History Main / ThinLineAnimation

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/BrawlStars ''
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* ''WebAnimation/SethMacFarlanesCavalcadeOfCartoonComedy''

* The 2019 reboot of ''WesternAnimation/CliffordTheBigRedDog''

** ''WesternAnimation/{{Close Enough}}'', also made by J. G. Quintel, uses a similar artstyle

Thin-line animation is a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines, rounder shapes and [[RubberHoseLimbs noodle-like appendages]]. All 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 thicker lines, and thus it only remains when it's 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. It also may be due to the widespread adoption of high-definition (HD) televisions - before HD, small features such as thin lines in an image tended to flicker and/or disappear depending on their angle and motion; HD allowed the freedom for this new, previously unattainable style.

Thin-line animation is actually OlderThanTelevision, since many cartoon shorts during UsefulNotes/TheSilentAgeOfAnimation (particularly those made by Creator/{{Disney}} and Creator/MaxAndDaveFleischer) featured [[InkblotCartoonStyle rounded ball-and-noodle art-styles and thin outlines]]. However, [[JustifiedTrope it was often done out of necessity since the simplistic designs made things easier on the animators at the time]].

It is also known as the "[=CalArts=] Style", a pejorative term originally coined by ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow'' creator Creator/JohnKricfalusi regarding how certain animated films and many animators in TheNineties [[{{Disneyesque}} heavily copied Disney's animation and art style]], which has since morphed into any show from the 2010s and 2020s that one considers "samey-looking", despite similar art styles in animated works [[OlderThanTheyThink being the norm since the creation of animation]].

Thin-line animation is a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines, rounder shapes and [[RubberHoseLimbs noodle-like appendages]]. All 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 thicker lines, and thus it only remains when it's 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. It also may be due to the widespread adoption of high-definition (HD) televisions - before HD, small features such as thin lines in an image tended to flicker and/or disappear depending on their angle and motion; HD allowed the freedom for this new, previously unattainable style.

[[folder:{{Anime}}]]
* ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'' zigzagged this trope, with its combination of rounded designs [[note]]Dedede, Escargoon, the citizens of Cappy Town, and Kirby himself[[/note]] and angular designs.[[note]]The humanoid characters and most of the monsters[[/note]]
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' is one of the few modern animes to use this trope. Its art-style, while ''far'' from simplistic, is noticeably more rounded and cartoony compared to other anime at the time of its initial premiere. [[ArtEvolution It lessened over time]], however, with the art-style becoming more angular and complex.
* The ''Sun & Moon'' era of the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime. Everyone looks much more rounded compared to previous eras, like a quasi ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' with a Pokémon coat of paint. In fact, not only has the palette gone for a much more pastel inspired look, but also did the eponymous Pokémon themselves.
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Thin-line animation is a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines, rounder shapes and [[RubberHoseLimbs noodle-like appendages]]. All while still being distinctively {{western|Animation}}. This style may have emerged for a number of different reasons. Different coloring techniques with digital art may have removed the need for thicker lines, and thus it only remains when it's 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. It also may be due to the widespread adoption of high-definition (HD) televisions - before HD, small features such as thin lines in an image tended to flicker and/or disappear depending on their angle and motion; HD allowed the freedom for this new, previously unattainable style.

Thin-line animation is a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines, rounder shapes and [[RubberHoseLimbs noodle-like appendages]]. All 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 thicker lines, and thus it only remains when it's 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. It also may be due to the widespread adoption of high-definition (HD) televisions - before HD, small features such as thin lines in an image tended to flicker and/or disappear depending on their angle and motion; HD allowed the freedom for this new, previously unattainable style.

It is also known as the "[=CalArts=] Style", a pejorative term originally coined by ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow'' creator Creator/JohnKricfalusi, regarding how certain animated films and many animators in TheNineties [[{{Disneyesque}} heavily copied Disney's animation and art style]] and whichever stylistic trend was popular around that time, resulting in what Kricfalusi considered an inbred, homogenous style. However, the original meaning became completely warped and was eventually lost over time, though most people using the term to describe thin-line animation still unconsciously tend to loosely use it in its former context.

Compare PuniPlush and {{Animesque}}, contrast with ThickLineAnimation. See also ToothStrip, SphereEyes, BlackBeadEyes.

* ''WebAnimation/CartoonMania''

** ''WesternAnimation/{{Close Enough}}''

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

Thin-line animation is a stylistic trend that has emerged in TheNewTens based more around thinner lines, rounder shapes and [[RubberHoseLimbs noodle-like appendages]]. All 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 thicker lines, and thus it only remains when it's 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. It also may be due to the widespread adoption of high-definition (HD) televisions - before HD, small features such as thin lines in an image tended to flicker and/or disappear depending on their angle and motion; HD allowed the freedom for this new, previously unattainable style. It is also known as the "[=CalArts=] Style", a term originally coined by ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow'' creator Creator/JohnKricfalusi, regarding how certain animated films in TheNineties [[{{Disneyesque}} heavily copied Disney's animation and art style]], with the original meaning being completely warped and lost over time.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheThreeFriendsAndJerry''

* Anything from Sally Cruikshank

[[caption-width-right:350:Round eyes, simple designs, and a feeling of motion.[[note]]Top, left, and right: [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Dipper and Mabel Pines]], [[WesternAnimation/RegularShow Mordecai and Rigby]], [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime Finn and Jake]][[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Round eyes, simple designs, and a feeling of motion.[[note]]Top, left, and right: [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Dipper and Mabel]], [[WesternAnimation/RegularShow Mordecai and Rigby]], [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime Finn and Jake]][[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Round eyes, simple designs, and a feeling of motion.[[note]]Top, left, and right: ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'', ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''[[/note]]]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheFungies''

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelousMisadventuresOfFlapjack'': The show's staff, in fact, included Creator/AlexHirsch, Creator/PendletonWard, and others as storyboarders, who would all later do their own shows. While despite the art-style being round, the outlines seem somewhat thicker.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls2016'' uses this style in sharp contrast to the [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls original's]] more angular thick-line art-style. Notably, the Girls in the original series had a NonStandardCharacterDesign that could be considered a prototypical version of this style.