Animation has changed. Since artists started rendering their works on computers, more and more stories are unfolding through 3D animation. This has unfortunately left the 2D form by the wayside.
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A side effect is that many franchises that originated as traditional animation eventually make the jump to the next dimension. That change can be permanent. Occasionally, though, it’s just a case of trial and error before the creators go back to 2D animation. Whatever the outcome, it’s intriguing to see how various series attempt to evolve with time.
6Disney
Walt Disneyand those in his company were pioneers of animation. Not only would they produce countless comedy shorts about Mickey Mouse and his friends, butthey took the medium to the big screen with affecting fairy tale feature films. For decades, this was the norm. Sadly, their popularity would sometimes wane.
The 2000s were one of those times.Disney’s 2D animated movies became less successful. To mix things up, the studio sprinkled in the occasional 3D flick, such asBoltandMeet the Robinsons. These would garner a more positive response, slowly ushering in a new age for the company. Ultimately,The Princess and the Frogand 2011’sWinnie the Poohwere the last dying gasp of traditional animation.
Following the hits ofTangled,Wreck-It Ralph, andFrozen, Disney would craft all of their animated works on the computer. Their TV shows were still in 2D, but even some of these–likeMickey Mouse Clubhouse–would favor the newer format. It’s hard to see the House of Mouse returning to their roots at this point.
5Dragon Ball
Based on Akira Toriyama’s martial arts manga,Dragon Ballhas mainly subsisted on the traditional anime format since the 1980s. From the originalDragon Ballto the recentDragon Ball Super, the TV shows have all adhered to a 2D medium.This allows them to match the visuals on the page. That policy extends to most of the movies, which look like anime episodes with extra flair.
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Therecent filmshave taken that mindset to the next level. The last few movies have used 3D character models for certain shots, namely when the camera circles a fighter during an attack. The creators expanded on this in the latest release,Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The entire film is 3D-animated, which is a first forDragon Ball(not counting the games). It’s unknown if the franchise will stick to this new style. Fans may wish on the Eternal Dragon for the classic format.
4Transformers
The 1980sTransformerscartoon started as a glorified toy commercial, but it nevertheless proved popular enough to endear the robots in disguise to an entire generation. As such, the following years sawseveral succeeding shows, each with a new gimmick or twist on the formula. Possibly for that reason, the format became scattershot.
TheTransformersfranchise often shifted between 2D and 3D animation. The original show and corresponding movie used the hand-drawn style, but the 1990s saw the birth ofBeast WarsandBeast Machines. Like many experimental shows of the time, these series rendered their characters on the computer. Then, 2000s entries likeRobots in DisguiseandArmadawould favor traditional and anime styles.
Beginning with 2010’sTransformers Prime, though, the titular machines once again delved into the 3D realm. That’s been the case with subsequent shows and movies. At the risk of self-indulgence, who knows how the franchise will continue to transform?
3DC Animation
The superheroes ofDC Comicshave inspired countless animated adventures. Many have been on the small screen, with the ‘90sBatmanandSupermanshows being particular highlights. However, later shows moved away from a hand-drawn aesthetic. TheGreen Lanternseries,Beware the Batman, andBatwheelsall came from a computer, but these weren’t as popular or prevalent. That’s probably why later series likeHarley Quinngo back to the 2D style.
The direct-to-videoDCmovies mirror that pattern.This long string of flicks has wowed fans with traditional animation since 2006, often emulating the style of the comics that they adapt. That said, certain releases have presented a flashy 3D aesthetic. Examples includeBatman NinjaandBattle of the Super-Sons. However, these seem to be just the odd experiment, as the following films always return to 2D.
2Studio Ghibli
Since the 1970s,Studio Ghiblihas been the pinnacle of animation in Japan.Films from this studio are heartfelt tales, conveying intense emotion and bittersweet storiesthrough some of the most fluid anime ever seen. For that reason, audiences view them as the Disney of the East. The difference is that they’ve held out longer in transitioning to 3D.
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That said, theStudio Ghiblifolks eventually adopted the same policy. In 2014, they co-produced a CG-animated series calledRonja, the Robber’s Daughter. The company later took its efforts to the big screen. 2020’sEarwig and the Witchwas the first Ghibli film made on the computer. In both cases, though, the following works reverted to the hand-drawn format. After all, this is where the studio shines.
1Rugrats
BeforeSpongebob,Nickelodeon’smost enduring showwasRugrats. From the 1990s to the mid-2000s, the bizarre baby exploits lasted for several seasons, three theatrical movies, and a sequel show about the characters as teenagers. These were all under the banner of Klasky Csupo, known for its 2D animated hits with deformed designs. How ironic that both the franchise and studio would lay dormant for years.
The creators rebooted the franchise in 2019. This new show updated the property in several ways. Most noticeable was the shift to 3D animation,which made the designs look all the more grotesque. The series is ongoing, but it likely won’t last as long as the original.
