Does anyone actually like this new wave of CGI animation?
No matter how many times I try to watch one of these shows that use this clunky, low polygon count GCI, I just end up disgusted and feel like these studios just consider us all suckers.
Netflix seems to be the biggest purveyor of this, but it seems to be cropping up everywhere. I can think of only one reason they would peddle this is that it's considerably cheaper to produce.
I'd like to that if the story is good enough that you could look past the bad animation, but I am constantly ripped from the story because it, no matter how hard I try. Because it's so prevalent now, it makes me wonder if most people just aren't bothered by it, or maybe even actually like it.
I might be a little biased because F/SN: UBW is one of my favorite animes ever but I find it absolutely gorgeous. GRANTED, a lot of the most beautiful parts are simply wide paintings, but I do think the CGI usage for particle effects, fog, and some of the magic during the fights lends a "pop" that I think looks pretty cool and doesn't pull me out.
F/SN: UBW and most anything from that franchise is on a completely different level. Garden of Sinners is an all time favorite.
I'm not against CGI as a medium one bit, though I don't think it could ever replace the human hand for sheer beauty. What I'm against are these clearly low quality, blocky, and unnatural looking animations that are jarring to watch. It just feels to me like it's budget before substance. If people aren't bothered by it, then it's a financially sound decision. But to me, it loses what it means to be an "Anime", and is just an animation.
The video the @Gordon_Freeman linked shows that it's indeed possible to keep the Anime aesthetic while gaining the benefits of 3D, so I can only hope the medium matures sooner than later.