More than half a century into a remarkably prolific and singular career, legendary animator Bill Plympton—widely and rightfully acknowledged as the King of Indie Animation—has returned with another delightfully warped visual creation. Having celebrated his 80th milestone birthday this past April, the fiercely independent artist has dropped a brand-new music video for "u know i luv u," a track by the California-based alternative pop duo Average Friends.
The newly released video immediately establishes itself as a quintessential Plympton production. Imbued with his unmistakable, hand-drawn colored pencil style, the animation honors the creator’s enduring philosophy of keeping production principles straightforward: "make it short, make it cheap, and make it funny." Funded largely through the generous contributions of dedicated backers on Kickstarter, the project enjoyed its high-profile premiere earlier this year at the 2026 Woodstock Film Festival, capturing the attention of animation enthusiasts, indie music fans, and festival-goers alike.
For anyone seeking a humbling reminder of their own career productivity, a glance at Bill Plympton’s professional resume offers a staggering tally of creative output. Over the decades, his relentless drive and distinctive aesthetic have yielded an immense body of work that continues to influence the independent animation landscape. His monumental filmography and accolades include over 50 short films—a milestone highlighted by two prestigious Academy Award nominations—alongside eight feature-length animated films, ten music videos, 18 commercial spots, and nine iconic couch gags for the long-running animated television staple The Simpsons. Furthermore, his work has garnered more than 20 major festival wins and honors from renowned institutions such as the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, ASIFA, and the Berlin International Film Festival. The industry further cemented his legacy in June of this year when he was officially inducted into the Animation Hall of Fame.
Visuals and Production Credits
The music video for "u know i luv u" showcases the trademark surrealism and fluid morphing imagery that have defined Plympton’s style for generations. Frames from the production feature vibrant, bizarre tableaus, including a repeating sequence of figures clad in white shirts and blue skirts with massive red lips for heads. Other striking compositions display a cartoon character with a long, coiled red snake-like body holding a vintage microphone to sing, alongside a roller coaster car traversing a track against a colorful geometric backdrop. Additional memorable moments feature a woman struggling against a massive, human-like eyeball, and a detailed close-up of a mouth with bright red lips and white teeth biting down on a brown pill.
Brought to life through Plymptoons, the production brought together a talented team of collaborators working alongside the master animator. The project was produced by George Kosturos, Bill Plympton, and Owen Andrejco. Andrejco also served as the editor and compositor for the music video, ensuring the pacing matched the breezy, alternative pop sensibilities of Average Friends. The vibrant aesthetic of the animation was enhanced by a dedicated color team featuring Nora Avissar, Brooke Murphy, and Caden Zips. On the audio side, the track’s mix and master were handled by Kutan Katas, while the intricate sound design was crafted by Josh Aude, rounding out a deeply collaborative effort for the indie pop release.
