In this week’s episode of Animation and Beyond, Ezra and Julian crawl into the adorable (and occasionally chaotic) world of babies in animation. They chat about films with baby leads, explore the idea of forever babies, those cartoon kiddos who never grow up, and compare them with coming-of-age characters whose journeys allow them to evolve and mature on screen. Ezra and Julian explore why baby characters are so lovable, the unique storytelling angles they bring, and how animated films use them to highlight family values and found-family dynamics. They also consider how these characters have evolved over time and what makes them such effective emotional anchors in their stories. The episode wraps up with trivia, laughs, and a few thoughtful reflections on why animation just can’t quit its cutest characters! Recorded October 2025