An animated cartoon is a visual representation of drawings, paintings, illustration or an image generated by computer through an innovative software.
What is an animated cartoon?
An animated cartoon is a visual representation of drawings, paintings, illustration or an image generated by computer through an innovative software. The process of drawing an animation does not only include the drawing of a character or a scene, but it is also a sequence of frames designed to portray a particular scene. This includes characters placed in the same frame with an emotion that seems a little different from the previous one. When the frames are played together in a sequence, it forms a complete scene like a playscript or a motion video particularly including 24 frames being played each second. The number of frames can be higher depending on the specific scene. The flow of the images creates a seamless and smooth illustration of motion. Check our short-listed cartoon channels for kids →
The animated cartoons are available in different forms, you can find them hand-drawn, they can be stop-motion or CGI specifically known as computer-generated Imagery or it can be a combination of all. The design and drawing of an animated cartoon or animation are not specific to a particular genre but it can be designed on various themes including comedy, fantasy, romance and even educational content. You would find animated cartoons being played on television, in the form of movies or on online platforms like web-series etc. Sometimes, the advertisements are also designed in animated form to grasp the audience’s attention.
The most appealing fact about the animated cartoons is the ability of these images to bring imaginary worlds to reality and the drawn characters to life including comics or other fantasies.
The art of animation
Over the years, the art of animation has become an integral part of our culture. It has found its way deep into the world of entertainment, education and societal influence. Form the beauty of the classic character designs and illustrations like Minnie and Mickey Mouse to the meticulously designed visually stunning characters of today, animations have taken over our world. The art of animated cartoons has several unique aspects and qualities which distinguish it from other art forms of storytelling. Here are why animated cartoons are so special:
- Creative Expression
- Visual Appeal
- Universal Accessibility
- Emotional Impact
- Innovation and Technology
- Educational Value
- Cultural Impact
- Versatility in Genres
1. Creative Expression
The animated world allows the artists to be flexible and create imaginative platforms of fantastical worlds, exaggerate their characters as much as they want and create scenarios which might not be even possible in real life.
2. Visual Appeal
The vibrant colors of the character, their unique movements and styling captivates the hearts and attention of the audience.
3. Universal Accessibility
The visual nature of animated cartoons allows them to break the boundaries of age, background and ethnicity and provide a universal experience to their audience regardless of their language or any other barriers.
4. Emotional Impact
The animated characters have the tendency to evoke strong emotions in their audience whether it is drama, heartwarming fantasy or humor, it captivates the hearts and makes the other person experience what they are experiencing.
5. Innovation and Technology
The journey of an animated cartoon from the hand-drawn image to a computer-generated imagery makes us wonder how much the world around us has evolved. This is the result of technological innovation as the world is growing.
6. Educational Value
The animated cartoons are not only designed for the purpose of entertainment, but are also used to deliver a social message. A lot of organizations are using animations, especially targeting young children to captivate their attention and teach them good morals through a story.
7. Cultural Impact
Animated cartoons are often found to be a reflection of culture and norms that our society follows. From the societal concerns to the promotion of diversity and inclusion, you would be able to find animated cartoons about most of the social causes.
8. Versatility in Genres
The animations are not limited to one genre, you would find a mix of every other genre including drama, fantasy, comedy, science fiction and more. The animation creators explore the world around them and go beyond the world of imagination to bring their characters and setting to life.
Types of Animated Cartoons
The top three animated cartoons which are widely recognized are:
1. Traditional Animation aka 2D Animation
This is where the world of animation started, this classic animated form starts from the hand-drawn frames which then forms the illustration into motion when played in sequence. If you are looking for examples of this type of animated cartoon, Disney’s “The Lion King” and Warner Bros. “Bugs Bunny” are best examples for this classic.
2. Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI)
As the name suggested, this form uses the latest computer technology and graphical tools to create the characters and the world of animated. This technique includes three-dimensional modeling of animated cartoons and their setting. The best examples of this form are “Toy Story”, “Shrek” and “Frozen”.
3. Anime
This form is quite popular among the young generation nowadays. It originated from Japan and has a distinct style of using the vibrant colors, unique design of characters and caters to a diverse range of genres. The anime series which have gained popularity over time are: “Spirited Away”, “Akira” and TV series which include “Naruto” and “Attack on Titan.”
Associated Controversies
The world we know mostly likes animated cartoons and the associated content, however; it also faces a lot of controversies from critics. Here are some of the common controversies:
- Most of the times, the controversy arises related to the content being considered as inappropriate or offensive for the targeted audience.
- Sometimes, it is associated to the cultural representations, stereotyping or some perceived insensitivity of the content.
- There are instances when the content is considered to be based on adult themes while it is intended for the young children.
- At times, the animated cartoons are associated with some cultural or political issues which are not taken positively and the animation becomes controversial.
Designing and delivering an animation is a challenging task, it requires a balance of creativity, entertainment and responsibility of what the creator is disseminating to the world in a beautiful and innovative manner. The process requires to reflect on the ethical dimensions of the shared animated content and its influence on the viewers.