This is the first account of studio animation written from an historical-poetic perspective. Focusing on how animated films are created and experienced, Poetics of Animation brings together the study of visual style, performance, storytelling, and sound situating them within their industrial and technological contexts. It traces how animators work within and against convention, and how constraints become sources of invention and style. It also explores the ways in which animation overlaps with, but remains distinct from, live-action filmmaking, revealing how the medium’s unique properties shape its poetic structures. Combining critical depth with accessibility, Poetics of Animation offers an original contribution to animation studies and serves as a valuable teaching resource for students, scholars, and practitioners interested in understanding the art and craft of animation.