Why is it that characters in shows only have four fingers?

I've watched way too many shows not to notice that. The problem is, only anime shows have five fingers. And even some of those characters are four-fingered! Ugh, this is so confusing!

Why is it that characters in shows only have four fingers?performing arts center

I remember reading an article about Walt Disney. When asked why Mickey Mouse only had three fingers (and a thumb), he replied, "Well, it's easier to draw three fingers than it is to draw four!"

Seriously, it's a timesaver. Back when animation was individual hand-drawn cels, anything that could simplify things might be used. The effect of fingers is still there, and the slight surrealism of only three fingers adds to the comedic and whimsical effect.

Why is it that characters in shows only have four fingers?sunshine opera theater

Because 5 just looks like too many when you draw them, especially when they're moving around.
I think it's easier to make it look proportionate when you have exaggerated drawings if there's only four fingers.
I think it's just because it would be "too complicated" and too difficult for the animators to draw their figures with 5 fingers, so they reduce them to four, or three, or two, or none at all (just stumps for hands) or maybe even no hands at all. That just shows that anime is better because the animators aren't lazy ^_^
It's very hard to make 5 fingers look proportionate in cartoons when they have to draw a billion pages to finish one simple cartoon. It's easier to just draw 4 fingers.
in the case of the simpsons, they live near the nuclear plant that we know is leaking stuff into the water cuz homer is the safety inspector.
because with the amout of drawing they do, they figure it's cheaper to use that as a short cut. remember, some artists get paid by the scene, episode,issue and not by the specifics (that's why Marvel Comics developed the "No Prize" .. so people would catch things like that).

B-Cool
Gloves are cheaper also.