TerminalMontage

TerminalMontage is a hugely influential YouTube animator known for transforming classic video game worlds into chaotic, lightning-fast, and hilariously exaggerated animated parodies. The channel, run under the TerminalMontage brand, has grown to millions of subscribers thanks to its signature “Something About…” series — a collection of high-energy, comedic breakdowns of beloved gaming franchises.

Their content blends gaming culture, sketch comedy, and slapstick animation, appealing primarily to Millennials, Gen Z, and long-time Nintendo fans. Whether it’s Pokémon, Mario, Zelda, or Kirby, TerminalMontage takes familiar games and reimagines them with outrageous exaggerations and sharp comedic timing.

Their rise to popularity stems from a unique ability to balance nostalgia with modern internet humour. The channel’s parodies frequently go viral, and many episodes have reached multi-million view counts. With a thriving fan base, a recognisable animation identity, and a constant flow of highly polished episodes, TerminalMontage remains one of the most distinctive voices in YouTube’s animation scene.

Editing & Animation Style

TerminalMontage’s animation style is instantly recognisable: explosive energy, wild expression work, and a commitment to fast-paced comedic chaos. It’s a deliberate fusion of minimalism, slapstick, and hyper-motion that sets their work apart in the YouTube animation space.

Visual Themes & Character Design

• Characters are drawn with simple, bold shapes — often with tiny dot eyes, big expressive mouths, and exaggerated proportions.
• Designs stay true to the original games but are simplified into a cartoony, elastic style that prioritises comedic impact over realism.
• Environments use vibrant colour palettes and dramatic lighting to keep scenes lively and visually engaging.

Pacing & Movement

• The pacing is rapid and punchy — scenes may switch abruptly, characters zip across the screen, and jokes are delivered one after another with no downtime.
• Frequent zoom-ins, screen shakes, and sudden transitions give every moment a sense of intensity.
• Action scenes resemble internet “speedrun humour,” where events happen faster than the viewer expects, amplifying the comedic effect.

Humour & Storytelling

• The storytelling relies heavily on visual humour, unexpected twists, and over-the-top reactions.
• Dialogue is used sparingly; instead, facial expressions, sound effects, and dramatic timing carry most of the comedy.
• Compared to other YouTube animators like Jaiden Animations or CircleToonsHD, TerminalMontage sits on the extreme end of chaotic, gag-packed animation.

TerminalMontage videos are instantly identifiable by their ultra-fast editing, clean but elastic drawing style, and the trademark combination of nostalgia and absurd comedy.

Tools & Software They Use

Although the creator doesn’t publish a full production pipeline for every project, their workflow aligns closely with industry-standard animation tools used by professional YouTube animators.

Animation Software

• Adobe Animate (Flash) – commonly used for frame-by-frame animation and symbol-based rigging.
• A Wacom Cintiq or similar drawing tablet is likely used for sketching and character animation.

Editing & Post-Production

• Adobe After Effects – ideal for the intense motion graphics, screen shakes, lighting bursts, and zoom transitions that define TerminalMontage’s pacing.
• Adobe Premiere Pro – used to assemble final scenes, add sound design, and polish comedic timing.

Artwork & Assets
• Adobe Photoshop – for character illustrations, textures, and background elements.
• Dramatic lighting effects and stylised backgrounds are often created here before being animated.

Workflow & Creative Process

TerminalMontage’s pipeline typically follows:

1. Script & concept planning – choosing the game and identifying comedic twists.
2. Storyboard or animatic – rough sketches blocking out major scenes.
3. Character and background creation – drawn in a simple, bold stylistic format.
4. Animation pass – high-energy character motion and exaggerated facial expressions.
5. Effects, editing, and sound – the step where chaos, humour, and polish come together.

Their process focuses on maximising comedic rhythm, making timing just as important as the drawings themselves.

Signature Features

TerminalMontage has built a unique identity through recurring themes, characters, and stylistic choices that fans instantly recognise.

The “Something About…” Series

The channel’s flagship format — animated parodies that summarise a game’s story or mechanics in a wildly exaggerated way. These videos often include:
• Unexpected lore jokes
• Ridiculous battle scenes
• Hyper-fast sequences
• Iconic catchphrases and running gags

High-Energy Chaos

Every TerminalMontage video feels like pure adrenaline: flashing lights, surprise jokes, explosive effects, and abrupt scene changes create an atmosphere unlike anything else in the animation community.

Fan Culture & Community Identity

• Viewers eagerly anticipate which game will be parodied next.
• The comments often fuel new jokes or theories.
• The channel embraces gaming culture and internet meme language, creating a strong sense of community.

Memorable Tropes
• Elastic character reactions
• Loud, dramatic sound effects
• Energy spikes before major jokes
• Sudden tonal swings for comedic payoff

These recurring traits form the core of the TerminalMontage animation identity, making their work a standout in the world of YouTube animators.

Summary

This page provides an in-depth animation analysis of TerminalMontage, covering their animation style, editing approach, creative workflow, and signature humour. It serves as a clear video creator profile for anyone curious about how they edit, what software they use, and how to animate like TerminalMontage. If you’re studying YouTube editing tools or trying to understand the TerminalMontage animation formula, this breakdown offers everything you need.

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