The 'CalArts Style' is a controversial term used to describe a perceived homogenization in modern western animation, characterized by thin lines, rounded heads, and distinctive 'D-shaped' or bean-like mouths. Originally coined by animation blogger John Kricfalusi to describe the influence of the California Institute of the Arts on its graduates, the term morphed into a widespread internet meme in the 2010s. It is frequently used by critics to mock shows like 'Steven Universe,' 'Adventure Time,' and 'ThunderCats Roar' for allegedly lacking visual variety. In meme culture, the style is often satirized by redesigning complex characters with simplified, rounded features to show how the aesthetic can strip away unique artistic identities.