Which component is essential for controlling how animations are applied to GameObjects?

The Animator component is essential for controlling how animations are applied to GameObjects in Unity. It serves as the interface that integrates animation clips with 3D models, allowing for the effective playback of animations based on various parameters and conditions defined within the Animator.

The Animator component provides a robust system for state management, which means it can transition between different animation states and blend animations smoothly based on gameplay conditions. For instance, when a character moves or interacts with the environment, the Animator can trigger different animations, such as walking, running, or jumping, depending on the input it receives.

In contrast, other components like the Physics component, Audio component, and Collider component serve entirely different purposes, focusing on game physics, sound management, and collision detection respectively. These components do not deal with animation control and, therefore, do not play a role in how animations are applied to GameObjects. Thus, the Animator component is the critical tool necessary for implementing and controlling animations within the Unity environment.