Buffy the Animated Series pilot

The  is an unaired promo for the undeveloped television show Buffy the Animated Series. It was written by Jeph Loeb and Joss Whedon, and animated by Eric Wight.

Summary
Buffy is being chased by a vampire near the entrance of Sunnydale. She runs into an alley and throws her backpack into the floor. Cornered, she answers the vampire's threats by attacking him. During the fight, she rips her backpack to grab a stake, then dusts the vampire.

The next day, at Sunnydale High School, Willow, Buffy, and Xander arrives at the library, commenting the house party to be held that night. Giles, already waiting for them, announces they're having an apocalypse. Reading a book, he describes the followers of Morgala until he notices no one is paying attention to him: they're still commenting on the upcoming party. Xander is certain he won't be able to talk to anyone there, so Willow suggests she goes with him, and he then propose they pick up Buffy on the way. To disappointment of both, Buffy tells them they'll just met there.

Thinking about what to wear, Willow mentions that Cordelia already made her insecure about it. Buffy suggests a red skirt, but Giles interrupts mocking them. He points out the followers of Morgala are going to perform a ritual that evening, and Buffy is unconcerned, comparing it to the vampire in the previous night. Willow worries the encounter, but Buffy says it was an easy slay.

Suddenly, the library's roof breaks and a dragon flies into it. The creature immediately swallows Buffy, then flies away. Buffy gets to open its mouth, motivated by going to the party that night. She frees herself, and, high in the sky, prepares to punch the dragon.

Continuity

 * The series would have taken place late in the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jeph Loeb described the continuity as “episode 7.5,” in reference to seventh episode "Angel".

Individuals

 * Cordelia Chase
 * Rupert Giles
 * Alexander Harris
 * Morgala
 * Willow Rosenberg
 * Buffy Summers

Species

 * Dragon
 * Human
 * Vampire

Locations

 * Sunnydale
 * Sunnydale High School library

Weapons and Objects

 * Stake

Death Count

 * An unidentified vampire, staked by Buffy Summers.

Behind the Scenes

 * The pilot was likely an incomplete version of the episode that would be called "A Day in the Life", the series' debut, which “introduces the characters, sets up their dynamics and the show's premise.”
 * This promo was leaked on August 1, 2008, via Youtube.
 * In December 2008, Dark Horse Comics published comic issue After These Messages ... We'll Be Right Back!, which had its script based on the unproduced animated series, adapted to Buffy Season Eight context. It was also written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by artist Eric Wight, as well as Ethen Beavers and Adam Van Wyk.