Animation and cartoons are like cousins in the world of entertainment. They both involve making pictures move, but they’re not the same. Let’s dive into what makes them similar and different and why they’re both awesome!
Cartoon and animation are words that are used interchangeably. In simple words, a cartoon is a simple form of animation. So, what are cartoons?
Cartoons are humorous drawings, movies, or TV shows created with animation. On the other hand, animation is a technique where drawings and positions are created to draw an illusion of movement when a film is viewed.
Difference Between Cartoon and Animation
Read on to know the detailed difference between the two.
What Is Animation?
Animation is an art, process, or technique of producing movies with drawings, static photographs, or computer graphics. Any technique where you do not film live-action images is known as animation. Experts who create these animations are known as animators.
Creating animations includes traditional hand drawings, stop-motion animation with cutouts, puppets, clay, 2D and 3D objects, computer animation, and mechanical animation.
In layman’s language, animation refers to cartoons that we watch on television, like Tom & Jerry, Garfield, Loony Tunes, and more. Moreover, animated movies like Finding Nemo, Kung Fu Panda, Frozen, Tangles, and more are also animated movies. So, animations can be cartoons and animated movies at the same time.
Previously, animation focused mainly on young audiences. However, with time, animated movies and shows have been created for kids and adults.
Note: You should not confuse anime with animations because anime is the Japanese style of animation that includes adult stories.
What Is A Cartoon?
Cartoons can be explained in two different ways. First, a cartoon is a simple, non-realistic drawing showcasing a funny situation or character. These cartoons are seen in magazines and newspapers. Experts who create these drawings are known as cartoonists.
Cartoons are also short films or TV series that use various animation techniques to photograph a series of drawings instead of moving objects. These cartoons are created for children and feature animals, superheroes, adventures suitable for children, and more. Some examples of cartoons are Dora the Explorer, Garfield, Adventures of Tin Tin, Duck Tales, and more.
What Makes Them Different?
The big difference between animation and cartoons is their style and purpose. Animation can be serious or funny, while cartoons are all about making you chuckle. So, while all cartoons are animation, not all animation is cartoons!
Head-to-Head Comparison Table for Cartoon vs Animation:
| Aspect | Cartoon | Animation |
| Definition | The cartoon is a simple, non-realistic drawing showcasing a funny situation or characters. | Animation is a technique of producing movies with drawings, static photographs, or computer graphics. |
| Visual Style | Stylized with exaggerated features like large eyes and outsized heads. | Strives for naturalistic movements and realistic proportions of characters and objects. |
| Inter-relationship | Cartoons are produced with the help of animations. | Animation is used to create cartoons. |
| Cost | Generally more cost-effective, requiring fewer specialized resources. | More expensive due to specialized equipment and time-consuming production processes. |
| Theme | Cartoons show superheroes, mysteries, adventures suitable for kids, anthropomorphized animals, and more. | Animations include kids, mature and serious themes. |
| Creation Method | Often a combination of traditional drawing and digital tools. | Created entirely using computer software, often without traditional hand-drawn elements. |
| Purpose | Primarily comedic, delivering humor through visual gags and exaggerated actions. | Used for storytelling with comprehensive narratives that can be serious, dramatic, or comedic. |
| Type of Audience | The cartoon is designed for kids only | Animation is created for both kids and adults |
| Target Audience | Aimed at children and young audiences, featuring lighthearted themes. | You may explore mature and complex topics, including science fiction, war, and horror, and target adult audiences. |
| Artists | A cartoonist is a person who draws cartoons. People who create TV shows or short movie cartoons are known as animators. | Expert animators create animations. |
| Movement Style | Limited and stylized movements, focusing on conveying humor or satire. | Fluid and lifelike movement, depicting realistic motion in 3D animation or a wide range of movements in 2D animation. |
| Examples | Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Popeye the Sailor. | Disney’s 3D animated films like “Frozen,” 2D classics like “The Lion King,” computer-generated animations like “Toy Story,” and stop-motion animations like “Wallace & Gromit.” |
How They’re Made
Both animation and cartoons use different methods to come to life. Some are drawn by hand, while others use computers to create cool effects. There are also techniques like stop-motion, where real objects are moved a tiny bit at a time to make them look like they’re moving on their own.
Why They’re Cool
Animation and cartoons are not just fun to watch—they’re also a big part of our culture. We grow up with our favorite animated characters, like Mickey Mouse or SpongeBob SquarePants. They become like friends to us!
Challenges and Fun
Making animation and cartoons isn’t always easy. It takes a lot of work and creativity. But it’s also super fun! Artists and creators get to imagine whole worlds and bring them to life. And with new technology, the possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
As we keep creating new things, the definitions for these words will keep changing. Here we discussed the difference between cartoons and animations. A cartoon is a form of animation that humorously showcases reality. On the other hand, the animation creates an illusion of life and motion.
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