Update!

Hey guys,

Mali here. A lot has gone on in the past couple of months. Both good and bad. Considering the amount you guys have supported the team, I believe that it's only fair to update you all on what's been going on for a while.

To cut it short, I have been holding the team back. I wanted certain things done my way, in certain times, but personal things kept on ruining my schedule as I did not anticipate them.

Madara Vs. Aizen Part 2 was supposed to be a project that I would handle solo, merely for the sake of my pride. Besides the fact of wanting to please the fans solo, there was/is no initial love or care for this match-up, which is why round 1 is the monstrosity it is.

As much as I genuinely hate this project, I love the fact that there are so many things that I learned while working on the first part of Madara Vs. Aizen and I wish to only grow and enhance my knowledge to release the best content I can. However, I became obsessive with these thoughts and neglected the aspect of having a team for hefty projects like this. I wanted them to get a head-start on season 7. This has done nothing but harm the reputation and schedule of One Minute Melee and HyperGauge.

The worst part is, I do not have much to show because my approach to the storyboarding process of this project has been absolute dogshit. I can go on for ages about how I've fucked this project up, but I'd rather not focus on the negativity and be a sorry sap through this entire post. Fortunately, after a lot of reflecting, I've learned from it all.

Moving forward, after Madara Vs. Aizen part 2, HG will be taking another break. This time, with full communication with our patreons.

We will be studying, observing and practicing methods on how to make this team the best it can be. Compared to our previous schedule, there might be a significant decrease in content quantity... (though you guys might be used to that by now :T)

I will personally be finding new ways to increase the quality and finally be satisfied with what I am creating not only for you guys, but for myself and the team.

I have stressed over and over again that One Minute Melee's original intent was for us animators to have fun with it, and I've gone in the complete opposite direction for the sake of business and approval of others. I've avoided and ignored my ridiculous itch to develop my 3D skills and I've focused on trying to shoot for the best match-ups that would get the most views for the sake of the show's popularity.

While I should take that last point into consideration, I need to also consider how I feel and how my team feels.

Bottom line is: HG wants to make cool shit, but not force it. 9 times out of 10, you guys can tell when there is love and care put into a project. We want to give you nothing less.

For now, all I can offer is Madara's updated sprite design

And this beautiful sequence of Aizen made by Jack B!

In other news, two of us (Specifically Myself and Eric (TheAniMouth)) have been dedicating our last 3 months helping out JelloApocalypse on youtube with his new series: Epithet Erased!

It doesn't have crazy animation, but it was tedious work! The series is entertaining. The voice acting, writing and artwork REALLY make up for the lack of animation! Highly recommend giving it a watch. Episode 5 comes out today! You can start watching episode 1 on YouTube right now with this link: https://youtu.be/yio2JNgQKBM

Considering that Christmas and new years is around the corner, I will not be working on anything until Jan 7th. I hope to update you all with another post on Jan 10th. Again, thank you so much for the continuous support. The team and I couldn't be any more grateful.

I do not deserve such loyal and amazing fans such as yourselves, but yet here you are. My amazing team is sticking with me through thick and thin and I couldn't ask for a better bunch.

I hope to bring you better news in the next update.
Until then, we hope  you all have happy holidays and a grand new year!

-Mali De'lisser