The Arcanist
@the-arcanist-yt.bsky.social
~ Cherish the past, without forgetting the future ~
Video-essayist who explores our relationship with fiction and each other through analyzing various media, with a focus on JRPGs and 2000s nostalgia.
Video-essayist who explores our relationship with fiction and each other through analyzing various media, with a focus on JRPGs and 2000s nostalgia.
Pinned
The Arcanist
@the-arcanist-yt.bsky.social
· Nov 15
The Arcanist
Videoessayist, analyzer and overthinker. I analyze mostly JRPGs, visual novels, kids media and fandom culture.
www.youtube.com
Greetings. I am the Arcanist, a youtuber specializing in making video essays on JRPGs, indie games and 2000s nostalgia. Through my videos I aim to explore our relationship with media, fandoms, society and each other.
Here's a link to my channel: www.youtube.com/@Arcanist_The
Here's a link to my channel: www.youtube.com/@Arcanist_The
Updates:Web of Shadows videos re-edits are almost done and it should be coming up soon. Startted on h pre-production (footage/research/outlining) of my next video. Working on scripts for a few bigger projects. Possibly starting oulining on a smaller video that will come later this year.
February 6, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Updates:Web of Shadows videos re-edits are almost done and it should be coming up soon. Startted on h pre-production (footage/research/outlining) of my next video. Working on scripts for a few bigger projects. Possibly starting oulining on a smaller video that will come later this year.
For video essayists who do video essays/analysis/retrospectives/whatteverlongform content you decide to call it on video games speciifcally, in the research/(re)play phase of your project do you exclusive play the game you're working a video on, or do you play other games in addition to it?
February 3, 2026 at 2:26 PM
For video essayists who do video essays/analysis/retrospectives/whatteverlongform content you decide to call it on video games speciifcally, in the research/(re)play phase of your project do you exclusive play the game you're working a video on, or do you play other games in addition to it?
The worst thing about being a hobbyist youtuber with 10 billion obligations, ADHD and major case of executive dysfunction: seeing people release videos that are either similar or exactly the same to videos you've been working for months.
February 3, 2026 at 2:18 PM
The worst thing about being a hobbyist youtuber with 10 billion obligations, ADHD and major case of executive dysfunction: seeing people release videos that are either similar or exactly the same to videos you've been working for months.
Reposted by The Arcanist
I'm pretty good at taking an idea and giving it a little oomph, at least in the YouTube thumbnail space. Case in point some recent bits of feedback I've been giving on discord.
Lessons for the strugglers; reduce text, use strong visual anchors, keep a strict layout, be a little bolder.
Lessons for the strugglers; reduce text, use strong visual anchors, keep a strict layout, be a little bolder.
January 19, 2026 at 9:33 PM
I'm pretty good at taking an idea and giving it a little oomph, at least in the YouTube thumbnail space. Case in point some recent bits of feedback I've been giving on discord.
Lessons for the strugglers; reduce text, use strong visual anchors, keep a strict layout, be a little bolder.
Lessons for the strugglers; reduce text, use strong visual anchors, keep a strict layout, be a little bolder.
Reposted by The Arcanist
Not to be unkind, but I am so impatient about the “what’s the point of making my little zines/comics/crafts/art when the world is on fire” sentiments. I get it, but saving the world is not a responsibility shouldered by your art! That’s what being a neighbor, a friend, and hell, a citizen is for!!!
June 11, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Not to be unkind, but I am so impatient about the “what’s the point of making my little zines/comics/crafts/art when the world is on fire” sentiments. I get it, but saving the world is not a responsibility shouldered by your art! That’s what being a neighbor, a friend, and hell, a citizen is for!!!
For context, one of tthemhas entered pre-production and is coming later this year (ideally september for a very funny reason), while the other hasn'tentered pre-production yet but is something Iheavily consider doing.
Doing some edits to the WOS videos youtube version and oh boy...
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
January 21, 2026 at 1:14 AM
For context, one of tthemhas entered pre-production and is coming later this year (ideally september for a very funny reason), while the other hasn'tentered pre-production yet but is something Iheavily consider doing.
Doing some edits to the WOS videos youtube version and oh boy...
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
January 21, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Doing some edits to the WOS videos youtube version and oh boy...
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
Some people are going to be VERY happy about two of the videos I tease at the end of it.
Reposted by The Arcanist
"Actually trusting your audience" goes both ways. It means trusting them to pick up what you're putting down but they are also trusting you to be and Consistent and Coherent.
Stories can be open to interpretation while still being LOUD about their themes
Stories can be open to interpretation while still being LOUD about their themes
December 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
"Actually trusting your audience" goes both ways. It means trusting them to pick up what you're putting down but they are also trusting you to be and Consistent and Coherent.
Stories can be open to interpretation while still being LOUD about their themes
Stories can be open to interpretation while still being LOUD about their themes
Reposted by The Arcanist
Alright, Ihave the plans for nextt year complete and I'm really excited for them.
now I only need to execute said plans.
now I only need to execute said plans.
December 8, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Alright, Ihave the plans for nextt year complete and I'm really excited for them.
now I only need to execute said plans.
now I only need to execute said plans.
not going to say much yet but, big things are coming next year.
December 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM
not going to say much yet but, big things are coming next year.
Hi I'm still alive.
November 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Hi I'm still alive.
Reposted by The Arcanist
This is a Valid Complaint and the solution is putting your money where your mouth is and financially supporting the creators who make things you like that are Not This.
Or to create the kind of thoughtful critique you want to see yourself.
Or to create the kind of thoughtful critique you want to see yourself.
November 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This is a Valid Complaint and the solution is putting your money where your mouth is and financially supporting the creators who make things you like that are Not This.
Or to create the kind of thoughtful critique you want to see yourself.
Or to create the kind of thoughtful critique you want to see yourself.
Reposted by The Arcanist
You probably haven't heard of Garbanzo Quest by @zachisagardner.bsky.social, but it's an incredible game with a lot to say. Today we dive deep into this classic and emerge with a newfound understanding of what it means to be an independent artist in the first place. www.youtube.com/watch?v=90rk...
A Video About Garbanzo Quest (by Zach Gardner)
YouTube video by MML's Commentaries
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
You probably haven't heard of Garbanzo Quest by @zachisagardner.bsky.social, but it's an incredible game with a lot to say. Today we dive deep into this classic and emerge with a newfound understanding of what it means to be an independent artist in the first place. www.youtube.com/watch?v=90rk...
Reposted by The Arcanist
This is one of my favorite channels I've come across on youtube. I really appreciate the perspectives she brings that I don't really see in a lot of gaming-related content.
Stuff that isn't "thing good" or "thing bad" tends to not do as well on youtube, and I wish there was more out there like this
Stuff that isn't "thing good" or "thing bad" tends to not do as well on youtube, and I wish there was more out there like this
***New video is out!***
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
Blue Prince is the Best (and the Worst) of Exploration Puzzle Games
YouTube video by Pixel a Day
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This is one of my favorite channels I've come across on youtube. I really appreciate the perspectives she brings that I don't really see in a lot of gaming-related content.
Stuff that isn't "thing good" or "thing bad" tends to not do as well on youtube, and I wish there was more out there like this
Stuff that isn't "thing good" or "thing bad" tends to not do as well on youtube, and I wish there was more out there like this
Reposted by The Arcanist
As an addendum to this, I think you guys also paradoxically might have too few opinions. Because everyone's just saying the same thing over and over again. At least have a unique take about Toy Story 5, everyone's already saying it's unecessary and that it ended perfectly with 3. Step up your game!
November 23, 2025 at 3:37 PM
As an addendum to this, I think you guys also paradoxically might have too few opinions. Because everyone's just saying the same thing over and over again. At least have a unique take about Toy Story 5, everyone's already saying it's unecessary and that it ended perfectly with 3. Step up your game!
Reposted by The Arcanist
I think you all have way too many opinions. Do you never turn that thing off? Why do you have an opinion about Toy Story 5? It's the fifth Toy Story movie. You shouldn't even be watching that!
November 23, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I think you all have way too many opinions. Do you never turn that thing off? Why do you have an opinion about Toy Story 5? It's the fifth Toy Story movie. You shouldn't even be watching that!
Reposted by The Arcanist
Absolum is pretty gender fucky (complimentary)
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Absolum is pretty gender fucky (complimentary)
Reposted by The Arcanist
My newest video on game/save breaking bugs, effort and incompleteness. Please consider leaving a comment and sharing it around especially on the youtube community tab if you enjoy it! youtu.be/3jAPOqcDKeQ?...
Losing Progress: Glitches Saves & Effort
YouTube video by Aranock
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
My newest video on game/save breaking bugs, effort and incompleteness. Please consider leaving a comment and sharing it around especially on the youtube community tab if you enjoy it! youtu.be/3jAPOqcDKeQ?...
Reposted by The Arcanist
I wish polls were a thing here but like
How many of you want a video to have video and how many of you just want talking in the background while you do other things
How many of you want a video to have video and how many of you just want talking in the background while you do other things
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I wish polls were a thing here but like
How many of you want a video to have video and how many of you just want talking in the background while you do other things
How many of you want a video to have video and how many of you just want talking in the background while you do other things
Reposted by The Arcanist
tbh as much as official rereleases are good for accessibility, I also feel like a lot of people just won't play games if they don't have official versions and that's not great for culture. Everyone should be downloading random ROMs until they find that special one that breaks their brain wide open.
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
tbh as much as official rereleases are good for accessibility, I also feel like a lot of people just won't play games if they don't have official versions and that's not great for culture. Everyone should be downloading random ROMs until they find that special one that breaks their brain wide open.
Reposted by The Arcanist
Genuinely probably the most important game in the world no one has played. If people actually emulated stuff instead of waiting for official rereleases we'd probably have the world's wildest indie RPGs coming out of this right now.
This game's aesthetic and battle system should have been the inspiration for an entire generation of rpgs
Finally tracked down where my SCART input adapter went during the move, which means Aura can resume her Panzer Dragoon Saga playthrough.
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Genuinely probably the most important game in the world no one has played. If people actually emulated stuff instead of waiting for official rereleases we'd probably have the world's wildest indie RPGs coming out of this right now.
Reposted by The Arcanist
Maybe not an injoke, but I often make slight adjustments to my background between videos to either reference previous stuff i've done or hint at what I might be working on.
Fellow YouTubers/Creators: I'm curious if you have any in-jokes that you add to your videos or your art, that nobody really notices but it makes you happy?
I post all my weekly recaps at 6:16, because I make videos about Marvel and that's the number for the main universe.
I post all my weekly recaps at 6:16, because I make videos about Marvel and that's the number for the main universe.
November 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Maybe not an injoke, but I often make slight adjustments to my background between videos to either reference previous stuff i've done or hint at what I might be working on.
god I have so many in jokes.
A big one i have is trying to make at least one (1) reference to Fire Emblem Three Houses because I be like that.
A big one i have is trying to make at least one (1) reference to Fire Emblem Three Houses because I be like that.
Fellow YouTubers/Creators: I'm curious if you have any in-jokes that you add to your videos or your art, that nobody really notices but it makes you happy?
I post all my weekly recaps at 6:16, because I make videos about Marvel and that's the number for the main universe.
I post all my weekly recaps at 6:16, because I make videos about Marvel and that's the number for the main universe.
November 9, 2025 at 7:52 PM
god I have so many in jokes.
A big one i have is trying to make at least one (1) reference to Fire Emblem Three Houses because I be like that.
A big one i have is trying to make at least one (1) reference to Fire Emblem Three Houses because I be like that.
Reposted by The Arcanist
Been seeing a few "Watch Ultraman Omega" in response to GoZyuger imploding. Putting aside the fact thats a fucked up thing to say, I have watched Omega, it bored me and I loved most Ultra shows ive seen.
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Been seeing a few "Watch Ultraman Omega" in response to GoZyuger imploding. Putting aside the fact thats a fucked up thing to say, I have watched Omega, it bored me and I loved most Ultra shows ive seen.