Marvel StudiosThe 2025 animated projects appear to be on track to fill a major gap in the MCU. Following the success of the Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios ventured into long-form storytelling with Disney+ programs such as WandaVision, Lokiand The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Phase 4 also featured a single MCU animated show – What if… from Marvel?which opened the door for some other animated releases in Phase 5.
Despite Marvel’s smaller theatrical output, 2025 is packed with highly anticipated releases. In late October 2024, Marvel Entertainment released a teaser trailer for the MCU’s 2025 Disney+ projects, which include live-action series like Daredevil: Born Again, Wonder Manand Iron Heartas well as animated programs such as animated programs such as the next And if…? season 3, Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Eyes of Wakandaand Marvel Zombies. All of these animated projects are unique in their own way, and not just because each of them is set in a different universe.
And if…? Missed the chance to use multiple animation art styles
And if…? Features several different timelines, but uses the same art style for all of them
What if… from Marvel? is the MCU’s first and only anthology series to date. It explores the MCU multiverse through various “and if?” scenarios that take place in many timelines across the multiverse, which makes it the perfect project to use a unique art style for each episode, as each universe introduced in And if…? reveals drastic changes compared to the main MCU timeline. However, each episode of And if…?All three seasons employ the exact same animation style — 3D animation with cel shading, CGI and a mix of 2D and 3D backgrounds and effects.
In the same year What if… from Marvel? With the premiere of the first season, Disney released an anthology with a unique animation style for each episode: Star Wars: Visions.
Like an anthology series, What if… from Marvel? It could have done a lot more with its format. Over the decades, Marvel Comics has explored hundreds of different styles of comic art that could work well on the go, from Jack Kirby’s classic sci-fi extravaganza to David Aja’s signature minimalist to the larger-than-life embodiment of Marvel’s Ultimate era. by Mark Bagley. A wide variety of art styles would also highlight how infinitely diverse the MCU multiverse is.
Marvel Studios’ 2025 Animation Projects Feature New Animation Art Styles
The MCU’s upcoming animated shows use different animation styles than Marvel’s What If…?
As shown in Marvel Entertainment’s teaser for the 2025 MCU series, Marvel Studios will introduce two new animation styles in the MCU multiverse. Phase 5 Eyes of Wakanda appears to follow the same animation style as Arcane — a mix of 3D and 2D art style inspired by anime and its source material, the League of Legends video game. About that, Your friendly neighborhood Spider-ManThe animation style of takes inspiration from the hand-drawn nature of the comic book format, with low frame rate motion similar to that of Spider-Verse films.
Phase 5 Marvel Zombies show will inherit And if…?art style
The zombified heroes seen in Marvel Entertainment’s teaser for Marvel Zombies these will likely be new variants. However, the link between Marvel Zombies and And if…? may come from the cross-universe zombie invasion, as the zombie virus spreads across the multiverse in the original Marvel Comics storyline. Therefore, Phase 5 Marvel Zombies show will inherit And if…?art style, and may reveal that some of the zombies introduced in And if…? Season 1 Episode 5 managed to invade a different timeline.
The MCU is still missing a major animation style
Marvel Studios has yet to create a fully 2D original animated show
Phase 5 saw the return of X-Men: The Animated Series in the form of X-Men ’97that revived the beloved 1990s X-Men cartoon with major visual upgrades, including 3D animated action sequences. Given the legacy of its predecessor, X-Men ’97 takes its name from Marvel Studios’ first official 2D animated series. However, Marvel Studios has not yet announced any original 2D series. In addition to X-Men ’97programs like Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes prove that original versions of Marvel lore work well in the cartoon format.
Before Marvel Studios announces a new standalone 2D animated show, it’s more likely that the studio will confirm another entry in X-Men ’97continuity. X-Men ’97The huge success guarantees at least two new seasons (one of which is already in production) and increases the likelihood of a similar revival. Spider-Man: The Animated Series Could be the next 1990s Wonder spectacle to be revisited and modernized. Other 90s animated shows like The Incredible Hulk and The Avengers: United They Stand could follow suit.