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How can I effectively use anticipation to enhance character movements?

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How can I effectively use anticipation to enhance character movements?

Asked on Feb 16, 2026

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Anticipation is a fundamental animation principle that prepares the audience for a character's main action, making movements more believable and engaging. By incorporating anticipation, you can create a visual cue that signals the character's intent, enhancing the clarity and impact of the subsequent action.

Example Concept: Anticipation involves a preparatory movement that contrasts with the main action, such as a character crouching before jumping. This principle helps to build expectation and adds realism by mimicking natural human behavior, where actions are often preceded by smaller, opposite movements.

Additional Comment:

Anticipation can be subtle, like a slight head tilt before a turn, or exaggerated, like a deep squat before a leap.
Use anticipation to guide the viewer's eye and focus attention on the upcoming action.
Integrate anticipation into your keyframes to ensure it aligns with the character's personality and the scene's pacing.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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How can I effectively use anticipation to enhance character movements?

Asked on Feb 16, 2026

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