As technology has allowed films to be more easily distributed worldwide, international animated films have found an audience in every corner of the globe. Streaming platforms, film festivals, and global box-office hits have contributed to the increasing popularity of international animation.
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The Chinese animation market has also seen rapid growth, with films like “Big Fish & Begonia” (2016) and “The King’s Avatar” (2019) gaining popularity both in China and internationally. These films, based on Chinese mythology and folklore, showcase a distinct artistic style that is rich in cultural heritage.
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Latin American animation is beginning to make waves globally as well, with films like “The Book of Life” (2014) and “Coco” (2017) exploring themes inspired by Mexican culture, traditions, and folklore. “Coco” in particular, produced by Pixar, was celebrated for its depiction of Mexican traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead and its heartfelt representation of family and legacy.
The rise of international animation is not only expanding the creative scope of multfilmy but also creating an animated film culture that is rich in diversity and global in reach. This dynamic cross-pollination of ideas and techniques has led to a more vibrant, inclusive, and boundary-pushing animation industry.
2.10 Expanding Beyond Film: Animation in Video Games, VR, and the Metaverse
The expansion of animation is no longer confined solely to traditional film and television. The rise of interactive media, particularly video games, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), has led to the integration of animated elements in immersive, player-driven worlds.
2.10.1 Video Games and Animation
Video games, once considered a form of entertainment separate from traditional animation, have now become a significant extension of animated storytelling. Many of today’s most popular video games feature highly sophisticated animated sequences and cutscenes that rival traditional animated films in terms of visual effects, character design, and emotional depth.
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The Last of Us (2013), a critically acclaimed video game by Naughty Dog, is an example of how video games have evolved to incorporate advanced animation and cinematic storytelling. Its motion-captured characters, realistic facial expressions, and emotional performances have set a new standard for narrative-driven games.
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In addition, games like “Final Fantasy” and “The Legend of Zelda” feature incredibly detailed animated worlds and characters, blending hand-drawn animation with CGI to create immersive, fantastical environments. These types of games often push the boundaries of what animation can achieve in real-time, rendering vivid worlds that players can explore and influence.
2.10.2 Virtual Reality (VR) and Animation
The advent of virtual reality has opened entirely new possibilities for animation. In VR, players or viewers can step into animated worlds, multfilmy interacting with environments, characters, and stories in ways that were previously impossible.
