2D Animation

2D animation has been a beloved art form for decades, and today it’s more popular than ever thanks to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Shorts. Creators use 2D animation to tell stories, explain ideas, make people laugh, and build entire online brands—all through simple, flat, expressive visuals. Whether it’s storytime content, meme animations, gaming clips, or educational explainers, 2D animation remains one of the most flexible and accessible styles on the internet.

Its timeless look and emotional expressiveness make it a favourite for both creators and viewers.

What Is 2D Animation?

2D animation is a style of animation created on a flat, two-dimensional plane. Characters, objects, and scenes are drawn or generated in 2D, giving the animation a clean, simple, and stylised look.

Unlike 3D animation, which focuses on depth and realism, 2D animation is more about:

• expressive characters
• smooth motion
• stylised visuals
• simple shapes and thoughtful design

It can be clean and modern, hand-drawn and sketchy, or bold and cartoonish. That flexibility is why so many creators choose it.

Why 2D Animation Is So Popular Today

Creators love 2D animation because it’s easy to recognise, visually appealing, and incredibly versatile. Today’s audiences are used to fast-paced visuals, and 2D animation delivers colour, personality, and storytelling in a way that’s easy to digest.

It’s popular because:

• It works well for both short and long form
• It can express emotion quickly
• It has a nostalgic charm viewers enjoy
• It’s perfect for comedy, storytelling, and education
• It’s easier to produce than high-end 3D animation
• It’s ideal for beginners and pros alike

Whether used for humor, drama, or teaching, 2D animation makes content feel lively and engaging.

Where Creators Use 2D Animation

2D animation thrives on all major video platforms and genres. You’ll find it in:

• YouTube storytime channels
• TikTok comedic skits and meme animations
• YouTube Shorts with fast punchlines
• Gaming channels recreating moments in animated form
• Educational explainers and animated tutorials
• Lifestyle storytelling
• Parodies and character-driven comedy

If the goal is to entertain or explain, 2D animation is one of the easiest tools for the job.

The Look, Feel, and Pacing of 2D Animation

2D animation is known for its clean, accessible visuals. Characters and environments usually feature bold outlines, expressive faces, and smooth—sometimes exaggerated—movements.

The pacing varies depending on the creator’s style. Some videos move quickly, jumping between scenes for comedic timing, while others take a calmer, more narrative approach. The simplicity of 2D makes it perfect for both.

Traditional Tools Used to Create 2D Animation

Traditionally, animators used tools such as:

• Adobe Animate
• Toon Boom Harmony
• Procreate
• Krita
• After Effects
• Clip Studio Paint
• Blender (for hybrid 2D effects)

While these tools are powerful, they require artistic skill, time, and patience. Many new creators struggle to produce animations consistently using traditional methods.

That’s why AI animation has become such a game-changer.

Why AI Is Now the Fastest Way to Create 2D Animation

AI animation allows creators to produce the same style of clean, expressive visuals without needing to draw or animate frame-by-frame.

AI speeds up content creation by:

• turning scripts into finished animations
• automatically animating characters
• eliminating the need for rigging or manual keyframing
• allowing rapid video production for TikTok and Shorts
• giving creators access to multiple animation styles instantly

For anyone trying to grow a channel or post frequently, AI makes 2D animation accessible and scalable.

How Animly Helps You Create 2D Animation with No Experience

Animly is the easiest way to make 2D animated videos without needing to draw or learn complex software. It’s designed specifically for creators who want to make high-quality animation quickly and consistently.

With Animly, you can:

• Choose from hundreds of 2D animation styles inspired by popular creators
• Upload your own characters and have them animated instantly
• Generate short or long-form videos (up to 10 minutes)
• Turn scripts into 2D animated scenes automatically
• Create content for YouTube, TikTok, and Shorts with ease
• Build a full animation channel without needing to animate manually

Animly handles the animation—including transitions, timing, and character motion—so creators can focus on storytelling.

Creators Who Use Similar 2D Animation Styles

Some of the internet’s biggest animators helped popularise modern 2D content:

• TheOdd1sOut
• Jaiden Animations
• CircleToonsHD
• Domics
• Mashed

Animly gives everyday creators the ability to produce content inspired by these styles—fast, clean, and without the workload of traditional animation.

2D Animation Video Ideas You Can Create Today

Here are some simple, high-impact ideas:

• A funny animated story from your life
• A 2D parody of a popular trend or movie
• Animated gaming moments or reactions
• Educational “explain this in 60 seconds” clips
• Character-driven comedy sketches
• Animated motivational stories
• Meme-style 2D videos

2D animation works for almost any idea you want to bring to life.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Start Creating 2D Animation

2D animation remains one of the most flexible, visually appealing, and creator-friendly styles online. It lets you tell stories, explain ideas, or entertain viewers with simple, expressive visuals—and with AI tools like Animly, you can produce high-quality animations in minutes instead of weeks.

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own animated content, now is the perfect time to start. 2D animation is accessible, loved by audiences, and easier to make than ever before.

Want to create 2D Animation instantly? Explore hundreds of creator-inspired animation styles on Animly and generate your own AI animated videos—up to 10 minutes long. View the full Style Library here.