animation
Both the Disney and Hanna Barbera animation studios have attached their names
to animation programs for the PC and Macintosh. Your interest in semi-realism
doesn't preclude these packages since the realism you get is dependent upon
the realism you put in and/or draw.
For photo-realism, or as close as computers get these days, you'll probably
need a a combination of programs centered about a 3D product. In fact,
Hash (who runs a technical support forum right here in Animation Vendors A)
makes a 3D product which is particularly good and modelling human motion
and form. They are located in Section 2 of this forum.
Thanks for asking!
Jason
Support is no Technicality