Why does the first episode have better animation than the rest of the series.

[LittleDas75]

Has anyone else noticed that the first episode of the series has animation that is on par with the films but the rest of the series has pretty garbage animation? Why is that?

[chomper94]

Your not the only one who noticed this.  I don’t really have a good answer for this, but if I had an answer, it’s probably to say it has to do with budget. 

Around between 2005 and 2007, they were working at 2 things at the same time, so they probably wanted to save money to make most of the money go towards the 13th movie, but less of the money decreases as Universal creates a new episode.

Then as they decrease the budget for the TV series, and increase the budget for the 13th movie, I believe that’s how the garbage animation came along after the first episode.

It’s not really that clear, but I hope the theory I thought of helped solve your question.

[LittleDas75]

Your not the only one who noticed this.  I don’t really have a good answer for this, but if I had an answer, it’s probably to say it has to do with budget. 

Around between 2005 and 2007, they were working at 2 things at the same time, so they probably wanted to save money to make most of the money go towards the 13th movie, but less of the money decreases as Universal creates a new episode.

Then as they decrease the budget for the TV series, and increase the budget for the 13th movie, I believe that’s how the garbage animation came along after the first episode.

It’s not really that clear, but I hope the theory I thought of helped solve your question.

Interesting theory. I was thinking the same thing.

[Sneak]

:O
Glad to see I'm not only who noticed that!

I'm not sure how production worked, though.

[chomper94]

I actually just thought of another theory. 

There was actually two different animation companies that worked on the TV series.  One was Wang Film Productions, and the other was Toon City Animation Inc. 

I’m pretty sure when they changed the animation company of the TV series to Toon City Animation Inc. instead of Wang Film Productions, that’s when the animated started to look like garbage.

Once again, not much of a clear answer, but I hoped my other theory helped again.

[LittlefootOnASkateboard]

This makes me really want to check out the first episode. Because the main reason I wasn't ever really interested in the TV show is because I felt the art style  and quality was a step-down from the sequels.

[LittleDas75]

I actually just thought of another theory. 

There was actually two different animation companies that worked on the TV series.  One was Wang Film Productions, and the other was Toon City Animation Inc. 

I’m pretty sure when they changed the animation company of the TV series to Toon City Animation Inc. instead of Wang Film Productions, that’s when the animated started to look like garbage.

Once again, not much of a clear answer, but I hoped my other theory helped again.

I did not know that. Thanks.

[RainbowFaceProtege]

Which episode was the first episode again? Was it Cave of Many Voices? For some reason, I can't remember now. But anyway, the weird thing is I've seen other cartoons have problems with the animation going downhill as the episodes continue, too. I guess these studios just let quality go after a while.

This makes me really want to check out the first episode. Because the main reason I wasn't ever really interested in the TV show is because I felt the art style  and quality was a step-down from the sequels.

If you've never seen the TV series, I would recommend watching it through at least once, even with its issues. While a lot of the episodes are subpar, there are still some hidden gems in there. And from most of what I've seen, fans who like the sequels (like me) are bound to enjoy at least some of the TV episodes.

[LittlefootOnASkateboard]

This makes me really want to check out the first episode. Because the main reason I wasn't ever really interested in the TV show is because I felt the art style  and quality was a step-down from the sequels.

If you've never seen the TV series, I would recommend watching it through at least once, even with its issues. While a lot of the episodes are subpar, there are still some hidden gems in there. And from most of what I've seen, fans who like the sequels (like me) are bound to enjoy at least some of the TV episodes.
[/quote]


Yeah that's a good point. I should give them a watch. If nothing else, it's at least new LBT content!

[StardustSoldier]

If you've never seen the TV series, I would recommend watching it through at least once, even with its issues. While a lot of the episodes are subpar, there are still some hidden gems in there. And from most of what I've seen, fans who like the sequels (like me) are bound to enjoy at least some of the TV episodes.

I fully agree with this. I remember I was apprehensive about watching the TV series initially, even after I'd seen all the sequels. But eventually I did watch through the whole series, and I was glad I did.

[The jewelstone queen]

The show has a few treats but to the original question I think it went down like this: On the first episode, they did pretty well, but then I guess they were like, 'F*ck it, lets just make the money with this, no point in making decent content since its just the kids thats going to be watching this." (which is not true by the way. )

Honestly, that's kinda how I am with big projects, I'll start a comic and then just get bored of it afterwards.

[Sneak]

Maybe first episode was supposed to be "Pilot" episode, to show how LBT can exist in TV series format. Maybe its production was longer and separated from the rest of the series at first.

[somerandomfangirl]

This is intriguing. I've just gone back to watch the first episode and it does look a lot better. Also the series in general is certainly worth checking out. I don't like most of it myself, but there are definitely some hidden gems and good call backs to previous films.

As for the animation, my guess is that it could have been timing and budget problems. With both Wisdom of Friends and the TV Series releasing in the same year, I guess they would have put more into the film at the expense of the TV series. After animating the first episode, perhaps they realised they couldn't spend as much time on each one and made the decision to cut down the animation quality to meet budget/timing targets.