Flash can be used to create elements, and for animating those elements.

If you're looking into creating very detailed elements, then I'd suggest Photoshop for that -- the programs work hand in hand with inbuilt functionality. Creating stick figures in flash is a better idea though as all the tools are for vector images, always clean lines and infinitely scalable.

Really, all you need is flash to create, animate, add sounds and effects, and then publish to any number of formats that can be uploaded easily to YouTube or viewed on a media device or computer.