Mar 14 • 06:00 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

Why the animation style of 'K-Pop Warriors' seems buggy — and your brain loves it

The animation style of the Oscar-nominated film 'K-Pop Warriors' features less fluid movements that resemble stop-motion, a choice that affects how viewers perceive motion.

The aesthetic of the animated hit 'K-Pop Warriors', which has been nominated for both Best Animation and Best Original Song at the Oscars, stands out for its less fluid, almost jerky movements that evoke a stop-motion feel. This unconventional choice is not a mistake but rather an artistic decision that employs the technique known as "animating on twos," which involves repeating frames and creating rhythmic disruptions. Such an approach alters the way the brain processes movement, leading to a unique visual experience that has captured attention.

In an interview, Marcelo Zanin, a 3D character animator with over 15 years of experience, elaborates on this technique, explaining that animating on twos isn't new; however, its incorporation into 3D animation has created something distinct. Zanin was a part of the team at Sony Pictures Animation that worked on the pivotal film 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse', which set a precedent in the animation style. The same production team at Sony is behind the creation of the animation in 'K-Pop Warriors' for Netflix, highlighting an evolution in visual storytelling through innovative techniques.

This discussion not only provides insight into the artistic choices made in 'K-Pop Warriors' but also reflects on broader trends in animation today where traditional methods are being fused with modern technology to evoke fresh visual experiences. Such explorations in style not only engage audiences but also challenge their perceptions of motion in animated narratives, leading to the ongoing evolution of animated works in contemporary cinema.

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