After Effects Reusable Models and Rigs I just started learning AE and video editing in general. My purpose is to animate 2d characters. I have not found an explanation online possibly because I'm not using the right terms.

It seems very time consuming to have to rig every character for the same type of motions, say walking. 


Is there a way to "rig a template" then add a character model on top
to inherit the animation?
Can "templates" be created so that I can just add hair, for example,
and make a new character without having to re-position
everything manually. Basically just clicking a new layer for hair and AE "knows" where hair goes.


I hope I'm making some sense with my fresh knowledge on animation.
Have a look at the Adobe Character Animator.  Also a second vote here for Duik.  It's brilliant but mind bendingly complicated. Character Animator is simpler.