Synopsis
Paramore's "Anklebiters" unfolds as a fast-moving animated fantasy populated by bizarre, hand-drawn creatures and shifting geometric forms. Pac-Man-like spheres pursue their prey before the action gives way to a parade of surreal images: a legged flower, a solitary hand riding a colorful bird, eccentric animal figures, and other playful oddities. The band never appears onscreen. Instead, the colorful, restless animation mirrors the song's punchy pop-punk energy and its defiant attitude toward people who let others think for them.
Factoids & Trivia
- "Anklebiters" was not released as an official single. Paramore still chose to make a video because the song had become especially meaningful to the band after touring.
- The video uses a mixture of hand-drawn and cut-out animation, creating a deliberately rough, handmade look rather than a polished computer-animated style.
- Its visual language draws heavily on classic arcade games, especially Pac-Man. The opening pursuit by rounded creatures gives the clip an immediately recognizable game-like structure.
- Among the video's stranger images are a rose with legs, a floating disembodied hand, a bird-riding figure, and bear-like characters in exercise clothing riding a pink bicycle.
- The animated short also inspired an online game released through Paramore's website. It borrowed the video's artwork and used gameplay modeled after Pac-Man.
- Animation credits include Greg Lytle and Blake Patrick, with Jordan Bruner handling the design, production, and compositing.
- The clip premiered on June 26, 2013, several months after the release of Paramore's self-titled album.