100+ Best Animation Channels on YouTube

Elisa Day
7 min readDec 31, 2023

Welcome to the whimsical, awe-inspiring universe of YouTube’s animation channels — a place where pixels dance and sketches come to life. This guide is your all-access pass to the crème de la crème of animation on YouTube, a domain where boundaries blur between reality and fantasy. These channels are more than just a visual feast; they are storytellers, digital wizards, and dream weavers.

We’re about to take a leap into a world where traditional pencil lines meet the latest in animation tech, each channel offering a unique flavor of this eclectic art form. They’re not just for the animation aficionados but also for the curious souls seeking a splash of magic in their digital wanderings. As we explore these handpicked gems, prepare to be transported into realms where every frame is a work of art, every character a burst of creativity. So, let your imagination run wild and join us on this captivating adventure through YouTube’s best animation channels — your ticket to witnessing the unbridled power of animated storytelling.

Alan Becker

youtube.com/@alanbecker

Alan Becker is a renowned American online animator and YouTube personality. His “Animator vs. Animation” series, in particular, has been celebrated for its originality and entertaining portrayal of a character animator’s creations rebelling against him. The success of this series has led to several other related series and shorts, contributing significantly to the popularity and growth of his YouTube channel. Becker’s approach to content creation has set a benchmark in the animation community, making his channel a must-visit destination for animation enthusiasts worldwide​​.

Berd

youtube.com/@Berd

Berd’s YouTube channel is a hub of creativity and humor, characterized by short animation videos that feature a crudely drawn yet endearing bird protagonist. Known for his unique take on animation, Berd’s videos often delve into absurd and whimsical scenarios, making them a hit among viewers who appreciate a blend of simplicity and wit. Berd’s approach to animation and storytelling stands out for its unorthodox style and humorous tone, making it a distinctive voice in the YouTube animation community.

Cartoon Hangover

youtube.com/@CartoonHangover

Cartoon Hangover is a YouTube channel run by Frederator Studios. The channel has produced several popular animated series exclusively for the Internet, including “Bravest Warriors” by Pendleton Ward and “Bee and PuppyCat” by Natasha Allegri, alongside hosting cartoon short incubators like “Too Cool! Cartoons” and “GO! Cartoons” in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation. “Bravest Warriors” features a team of four young heroes embarking on intergalactic adventures, while “Bee and PuppyCat” follows the story of an unemployed young adult, Bee, and a mysterious creature called PuppyCat, as they undertake various intergalactic babysitting jobs​​.

David Firth

youtube.com/@davidfirth

David Firth is an English animator known for his unique and unsettling style of animation. His most notable work, the “Salad Fingers” series, began in 2004 and became a cult classic in the realm of internet animation. Firth’s work often delves into dark, absurd, and macabre themes, striking a chord with an audience that appreciates the blend of humor and horror. He takes inspiration from the unpredictability of dreams, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to his work that challenges the traditional boundaries of animation​​​​.

DeepBlueInk

youtube.com/@DeepBlueInk

DeepBlueInk is a UK-based animator acclaimed for his unique storytelling and animation style. DeepBlueInk’s work often features animations of well-known comedy podcasts such as Drawfee, Make Some Noise, and My Brother My Brother and Me. His animations are very detailed with visual gags and inside jokes in nearly every frame. He’s developed a devoted following due to his comedic sensibility and decation to his craft.

ExplosmEntertainment

youtube.com/@ExplosmEntertainment

ExplosmEntertainment’s YouTube channel features animations based on their popular webcomic “Cyanide & Happiness.” The channel, created by Rob DenBleyker, Kris Wilson, Dave McElfatrick, and formerly Matt Melvin, is known for its stick-figure illustrations and dark, often surreal humor that covers a range of controversial topics. The channel is definitely not appropriate for young or sensitive viewers, but those with a twisted sense of humor will find a lot to enjoy.

FilmCow

youtube.com/@filmcow

FilmCow is a YouTube channel started by Jason Steele (a.k.a. SecretAgentBob). Established in 2003, FilmCow stands out for its goofy animations, characterized by a unique blend of absurd and surreal humor. FilmCow’s repertoire includes a variety of eccentric series, notably “Charlie the Unicorn” and “Llamas with Hats.” These series exemplify FilmCow’s commitment to delivering uniquely humorous and creative content to a wide audience on YouTube​​.

Homestar Runner

youtube.com/@homestarrunnerdotcom

Homestar Runner is a beloved animated web series created by Mike and Matt Chapman, known as The Brothers Chaps. The series is centered around a diverse cast of characters with the titular Homestar Runner leading the ensemble. It’s well-known for its surreal humor, self-parody, satire, and extensive references to popular culture, particularly video games, classic television, and music. Despite its hiatus between 2009 and 2014, Homestar Runner remains a significant part of internet culture, with new updates and episodes released occasionally on its YouTube channel, especially during holidays​​.

Karameru (からめる)

youtube.com/@purinharumaki_karameru

からめる (Karameru) has garnered attention for his unique style of creating short, surreal, and high-energy animations. The channel, which started its journey in 2016, quickly found its niche in delivering content that blends simple yet charming illustrations with rapid-fire humor. A notable aspect of Karameru’s creations is the recurring motif of cats, penguins and axolotls. The channel‘s animations are characterized by their distinct, lively gags and minimalist aesthetic. Karameru’s approach to animation is both simplistic and engaging, making his content accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of viewers.

Kekeflipnote

youtube.com/@kekeflipnote

Kekeflipnote, also known as Kévin Gemin, is a French animator celebrated for his charming and lively animations of bouncing animals. Keke’s animations often feature adorable characters, with Pépin the fox and Boing the pigeon being some of his most beloved creations. The lively and engaging nature of Kekeflipnote’s work has garnered a substantial following, making his channel a delightful destination for those who appreciate the joy and creativity of animation. His ability to bring simple drawings to life with such expressive movement and character has made Kekeflipnote a beloved figure in the online animation community​​​​.

Umami

youtube.com/@abstractdaddy

Justin Tomchuk, known online as Umami, is an animator who specializes in creating moody, surreal animations. One of his notable works is the “Interface” series, a collection of episodes known for their eerie and thought-provoking storytelling. His work with innovative technologies, like using a random face generator developed by Nvidia and exploring new forms of animation with neural networks, showcases his commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional animation.

Weebl’s Stuff

youtube.com/@weebl

Weebl’s Stuff is a distinctive animation channel that has been active since the golden age of Flash animation and still upoads regularly. Among the most viral animations from Weebl’s Stuff is “Badgers,” a looped Flash animation featuring badgers performing calisthenics, interspersed with mushrooms and a snake, as well as “Catface”, “Magical Trevor”, “Weebl and Bob” and many others. These animations, with their catchy tunes and unique humor, have become iconic on the internet, maintaining Weebl’s popularity for over two decades.

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