Animation Changes

Animation Changes have taken place throughout the series, beginning after the fourth season. The first four seasons were produced using a variety of programs, mostly Power Animator. Season five was delayed six months into June so the animation staff could learn Maya. As a result, the series' animation has changed greatly.

Animation Evolution

In the pilot episode, "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", the animation was recorded using stop motion and the characters were made with construction paper. This was the only episode released using this animation style .

From the episodes "Weight Gain 4000" and "Volcano" the animation began to be done on computer using Power Animator. In these two episodes the animation was very simple and the characters still had few animations and expressions.

The animation was slightly altered in "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride", now the characters have gained more expression and now they have a small black line that divides the two eyes, the mouth designs have also been redrawn. The kids have started to have a shadow over their eyes and now the characters are colored with construction paper textures.

From the episode "Tom's Rhinoplasty", most adult characters have shadows under their eyes.

After season 4, the animation began to be done using Maya. The characters gained more expressions and animation. Most background characters have gained a greater variety of clothes and hair. The adults had a shadow over their eyes after this season. The flames were changed to a sprite of a real life flames. The episodes also seem to be more colorful than before.

Character Revisions

In recent episodes, many characters' designs have changed as a result.

• Bill Allen and Fosse McDonald: They originally had thick eyebrows in the first four seasons, but were redesigned starting in the fifth season to have the same eyebrows as most other child characters.
• Terrance Mephesto: For the first four seasons he had big brown eyebrows and were always visible. After Season 4, his eyebrows got smaller and appeared only when he became worried or angry.
• Randy Marsh: As of "Chickenlover", he has a different hairstyle and a dumpled chin.
• Pip Pirrip: As of "Fourth Grade", he has slightly updated hair, including a small fringe visible from his hat.
• Jesus Christ: As of "Super Best Friends", he has a sash.
• Jimbo Kern: As of "Night of the Living Homeless", Jimbo's waist and vest have been greatly updated with a 3-D look instead of 2-D - his shirt also now has a collar.
• Mr. Mackey: As of "Major Boobage", his shirt now has a pocket and an even collar and tie. He also has a belt.
• Herbert Garrison: As of "Eek, A Penis!", after his second sex change, he has an even collar and a belt.
• Gerald Broflovski: As of "Major Boobage", he has a different collar and a new yarmulke.
• Thomas Tucker and Mrs. Tucker: As of "Pandemic", their faces have both been given a slight clean-up, including the hair.
• Stuart McCormick: As of "Pinewood Derby", he has a new collar, and a cleaned up body and hat.
• Carol McCormick: As of "Pinewood Derby", she has cleaned up hair and has a new t-shirt and pants.
• Mayor McDaniels: As of "The F Word", the Mayor has a new collar and a small medal.
• Kevin McCormick: As of "Sexual Healing", he has new effects on his hair and face.
• Mecha-Streisand: As of "200", she has a completely new and fully 3D look.
• Dr. Alphonse Mephesto: As of "201", his wrinkles are softened and his hat now has a 3D effect to make it's bottom visible, and his collar has been modified.
• Nathan: Had a slightly redesigned face in "Crippled Summer".
• Bradley Biggle: As of "Mysterion Rises", he has a more 3D hairstyle.
• Karen McCormick: As of "The City Part of Town", she undergoes a redesign.
• Old Farmer: As of "Insecurity", he has a more detailed face, outfit and hairstyle.
• Skeeter's Friends: One of them had a major redesign on "W.T.F."
• Beginning with Season Twelve, a lot of background characters had been redesigned.