How do static cartoons differ from animation?

In the context of graphic arts, the primary distinction between static cartoons and animation lies in their application and the presence of movement.1

• Static Cartoons: These are typically individual, still images or sequences of images, such as comic strips, designed to convey a story, message, or social commentary. They often utilize caricature—the distortion or exaggeration of features—to satirize or ridicule a subject. Historically, the term also referred to preparatory drawings used as patterns for paintings, tapestries, or mosaics.12345

• Animation: This is the art of creating the illusion of movement by displaying a sequence of still images or frames in rapid succession, typically within film, television, or digital media. Unlike static cartoons, animation can incorporate sound and movement to build complex, fantastical worlds and convey narratives in ways that still images cannot.1

While both mediums share roots in drawing and visual wit, animation functions as a broader medium that brings inanimate objects to life through technological processes.16