Aikāne

After a warrior is harmed in battle, he is saved by a shape-shifter and the two fall in love. Together, they protect their community and fight against approaching colonizers.

First released on Them’s website, the article included an accompanying interview with directors Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, the assistant director and animator Daniel Sousa, and producer Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. In the interview, the relationship between the two lead characters is described as either gay or queer (with a preference for using the term queer). Therefore, I shall be using both descriptors.

For those who find the setting and art style familiar, Aikāne was created by the same team responsible for the fantastic short, Kapaemahu which focused on the Waikiki legend of the same name (see Kapaemahu).

Director: Dean Hamer, Daniel Sousa, Joe Wilson
Year: 2023
Country: United States
Gender and Sexuality: Gay, queer
Animation Style: Digital
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Type: Explicit, implicit, short

Can currently be watched on Them or YouTube: https://youtu.be/JWgyG6Qu9Hw