The mixed-media animated music video combines 2D and 3D animation for the Ninja Tune track release tied to Thundercat’s upcoming album campaign.
Blinkink has shared the mixed-media animated music video for “She Knows Too Much,” a collaboration between Mac Miller and Thundercat released under Ninja Tune as part of Thundercat’s upcoming album campaign.
Directed by Léa Esmaili, the video blends 2D and 3D animation within a single visual universe, shifting styles as the narrative unfolds. The project combines multiple animation approaches while maintaining a consistent artistic direction and rhythmic pacing.
Enjoy the video, then read about the production:
According to the production team, Mac Miller had been a fan of the cult classic series Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, produced by Blinkink. Discussions about a potential collaboration with the artist’s estate had taken place for some time; Miller tragically passed away on September 7, 2018, at age 26.
“Working with Mac Miller and Thundercat was a truly special milestone for us in the studio,” said Josef Byrne, executive producer at Blinkink. “The team felt deeply honored and humbled especially to finally work with the Mac Miller estate.”
The video opens with Mac and Thundercat living across the street from one another before both are simultaneously thrown out of their homes by their girlfriends. Their belongings are tossed from the windows and scatter across the street before an interdimensional portal opens between the houses. A 1964 Chevy Impala emerges, the two climb inside, and the story shifts into a series of alternate animated worlds.
As the duo move through these universes, the animation style transforms repeatedly, shifting between 2D and 3D visual languages. Streets morph into sprawling cities, houses flip and environments evolve while maintaining a unified design approach.
“First of all, making this music video is a huge honor, as I grew up with these two artists and have admired their universe since I was a teenager,” said Esmaili. “I wanted to create, within a single video, a fun animated moment by mixing styles either in 2D animation or 3D. Beyond that, I wanted to build a burlesque narrative around two friends who spend a completely crazy day together, tied to their friendship and to anime of this kind.”
Character design played a central role in the production, with Esmaili developing multiple interpretations of both artists that adapt to the shifting animated environments.
Additional animation collaborators included Joshua Clauss, Louise Bailly, Thomas Bertrand, Turçin Soylu, Lola Lefèvre, Tom Jeanbourquin and Valentin Gaubert, whose individual visual approaches were integrated into the project’s broader animated multiverse.
Independent VFX studio Mathematic contributed to the film’s transitions and visual effects work, supporting the project’s evolving style while maintaining consistent pacing throughout the video.
Source: Blinkink
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
