When Isao Takahata’s “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” lost out to “Big Hero 6” in the competition for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards last year, it was a reminder of how thoroughly 3-D computer animation has eclipsed more traditional techniques. In the 15 years since the award was introduced, it’s only been given to non-CGI films twice: Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” in 2003, and Nick Park and Steve Box’s “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” in 2006.
In a fairer world, Takahata’s movie — a ravishing, hand-drawn masterpiece that will endure long after its flashier Disney rival has been forgotten — would have walked home with the prize. But it wasn’t the only old-school 2-D animation to get snubbed that night.
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