The landscape of feature-length animation has undergone a seismic transformation, with the dominance of computer-generated (CG) animation redefining visual storytelling. Films like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse have set new benchmarks for creativity and technology in modern animation. However, this relentless focus on CG has come at a cost, the near extinction of traditional hand-drawn 2D animation in mainstream Western cinema.

While Japan continues to uphold the art form through globally acclaimed hits like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, and occasional Western gems such as Klaus prove its enduring potential, 2D animation remains largely overlooked by major studios.

Kevin Lima, the acclaimed director behind Disney classics including A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, and Enchanted, recently addressed this shift in an interview ahead of his panel marking A Goofy Movie’s 30th anniversary at the Lightbox Expo. Lima expressed deep disappointment over the industry’s near-total abandonment of hand-drawn animation, lamenting that the evolution of CG technology has displaced rather than complemented the traditional art form.

He noted, “When sound came in, we didn’t stop making silent films overnight. When color came in, we didn’t abandon black-and-white storytelling immediately. But when CG arrived, studios dropped 2D like it was obsolete and that’s heartbreaking.” Lima emphasized that 2D animation is not just a medium but a language of expression capable of emotional nuance and artistic depth that technology alone cannot replicate.

The director, who started his career as an animator at Disney, further highlighted that the shift has led to a loss of mentorship and artistry within the animation community. He urged studios to revisit the balance between innovation and tradition, suggesting that audiences still crave the warmth, imperfection, and soul found in hand-drawn storytelling.

With the resurgence of nostalgic appreciation and renewed interest in traditional techniques among younger animators, Lima remains hopeful that 2D animation could experience a renaissance if studios choose to invest in it again.

“Technology should serve art, not erase it,” Lima concluded.