ANIMATION?!?! So fucking beautiful and unnerving. This intro is honestly my favorite one.

I appreciate the group hugs around Laudna and FCG. Healing theough connections has been a big theme for their stories.

I didn't realise how much the animated opening helped me bond with the characters until now. They feel so much more alive! This is perfect in every way!

The animators went off!!!! This animation is sick!!

Holy hell Laudna's form of dread is scarier than I already expected. I LOVE IT

"From the healer, to the renegade" for FCG is so good!

Its insane what a difference an animation can make on your perspective of a song. Somehow just makes it sound better to me. I like how this one uses a lot of moments that have occured in the campaign already, and especially love some of the artistic interpretations on the characters! Imogen and Laudna killing it here, and Chets transformation was sick af. Amazing job from the animators!

I love the addition of Ashton's jacket saying "Just Don't" such a small but appreciated detail

At 0:55, Fearne is pickpocketing Ashton right in the middle of the group intervention of FCG, and Orym turns his head because he sees everything. It's the little details that make this so amazing!

Man the impact switch from Imogen getting thrown around by the storm to Ashton impacting on the ground and Chetney's howl matching with the "roll" in the song are AMAZING

Every single time I see the cast excited like this over their characters and the talent of others bringing them to life adds five years to my life

The way the lyrics match up so perfectly with the characters/animation!! - One by one: Fearne being the eternal optimist, also the one character from the Fey realm, also Ashley sings the first line - Two by two: do I need to explain through my tears 😭 two of Orym's loves fall in battle - Meet our end: Bertrand rip - or meet our destiny: the red storm!! - hold your breath: Imogen enduring the storm - it's Thursday night: on "night" we get the jump cut to Ashton falling which occurs at night time - join us: Laudna, Ashton and Fearne come together on the ship - time to continue our PLIGHT (I always hear this as flight so I think my original interpretation still works 😂): PLIGHT: just when things seem fine, the airship tips and they all fall towards yet another adventure // FLIGHT: they all start "flying" (aka falling in style) (also Fearne wildshaping & Imogen making FCG float!!) - magic & mystery: that's just the Feywild for ya baby - He might: he refers to Matt/the DM here but having that flash of Delilah is so ominous & creepy so I see it as referring to her also - But one thing's for sure: Imodna 4ever - We never give up: no matter what, these friends are here for each other. see specifically Laudna's resurrection - healer to the renegade: someone else pointed out that this is the best possible spot for FCG - we all share the same goal: again, all the friends coming together to help - adding more allies: Chetney being a later addition to the group - taking more chances: this is the weirdest group of PCs we've ever seen lmao he's a freaking WEREWOLF - hold your breath and roll: someone mentioned this and it made me realize Chetney howls at the same time, like he's going awoo only aROOOOLL - all ye critters: Little Mister is a critter by his very definition 😤 - continue our flight: FCG flying! (also changebringer coin!!) - magic & mystery: Ashton 3D transitioning into weird Laudna powers - from darkness our friendship will rise: obviously Laudna = darkness & Imogen rises up a la Storm - one thing's for sure: Orym's halfling tenacity - we never give up: Orym's flower petals 😭 (also I think that sword flourish is the same one Liam did in the second opening??) but that's just me 👀 also thank you subtitles for adding Taliesin's chef's kiss lmao ❤

Can I just safely say that I teared up immediately when I saw Fearne alongside Ashley's singing as with the rest of video? It's been a wild journey these past 2 years and the fact that I recognize every single reference in the intro really says how fuckin' good the story has been so far. God I can't wait for Monday when the new episode releases

The fact that FCG and Ashton catch Orym and push him back toward the fight at the end is phenomenal. Excellent work as always.

0:54 Love how Ashton is focusing on FCG meanwhile Fearne is pickpocketing Ashton and Orym notices because of his high pasive perception. Love the small details

I love that Orym is slated to be Otohan's nemesis

SO WELL ANIMATED. The camera movement keeps the momentum going, the colors are expressive, the character design tells you everything about their personalities, the symbolism and the choreography show you the main themes of the campaign. Just chills.

There's so much packed into this intro its amazing. 0:01 - Ley line out of matt's hand? 0:03 - Liliana Temult? 0:04 - Ira Wendagoth 0:05 - Ludinus Da'leth + Otohan Thull + Xandis (maybe?) 0:08 - Fearne and the Feywild obviously 0:11 - Orym and his family (and then just Orym) 🎶*two by two* we fall 🎶 0:16 - Bertrand Bell (walking off into the storm) 🎶will we meet *our end* or our destiny? 🎶 0:18 - Same scene but now without Bertrand, having Imogen, Eshteross, and the Lumas Twins. The latter two both being notable NPC's who have perished. 0:22 - The storm, the red moon, and obviously its connection with Imogen. 0:23 - Ashton! But before he had a chunk missing out his head, falling out the window. 0:25 - Shattered, but the cracks on the screen filled with gold. His cracks aren't filled yet. Also, one eye has changed to red and cloudy. 0:27 - The airship! Also Ashton's eye now healed but still milky. Ashton's cracks now filled with gold. 0:28 - Fearne pickpocketing Ashton (coin pouch). 0:29 - The party really aren't good with airships. 0:31 - Fearne polymorphs. Ashton throws Laudna towards Imogen. 0:32 - Orym catches Chetney's hat after it fell off. 0:33 - Imogen casts fly on FCG (and herself). Ashton hitches a ride of Fearne. 0:33 - Imogen catches Laudna 0:34 - The creepy Feywild flowers? 🎶there is *magic and mystery* 🎶 0:37 - Laudna puppets Pate 0:38 - Laudna IS the puppet (of Delilah). 0:39 - Laudna is alone with just Pate for company under the dying sun tree. 0:41 - Laudna is with Imogen and the rest of Bell's Hells under the current live sun tree. 0:47 - FCG remembering the incident with the 'one eyed monster'. 0:50 - FCG is the one eyed monster. 🎶from the *healer to the renegade* 🎶 0:52 - Thankfully BH's are there to support him now. 🎶we all share the same goal 🎶 0:54 - Fearne stealing from Ashton. Orym notices because he sees EVERYTHING. 0:55 - RTA! 0:56 - Chetney making one of his famed toy rocking horses. 0:58 - Chetney transforms 🎶hold your breath and roll 🎶(bloodlust) 1:00 - Chetney making one of his famed howls. 1:03 - Ashton is very good at smashing things. 1:06 - Little Mister! Also, he has a gun. 🎶all you *critters* come join us 🎶 1:09 - Ashton would like to RAGE. 1:09 / 1:10 - Ashton takes damage, FCG absorbs half of it (light zooping from Ashton's cut towards FCG as it heals). 1:10 - FCG's grappling hook and a spiritual weapon in the form of a coin (Changebringer). 1:11 - This is a reference to the racing episode isn't it? (Can't remember what the vehicles/race were called now) 1:12 - Ashton rolled a 3 for the Time effect in their rage. 1:15 - Laudna and Imogen are inseparable. Also Laudna's tree form of dread is even more terrifying than I visualised it. Imogen rises up, flying into the air.🎶from darkness our friendship will rise 🎶 1:19 - A single frame, right as Imogen is about to FUS RO DAH, the colours shifts with the background being just black, Imogen being her usual purple, but her magic being white and red (Ruidus) before the colours flip to white and purple, then back to normal. 1:22 - Seedling (Orym's sword) leaves petals behind after each big slash. 1:23 - Orym fighting Otohan and her shadows. 🎶we'll never give up on the fight 🎶 1:26 - More Ley line auroras. 1:27 - While Imogen obviously flies into frame, and Ashton, FCG, and Laudna are already present (lacking many unusual abilities to travel), Chetney appears from thin air as his invisibility drops, while Fearne appears to be using Little Mister's fiery teleportation to zoop into the middle (although, Little Mister isn't seen). 1:30 - The device which pulled the moon down.

The transition between Imogen and Ashton was so perfect. As well as the attack with rage it shows Ashton. Absolute class act of animation once again. Looks AMAZING!

I love the little details! Bertrand and Lord Eshteros in the dream sequence, the fast cut to Laudna puppet being manipulated by Delilah mimicking Laudna puppeteering Pate, and Fearne stealing the chain from Ashton at 0:54 with only Orym noticing it! Ugh!! Soo soo good!

Being an animation student, it inspires me so much to see these amazing works appreciated so strongly by Critical Role. To see the genuine reactions of pure giddiness in each of them...

Huge props to whoever storyboarded the transitions. First, the transitions fits so well with the song beats, that's always a plus for me. Second, the animation's movement guides our eyes to where we should look in the next scene, something similar to what we find in mad max fury road's transitions. Lastly, the transitions were just cool as heck, it flows so well from one scene to the next. I've watched this intro almost 20x now and I'm still in awe every time, damn..

So glad we get an animated intro again

This is amazing! THE DETAILS! I love that at 0:52 you can see Fearne stealing from Ashton, it's so fast and IT'S SO COOL

i so badly want a group of people like this in my life, it so wholesome and wonderful to witness

I don't know if anyone else noticed this but when they sleep under the Sun Tree, Ashton's head is sparking while he dreams. 3 weeks later this still gives me chills every second

OMG this was amazing! The god damn the chills from Laudina's Form of Dread transformation, completely stunned. Big cudo's to the all artists throughout, astounding work!

I just want to say, as I wipe away tears from my face. That this year has been probably the hardest year of my life. I lost my home, my girlfriend of 4 years; basically everything that meant anything to me. The list is unending. But I need to thank you crit role, because you have been the one and only thing that has helped me get through it so far. I wish I could tell you this in person. Thank you, so much from the bottom of my broken heart. Thank you so unbelievably much.

I can't imagine how awesome this feels for them. Every D&D party imagines these awesome action sequences with their characters, and these guys get to actually see those come to life.

The small things I noticed: 0:31 Orym catches Chet's hat, Imogen casts fly on FCG, Ashton catches Laudna but his momentum throws him off 1:07 Mr. has a gun 1:10 Ashton buffs FCG 1:12 FCG Shield of Coin And during their fight showcases, Chet and Fearne fought in a fey-ish forest, Ashton and FCG fought in Bassuras, Laudna and Imogen fought in an otherworldly plane, and Orym fought the Paragon's Call. All backstory appropriate

Look at Tal’s reaction when Ashton crashes onto the screen right after Imogen like that. Dude’s really having a moment.

Watching this slow-motion really makes you notice all of the details and care that went into this! FCG healing Ashton with their sympathetic bond then summoning a Changebringer coin as his spiritual weapon, Mister and his gun, Fearne stealing from Ashton, Pussy's buzzsaw and Dancer, Delilah puppeting Laudna, Orym catching Chetney's hat as he's falling off the boat while Fearne turns into a bird, Laudna's pose mimicking her character art... And on top of that, the animation is impressive and so colorful! Absolutely LOVE IT ♥

So lemme get this straight. Not only are these people phenomenal actors, storytellers, and great at improv. THEY CAN ALSO SING! God, I love talented nerds

So amazing, Will and Derrig fading, The murdered crew of Dancer in FCGs eyes, Orym fighting Otohan and her shadows, The screaming flowers in the fey realm, Bertrand and Estheros and the Lumis twins walking into the red storm, The flash of Delilah pupeteering Laudna when she pupeteers Pate. All these small deatails. Its fricking AMAZING.

There’s SO much detail. From Fearne pickpocketing Ashton and Orym being the only who notices to the Lumos Twins, Eshteross, and Bertrand being in the storm, and my personal favorite is the Laudna transformation for her Form of Dread (For Madrid) and her growing the single red spider Lily. And dont get me started on the fight scene choreography!

I don't think it's possible for me to love this more. The "oh! oh! I remember that moment" factor is squee-inducing. I think this is my single favorite Critical Role opening sequence. Holy SOCKS the details, like the way the whole thing starts with Fearne and Orym. I'm so glad this is a thing.

I'm glad you guys still call upon Kamille and Kevin when you need an amazing opening. Two of the best animators ever.

Such great editing. I love seeing these every season. Critter for life

Just over here with tear in my eyes for Will and Derrig blowing away like flowers :( This is such an amazing animation - such care and skill put into the details and so well coordinated to the song! Amazing! Props to Kamille, Kevin, Mark and Peggy! (Also I'll probably be watching the cast reaction once for each cast member to appreciate each reaction!)

Orym's family dissolving into flower peddles as he trains his little heart out... 😢 😭 Such a great animation intro!

I'm so happy they included the cast reaction! Ashley reacting to Fern and Orym cuddly was so cute.

Words cannot express how much I absolutely love every single one of these people 😭 long may they reign!!!

If no one noticed, i love how Chutney in his wearwolf form did a flex while jumping over ferne before he got hit out of the way by the plant moster 😂

1:20 starting right here. I truly hope Orym is the one who ENDS Otohan. He's earned it far more than anyone in Bell's Hells. And I pray that Liam has a speech prepared for when he finally lets Orym loose.

Oh man, the juxtaposition of everyone’s animations showing them alone with their trauma, and then flashing to how bonding with BHs is helping them heal, the FEELS!!!!!

wow the animators conveyed emotion so well with this one! The melancholy on Orym's part, the red storm actually terrifying, it's all just amazing. The tumble off a skyship was just golden, too, SO MUCH happening in such a little time space! edit: almost forgot. The FCG portion was just too much. I'm gonna go squish my cat i-i

fearne stealing from ashton at 00:54 is SENDING ME this has so much detail i love it SO MUCH

I often forget that Ashton is basically a kid. Probably because is played by the Great Old One know this century as Taliesin.

This has to be the best intro out of them all. Absolutely incredible. Everyone got some sick moments and the cute Imodna was the cherry on top. I love everything about this. 10/10 no notes

GOOSEBUMPS EVERY TIME. I’ve watched this so many times and it gives me chills every single time.

THIS IS SO FUCKING AMAZING AND IT IS JUST SUCH A GOOD REMINDER FOR WHY I LOVE CRITICAL ROLE AND C3 SPECIFICALLY SO MUCHHHHH

I love how often a character featuring onscreen synced up with their player's voice coming to the front of the song.

I honestly missed the animated intro from C2, so so glad they brought the same artist back for another one. This one is absolutely fantastic as well, huge fan!

SO GOOD. This is my favorite part of every campaign, really feels like things are established and we know the characters.

AGH ive been going through this whole thing frame by frame. partially because FUCK its good but partially cuz im trying to teach myself how to animate and its IMMENSELY helpful to see how others do it. im astonished at how much our brains just fill in the blanks between frames. heres some bits i like the most (yes its basically the whole animation shut up its good) -orym's hubby and dad turning to cherry blossoms on "two by two we fall" -fearne pickpocketing and orym noticing -laudna/paté turning to delilah/laudna in the puppet bit -literally everything frame by frame on the airship -something nobody's mentioned that ive seen: fcg's spiritual weapon of the changebringer coin -the flower on laudna's form of dread being a spider lily (lots of association with the dead and often used in funerals) -the lightning on imogen's arms -MY BOY BERTRAND and the lumas twins and eshteross too ig (/j i love them) -literally every fucking scene with ashton, but particularly in the bit where he and his weird duplicate kinda things smash downward, there's a frame of the impact where the whole screen is lightning that mirrors the glass shattering pattern on ash's arm -THE OBLIGATORY CUDDLE PILE FRAME i love it so much you have no idea -ashton clearly talking to fcg when hes all murder mode-y and orym's vine grab thing -also in the fcg murder mode scene, on the back table you can see chet was working on the emotions wheel -in the bit where chet transforms, he was working on imogen's horse -mister with his fucking gun -in the last combat scene, orym is fighting otohan and her duplicates! -aaand at the very end where we see the whole party and the malleus key. its the only time in the whole animation that we see the "just dont" on ash's jacket in full. TECHNICALLY we see the right side of both "t"s in the fcg murder mode scene but i dont count that

That first Ashton transition was fire.

Orym's part... "You blink... and it's just [petals]." IMMA CRY.

Love this new intro so much! So many perfect little details. Anyone else notice imogen casts fly on fcg during the airship fall at 0:32 (briefly surrounded by a purple aura) so he can grab orym while fearne wildshapes to get ashton and chet?

They definitely watched it several times. Along with the rest of us. ^_^ Then in was spliced together for the best reactions. This was amazing!

Really good balance of all their wildly tonally different backstories and personalities. Everyone got at least 2-3 really dope moments and it flowed so well. Awesome work Kami and Kevin! ❤

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I love how Fearne, Imogen and Laudna look SPOT on their different way of being magical even in their movements

Did anyone else notice that in the second chorus, at the line "All ye criters come join us" Mister appeared fighting with Fern.

BRILLIANT! Imogen catching Laudna in the air absolutely did it for me. overall the new intro screams BELONGING to me. yes, I admit to crying.

That animation is mind-blowing even by the standards of the animators’ past work.

In noticing small things: I like the detail of Orym reacting first to the flowers turning red, really showing off that massive perception score! Also, those last few frames when theyre restraining FCG Fearne steals something from Ashton with Orym being the only one who notices. Love Chetney getting absolutely yeeted by the vines of the flower creature, his expression going from smug to panic is funny!

One of my favourite moments in this is Orym fighting Otohan and the sword movements correspond with the music's percussion. So much rhythm in this animation.

"From the healer to the renegade" being used to show both of FCG's sides is a nice touch.

you can see the pure joy on Matt's face, like a parent watching his baby take his first steps

The MN and D&DBeyond intros were already fantastic, but you get the feeling the team upped their game in the years since that. The animation is so much smoother and all those TURNS! You can see that the most recent scene in that one is from the Malleus Key, so they were on that for more than six months. Such staggering work. I'm in complete awe. And remember that Imodna was faaaar from canon when they did this, and yet here it is! Also, damn, I was already in love with Orym, no reason to hit me in the gut like that!

I love that Fearne's expression for the Fey Plant reaction is such a Jessica Nigri thing (she's cosplayed Fearne a lot on Instagram and made some meme expressions like that)