True animation is a waltz; Japanese animation is, at best, a break dance.
Like I asked another person, have you seen any anime more recent than "Speed Racer"? Because I'll put the latest shows out of Japan against anything American except Pixar.
I've probably observed more characters actually waltzing in Japanese animation from the past 25 years, than in American animation from the past 50 years.
Of course, in the old days of American cartoons, highly talented cartoonists were the artists. They could really make a line move (and eventually people like Preston Blair, Walt Kelly, Jack Kirby, and Carl Barks moved on).
Tex Avery found himself outside of his own industry directing the Raid bugs. I hear that one of his final ads included Bugs Bunny and someone reportedly asked if he could even do that (for those who don't know HE CREATED THE CHARACTER!).
John K. at Spumco tried to give a kick in the pants to American animation (although the stories seemed somewhat formula and the grossout factor drew more press/attention than the strong art skills). Painted backgrounds? Mouths and other key elements were painted without any black ink? He certainly looked for cartoonists first and animators second.
As for Disney, they messed up a good thing. There is no fluid movement anymore in Disney theatrical animation and most of the action is translated in too few frames.
I've probably observed more characters actually waltzing in Japanese animation from the past 25 years, than in American animation from the past 50 years.
Of course, in the old days of American cartoons, highly talented cartoonists were the artists. They could really make a line move (and eventually people like Preston Blair, Walt Kelly, Jack Kirby, and Carl Barks moved on).
Tex Avery found himself outside of his own industry directing the Raid bugs. I hear that one of his final ads included Bugs Bunny and someone reportedly asked if he could even do that (for those who don't know HE CREATED THE CHARACTER!).
John K. at Spumco tried to give a kick in the pants to American animation (although the stories seemed somewhat formula and the grossout factor drew more press/attention than the strong art skills). Painted backgrounds? Mouths and other key elements were painted without any black ink? He certainly looked for cartoonists first and animators second.
As for Disney, they messed up a good thing. There is no fluid movement anymore in Disney theatrical animation and most of the action is translated in too few frames.