Kids see a lot of cartoons growing up. That`s just another
part of being a kid. Animated cartoons are commonly seen by children on
Saturday mornings- TV not meant to tell a lot of story so as to confuse people,
but not meant to be a random collection of jokes either (okay, quite a few
children`s shows are random collections of jokes). I remember watching my
favorite cartoons all the time, and for good reason: I was a critic even when I
was little, and these shows had a great balance of story and comedy- enough to
entertain while also making sense. And for my first countdown list, I want to
reflect on these shows and count out my 7 favorites. Note that some of these
shows may come off as recent, but this is not just my favorites from when I was
a kid. This is my favorite animated shows of all my life, and some will be
recent while others are dated. Please note I dd not include the more adult
cartoons (like Family Guy, The Simpsons, or South Park) because not only are
they not meant to appeal to children as much, I really don`t find Family Guy or
South Park that funny.
7: Codename: Kids Next Door
---------------------------------------------
Oh, man, this show was entertaining. Already off to a strong
start.
Fo those of you who never watched it, this was a highly
creative and clever show about a secret organization of children (The Kids Next
Door) out to stop the plans of Adults threatening the common child activity.
Every time I watched this, I saw very entertaining situations and highly
diverse and interlocked characters.
The characters are what make the show work: you have all of
the stereotypical kinds of kids (the girly-girl, the angry athletic dude, the
smart guy, etc.) working and living together, while trying to balance their
normal lives as children. The main characters, known in the organization as
Numbuhs 1-5 (yes, that`s how it`s spelled in the show), juggle their secret
agent jobs with regular family tasks, such as eating as a family, wearing a
tie, or "Take Your Daughter To Work Day" (which Australian macho-man
Numbah 4 is hilariously dragged into). Just this balance makes things
entertaining, but the show has even more hilarity in the form of the villains.
All of the villains in the show are directly related to some
form of adult work or kid problem, such as The Common Cold (a guy with constant
allergies who shoots boogers and has a giant machine called the Flu Bug),
Grandmother Stuffum (who is convinced every kid in the world is too skinny and
wants to fatten them up), and Knightbrace (like Batman if he was a dentist). My
personal favorite is the Toiletnator, who commits toilet-related crimes and can
"flush" large bodies of water, such as the Grand Canyon (he did that
once). Also worth mentioning are the great machines designed by the K.N.D and
their adversaries: the machines are brilliantly created with planks, cords, and
random household equipment (Girly-girl Numbah 3`s weapon is literally a teddy
bear bazooka), and all look somewhat real while maintaining a fictional
quality. Overall, it was entertaining, clever, and well-done.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
I`d have to either go with the one where The Adults take
over the K.N.D hideout (and then get beaten up by The Toiletnator who thinks
they are the kids in disguise), or the supermarket episode, where all the
heroes and villains fight over the last box of Rainbow Munchies cereal. Take
your pick.
6: Courage The Cowardly Dog
--------------------------------------------
What I really like about this show is the contrast it is to
other shows on the list, specifically number 5. The dark humor and sometimes
frightening images really worked to push what you can and cannot put in a
cartoon to an extent that you can`t help but watch, out of either interest or
pure horror.
The show is about Courage, a little pink dog who lives in
the middle of the town of Nowhere with Muriel and Eustace Bagg, his senile
owners. Strange things occur almost daily for the family, and it`s all up to
Courage to save the old couple from dangers like an alien chicken, a clan of
frogs (I can honestly say I had nothing to do with that), a crocodile
puppeteer, and most notably, King Ramses (more on him later). The story, while
somewhat repetitive, mixes frightning images and dark storylines with
occasional humor in a good balance.
The frightening images and stories are what make the show.
All humans have a desire to be scared (I enjoy a good scare sometimes, but
mainly I`m a wuss), and this show gives you your fill: corpses, zombies,
mutants and lunatics abound. Where my number 5 is happy and bright, this is
dark and grimy. It really makes you feel terrified and entertained at the same
time.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
This is a toughie. I really can`t pick the one I enjoyed the
most, so I`m going to go with the two that scared me the most: The Great Fusili
and King Ramses` Curse. There is some debate over which one is scarier, but
that`s for another day. King Ramses himself is so interestingly made- he
appears to stand out as a claymation-like figure in the animated world- that
makes his appearance so terrifying. And that Voice, that awful voice.....
Fusili is definitely scarier if you`re older: Fusili turns
the old couple into puppets, and he gets turned into a puppet by saying magic
words (since Fusili said them on himself, it`s somewhat like suicide). After
that, we see Courage at home- like
normal, but the couple are still puppets and Courage is playing with them.
Think of it this way, now that you`re older- Eustace and Muriel are DEAD inside
that puppet and Courage is PLAYING WITH THEIR CORPSES. Enough said for now.
(NOTE: Frog anticipates every bit of hate he will get for
the next entry. Hate is expected and will be promptly dismissed as such. Thank
you for your criticism, and I will remember it as I happily choose to ignore
it.)
With that out of the way......
5: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
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I couldn`t resist.
I know that I`m going to get a LOT of crap for this, but let
me just say again that I do not care. It`s a TV show that I enjoy and want to
discuss. Got a problem? Don`t watch it. This isn`t exactly rocket science,
people.
I know that there`s this huge argument in the world about
the topic of "Bronies", male fans of MLP (yes, in advance, I am a
brony), but that`s for another post. What I`m talking about here is the show
itself, not the fandom, and let me say that it`s not exactly what people expect
from a show designed to sell toys.
To be honest, the show is actually EXTREMELY well-made: the
animation works well, the characters interlock with each other nicely, the
morals are relevant and the episodes are entertaining. Designed by the same
mind that came up with The Powerpuff Girls and Foster`s Home for Imaginary
Friends, it`s a well-crafted series. The plot, about unicorn Twilight Sparkle
(voiced by the same person who played Harley Quinn, Raven and Flashwing (my
favorite Skylander), so she`s 4 for 4) and her friends having adventures and
learning morals about friendship and goodness, is extremely popular due to the
show`s planning and content.
As a fan of the show, I can understand why it gets such a
good reputation. I really just see it as a very good show The characters are
what make the show, and each of them is so diverse that when they interact,
it`s almost always hilarious (most notably the evil lunatic hanging out with
the kind and gentle pony- and getting bossed around by her), but like many
shows on the list, the villians are what make this stand out: almost all of
them are either threatening or hilarious (except Gilda The Griffon, but screw
Gilda). Everything just goes so well together that you can`t help cracking a
smile.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
Definitely the season 2 finale, "A Canterlot
Wedding". Everything in this episode is great, from the planning to the
interaction, and not to mention the musical numbers. The wedding episode
showcases everything the show does right, and for bronies and random people
alike, it`s a real treat to watch. But besides that? Probably any episode
involving the chaotic bad guy Discord. Just watching this guy is hilarious, and
the fact that he played another reality-twisting crazy person (as Q from Star
Trek) just adds to the lunacy.
4: The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy
---------------------------------------------------------------
And here we arrive at the big contenders. The shows I really
loved watching when I was little, and may still watch today (I watched Billy
and Mandy very recently in fact), and we`re kicking it off with a darker entry.
Where Courage was full-out scay most of the time (that or
tear-jerking), Billy and Mandy sacrificed most of that fear for comedic effect
while still retaining a gothic nature to extremely good results.
The show, about two kids who befriend the Grim Reaper, was
extremely popular and got great reviews due to it`s contrasting elements
(goth+comedy) and constant useage of the 4th wall. The show did a great job of
renovating old beliefs of monsters and traditions, such as Dracula and the
Boogeyman, and the two contrasting children and the aparrent friendship between
them fuses in suprisingly well with the story. The wide array of characters
also increases the hilarity of the story- honestly, it reminds me of Adventure
Time nowadays- and the result of all this put together is pure dark comedy.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
There`s absolutely no contest: I`m going straight to Little
Rock Of Horrors, where idiot Billy befriends a rock that comes alive and eats
people`s brains. If you`ve ever seen any Billy and Mandy, this is the one you
remember, and for one reason (the same reason that makes it my favorite): That
awesome song, "Brains!", sung by Aurielo Voltaire, one of my favorite
musicians. The haunting beat of the original song combines well with the gothic
imagery and leads to a generally ass-kicking
sequence. Ironically, not knowing who Voltaire was at the time, I still
loved the song, but now that I`m familiar with his other work, it makes me love
the episode even more.
3: Batman: The Animated Series
--------------------------------------------
This is easily the best Batman-related thing ever, and
anyone who has seen this show is probably going to agree with me. In fact, I
regard it as one of the best cartoons ever, as well as one of the best
superhero cartoons (there's one more, and it's a big one) of all time.
Much like other shows on the list, this show mixed dark
elements with comedy and story to create a great series. Bruce Wayne (Batman)
is realistic as he acts as a superhero and billionaire, flirts with Selina Kyle
(Catwoman), and beats people up. The realism of Bruce makes this series
fantastic already, but much like everything else, it's the villains that make
this work.
The classic Batman villains, like the Joker, are brilliantly
redesigned while maintaining their original personalities in an act of classic
animation, while new villains help balance the mix. Most notable of these new
villains is the Joker's sidekick Harley Quinn, but many greats appear in the
series. This show also adds back stories to some older villains like Mr. freeze
(this backstory was so well-received that everyone uses it, even that crappy
Batman And Robin movie). The blending of old and new, the gothic atmosphere,
and the action mixed with quirky comedic moments male this Batman stand out
beyond all the rest.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
Tricky one. I love a lot of the episodes, but I`m going for
a certain category: the episodes that focus on villains, wether it be the
origin story or a little adventure. Personal favorites include the episodes
where The Penguin and Harley Quinn try to reform and enter society, or the dark
and sad origin of Mr. Freeze, or even the one where Batman has to team up with
Harley to stop Joker. But I`d have to say my favorite of the category is
"Almost Got `Em", where Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, and
Killer Croc play cards and swap stories about how they almost whacked the bat.
The villains acting like any old poker crew is hilarious, and the stories are
entertaining. Just a little insight into a villain`s social life can be a great
episode of a great series, if you know how to do it.
Speaking of Superheroes......
2: Teen Titans (The original, not the new cartoon version)
-----------------------------------------
Teen Titans holds a special place in my heart as the first
show I became a true fan of. I grew up with this show, and it`s never left me.
I remember sitting on the couch when I was little and watching the Titans being
the highlight of my week. That`s right, this is the first show The Critical
Frog ever loved.
Even though it stopped airing on Cartoon Network, I remember
the show fondly: a band of teenage superheroes band together to beat up evil
and do teenager things. It seems like a simple premise, but keep in mind Batman
was the same, but with... well, Batman.
This show was PHENOMENAL in my opinion: it had a dark,
underlining story that was brilliantly woven under memorable villains and
characters. The characters themselves were extremely likable and went together
well (most notably the "friendship" between the two female Titans).
But what really made the series work was the sub-plots and
how they interwined: every character has something they hide or are worried
about, and all of them directly tie in with the story at one point or another.
While even the stronger Titans have weaknesses (half-robot Cyborg`s machine
tendencies clash with his hopes for a normal life, and a main villain takes
advantage of that), it`s nice to see everyone with flaws, unlike some
absolutely perfect superheroes like Superman ]. My favorite subplot is the one
of my favorite character, dark and gloomy Raven, who ends up being the key to
unleashing a giant demon on the universe (who turns out to be, surprise, a main
villain).
And yet again, the series gets a lot of help from the
villains, which may or may not be the best part. Teen Titans balances dark and
serious plots and enemies with laughable moments. For every serious villain you
had someone laughable. The surprising realism of some villains (especially
prime antagonist Slade, who has no powers and can`t defeat any titan in combat
except for Robin) mixes together well with the joke villains. The joke
villains, such as a witch who brainwashes people with pies (and gets the goth
girl into a bright yellow dress, an act I will forever commend her for), a
magician with the voice of The Ice King from Adventure Time (he has the skin to
match), a cranky British guy who once turned New York into a replica of
England, and a fat nerd, Control Freak, with absolutely no powers but being
somewhat intelligent (and yet he somehow almost beats the Titans). I love every
villain in the bunch, and that makes the show that much better.
The balance of the show is amazing, and while things get a
little confusing at the end, it`s still a great show. The new cartoon`s okay
too, but that`s for another time. Teen Titans rules. Enough said.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
This is probably one of the most difficult ones to pick. I
really like all the gag episodes, the ones that just make you laugh and don`t
do much for the story. Personal favorites include "Revolution", where
Mad Mod (the cranky British guy) turns the city into a replica of England and
makes a lot of English comedy references (there`s even a Monty Python and the
Holy Grail joke), or "Don`t Touch That Dial", where Control Freak
sucks everyone into the world of TV, which of course is chock-full of TV
show-themed jokes (at one point Raven literally yells to the viewer, "THIS
STUFF ROTS YOUR BRAIN!"). But I think the one I really love is "Bunny
Raven, or... How to Make a Titanimal Disappear" (yes, that is the title)
where the evil magician turns Raven into a rabbit and sucks all the Titans into
his magic hat. The other Titans turn into animals (and a lamp) and what follows
is pure, unbridled comedy. The episode sacrifices story just for the sake of screwing
around, and what follows is brilliantly hilarious. There`s even a Statler and
Waldorf (those guys from The Muppets who shout insults) cameo. The whole thing
is just perfect in it`s lunacy. It`s brilliant. Just brilliant. But this may
make you wonder- if the show I`m saying is so awesome is only 2nd, then what
the heck came in 1st?
1:Avatar: The Last Airbender
--------------------------------------------
The answer is this. THIS came in first.
For those of you who don`t know what this is, remember that
crappy M. Night Shyamalan movie "The Last Airbender"? Yeah, that was
terrible. Just about one of the worst pieces of cinema ever, But the series it
was based on is this. And it`s absolutely beautiful.
I mean, WOW. Whoever made this series really outdid
themselves. I really love this show, and every part of it seems to be doing
something right: the characters are great, the story is well-made and episodic,
and the comedy balances with the seriousness much like Teen Titans. If the
Titans made any mistakes, this is what corrected them and added a heaving dose
of awesome.
The show is about Aang, the last Airbender (a guy who has
control over air) as he gains allies and goes on a quest to defeat the Fire Lord
Ozai before he gains ultimate power, is
somewhat straightforward but complex: Aang must learn how to control each of
the 4 elements (Water, Earth and Fire in addition to his Air) before fighting
the king of fire. Watching the character grow and change as he controls the
elements and copes with the fact that he is the last of his people is a nice
change from most shows, and the supporting cast balances the character well.
The supporting cast includes Katara, a teenage girl with
motherly tendencies who controls water, Toph, a blind girl who controls earth
by feeling it with her other senses, Sokka, Katara`s brother who has no powers
but being hilariously derailing, and eventually Zuko, the prince of fire. When
the other characters interact, it leads to intense and sometimes hilarious
setups as they survive daily life.
Also important are the few villains, such as Zuko`s crazy
sister who can control lightning (since it`s somehow a form of fire) or the
fire lord himself. But in a rare case on this list, the heroes are more
interesting than the villains. These characters are so three-dimensional that
you wish they were real.
Everything about this show is nearly perfect. Every little
bit. I firmly believe that this is the best cartoon in the history of cartoons.
If I leave this post with any advice, it`s to watch this. Heck, go watch all 3
seasons. I guarantee you won`t be disappointed. It`s a somewhat shorter series
than say, Teen Titans or My Little Pony (which has just begun it`s 4th season),
it`s 3 seasons of pure, unbridled greatness.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
--------------------------------------
This is by far the hardest, but I like the episodes that
diverge from the main story and expand on the daily lives of the characters
(like Toph using her earth powers to cheat at gambling to get money). As
mentioned in the Batman discussion, a look into the minor character`s lives is
great when you do it well, and it`s all done well here. Episodes I really like
are when Katara learns of a forbidden art, bloodbending (since blood is water,
technically) or the random travels of Aang`s flying bison steed Appa (there`s
an entire episode of him flying around doing whatever he pleases). But my
favorite is the one (I forget the name) that shows a day in town for each of
the characters: Katara and Toph go do girl things, Aang tries to use his
powers, and in the finest moment, Sokka gets into a haiku contest with some
geishas and loses horribly. It`s a Tour De Brilliance, much like the entire
show.
So that`s the TV shows I love. I`ll probably write more
about them (especially the Teen Titans VS. Teen Titans Go and Ramses Vs. Fusili
debates), but this is all for now.
