Which of the following principles emphasizes the embellishment of the main action in animation?

The principle that emphasizes the embellishment of the main action in animation is follow through and overlapping. This principle refers to the way in which different parts of an object or character continue to move even after the main action has occurred. For example, when a character stops running, the motion of their clothing or hair might continue to sway or flutter, creating a more dynamic and realistic depiction of movement.

This embellishment adds depth and realism to the animation, as it suggests that the world obeys the laws of physics, where momentum and inertia affect how objects move and come to rest. By using follow through and overlapping, animators can enhance the smoothness of motion and the liveliness of a scene, making the animation feel more natural and engaging.

The other principles, while important in their own right, focus on different aspects of animation. Squash and stretch pertains to the elasticity of objects and characters, anticipation prepares the audience for an action that is about to happen, and arc describes the trajectory of movement that objects and characters follow. None of these directly address the idea of embellishing an action following its completion in the same way that follow through and overlapping does.