overwatch Overwatch Animated Short: "Dragons" Released!

[Valks 2,373]

The latest animated short for Overwatch has just been released! "Dragons" tells the story of the brothers, Genji and Hanzo. Check it out!

 

The full video can be seen below:

 

 

The story behind these two brothers goes back to their childhood upbringing and can be best told by Hanzo's backstory:

 

Mastering his skills as a bowman and an assassin, Hanzo Shimada strives to prove himself as a warrior without peer.

 

The Shimada family was established centuries ago, a clan of assassins whose power grew over the years, enabling them to build a vast criminal empire that profited from lucrative trade in arms and illegal substances. As the eldest son of the family's head, Hanzo was bound by duty to succeed his father and rule the Shimada empire. From a young age, he was trained for that responsibility, displaying a natural aptitude for leadership and possessing an innate understanding of strategy and tactics. He also excelled in more practical areas: he was a prodigy in martial arts, swordplay, and bowmanship.

 

Upon the death of his father, the clan elders instructed Hanzo to straighten out his wayward younger brother so that he, too, might help rule the Shimada empire. When his brother refused, Hanzo was forced to kill him. This act broke Hanzo's heart and drove him to reject his father's legacy, ultimately leading him to abandon the clan and all that he had worked so hard to attain.

 

Now, Hanzo travels the world, perfecting his skills as a warrior, attempting to restore his honor and put the ghosts of his past to rest.

 

His backstory only tells one part of the story, as shown in the game and cinematic. Despite Hanzo thinking he had killed Genji, he simply drove him to a greater purpose, as described in Genji's backstory:

 

The cyborg Genji Shimada has made peace with the augmented body he once rejected, and in doing so, he has discovered a higher humanity.

 

As the youngest son of the master of the Shimada ninja clan, Genji lived a life of luxury and privilege. He had little interest in the family's illegal businesses, and although he excelled at and enjoyed his ninja training, he spent most of his time pursuing a playboy lifestyle. Many within the clan considered the carefree Genji to be a dangerous liability, and they resented his father for coddling and protecting him. Following the clan leader's untimely death, Genji's older brother, Hanzo, demanded that Genji take a more active role in their late father's empire. Genji refused, enraging Hanzo. The tension between the brothers built to a violent confrontation that left Genji on the verge of dying.

 

Hanzo believed that he had killed his brother, but Genji was rescued by Overwatch and the intervention of Dr. Angela Ziegler. The global security force saw Genji as a potential asset in its ongoing operations to combat the Shimada clan. As Genji's injuries left him clinging to life, Overwatch offered to rebuild his body in exchange for his help. He was put through an extensive process of cyberization, which enhanced his natural speed and agility and augmented his superlative ninja skills. Transformed into a living weapon, Genji single-mindedly set about the task of dismantling his family's criminal empire.

 

But as time passed, Genji felt increasingly at war with himself. He was repulsed by the mechanical parts of his body and could not come to grips with what he had become. When his mission was complete, he abandoned Overwatch and wandered the world in search of meaning. He drifted for many years before crossing paths with the omnic monk Zenyatta. Though Genji initially rejected Zenyatta's wisdom, the benevolent omnic would not be deterred. In time, Zenyatta became his mentor, and under the monk's tutelage, Genji reconciled his dual existence as both man and machine. He learned to accept that although he had a cyborg body, his human soul was intact, and he came to see his new form as a gift and a unique strength.

 

Now, for the first time in his life, Genji is free. Even he cannot say where his path will ultimately lead.

 

This is undoubtedly one of the coolest animated shorts to be released, truly showing the relationship between the brothers. The visuals are simply amazing and, while watching it, I can't help but count down the days until the game is back!

[Darkjester79 47]

Just watched it.  I have to say good job Blizzard!  The lore and stories built up for Overwatch are great.  This short was the best one yet in my opinion.

[fuzzms 0]

so dope 

[Valks 2,373]

Gotta agree with you both. It was just so cool. That moment when he guides the ultimate is perfect.

[Jelibon 0]

Great story!

[Gutman 0]

This looks absolutely amazing! Wish they would make a movie out of this game!

[trias15fonias 0]

Awesome as always blizzard's amazing cinematic and animation

Edited May 17, 2016 by trias15fonias

[Lichkingkong 0]

the hype is real !

[Freshness 7]

This is one of those things that they didn't have to do but they did it anyways and knocked it out of the ballpark in the process. Excellent storytelling and superb animation. Its impossible to watch that and not get excited to a part of the action.

[Valks 2,373]

This is one of those things that they didn't have to do but they did it anyways and knocked it out of the ballpark in the process. Excellent storytelling and superb animation. Its impossible to watch that and not get excited to a part of the action.

 

Yeah, the Overwatch cinematics all round have just been fantastic. They add another level of depth to each character and really give us a solid insight into the characters, beyond what we are told in their backstory.

[TrixieMcMinx 0]

Blizzard doing what Blizzard does best...ONE of the many things, Blizzard does best, cinematics <3

[Valks 2,373]

Blizzard doing what Blizzard does best...ONE of the many things, Blizzard does best, cinematics <3

 

Exactly. The new Chromie cinematic for HOTS is just another amazing video to add to the list. I'd die for a full cinematic movie.