# The Lioness | An Original Animated Fantasy Series Created in Unreal Engine 5 

**URL:** <https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/the-lioness-an-original-animated-fantasy-series-created-in-unreal-engine-5/2853478>\
**Category:** Film, TV & Animation\
**Tags:** unreal-engine\
**Created:** [November 10, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/the-lioness-an-original-animated-fantasy-series-created-in-unreal-engine-5/2853478 "2026-11-10T17:54:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsMike](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/theartistformerlyknownasmike/32/1220349_2.png) [@TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsMike](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsMike)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/the-lioness-an-original-animated-fantasy-series-created-in-unreal-engine-5/2853478/1 "2026-11-10T17:54:06Z")

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![Ep_04_Thumbnail](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/0/d/c/0dc703564aea89602072f13be68780b517e07be4.jpeg)

Hey everyone!

I wanted to introduce a project I’ve been working on through my independent studio, **Shishio Studios**.

**The Lioness** is an original animated fantasy series that I’m writing, directing, animating, scoring, and producing independently using Unreal Engine 5 as my primary cinematic rendering environment.

The series follows Victoria, a formidable lioness whose story unfolds through a world of kingdoms, warlords, shifting alliances, and the consequences of decisions made long before her rise to power.

I’ve now completed four episodes of a planned 15-episode first season, and I’m currently in production on Episode 5.

### Featured Release — Episode 4: The Blood Pact

My latest episode explores the origins of an uneasy alliance between Brutus and four powerful warlords, and the sacrifices and difficult decisions that shaped their kingdom.

**Watch Episode 4 here:**

[![](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/9/e/2/9e2adb7fb349377d08314e8318956d41943aa746.jpeg "[The Blood Pact] | The Lioness - Episode 4") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2xViA-i4yw)

My Production Pipeline

One of my biggest goals has been developing a workflow that allows me to produce cinematic-quality animation independently without requiring a traditional animation studio.

My current pipeline includes:

- **Unreal Engine 5:** Cinematic staging, environments, lighting, Sequencer, Path Tracing, and final 4K rendering.

- **Character Creator 4/5:** Character development, customization, and rigging.

- **iClone 8:** Motion capture, character performances, facial animation, and lip-sync.

- **Blender:** Modeling, clothing, simulations, grooming workflows, and asset preparation.

- **Sisir:** Lion mane grooming, exported into Unreal for rendering and dynamics.

- **Houdini:** Specialized simulation work and visual effects.

- **DaVinci Resolve Studio / Fusion Studio:** Editing, compositing, and color grading.

- **Studio One / EastWest:** Original orchestral music and sound production.

Episode 4 involved building several new characters, creating large cinematic environments, simulating blood and atmospheric effects, and developing a more refined approach to lighting and visual storytelling.

The entire series is a passion project and an opportunity to keep improving as an independent filmmaker.

### Why I’m Sharing This

I’ve learned an enormous amount from the Unreal Engine community, and I wanted to start sharing what I’m creating with the tools and techniques I’ve developed along the way.

My plan is to keep this thread updated as production continues, including new episodes, screenshots, technical experiments, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns.

I’m always happy to discuss my pipeline, techniques, or the challenges of producing an animated series independently.

Thanks for checking it out, and I hope you enjoy **The Lioness**!

**Shishio Studios**