How do you feel about the animation changes on Star Vs?
I like animation in season 2, a lot. Mercury Filmworks episodes’ had more details in the animation, and got a little bit crazier with the faces, but I like the way the characters are drawn in season 2 more, especially in Rough Draft Korea episodes.
This was the short answer. But you know that I always have to talk a fucking lot, so I’ll take this opportunity to make a short post about SVTFOE animation:
The show, so far, has been animate by four different studios:
- Mercury Filmwork, episode 1 to 5 season 1, animating completely digitally (in Toon Boom), using “puppets”.
- Toon City, episodes 6 to 13. Digital animation, but drawn frame by frame, without using puppets (except, maybe, for Lobster Claws, Fortune Cookies and Royal Pain. They look tweened)
- Rough Draft Korea, Blood Moon Ball (just some scenes), My New Wand, Ludo In The Wild, Mr. Candle Cares, Red Belt, Star on Wheels, Starstruck, Camping Trip, By the Book, Game of Flags, Girls Day Out, Friendenemies, Hungry Larry, Spider With a Top Hat.Traditional animation on paper (then colored and edited digitally). This is my favorite style so far. The animation is not as detailed as Mercury Filmworks, but the characters are drawn in an adorable way, maybe closer to the original designs for the show compared to any other studio.
- Sugarcube, Fetch, Star Vs Echo Creek, Wand to Wand, Starsitting, On The Job, Goblin Dogs, Sleepover, Gift of the Card. Digital animation with “puppets”. Since it’s completely digital, just like Mercury, the models are extremely consistent from scene to scene. Outlines are a bit thinner, movements are very smooth with few smear frames. The characters usually have smaller and less round eyes, and look a younger compared to Sugarcube.
I’ve always personally been a big fan of Mercury Filmworks’ design for the show. How bouncy and expressive the animation was and the colors and lighting seemed more vibrant and dynamic. Toon City looked fine to me too but it didn’t quite feel the same. After that it varies but the colors and movement rarely feel as exciting as it once did. Still love the show though.
