History Main / ThinLineAnimation

Some bemoan the style as a {{lazy|artist}} derivative of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', as many current animators with the style have worked on the show. Others say that the style is just another periodic style that has dominated in a time period, like Creator/JohnKricfalusi's influence in the early [[TheNineties 90s]], ThickLineAnimation of the late [[TheNineties 90s]], or the {{animesque}} shows of the mid [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]]. Despite this, the style has endured and is used during more quiet atmospheric moments.

* Many of the earliest animes from the 60s, such as ''Anime/AstroBoy'' and ''Anime/KimbaTheWhiteLion'', featured this type of style. Justified, in that a lot of these works were influenced by cartoons made during the Silent and Golden age of animation.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThundercatsRoar'': Part of the InternetBacklash surrounding it comes from its use of this style.

[[caption-width-right:348:Looks like RubberHoseLimbs made a comeback.[[labelnote:Top to bottom]]''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'', ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Clarence}}'', ''WesternAnimation/The7D'', ''WesternAnimation/WeBareBears'', Lucky the Leprechaun, Chip the wolf, ''WesternAnimation/{{Breadwinners}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes''[[/labelnote]]]]

* Anime in general zigzags this trope. Most animes are drawing using thin outlines, but rarely do they ever use a soft, rubbery art-style like western shows, instead opting for stylized yet realistic-enough designs.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThundercatsRoar'' has caught considerable InternetBacklash for using this style.

In a way, this trope (or at least its base principles) is actually OlderThanTelevision, since many cartoon shorts during UsefulNotes/TheSilentAgeOfAnimation (especially those made by Creator/{{Disney}}) featured [[InkblotCartoonStyle rounded ball-and-noodle art-styles and thin outlines, also due to the need for simplistic designs to make things easier on animators]].

-->'''[[WebVideo/RebelTaxi Pan Pizza]]:''' They look like characters from ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' -- no, no wait, the look like characters from ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'' -- no, no wait, they look like ''assholes'' from ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}''!

[[caption-width-right:348:Looks like RubberHoseLimbs made a comeback.[[labelnote:Top to bottom]]''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'', ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Clarence}}'', ''WesternAnimation/The7D'', ''WesternAnimation/WeBareBears'', Lucky the Leprechaun, ''WesternAnimation/{{Breadwinners}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes''[[/labelnote]]]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Chowder}}'' is considered the UrExample of this style, despite the characters having slightly rougher lines than the others on the list.

* ''WebAnimation/BravestWarriors'': The show was created by AdventureTime creator Creator/PendletonWard, and shares the same art-style.

[[caption-width-right:348:Looks like RubberHoseLimbs made a comeback.]]

* Many of the earliest {{anime}}s from the 60s, such as ''Anime/AstroBoy'' and ''Anime/KimbaTheWhiteLion'', featured this type of style.
* ''Amime/OnePiece'': One of the few modern animes to use this trope, thanks to its art-style which, while ''far'' from simplistic, is more cartoony and relies somewhat on ToonPhysics. Its lessened over time, as the art style started becoming less rounded and more on par with modern anime.

->''You'll also notice that the designs of many of these characters is much more simpler than ones of the past. They do this 'cause it gives way to faster animation, while also allowing more time to focus on color, backgrounds, and of course, the story.''
-->--'''WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic''', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXpWAO0F7ck Are Kids Shows Better NOW Than Ever?]]

In a way, this trope (or at least its base principles) is actually OlderThanTelevision, since many cartoon shorts during UsefulNotes/TheSilentAgeOfAnimation (especially those made by {{Disney}}) featured [[InkblotCartoonStyle rounded ball-and-noodle art-styles and thin outlines, also due to the need for simplistic designs to make things easier on animators]].

[[folder:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]
* ''Amime/OnePiece'': One of the few {{anime}}s to use this trope, thanks to its art-style which, while ''far'' from simplistic, is more cartoony and relies somewhat on ToonPhysics. Its lessened over time, as the art style started becoming less rounded and more on par with modern anime.

Some bemoan the style as a {{lazy|artist}} derivative of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', as many current animators with the style have worked on the show. Others say that the style is just another periodic style that has dominated in a time period, like Creator/JohnKricfalusi's influence in the early [[TheNineties 90s]], ThickLineAnimation of the late [[TheNineties 90s]], or the {{animesque}} shows of the mid [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]]. Despite this, the style has endured and is used during more quiet atmospheric moments. In a way, this {{trope}} (or at least its base principles) is actually OlderThanTelevision, since many cartoon shorts during UsefulNotes/TheSilentAgeOfAnimation (especially those made by {{Disney}}) featured [[InkblotCartoonStyle rounded ball-and-noodle art-styles and thin outlines, also due to the need for simplistic designs to make things easier on animators]].

Some bemoan the style as a {{lazy|artist}} derivative of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', as many current animators with the style have worked on the show. Others say that the style is just another periodic style that has dominated in a time period, like Creator/JohnKricfalusi's influence in the early [[TheNineties 90s]], ThickLineAnimation of the late [[TheNineties 90s]], or the {{animesque}} shows of the mid [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]]. Despite this, the style has endured and is used during more quiet atmospheric moments. Compare InkblotCartoonStyle, PuniPlush, and {{Animesque}}, contrast with ThickLineAnimation.

* ''Amime/OnePiece'': One of the few animes to use this trope, thanks to its art-style which, while ''far'' from simplistic, is more cartoony and relies somewhat on ToonPhysics. Its lessened over time, as the art style started becoming less rounded and more on par with modern animes.

* This trope is actually OlderThanTelevision, since many cartoon shorts during UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation (especially those made by Disney) featured rounded art-styles and thin outlines.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Clarence}}''

* ''Amime/OnePiece'': One of the few animes to use this style, thanks to having more cartoony designs. Its lessened over time, as the art style started becoming less rounded and more on par with modern animes.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelousMisadventuresOfFlapjack'': The show's staff in fact included Creator/AlexHirsch, Creator/PendletonWard, and others as storyboarders, which would later do their own shows.

* ''WesternAnimation/WeBareBears'': It's mostly with the FunnyAnimal characters. Humans have less noodle-y proportions.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': probably the one that [[FollowTheLeader singlehandedly popularized]] the modern trend in animation.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Breadwinners}}''

* The works of Creator/SethMacFarlane (''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'', ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'') use a less [[BuffySpeak noodle-y]] but still simplistic and rounded art-style.
* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls''

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelousMisadventuresOfFlapjack'': the show's staff in fact included Creator/AlexHirsch, Creator/PendletonWard, and others as storyboarders, which would later do their own shows.

* ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow''

* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil''
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse''
* ''WesternAnimation/SanjayAndCraig'': features character designer JayHowell, who also worked for Bob's Burgers.
* ''WesternAnimation/UncleGrandpa''

Some bemoan the style as a lazy derivative of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', as many current animators with the style have worked on the show. Others say that the style is just another periodic style that has dominated in a time period, like Creator/JohnKricfalusi's influence in the early [[TheNineties 90s]], ThickLineAnimation of the late [[TheNineties 90s]], or the {{animesque}} shows of the mid [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]]. Despite this, the style has endured and is used during more quiet atmospheric moments. Compare InkblotCartoonStyle, PuniPlush, and {{Animesque}}, contrast with ThickLineAnimation.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeCoolScoobyDoo''

* ''WesternAnimation/SanjayAndCraig'': features character designer Jay Howell, who also worked for Bob's Burgers.

* ''WesternAnimation/WeBareBears''

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10 2016}}''

->You'll also notice that the designs of many of these characters is much more simpler than ones of the past. They do this 'cause it gives way to faster animation, while also allowing more time to focus on color, backgrounds, and of course, the story.

->And lastly, the art style is the typical "Cal-Arts" Creator/CartoonNetwork style. The main three look fine, but all the background characters could easily be from any other cartoon going on. We're hitting the point where viewers are getting tired of this soft, thin outline art style. We need thick outlines, dammit!
-->--'''[[WebVideo/RebelTaxi Pan Pizza]]''' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3i3uGV6fJk talking about]] WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10 2016}}

Thin-line animation or "Cal-arts Style," a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines and rounder shapes while still being distinctively {{western|animation}}. This style may have emerged for a number of different reasons. The emergence of {{anime}} and their influences on western cartoonists have made them focused less on detail. Different coloring techniques with digital art may have removed the need for more thicker lines, with it only being a stylistic choice. The need for quicker cheaper animation after the economic downturn may also drive the desire for more cheap, yet still pleasing animation styles.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'': [[MediumBlending Certain characters]], such as the Watterson and Fitzgerald families, are drawn in this style.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelousMisadventuresOfFlapjack'': the show's staff in fact included AlexHirsch, PendletonWard, and others as storyboarders, which would later do their own shows.