The 10 Best Cartoons EVER!
I've seen where others have listed what they thought the best cartoons were of what was on TV in a given decade. Well, I'm going to do you one better. I'm going to list cartoons that I thought were the best done through several decades. These were all shows that I personally watched growing up. That being said, most of these will fall into the 80's, but there are exceptions. I am not listing these in any particular order, and I own or plan to own a number of these on DVD.
Paddington Bear:
This was a much beloved story that started as a book in the 1950's. It became a mixed animation series (2D animated characters and backgrounds with a stop motion 3D Paddington) in the 70's and a short run cartoon in 1989. Paddington was a polite and well loved bear that had become a childrens literary icon in the UK that spread around the world. Personally, I feel that such a beloved story and character deserves far more mainstream recognition than has been given over the years.
Loony Tunes - Merrie Melodies:
Loony Tunes has been around for decades. Why? Because the antics of the various characters, both human and animal, are downright hilarious! This is one of the rare few honestly multi-generational cartoons that has truly gotten better with age. However, some of the later spinofs (such as Tiny Toons) have failed to deliver what the original had in abundance: Spunk, Fun, and Laughs galore. What annoys me most though, is how reruns of these classics have been changed from the originals. Voices or dialogue changed, scenes re edited or deleted altogether... It's like someone going and repainting the Mona Lisa or recarving David so they're more Politically Correct. Doing so only destroys the integrity and value of the original, and pisses off those who truly loved these cartoons as kids. Sometimes it's best to just leave the original alone, you know?
Bravestarr: (Wish List)
This was one of the more exceptionally animated cartoons. The movement of the characters was pretty true to life. For example - Marshal Bravestarr's equine companion 3030 (and my personal favourite from the show). When he was shown running in quadruped mode, the movement was true to life accurate for a horse. One thing that some animation studios skimp on is repetitive movement like running or walking. So they cheat on that and you lose a lot of the quality as a result. This was one of the better done cel animated shows I had seen in a while. It ran for 65 episodes and a 90 minute movie.
This was also a series that was truly ground-breaking and set a standard that few have come close to. It dealt with all sorts of subjects, from lying and stealing, to drugs and death. A child character in the cartoon actually died in one episode from a drug overdose. These issues were very real and Bravestarr minced no words about them. He always gave it to you straight and never talked down to you like you were dumb. Sadly, it fell into obscurity and has been all but forgotten. But a few of us remember this beautifully drawn cartoon and refuse to let it die in the cold.
He-Man:
Done by the same animation studio as the afore mentioned Bravestarr, you can see why I would include this as one of the better done cartoons of the 80's, and for much the same reasons. Running for two seasons at 65 episodes each, this was a very well loved cartoon series. It's sister cartoon (literally) She-Ra was also good and ran for two seasons totalling 94 episodes (66 episodes in Season 1 alone), though the plots seemed to fall off a bit later on. I think they were trying too hard to cater to the female cartoon watching audience even though boys and girls watched both shows with equally rapt interest. He-Man did survive longer than expected, and even spawned comic books and a movie or two. But sadly, as with any well loved hero, sometimes people try to reinvent the wheel and end up destroying it in the process (as with the live action movie).
Thundarr the Barbarian:
Another really good yet obscure cartoon from the early 80's, running for 21 episodes. In this you had a post apocalyptic world with a bit of relic technology and magic thrown in. Heck, you even had wierd critters like Ookla and his horse... thing... Thundarr was one of those that was fun to watch for both the comedy (like Ookla trying to eat with chopsticks) as well as the action. It was actually a more well rounded cartoon for its time. But, like Bravestarr, it fell into obscurity and was all but forgotten. Yet some of us remember Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla fondly, recalling their many adventures in an upsidedown world.
Dungeons and Dragons:
A cartoon based on a tabletop game that began the year I was born. The cartoon ran for 27 episodes in the mid 80's and featured six ordinary kids stuck in a fantasy realm trying to find their way home. The game was first published in 1974 and is still played today after giving rise to an entire industry of table top role playing games. There are even conventions centered around this game, namely Gencon and Dragoncon. The cartoon was fun and silly with a healthy dose of adventure. The kids were relatable as they were just like those who watched the show. Sadly, parental fears of magic and the occult proved to be the series downfall and the show was cancelled for lack of ratings as a result. But those of us who watched it remember the fun and frolic that was had with an innocent cartoon based on an unassuming game.
Thundercats: (Own)
All I can say is this show had plenty of silliness and lots of serious fun. Thundercats ran for a whopping 130 episodes spanning 5 years. The importance of teamwork and acceptance despite differences was a central theme to the series. Plus, can you really go wrong with walking talking big cats that could just as easilly hand you your ass in pieces as they could nuzzle up and purrr? My personal favourite was always Panthro, the incredibly strong and athletic mad tinkerer of the group who was not only physically powerful, but also very intelligent. There has also been quite an extensive comic book series done of the characters and a live/cgi movie has been in the works since 2008, but was put on hold because of other projects (namely Speed Racer). Hopefully it gets picked up again and finished very soon. I'd love to see the big cats on the big screen.
X-Men: (Own)
When a multi-generational comic book that spans several decades meets the cartoon media, you get the X-Men animated series. Aired begining in 1992 and spaning 76 episodes over five seasons that lasted six years, it's easy to see why this cartoon, like the comic book series, has survived the test of time. It was never expected to last beyond the first season, but ratings told otherwise and the series was continued. Being the longest running Marvel cartoon series, its success was due in no small part to the fact that the animation art was among the better done cartoons of its time. The fact that it was the highest rated and most watched Saturday morning show of all time only helped to boost its popularity and longevity. My favourite? I had several, but Gambit and Nightcrawler stood out among them. Stan Lee created them and we loved them. What more can be said really?
Gargoyles: (Wish List)
With 78 episodes over 3 seasons starting in 1994, Gargoyles boasts a darker and more cerebral approach to cartoon storytelling. The look of it was very gothic and in some ways more viceral, a far cry from Disney's usual animation style. It was also deeply influenced by Arthurian Legend early on, as well as medieval Scottish history and Shakespearean literature (primarilly Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream) later in the series. The animation was beautifully drawn and the characters very well fleshed out for a cartoon series. Each character had an extensively interwoven storyline and personality (I adored Brooklyn), making the series much more involved and engrossing than was typical of most cartoons. It soon spawned its own long running comic book series as well as a 13 year running convention, The Gathering of Gargoyles. A dark yet beautifully drawn and well written series.
Transformers: (Own TV-Loonland AG [Blue Box in Silver Tin]/Matrix Edition - Wish List)
In two words - Giant Robots! I'll add one more for you - Giant Transforming Robots! I mean, how cool is that?! Now, I will say that the animation did get a bit rough at times, such as coloration issues. And yes, some of the later storylines got a bit hokey occasionally, but the believability was still there because these were stories about Giant Transforming Alien Robots. Suspention of belief was generally not an issue here.
However, there is a very real reason this show has lasted for 25 years as a growing cult phenomenon with a multi-generational fanbase. For an 80's cartoon that literally started as an obscure early 80's Japanese toy line with no back story, not even character bios, and has not only held on for three seasons totalling 95 episodes, an animated movie, and a three part miniseries, but also spawned several other cartoon series spinoffs in both the US and Japan as well as several comic book series in the US, UK, and Japan, along with several crossovers with other series (most noteably GIJoe) and a triplet of live action movies (the third one up coming); we must consider the one truly central reason this Japanese-toy-turned-American-cultural-icon has survived the whims of audiences and company bean-counters alike. The Characters.
The integrity and consistency the characters have maintained throughout all their various incarnations is really something else. And of course, everyone has their favourites. But what truly sets them apart from many other cartoons is how singularly important and well loved these characters were. To many kids, these characters were either extentions of themselves or true life heros they could look up to. It was that level of very real connection between the characters and the kids who loved them that has kept Transformers alive and going strong for so long. How many cartoons can honestly boast of such a passionate fan base as to have their own dedicated convention? How about two dedicated conventions? Well, Transformers has four, one in the US (BotCon), one in Canada (TFcon), and two in the UK (Auto Assembly and Transforce). With a world wide, multi-generational fanbase, the proof is in the pudding. How often do you truly run across something that speaks to the hearts and dreams of so many different people the world over? That is the Transformers legacy.
Edit: (Thanks to
for reminding me of this one)
Reboot: (Wish List)
A cartoon ahead of its time, reboot was the first full length completely cgi cartoon series that aired starting in 1994 and produced by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver BC, Canada. 47 episodes aired over 4 seasons. Due to network censorship, rights conflicts with networks and distribution rights, as well as other various issues, Reboot was cut from US airing and limited in Canada and other countries. Sadly, because of these issues, the show did not do as well as it could have, despite awards for technical merit and storyline originality. There is a movie trilogy in the works and the first is tentatively slated for release in 2010, though this may not happen as planned, if ever.
It was a beautifully done show, breaking ground for cgi animation and putting out a lingo set that was unique to the show, using computer terminology over human vernacular. Reboot should have done far better than it did, and if it weren't for corporate issues it would have. Sometimes greed for money and fear of something new can kill even the best of ideas. Reboot is a good example of this, especially the "fear of something new" part. It was very new, innovative, and different from anything else on TV at the time.
Beast Wars (Seasons 1 & 2 Wish List, Own Season 3)
Also done by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver BC, Canada, this series coincides with the Generation 1 Transformers storyline. 52 episodes airing over 3 seasons starting in 1996, this series gave rise to the subsequent Beast Machines series, which totaled 26 episodes over 2 seasons. It can be said that Reboot was the ground breaker that made Beast Wars possible, and you would be on par with the truth. The animation was a step up from Reboot, and the story had plenty of action and hilarity to go around. By season 3, the tie ins to Generation 1 were made clear, establishing a direct continuity between the two time-lines. You even get to see a few of our favourite Gen 1 characters on the Ark itself!
I personally prefer Beast Wars over Reboot (though Reboot is awesome too), but then I'm partial to giant transforming robots. **grins**
Paddington Bear:
This was a much beloved story that started as a book in the 1950's. It became a mixed animation series (2D animated characters and backgrounds with a stop motion 3D Paddington) in the 70's and a short run cartoon in 1989. Paddington was a polite and well loved bear that had become a childrens literary icon in the UK that spread around the world. Personally, I feel that such a beloved story and character deserves far more mainstream recognition than has been given over the years.
Loony Tunes - Merrie Melodies:
Loony Tunes has been around for decades. Why? Because the antics of the various characters, both human and animal, are downright hilarious! This is one of the rare few honestly multi-generational cartoons that has truly gotten better with age. However, some of the later spinofs (such as Tiny Toons) have failed to deliver what the original had in abundance: Spunk, Fun, and Laughs galore. What annoys me most though, is how reruns of these classics have been changed from the originals. Voices or dialogue changed, scenes re edited or deleted altogether... It's like someone going and repainting the Mona Lisa or recarving David so they're more Politically Correct. Doing so only destroys the integrity and value of the original, and pisses off those who truly loved these cartoons as kids. Sometimes it's best to just leave the original alone, you know?
Bravestarr: (Wish List)
This was one of the more exceptionally animated cartoons. The movement of the characters was pretty true to life. For example - Marshal Bravestarr's equine companion 3030 (and my personal favourite from the show). When he was shown running in quadruped mode, the movement was true to life accurate for a horse. One thing that some animation studios skimp on is repetitive movement like running or walking. So they cheat on that and you lose a lot of the quality as a result. This was one of the better done cel animated shows I had seen in a while. It ran for 65 episodes and a 90 minute movie.
This was also a series that was truly ground-breaking and set a standard that few have come close to. It dealt with all sorts of subjects, from lying and stealing, to drugs and death. A child character in the cartoon actually died in one episode from a drug overdose. These issues were very real and Bravestarr minced no words about them. He always gave it to you straight and never talked down to you like you were dumb. Sadly, it fell into obscurity and has been all but forgotten. But a few of us remember this beautifully drawn cartoon and refuse to let it die in the cold.
He-Man:
Done by the same animation studio as the afore mentioned Bravestarr, you can see why I would include this as one of the better done cartoons of the 80's, and for much the same reasons. Running for two seasons at 65 episodes each, this was a very well loved cartoon series. It's sister cartoon (literally) She-Ra was also good and ran for two seasons totalling 94 episodes (66 episodes in Season 1 alone), though the plots seemed to fall off a bit later on. I think they were trying too hard to cater to the female cartoon watching audience even though boys and girls watched both shows with equally rapt interest. He-Man did survive longer than expected, and even spawned comic books and a movie or two. But sadly, as with any well loved hero, sometimes people try to reinvent the wheel and end up destroying it in the process (as with the live action movie).
Thundarr the Barbarian:
Another really good yet obscure cartoon from the early 80's, running for 21 episodes. In this you had a post apocalyptic world with a bit of relic technology and magic thrown in. Heck, you even had wierd critters like Ookla and his horse... thing... Thundarr was one of those that was fun to watch for both the comedy (like Ookla trying to eat with chopsticks) as well as the action. It was actually a more well rounded cartoon for its time. But, like Bravestarr, it fell into obscurity and was all but forgotten. Yet some of us remember Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla fondly, recalling their many adventures in an upsidedown world.
Dungeons and Dragons:
A cartoon based on a tabletop game that began the year I was born. The cartoon ran for 27 episodes in the mid 80's and featured six ordinary kids stuck in a fantasy realm trying to find their way home. The game was first published in 1974 and is still played today after giving rise to an entire industry of table top role playing games. There are even conventions centered around this game, namely Gencon and Dragoncon. The cartoon was fun and silly with a healthy dose of adventure. The kids were relatable as they were just like those who watched the show. Sadly, parental fears of magic and the occult proved to be the series downfall and the show was cancelled for lack of ratings as a result. But those of us who watched it remember the fun and frolic that was had with an innocent cartoon based on an unassuming game.
Thundercats: (Own)
All I can say is this show had plenty of silliness and lots of serious fun. Thundercats ran for a whopping 130 episodes spanning 5 years. The importance of teamwork and acceptance despite differences was a central theme to the series. Plus, can you really go wrong with walking talking big cats that could just as easilly hand you your ass in pieces as they could nuzzle up and purrr? My personal favourite was always Panthro, the incredibly strong and athletic mad tinkerer of the group who was not only physically powerful, but also very intelligent. There has also been quite an extensive comic book series done of the characters and a live/cgi movie has been in the works since 2008, but was put on hold because of other projects (namely Speed Racer). Hopefully it gets picked up again and finished very soon. I'd love to see the big cats on the big screen.
X-Men: (Own)
When a multi-generational comic book that spans several decades meets the cartoon media, you get the X-Men animated series. Aired begining in 1992 and spaning 76 episodes over five seasons that lasted six years, it's easy to see why this cartoon, like the comic book series, has survived the test of time. It was never expected to last beyond the first season, but ratings told otherwise and the series was continued. Being the longest running Marvel cartoon series, its success was due in no small part to the fact that the animation art was among the better done cartoons of its time. The fact that it was the highest rated and most watched Saturday morning show of all time only helped to boost its popularity and longevity. My favourite? I had several, but Gambit and Nightcrawler stood out among them. Stan Lee created them and we loved them. What more can be said really?
Gargoyles: (Wish List)
With 78 episodes over 3 seasons starting in 1994, Gargoyles boasts a darker and more cerebral approach to cartoon storytelling. The look of it was very gothic and in some ways more viceral, a far cry from Disney's usual animation style. It was also deeply influenced by Arthurian Legend early on, as well as medieval Scottish history and Shakespearean literature (primarilly Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream) later in the series. The animation was beautifully drawn and the characters very well fleshed out for a cartoon series. Each character had an extensively interwoven storyline and personality (I adored Brooklyn), making the series much more involved and engrossing than was typical of most cartoons. It soon spawned its own long running comic book series as well as a 13 year running convention, The Gathering of Gargoyles. A dark yet beautifully drawn and well written series.
Transformers: (Own TV-Loonland AG [Blue Box in Silver Tin]/Matrix Edition - Wish List)
In two words - Giant Robots! I'll add one more for you - Giant Transforming Robots! I mean, how cool is that?! Now, I will say that the animation did get a bit rough at times, such as coloration issues. And yes, some of the later storylines got a bit hokey occasionally, but the believability was still there because these were stories about Giant Transforming Alien Robots. Suspention of belief was generally not an issue here.
However, there is a very real reason this show has lasted for 25 years as a growing cult phenomenon with a multi-generational fanbase. For an 80's cartoon that literally started as an obscure early 80's Japanese toy line with no back story, not even character bios, and has not only held on for three seasons totalling 95 episodes, an animated movie, and a three part miniseries, but also spawned several other cartoon series spinoffs in both the US and Japan as well as several comic book series in the US, UK, and Japan, along with several crossovers with other series (most noteably GIJoe) and a triplet of live action movies (the third one up coming); we must consider the one truly central reason this Japanese-toy-turned-American-cultural-icon has survived the whims of audiences and company bean-counters alike. The Characters.
The integrity and consistency the characters have maintained throughout all their various incarnations is really something else. And of course, everyone has their favourites. But what truly sets them apart from many other cartoons is how singularly important and well loved these characters were. To many kids, these characters were either extentions of themselves or true life heros they could look up to. It was that level of very real connection between the characters and the kids who loved them that has kept Transformers alive and going strong for so long. How many cartoons can honestly boast of such a passionate fan base as to have their own dedicated convention? How about two dedicated conventions? Well, Transformers has four, one in the US (BotCon), one in Canada (TFcon), and two in the UK (Auto Assembly and Transforce). With a world wide, multi-generational fanbase, the proof is in the pudding. How often do you truly run across something that speaks to the hearts and dreams of so many different people the world over? That is the Transformers legacy.
Edit: (Thanks to
for reminding me of this one)
Reboot: (Wish List)
A cartoon ahead of its time, reboot was the first full length completely cgi cartoon series that aired starting in 1994 and produced by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver BC, Canada. 47 episodes aired over 4 seasons. Due to network censorship, rights conflicts with networks and distribution rights, as well as other various issues, Reboot was cut from US airing and limited in Canada and other countries. Sadly, because of these issues, the show did not do as well as it could have, despite awards for technical merit and storyline originality. There is a movie trilogy in the works and the first is tentatively slated for release in 2010, though this may not happen as planned, if ever.
It was a beautifully done show, breaking ground for cgi animation and putting out a lingo set that was unique to the show, using computer terminology over human vernacular. Reboot should have done far better than it did, and if it weren't for corporate issues it would have. Sometimes greed for money and fear of something new can kill even the best of ideas. Reboot is a good example of this, especially the "fear of something new" part. It was very new, innovative, and different from anything else on TV at the time.
Beast Wars (Seasons 1 & 2 Wish List, Own Season 3)
Also done by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver BC, Canada, this series coincides with the Generation 1 Transformers storyline. 52 episodes airing over 3 seasons starting in 1996, this series gave rise to the subsequent Beast Machines series, which totaled 26 episodes over 2 seasons. It can be said that Reboot was the ground breaker that made Beast Wars possible, and you would be on par with the truth. The animation was a step up from Reboot, and the story had plenty of action and hilarity to go around. By season 3, the tie ins to Generation 1 were made clear, establishing a direct continuity between the two time-lines. You even get to see a few of our favourite Gen 1 characters on the Ark itself!
I personally prefer Beast Wars over Reboot (though Reboot is awesome too), but then I'm partial to giant transforming robots. **grins**