html5 animations
Your right html5 does seem to utilize javascript for everything, but I've seen some awesome html5 animations that i didn't think were possible. Search "html5 animations" and you'll find some insane stuff.
I'd suggest learning JavaScript because that's how most of it will be done and currently can be done with without HTML5. Even CSS works really well for rollover effects. What HTML5 brings is the video tag. I suggest doing more reading so you know what HTML5 actually is because it's clear you have the wrong impressions about it. Knowledge is power.
Your right html5 does seem to utilize javascript for everything, but I've seen some awesome html5 animations that i didn't think were possible. Search "html5 animations" and you'll find some insane stuff.