Planetary revolutions aside, we shouldn’t care about marking the passage of time, but we’re compelled to all the same, because we share that time with smart and wordy collaborators—and with you, dear reader. So here, we give you the best of what we’ve published this year (there’s another list for what we liked elsewhere) as a thank you for sticking with us here at the D+L and patiently putting up with hiatuses, site redesigns, and newsletters. Enjoy, and happy new year and decade to you and yours.
Before we get to that we’d like to give a quick shout-out to our editor, Sammy Nickalls! The Dot and Line wouldn’t be what it is without her, and the stories below wouldn’t be as great, either. Editors do invisible work to make everyone else shine, and Sammy’s work slaps so hard, she’s basically Slappy Nickalls. Thanks, Sammy. -EVB & JHM
Ode to the Strongarm Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist‘s Alex Louis Armstrong has the buffest bod and softest heart in all of Amestris. Here, Alex Costello justly sings his praises in verse.
‘The 08th MS Team’ Is the Perfect Entry Point to Gundam
Giant robots were involved, but they were never the point, Eric Vilas-Boas argues.
What ‘She-Ra’ Gets Right About Angsty Queerness
“Hey, Adora.” What is it that makes Catra and Adora’s relationship so…hot? Maya Gittelman explains.
Mainland China’s Urban Indie Cartoons
While studying in China, Isabel Galwey dug deep on its burgeoning animation scene and found plenty of gems.
Why ‘Evangelion’ Benefitted From Its Time Away From American Audiences
For years, Hideaki Anno’s masterpiece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, was borderline inaccessible stateside. Patrick Craig says that’s a good thing.
Three Decades Later, ‘Little Nemo’ Is Still a Dream
Cartoonist Winsor McCay deserves more love, and so does the anime feature film that adapts his greatest work. Wyatt Erchak takes us back to dreamland.
KyoAni Taught Me What It Meant to Become Special
Following the tragic murders at Kyoto Animation earlier this year, Molly Brenan channeled her horror into a moving memorial from one of the greatest studios in anime history.
What the Iron Giant Can Still Teach Us About Friendship and Vulnerability
Vin Diesel’s best, most understated performance undergirds a film filled with feelings. Elly Belle explains.
An Urgent Question About ‘Freakazoid!’
The loquacious Sean Fitz-Gerald put enough heart, manic energy, and hardcore research into this one to write the book on Freakazoid!, and we’re all grateful for it.
Remembering Suzan Pitt
This year, the animation world lost one of its most influential indie animators. The Dot and Line reached out to some of her old friends, who explained just why Suzan Pitt is one of the greatest to ever pick up the pen.
The Voices of ‘Carole & Tuesday’ Speak Up
Even before a new Shinichirō Watanabe anime debuts, one thing should be obvious: the music will be boppin’ (get it?). Christopher Inoa talks to the voices behind Watanabe’s latest, Carole & Tuesday, in this Q&A.
Why Animation Is So Easily Meme-able, According to an Animator
Animation is—and we can’t stress this enough—meme-able. That’s it. That’s the blurb. Noah Jodice will take it from here.
Genndy Tartakovsky Gets ‘Primal’: “I’m Doing Things Differently Than I Ever Have Done”
The man behind Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory thinks his latest is his best yet—and tells John Maher why in this exclusive interview.
Why the First 3 Seasons of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ Are the Only Good Ones
Nicole Ortiz doesn’t make the rules. She just calls ’em like she see ’em.
Spinel’s Behavior Makes Sense When You Know About Borderline Personality Disorder
Back by popular demand, Amelia Kidd, LMSW, gets back on the cartoon therapy train. First stop? Steven Universe. Where else?
Rob Paulsen Just Can’t Get Enough
The voice behind Yakko Warner, Raphael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and countless others gets loony, toony, and frank with Marley Crusch.
In the mood for a deep dive? Check out similar roundups from prior years:
The Dot and Line’s Best Writing of 2018
The Dot and Line’s Best Writing of 2017
The Dot and Line’s Best Writing of 2016
Thanks for reading The Dot and Line, where we talk about animation of all kinds. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.
