This is a thread for Western animation. Recommended titles include:
Adventure Time (created by Pendleton Ward). Cartoon Network's biggest hit since 2010. The series follows the adventures of Finn the Human and Jake the Dog in the land of Ooo (which is actually Earth post-nuclear apocalypse). Though it initially hooked older viewers with its bizarre sense of humor, over the years Adventure Time has developed a surprisingly deep world with many interesting, three-dimensional characters, such as the Ice King, Princess Bubblegum, and Marceline the Vampire Queen. Season 5 upped the ante quite a bit
Steven Universe (created by "Adventure Time" alumn Rebecca Sugar). This Cartoon Network series is centered on Steven, the youngest and only male member of the heroic Crystal Gems, a group otherwise composed of heroines Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. The first Cartoon Network original series created by a woman.
Teen Titans Go! A hyper-kinetic comedy loosely based on the 2003-2006 Teen Titans series. Gets a lot of hate for being radically different from its predecessor and for staying on the air in place of Young Justice, but is actually really funny (and apparently the voice actors really love the sillier takes on their characters).
Regular Show (created by J. G. Quintel). Another Cartoon Network program that began in 2010. Regular Show is focused on the characters Mordecai and Rigby (the former voiced by creator J. G. Quintel), two twenty-something slackers who work at a park plagued by bizarre phenomena alongside a gumball machine, a green dude, a high-five giving ghost, a lollipop, a skipping gorilla (voiced by Mark Hamill), and a put-upon goat man. Initially part of a short-lived effort to cater to older viewers (for example, several of the first season episodes use the word "pissed", which was later replaced with "ticked" in repeats and DVD releases).
Gravity Falls (created by Alex Hirsch). This Disney Channel series is premised on the exploits of twins Dipper and Mable Pines during their summer with their great-uncle ("Grunkle") Stan in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. A popular series, albeit one that Disney is taking its time to air.
Bravest Warriors (also created by Pendleton Ward). Shorts following the adventures of the teenaged group of space-traveling heroes, the titular Bravest Warriors.
Youtube Channel Here
Bee and Puppycat (created by "Adventure Time" alumn Natasha Allegri). The original Bee and Puppycat short introduces the titular characters (who are, respectively, an unemployed young woman looking for work and a Puppycat) before sending them to parts unknown through a magical temp agency. The short proved very popular, and a subsequent Kickstarter campaign funded the creation of an upcoming series.
Bee and Puppycat Short Here
Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated. A now-cancelled (yet not without a satisfactory conclusion) Cartoon Network program and most likely the only entry in the Scooby Doo franchise worth watching. The series takes the classic Scooby Doo characters and gives them an ongoing storyline that, along the way, takes several unexpectedly dark turns.
Posts
Edit: There you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KnFDfHm4o
"YOU AND ME MORTY THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS OUR ENEMY MORTY JUST RICK AND MORTY RICK AND MORTY FOREVER FOREVER A HUNDRED YEARS ADVENTURES RICK AND MORTY TIME ALL DAY LONG A HUNDRED DAYS FOREVER A HUNDRED TIMES OVER AND OVER RICK AND MORTY"
occasionally I forget how funny King of the Hill is.
On those stupid days where I forgot to watch it.
Was good. Much better than I expected.
Never seen this show before, but the art style reminds me of "Home Movies"
Edit: Also this
Everyone else see like how they're a fucked up version of Doc and Marty? That's intentional, right? I mean, it's gotta be.
So far I'm thinking the best moment is when the team all dressed up as Robin.
I'm gonna post my OP anyway, in case anyone here finds it useful. Spoiler'd for length:
->
My mind is blown!
Forms of Animation
Traditional
Your basic "draw lots of pictures and get them flickering" method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgghnQF6E4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3JGv_tRSw
Stop Motion Animation (Claymation)
Instead of drawings, pictures are taken of live props that are slowly adjusted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7vZXjmtWFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvOTsi3i64
Computer Generated Images (GCI)
Actually similar to Claymation, in that you have models and you change their appearance from frame to frame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmhZm5FRV4s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPW3mvAN0Rc
"Flash" Animation
Another sort revolving around the computer, but mainly for two-dimensional appearances. Co-incidentally, can one-for-one replicate the traditional method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZiB_S9VpiU
Mechanical Animation - Animatronics, Puppetry etc.
This one is debatable, as you are just filming props moving in real time, but it has a long history of being produced alongside the other forms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMEuEF9-UbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZqAsj3buuU
And of course, it's possible to blend these different methods together!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z8SXjEu7fg
Now, just about every country in the world has produced animation at one point or another, even Best Korea! However due to reasons, this thread shall be mainly for animation originating from Europe and the Americas, and definitely not southeast of Vladivostok, west of Midway or north of Manilla.
The Players
Disney
Going strong for 85 years with an aggressively wholesome image. Famous for its fairy tale stories and other theatrical movies, as well as their long lasting characters.
Works of Note: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Silly Symphonies, Snow White, Pinnochio, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Gargoyles, Darkwing Duck, Ducktales, Phineas and Ferb, Gravity Falls and about a hundred other things
Pixar
Disney's most famous Subsidiary right now. Single handedly popularised CG Movies for better or worse. Known to be super influential: My own observation is that 80-90% of new stuff at Disney World is Pixar themed.
Works of Note: Luxo Jr, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Up
Warner Brothers
Disney's first real rival. While Disney was wholesome, Warner Brothers was more slapstick and adult themed. Hasn't made nearly as many theatrical films. Has a lot of fingers in the superhero pie right now
Works of Note: Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Speedy Gonsalez, DC Animated Universe (Batman, Superman, Justice League), Pinky and the Brain, Freakazoid, The Iron Giant
Dreamworks
The other big theatrical company right now. Was in something of a rut of questionable use of star power to draw in crowds, but has recently improved. Famous for giving marketers "this face":
But don't be confused, almost every animated movie poster has "this face" these days.
Works of Note: Shrek, Prince of Egypt, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon
Cartoon Network
Heir to the Hanna-Barbera throne. First channel really dedicated to cartoons, so it was inevitable they'd make their own.
Works of Note: Dexter's Lab, Powerpuff Girls, Ed Edd & Eddy, Samurai Jack, Johnny Bravo, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Megas XLR, Adventure Time, Regular Show
Adult Swim
Cartoon Network's teen/adult spinoff. Started by subverting some of the less remembered Hanna-Barbera shows, and then started producing material of their own
Works of Note: Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Harvey Birdman, Sealab 2021, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Venture Brothers, Metalocalypse, Moral Orel
Nickelodeon
A major contributor to 90's animated nostalgia. More about sitcoms these days, but it has a remarkably well budgeted show in Avatar.
Works of Note: Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Ahh Real Monsters, Ren & Stimpy, Kablam!, Invader Zim, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra
Aardman
Upstart little British Claymation studio. Compared to other studios haven't produced much, but are fondly remembered.
Works of Note: Wallace & Gromit, Creature Comforts, Chicken Run, Rex the Runt
Twentieth Century Fox
Has its own thread, so you can read up on them there.
Now this OP only scratches the surface of stuff to look at. If you're looking for more information on what to watch, especially on less famous stuff, I recommend http://comraderecs.tumblr.com. Yes, it has its roots in 4chan - but no actual links to 4chan, so don't worry - but the recommendations are pretty solid from my perspective. Enjoy!
You're talking like a song from The Lion King. Stop it. It makes no sense.
Kevin Conroy
Yeah, that would've been an incredible OP. Too bad you blew it and missed your window. Instead we're going with Here's Johnny Anime Eye horror instead. Better luck next time in another 100 pages.
Remember, Doc and Mharti on YouTube. Don't watch it. Here's one that came after it that's less horrific.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPuq2TbjlO8
Me and my cousin are gonna watch Doc and Mharti now. Thanks for the recommendation.
Switch (JeffConser): SW-3353-5433-5137 Wii U: Skeldare - 3DS: 1848-1663-9345
PM Me if you add me!
Also because I need Adventure Time merchandise, these two are going to join my blood splattered Rick Grimes and Daryl Grimes Pop! figures.
It was surprisingly ok. The heroes arent incompetent just zany and. it was funny .
Not bad. Hulu isn't dumping the whole season at once though and you will know Jak links beef jerky is a sponsor whether you like it or not. So its not perfect
http://youtu.be/OPQrXUpvkuc
It is good.
Also, this is incredibly good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwN5HLiZ7_o
The opening titles for Craig McCracken's new show.
"...only mights and maybes."
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
I'm having a giggle fit just thinking about it. South Park would do the exact same thing.
In other news, I just found out one of the (probably terrible) animated Scooby-Doo movies made in the past few years introduced Velma's sister, who based on design alone looks like she could out-Velma Velma (that makes sense, right?).
Darn, now I'm thinking about how Mystery Incorporated is over and we'll probably never see another legitimately good iteration of Scooby-Doo again.
I have no idea what I just saw but by God I'm gonna watch it.
Absolutely. That show really is sweet, in a lot of ways.
Yar. Reverse psychology be a harsh mistress.
Yeah, this is definitely what I sense. And thank god, because that really is an awesome premise.
After ignoring your advice, I hit up youtube and found... this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KnFDfHm4o
Obviously not what you were talking about... but I sure would watch that shit.
I've got to say that I much, much prefer the previous art style:
That Genndy style needs to die.