Spiritual Successors/Legacy Carriers of Disney Animation

Let's face it, no matter what Disney makes, there always seems to be pervading ideals which continue to come up to give their animation a unique identity.

Nevertheless, the company/studio many people admire often seems like a shell of its former self(naturally we can debate this point though).

So what works would you consider the spiritual successors/licensees of Disney Animation(however you interpret it)? For example, Don Bluth was once considered a torch carrier for Disney Animation.

What works have been influenced or have carried on an aesthetic or an ideal that you feel is reminiscent of Disney?

Pixar definitely found that legacy when, ironically, Disney lost it: they focused on original material with all their heart, creating wonders. Even more ironic is that it was after being outright bought by Disney that they have started slipping.

edited 12th Apr '13 4:59:47 AM by Sijo

...Some of their greatest films were created after the buy out. They didn't slip due to the buy out, they most likely slipped after the death of Steve Jobs, and they really aren't slipping that much.

Take into consideration that most of those were probably in development before the buyout.

Despite the occasional slip-up, Dreamworks has been stepping up their game in the last few years, mostly with the Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon franchises.

edited 12th Apr '13 1:51:08 PM by Mort08

Wow, I've only just begun to notice how DreamWorks is able to release two or three animated films per year.

Also Despicable Me.

I believe we are the successors.

And then he said: "The fans shall become the creators".

edited 14th Apr '13 9:05:47 PM by KlarkKentThe3rd

Sorry, not a big fan of Illumination Animation. The Lorax basically killed it for me.

I'm pretty fond of Laika, though it may be too early to tell as they've only two feature films under their belts. Coraline was fantastic and from all accounts I have heard, Para Norman was pretty good.