Debunking the Myth That Animation Is Only for Kids
What is your earliest memory of watching an animated film or TV show?
Forgive us if our calculations are wrong, but it must’ve been Mulan or X-Men: The Animated Series.
This means your connection with the medium has been strong since the beginning. It also means that animated movies or series still have a powerful hold over you.
You line up at the theater to be the first to watch an animated film and cozy up on your bed when Netflix releases an animated series.
So, when someone says, “You still watch animated movies? It might be time you grew up,” it’s understandable why you wanna punch their teeth. But there’s no need to resort to violence, no matter how much someone deserves it.
Instead, you can answer with reason. If you run short of material for that, consider this blog your defense against those naysayers.
The Incident That Started the Fire: The 94th Oscars
What is your earliest memory of watching an animated film or TV show?
Forgive us if our calculations are wrong, but it must’ve been Mulan or X-Men: The Animated Series.
This means your connection with the medium has been strong since the beginning. It also means that animated movies or series still have a powerful hold over you.
You line up at the theater to be the first to watch an animated film and cozy up on your bed when Netflix releases an animated series.
So, when someone says, “You still watch animated movies? It might be time you grew up,” it’s understandable why you wanna punch their teeth. But there’s no need to resort to violence, no matter how much someone deserves it.
Instead, you can answer with reason. If you run short of material for that, consider this blog your defense against those naysayers.
Photo Credits: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Lord Miller Productions, One Cool Films, Neon
In 2022, while presenting the Best Animated Feature Film award at the 94th Oscars, actresses Lily James, Naomi Scott, and Halle Bailey poked fun at how kids watch animated films over and over again.
They also referred to parents out there who know exactly what they were talking about.
In the same ceremony, attempted comedian Amy Schumer emphasized that animation is a medium kids enjoy while adults endure.
Following this, many animators and the general public took to the internet to – rightfully – express their disapproval of the statement.
Interestingly, all animated films up for the prestigious award the same year had darker, more mature themes.
• Encanto explored intergenerational trauma.
• Flee was about an Afghan refugee fleeing the war-torn country.
• Luca followed a boy struggling to find his place in the world.
• The Mitchells vs. Machines shed light on how technology keeps families apart.
• Raya and the Last Dragon blurred the lines between hope and trust.
So, technically, none of the films were for kids, who primarily watch them because of the vivid colors and goody characters.
More than two years ago, almost every business came to a stop due to the global pandemic Covid-19. People were laid off, and salaries were cut, making it hard for everyone to make ends meet.
The impact on the entertainment world was no different. Live-action movies couldn’t be filmed, and video games faced indefinite delays.
Amidst the chaos, one market kept going, and it was – you guessed it right – the animation industry.
The newer episodes of many animated series aired according to the schedule.
This meant the creative teams behind the shows were actively working, albeit from their homes. Actors voicing characters were also able to record their lines because of the equipment they owned.
And it doesn’t just end there.
The live-action industry reportedly terminated more than 200,000 people. But things were entirely different for the animation industry.
Bento Box Entertainment, the studio behind the hit animated TV show Bob’s Burgers, surprised everyone by announcing it’s looking to hire 20 freelancers to work remotely.
So, reducing an institution that plays a significant role in boosting the US economy to a medium merely for the juvenile audience would undermine the hard work of hundreds of artists, to say the least.
Photo Credits: Gracie Films, 20th Television
It’s impossible to talk about the success of adult animated television series and not mention the one that undoubtedly paved the way – The Simpsons.
In the 1980s, experts believed animated shows were solely reserved for children. In addition, making an adult-centered TV series would require a prime-time slot (8 PM to 11 PM).
The Simpsons would later change this perception. It also encouraged studios to try their hands at adult-focused animated shows.
Some were successful, including the likes of Family Guy and King of the Hill; others were met with a dismissive response, such as Fish Police and Capitol Critters.
Though some of The Simpsons’ episodes are kid-friendly, the majority of them contain adult themes, crude language, and even violence.
Today, the adult animation industry has an identity of its own, and there’s even a Netflix category dedicated to these shows. It consists of:
• Rick and Morty
• BoJack Horseman
• Big Mouth
• Blood of Zeus
• Human Resources
Picture Courtesy: Columbia Pictures, Annapurna Pictures, Point Grey Pictures, Nitrogen Studios
Further solidifying the belief that animation was meant to be enjoyed by adults was Sausage Party. It was the first computer-animated movie to receive R-rating because of the language and other vulgar elements.
While many criticized the film for its over-the-top usage of profanity, ultimately, it was a hit among the audience; Sausage Party grossed more than $130 million on a budget of $19 million.
That’s a massive achievement, especially considering R-rated films have a narrow target audience and are even considered risky.
Picture Courtesy: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Sony Pictures Animation
Superheroes have always enjoyed the spotlight in our lives.
In the 1940s, comic books based on various superheroes rose to popularity. A few decades later, TV shows and films based on comic book characters graced our screens, with X-Men being the tentpole many consider to be the pioneer of superhero films.
Then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entered the business, and, well, the rest is history. But there came a time when everyone got tired of flying aliens hellbent on destroying New York, only for the city to be saved by men and women in capes.
The phenomenon even has a term – superhero fatigue.
But just when people thought they had seen enough of Spider-Man films (8, for crying out loud. And we’re not even talking about the ones preceding the 2000s), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was released.
It received critical acclaim, sending out a strong message: you can breathe life into old franchises if you’re creative enough. Marvel’s rival, DC, also released its fair share of animated films, with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 receiving particular praise.
The LEGO Batman Movie also deserves a shout-out.
Illustrators, storyboard artists, and animators work far too tirelessly for their work to be considered juvenile. While some are intentionally targeted toward the younger audience, pigeonholing the entire industry is simply unacceptable.
Here’s to all those who feel their work goes underappreciated; we see you and your efforts.
