How is animation typically controlled in Unity?

Animation in Unity is primarily controlled through the Animator Controller, which serves as a state machine managing various animation states and transitions for a given GameObject. The Animator Controller allows developers to create complex animations by blending multiple animations and defining how and when they transition from one to another based on specific parameters, such as player input, gameplay events, or other conditions.

When an Animator Controller is assigned to a GameObject, it utilizes the attached Animator component to facilitate the playback of animations defined within the Animator Controller. This system not only allows for rich and interactive character animations but also makes it straightforward to manage and scale animations as game requirements grow.

While it's certainly possible to manipulate animations through manual scripting, relying on the Animator Controller is generally more efficient as it streamlines the animation workflow and enables designers to create visually complex interactions without delving deeply into code. The other options, such as applying physics components or using the Transform tool, pertain to different aspects of game development and do not directly focus on controlling animations in the same structured and centralized manner as the Animator Controller does.