I don't think that the 2D properties I mentioned look the same or awful at all, but I at least understand where people are coming from when they say that. The shift toward smoother, rounder shapes in Pixar films (lol Jack Jack in a wig!) is for sure a matter of preference, but it isn't Cal Arts Style; I was seeing a lot of people hating on Turning Red for being CAS and that's what inspired me to look into it and write the article, as it quickly became clear that it wasn't about the animation style at all (you can love it or hate it, that's just opinion) but instead about targeting diverse movies in general for being "too political" or "Woke."

I think the menarche = red panda metaphor sounds like a fun way of exploring what big changes come along with puberty... feeling like you're suddenly big and awkward and different, changing in ways you don't mean to, having really explosive emotions, all that. I haven't seen the full movie yet obviously, but from the trailer I'm sure it'll be a fun and thoughtful exploration akin to Inside Out.