The purpose of art is to immerse its audience—to draw them into a story, captivate their minds, and leave a lasting impression. To achieve this, artists use a variety of mediums and distinctive styles. Some prefer sculpting or painting, while others gravitate toward theatre or cinema. However, one medium whose full potential remains underappreciated is animation.

Since the release of the first animated film in 1908, animation has long been dismissed as a medium for children. As a result, it has been trivialized and overlooked, both by the public and the film industry—even at prestigious events like the Oscars. Only three animated films have ever been nominated for the Best Picture category: Beauty and the Beast (1991), Up (2009), and Toy Story 3 (2010). It wasn’t until 2001 that the Best Animated Feature award was introduced, despite animation having existed for nearly a century by then. Over the years, hosts have regularly made jokes at the expense of animated films, reinforcing the stereotype that live-action works hold more artistic value. This lack of recognition has led to countless creative and groundbreaking animated works being undervalued or ignored.

Fortunately, recent years have brought some change. Arcane, an animated television series produced by Fortiche and Riot Games—based on the video game League of Legends—has captivated audiences worldwide. With its second season released between November 9 and 23, Arcane received widespread critical acclaim for its writing, worldbuilding, soundtrack, emotional depth, and character development. Above all, its animation quality set a new standard for the industry. The show earned accolades such as Best Streaming Animated Series from the Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards and Outstanding Animated Program at the Emmy Awards. It also boasts a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 9.3 IMDb rating, cementing its place as a masterpiece.

Arcane demonstrated the immense effort required to create high-quality animation—where every frame is a work of art. The animators at Fortiche, a French animation studio, leveraged animation’s unique advantages to enhance worldbuilding and storytelling. They organically aged characters, crafted nuanced micro-expressions, and infused personality into every movement—from the way characters walked and fought to the way they interacted with their environments. The use of mixed-media animation breathed life into visual effects like smoke, water, fire, and dust, showcasing how animation can serve as a boundless creative canvas.

Other critically acclaimed adult animated series and films—such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Invincible, Rick and Morty, and Bojack Horseman—further challenge the outdated notion that animation is solely for children. This misconception is not only narrow-minded but also harmful to the artists who dedicate years of their lives to their craft. The stigma surrounding animation contributes to job instability in an industry that often prioritizes mainstream tastes over creative expression.

In a time when media serves as a mirror to society, dismissing an entire medium limits one’s perspective and could prevent the discovery of something truly impactful. As people become more emotionally isolated in an ever-changing world, storytelling that reflects human experiences becomes even more valuable. Animation, with its limitless potential for artistic and narrative exploration, is no less deserving of respect than any other form of storytelling.