18th ‘Animation Show’ still feels fresh and vibrant

[...] the animated shorts coalesce well as a group, with an overarching existential vibe.

There’s less frivolity and more self-searching than the typical animation show — allowing the viewer to leave the theater with a pensive vibe.

Credit the curation of Ron Diamond, the longtime “Animation Show of Shows” producer, who used Kickstarter to help fund this year’s show and makes wise decisions throughout the 16-entry presentation.

With two of the more esoteric selections, “Boygen” and “About a Mother,” he allows the animators to explain their intentions before or after the short.

A brief oral sex scene involving puppets in the primal comedy “Manoman” probably cemented this year’s presentation as a leave-the-kids-at-home affair.

Highlights include “Stems,” a clever and engaging short with voice-over by director Ainslie Hendersen, whose words are a moving love letter to stop-motion animation.

“Pearl” by Patrick Osborne features a Richard Linklater/“Boyhood”-style parenting story set to music - which was originally filmed as a virtual reality experience.

“Mirror,” with narration by “This American Life” host Ira Glass, brings a New Yorker cover to life — and will be the most Manhattan thing you see in 2016.