Why is drawing animate beings considered impermissible, while producing beneficial cartoon films is permissible, especially with the spread of Japanese "anime" which may include Masonic and pornographic symbols, and is there evidence for this from the Book or the Sunnah?

The basic ruling on depicting animate beings is prohibition, due to its resemblance to Allah’s creation. However, contemporary scholars have permitted their depiction when there is a necessity or an urgent need. Among these urgent needs in the current era is the production of media content that is Islamically regulated to serve as an alternative to media products that distort Islam and from which the rising generations derive their culture and history. Therefore, there is no objection to producing purposeful animated films that adhere to Islamic regulations and manners; in fact, they may even be necessary.