Cardinal West
Cardinal West
  • 24
  • 3 090 091
Furry Literature: The History of Anthropomorphic Animal Xenofiction
Anthropomoprhism, or the process of giving human traits to other creatures, objects, natural forces, or even concepts, is one of the oldest elements of our species’ collective cultural heritage, and while stories featuring anthropomorphic animals can be found as far back as the classical era, within the last century and a half, tales utilizing this approach have achieved unprecedented popularity across the globe. Here, we’ll be diving into the history of anthropomorphic animal fiction, taking a specific focus on those stories told from the perspective of their nonhuman characters.
Special thanks to the wonderfully talented Kenket (@tessgarman) for allowing me to use her artwork in the thumbnail:
tessgarman?lang=en
The end credits song is “Knife in the Coffee” by Car Seat Headrest:
czcams.com/video/RU5hJs8W1v8/video.html
If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/cardinalwest
and follow me on Twitter for updates:
cardinal_west
And if you are interested in xenofiction of a more realistic variety, my debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback format:
www.fenrispublishing.com/winter
A post-apocalyptic story told through the eyes of a dog, Winter Without End follows a Labrador retriever who, after being abandoned by his human family in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic, makes an uneasy alliance with a wounded wolf in order to survive.
And lastly, three of my short stories, “Mark of the Stranger,” “The Merchant and the Martyr,” and “The Abbey of Saint Vera,” can be found in volumes 1-3 of our ongoing anthropomorphic historical fiction anthology, available here:
Volume 1 (“When the World Was Young”): makyo-ink.square.site/product/when-the-world-was-young-a-prehistoric-anthology/13
Volume 2 (“In the Light of the Dawn”): makyo-ink.square.site/product/in-the-light-of-the-dawn-an-anthology-of-antiquity/16
Volume 3 (“The Heavens Within Our Grasp”): makyo-ink.square.site/product/the-heavens-within-our-grasp-a-medieval-anthology/20
Note: Portions of this script originally appeared in my reviews for Furry Book Review.
furrybookreview.com/tag/casimir-laski/
00:00 Introduction
04:26 Origins and Early History
13:31 Modern Anthro Animal Fiction
17:38 Subgenres of Anthro Animal Fiction
21:39 Hybrid Anthro
37:49 Secret World
44:40 Secondary World
56:35 Coffeeshop Fox
01:04:00 Semi-Anthro
01:10:08 Conclusion
01:12:39 Credits
zhlédnutí: 13 915

Video

Animal Perspective Books: The History of Naturalist Animal Xenofiction
zhlédnutí 14KPřed 6 měsíci
[Remaster - Originally Published 6/4/2021] Since the beginning of human civilization, animals have featured prominently in the stories we have told-but it is only recently that we have begun to attempt to view the world from their perspective. In this video, we will be taking a deep dive into the diverse and fascinating world of naturalist animal xenofiction. Special thanks to the wonderfully t...
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the Movie We've Been Missing
zhlédnutí 538KPřed 7 měsíci
So, my pronouncements about the state of theatrical American animation may have been a bit premature… If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/cardinalwest and follow me on Twitter for updates: cardinal_west And if you are interested in new xenofiction, my debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for pur...
The Nearly Forgotten Xenofiction Masterpieces of Brian Carter
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 11 měsíci
While the mythic anthropomorphism of Watership Down has inspired myriad authors over the prior half-century, in my estimation, only one among them has truly managed to venture beyond the narrative and thematic shadow cast by the lapine epic. In this video, we will explore the bibliography of one of the earliest and most radically inventive of Adam’s successors, one whose works time has largely,...
How Zuko’s Story Turned Avatar: The Last Airbender into a Masterpiece
zhlédnutí 569KPřed rokem
#avatarthelastairbender #atla #zuko [Remaster - Originally Published 9/24/2021] After being dishonored by poor audio quality, and banished by copyright and restrictions, it has finally returned: a comprehensive look at the arc of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s most iconic character, Prince Zuko. If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon: www.pa...
The Meaning of Watership Down & The Plague Dogs
zhlédnutí 29KPřed rokem
[Remaster - Originally Published 4/16/2021] Watership Down and The Plague Dogs share a central element in their confrontation with the frailty of life, and the inevitability of death. Here, I’ll be embarking on a critical examination of Richard Adams’ literary masterpieces and their brilliant animated adaptations. Note: Portions of this script originally appeared in my review, “Watership Down b...
The Presidents have Book Club on Discord to Talk About their Favorite Xenofiction Novels
zhlédnutí 3,5KPřed rokem
Best $1 I ever spent. (Happy April Fools') btw I have actual videos on xenofiction on my channel if you're interested If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/cardinalwest and follow me on Twitter for updates: cardinal_west My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing i...
Answering Your Questions: The Cardinal West 50K Subscriber Q&A
zhlédnutí 3,9KPřed rokem
Thank you all for 50K Subscribers! If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/cardinalwest and follow me on Twitter for updates: cardinal_west My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback format: www.fenrispublishing.com/winter A post-apocalypt...
The Time a Dog (Almost) Became a Catholic Saint: The Tale of Guinefort
zhlédnutí 10KPřed rokem
Everybody loves dogs, but have you ever prayed to one? Join me as we explore the curious case of “Saint” Guinefort, the enigmatic (and apparently charismatic) 13th Century French greyhound. If you would like to see more videos from me, please consider supporting my channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/cardinalwest and follow me on Twitter for updates: cardinal_west For those interest...
American Animation was Maturing. Then Shrek Happened.
zhlédnutí 28KPřed rokem
[Audio Remaster - Originally Published 1/22/2021] Somebody once told me that Shrek had a massive negative influence on American theatrical animation. My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback format: www.fenrispublishing.com/winter A post-apocalyptic story told through the eyes of a dog, Winter Without End follows a Labr...
How Adapting “The Fox and the Hound” Almost Destroyed Disney
zhlédnutí 15KPřed rokem
[Audio Remaster - Originally Published 10/31/2020] Dig out your library cards and put on your tin foil hats, because it's time for a book theory. For those interested in a deeper analysis of Mannix's novel, you can watch my video here: czcams.com/video/3KNSvy1ksWY/video.html My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback form...
Why I Love the Song “Bodys” by Car Seat Headrest
zhlédnutí 46KPřed rokem
That’s not what I meant to say at all… Looks like it’s that time of year again where I talk about a Car Seat Headrest song. This time it’s Bodys, the gateway drug of the CSH fanbase. Special thanks to ethanJP (Cocadope) for allowing me to use his artwork in the thumbnail: Cocadope For those unfamiliar with the band, I recommend my recently remastered video on another song from this ...
Why I Love the Song “High to Death” by Car Seat Headrest
zhlédnutí 20KPřed rokem
[Audio Remaster - Originally Published 12/25/2021] I hope you don't have something against dogs. Special thanks to ethanJP (Cocadope) for allowing me to use his artwork in the thumbnail: Cocadope My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback format: www.fenrispublishing.com/winter A post-apocalyptic story told th...
An Animated Classic: Looking Back on Balto, 25 Years Later
zhlédnutí 311KPřed rokem
#Balto #Balto25thAnniversary [Audio Remaster - Originally Published 12/22/2020] Today - December 22nd, 2020 - marks the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of the 1995 film Balto. In honor of one of my favorite childhood movies, I’d like to delve into the many wonderful aspects of this animated classic. Credits Song: The Railyard by Balto czcams.com/video/vs9FhYlU0E8/video.html My debut ...
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Wes Anderson’s Surprise Stop-Motion Masterpiece
zhlédnutí 96KPřed rokem
[Audio Remaster - Originally Published 11/25/2021] What’s with this fox motif? Anyway, get ready for overuse of the word “autumnal” and surprisingly sparse use of “quirky.” In the spirit of the holiday, I’d like to give thanks for one of my all-time favorite movies: Wes Anderson’s delightfully cozy yet surprisingly introspective Fantastic Mr. Fox. My debut novel, Winter Without End, is now avai...
The Ancient Trickster Hiding in Plain Sight: Reynard the Fox
zhlédnutí 19KPřed rokem
The Ancient Trickster Hiding in Plain Sight: Reynard the Fox
A Guide to Worldbuilding for Animal Societies
zhlédnutí 32KPřed rokem
A Guide to Worldbuilding for Animal Societies
The Library: Avatar’s Most Underrated Episode
zhlédnutí 1,1MPřed 2 lety
The Library: Avatar’s Most Underrated Episode
My Book, Winter Without End, is Now Available for Purchase!
zhlédnutí 3,7KPřed 2 lety
My Book, Winter Without End, is Now Available for Purchase!
The Meaning of The Fox and the Hound: A Misunderstood Literary Masterpiece
zhlédnutí 64KPřed 2 lety
The Meaning of The Fox and the Hound: A Misunderstood Literary Masterpiece
s o l o
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 2 lety
s o l o
Please Mr Pilot by Car Seat Headrest - Full Fan Animation
zhlédnutí 8KPřed 2 lety
Please Mr Pilot by Car Seat Headrest - Full Fan Animation
How (Not) to Write Xenofiction: A Literary Autopsy
zhlédnutí 158KPřed 2 lety
How (Not) to Write Xenofiction: A Literary Autopsy
Sein Wars
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 3 lety
Sein Wars

Komentáře

  • @jessequinones6627
    @jessequinones6627 Před 7 hodinami

    Just a heads up, thought I should let you know, at 47:16 Mary E. Lowd is an AI author.

  • @Cuunke
    @Cuunke Před 12 hodinami

    my baby sister, me and my moms were all watching it while i was just awed by Wolfies introduction my mom just said "is that the Grim Reaper" i was like "nah it's the Big Bad Wolf"

  • @sherry356
    @sherry356 Před 17 hodinami

    In the end, Zuko was the brave soldier boy who came marching home.

  • @LairScavenger
    @LairScavenger Před 19 hodinami

    This was very informative! I had never really considered the nuances of anthro xenofiction before. From your selections, it's interesting to see how they all serve as reflections of the human experience in various ways. Obviously, all art is made from a human perspective, but I'm now compelled to read some of these stories which sound very emotionally resonant. Regarding works you didn't mention, I'd recently heard about a comic called "Scurry." I think it falls more under naturalistic xenofiction, but nonetheless, it follows a group of mice who have to navigate a setting uncharacteristically devoid of humans with very limited understanding of why the world is the way it is. Admittedly, I can't speak to its quality, as I haven't yet read it either, but figured I'd just give it a mention to engage.

  • @catherinecao4810
    @catherinecao4810 Před dnem

    Someone PLEASE do a Mythic Xenofiction story about invasive species and use it as commentary about colonialism and imperialism.

  • @catherinecao4810
    @catherinecao4810 Před dnem

    Someone PLEASE do a Mythic Xenofiction story about invasive species and use it as commentary about colonialism and imperialism.

  • @Nightstalker314
    @Nightstalker314 Před dnem

    The intro narrative of Watership Down is unforgettable to me.

  • @TylerRakstis
    @TylerRakstis Před 2 dny

    Though the one question that probably we'll never know, since Daniel Mannix was still alive at the time of the film's release and production, what did he think of Disney's version? Probably wouldn't like it as much like several authors.

  • @Spxddesghxst
    @Spxddesghxst Před 2 dny

    Gotta love the beastars OST playing in the background… good vid!! I’m so sad about the original novels angst, but I love the new information.

  • @TylerRakstis
    @TylerRakstis Před 2 dny

    Well, we know the problem is mostly because it requires buy-in from the audience since most think treating this medium too seriously equals delusion and pretentiousness. Especially when some beloved artists have been put into question when some of their twisted morals and behavior ended up ruining their reputation. Since we know most people don't like being talked down to if a thinking-type movie was done wrong, That and because of the societal climate we live in as of now; wants something to only conform to their own biases because of our frustration, entitlement problems, and spite.

  • @tguthrie6
    @tguthrie6 Před 3 dny

    I didn't realize that The Library is underrated. It's one of my top 5 episodes.

  • @brendamyc3173
    @brendamyc3173 Před 4 dny

    Zuko was right about his father.

  • @DeymosYouTube
    @DeymosYouTube Před 4 dny

    This movie literally gave me goosebumps multiple times. I have never seen something as good as this

  • @HazelSilvian
    @HazelSilvian Před 5 dny

    Renard the fox, literally "Fox the fox"

  • @lorywolfsong1885
    @lorywolfsong1885 Před 5 dny

    You really deserve more views, I absolutely love your videos. I'll see if I can get your book :)

  • @NickolasMitchell-ww3hn

    Hey that’s funny. That is true, I watched this as a child, favorite show ever funny enough and I’m 19 and in the military! 😂

  • @NickolasMitchell-ww3hn

    I just didn’t like the end pacing. Besides that it’s a great episode. Def one of the best the series has to offer

  • @jonathansmith1104
    @jonathansmith1104 Před 6 dny

    I really enjoyed this. Very in depth. I'd love to see you make one focused on transformation literature. A theme that often runs adjacent to anthro literature. Human becoming something non human or other.

  • @johnsmithworth9296
    @johnsmithworth9296 Před 6 dny

    Since everyone is sharing movie facts on this I'd like to throw my hat in the ring. During the battle with the giant in the beginning the bell rings 8 times. When the bell falls on him it rings for the 9th time, his nine lives! And a for whom the bell tolls nod? I love this movie

  • @volpilh
    @volpilh Před 6 dny

    I want to add (although I am still only 10 minutes into the essay), foxes were also -- at least in the lyric poetry of the trobadors, associated with cowardice, in addition to cunning. My own username, Volpilh, can mean both «foxling»/«little fox», or, as an adjective, «coward» in Occitan, though the latter is barely ever used today, and the root of the word, «volp», has largely been displaced by «renard».

  • @EmmaBonn96
    @EmmaBonn96 Před 7 dny

    Shrek I think influenced a lot of the animation industry as a subversion of the Disney renaissance I really hope this can have a similar influence

  • @WoebringerofDoom
    @WoebringerofDoom Před 7 dny

    What about Silverwing?

  • @NemesisTWarlock
    @NemesisTWarlock Před 7 dny

    Mus of Kerbridge spotted! Pauli Kidd is an Aussie national freakin' treasure.

  • @standhaftgarithos3832

    Unsubscribed. Get therapy. "Furry" is not healthy. This is not a personal attack. It's sincere advice, but also just an admittance that I am not going to subject myself to this either. It is a real shame to see the same person who created the Brilliance of Zuko video essay be consumed by something so disgusting. I hope you conquer your demons.

  • @billyw.garrison1334

    A while ago, I accidentally came upon an anthromorphic series called Chakats Den. It's about taur like felines. Some are modified to have both genders and humanoids. Their species was created by modification of the DNA of big cats. They have advanced space technology. Humans live amongst Them & some have an interspecies relationship.

  • @YamiSpyroX
    @YamiSpyroX Před 8 dny

    This video just so happened to appear in my recommendations and 'thank you'. I admit I haven't read as much anthro-fiction as I would've wanted (I did read Beastars. It was very messy in places, but still great.) but I'm personally working on a couple works of anthro animal fiction 'or related too' that I picture are going to run the gambit of being universally controversial, but they're on subjects I personally really, really needed to be explored. The first one is a series I'm calling Scale-born, of witch is about anthro lizards who are like Native American's/ Celts who are living in a world suppressed by Indo-European Catholic-like bears who are 'on the most part' wrong to mistreat and brutalize the lizard characters on the premise that their the offspring of their devil 'Saurus' while the Scale-born themselves think they were blessed by an evolutionary blessing from their goddess Zubara (Named after that fallen lady lizard general in Pearls of Lutra) who they revere among other things. My issue is not only is my proposed series Waaay not for kids, it paying homage to George RR Martin and Kentaro Miura (Along with refs to C.S Lewis, Tolkien, and Richard Adams to varying extents.) the very fact that its about lizard people could get it into the hot water due to how certain circles view such characters (Its the crap about Reptilian aliens. I don't buy into that nonsense at all.) could make it incredibly hard to pitch, even if I find the mythology/prose and trauma really quite beautiful. The other one while only in its early stages is an Egyptian Mythology story that actually follows Set/Seth as the main protagonist with his appearing offspring Anpu AKA Anubis as an secondary lead. While I know its meant to show Set in his younger more innocent days as an champion of light for Ra, much like the subject of Lizard People I fret said character is too universally despised (Especially with that latest Doctor Who episode coming out. Yikes.) for people to rationalize that he was ever anything other than the God of evil. The point of the book is to show that good vs. evil struggle and to be an father/son story of sorts, the reader not only seeing the best and worst days, the evil and good for Egypt and its gods both, shedding light on obscure facts and diving into the horror that it very may entail. The thing was...I was triggered into writing by both Brian Jacques and Rick Riordan both, for the first author I feel failed at capturing what medieval Europe really was, and at times overly vilified/mispresented reptiles even calling amphibians reptiles basically every time (Don't get me started on the 'vermin' talks.) the later was...me just flat being triggered by how Rick Riordan chose to portray Set and Anubis. Within Kane Chronicles, one he just made an absolute satanic monster with next to zilch redeeming quality's (I personally believe readers should be much more afraid of Sekhmet.) and while Anubis wasn't evil like allot of story's do he made him an basic pedophile flirting with an 13/14 year old girl even allowing that ship to set sail, so you can see how I got incensed. Part of what Rick did I thought right was him applying that it was actions of Osiris and Isis that caused Set to do the wrong that he did even admitting that Osiris has demon minions in the form of 'Shezmu the lion demon god' but Rick applied that Set was just born evil declaring his true name 'Evil Day' when it really should be 'New Day' since he was the one originally brining the light back from Apophisis's shadow. I know Egypt was crazy wacky with its animal headed gods, but I loved that whole idea of blending man with the forces of nature that that embodied, and while that probably makes me an furry, I just shrug that off and say 'whatever'. (I never even knew the Greeks did an Animal Fantasy epic of their own. That's really Interesting!)

  • @Arcaxon
    @Arcaxon Před 8 dny

    Hey thanks for shouting out our Down the Rabbit Hole on Furries! <3 Your work is some of the very best on literary works & prose and I cannot recommend your videos enough! <3

    • @CardinalWest
      @CardinalWest Před 8 dny

      Thanks, that means a lot! The work you and Fred do has been among the biggest inspirations for my own channel.

  • @TurtleRhythm
    @TurtleRhythm Před 8 dny

    I find Guardiands of Gahoole a good adaptation on avian anthropomorphism because they realistically (while still anthro) use their talons and beaks like real birds and not the common cartoony comical use of their wings or feathers in place of hands.

  • @LoryskaEntertainment

    Shoutout to Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo as some earlier anthro animal work, started in 1984!

  • @Zikkar
    @Zikkar Před 8 dny

    Did you miss the bell rings 8 times before falling on Puss or that you hear a heartbeat 8 times before the candle goes out?

  • @charlesbennett7484
    @charlesbennett7484 Před 8 dny

    I know that this video is about furry literature but what are your opinions on furry videogames like Biomutant, Beyond Good And Evil, Sonic The Hedgehog, etc.?

  • @gaufridusofthefire6555

    Me and my friends were so excited to see this movie we did a watch party of it on discord on a pirated website it was so much fun. Sadly or happily it was the beginning of a fallout with a friend who was slowly become a worse person or already was and he wound up leaving after problems we didn’t push him out put he left I hope he got better and is a better person now.

  • @StudioUAC
    @StudioUAC Před 9 dny

    now are there any furry books written by anyone that's in their right mind? That doesn't say they have a mental illness or isn't a sexual deviant?

  • @SilverhairChannel9898

    Furries shouldn't have ever existed plain and simple. the adjective "Furry" has been ruined by the fandom. as we describe in our beautiful video roasting the community. czcams.com/video/_lTWobJf0Cc/video.html Not happy your video was recommended to us. 🤬

  • @gedren_y8775
    @gedren_y8775 Před 9 dny

    What about furry aliens? I have here my copy of Quozl by Alan Dean Foster.

  • @user-qc2vq8wo7t
    @user-qc2vq8wo7t Před 9 dny

    No Aesop's Fables...?

  • @AlLeftyPenguino
    @AlLeftyPenguino Před 9 dny

    I can’t even make it past the intro without being impressed by the wondrous effort and talent you have OwO

  • @kenyaholloway-reliford8213

    Coming back to this video after a while. Now that I realize it, while they are accountable for their own work, I don't think that the blame for the poor state of this novel should be entirely pinned on the author. This book had to have gone through an agent and a professional editor. Who's to say that they didn't make requests or mandates, perhaps last minute even, that would end up affecting the prose, pacing, tone, and logic of the story? Considering that this is xenofiction fantasy, an often scrutinized genre that's hard to get published let alone sell, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case.

  • @angecalderon8363
    @angecalderon8363 Před 9 dny

    so, in summation: not a "subversion" but a truly welcome "return to form" of the storytelling model, whether through animation as a medium or otherwise