Growing up, I wasn’t a big movie or TV show watcher. But one memory stands out vividly: seeing Disney’s Tangled for the first time in elementary school. Sitting next to my best friend, both of us still in our school uniforms, I was mesmerized as the music swelled and golden lanterns filled the night sky on screen.
For many, animation evokes childhood memories—afternoon TV shows squeezed in between homework, weekend cinema trips with family. As we grew older, it seemed animation took a backseat, at least in Western media. Even when enjoyed, it was often seen as nostalgic. But in recent years, it’s become clear that this isn’t the case. While animation has always been for more than just children, it’s experiencing a surge in popularity and acclaim in mainstream media.
Take a look at Netflix’s upcoming lineup. Animation is front and center, with a fresh adaptation of beloved anime Ranma 1/2 alongside new shows like Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. And who could forget the highly anticipated second season of Arcane, lauded for its breathtaking animation, immersive world-building, and complex characters?
Animated films are also becoming box office giants. Inside Out 2 is the highest-grossing movie of 2024 so far, and The Wild Robot has earned widespread praise. Then there’s Studio Ghibli, whose films have always been cherished. Following The Boy and The Heron’s Best Animated Film Oscar win, the World of Studio Ghibli exhibition is coming to Singapore this week—a testament to the studio’s enduring appeal and the deep connection it has with its audiences.
So what makes animation so special? Perhaps it’s the endless potential, unconstrained by the limitations of reality. Animation isn’t about achieving perfect realism; it’s about immersing viewers in a world built from scratch. Every choice—character design, artistic style—is an opportunity for imagination and creativity.
In Arcane’s first season, a fight scene between two childhood friends, now adversaries, unfolds. As the violence starts, the art shifts to a graffiti-inspired style, jumping between past and present. It juxtaposes their youthful innocence with their fierce adult combat, resulting in one of the most impactful and memorable fight sequences I’ve ever witnessed.
In some ways, I understand why animation is associated with childhood. It’s not because it should be dismissed as a children’s genre, but because of the wonder it holds. Just as children see the world through fresh eyes, animation offers its audiences endless new perspectives. Every animated universe is unique. Even if the scenes are vastly different, the awe I felt watching that stunning moment in Arcane as an adult mirrors the amazement I experienced at 11, seeing the lanterns in Tangled. It’s the same kind of wonder that countless viewers have felt exploring the fantastical worlds of Ghibli’s films.
And somewhere out there, in the future, I’m sure more stories await, told through art unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
