The BIG Question...

This question has been rolling around my head ever since I've been analyzing animation and cartoons since I was a child enjoying the simple works of character movements. And it's probably really easy to answer to those in the professional field of animation, but I'm working my way there and so this question is important to me in getting there.

What is it that truly makes a character look so life like in animation? How does it work exactly?

Now, I could probably find this answer easily on the internet, but I usually crave a visual perspective on how animation works. I'm pretty good when it comes to learning visually. :)

P.S (Sorry for the late update.)