2D Animation | The Taku Newsletter Edition 19

 The world of 2D animation feels like it has reached an interesting point in its life cycle. It is a medium that seems impossible to replace, yet difficult to radically reinvent.

Before 3D animation became dominant, 2D animation was the foundation of the animated world. Classics like The Lion King and other early Disney films shaped generations. As time went on, 2D animation kept evolving visually. The tools improved, workflows became more efficient, and artists pushed the medium further and further.

Eventually, 2D reached a point where it feels as though we have seen most of what it can do. From the intricate visual language of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to traditional frame-by-frame Disney animation, the medium feels mature. Not stagnant, but complete in its vocabulary. It raises an uncomfortable but honest question. Is there still room for a new way of exploring 2D animation?

Audience behavior adds another layer to this conversation. Fewer people seem willing to pay to watch 2D animated films in cinemas compared to large scale 3D productions. When a hand-drawn film competes with something like Avatar Fire and Ash, which promises scale, realism, and immersion, the choice for many viewers becomes obvious. This does not mean 2D animation lacks value. It means expectations around spectacle have changed.

Yet 2D animation is far from disappearing. In many cases, it thrives precisely because of its limitations. It is often used intentionally to evoke emotion, simplicity, or nostalgia. Red Bull is a great example. Their continued use of 2D animation in advertising has become part of their brand identity. If they suddenly abandoned it, the change would feel strange. The medium communicates energy, clarity, and style in a way that aligns perfectly with their message.

Accessibility has also given 2D animation a second life. On platforms like YouTube, storytime animations consistently perform well, ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of views. The tools required to create 2D animation have become easier to learn and more affordable. This lowers the barrier to entry and allows independent creators to experiment freely.

Speaking from experience, I recently created my first short animated film using 2D animation as a way to explore the medium and understand how audiences respond to it. It is by no means a masterpiece, but it confirmed something important for me. 2D animation is still very much alive. It is expressive, flexible, and capable of carrying strong ideas when used with intention.

Feel free to watch my short animated film on YouTube here

From a business perspective, 2D animation is also efficient. It requires fewer resources than many other forms of visual storytelling. A complete five-minute short film can be produced without high-end hardware and on a relatively small budget. With an existing audience, it becomes a medium that can be monetized thoughtfully and sustainably. For me, time will tell how far this goes.

I have loved 2D animation since childhood. Working in it brings out a sense of curiosity and play that reminds me why I started creating in the first place. While my mind is often drawn toward live action and visual effects, 2D animation still holds a meaningful place in my creative world. It is a medium I plan to keep exploring and one I hope continues to evolve alongside new technologies rather than disappear because of them.

That’s all for this month’s edition of The Taku Newsletter. Stay tuned for more as we continue exploring the unseen forces that shape the world of filmmaking.

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It only gets better from here. See you next time.

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Written by Takudzwa Thulani