Reddit mentions of Looneng Animation Peg Bar, Comic Tools Ruler Fixed Paper Feet for Fixing Animation Paper

So you want to be an animator

Things you'll want.

Traditional kit (start here)

-An artist light box. $17

A4 Size Ultra-Thin Portable LED Light Box Tracer 7500K White LED Artcraft Tracing Light Pad Light Box w 3 Level Brightness for 5D DIY Diamond Painting Artists Drawing Sketching Animation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1JNHNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GZ9PBbYNNCECG

-Animation paper. $12

Canson Artist Series Acme Punched Translucent Animation Paper, 12 Frame, 20 Pound, 10.5 x 12.5 Inch, 100 Sheets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054DIGPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lX9PBbJ27H216

-Animation paper peg. $7

Animation Peg Bar, Comic Tools Ruler Fixed Paper Feet for Fixing Animation Paper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZKKZ8Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hY9PBbHQQTSMG

Digital kit

Toonboom
Difficult to learn but extremely powerful and major networks use it.

https://www.toonboom.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw85zdBRB6EiwAov3RiqYEZRpWO9EfYkcsznCHkJ5YWbESNYrXmNQnj6UIyvPApMGlii3KqxoC-UoQAvD_BwE

Clipstudio paint
Fun program focused on making comics but has good tools too

https://www.clipstudio.net/en

Adobe animate

Personally I hate it, but haven't used it since 5.5 Super clunky. I'm assuming you can find this one if you must.

Optional
Rotoscope that bitch!
With 3Ds Max or Blender


Digital tablet

Not all tablets are made equal however if you want a screen this is probably the best you'll get for $500. With screens remember bigger does equal better in the sense that you should always draw larger then you think.

Huion GT-220 V2 8192 Pen Pressure Graphics Drawing Monitor 21.5 inch HD Pen Display Digital Drawing Tablet Monitor - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WLDLZJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V29PBb3PDRC4C

Try using a mixture of both traditional and digital to achieve the best effects in animation

Hey there, happy you're looking to explore animation; it's an intensely difficult trade that's super rewarding if you truly enjoy the time you'll spend on it.

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I'm currently studying animation at university now, and can offer a few programs & advice. I just started animating in the Fall of 2018 and am focusing on a track of hand-drawn 2-D animation (digital, but i still enjoy working on paper every so often!). I've decided to pursue character animation, but I have an interest in storyboarding, layouts, and fx animation:

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• Animation is a type of Filmmaking and as a result, it is not a cheap hobby/profession*. I had to work lots of hours to save for the equipment I needed, and while I can justify it because I'm privileged to have a great job, never expect to find animation tools for cheap. At the beginning, I wish someone would have told me to plan out better so I could actually use the tools I was buying, and buy them in a smart way.
  
  *Always look for student discounts! You don't have to study animation to access the student discounts for an
  animation program. Take advantage of these if you've got access, because they really knock down the price to a
  manageable level.
  
  
• Start with programs like Adobe Animate, or ToonBoom Harmony; through programs like these, you'll find the interface to actually get drawing on digital frames. I can personally recommend ToonBoom Harmony as it's been great for me, but I always say try everything first to determine which features you require for a good experience.
  
• Programs such as Adobe AfterEffects and Dragon Frame allow you to experiment with scanning real media (drawings, paintings, etc.) into digital files to use and edit on a computer. You'll need a scanner like this, or a copy stand shoot your drawings as actual photos. Where Dragon Frame allows you to put the photos/frames in sequence (i.e. see an animated segment/full animated sequence), AfterEffects will allow you to composite and play with the layering of your frames. Ever see those videos with dancers ornamented by animations? AfterEffects will allow you to do that kind of work.
  
  • If you're really set on using real media to animate, you'll need a peg bar, a light table, and a field guide. Proper registration is paramount if you want your work to look presentable, unless improper registration becomes a technical choice for you some point down the line.
    
• Understand that this stuff takes time! It's really easy to get discouraged in the beginning because animation is the type of work where hours upon hours of grinding result in only a few seconds worth of product, most of which you'll have to rework anyways. This is the nature of the beast! I know you said you were interested in making short, looping pieces, but nonetheless, I think it's a good thing to keep in mind.
  
• Draw as much as possible because being a good draftsman is key to being a good animator. I can't personally afford life drawing classes, so I use this site to practice my life drawing skills. I'm not sure what your level of skill is, but life drawing is my weakest point, so I always try to advise new animators to strengthen that skill early. I'm just doing so now, and it makes the process much more arduous.
  
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  Best of luck on your future projects, I can't wait to see what you're able to make. :\^)