13 Iconic 2D Animation Examples to Spark Your Creativity!
Shreshtra - January 22, 2025 - Leave your thoughts. 10 min read
Have you ever watched a 2D animation and thought, How did they make that so cool?
The catchy characters, the exaggerated facial expressions, and the creative storytelling - 2D animation has this unique ability to tug at our heartstrings and bring back that nostalgic feeling!
But WHAT is 2D animation?
2D animation is simply the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space.
Unlike 3D animation, which focuses on depth and realistic perspectives, 2D animation emphasizes shapes, lines, and vibrant visuals to tell compelling stories or convey ideas.
From traditional hand-drawn methods to digital techniques, the process has evolved significantly over the years.
Today, many creators rely on the best 2D animation software to create engaging animations. These tools not only simplify the animation process but also offer endless creative possibilities for professionals and beginners alike.
With intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and advanced features for fine-tuning every frame, these tools make animation both accessible and fun.
Eager to see 2D animation at its finest?
Let’s dive into some of the best 2D animation examples and explore why it remains so impactful!
- Kurzgesagt - Coronavirus Explained
- TedEd - How do cigarettes affect the body
- Billie Eilish - My Future
- Hungry Hearts Diner Game
- Interactive Animated Course
- Grammarly - Send with Confidence
- Lyft - Life is Better When You Share the Ride
- Mr Bean - Pizza Bean
- Andrea Terbea - How KSI saved Logan Paul’s career
- Workplace bullying
- GMP Guidelines
- Tango - Built for Teams
- Swiggy Commercial
Best 2D Animation Examples
1. Kurzgesagt - Coronavirus Explained
If you’ve ever stumbled upon Kurzgesagt’s content, you’ll know they have mastered the art of using 2D animation to simplify complex topics.
This particular video uses vibrant, clean animations to break down the science behind the virus, its transmission, and its effect on the human body.
What makes this animation great is its ability to simplify the science behind the virus without losing accuracy. The color scheme is bright yet calming, helping to present a serious subject matter in a way that doesn’t feel overly intimidating.
The narration works perfectly, with its clever wordplay and light sarcasm, to keep viewers engaged.
This video is a perfect example of how 2D animation, combined with humorful narration, can transform a potentially overwhelming subject into something engaging, informative, and surprisingly enjoyable.
2. TedEd - How do cigarettes affect the body
Ever wondered what happens inside your body with every puff of a cigarette? TedEd shares a 2D animated video that visually unravels the complex and alarming effects of smoking.
The animation adopts a doodle-like aesthetic, resembling hand-drawn sketches and illustrations. This style makes the video feel approachable and less intimidating for a wide audience.
With its smooth pacing and seamless transitions, the video effectively breaks down complex medical information, making it easy to follow and understand.
The video doesn’t just inform, but it captivates. It engages viewers in a way that encourages them to pause and reconsider the real impact of this habit on their health.
3. Billie Eilish - My Future
Billie Eilish’s "My Future" music video is a remarkable example of 2D animation that beautifully complements the song’s introspective tone.
This animated music video takes on the anime aesthetic, blending soft backgrounds with a calming, ethereal color palette.
The animated Billie evolves throughout the video, symbolizing personal growth and transformation. Initially depicted in a rain-soaked forest, the character transitions to a brighter, more vibrant environment, paralleling the journey from uncertainty to self-assurance.
With 2D animation, the video demonstrates how thoughtful visuals can add layers of meaning, creating a more impactful experience.
4. Hungry Hearts Diner Game
Hungry Hearts Diner is a heartwarming mobile game that showcases one of the best 2D animation examples, creating an engaging and nostalgic atmosphere.
Set in a cozy, traditional Japanese diner, the game’s visuals are crafted in a hand-drawn style, evoking a sense of warmth and simplicity.
The 2D animation shines in its subtlety - each character’s movements, whether stirring a pot or enjoying a meal, feel natural and thoughtful.
This art style not only supports the narrative but also connects emotionally with players, making Hungry Hearts Diner a great example of how 2D animation can build meaningful, relatable stories.
5. Sales Quest - Interactive Animated Course
Apart from 2D animation in videos and games, it is also widely used to create interactive employee training courses.
The course below is one such example - an interactive module designed to enhance employee engagement and learning outcomes.
Companies often use animated training modules for a variety of purposes, such as employee onboarding, sales training, compliance education, and skill development.
Fortune 500 companies have quietly used this game-changing approach to create learning experiences that inspire, engage, and deliver results.
By incorporating storytelling and interactive elements, these modules make learning engaging and impactful.
One of the standout features of animated courses is their ability to use characters and situations that mirror real-world challenges employees might face.
This not only helps learners better understand the consequences of their decisions but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
6. Grammarly - Send with Confidence
This video by Grammarly uses 2D animation to showcase how their tool can enhance digital communication effectively.
The video highlights Grammarly’s ability to help users craft polished and professional messages, whether for work, school, or personal use.
The 2D animation style is clean, vibrant, and modern, making the video highly engaging and easy to follow.
The video highlights Grammarly’s ability to help users craft polished and professional messages, whether for work, school, or personal use.
Relatable and diverse animated characters represent everyday people tackling common communication challenges, making the message universally appealing.
7. Lyft - Life is Better When You Share the Ride
Imagine a world where every ride comes with a story. Lyft’s campaign beautifully captures this idea, using heartfelt 2D animation to highlight the simple yet profound connections that happen during shared rides.
The animation showcases a series of everyday moments like strangers becoming friends, laughter filling the car, and diverse lives intersecting on the journey.
The characters are relatable, the visuals are vibrant, and the video feels like a warm hug, reminding us that life’s little joys are often found in shared experiences.
What sets this animation apart is its emotional depth.
Through subtle expressions and thoughtful interactions, it conveys the magic of human connection without needing words.
This animation is one of the best 2D animation examples, showcasing how storytelling can evoke emotion and inspire action in just a few minutes.
8. Mr Bean - Pizza Bean
Cartoons are a classic example of 2D animation, and Mr. Bean is one of the most beloved cartoons, famous for its unforgettable animation.
Its animation style enhances the iconic quirks of Mr. Bean’s character, using exaggerated expressions and comical movements to amplify the humor.
The bright, lively visuals perfectly complement the lighthearted storyline, making every scene engaging and fun to watch.
What’s truly remarkable is how the episode relies almost entirely on visual storytelling, with little-to-no dialogue.
This reliance on physical comedy and expressive animation proves that sometimes the best comedy is told through clever visuals and impeccable timing.
9. Andrea Terbea - How KSI saved Logan Paul’s career
Andrea Terbea, an animated YouTube channel, is known for its distinctive animation style that delivers witty commentary on pop culture topics.
This video uses engaging 2D animation to break down the dramatic moments, capturing the tension and emotions of the story.
What sets this video apart is the creative use of visual metaphors. The rivalry between KSI and Logan Paul is cleverly represented through animated boxing rings and face-offs, adding a layer to the narrative.
These metaphors deepen the viewer’s understanding of the tension and conflict, making the story even more engaging.
Additionally, Andrea Terbea’s witty and slightly sarcastic tone brings personality to the story, making it both entertaining and informative.
10. Workplace bullying
Workplace bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on both the victims and the work environment as a whole.
In recent years, awareness of workplace bullying has grown, and many organizations are implementing policies to address and prevent it.
2D animation can be a powerful tool in addressing and raising awareness about it.
This short animated video shows the different forms of bullying and their impact in an engaging way.
Using relatable characters and real-life scenarios in animated videos can help employees identify bullying, understand the importance of stepping in, and learn how to report harassment.
11. GMP Guidelines
This video by SafetyCulture brilliantly breaks down the GMP guidelines into easy-to-understand 2D animations, making a complex topic more accessible to a broad audience.
The animation style is clean and simple, with visuals that highlight the most important elements without overwhelming the viewer with unnecessary details. This approach ensures the focus remains on the key GMP principles.
The voiceover is clear and to the point, complementing the animation by explaining each concept with precision, making the information not only easy to understand but also engaging.
By combining visuals that illustrate manufacturing steps with short narration, the video creates an enjoyable learning experience.
Whether it's showing safety protocols or best practices, the animation keeps the viewer’s attention while making complex guidelines more approachable and memorable.
12. Tango - Built for Teams
Tango, here, uses 2D animation to demonstrate how its platform simplifies team collaboration and processes.
The animation style is sleek and modern, using dynamic visuals to highlight key features of the platform, such as workflow automation and team management tools.
The vibrant color gives it a user-friendly vibe, making the platform appear approachable even to those unfamiliar with similar software.
The professional voiceover narration complements the visuals, ensuring that viewers can easily understand the benefits of using their platform.
By simplifying complex software features, animation turns technical concepts into easy-to-understand visuals that make learning the platform more accessible for everyone.
13. Swiggy Commercial
This advertisement for Swiggy’s app effectively makes use of 2D animation to guide users through the simplicity and convenience of their service.
The commercial's simple yet vibrant 2D animation, combined with the subtle use of Swiggy’s signature colors, highlights the ease of placing an order and receiving food within minutes.
The clear voiceover complements the visuals perfectly, ensuring that the viewer understands each step of the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Despite the short duration, the commercial effectively communicates Swiggy’s service, proving that with the right animation and narration, even short content can leave a lasting impression.
***
These are some of the best 2D animation examples on our list! Which one stands out to you the most?
2D animation has proven to be an incredibly effective medium for storytelling, marketing, education, training, gaming, and much more.
Its versatility allows it to create engaging, dynamic content that resonates with audiences across different age groups and industries.
By incorporating dynamic visuals, vibrant colors, and relatable characters, these 2D animation examples captivate audiences and enhance their learning or viewing experience.
What's even more exciting is that creating 2D animations today is easier than ever before!
Thanks to modern technology and online tools, anyone with an idea can now bring it to life without needing advanced animation skills.
Animaker’s 2D Animation Software is one such powerful tool designed to help you create stunning 2D animations without needing any prior animation experience.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced animator, Animaker’s intuitive interface and vast library of 150M+ assets allow you to craft high-quality animations effortlessly.
From animating pre-made characters to building custom ones from scratch, Animaker offers endless possibilities for creativity.
Plus, with its innovative AI-powered features, like voice-over generation with over 2000 voices in 200+ languages and instant subtitle generation in 130+ languages, you can create professional-quality animations quickly and accurately.
These AI features auto-sync lip movements with voiceovers and subtitles eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
Need any more convincing? Head over to Animaker’s 2D Animation Software and create your best 2D animations today!
