Behind the Gloves: How an Arcane-Inspired Boxing Animation Came to Life
So, let me tell you about this really cool behind-the-scenes look at a boxing animation that’s been getting attention, especially because it taps into that unmistakable Arcane-style flair. Animator Erick Socola recently shared a viewport breakdown of his project called From the Ashes , and even in its raw form, the animation immediately gives off that painterly, emotionally charged energy we all associate with Arcane.
Also Read:The short centers around a lone boxer standing in the ring, and what makes it stand out isn’t just the action—it’s the emotion. The performance wasn’t created through flashy punches or dramatic movements alone. Instead, it was built through subtle little details: controlled breathing, tiny pauses, restrained gestures, and those microexpressions that make a character feel alive. Socola explained that this was one of his biggest challenges. He wanted to show intention without exaggeration, letting the character’s internal struggle speak through body language rather than big, loud motions.
He even shared some of his own reference footage, showing how he acted out particular sequences to capture the right emotional tone. These references were later translated into the 3D space using Maya, where every angle and movement was refined in the viewport before the final rendered style was developed. Watching the process, you really get a sense of how much patience and observation goes into achieving that grounded, Arcane-like realism.
For anyone who loves seeing how animated projects are built from scratch—or for creators looking to sharpen their own craft—this kind of behind-the-scenes content is especially inspiring. It’s a reminder that even stylized worlds rely heavily on real human behavior. And of course, it also highlights how much dedication it takes to blend technical skill with emotional storytelling.
If this sort of thing interests you, you might enjoy diving deeper into how Arcane itself was crafted into the masterpiece it became. There’s a lot of amazing making-of material out there, and it really opens your eyes to how much teamwork and experimentation go into creating animation at that level.
Whether you’re an artist, a game developer, or just someone who loves seeing creativity in motion, this little glimpse into Socola’s process is a great example of how powerful animation can be when emotion and technique work together.
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