An Expression

You might think that "anime" started with the first serialized TV shows in the 1960s, but Japan had been making animation long before this, in the form of short films. This article aims to give a tour through the history and evolution of early Japanese animation that led to the serialized shows of the 1960s that eventually led to where we are today. At present, there are over 200 early Japanese animations that have survived and are easily viewable. Here, 44 stand-out works in the chronological evolution of early animation are highlighted for you to check out. All animations listed here can be found online, with English subtitles when needed!

Before experimental shorts were referred to as "Avant Garde" MAL called this genre "dementia", named after the mental disorder, but because these anime are generally poorly animated and have no story, characters, or substance I like to call them "demenshits". This is a selection of these types of anime if you feel inclined enough to become enlightened to the world of demenshits. Some of these may feature flashing lights and/or obscene imagery so watch at your own risk.

The full list of the works on the official Japanese Animated Film Classics website. This part covers the years 1934 - 1941.

Includes listed English/Japanese titles and ID number on the site. Fill in for [ID] in one of the following URLs:
https://animation.filmarchives.jp/en/works/view/[ID]
https://animation.filmarchives.jp/works/view/[ID]

Entries missing from MAL's database:
- The Making of a Color Animation (Ogino Shigeji & Oofuji Noburou, 1937)

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/2523

Mostly short pieces of Japanese animation dating back to the early XX century. Pre Astro Boy works only. For those who want to explore the very beginnings of anime history before it took its current culture, tropes and technological advancements.

beautiful, hypnotic, otherworldly, dangerous, eerie, and stunning.

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This is a compilation of Avante-Garde shorts that are unique, mind-blowing and addicting. These will give you a different POV on the world of animation.
Includes short films, short series, commercials, station IDs, and specials.

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23559
Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23560
Part 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23563
Part 4: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23564
Part 5: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23566
Part 6: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23567
Part 7: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23568
Part 8: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23569
Part 9: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23571
Part 10: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23573
Part 11: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/23575

No characters at all nor something that could be remotely called one here.
Most of them are music videos and/or avant-garde shorts.
And four of these are just cubes moving.