The Secret World Of 'What If Animation' On Patreon: 5 Tiers Of Exclusive Content Revealed

The "What If Animation" genre has exploded in popularity, transitioning from simple YouTube fan theories to fully-fledged, professionally animated alternate-reality stories for major franchises like Dragon Ball, Spider-Man, and even Captain Underpants. As of December 2025, this entire ecosystem is heavily reliant on crowdfunding, with Patreon serving as the primary engine that turns ambitious ideas into fully-rendered reality.

This deep dive explores the financial backbone of the "What If Animation" community, revealing the specific, high-value rewards that dedicated fans—or 'Patrons'—receive for funding these complex and time-consuming projects. Since "What If Animation" is a genre rather than a single creator, we look at the collective trends and offerings that define this unique corner of the internet.

The Collective Profile of 'What If Animation' Creators

Unlike a traditional studio, the "What If Animation" community is a decentralized network of independent animators, writers, and voice actors. Their collective profile paints a picture of highly skilled, passionate creators who often work on beloved intellectual property (IP) as a labor of love, circumventing the traditional studio system.

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• Primary Platform: YouTube (for public release) and Patreon (for funding and exclusive content).
• Key Content Focus: Alternate universe (AU) scenarios, character crossovers, "What If" battles, and fan-fiction storylines for major franchises (e.g., Marvel, DC Comics, Anime).
• Common Challenges: The immense time and cost of animation production, managing complex fan expectations, and navigating the grey area of intellectual property rights for fan-made content.
• Success Metrics: High view counts on YouTube, a large and stable Patron count, and the ability to produce high-quality, long-form animated shorts or series.
• Notable Channels/Creators (Examples): Channels like MissedThePart and Etoilec1 are examples of creators who have successfully leveraged the "What If" format and Patreon to build a sustainable model.

These creators are essentially running micro-studios, where the monthly pledges from their Patrons directly cover everything from character design and storyboarding to voice acting and final rendering. Without Patreon, the sheer financial and time investment required for high-quality "What If" projects would be nearly impossible to sustain.

The 5 Essential Patreon Tiers for Funding 'What If' Animation

The success of a "What If Animation" Patreon hinges on offering a tiered reward structure that balances affordability for casual fans with high-value exclusivity for dedicated supporters. Most successful channels follow a 3- to 5-tier model to maximize their funding.

1. The "Supporter" Tier ($1 - $3 per month)

This is the entry-level tier, designed for casual fans who want to contribute without expecting significant exclusive content. It acts as a digital tip jar and a way to gain early access to general updates.

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• Exclusive Content: A simple "Thank You" post, Patron-only feed access, and sometimes a "Name in the Credits" mention at the end of the YouTube video.
• Intention: This tier is crucial for volume, bringing in hundreds of supporters whose cumulative small pledges add up to a significant baseline income.

2. The "Behind-the-Scenes" Tier ($5 - $7 per month)

This tier is the most popular, as it offers a glimpse into the notoriously complex animation pipeline, satisfying the curiosity of the dedicated fanbase.

• Exclusive Content: Work-in-progress (WIP) previews, early access to new animation releases (often 1-2 days before the public), high-resolution wallpapers, and access to the original storyboards or character sheets.
• Intention: Provides tangible, unique value that justifies the monthly cost, offering a sense of inclusion in the creation process.

3. The "Animation Pipeline" Tier ($10 - $15 per month)

This mid-to-high tier is where the real value of animation-specific content is delivered. It is designed for aspiring animators and the most dedicated theory-crafters.

• Exclusive Content: Full animation breakdowns, layered PSD/CLIP files of key scenes, voice actor blooper reels, and exclusive mini-animations or short clips that never make it to the main YouTube channel. Creators often host Patron-only Q&A sessions or livestreams here.
• Intention: To provide educational or deeply engaging content that showcases the technical difficulty and artistry of the "What If" project.

4. The "Request & Influence" Tier ($25 - $50 per month)

This is the first tier that offers a genuine level of influence over the content. Patrons at this level feel like producers or creative consultants.

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• Exclusive Content: The ability to vote on upcoming "What If" topics, direct input on minor character designs or plot points, and the chance to submit their own "What If" ideas for consideration by the creator. Some channels offer a monthly shout-out or a personalized thank you in the video itself.
• Intention: To tap into the community's desire to shape the narrative, turning the funding relationship into a creative partnership.

5. The "Executive Producer" Tier ($100+ per month)

This highly exclusive tier is for the biggest fans and high-net-worth individuals who want to make a significant financial impact. It is a premium offering that includes maximum recognition and direct access.

• Exclusive Content: A guaranteed "What If" request to be developed into a concept or short animation, a personalized, signed piece of original concept art, an "Executive Producer" credit in the video's opening, and often a private Discord channel or monthly call with the lead animator.
• Intention: To secure the highest level of consistent funding from a small, dedicated group of patrons, covering major costs like software licenses or hiring freelance talent.

Topical Authority: The Financial Reality of 'What If' Crowdfunding

The "What If Animation" Patreon model has fundamentally changed the landscape of fan-made content, offering a viable, albeit challenging, path to professional-level production. The financial reality is that animation is incredibly expensive and time-consuming, making crowdfunding a necessity.

A single minute of high-quality 2D animation can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars when factoring in all personnel (animator, scriptwriter, voice actor, sound designer). Therefore, a successful "What If" channel needs a stable Patron count in the thousands to sustain a full-time production schedule.

The LSI Keywords and Entities Driving This Niche:

• Animation Production: Storyboarding, character design, 2D animation software (Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate), rendering, frame rate, and animation pipeline.
• Fan Culture & Fandoms: Alternate timelines, fan theories, canon vs. non-canon, crossover events, fan-fiction, and intellectual property (IP) challenges.
• Crowdfunding Mechanics: Monthly pledges, membership tiers, Patron benefits, exclusive content, financial stability, and creator sustainability.
• Key Franchises: Dragon Ball Z, Marvel's What If...?, DC Comics, Spider-Man, and various popular anime series.

In essence, supporting a "What If Animation" Patreon is not just about getting exclusive content; it is about directly funding the creation of new, high-quality animated stories that the traditional Hollywood system would never produce. It's a direct, fan-to-creator economic model that keeps the alternate-reality genre alive and thriving in the digital age.