Look at Grave of the Fireflies. That film is about war, starvation, and the death of innocent children. It's devastating. No one walks out of that thinking it's for kids. And it's animation. Or take Persepolis - it's about growing up under a repressive regime, dealing with trauma and identity. That's not exactly Saturday morning cartoons. The problem is people confuse "can be enjoyed by kids" with "only for kids." Sure, kids can watch Spirited Away, but adults get way more out of it - the commentary on consumerism, greed, losing yourself. We don't say live-action dramas are only for adults just because kids might not get them. Why hold animation to a different standard? It's a medium, not a genre. Artists use it to tell complex, dark, beautiful stories that hit just as hard as any live-action film.

You know, I think that's a solid point - but let me push back a little. I'm not saying animation can't have deeper themes, I'm saying the industry and the audience treat it as a kids' thing first. Look at how studios market these films. Grave of the Fireflies is the exception, not the rule. Most animated features are still built around brightly colored characters, simple morals, and toy sales. And when adults watch something like Spirited Away, they're often doing it with their kids, not on their own. The default assumption is still that animation is for children. That doesn't mean adults can't enjoy it, but let's be real - the vast majority of animated content is aimed squarely at younger viewers. The medium's identity is tied to childhood, no matter how many exceptions you point out.

Look at the most acclaimed animated film of the last decade – Flee. It's a documentary about a gay refugee fleeing Afghanistan, told through animation because the real footage would put people's lives at risk. That film was nominated for Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature, and Best International Feature at the Oscars. It's not for kids. It's not marketed to kids. It exists because animation is the only way to tell that story safely. I get what you're saying about marketing, but that's changing. Look at Love, Death & Robots or BoJack Horseman. Adults are watching these shows alone, without kids. The medium's identity is shifting because creators are proving animation can do things live-action can't – like showing trauma, memory, or fantasy in ways that feel more real than reality. Sure, Disney dominates the conversation. But that's like saying all books are for kids because Dr. Seuss sells the most.