Cartoon animation is the animated, playful drawing style you know from comics and cartoons, applied to short videos for brands, education, and entertainment. Instead of actors, you work with drawn characters, clear shapes, and expressive movement. This allows you to explain complex information simply, make a story likeable, and quickly grab attention on social media, landing pages, and during presentations. Whether you choose 2D or 3D with a cartoon look, the style remains recognizable: exaggeration, humor, and clear visual metaphors. Ready to get started? Delve into the 12 basic principles of animation.
Originally, “cartoon” meant a satirical drawing or caricature in newspapers and magazines. Nowadays, by cartoon, we mean animation: a drawn or drawn-looking animation video with simplified forms, character-driven storytelling, and often humor. The style can be hand-drawn, vector-based, or 3D tone-shaded, but the goal is the same: to quickly convey meaning through strong visualization. In everyday language, cartoon animation is often equated with cartoon or animation video. The distinction lies less in the technique and more in the visual style and tone of voice: lighthearted, accessible, and immediately understandable. Want to better understand the basics of 2D? Read: What is 2D animation?
Make complex information clear, understandable, and convincing
You can find a complete overview of the possibilities here: What animation techniques are available?
Would you like to see examples of styles and applications? View our animation portfolio.
Cartoon animation is a style. Anime is a subgenre originating in Japan. Animation is the overarching technique. The comparison below will help you choose. Undecided between 2D and 3D? Read the difference between 2D and 3D animation.
| Aspect | Cartoon | Anime | Animation (general) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin/style | Western, simplified forms and exaggeration | Japanese aesthetics, detail and dramatic framing | Technique to make a still image move |
| Tone and goal | Lighthearted, humorous, and quick explanations | Broad tone: from lighthearted to very serious | Neutral - suitable for any style or tone |
| Technology | Usually 2D, sometimes 3D tone-shaded | Primarily 2D with characteristic timing | 2D, 3D, stop motion, motion graphics |
Is your question not listed? Feel free to ask.
Ask your questionTraditionally: political cartoons, caricatures, and newspaper comics. In video: animations with a playful, simplified style and clear expression. Think of explainer animations, social shorts, educational clips, and brand mascots in motion.
Anime refers to Japanese animation with a specific aesthetic and narrative pace. Cartoon is a Western, simplified style with an emphasis on exaggeration and humor. Both are forms of animation, but with different cultural and visual conventions.
Historically: a political cartoon or caricature. In modern video marketing: an animation in a drawn, accessible style that conveys information quickly and likeably.
Including gag and comic cartoons, editorial cartoons, 2D character animation, whiteboard animation, motion graphics with a cartoon look, and 3D toon-shaded cartoons. You choose based on goal, target audience, and channel.
Looking to have a cartoon animation made? At Animation Agency , we develop custom 2D and 3D animations with a recognizable cartoon look, from strategy and script to storyboard, illustration, animation, and audio. We collaborate on style, channels, and impact to ensure your message comes across clearly and memorably. Specifically looking to have a 2D animation made? We are happy to help.
Looking to have a cartoon animation made? At Animation Agency , we develop custom 2D and 3D animations with a recognizable cartoon look, from strategy and script to storyboard, illustration, animation, and audio. We collaborate on style, channels, and impact to ensure your message comes across clearly and memorably. Specifically looking to have a 2D animation made? We are happy to help.
Whether it concerns an ambition, product, process, technology, or idea: we make visible what makes it special and translate it into imagery that is clear, convincing, and impossible to ignore.
