Over the past two decades, the presence of animators on social media and the growth of online animation communities has contributed to a surge in young digital animators breaking into the industry. This “Webgen” wavehas produced numerous figures in the mediumaround the globe, and one animated short from 2020 has so much potential to be something huge: Studio Flint Sugar’sFalse Memory.
False Memoryis a donghua (the Chinese word for animation) from a small team whose reputations might not be known to many, but whose available portfolios are quite impressive. Written and directed by Shuyu Li and BlackLine, it tells the story of so-called “memory collectors,” taking on a particularly dangerous assignment that pits them against a powerful entity.This short film is not only packedwith some stellar martial arts choreography but also a surprisingly compelling and dense narrative. It fires on all cylinders and will appeal to fans of shonen action while tickling the fancy of those obsessed with the likes ofFLCLor other works by GAINAX/Trigger. Long story short, it’s a must-watch for anime fanatics and something that has to be seen to be believed.
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The Work of a Memory Collector
The premise alone is appreciably abstract, focusing on a department that specializes in storing and managing human memories. They convert memories into physical objects and store them in a place that seems outside of space and time. It’s a lot to take in and the exposition and subtitles can come at the audience quickly, but much likeFLCL,the exact text isn’t quite as importantas what it truly means.
In this case, it seems to reflect how humans impart memories onto objects, almost hoarding them, both literally and metaphorically. Memory Collectors collect, recycle and even dispose of memories, but the recycling part specifically refers to the “antagonists” (if such a term is even appropriate). Bug Men are created from strong emotions related to memory, and are only produced by certain people.
English Version by Extra Terrible LLC.
Original Chinese Version
This story followsour protagonist, the unnamed “Hero,”a young man who finds himself bullied, lonely, and fearful that he will be forgotten by those around him. His confidence is bolstered by one Shi Yan, his best friend who always seems to appear when he’s in trouble, capable of fighting anyone. He’s everything the protagonist wishes he could be. He’s almost too perfect…
But when Bai Zhong, a new intern of the Memory Administration’s Recycling Depot, captures the Hero, Shi Yan fights back on his friend’s behalf like he always does. What follows is a large superpowered battle between Memory Collectors and Shi Yan, as memories from the protagonist’s mind flood back, revealing which of his memories are real and which have been meddled with.
Unforgettable Action
The fight scenes ofFalse Memoryare astonishing, especially when one considers the rather small production team that worked on it. There were five key animators in total, with Shuyu Li and BlackLine seemingly helping out with everything from 2nd Key Animation to art and color design, to the character designs. The result is like a cross betweenMob Psycho 100’s spectacle andJujutsu Kaisen’s choreography.
That’s certainly high praise, and whileFalse Memorymight not have the same glitz and glamour of its televised and cinematic peers, the passion behind it is just as real. Fans ofJujutsu Kaisenwill get a kick out of the rhythmic, breakdance-like acrobatics and snappy hand-to-hand exchanges. Up close, the fights feel more grounded but when the camera zooms out,the true powers of the characters shine.
The Memory Collectors - Fang Tang and Bai Zhong - have unique halos that can be weapons. Bai Zhong’s halo forms a crosshair that can be launched at opponents. Fang Tang can throw random objects scattered about with telekinesis. Finally, Shi Yan uses whatever he can pick up as a weapon, from bats to swords, and beyond.False Memorycleverly uses its own symbolism to not only inform the story but impact the action.
There is a ceaseless variety of visual styles throughout that keeps audiences on their toes, from the occasionally narrowing aspect ratios to visual gags that play on game and film tropes. Despite its small team, Flint Sugar is so eager to experiment with as many kinds of shotsas any higher budget production, and within their means, they do a damn good job.
Granted, some scenes do look better than others and there is an occasional choppiness that might have been abetted by more in-between animation. Still, there is a sense that attention was directed where it was needed most. The character designs are simple and sometimes look a little off, but they are hugely expressive and convey a lot through movement.
The music and sound design by Haokun help carry the emotional core of the story where the visuals might falter. The soundtrack blends some chippy electronic beats, tense rock scores, chill acoustic riffs, andsome thoroughly climactic, emotional compositions. The sound design is no slouch either and the viewer can feel every punch, kick, slash, crash, and blast from beginning to end.
The Next Big Thing
If it was merely great for its fight scenes, music, and clever ideas, it would be one thing, but this short feels like the early works of a great director in the making. Shiyu Li doesn’t just create something exciting, but a story that blasts past the viewer and encourages them to keep up. And it’s a worthwhile chase because the journey feels so inspired and earnest, dripping with style.
False Memoryfeels like a new-ageFLCLin the making, and not just because it’s wild and might take a second or third viewing to truly “get.” It’s because Li’s command of visual storytelling and narrative pacing is on par with the likes of Kazuya Tsurumaki (director ofFLCL) or perhaps other bold directors likeMasaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby,Inu-Oh). There’s a lot to unpack, but the emotional core of the story is easy to latch onto.
One year after its release, Dallas-based dubbing company Extra Terrible LLC actually released an English Dub of the short, which is recommended. Primarily because the dialog in the original Chinese is fast - likeTatami Galaxyfast - and it can be hard to keep up. Plus, the dub’s small but talented cast features the likes of voice actress Xanthe Huynh, who plays Haru inPersona 5.
Like the most enticing pilots, this short puts its best foot forward to show exactly what it’s all about, and this is indeed only the beginning. On June 10, 2025,the YouTube channel for the project released a PVhyping a collaboration between Flint Sugar and Studio Tumble to make a full story, presumably a series.
“In order to fully read the story of False Memory, everyone is accumulating efforts to create. Independent animation takes a lot and a lot of time, thank you for your waiting and support”
It could take quite some time beforeFalse Memoryis ready, but it deserves to be hyped up by far more than just its small but excited fanbase. It is an utter delight and has the makings of a masterpiece under the surface. Give it a watch and share it like crazy. Flint Sugar might be a small studio now, but that’s precisely why this project feels like the next big thing.
