Reboot was the one that got me to notice computer animation. The comedy was slapstick and a lot was aimed at adults. And there is a company that has made a name for themselfs creating low budget movies. They do the Hotwheels and Barbie and to many to name movies. MainFrame. Check them out if you have a chance.

I don't think your giving kids enough credit. I think if they saw a Poser rigged figure, they would say cheesy. My 8 year old nephew can sure pick a movie or TV show apart. They notice a lot more than you think.

I don't think poser would be very cheep when it came to production. You would need to post all the joints of every frame. You would need to have unique looking figures. whether you model them or modify canned figures.  There is the lighting and the materials and lets not forget the render times. It just makes money sence to use higher end apps that do more.

I'm a big CowboyBebop fan too. Still would like to have a Faye Valentine Character. I might make that my next project.