Duplicate AnimBP? Bug or Feature?

What I need my character to do, it does, so this isn’t a “how do I X” question.

When I play in editor using the selected viewport option or the new editor window, it works perfect, my character animates when it should. This is when the main screen is open (viewport, details, content browser, etc.)

When my character’s animation blueprint is open and I hit play, it opens up a new window, and my character does what it’s supposed to do. However, it’s like there are two instances of my animBP because it throws the error “Cast to DavisCharacter failed” (custom error message, not stock). I’ve made another print string which only goes off when casting is true, and it goes back and forth between true and cast failed.

What I would like to know is: Is this a bug in UE4.19.2, or is UE4 running another instance of the animBP when I have the animBP open?

Well, I answered my own question. Looking in the animBP of the mannequin, the first comment off the update says “See if PawnOwner is Valid (will not be in Persona)”