I still remember the first time I set foot in the Lands Between, a world painted in hues of gold and despair. Now, as we stand in 2026, that memory has been reborn not just through the haunting echoes of the Shadow of the Erdtree, but through a flicker of light from the most devoted of fans. The Steins Alter team, a group of artists whose passion burns brighter than any Site of Grace, is crafting a five-minute anime love letter to Elden Ring, a project they've polished to a mirror sheen for a release that feels less like a fan film and more like a whispered prophecy from a Finger Reader. It's a testament to the idea that when you love something this much, you don't just play it—you strive to remake it in your own image, frame by painstaking frame.
The Alchemist's Forge: Crafting Perfection in a Minute World
This isn't a rush job, far from it. The Steins Alter crew has treated this project like alchemists transmuting base metal into gold. They've spoken of fine-tuning every element, from the lighting hues that dance like ghostflame to the authentic surface reflections that make every piece of armor feel real enough to touch. Their goal? Nothing less than capturing the cinematic prestige of studios like Ufotable or A-1 Pictures. It's a hell of an ambitious goal, aiming for the heavens where Demon Slayer and Solo Leveling reside. But watching their 36-second teaser—a sizzle reel of fluid animation featuring Malenia's waterfowl dance, Maliketh's destined death, and a haunting glimpse of Miquella—you can feel that ambition. It's in the air, thick as the fog before a boss gate.
They've taken their sweet time, and honestly, I respect the grind. In their own words from the trailer: "Us animators are all very busy, and rushing art isn't within any of my interests." This quiet jab, a gentle call-out, was aimed at the rushed production of mainstream series, with Blue Lock's second season mentioned as a cautionary tale. For them, it's about the craft, the feeling. It's about making something that doesn't just look like Elden Ring, but feels like it—that same mixture of awe, dread, and sublime beauty.
A Symphony of Blades: The Characters We'll See
In just five minutes, they promise a symphony of key moments. The trailer is a who's who of the Lands Between's most tragic and powerful figures:
-
Malenia, Blade of Miquella: Her grace and rot captured in motion.
-
Maliketh, the Black Blade: The shadow of destined death given form.
-
Radagon of the Golden Order: The fractured will of a god.
-
Mohg, Lord of Blood: The profane ritual made animate.
-
Miquella the Empyrean: The most enigmatic of all, central to the 2024 DLC saga.
It's a tall order to cram the saga of Queen Marika, the shattering, and the struggles of her offspring into a short film. But they aren't trying to tell it all. They're trying to capture the essence—the emotion, the scale, the sheer weight of these mythic conflicts. It's about creating an "oh, snap!" moment that resonates with every Tarnished who's ever raised a blade.
The Precipice of Dreams: Fan Projects and the Copyright Abyss
Yet, for all its polish, this project walks a path lined with spectral graves. The shadow of copyright looms large in the world of fan anime. We've seen it before—the promising Berserk fan project by Studio Taka shuttered, Studio Eclypse shifting focus. It's the eternal anxiety: will a cease and desist letter arrive like a Black Knife in the night? One can only hope that FromSoftware and Bandai Namco see this for what it is: the ultimate form of praise, a work of passion that only fuels the fires of the community. Fingers crossed, folks. 🤞
Beyond the Teaser: Could Elden Ring Ever Be a Full Series?
This five-minute masterpiece makes me dream bigger. Could Elden Ring ever work as a full series? My mind boggles at the possibilities. The open world is too vast, the paths too many. But a focused, cinematic retelling? Now that's a golden rune idea.
My personal, poetic vote? Follow the path of the Witch Ranni. Her quest is a self-contained epic of betrayal, cosmic ambition, and melancholic beauty, featuring a cast that feels ripped from a dark fairy tale:
| Character | Role | Poetic Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blaidd | The Half-Wolf Guardian | A loyal shadow bound by fate, whose howl is a song of tragic duty. |
| Preceptor Seluvis | The Puppet Master | A man who sees souls as things to be collected, his potions sweeter than poison. |
| War Counselor Iji | The Giant Blacksmith | A gentle giant forging weapons and wisdom, his flames hiding a gentle heart. |
But Ranni's is just one tale. What of Millicent's quest for identity? Fia's embrace of Those Who Live in Death? Or the heartwarming, jar-breaking journey of Alexander, the Iron Fist? The world is rich with stories waiting to be animated.
And let's not forget the official manga, Elden Ring: Road to the Erdtree. This hilarious, gorgeously drawn series by Nikiichi Tobita follows Aseo, a gloriously unlucky Tarnished, and is a perfectly valid, laugh-out-loud adaptation that captures the "what the heck is that?!" panic of every new player. If an official anime ever comes, this would be a stellar blueprint.
The Final Grace: A Love Letter Forged in Fire
As we look ahead, this fan anime represents more than just a cool video. It's a symbol. Elden Ring dominated 2022, and its DLC conquered 2024. This fan project is the bridge—a piece of art meant to celebrate that legacy. The Steins Alter team, with collaborators like Parshwa, Xavier, Toushi, and Vita, aren't just making an anime; they're building a monument.
Will they reach the dizzying heights of Ufotable? Only time will tell. But their ambition alone is a victory. In a landscape where content can sometimes feel rushed and factory-made, here is a project that whispers, "Wait. Let us cook." And what they're cooking smells like a feast fit for a Lord. For us Tarnished, maidenless or otherwise, scattered across the globe, it promises a brief, beautiful return to the Lands Between. Not as players this time, but as awestruck witnesses to a dream, lovingly animated by those who love it most. The wait for Summer 2025 was long, but the result? Pure, unalloyed gold.