Animated Dark Angels face off against the Necron legions in The Awakening, a fan-made Warhammer 40k animation packed with action!
Warhammer 40k is no stranger to epic battles and mysterious enemies, and in this fan-made short, animated Dark Angels, Space Marines face off against the Necrons, an enemy that would make your local haunted house seem like a warm-up. This Fan-made Warhammer 40k animation brings together classic themes of loyalty, heresy, and things that go zap in the dark tombs of forgotten worlds.
The Awakening Features Animated Dark Angels vs Necrons in a Warhammer 40k Fan Animation
This Warhammer 40k animation by Gabriel Christtiane is quite a feat of work! This 50-minute fan animation, crafted over nearly four years by amateur 3D artist and animator Gabriel, tells a compelling story of loyalty, treachery, and survival in the grimdark future of the 41st millennium.
The animation kicks off with the Dark Angels, led by a hardened captain, arriving on a Necron tomb world at the brink of awakening. Their mission is clear: destroy the Necron power nodes before the enemy fully reactivates. The tension is palpable as they meet a Tech Priest tasked with analyzing the situation and providing strategic support.
The Space Marines, as always, are ready to defend the Imperium at any cost, but the stakes of their mission soon turn out to be far more complex than they anticipated.
As the story progresses, the viewer is drawn into the eerie atmosphere of the tomb world. The setting is reminiscent of countless stories from Warhammer 40k’s vast lore but with a unique fan-created twist. The awakening of the Necrons isn’t just a matter of stopping an ancient enemy from returning to life; there are powerful relics and artifacts beneath the surface that could alter the balance of power.
The team stumbles upon an ancient orb with sinister potential, and the relentless Necron scarabs attack the Dark Angels, forcing them into brutal combat.
In true Warhammer fashion, this isn’t just a mindless fight. The animation taps into the ideological and philosophical struggles that define the Dark Angels as a Chapter. Known for their secretive nature and obsession with redemption, the story brings their moral complexities to the forefront. As they encounter the Necron node, they realize that the information contained within might provide significant power but also crosses a line into forbidden knowledge.
The Tech Marine hesitates, knowing that such data could be heretical, but the captain orders its extraction, justifying it as necessary for the Imperium’s survival.
As the download begins, the Necron legions awaken in full force, sending waves of warriors, immortals, and destroyers against the Dark Angels. What follows is an epic clash of futuristic weapons, with bolter fire and close combat dominating the screen.
The animation does justice to the sheer power and resilience of the Space Marines as they struggle against overwhelming odds. Just when it seems like defeat is inevitable, the Deathwing Terminators, elite members of the Dark Angels, are teleported into the fray by a mysterious Librarian. These heavily armed and armored warriors lay waste to the Necron forces, buying time for their brothers to retreat.
The story concludes with a thrilling escape aboard a Thunderhawk gunship as the Space Marines detonate explosives that destroy part of the tomb world, including the node. However, the ending hints at further struggles, with more Necrons awakening and the captain in contact with the shadowy Librarian. Themes of redemption, secrecy, and the burden of knowledge haunt the final moments as the Dark Angels continue their never-ending quest for atonement.
Final Thoughts on the The Awakening
In any 40k story, there’s always room for more bolter fire, moral dilemmas, and a few ancient alien threats trying to ruin your day. This fan animation doesn’t just add another battle to the endless war; it reminds us why Warhammer 40k continues to captivate minds. Overall, The Awakening offers a solid mix of action, intrigue, and just the right amount of Necron weirdness and stands as a testament to the passion and dedication of the Warhammer 40k community.
You can also support the work of the animator by checking out some of the 3D-printed models they have created!
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about this animated Warhammer 40k short? Do you like seeing the Necrons battle the Dark Angels?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
