YouTube boasts a plethora of animation channels, each offering a diverse array of animated delights tailored to every animation aficionado’s palate. Whether you’re into whimsical narratives or side-splitting humor, there’s something for everyone!
As a platform that champions creative freedom, YouTube empowers independent artists to craft their content sans any bureaucratic hurdles. This liberation allows multimedia artists, or animators, to unleash their imaginations and produce captivating animated videos, be it for entertainment or education.
The compilation of the finest animation channels on YouTube isn’t influenced by metrics like total viewership or subscriber count. Instead, it’s a curated selection, presented in no particular order, ensuring you stumble upon hidden gems that resonate with your tastes and preferences. Dive into this list and unearth your next animated obsession!
Exploring the Best Animation Channels
Pencilmation
- Pencilmation, conceived by Ross Bollinger, stands as a captivating animated series where pencil-drawn stick figures and doodles spring to life;
- At its core, the series revolves around the endearing character Pencilmate, a recurring figure across Ross’ creations.
Designed with a lighthearted approach aimed at adults seeking playful entertainment, Pencilmation elevates the basic notion of characters sketched on paper into a realm of whimsy and ingenuity. The simplistic yet charming portrayal of stick figure-like characters adds to its allure, crafting an experience that captivates audiences with its innovative storytelling.
TheOdd1sOut
- This channel continues to draw in viewers due to its exceptional storytelling, characterized by a distinct and engaging sense of humor.
Many of its standout productions center around relatable experiences from school or college life, making it unsurprising that viewers quickly identify with these narratives and become dedicated followers. Furthermore, the incorporation of iconic characters adds an extra layer of appeal, ensuring that fans eagerly anticipate each new release week after week.
ExplosmEntertainment
- ExplosmEntertainment specializes in crafting short animated comic videos, typically spanning up to 3 minutes in duration;
- Among its repertoire, “Cyanide & Happiness” stands out as a beloved favorite among enthusiasts of webcomics.
The channel is renowned for its ability to produce uproarious content, often characterized by its hysterical, occasionally offbeat, and sometimes dark humor—all crafted with the sole intention of eliciting laughter. Utilizing stick-figure animation, predominantly generated with Adobe Animate, ExplosmEntertainment consistently delivers visually comedic experiences that resonate with audiences.
Domics
- Domics, helmed by a young Canadian known simply as Domics, is more than just a typical “draw my life” channel—it’s an insightful glimpse into the creator’s world.
Through his animations, Domics shares various facets of his life, spanning both past and present experiences. Despite the simplicity of the animation style and voice work, the synergy between the two adds a remarkable punch to his humor. This effective blend of elements is a recurring theme across many channels, with Domics standing out as one of the finest examples of this storytelling strategy.
Simon’s Cat
- “Simon’s Cat” is a delightful animated series that revolves around a large, fluffy white cat and his human, Simon, as they navigate through a series of misadventures and comedic scenarios;
- This channel has garnered a substantial following on YouTube, captivating audiences with its humorous take on the trials and joys of cat ownership, told through engaging stories filled with mischief.
The charm of the series lies not only in its storytelling but also in its unique approach to animation. Without the use of narration, the series heavily relies on visual storytelling and sound effects to bring its animated humor and slapstick comedy to life, offering viewers a pure, unadulterated form of entertainment.
Moreover, the show stands out for its minimalist design aesthetic, featuring characters that are simply yet expressively drawn against a stark white backdrop, making it a standout example of how less can indeed be more in the world of animated entertainment.
Egoraptor
- Arin Hanson, widely recognized by his online moniker Egoraptor, is the creative force behind a highly engaging YouTube channel that specializes in animated music, parodies, and comedy sketches;
- His work is celebrated for its unique blend of humor and distinctive animation style, making it a favorite among enthusiasts of YouTube’s animation community.
The channel boasts an impressive array of original content, including beloved series like the Awesome Series, Lemon ‘n Bill, Girlchan in Paradise!!, and Sequilitis, to name a few. Each series showcases Hanson’s talent for blending sharp wit with animated storytelling, capturing the hearts of viewers with their originality and humor.
Another draw for his audience is the inclusion of captivating animated music videos that feature catchy tunes paired with humorous lyrics, offering a refreshing twist on the traditional music video format.
How It Should Have Ended
- “How It Should Have Ended” (HISHE) offers a creative twist on the world of film by presenting alternative endings and plot points for well-known movies, reimagined in humorous and often insightful ways;
- This channel has carved out its niche by providing fans with a playful critique of movie endings, inviting viewers to imagine “what if” scenarios that diverge from the originals.
Additionally, HISHE is renowned for its “Super Cafe” mini-series, where iconic superheroes like Batman and Superman engage in casual banter over coffee, discussing everything from movie trailers to upcoming cinematic releases. This series has struck a chord with fans of superhero and science fiction movies, offering a humorous take on the genre that appeals to a wide audience.
sWooZie
- sWooZie stands out in the digital content realm by focusing on the power of storytelling, often choosing to illustrate his narratives with simple drawings or stick figures.
This approach results in a unique form of content that’s hard to find elsewhere on the internet. The channel is known for its eclectic mix, ranging from animated anecdotes to personal confessionals and even gameplay videos. With regular updates, sWooZie’s channel is a must-follow for those who appreciate storytelling with a personal touch.
CrashCourse
- CrashCourse revolutionizes the educational content landscape on YouTube by offering an extensive array of subjects, from Astronomy to US History, in an engaging and rapid format.
Boasting over 10 million views globally, CrashCourse transcends the traditional textbook model, making learning accessible and enjoyable both inside and outside the classroom. It’s not just an invaluable tool for students and educators but also attracts a vast number of self-motivated learners eager to explore a wide range of topics online.
Jaiden Information
- Jaiden Information emerges as a beacon of originality in the crowded space of YouTube, dedicated to producing animated content that narrates the channel’s own story.
Amidst the plethora of personality-led vlogs and gaming-centric “Let’s Play” videos, Jaiden Information distinguishes itself by crafting original animated stories that captivate and engage viewers, offering a refreshing alternative for those in search of genuine, story-driven content.
TED Ed
- TED-Ed, the educational arm of the renowned TED conference held each spring in Vancouver, offers a treasure trove of enlightening videos through its YouTube channel.
This initiative brings together educators and talented animators to produce a growing collection of educational animations. Aimed at both teachers and high school students, TED-Ed’s mission is to foster learning through engaging, animated lessons that cover a wide range of subjects, making complex ideas accessible and interesting.
Little Baby Bum
- Little Baby Bum stands out in the realm of children’s YouTube content with its vibrant 3D animations rendered in high definition. The channel specializes in a variety of content tailored for young viewers, including soothing baby lullabies, classic nursery rhymes, and engaging interactive videos.
What sets Little Baby Bum apart from other children’s channels is its focus on producing unusually lengthy videos, often around 30 minutes each. This format is especially convenient for parents, as it reduces the need to constantly restart videos, providing a continuous and enjoyable viewing experience for children.
Andrei Terbea
- Andrei Terbea leads a channel known for its sharp 2D animated commentary and mini-series that delve into current events and various aspects of the YouTube community.
Terbea’s content spans a broad spectrum of topics related to YouTube and its creators, offering insights that help viewers navigate and understand the platform’s dynamics. His unique approach to commentary often involves exploring alternative perspectives, sometimes playing devil’s advocate or highlighting the positive aspects of seemingly negative situations, thereby offering a fresh and thoughtful take on trending topics.
My Story Animated
- Animated storytelling platforms like My Story Animated and Cartoon Hangover captivate audiences worldwide with their engaging narratives and vibrant animations.
My Story Animated brings to life a diverse array of compelling tales aimed at young adults. From tales of teenage trials and triumphs to unexpected twists in everyday life, the channel delves into themes of school, family dynamics, relationships, and more. What sets it apart is its unique approach: each story is narrated by the individual who experienced it, adding an authentic touch to the animated renditions.
Cartoon Hangover
- Cartoon Hangover, a digital animation channel brought to life by Frederator Studios, stands as a powerhouse in the realm of online entertainment;
- Boasting an impressive lineup of spin-off shows such as The Fairly OddParents, Adventure Time, Bee and PuppyCat, and Bravest Warriors, among others, it has solidified its reputation as a breeding ground for innovative storytelling and captivating animation.
Distinguished by its eclectic mix of unusual, creative, and occasionally offbeat cartoon content, Cartoon Hangover offers viewers a feast for the imagination. Each video delivers television-quality animation replete with charming characters and engaging narratives, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that rivals traditional TV fare.
Among its standout offerings, the mini-series SuperF*ckers and Too Cool! serve as flagship attractions, drawing audiences in with their irreverent humor and unconventional storytelling. These fan-favorite shows serve as a testament to Cartoon Hangover’s ability to captivate audiences with its distinctive brand of animated entertainment, keeping viewers eagerly returning for more whimsical adventures.
Conclusion
The animation channels highlighted above represent our top picks for the best in animated content on YouTube. Exploring these channels can offer valuable insights into the diverse landscape of animation on the platform. Whether you’re an aspiring animator or simply interested in expanding your knowledge of the animation world, these channels serve as excellent resources.
By immersing yourself in the content produced by these channels, you can gain inspiration and ideas for creating captivating animated videos of your own. From storytelling techniques to animation styles, observing the work of established creators can provide valuable lessons and spark creativity. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills as an animator or simply enjoy exploring the rich variety of animated content available online, these channels offer a wealth of entertainment and inspiration. Dive in and discover the limitless possibilities of animation on YouTube.
