Don't Be Horrid Henry!

So it has come to my attention that the animated series 'Horrid Henry', the show based on the British children's book series is getting another season.

People's reactions: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

I've never said this to anyone at all, but I have somewhat of a history with this particular cartoon. The reason why is because there was nothing about it I wanted to share, it was honestly a show I didn't want my peers to know I saw (for fear of what they'd think of me). But I had an itch that I've been meaning to scratch, so it's about time to give my thoughts on it.

I'll start this off by saying that I never read the Horrid Henry books as a child, I was aware of them as they were a hit where I'm from. But something about them didn't catch my attention. That was until the animated series came out, so I thought that it could get me into the book series. The Horrid Henry series has gained a bad reputation, (mostly among older watchers) but if I could give an unpopular opinion, I didn't really mind it that much. For what the series is; the plots stayed true to the source material, the animation had effort put into it (if wonky at times) and the characters can have their moments. Much like 'The Cramp Twins'; the show exaggerates childhood situations that centre around a young anti-hero with a brother he has nothing in common with. Each episode would have Henry; this naughty brat who is faced with a certain problem, he then retaliates using trouble-making antics to achieve his goal. But more often than not, it would end with Henry facing the consequences of his actions. When it comes to TV shows based on kid's books, I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of mileage to come out of it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I ever liked this series very much. The writing wasn't high calibre, there were times where the characters could go too far with their traits and that it would relay on sophomoric/gross-out humour. Needless to say, it got obnoxious at times. But I think it was trying to appeal to the adolescence, much of it comes from how it tries to embrace a child's inner rebellion. There was a certain edge to it with how far Henry's anti-social behaviour can go, that it can be seen as a cautionary tale. So the juvenile nature is warranted for a show with this character. As long as the show wasn't too shocking, and as long as young viewers didn't imitate Henry's antics, I didn't find the show offensive (for the most part). So I was very indifferent towards it, that was until the third season. 

After the 'Horrid Henry movie', something went off with the TV series. I noticed that each episode

would get increasingly worse as it went on. The writing became very lacklustre, the stories stopped being as coherent as before, they either went nowhere or fell completely flat on its face. Not that the show was any good to begin with, but by comparison, the writing in the last 2 seasons felt very lazy. Even if you didn't like the show before, or you just thought it was okay, the later episodes would make the early ones seem not so bad. The antics became watered down, the dialogue made very little sense, the situations were no longer engaging in any way, that it would even resort to anti-humour which is not the least bit funny. Everything would drag on other than focussing on anything of importance, that anyone watching would lose any investment. The show had lost any edge it might have had, you could say I was too old to watch the show at the time, but even a child would find it dull. It doesn't even feel finished like the writer just turned in the first draft and did not add any further development to it. Whereas 'The Cramp Twins' had more story potential and should have gotten closure, the HH cartoon just kept going much longer without making much of a point. Now Horrid Henry's seasonal rot is nowhere near as bad as other shows, whereas those were noteworthy in how they declined in quality, HH just left me bored and underwhelmed. Even in its worst seasons; Spongebob at the very least had interesting ideas and concepts, with HH I could barely remember a thing. 

With how much source material there was to work with, you'd think the makers would be a lot more inspired. It feels like the producer was trying to sabotage the series. Why do I think this? Well, it seems that showrunner Lucinda Whitely has been calling the shots with the writing department; almost like she's become judge, jury and executioner. It's like people are afraid to tell her what she should and shouldn't do, as the episodes she' wrote show a lack of restraint. I'm sure she did put time into these scripts, but that has become very questionable as the final project doesn't show this. I don't see why they couldn't give creative control to Francesca Simon, seeing how it's her baby. I don't even know how much involvement she has with the series, or even she's aware of what's going on. It's like nobody is even trying anymore. Again the later episodes ain't remarkably bad, but that doesn't change how boring it got. I think children and fans of Horrid Henry deserve better than this. 

With all that said, how much more can they milk from this bratty child. I thought the franchise ended

3 and a half years ago, but it occurred to me that the show goes on these long hiatuses because the episodes do take that long to animate. Not only has the book series been around as long as I have, but the TV series has been on for nearly 13 years, even 'Johnny Test' didn't go on for that long. But if there's going to be another Toy Story and Shrek film, I guess any franchise has the chance to continue for an eternity. Even though I don't want to have anything to do with this series, maybe it might redeem itself. Perhaps Lucinda Whitely has listened to the criticism and that the upcoming season might be an improvement. But if this is going to be the last season, then I think it's for the best. Hopefully, it'll end on a relatively brighter note; rather than its soiled reputation. It would be better off that way. Or maybe the show will stoop to a whole new low and be a zombie of what it used to be. I'm not going to act like I was a fan of this show, but you could tell the makers did put their all into its early seasons. Even for how juvenile it was, many HH fans would agree it got as lazy as Lazy Linda. While I personally think people should put their focus on making a Cramp Twins revival, and just stop it with Horrid Henry. No matter how Season 5 turns out, this show needs to be left in the past with whatever dignity it has left. But at the end of the day, the Horrid Henry series is not great, nor is it "horrid", it's just mediocre.

A Stephen Hillenburg Tribute

I didn't think that 2018 would be as bad the previous 4 years in terms of how many icons have died, but unfortunately, this streak continues. This year, we've lost many people who have changed history; whether it be Dolores O'Riordan, Stephen Hawking, Will Vinton, Avicii, Barry (Chuckle) Elliott, Michael Jackson's Father, Anthony Bourdain, Tom Wolfe, Verne Troyer, R. Lee Ermey, Charles Lazarus, Stan Lee, Ken Dodd, Bernardo Bertolucci even Koko the Gorilla. I could go on. But one person's passing that has hit me personally hard was the loss of Stephen Hillenburg. I'm afraid to say that the rumours are true, the man who created 'Spongebob Squarepants' has gone to the great beyond. This man used his knowledge of marine biology to form an animated character that would eventually become a worldwide phenomenon for nearly 20 years, and would be recognised by people young and old. 

As some of you may know, I'm a fan of the naive sea sponge; from the age of 9, it has been one of my favourite animated shows from Nickelodeon. This cartoon really needs no introduction; it took the concept of talking sea creatures and did it in its own way. For many people who grew up in the early 2000s, Spongebob was more than just a silly cartoon; it was a cult television series that shaped our sense of humour. We the fans still remember the character's personalities, how they worked off each other, the quotable lines of dialogue, the unexpected humour that was woven into its storytelling, the juxtaposition of mixed media, how it took normal situations and adapted them to its underwater setting. It was a show that we shared because of how special it was to us; we shared it so much that it would become more and more popular. Which is why it's been a staple for not just Nickelodeon, but pop culture in general. It was funny to children and adults, hence why we hold the first 3 seasons in high regard. But I still hold this cartoon close to my heart for how much it developed my sense in humour, and I can't help but to admire how Stephen and the talented crew put so much craft into the jokes from those early episodes. In many ways, it taught us to be spontaneous with our ideas and to continue to be youthful at heart.

Even after Stephen left as captain, the show kept going much longer than he hoped. I for one didn't want to turn my back on the sponge; I still stuck with it through thick and thin. We can all complain how Spongebob became a hollow shell of what it used to be, and that it should have ended after the first movie. But you can still sense the effort; it still had good ideas and moments that could be just as good as the first 3 seasons. We had to accept that there were episodes that weren't on par with others and that a show from our childhood was no longer the way we remember it to be. It wasn't long till Stephen returned to his creation (though you can argue that he never truly left). This ushered in a new era for the sponge, we only hoped that it would return to form. It took the crew a while to get their groove back, but Stephen and crew knew that if Spongebob was going to continue for years to come, he should make the best episodes they can. 

Many visionaries continually make art and tell stories; some have that one claim to fame. Stephen may have created one show in his career, but it has left such a huge legacy. He was never a 'one-trick horse', he did many other contributions to our culture, but we can agree that his story of a childlike sponge has left an impact that turned out bigger than anyone could have imagined. His one creation has gone through many evolutions, for better or for worse, Spongebob is still ingrained in people's memories. There have been imitators of the sponge, but it could never be duplicated (like a sea sponge). Even those early seasons were a perfect blend of comedy, surrealism and great performances that could never be captured again. Stephen left his creation in the hands of other visionaries and encouraged them to interoperate it in their own direction. Even if it was his one creation, he was able to share it with the rest of the world. 

I had the misfortune to be around the time great musicians leave this world far too soon, I never thought I'd see the same for an animator. I was aware that he was suffering from ALS, but I thought that it would pass. But I did not anticipate this at all. It always hurts that someone who created something from my childhood passes on. Even as I got older and had to face bigger responsibilities in my life, I could still remember many of the quotes of this Nicktoon, even through it's changes, it meant something to me. It meant something to a lot of people. Now you're probably wondering if this means the end of Spongebob? No, with how much of a conglomerate phenomenon it has been over the years, I doubt it has to come to an eventual end. I also doubt the show will enter a second dark age of mediocrity, even without Stephen I know the crew understand what made it such a hit in the first place. They'll be many interpretations of the tales of Bikini Bottom from the people it inspired. No matter what your feelings are towards that one creation of his, the fact that someone made a children's program about a sponge that turned out to be a hit is a wonder to hold.

To quote Spongebob and Patrick; 'Goodbye friend, happy trails'.

So....Someone took a Piece of work I Did

It’s been a while since I wrote any updates or logs here, but I need to address this. About 4 years ago; I did a piece of fan art that shows Wayne and Lucien Cramp from the 2000s cartoon ‘The Cramp Twins’ as the 2 main characters of 'Pulp Fiction’. The piece in question would have Lucien as Vincent Vega and Wayne as Jules Winnfield respectably, as a homage to the both of them. I even did a reworking of it a year later.

 Now, why have I brought up this piece; well I was browsing YouTube one day when I discovered this video that uses a recent song by 'Russ x Buni’, that is named after the aforementioned series. I find it funny how these current rappers have songs dedicated to cartoons I watched in my youth, first J.I.D did one about 'Ed, Edd n Eddy’ then this. But that’s not what I want to talk about here.

In this video of the reworking of the song, you may notice that the image featured as the cover has my fan art. I was not aware of this till then, I was not even asked by anyone if they could use it, nor did I get any royalties for it. Not that I’m demanding to be paid for this, nor am I in any position to sue the person who edited the cover (or should I). I also noticed that the video was not uploaded on the group’s official channel, so it made me speculate that the cover used was a fake. It seems likely to be the case, as a matter of fact, I found another cover that uses another piece of fan art by HeinousFlame.

I did not find any information on where both covers came from, but I came to the conclusion that they were not official covers. At the end of the day, someone used my artwork without my permission. It’s ironic how a piece I did as an homage to both 'The Cramp Twins’ and 'Pulp Fiction’ would be associated with a song that’s named after that same cartoon. And for a reworked version no less. Now I’m no stranger when it comes to copyright, but whenever I do a project related to 'The Cramp Twins’; or any other existing property, I do acknowledge the original creators. After all, they do fall under the 'fair use’ doctrine. To the very least, am I being noticed for this? I really don't like being noticed for the wrong reasons.

A Bash on Teen Titans Go!

You may remember that I reviewed the British cartoon "Pet Squad", that short-lived series about 3 superpowered animals that took the superhero genre in a comedic direction. The one that tried to imitate the works of Jay Ward; even though it didn't use their tongue in cheek charm and wit. And despite the fact it had talented people working on it, it never really took off. Well, I take back what I said about it. Hell, I take back what I said about Clutch Cargo, Mighty Man and Yukk, Transformers, Captain Planet, Jonny Quest and Dynomutt Dog Wonder. I take it all back because I'm convinced I've seen the absolute worst cartoon the action/superhero genre has had to offer. What is this cartoon that's so bad you ask, it's none other than Teen Titans Go!

Based on the DC comic book series, this franchise has a concept of a team of teenage crime fighters;

however, the characters people mostly associate with the Teen Titans are Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven. And their most well-known incarnation that featured those aforementioned characters was the Cartoon Network series from 2003. Now what can I say about the 2003 series, I'll admit when I was younger I remember watching some episodes out of morbid curiosity, but since then I haven't seen or thought of it considering I don't care for DC. Even though I didn't hold on to it; looking back there were admirable things like the voice acting, how it balanced action with comedy relief and its characters. Hell, there was even a tear-jerking moment, so I can understand why it had a strong and dedicated fan base.

Why I do I bring this up, well 10 years later there came a new cartoon based on the Teen Titans. Not only did it have the same main characters, not only did it adapt the same designs to a more cartoony style but the same voice actors returned to reprise their roles. So you can imagine it gained a bit of attention as well as hype. However this latest incarnation focuses more on the comedic aspect than the early one; fans were quite hesitant but when they saw the final product, it would be regarded as the biggest slaps in the face of the decade. Instead of giving us a revival of the 2000s series, they gave us a series that has become so infamous that even the mention of its name would strike fear to superhero and cartoon fans alike. In fact, it has gone by different names like Toddler Titans, Teen Titans No, Teen Titans Go F*** Yourself, but I would like to call it Teen Titans Go Away.
An animated series that has become so reviled in recent history, that practically everyone on the web has covered; now it's my turn.

To start this review off; I will not associate this with the 2003 series or anything from the Teen Titans franchise, I'll be strictly looking at this show on its own. Teen Titans Go! revolves around the same team of 5 titans; only in this comedic take on the superhero genre, it shows them in a variety of scenarios. And when I say variety, I mean it's less about fighting crime or trying to save the world; but more about the titan's goofy shenanigans! The plot basically has the Titans minding their own business, they get into a predicament, the story gets blown out of proportion as it goes on and it ends with the Titans either resolving the conflict or failing in a comical fashion. These plots have a typical set up you see in other comedic shows; but here, it's executed badly. This show seems to be trying to do what "The Justice Friends" segments from Dexter's Lab did; in this case, the writers did a poor attempt. Other than having consistent storytelling, it focuses more on telling jokes and being as silly as possible. Not only do the plots go in outrageous directions, but also it has this mean spirited vibe towards the protagonists.

But you know what else Teen Titans Go! offers in its subject matter? The titan's adventures would involve using the bathroom, eating vegetables, what to do on a rainy day, and seeing how many times you just say the word 'waffles'. I know this show is aimed at older kids and teenagers, but I think this show was secretly made for 4 year olds. You know those spin-offs that had well-known cartoon characters and made them younger; well this is what this show feels like. This is on par with 'Bobinogs' it's that bad. No wonder they call this "Toddler Titans". Even if that is the case, it doesn't work because there have been instances where it inverts lessons. There were times where it is seemingly trying to teach a moral, but they turn out to be false or spoof aesops. Yes, the show is playing itself for laughs, but I worry that the younger audience would take it seriously. And those kids who are expecting it to be action-packed would feel deceived.

But considering this is a comedy; is it at least funny. Well, this show is just as funny as cancer. This

series throws in every different type of joke it can, and none of them tickle my funny bone. Much like the stories, the "humour" tries its hardest to be over the top and lampoon the superhero genre. To put it simply, it really takes the mick here. Depending on who you are, it might get one or two chuckles out of you, but that's how desperate it is to make you laugh. But anyone with common sense would not laugh at all. I throw the phrase 'lowest common denominator around, but that's the best way to describe its brand of "humour". Much of the jokes contain very lowbrow toilet humour, pop culture references, they also have a tendency to use running jokes throughout one episode. It gets really frustrating and the jokes aren't even funny to begin with. It gets so zany and wacky to the point the stories become stupid and ridiculous. It's noteworthy how it's able to push your suspension of disbelief, but your patience as well. Now there's nothing inherently wrong with making a funny cartoon that includes action, but you have to capture the spirit of the specific genre. Play around with the conventions and make sure to have a balance of action and humour. The 2003 series did have moments of comic relief, it came from the character's expressions going really cartoony and exaggerated. However, those humorous elements were only an ingredient, with TTG it's like making a sundae only to end up serving a bowl of sprinkles. I also throw the word stupid a lot but that's the best way to describe this excuse for "comedy".  There's a difference between 'laughing with' and 'laughing at' someone, but in this case, it's the latter. What do I mean by this; because the only time you see TTG and 'laughing' in the same sentence, is that it would be a laughing stock to the animation industry.

As a comical show, the visuals are meant to be much more cartoony than your typical superhero fare. In a similar vein to 'The Powerpuff Girls', the character design has bold outlines and the heads are different shapes and sizes. But the whole look doesn't appeal to me; it's a very generic use of a style that doesn't do anything for me. The colours are also very saturated; I get sick of seeing the same colour scheme for each location. One detail I notice with the background designs is that there's this jagged pattern effect that gives a shading illusion from a distance. The movements are done in Adobe Animate (or Flash, as people used to call it); despite the fact that the tool has come a long way in the past decade, it doesn't make the designs look any better. I can tell that the timing is very fast, but by modern cartoon standards, the movement makes the show look awfully cheap and minimalist. I can't get by the lip movements and how obvious it cuts corners. When it does incorporate fight scenes, they don't lead much to the viewer's imagination. It uses the same basic composition as apposed to adding any depth or dynamic angles. It's able to think of wild expressions, but like the writing it gets overbearing. I must say the mediocre art direction does match with the quality of the writing. I really feel sorry for the artists and animators who had to work on this, because I'm sure they're doing the best they can with the material they're given. It's too bad what they have to work with are garbage scripts, it's upsetting that their talents are being put to waste. You know what's ironic; in the 60s when we started to get more action/adventure cartoons, I never cared for the action shows that went for a suito realistic look, yet I respect the shows that tried to take that genre for a comical approach. But when it comes to Teen Titans, it's the complete inverse.

Now let's get to what people really hate about this show, and that's its characters, starting with

the titans themselves. Robin, the leader of the group is a former sidekick who aspires to be a great leader and hero. Unfortunately, he often gets the short end of his staff and never catches a break. He gets into humungous tantrums whenever things don't go his way; he becomes so assertive and bossy towards the others that he comes off a loudmouth. Though can you blame him when he has to put up with the other characters? He just wants to take his missions seriously, yet no one else appreciates him and has to put up with his orders. Cyborg is a half human half robotic hero with hidden weapons and gadget at his disposal. Beast Boy, who is able to turn into every animal, is also the laid back one. He also speaks in slang and tends to use the suffix 'es' with certain words. They're both slackers who would rather ditch their responsibilities so they can lie around doing their own thing. While Cyborg is the 'party dude', Beast Boy is a dimwitted slob. The female titans are not much better. Starfire appears to be the one member who's gentle and kind, but even she has moments where she uses non sequitur phrases. She has a sunny disposition, in which she's shown to be happy and naive. Because she still hasn't gotten used to earth customs, she can get into misunderstandings and becomes obsessed over things (like cats). Raven is the demonic gothic member with dark, sinister powers. You'd think she would be the sensible straight man who acts as the voice of reason, but even she can act goofy and expressive at times. One of her traits is that she likes a girl's cartoon about ponies, which is obviously a reference to the fact that her voice actress Tara Strong voices the main character of 'My Little Pony Friendship is Magic'. The girls on the team are also the love interests for Robin and Beast Boy, yet they don't show the same feelings. I hate these characters; they're not even good at their jobs as heroes. They're utterly incompetent as they barely save the day or achieve what they set to do. They even cause more problems than solving them, and they don't develop through their lessons. It makes it hard to root for them when they act so immature. It's stated the titans are supposed to be teenagers, but they act too juvenile to be considered as such. They often yell out their lines in an over the top fashion, which makes them even more obnoxious. Now can you understand why people call this 'Toddler Titans".

The straight man in this show would have to be the supporting characters and villains. Each antagonist would have to put up with the titans' immature antics; even the other teenage heroes find them a nuisance. But if I could take a moment to compare any character from the 2003 series, it would have to be Terra. She is a villain with elemental abilities and is Beast boy's other love interest. Let me just say that it breaks my heart what they did to her in this series, it really does. As a kid's show, the titans don't even set any good examples. No child would want to look up to these so-called heroes at all.

Bottom line, I Hate Teen Titans Go! Folks I find that very a strong word, and I'm not one to hop on the bandwagon, but that's how I legitimately feel about it. What more can I say that hasn't already been said? The writing is awful and poorly executed, the humour is obnoxious, the characters are either puerile or ones you feel bad for and the animation is cheap by current animation standards. It's a show that fails on all accounts, it's super bad! I should have heed people's opinions on the show because I can completely understand why it's considered one of the worst animated shows of the 2010s. If there's anything positive to come out of this show, is that it made comic book fans appreciate the 2003 series more. Even if you don't know a lot about superhero comics, you'll be least likely to enjoy this regardless. My distaste for this show isn't based on any bias of mine either, I hate it for my own reasons. But your criticism of this show is also my criticism; it is the epitome of everything wrong with modern cartoons. At this point; hating on TTG has pretty become the equivalent of beating a dead horse, with gratuitously superhuman strength and special powers I may add.

To add insult to injury is the show's constant airing in the US. I really feel bad for the folks over there or anyone who has to be subjected to this tripe. It doesn't look good on Cartoon Network's part as well. The fact that such a show has become a ratings hit makes me worry for the children of this generation. I want to believe that the people working on Teen Titans Go had good intentions, but the end result tells me that the two creators Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath are some of the most incompetent people in the animation industry at the moment. Don't believe me, there have been episodes that are dedicated to argue with haters and critics. These two have used episodes like 'The Return of Slade' (the worst offender of this) as excuses for the show's quality, it's like they don't want to listen to people's criticism. We all make jokes on how the heads of bad superhero productions are the "real villains", but I couldn't have picked a better analogy for this circumstance.

Those who are looking for a cartoon that mixes comedy with action won't find anything to like here, and it's not the right show to expose little children to superheroes. But if you're courageous enough to check this show out for yourself, you better believe what people are saying about it. You better believe it. And if you happen to like TTG for whatever reason, I'm not one to judge, just explain to me why you like it just so I could see your point of view. As for me, this show gets a 1/5.
But you know what, I know children are smarter than this. I also know they deserve better quality programming than this. I hope that the younger viewers watching it will realise that they don't like this show, they'll probably learn to hate it as much as we do. I hope that producers will also smell the coffee and see that people have had enough of it and that we'd be better off without it. The only way we could defeat this menace of a series is if we could just ignore it, don't even bother bringing attention to it because it's not worth your time. If we just ignore it, then shows like Teen Titans Go! won't be the norm. And maybe, maybe this show will just go away. The sooner it does, the bett........

GOD DAMN IT!!!

All right; I also don't think this is worth seeing either, because I pretty much worry for the human race at this point. If there's any silver lining to this, then it'll probably get people interested in releasing hand-drawn animation in theatres again. I mean there's no way anyone in their right mind would give this any positive notoriety.........

...........SON OF A B****!

My Top 20 Favourite Animated Shows Part 2

10. Adventure Time
Like I said before; the late 2000s was a dark time for television animation, even Cartoon Network had it bad. The channel that used to show a variety of animated programming that many have grown up watching, was just not the same. The executives were making bad business decisions like replacing cartoons with live-action programming, yes there was a time where they really did that. Anything of significant value going for it had become a rarity, and because it was in such a mess, I too lost interest in this channel. But just when things were at their worst, the show 'Adventure Time' came in and sparked a light of hope.

A young boy called Finn and his magic dog Jake roam the mystical land of Ooo, in order to look for
adventure as the title suggests. They save town folks, fight villains and beasts and find artifacts of the different lands. Many episodes would have them interact with colourful characters or discover more of the mysteries of Ooo. Adventure Time was first pitched to Nickelodeon, but Cartoon Network took a chance on it, and the rest is animation history. When I first discovered this series I thought the character designs looked cute; so when I did see it, it not only surpassed my expectations but it showed me that cartoons can be just as good as the ones from my childhood. As the series went on; my love and admiration for it seemed to grow and grow, and I realised that it was more than just a bunch of cute designs and bizarre humour. Pen Ward really took a lot from the fantasy genre and made it his own, as he mixes in action, comedy and drama. Stories dealt with what goes on in character's lives to epic quests with ongoing plots. The world of Ooo is very intriguing; it's surrounded by talking animals, objects and other mythological beings. It's a land divided into many kingdoms that are made from different elements. We learn so much of the lore of Ooo; the world reveals its many layers with each passing season. In terms of humour, the writers were able to make a range of jokes out of the stories. The weird humour fits with the show's setting, these jokes would catch me off guard that I can't help but to laugh at the strangeness. There were even times where the show got so weird, it could get awkward. But it has a variety of comic relief, so it doesn't rely heavily on being random or surreal. In fact, Adventure Time can be really deep, touching upon philosophical themes and allegories. Can the stories be difficult to follow at times? That depends, but I'm glad to see a kid's show with much complex meaning. The art style seems very simplistic; the characters have noodle-like arms and dots for eyes, but what works about it here is how expressive these characters can be. The cute character design works here because they're well animated, the strong production values make the simple style much more charming. The backgrounds also maintain that stylistic quirk and contains vibrant colours, they add detail and finesse to this vast fantastical world. They're even some episodes that are animated in different styles, which made the series all the more experimental.

The show had a range of colourful and quirky characters. Finn is a young enthusiastic hero with a
passion for adventure, he's also has a strong moral code where he only fights those who are wrong and stop at nothing to defend those in need. We watch him develop as a character and grow as a warrior. Jake is Finn's best friend and sidekick, he has the ability to morph into different shapes and forms. He always gives Finn his words of wisdom but he's also very laid back and easy-going, he would rather eat a lot and not worry about anything. Princess Bubblegum is the ruler of the Candy Kingdom who Finn had a crush on, despite him being too young. She's a far cry from a damsel in distress; she actually has an interest in science. Though she is overprotective of her subjects, she cares about their well-being. Ice King is the comedic antagonist with ice powers who wants to marry a princess but is always foiled by Finn and Jake. But we learn that he's a more sympathetic villain. BMO is the little talking computer of indeterminate gender and has the cute factor. Lumpy Space Princess is a being from another galaxy. It was odd to hear her deep voice at first, but once I got used to her valley girl inflections, she became the funniest character on the show to me. Just her sassy attitude always cracks me up. Then there's Marceline the Vampire Queen, who went from a character I disliked to one I absolutely love. She may look dark and demonic but she turns out to have a radical personality, added with a deep back-story. All these characters have memorable personality traits and have multi-layered back-stories that give me something to like about them. They can also get real like the plots.

But what makes Adventure Time important to so many people; (including me) is that it gave us hope for Cartoon Network. If it weren't for this show, the channel would have continued to go into a downward spiral, so I'm grateful that CN took a chance on it. It put me out of that notion that cartoons weren't like they used to be, and proved that there are still imaginative people working in the animation industry. It made me realise that I can still like cartoons as an adult. This was a show we needed at the time, and it turned out to be even stronger than we thought it could be. Adventure Time has only been around for 8 years now, and I already rank it very high. Yes, I'm aware that the show is coming to an end pretty soon, I just hope it has a satisfactory and epic one. It really was great while it lasted, and boy has it lasted? It's clear to me that it has left behind an impact on the medium of animation. And even though there's a certain show that's detrimental to the network and won't go away, let's pray that the next wave of cartoonists will follow Adventure Time's influence as an example. So thank you Pen Ward, for creating a fun adventure of a series. It is most algebraic!

9. Arthur! and the Square Knights of the Round Table
In this 1960s reimagining of the fabled king of the Britons, we follow the comical misadventures of Arthur and the other colourful characters from his kingdom. Meanwhile, the dastardly Morgana Le Fay and her accomplice The Black Knight are always coming up with schemes to take over the throne and destroy Arthur. I have always been a fan of the tales of King Arthur, so when I first learnt that there was a cartoon about the medieval legends, my young mind thought that it would be an awesome combination. So I searched everywhere to find this artifact; and when I rediscovered it years later, I would appreciate what significance this one has in the field of 60s animation. This is the first animated series to be based on the Arthurian Legend, and compared to other King Arthur cartoons (though there are few) I feel this did justice to its source material oddly enough. It's a more comedic take on the legend; the jokes embody the tropes you see in other cartoons from its time. I was concerned that this would have aged like an old forgotten relic, but I found there's a certain charm. It could be dated, but it could also be clever and witty. Part of the appeal comes from the stories, that take from fairy tale fantasy but done in a cartoony manner. Expect some historic inaccurate jokes, for example, Merlin is able to create modern inventions. You don't need to know a lot about the Arthurian legend to watch this, it puts these well-known characters in its own plots, so this series can stand on its own. The animation also works with its limitations, as there's a sporadically to the character's movements. When it comes to child-friendly versions of mythology, this show proves that there's nothing wrong with medieval styled fun.

This series has become a rarity to find among a sea of obscure cartoons. If you could find any of the episodes, then give Arthur and the Square Knights of the Round Table some much-needed attention. They need to give the rest of the episodes exposure, so it won't be a variation of the Arthur legend that will be lost and forgotten to the mists of time. Hopefully, generations will remember the moment when Arthur was seen as the ring-a-ding-a-ling-ilest king of all the land. But one thing about this cartoon that always made me wonder, and that's why they call the knights the 'square knights'? Is it because of their design? Could anyone fill me in on this?

8. Arthur

Now we move on to another cartoon about a character named Arthur. Based on a children's book series by Marc Brown, Arthur follows the life of a young aardvark named Arthur Read. It also revolves around his family and the other kids set in a world of anthropomorphic animals. We get to know such characters like Buster, Arthur's best friend who's a rabbit with an interest in food and aliens. Francine, a girl orangutan who's an athletic tomboy that started off as a mean and bossy character, but she would become much more kinder and understanding as the series went on. Brain is the Martin Prince or Edd (Double D) of the show, meaning he's the intelligent one of the group. Binky is a school bully, but he actually has a sensitive and friendly side. Mr Ratburn, the teacher of Arthur's class who's known for giving tough lessons, but has other hobbies such as puppetry. He's not as strict as he may seem and is an overall jovial person. Then there's D.W, Arthur's bratty sister who's the bane of Arthur's existence. They're many other characters in the city of Elwood to work off from. As a child, I would always notice Arthur whether it be the books or the TV show. But the more I saw of the adventures of this aardvark and his peers, the more I was invested in it. Even when I got older, it managed to hold up really well.

When it comes to children's entertainment, Arthur has the best writing the edutainment genre has to offer. The stories are exactly like certain events that would happen to any child, so it manages to appeal to kids of all ages. The writers did a superb job to execute these stories, it would tell inventive and engaging plots, and give its own spin on them. This is an educational kid's show, but the lessons it applies still resonate with children to this day. Arthur would teach its viewers a variety of morals and subject matter, it isn't afraid to tackle themes such as friendship, dyslexia, cancer, Asperger's syndrome, violence and lots more. It manages to work its morals into the storytelling, and it has a great balance of both. It feels like a show older children can watch, that just happens to be educational. It doesn't talk down to its audience and it treats these lessons with dignity. The show is also good at humour; it genuinely has very funny moments. The animation really captures Marc Brown's original illustrations; it matches the special charm with the skipped outline inking and watercolour backgrounds. The show also has a range of fantasy sequences from the character's points of view, it really thinks of imaginative episode openings and sequences that coincide with the stories and illustrate what the characters go through respectively. Speaking of which, the characters were very relatable and distinct in their way. We see our young selves in these young characters and chances are they're just like ones we know; they just so happen to look like creatures. They have their own orientations, we understand the predicaments they're put into as they're episodes that focus on each one of them.

But the reason why I still enjoy Arthur to this day is because it does a great job making the lessons it teaches interesting. I could still remember these stories, much of them were akin to other childhood experiences. It respectfully approaches these lessons because it really respects its audience's intelligence. When it gets the morals right, it gets them right. Which explains why a lot of older people watch the show as well. The older I get, the more I appreciate how it tackles these plots in ways young viewers can understand. For those reasons, I consider it one of the best shows for children. Its been on the air for many years because Marc Brown treated it's devoted fan base with dignity; as long as it's on, it'll continue to enlighten young viewers with well-written stories and morals. It gives messages that come from the heart, and I'll continue to watch it no matter how old I get.

7. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)

As you may know, I'm a fan of 'Star Wars'. In fact, many people are into the epic space opera, which is why it's the biggest sci-fi franchise ever known. So with all its success, people have been making money from it by making countless variations and spin-offs, thus extending the Star Wars lore. One of these projects was 'Star Wars Clone Wars'. In this mini-series, we learn of the events that take place between Episodes 2 and 3. As a young fan of these films I was anticipating this show, basically, the idea of an animated Star Wars show made by Cartoon Network just got my attention. This series was directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, and he really adds his own touch to it. He heavily relies on the action than dialogue to tell it's segmented story, it chronicles the Clone Wars from different character's perspectives. These battle scenes have a balance of choreographed fight sequences and atmospheric moments; that let the battle scenes sink in. Thus it mixes Star Wars with Samurai Jack-esque action. The characters resemble their live-action counterparts, but their designs have a certain stylised finesse to them. The backgrounds capture the vast environments and worlds of the Star Wars universe with intricate detail that's as effective.

Now as someone who became a fan when the prequels were released, and considering my opinion on those instalments, I hold the 2D animated series in high regard. Around the time this aired, I was exploring the franchise. That's when I discovered the original trilogy, so Clone Wars was the incarnation I sank my teeth into. Clone Wars gives fans the chance to get insight into these Jedis' missions and tackle ideas and introduce foes that the prequels didn't get the chance to showcase. Now you're probably wondering what I think of this series compared to the CGI version; well while that one leans to have more story, and I like it just as much. The reason why I prefer Genndy's version more is because I appreciate how it's able to tell the story through its visuals. I can feel the massive scope, there's impact to these scenes that even I find impressive. As much as I believe that story is an important factor, I can see a lot more of artistry with the 2D version. I have to hand it to Genndy for allowing the action to convey the plot; it's quite an accomplishment. Though some fans would see that as an acquired taste. Even if you're one of those fans who were disappointed by the prequels, you might find a lot to admire in this series. As for me, I still adore it, and it reminds me why I became a fanatic. I go to the CGI series for the story, but I go to the 2D series for the aesthetics, the duels and to take in the atmosphere. So whatever series you like more, Genndy's Clone Wars captures the spirit of the epic space opera while trying to be its own thing. Like with all things Star Wars, choose your own side. The force is definitely strong with this one.

6. Testament: The Bible in Animation

The bible has been adapted many times to animation, especially on television. But for me, 'Testament: The Bible in Animation' is the incarnation that has perfected it. Made by Christmas Films; this is yet another animated anthology series that adapts stories from the Old Testament, in which each episode has a different animation style. I was exposed to this series when I was learning about religion at a young age. As I was intrigued by bible stories at the time, I was also captivated by this series. Seeing a series have a different animation style for each episode amazed me the first time, and each one looks gorgeous in their own distinctive way. It offers a wide range of art styles and techniques that does justice to these stories, the direction for each episode gives them a grand and epic scale. The visuals enhance the material in creative ways, many of these animated anthologies really inspire me, and this series is no exception. While the visuals are impressive, it's the writing and dialogue that really shine through, so it balances both aspects consistently. It also contains noteworthy interpretations of these biblical figures; the voice actors are able to portray them with charismatic and dignified performances. Even if you're not religious, you could still marvel at how it brings the bible to life. It really respects the source material, it isn't afraid to adapt certain integral parts of the biblical text and take liberties with it in a way viewers can get by.

However, this show didn't get as much recognition as it rightfully deserves. But if you could find the DVDs or watch it on YouTube, then please check it out. If you want to see Christmas Films adapt more bible stories, there's also the film 'The Miracle Maker' that tells the story of Jesus Christ. I believe this movie is a spiritual successor to Testament, though you can argue that it was intended to be a follow-up. If you haven't heard of it, then check that out as well; it's a great movie that's just as under-appreciated. But I digress. When it comes to adaptations of the bible, both Testament and 'The Miracle Maker' are artistic variations that manage to be very faithful. Those who are looking for adaptations that stay true to the bible might find a lot to admire in this series. It's a collection of holy interpretations that's a miracle to be held.

5. Spongebob Squarepants (The First 3 Seasons)
Everyone has a favourite cartoon from Nick, and it seems this sea sponge always has a place on their list, as for me I couldn't resist. You can't blame me for including Spongebob; this was a Nicktoon that slowly but surely gained popularity.

The show follows the life of our optimistic, childlike sea sponge. From living in his pineapple, his job at the Krusty Krab fast-food restaurant, to his relationships with a cast of memorable and colourful characters in the fictional town of Bikini Bottom. This show took the concept of anthropomorphic sea creatures living in a civilisation similar to ours and pulled it off as any wacky cartoon should. This was a cartoon that took whatever situation/storyline and has each character work from it in a unique way. It also knew how to use the underwater setting; a majority of the situations are based on ones people go through but written to be very comical. The characters could be put in any scenario that the audience can relate to and understand. It would incorporate mythological/supernatural phenomena, aquatic species as well as nautical design. It had some of the most surreal, well written and subversive gags and jokes, these were jokes that are still remembered to this day. The humour had many layers to it; which came from the character's traits and the reactions to their settings. Whether it was visual or verbal, the comedy was woven into the plot. Regardless, I would still laugh at how a joke caught me off guard. I could remember each one of these jokes; partly due to their repetition, which is why they were quotable among fans. I don't think I ever got tired of them. What also made this show stand out were its visuals, from the cartoony character designs to the hand-painted backgrounds. The animation showed a vast range of emotions, giving the characters wild and various facial expressions that have stayed in our memories as well. It contained juxtaposition of mixed media; having detailed still images and live-action, this use of experimentation made the visual gags all the more unexpected and funny.

The characters were especially memorable, as they had their own personalities to work off each other. Whether you liked Spongebob or not, you cannot deny his quirky, energetic naive personality. Patrick, Spongebob's best friend was dumb but it was a funny and charming kind of dumb. Squidward, the grumpy neighbour with a passion for the arts and cultures; but no matter what, he always has misfortune, which made me sympathise with him. Sandy the squirrel from Texas who lives in an air dome; she's not only Spongebob's friend from the land but she's also brave, smart, and acts as the voice of reason. Mr Krabs, Spongebob's greedy boss who basically has a love for money. Then there's the show's main villain Plankton; an evil genius bent on stealing the secret Krabby Patty formula to make people come to his restaurant, the Chum Bucket. All of them had exaggerated traits the audience can tell them apart, that even their homes and lifestyles you can distinguish. The voice actors also gave the right delivery to these lines. Even though it was a comedic series, it would take its time to let the atmosphere of the settings sink in (as well as the jokes for that matter). The Hawaiian soundtrack emphasised the underwater setting, it also included APM music to give the atmosphere a classic cartoon feel. It was a surreal, comical cartoon that anyone of any age could enjoy. Which is why I still find these episodes cleverly written and funny now as they were back when I first saw them; no matter how many times I have.

Now, why did I just put the first 3 seasons there; well after the first movie the show took a change in direction, which resulted in it turning off a lot of the fans. For a long time; fans have turned their backs on the sponge, saying that it should have ended 14 years ago and that it's become over-saturated. Others say they're trying to squeeze the franchise till it's bone dry; because of this, people were seriously not interested anymore, calling it a hollow shell of its former self. However, I'd be lying if I said I stopped watching this show. Now I'm not a blind Spongebob fan, I'm willing to admit when the show screws up. For example; some of my least favourite episodes are 'Stuck in the Wringer', 'Giant Squidward' and 'All That Glitters'. But it's nothing new for a show to have episodes that aren't on par with others; as long as the show was still on I would always check out what it had in store. If I ran into a dud episode I'd just nod and move on, hoping that the next one would be a different viewing experience.

You could say that the show ain't what it used to be, but I feel the show has always been changing. Think about it; at first, the show was trying to fit in with other Nicktoons at the time, however, it wasn't until the second season where the show found its identity. In the show's defence I think for every bad Spongebob episode, there are a few mediocre ones and a few good ones. Heck, I think seasons 4-8 had interesting ideas and concepts, it's just that most of their executions haven't live up to people's expectations. Modern Spongebob has pulled off some great stories like 'Dunces and Dragons', 'Ear Worm', 'Krabs A La Mode', 'Séance Shmeance'. Let's not forget the stop motion specials and 'Sponge out of Water'; both of which are the best things to come out of the franchise in a long time. Don't get me wrong; I know where people are coming from when they say they don't like the later episodes. I for one feel like they took certain aspects from the show and went too far. There have been times where it went overboard; like it's grotesque content, how Spongebob became an oblivious lunatic, Squidward's suffering became more mean spirited than funny, Mr Krabs cared more about money than the people around him, how Patrick comes off as an un-caring jerk. I'm not gonna defend all that. Some of the people who previously worked on the earlier seasons continued to stay on board; perhaps the problem was either too much or too little restraint. But it's the weaker moments of Spongebob that make us appreciate those earlier seasons more.

What I'm trying to say is that just because a show has passed it's prime, doesn't mean it isn't worth watching anymore. Yes, the sponge has become too over absorbed, but I think it's become a beloved success because those first 3 seasons were so great. Those are the episodes people associate with Spongebob the most, and I feel the same too. If you were to pass down Spongebob to any generation of children, they'd love it for those early episodes and what the characters were like back then. But to say that Spongebob turned bad is a huge generalization. Now with Stephen Hillenburg back on the show, I can safely say there's a bright future ahead for this series; sure the newer episodes aren't going to live up to the classic seasons, but they're the best way to ensure people that the franchise is gonna be just fine. Now that the series entered a new era; it actually feels refreshing for the show to take it's comedy and visuals to the next level, I hope it'll continue to use interesting stories and concepts and do wonders with them. Which gives me all the more reason to stick by the show until it ends, I mean if it does end. But when that day does come, people will look back on the series for the best it had to offer, not for those infamous moments. I for one can admire the early seasons for how much attention was put into crafting its humour. No matter your opinion of Spongebob as a whole, we have watched the sponge evolve and it'll live on in our hearts and minds. Now shut up, I mean next show.

4. The Cramp Twins

If you have read my blog, you'd know I talked about this show quite often, but that's how much I love it. Based on a series of graphic novels; Brian Wood's slice of life cartoon is about Wayne and Lucien Cramp, two un-identical twins who get at each other's throats due to how different they are. Wayne is a juvenile delinquent who's obsessed with junk, sugary treats and is very disobedient, while Lucien is a smart, peace-loving vegetarian with a fascination with nature. Wayne would always make his brother's life a living hell, while Lucien would make it his mission to foil him. While each episode would revolve around each/both of the brother's escapades, there was a cast of supporting characters who were just as memorable as the last. Characters like the twin's western loving father and cleanliness obsessed mother, Lucien's midget friend Tony Parsons, Wendy Winkle the rich brat who has a crush on Wayne, Lucien's neutral friend Mari, Miss Hissy the teacher with authority as big as her behind; and many more. But what was interesting about the show was how it took place in a city with one patch of swampland remaining, while the townspeople are consumed by the influence of the Haz Chem Soap Factory. Meanwhile, the C.E.O Mr Winkle has a secret past connected with the swamp and it's remaining swamp folks.

Out of the Co-European productions by Cartoon Network, this was the show I held onto the most,
as an adult I personally think it holds up very well. I've stated on many occasions why I genuinely regard it as one of my favourite TV shows of the 2000s decade, and a misunderstood one at that.
The writing has to be some of the best and smartest I've seen in children's television. Not only were the stories well-executed, not only was the dialogue strong and even quotable, but it had an underlying social commentary touching upon a lot of topics and themes. It actually knew how to integrate environmentalism without seeming preachy. The animation had unique designs that haven't been seen in a lot of animated series before (and since) with its very colourful palette; the lines around the characters give them a stylistic quirk. The humour was also well done with each joke being spot on; a lot of it comes from the character's expressions and how they work off each situation. I could never get tired of these jokes. It also knew how to appeal to adults, with the amount of innuendos that went over my head when I was young; even if it may have gotten into a bit of controversy. Like I said the show had a cast of memorable characters that were unique in their own way, with Lucien and Tony being both my favourites. It helps that the voice cast pulled off great performances, being a British cartoon with the distinction of an American/Canaidian voice cast. I can see why some would not like Lucien because he's not like other children, and why some would consider Wayne obnoxious and mean-spirited. But fortunately for us, he gets his comeuppance (like the other antagonists) most of the time.

With that said, other people didn't take kindly to it like I did. I understand that the Cramp Twins wasn't for everyone; but most people seem to hate this show, which is a terrible shame because I think there's more to it than they give it credit for. They say that it was "boring"; to which I respond, not all cartoons have to be surreal and off the wall. As much as I admire cartoons that are not limited to the boundaries of our reality, take advantage of the animation medium and act as a means for escapism. It's nice to have a slice of life show like this in contrast, to help us connect with and learn from; then the exaggerated parts are all the more appreciated. Another complaint this show gets is that they are put off by the character design; which is odd considering cartoons like Doug, The Simpsons and Adventure Time have similar aesthetics of characters with unusual skin colour and facial features. So how is this different from them? So I don't think these multi-coloured twins are deserving of such hate; I'll admit it's not flawless, but they can't all be masterpieces. Regardless; I'm unable to understand what everyone else dislikes about this show as a whole, and if you think that way that's fine. It certainly appealed to me at least; I'm not the only one who thought so, and I'm not gonna let anyone take that away from me.

To add injury to insult, there was the show's unfortunate cancellation. Now I wouldn't complain about how long it lasted, but I think the show had more story-potential and that there were stones left unturned. If Brian Wood had the chance to finish his creation with one more season or a TV movie to tie up the loose ends, I would have accepted and moved on, but that's not what happened, didn't it! But what makes it even sadder in this case; is that Brian Wood never went on to work on any other projects, animated or otherwise since. Or they might just be stuck in development hell; which is also a shame since he's a talented artist with his own unique style and sensibilities, whose work I want to see more of. Sometimes I wonder what happened to cause such a cruel fate, and what might have been. Maybe it would have gotten better, maybe it would have declined in quality; if the writers had more plans for the show, then why didn't they come to fruition? Who knows?
But for what it is, I admire it as not just a show I grew up with, but also a show that wanted to be different and make its mark on the industry.

Which is why I think this show deserves to have a revival, so what's stopping them? There must be a devoted fanbase that is demanding to see this show continue. Just as long as they get the original writers (including Brian Wood), voices, and animation crew, as well as some newer talent who understand what made the original series work in the first place involved. And most importantly it should continue where the original left off. And don't say it might alienate newer audiences, I think if they re-ran the previous seasons prior to this new season, then that would satisfy both audiences. Or at least put it on streaming. Once again I know I've talked about this show a lot; but that's how much I want to get it through to these network executives, they're basically sitting on a golden opportunity here. If you feel the same let them know that we want more Cramp Twins episodes; I don't care if it's a one-off special, we just want closure. But until that day, we still have the original episodes to enjoy, as well as an amount of fan service to keep this underrated gem from being forgotten. There's just one thing I want to say to Brian Wood and his brainchildren.............come back.

3. Shakespeare The Animated Tales

For those who may not know, I'm a fan of William Shakespeare. His works are an inspiration to my storytelling sensibilities and I've always been intrigued with the culture associated with him. If I have the opportunity to see one of his plays adapted to another art form; I'm always eager to see and they always turn out good, this series is no exception. Here's another anthology series based on classic literature, and in my opinion, it's probably the greatest one out of all of the shows in that category. This series not only helped me better understand the plays of the bard; it was also my earliest exposure to Russian animation. Like 'Testament' this anthology series adapts each play in a different animation style. It contains some of the greatest animation to come out of Russia; each adaption looks beautiful in design and crafted with such detail. The makers picked the right illustrative style to fit with the right play, as they've captured the majesty of Shakespeare's words. When it comes to television-quality animation, it still looks awe-inspiring and innovative to this day. I absolutely love the artistry that went into each episode; it allows the medium to illustrate certain scenes in creative and expressive ways. Of course, the plays here have been abridged, the makers were very selective with which quotes and which scenes to include or take out. Which made it worth conversation. It made it easier for younger viewers to consume the source material, while Shakespeare fans can admire what it did with it. The voices are provided by actors rather than voice actors, they do a splendid job portraying these classic characters. As you may expect they put the right amount of sophistication into their performance.

I regard Shakespeare The Animated Tales as one of the finest shows to ever be put on television. It's one of the contributing factors that made me fall in love with Shakespeare's works, it also made me fascinated with foreign animation at a young age. It's a perfect combination of both, that's the closest thing to a perfect TV series. I mean it when I say that it contains some of my favourite interpretations of the plays. It's on the levels of Disney in how it adapts such amazing stories. It's a series that gets better the older I become, I appreciate how it changed my perspective on animation in general. By all means, if you're a fan of Shakespeare or animation, then please watch this if you haven't already. Bottom line, Shakespeare The Animated Tales deserves to be honoured as much as Shakespeare himself. Now with how much I praised this show, you'd think it would be number 1 on the list. But if I had to pick a series with its own original premise and characters, my next two entries would be...........

2. The Simpsons
This animated sitcom is about a dysfunctional family known as the Simpsons, who live in a fictional
version of the town, Springfield. There's Homer, the dumb, lazy father who works at the nuclear plant. His wife Marge who's the stay at home mother, Bart is the troublemaking son, Lisa is the intelligent middle child; and Maggie, the baby who doesn't talk, but is always seen sucking her pacifier. What can I say about the longest-running animated show that hasn't been already said by everyone? Well, I first discovered it by seeing it everywhere; I would watch it at any opportunity, and I would want to watch more of it. Like many people I consider The Simpsons to be one of the funniest shows to ever air, as well as one of the most brilliantly written pieces of media. I mean it when I say that the show has some of the best storytelling I've ever seen in a sitcom, it takes on any storyline that you can name, and it does so perfectly. It gives its own unique take on a variety of plots, each episode would revolve around 1 or 2 of the main characters, it could put them in any setting or scenario they would do wonders with them. It touches upon many themes and topics in a satirical and thought-provoking manner through its narrative. It isn't afraid to depict society in a cynical light, addressing many of life's problems with its jokes. Many adult animated shows would include social commentary, but it was The Simpsons that did it the best in my opinion. But when the show isn't trying to depict our harsh pessimistic reality, it also includes emotional scenes that give it a balance of cleverness and heart. As a comedy series, the show offers many classic jokes that I continue to find smart and beyond humorous. Its humour is as well written as the stories; much of it comes from the character's personalities and how they work of their settings. These jokes are memorable, they're unpredictable and chances are you too found many of them funny. It contains so many comedic and profound lines that are so quotable, that they have been in-printed onto pop culture. The show is grounded in realism, but it also takes advantage of being in an animated world. Many of the situations are true to life, but when it contains gags that are much more exaggerated, then they become much funnier. The animation has its own unique look, there's a charm to Matt Groening's design that matches the tone of the writing. The characters have yellow skin and crudely drawn features, but it works because the movements are done so well, so the gags are also perfectly executed. The show would up the production values with each season; the makers would push the boundaries of their writing and visuals. So the simplistic style becomes appealing. While 'The Simpsons' is aimed at an adult audience; it still attracts people of many ages with its characters and its exaggerated jokes, so families can enjoy it as well (as if that's any wonder). I mean I was allowed to watch this show in my adolescence and although there were jokes that may have not been suitable for me back then, I could still get by the excellent blend of comedy and storytelling. It gave me an education on adult humour but also many ways to be funny. Many of us get our deliveries from this show; it's a show that has helped shape people's sense of humour. It subverts the conventions of the family sitcom, challenges past portrayals of the American family, which explains why it has become a landmark in television history.

But where would this show be without its characters? These are some of the most well written interesting and recognisable animated characters to ever be shown on television. Homer is an iconic

cartoon father; he may be stupid and incompetent at his job. But his actions and lines make him a hilarious character, he gets himself in disasters but he at least tries to be a good family man. From his love of food and beer to his short temper, his insane antics always leave me laughing. Marge is an ambitious housewife and mother, even though she may come off as a nag; she wants what's best for her family. You can tell she loves them despite all the things they put her through. She's the type of woman who reminds you of your own mom. Bart is a cheeky child who pulls pranks at any opportunity, he embodies every boy's inner rebel. Lisa is the intelligent vegetarian feminist one of the family, who is the character I like and relate to the most. She's the more sensible character, who has to put up with the stupidity of the people of Springfield. She acts as the show's moral centre, even though she can be pushed too far, she still stands up for her beliefs. Which makes her a great role model for young girls. Maggie is the youngest of the family and the silent character, but she is shown to have abilities that aren't typical for her age. The many supporting characters are also memorable and fully dimensional, many of their personality traits are exaggerated for comedic purposes. They're more than stereotypical portrayals; they're fleshed out characters that I've become attached to. The voice cast provides excellent performances with their wide vocal range.

From a young age, I devoted myself to watch it every single day; It's a tradition for me to always tune in for any new episode. It caters to my taste in storytelling and is one of the contributing factors that formed my sense of humour. It also made me learn certain aspects of life. The older I become, the more I admire and appreciate the earlier episodes for its impact on comedy. In case you're wondering; I don't just like the earlier seasons, I genuinely like the show in its entirety. You can say whatever you want about the show not being as good as it used to be; but if a show has gone on as long as the Simpsons has, it's bound to have episodes that are not up to snuff. As someone who got into it during the early 2000s, I believe the show still has its fair share of good episodes and concepts, that can be just as funny and superbly written as the past seasons. So I don't completely agree with the statement that it lost its way. Those who stopped caring about The Simpsons after season 9 should at least check out what its been doing recently, they might be missing out. It really depends on what you're looking for but judge it for yourself; maybe your experience with the show is different from others. It remains to be the longest-running animated show for good reason; it's phenomenal in every way, it shows Matt Groening and his crew practically put 100% into crafting the world of the Simpsons. Much like 'Spongebob' and 'Arthur', it's fascinating to see how the show has evolved. Even if the show will go on until the end of time, I for one am going to keep watching what the people of Springfield have in store. I'll continue to give each new episode a chance, no matter what self-entitled fan may think. Yes, the old Simpsons are classics; but I'm not ashamed to say I love it through each decade equally. I think we should all thank our lucky stars they're still putting out a program of this calibre after so many years.

1. Ed, Edd n Eddy

Anyone who knows me and seen the earlier list would have probably saw this one coming.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is about three young boys with the same name; who attempt to scam the other kids in their neighbourhood out of their pocket money so they can buy their favourite sweets, jawbreakers. Each episode would revolve around these boy's attempts to achieve their goals; in order to gain like/respect from their peers, but it would end with them failing one way or another. Ed is the big dumb one with an interest in monsters and chickens; he tends to mess up the scam with his foolishness. Edd (Double D) is the intelligent member of the group, who does the construction work in the operation. Then there's Eddy; the leader who comes up with the plans, he is driven by his greed and ambition so he gets short-tempered whenever things don't turn out well for him (emphasis on short). Together, they spend their days selling their own products, building rides and attractions from household objects for their moneymaking schemes.

This is not only my favourite animated show; it's one of my favourite TV shows in general. A lot of people would agree that this was one of the best shows from Cartoon Network, I'm proud to say that I was one of those people. As a child, I was an Ed, Edd n Eddy fanatic, and I still adore it to this day. But believe it or not, I didn't used to like it at first; in fact, whenever it would come on I would either turn off the television or go outside. I don't know, I guess I was more into the Hanna Barbera and Warner Bros cartoons at the time. But one day something about the show happened to catch my eye, and the more I watched the more I adored it. What makes Ed, Edd n Eddy so great is that it has all the right ingredients I love to see in a cartoon. The writing remains to be the best I've ever seen in a children's show. It puts these characters in a variety of scenarios; this leads to many well-written stories that have their own special flavour. It has stories that are like events from people's childhoods, but they were depicted in a cartoony manner. It thinks of a range of scams and concepts for the Eds to work from. It also fleshes out the characters and their setting, they become more intriguing when I become attached to them. The dialogue is also memorable, with its use of phrases and highly quotable lines. The humour would come from how the Eds would work off their predicament, and the lengths they'll go through in their pursuits. The makers pulled these jokes and gags off brilliantly, the amount of comedy it offers always make me laugh every time. Where this show excels at is physical humour. The characters would get hurt in unbelievable ways; the Eds would also cause trouble with their antics. We can't help but to laugh at just how naughty they can be because it appealed to our chaotic side. The slapstick had perfect timing; it wasn't afraid to use cartoon violence at the right moment. It was really an influence on my sense of humour, as well as storytelling.

The animation is also fantastic; what separates Ed, Edd n Eddy from other animated shows with kid characters is how creator Danny Antonucci made it reminiscent to the golden age of cartoons. It had some of the most expressive, energetic and exaggerated movements ever shown in a TV series. The show follows cartoon physics and logic, as the characters were able to pull off unbelievable feats, which made it visually hilarious as well. And each scene was executed to be beautifully wacky and never misses a beat. The artwork was highly distinctive; from the character design to the backgrounds, which showed a range of colour schemes. If you look closely, you'll see that the character's outlines are always jittery which emphasise the frames that are drawn. It's a nice aesthetic that I like; I would notice it as I became accustomed to it. The show also had a massive collection of sound effects, it would even re-use its audio, utilises it to make these scenes all the more funny. But there were times where the animation would take a break and let everything sink in. There were even moments where the show would be really sentimental, I think this made for times where it can also be beautiful and endearing even. It has a charm and atmosphere that's all it's own.

But the heart and soul of this show was its characters. It may only have a small cast of characters, but they were all that was needed. In a similar vein to 'the Peanuts' we only see the children characters. The 3 title characters had their own unique contrasting personalities that worked off each other perfectly. Their chemistry was very similar to 'The Three Stooges', they may get on each other's nerves but they still stick together like good friends should. Ed is another moronic character, whose stupidity is hilariously charming. He's just so passionate in his interests and his dialogue is comedically ludicrous. Double D is my favourite of the three, he uses his intellect to build the scams and assist the others to make these plans work. He acts as the voice of reason; he tries to be more logical and has a moral compass, though his patience can be tested at times. Eddy is a money-hungry leader with an inflated ego, who would do anything to get his hands on those sweet jawbreakers. He thinks of himself as this cool, big shot entrepreneur and wishes to be admired by everyone. But he just never catches a break. Just the way he gets into these over the top outbursts and misfortunes can often be a riot. We want to see how these three boys go through their endeavours, but the joke is that they end up facing the consequences of their actions. The other kids have traits that make them distinguished from one another, one example being Johnny, the strange boy who's always carrying a wooden plank as a friend. They could be relentlessly antagonistic in other episodes like Sarah, Ed's little sister who always gets angry and wants to get Ed in trouble. She's like a younger version of Vicky from 'Fairly Odd Parents', except less evil. But as memorable as these characters are, my absolute favourite is Rolf, the foreign boy. Just how he shares his customs and culture and how he expresses himself is a joy to watch. His lines and delivery always leave a smile on my face. Each character has their own unique interests and vocabulary, it helps that the voice actors bring these personalities to life with great performances. I suppose if I was to nitpick it though, I'd say it didn't always give consequences to the right characters (in which characters would get punishment when they didn't deserve it). But I have little to complain about.

The biggest reason why I love Ed, Edd n Eddy so much is because it truly represents childhood. It reminds you of those days where you would play outside, your experiences with other young peers, building up your allowance and the plans you made in the summertime. For many people, this show captures what it was like growing up; it did so with a perfect balance of engaging stories and great humour. Even when the show began to take place in school, it still maintained that stupendous quality. I don't know what my life would've been like if I never saw this series, I've watched these characters grow because I grew up with this show. Their mis-Ed-ventures are so close to real life, that it was like we were with the Eds themselves. There's really no show like Ed, Edd n Eddy, it was a one of a kind cartoon that I feel wouldn't ever be captured again. For those reasons, I hold this cartoon close and dear to my heart. I just want to thank Danny Antonucci for creating such a wonderful and special show that shaped mine and many people's childhood; it's more than just a children's cartoon, it's a show that is worth so much more than money can buy.

And those are 20 of my favourite animated TV shows. Now the chances are I'm probably going to change and re-arrange this list in the future; as I'll continue to discover more animated shows to get into, whether they're old or upcoming (I might even add some that I've may have not seen in years). But I guaranty a lot of these shows will keep their spots. So tell me if they're any cartoons on this list that you like personally, or address your thoughts on them. Don't feel bad if I didn't include any show you may like, it really goes to show the amount of outstanding programming the animation medium has to offer. Now if you'll excuse me I have a lot of cartoons to watch, I'll see you next time.