About the role
Join an exciting project to animate a stylized ninja character for a 2D game interface built in Unity. The focus is on creating dynamic, loopable gameplay animations that capture the energy and readability of martial arts action. The character artwork is provided, and your primary responsibility will be rigging and animating the ninja using a reusable skeletal rig. Animations required include idle stance, attack/strike, victory pose, hit reaction, and meditation/focus, all designed for gameplay rather than cinematic sequences. Stylized effects such as energy auras, motion trails, and impact flashes should enhance the action without obscuring the character. The ideal candidate has experience with Spine 2D or similar animation tools, Unity animation workflows, and building reusable animation systems for games. A short paid test (2–3 second ninja strike animation with anticipation and simple effects) will be required to demonstrate your style and motion quality. Please include relevant character animation work and game or Spine samples in your portfolio.
Deliverables
- Rig and animate a stylized ninja character using a reusable skeletal rig
- Create loopable gameplay animations: idle, attack/strike, victory, hit reaction, and meditation/focus
- Integrate simple stylized effects (energy auras, motion trails, impact flashes) to enhance action
- Ensure animations are optimized for readability and energetic martial arts motion
- Deliver animation files compatible with Unity and Spine 2D workflows
- Complete a short paid test animation as part of the selection process
Requirements
- Proven experience in 2D character animation for games, especially using skeletal rigs
- Proficiency with Spine 2D, Unity animation workflows, or similar tools
- Strong understanding of dynamic, readable gameplay animation (not cinematic)
- Ability to create stylized effects that complement character motion
- Portfolio showcasing relevant character/game animation work (Spine or Unity samples preferred)
- Ability to deliver high-quality, loopable animations on schedule
- Excellent communication and ability to follow creative direction
- Availability for potential follow-up work on future characters
About Twine Twine is a leading freelance marketplace connecting top freelancers, consultants, and contractors with companies needing creative and tech expertise. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups alike, Twine enables companies to scale their teams globally.
Our Mission Twine's mission is to empower creators and businesses to thrive in an AI-driven, freelance-first world.
About Twine
Twine connects companies to over 750,000 freelance experts across 190+ countries. We enable flexible work opportunities for so many talented people. Twine covers tech, creative and AI – Software development, graphic design, animation, marketing, video products and everything in between.
STARTUPS (www.twine.net) Companies need a flexible and global workforce to keep competitive. However, they struggle to find specific experts to match their needs. If you have niche technical/creative requirements or need a freelancer in a specific location – we can help you.
FREELANCERS and CONSULTANTS (www.twine.net/freelancers) If you're a freelancer or consultant, take control and choose which projects you want to work on. Build your portfolio with Twine and find interesting jobs from all over the world.
AI COMPANIES (www.twine.net/ai) If you're a company that uses machine learning and needs audio-visual datasets, we can use our network of diverse freelancers to build this for you. Text to speech, video, actors, presenters, and more.
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About the role
Join an exciting project to animate a stylized ninja character for a 2D game interface built in Unity. The focus is on creating dynamic, loopable gameplay animations that capture the energy and readability of martial arts action. The character artwork is provided, and your primary responsibility will be rigging and animating the ninja using a reusable skeletal rig. Animations required include idle stance, attack/strike, victory pose, hit reaction, and meditation/focus, all designed for gameplay rather than cinematic sequences. Stylized effects such as energy auras, motion trails, and impact flashes should enhance the action without obscuring the character. The ideal candidate has experience with Spine 2D or similar animation tools, Unity animation workflows, and building reusable animation systems for games. A short paid test (2–3 second ninja strike animation with anticipation and simple effects) will be required to demonstrate your style and motion quality. Please include relevant character animation work and game or Spine samples in your portfolio.
Deliverables
- Rig and animate a stylized ninja character using a reusable skeletal rig
- Create loopable gameplay animations: idle, attack/strike, victory, hit reaction, and meditation/focus
- Integrate simple stylized effects (energy auras, motion trails, impact flashes) to enhance action
- Ensure animations are optimized for readability and energetic martial arts motion
- Deliver animation files compatible with Unity and Spine 2D workflows
- Complete a short paid test animation as part of the selection process
Requirements
- Proven experience in 2D character animation for games, especially using skeletal rigs
- Proficiency with Spine 2D, Unity animation workflows, or similar tools
- Strong understanding of dynamic, readable gameplay animation (not cinematic)
- Ability to create stylized effects that complement character motion
- Portfolio showcasing relevant character/game animation work (Spine or Unity samples preferred)
- Ability to deliver high-quality, loopable animations on schedule
- Excellent communication and ability to follow creative direction
- Availability for potential follow-up work on future characters
About Twine Twine is a leading freelance marketplace connecting top freelancers, consultants, and contractors with companies needing creative and tech expertise. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups alike, Twine enables companies to scale their teams globally.
Our Mission Twine's mission is to empower creators and businesses to thrive in an AI-driven, freelance-first world.
About Twine
Twine connects companies to over 750,000 freelance experts across 190+ countries. We enable flexible work opportunities for so many talented people. Twine covers tech, creative and AI – Software development, graphic design, animation, marketing, video products and everything in between.
STARTUPS (www.twine.net) Companies need a flexible and global workforce to keep competitive. However, they struggle to find specific experts to match their needs. If you have niche technical/creative requirements or need a freelancer in a specific location – we can help you.
FREELANCERS and CONSULTANTS (www.twine.net/freelancers) If you're a freelancer or consultant, take control and choose which projects you want to work on. Build your portfolio with Twine and find interesting jobs from all over the world.
AI COMPANIES (www.twine.net/ai) If you're a company that uses machine learning and needs audio-visual datasets, we can use our network of diverse freelancers to build this for you. Text to speech, video, actors, presenters, and more.