Bringing together 46 original contributions from a broad range of international scholars , this comprehensive volume maps the key debates, histories, concepts, and practices that shape animation studies today. Organised into thematic sections, it addresses animation's historical development, representational politics, and cultural functions, alongside focused discussions of aesthetics, sound, technology, and production contexts. Topics include race, gender, disability, medium specificity, environmentalism, artificial intelligence, game engines, computer-generated animation, and global animation cultures, with sustained attention to both established traditions and emerging forms. Designed as both a reference work and a pedagogical resource, this Companion is an essential guide for researchers, teachers, and students working in animation, film, and media studies, as well as readers approaching animation from adjacent disciplines or professional contexts.