Aesop Reimagined: A First Look At The Stunning Hand-Drawn Special ‘Crickhopper The Musician’

For more than 2,500 years, the story of The Ant and the Grasshopper has been used to teach the virtues of hard work and short-term sacrifice for long-term security. However, Madrid-based filmmaker Rasoul T. Zarrin believes it’s time to take another look at Aesop’s fable.

His latest project, the holiday season-set special Crickhopper the Musician, flips the familiar tale on its head, setting it during the snowy Christmas period and spotlighting the magic of music and the timelessness of hand-drawn 2D animation. We’ve seen the developmental trailer, and it’s breathtaking. Although we can’t share it yet, Zarrin has published a shorter teaser, which is available on YouTube and embedded below.

“History is written by the victors,” Zarrin says. “Fables, too, are shaped by the perspectives of those who tell them. I’ve seen many versions of this story and many different retellings. That made me want to tell it again from a slightly critical angle — to question what values we’re passing down.”

Zarrin is pitching the project at the Festival of Animation Berlin this weekend, so we caught up with him to discuss his plans and share some stunning early artwork from the special.

Beyond the ‘Law of the Jungle’

At its heart, Crickhopper the Musician challenges a cultural narrative that Zarrin believes still lingers, even in modern societies.

“Many things in popular culture have roots in ways of thinking that can be wrong or discriminatory,” he explains. “Even in advanced civilizations, we still see traces of the ‘law of the jungle.’ This project is about the conflict between that harsh survival mentality and a more civilized, humane outlook.”

The film follows Crickhopper, a gifted musician whose violin playing shapes his world. Set against a cozy, snow-dusted Christmas backdrop, the story promises to be both nostalgic and refreshing, a holiday special with a message about kindness, creativity, and the value of art.

Echoes of Disney, Miyazaki, and a Touch of Burton

The 2D feature embraces the craft of hand-drawn animation with a look that feels painterly, whimsical, and inviting. Zarrin’s inspirations are clear but not imitative. The artwork is familiar yet fresh.

“I love animations that are well-crafted, artistic, and made with love,” he says. “My biggest inspirations are Walt Disney and Hayao Miyazaki. In this project, I also see traces of Miyazaki and Tim Burton. These similarities weren’t intentional; they appeared naturally.”

With production design and storytelling as core strengths, Zarrin’s team has been developing original IP for years, refining Crickhopper the Musician into a professional-level pitch package now ready for industry attention.

Music at Its Heart

In a film about a musician, the score isn’t part of the background; it’s at the very core.

“Music has a vital and magical role in this story,” Zarrin explains. “We avoided background music; all music comes only from the violin solos of the main character, Crickhopper. These moments break the realistic space and add a dreamy feeling. I want the pieces to drive the story and also be memorable and pleasant on their own.”

While a composer hasn’t yet been selected, Zarrin emphasizes the importance of performance. “What matters to us is to have a powerful and tasteful solo violinist so the music’s soul comes from live performance,” he says.

A Veteran Animator Turning Toward Original IP

Zarrin has spent more than two decades in animation, beginning his career in 2001.

“My early roles were key animator, character designer, layout artist, and storyboard artist,” he recalls. “After about five or six years, I founded my own company, Azarang Studio. We provided services to other companies — story work, ideation, and design — and produced short films and commercials, both artistic and advertising. Several shorts were screened at festivals and won awards.”

In recent years, Zarrin relocated to Madrid, invited by SPA Studios (Klaus). The experience deepened his connection to Europe’s vibrant 2D animation scene. When Netflix dropped the studio’s project Ember (it’s still in development, just not with Netflix), Zarrin left SPA, but “stayed in Madrid to gain experience with professional studios.”

Looking for Partners

The project is now fully developed for pitching and seeking production partners.

“Our main goal is to find collaborators who can help with both making and distributing this animation,” Zarrin says. “In the early stage, we received support from individuals who helped with team formation and story development. Now we need broader, more professional collaborations so the project can enter production.”

Conceived as a seasonal family special with enduring appeal beyond the holidays, Crickhopper the Musician has already started drawing international attention for its striking 2D animation.

“I think audiences are hungry for something warm, sincere, and beautifully made,” Zarrin reflects. “That’s what we’re trying to bring with Crickhopper — a story that feels timeless but also speaks to today.”