For all of its many faults, fans can always count on Blizzard for its wide range of surprisingly excellent animated shorts.World of Warcraft,Starcraft, andOverwatchhave all had a selection of CG trailers released both before their initial release and after it. These trailers tend to dive deep into the background of one or two characters while expanding the game’s world and narrative in subtle ways. Blizzard’s animated shorts are always loaded with surprisingly complex character development, thrilling action sequences, and heartfelt moments, all packaged within a top-notch art style.Overwatch 2’s “Kiriko” animated short is no different.
Beginning back in March 2016 with “Recall,” Blizzard has continued to releaseOverwatchanimated shortsover the last six years, albeit at an infrequent pace. Before release, these animated trailers were designed to build hype for the game while also introducing players toOverwatch’s heroes and giving better insight into the series' expansive lore. The most recent animated short, “Kiriko,” focuses onOverwatch 2’s brand-new character, and delivers one of the most emotional Blizzard shorts to date.
RELATED:The Pros and Cons of Overwatch 2’s Hero Unlock System
What Happens In The Overwatch 2 Kiriko Short
Overwatch 2’s “Kiriko” short opens up with the titular hero in her apartment block’s elevator, holding a stack of gorgeously-animated donuts. In the hallway, Kiriko runs into her building’s repairman, Mr. Yoshida. The two banter about the Kiriko’s donuts and Mr. Yoshida subtly warns her that her mother came for a visit. But before Kiriko heads off, she takes the time to talk to Mr. Yoshida’s granddaughter, and the two begin a heartfelt conversation in sign language.
Kiriko hands the little girl a fox plush, and the girl hands her a fox headband in return, the same fox headbandKiriko’s default skin inOverwatch 2wears. When Kiriko enters her apartment her mother is already vacuuming the place, and upon seeing her daughter bombards her with criticism. Kiriko’s mother, Asa, expresses her worry for her daughter, exclaiming that it’s too dangerous in Kanezaka and that she should have never left home.
In response, Kiriko teases Asa, saying that she doesn’t need to worry as she’s protected by the Fox Spirit, just like her grandma was. Asa then says that her grandmother is gone, and she won’t lose Kiriko as well. Asa continues to express her concern, stating that Kiriko has stopped training with her. Asa actually trained Kiriko in her youth alongside theShimada brothers, Hanzo and Genji. When the Shimada clan lost its grip over the city, the more ruthless Hashimoto clan took its place.
The camera then cuts to the hallway as members of the Hashimoto clan walk toward Mr. Yoshida. While Asa continues to loudly express her disbelief that the Fox Spirit is real, Kiriko rushes to the door as she hears voices from the hall. Upon seeing Mr. Yoshida being harassed by Hashimoto gang members,Kiriko phases through the door. The lights in the hallway start to go out, leaving the hall in an eerie red light. The Hashimoto members turn to see Kiriko standing in the darkness, and she lets out a threatening, “I’m going to kick every one of you in the face.”
As the Hashimoto gang gets ready to attack, Kiriko launches a kunai into the front member’s face mask and begins taking out the gang one by one, spinning between them and stabbing each one gracefully. Mr. Yoshida is then pulled away from the wall and is caught in the crossfire. As he falls to the ground, Kiriko rushes in to help him and leaves a golden ofuda on his chest, which dissolves. Kiriko’s eyes then light up blue as she begins phasing between different Hashimoto members, taking them down with brutal accuracy. Mr. Yoshida then awakens, healed of his wound, and the three pushthe Hashimoto clanback to the elevator. After making sure Mr. Yoshida and his granddaughter are safe, Kiriko heads back inside her apartment, where her mother embraces her and says that her grandmother would be proud.
Overwatch 2is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Why Overwatch 2 Support Players Miss the End of Match Cards
