Smudge - The Woods - Completed MAP 

this concept is so fantastic, it really shows how Smudge viewed the wild forest cats and the fear of watching his best friend turn into one of them. all the animators did such a great job, too!

I like to believe that after firestar died he went and at least walked with smudge one last time. talked to his old friend, told him stories of his life, and i know smudge would never go to starclan, but maybe he can be with firestar when he goes to starclan, to say goodbye to his old best friend from the first few chapters ✨

I really love the idea that in this particular universe, the Clan cats really do look like this. The Clans would all look different from each other but they all look otherworldly to rogues and kittypets. They would be like the four seasonal courts of the faeries.

I often wondered how Smudge reacted when the forest was torn down

I love the concept of Rusty having a lion’s mane. He was born wild. He was born to become Firestar, leader of Thunderclan. It’s just a shame Smudge had to lose his best friend in the process. I wonder if Firestar still remembered him. I like to think he did 🥲

I clicked on this not prepared for it. This is absolutely beautiful, I cried. Smudge just wanted to exert caution, to be wary of the forest cats, and had to say goodbye to a friend simply because he was fearful of joining them. Smudge’s character in the books isn’t really elaborated upon too deeply, but this MAP really changes the way I see him. Everyone did such a great job, amazing work!

I love how in the end they are wearing the other's respective colors. Smudge with Rusty's bell and Firestar with Smudge's blue in his forget-me-nots.

I love how this one MAP is spooky just from possibly symbolic imagery. We don't know if that's actually what the Clan cats look like here, or if that's just how Smudge sees them all.

This inspired me to write a poem soo uh here:

Everyone’s parts look absolutely outstanding!! It was an absolute honor to be able to help out!! Happy Halloween!!

I WENT INTO THIS BLIND AND DIDNT KNOW THE MAP WOULD TAKE THIS TURN- THIS TURNED OUT AMAZING!! The backgrounds are beautiful and the story is too yet also tragic! I’m happy someone finally sheds some light on smudge ^^

The art design on this is PHENOMENAL and I definitely cried a little. Thanks to everyone who worked on this!

Woah, the warriors community is having a field trip with MAP's today. All jokes aside, everyone did great! I truly adore the designs of the cattos!

Gorgeous map guys! I loved every second and every detail! I didn’t notice before how the three forest cats they meet were Bluestar, Graypaw, and Lionheart at first! I also love how Smudge meets Firestar again even though his friend is sadly passed. I think Smudge was a very underutilized character in the books to be honest.

Haven't even read Warriors yet this is the first animation to ever make me cry. Absolutely beautiful song to animate. Especially love how Smudge's mindset warps the imagery; the bits of pieces of the forest innocently hitchhiking on the wildcats' fur contradicts his sheltered lifestyle making the otherwise normal cats appear ominous and foreboding, whereas Firestar likely doesn't even notice. And his best friend bathed in a heavenly light of innocence, even in memory, until the seductive call of the wild latches onto to his fur and corrupts him into a monster. So much thought and symbolism lovingly placed into every single frame by the animators and storyboarders. I'll need to change that fact of mine now. Astonishing animation. 💙

THE EYES ON THE BIRCH TREES. I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE UNTIL NOW

The end result is stunning ! It was really nice to see it come along together and everyone did a really good job working on it. Thanks for having me in ! Hopefully it will raise some love for poor Smudge ♥

i love how smudge is actually drawn as a fat cat, as it says in the book

Wow this is a GORGEOUS MAP!! I adore how Rusty leaving was depicted through Smudge's eyes - of him going off and becoming one of the monsters. Absolutely phenomenal work everyone who participated, and thank you ForestWhisker for the amazing idea!

Absolutely adore the designs and atmosphere. The moment when rusty turned into wild feral monster was so thrilling!