The reason we are seeing so many crappy 3D CG anime nowadays is because it's so much cheaper and more convenient for these Japanese animation production houses. Heck, even a big production like the recent Berserk movies recently got converted into a crappy looking CG look (really low budget, by the looks of it), instead of the traditional look that the original series had. The whole CG process in anime is still in the growing period and it's a real mess at the moment. These animation studios still haven't gotten the hang of it.
2D animation is just so expensive to make and Ghibli's main directors seem to have retired, so the quality isn't up the standard anymore.
Personally, I much preferred the 80s/early to mid 90s style of anime - messy at times, but at least honestly 2D animation through and through. I honestly think the last anime series that I actually liked was Ergo Proxy and the last anime film I liked was Paprika (beautiful film and Kon's last completed film before his death). Everything since the late 00s has
sucked. I've just completely gone off the entire medium.
Kenny wrote: That's pretty unfortunate.
I wouldn't say 2D is "dead" though. It's gonna become a niché market like Stop Motion is now. Though if cynical industry analysts are to be believed, cinema in general will go wayside eventually due to the exploding digital "stay at home" market.
Well, I didn't mean "completely dead" I just meant in terms of popularity. I love 2D animation, but just look at Walt Disney, kids TV shows and now the Japanese animation industries and it's plain as day. Just like practical effects in Hollywood blockbusters, creature effects in horror movies, stop motion or puppet shows are all practices that are just a done deal. It's kind of harsh for those people who worked in those fields for so many years, but it is what it is. Makes me wonder what happens to those people. Unfortunately, not everything is cyclical.
Truth be told, I'm finding more joy staying at home watching Youtube vids or other streaming media than an actual movie going experience now. It's quick, convenient, and I get my fill faster. I think as a consequence I'm getting a shorter attention span because of it which is probably why fast intense movies like Transformers make big business.
I'm enjoying TV shows (out of the US) more than I am most movies at the cinema nowadays. I'm finding I am out of touch with today's Hollywood system.