You may remember the first top 10 list I ever did on this blog was of my favourite animated TV shows/cartoons, however, I want to create a more up to date list. So any show from the old list have been placed in a different order or removed; that doesn't mean my opinion on them has changed, but I wanted to do a more organised list that does these shows justice. Now, this isn't a list of the most acclaimed or successful animated TV series ever made (though some are on there); but what I like the most and what I consider the best, so this is based on my opinion. I'll be talking about the qualities of each cartoon in a personal manner, I'll be discussing why they give me pleasure, what makes them stand out and what they've done with the medium.
So without further ado, let's look into my Top 20 Favourite Animated Shows.
20. The Critic
The show is about the life of a TV film critic Jay Sherman (played by Jon Lovitz), who hosts the show within the show 'Coming Attractions'. It also contains cutaways to the films Jay reviews, which parody many current movies at the time. This show is a more recent addition; my exposure to this was from the crossover it made with The Simpsons, which lead me to look into it years later. I'm glad to have discovered this forgotten series; the animation was quite fluid and appealing, the writing was very satirical with its clever pop-culture references that managed to stay timeless. But it's more than pop culture jokes; being a comedy the show is filled with a variety of jokes that always leave me laughing. You don't need to know all these references to find the show funny; it really centres on the predicaments Jay gets into. The characters are memorable and charming in their own right. You can tell Jay has a passion for analysing the art of cinema, while giving a negative and cynical reaction to films that are more mainstream. But the character who has the funniest lines by far is Jay's adopted father Franklin, who is nuttier than a Snickers bar. His behaviour is so odd and so wacky that I can't help but to laugh at how outrageous and random he can be. The Critic managed to get a good amount of material despite its short run, and being passed from one network to another. It's an underrated gem that critics and audiences can appreciate, and give a thumbs up to.
19. 2 Stupid Dogs
When I was very young, I would always watch Cartoon Network where I would watch Hanna Barbera cartoons on syndication. One of those shows I would watch was 2 Stupid Dogs, this cartoon would be about a little skinny dog and a big grey dog with no names. The show would have them stuck in different mishaps; each episode would involve the dogs trying to figure out how to get food or accomplish a certain goal, yet they're too daft to figure it out. I have fond memories watching this cartoon whenever it was on; I'm probably one of the few people who recognise it even if it wasn't a household name. It's a pity that it became so obscure because it was humorous. 2 Stupid Dogs takes a traditional approach to animated comedy, by having these characters in any situation and different locations, which would result with a memorable range of jokes. While it's reminiscent to classic cartoons, the writers managed to add their own spin to the humour, that made it feel contemporary and even innovative at the time. Some of the jokes had an edge to them that I'm surprised they got away with it looking back on it. The 2 dogs had characteristics that were distinct from one another; whereas the small skinny dog would be energetic and do his best to find a solution, the big grey dog wouldn't say a lot and would eat anything. Though the big one would occasionally spout out his very own wisdom. I think what works about this show is that it knows how to do comedy with characters who are mentally challenged, it understands the jokes come from how the characters react to their settings.
The show also contained a backup segment that was a reboot of Hanna Barbera's 'Secret Squirrel'.
That had Secret Squirrel and Morocco Mole go on new adventures that parody the spy genre while keeping the spirit of the original show. In fact, I saw the 90s variation before the old one, but I digress. The other characters that the 2 dogs would come in contact also had their memorable traits. One of them was this large guy named Mr Hollywood; who takes on different identities and jobs. He's probably best known for yelling at the dogs whenever they made a mistake, I can never get tired of this reaction and how assertive he can get. The show even had Red Riding Hood as a character.
The art direction feels reminiscent to the early Hanna Barbera cartoons which fits with its tone, you might say it encouraged that company to make its own trend of creator-driven shows. After all, some of the people who worked on 2 Stupid Dogs would go on to have prominent careers in the field of animation. It was one of those shows that managed to take old school concepts and sensibilities and rejuvenate them for its generation.
2 Stupid Dogs was quite instrumental in making Hanna Barbera popular again, it came out in a new wave of 90s cartoons that were a throwback to what made cartoons on TV funny in the first place. It was probably also instrumental in the creation of Cartoon Network. When I rediscovered this cartoon after so many years, I not only appreciate what it did for television animation, but it's humour still managed to be just as charming as it was back then. It takes me back to my young innocent days where I would learn about different forms of cartoon related humour when I rediscovered it years later, I found it special in the best way. So 2 Stupid Dogs is a cartoon from my youth, that isn't dumb as you may think.
18. Operavox
One of the most highly acclaimed art forms is opera; nowadays there are ways to understand opera like subtitles, or you could listen to the songs by themselves. Like all forms of storytelling; they're different ways of interpreting opera, so logically animation is the perfect medium to mix it with. For those who haven't heard of Operavox, it's an animated anthology series in which each episode adapts a well-known opera. Just as different musicians composed these operas; each episode is animated in a different technique, as it uses both hand-drawn animation and stop motion superbly. They also have a range of artistic styles to make them distinct from one another, but it's the songs that add a grander weight to each interpretation. Now, these are abridged versions of the operas, so there are songs and lines that were cut out from the original. Only using a select few to keep it at the appropriate running time. However, they made this work by using the most significant songs and have the characters speak their dialogue in order to fill in those plot points. It's rare to see an animated version of an opera, and this show pulled it off superbly. I have a strong love for animated adaptations of classic stories, so this show caters to my interests. As someone who wants to try more opera, I think this show has helped that for me. The voice cast give off strong performances that do justice to the original operas, whether it's the speaking roles or the singing roles. The animators have also done a wonderful job to match the character's movements and atmosphere to the music. You might say the animation pulls off a performance just as stupendous as the singers themselves.
Anyway if you're an animation fan or an opera fan, you should really check this series out for yourself. For me, Operavox hits all the right notes.
17. Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
When it comes to 80s cartoons; a lot of them were either based on toys or other existing properties,
but there weren't many that I gravitated towards or held onto. One animated show that benefited from being based on a property and grabbed my interest when I was younger was "Dogtanian and the Muskehounds". This show takes the novel about the musketeers by Alexander Dumas and shows what the characters would be like as anthropomorphic animals. Being a musketeer fan, this show helped me better understand the book at a young age. Chances are it probably helped other kids at the time get exposed to the book as well. Now, this is a pretty loose adaptation, as it takes liberties with the character's personalities. Well, it's what you expect from this kind of show. Luckily there are characters that still remain faithful to their other incarnations; the makers were selective with the species and dog breeds to fit with the character's personalities. Many of episodes of 'Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds' are faithful to its source material, it's definitely a much more lighthearted and child-friendly adaptation, but they don't sugarcoat the stakes and conflict. I was happy to rediscover this show; it still had a good balance of action and humour that I liked as a kid.
People came for the novelty of seeing these characters as animals, but they stayed for the charming but engaging plots and personalities. Dogtanian is definitely all for fun and fun for all.
16. Stickin' Around
A child's imagination is a powerful thing; I think as children we've let our imagination run wild on different occasions, and this cartoon embraces that. The show is about two kids named Stacie and Bradley, each episode revolves around a day in their lives, however, we get to see it through the lens of their own fantasies. Both Stacie and Bradley would go through their situations dreaming of whatever they can think of, they heavily exaggerate everything in bizarre ways.
A cast of colourful supporting characters would also aid them. Frank, Stacie's fat sausage dog, and her strict but loving parents, Dil who speaks with a really loud voice, yelling drawn-out monologues with overdramatic inflections. Lance the bully who's the nemesis to Bradley, Russell whose Lance's dim-witted friend with an overbearing odour, Polly Lance's intelligent haft sister who shares her words of wisdom and acts as the voice of reason. Then there's Mr Doddler, the old guy whose age is very ambiguous, it's even implied that he has been around for hundreds of years.
This is one of those obscure cartoons I discovered in my youth, and I'm ever so glad I managed to do so. There was a strange but unique charm to this show that drew me in as a kid; when I found it years later, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was still as creative as it was back then. As far as kid's shows go the writing wasn't afraid to be expressive and spontaneous; it managed to think of a variety of fantasy sequences, they would be used to illustrate the character's feelings. These sequences would be used to romanticise what Stacie and Bradley go through, sometimes it was ambiguous if they really happened or not. The dialogue was also very memorable with its use of catchphrases. Everything in this show felt like what a child would think off, that even the animation gives the illusion that a child drew it. The characters look like stick figures, but their movements were expressive enough to where it follows the 12 principles of animation. The textured backgrounds give the show a psychedelic aesthetic.
I'm really glad to have seen this show again, I'm also glad it's been brought up by people who also remember it. Thanks to them it's gaining a following among viewers young and old alike, I consider that very warranted. 'Stickin' Around' captures what it's like when we played with our friends at a youthful age, it reminds me of those carefree days where I would think wondrously and perceive the world in my own way. For that reason, it's a show I'm going to continue to 'stick around' with.
15. Santo Bugito
Some of you might be too young to remember, but there was a time where the animation company 'Klasky Csupo' ruled the animation industry. They were well known for animating many TV shows and projects that kids and adults alike enjoyed; while some of them were hits that continued to be well remembered, there were others that faded into obscurity. One of their projects that fall into the latter category is Santo Bugito.
The show takes place in a small town between the Texan/Mexico borders that's populated with various insects. The main ant character Carmen De La Antchez and her husband Paco run a restaurant in a teapot, it also deals with other insect characters and their daily misadventures. I've watched my fair share of Klasky Csupo cartoons in my youth, and somehow this managed to find it's way in my memory banks. This was one of those cartoons you remember seeing and it had some qualities you found neat; I for one would look back on this cartoon years later, and found that it had more going for it than I thought. As someone who's intrigued with other cultures, I think the Mexican setting makes it a special take on the concept of anthropomorphic insects. The characters feel genuine; they do more than spout bug related jokes, the voice actors actually put in a good amount of effort into their performances. It even had well-known talent to help out with the voice cast. Paco and Carmen are a passionate couple in how loving they are to each other, running their business, you can tell they care about the people around them. The minor and supporting characters are also unique; each of them have a range of personalities, including Eaton Woode an artistic termite, Clem and Burt the brash tourist flies, and the mariachi band of ants who would always burst into songs that narrate certain scenes. Both Candi Milo and Charlie Adler do a great job giving Rosa and Eaton strong accents, so their performances stick out as always. The atmosphere of this show feels warm, in every sense of the word. The citizens of Santo Bugito have such a massive community, that they treat each other like a family.
However Santo Bugito would go under the radar, my guess it would be overshadowed by the two CGI animated films about bugs. Though I might say, some of the stories were better executed here than in most modern animated kids films. I think it's a shame no one remembers this cartoon, and how they didn't take notice of it at the time (much like an insect). It's a slice of life series with its own unique brand of humour; I can enjoy no matter how old I am, like many of Klasky Csupo's cartoons. It shows that you don't have to resort to crude stereotypes to be funny; I can appreciate Santo Bugito for having the premise focus on a certain nationality at the time. It made for charismatic set pieces and characters. I think it should be acknowledged among Klasky Csupo's works, I don't think there's anything pesky about it.
14. Fairly Odd Parents (The First 5 Seasons)
Created by Butch Hartman, this cartoon is about Timmy Turner, an average kid with parents who are
always out of the house. So they leave him in the care of his evil babysitter Vicky who makes Timmy's life miserable, that is until he is given magical fairies called Cosmo and Wanda. These fairies would grant Timmy's every wish, each episode would centre on Timmy using his fairies to fix his problems or full fill his desires to make his life much better. However, these wishes come at a price, for one the fairies have their rules like they must be kept a secret from other human beings. And whenever he makes a wish, it would lead to certain consequences and backfire in some way. The show would end with Timmy learning an important life lesson.
What started as a series of shorts from Nick's 'Oh Yeah Cartoons' would become a hit series in the 2000s. From my point of view, this was a show that you shared in the hopes it would get more attention, which it did. As a child I was a big fan of this show, it took fairy tale fantasy and mythological beings and put them in a modern and contemporary setting, so the premise appealed to me. What I adored so much about this show was its ability to take the cyclical structure of a fairy tale and apply it to cartoon conventions. The writing was sharp, witty, and had the extra zest to it, as it contained a variety of running gags. The same would apply to the humour when the jokes were spot on they were often flatout hilarious. The show would also get tongue in cheek with how it tied plot points together. For example, in one episode where Timmy's parents watch some news broadcast about a shoplifter, it just so happens that Timmy also wished for the same stolen items. Then the anchorman tells the viewers to confront their son as if he's talking to Timmy's parents. It also knew how to subvert different conventions; there were times where the wishes would turn out differently than you would expect.
The animation style also had a cartoony flare, the designs were distinctive and retain a retro charm that was easier to animate. The bold outlines gives them a range of curves and angles, it makes them stick out among the colourful and often monochrome backgrounds. The animators made zany, abstract and quickly timed ways to give movement to the number of ideas. The characters were also memorable in their own right, Timmy wasn't smart and made mistakes but he cared about his fairies. He was a kid and would wish for whatever kids would desire; he was a character the younger viewers could emphasise with, relate to and learn from. Cosmo was dim-witted, but it's how hilarious his stupidity can be; his wife Wanda is always nagging and strict but she was pretty much the voice of reason, it's obvious she cares for Timmy and loves Cosmo no matter what. The antagonists were also memorable, Vicky started off as a mean babysitter, but would become devilishly greedy and diabolical to the point she would attempt to murder Timmy. Denzil Crocker; Timmy's crackpot teacher who's mission is to prove the existence of fairies and gain their power for his own evil purposes, and his attempts would fail in over the top cartoony ways.
Now as much as I like this show, I don't think it's perfect. Yeah I know that's not a big shock; considering this is the Internet after all, but even when I was younger I noticed some of these flaws. While I thought the writing was sharp, I also think it was hokey in areas. There were moments where the characters would act "flanderized" this would become apparent as it would go on. I also feel the show's style of humour is an acquired taste; some may feel like it's a product of its time. I understand that the show played its self for laughs, but a story can't just rely on jokes. As long as the story was good and as long as these moments were justified in the end.
But why did I only put the first 5 seasons on this list? That seems oddly specific (so to speak).
Well, people often say that the show "jumped the shark through a giant pair of scissors" when Poof, Cosmo and Wanda's baby was introduced. Fans were turned off by the show because of this, but honestly, I stuck around for it because it still managed to tell good stories and have genuinely funny moments. As I stated in my list for the
Top 10 Good Things from Modern Fairly Odd Parents Episodes; I don't consider the later episodes to be entirely bad.
However I think the show has overstayed its welcome; and yes I'll admit it's weaker moments come from a lack of restraint, adding new main characters, and the less said about those live-action movies the better. But when it hits bull's eye; it can be just as good as the older episodes, there are ideas that have potential. So even though we all wish the Fairly Odd Parents should have ended with grace; we shouldn't forget how memorable and original it was, it was a part of some people's childhood like any fantasy story. Even if the show will not have the same impact it once had, my feelings towards Timmy's early magical adventures aren't going to change anytime soon.
13. Gravity Falls
This show's about 2 twins called Dipper and Mabel Pines who are sent to spend the summer with
their great uncle in the mysterious town, Gravity Falls. When Dipper discovers a mysterious journal; he learns of the dark and mystical secrets of the town, such as paranormal forces and mythological creatures. The twin's great uncle Stan also owns a tourist trap called "The Mystery Shack' which exhibits strange attractions. So while Dipper and Mabel help around the shack, they go off unravelling the mysterious wonders of this town. At the time Gravity Falls was out, it was a phenomenal hit among audiences and critics; people would always wonder what are the meanings in the fictional town, like a lot of good mystery series. When I discovered this show, I wanted to give it a watch for myself to see if there was anything of value to discover in a modern cartoon series. I never thought that it would hook me in and have me intrigued with its plot. I would always catch each episode every week, clear my schedule to see them religiously to know what would happen next and what secrets will unfold. I can say without hesitation, that it was worth watching every moment. It's one of those TV shows that succeed my expectations, as it excels on many accounts.
Where Gravity Falls succeeds in, is the writing. While the plot takes inspiration from creator Alex Hirsch's childhood summer memories, he knew how to write an engaging mystery and lore with plenty of references to pop culture. The stories are very multi-layered, as it draws me in with all the supernatural phenomena. Each story would have me engaged as I learnt more about the history of this town; it kept me guessing to how things were going to turn out. The writing was smart and unpredictable, it takes on a range of mythological subject matter in its own way. The execution of these ideas were very imaginative and original and would go through twists and turns with its plots. It knows how to balance mystery and comedy, the writers knew when to deliver their sense of humour along the way, and each joke is spot on. I mean it when I say that the jokes are some of the best I've seen in a modern kid's show. There were also moments that were very suspenseful, it would take it's self seriously and it took it's audience seriously. Just when the pieces come together, it would leave us wanting to know more.
Another part of the series that has lots of depth are the characters, each one is memorable and as interesting as the last. While Dipper is the serious thinker who's determined to find out the mysteries, though his obsessions get the better of him. His sister Mabel is the bubbly, fun-loving, giddy extroverted one who acts as the comic relief. Stan may be greedy and money-hungry as he wants to scam gullible tourist with his attractions, but he genuinely cares about the twins. He has the funniest lines for sure, but there's something suspicious about his character. The other employees of the Mystery Shack include Soos; the loveable oaf who may be clumsy and can screw up at times, but he does his best to be the handyman and sidekick. Also, his antics don't make him come off as an annoying nuisance. Wendy is the teen girl of the gang who's always cool, calm and collected when she tags along on these adventures. The secondary/recurring characters were equally intriguing and memorable; they have their own backstories that keep me interested in them, for example, there would be this character called Old Man McGucket. He seems like the town hillbilly; but it turns out he has a skill in technology, which is not your typical portrayal of the mad scientist trope. It's also sad how he descended to madness. The show would also have great antagonists to face of with; such as Lil Gideon, the young soothsayer who wants to use the mysteries of Gravity Falls for his own evil purposes. And then there's Bill Cipher, a mysterious demon and force of evil and madness bent on gaining access to the real world.
I could go on why this show is fascinating and so phenomenal, but I feel that I may be spoiling the best parts. So if you're a fan of mystery, animation, worlds with secret lore and the supernatural, do yourself a favour and check out this series. If you want to find out what everyone is talking about, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Take it from me, when you watch it from the beginning, you won't want to stop watching. I'm proud to have stuck around to find out more about this mysterious small Western Oregon town. I would always be in awe of the impressive visuals, unpredictable writing, and engaging characters. I can see how it has a massive fan base and why it has drawn in so many people to solve the mysteries together, which makes it a wonder in and of its self.
12. Phineas and Ferb
Of all the decades in which I've been alive, the late 2000s was a dark time for television animation. Many of the cartoons that defined the 90s and the early 2000s had run their course or lost their touch (at least that's what my generation thought). Even I lost interest in cartoons around this time, anything that was well thought of or inspired was few and far between. But many would agree that this was one of those shows that not only managed to be as good as the ones they grew up with, but it managed to stay a hit for a long time afterward.
Phineas and Ferb are two stepbrothers who spend every day of their summer break building different contractions, discovering hidden wonders of the world or going on grand adventures any child would dream of. Whether it's building a roller coaster, a rocket ship, sports arenas, making it snow in June, creating a beach in their back yard, or even giving a monkey a shower. Both Phineas and Ferb are able to construct whatever their imaginations can think of. They don't just make these things from household objects, oh no no no no no no; they're ambitious enough to build genuine versions of such machinery. However, their older sister Candace is not so pleased and tries everything in her authority to prove her mother what Phineas and Ferb have done. Meanwhile, the boy's pet platypus Perry turns out to be a secret agent who goes off on missions to defeat the evil Dr Doofenshmirtz. Whose schemes and inventions are either based on petty revenge or to achieve his own nefarious purposes. In some force of nature, both plots would come together. As Perry would foil Doofenshmirtz' plans in a comedic fashion which would result in Phineas and Ferb's contractions to vanish before their mom could see.
This was a show that took me a while to really get into, and see how good it was.
As I said, at the time this show was out, I was growing out of entertainment for a "younger audience".
However, I would watch this show from time to time; and I was impressed. I used to think it was good enough, I also thought this was the only show at the time that was actually clever and inspired in it's writing and visuals. Then again that's what we needed then. The more I watched it though and as long as it went on, everyone including myself would like it more and more. And why not, this cartoon was not only well made but it was well written too. You can tell creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh put a lot of effort into the writing, this story had a formula which managed to stay strong with its multi-layered writing, gags and memorable catchphrases and quotes. It really reminds me of the cartoons I watched when I was young. It also had strong comedy that could appeal to both children and adults alike, I mean it when I say this show had moments that were downright hilarious. The animation quality is also very top-notch, the characters have their own memorable designs and the movements are quite fluid and polished. However when it shows Phineas and Ferb's creations; that's where the animation has a lot of energy, it has a lot of scope in scale. Being a Disney show; many episodes have musical numbers, and they're distinctive and memorable in their own way. These songs are done in different genres and melodies, they're written just as well as the stories. Speaking of which, the songs blend into the plot and further it when they need to.
But the glue that held the show together was it's cast of characters; each one was memorable in their
own distinct way. Candace, for example, would react in an over the top manner similar to classic cartoon antagonists, she's persistent to expose her brothers no matter what. Even if we know her attempts will backfire, you can't help but to feel sympathy for her. Phineas is also very determined, only he wants to make the best of the summer, and despite being intelligent still acts like a normal child would. He doesn't come up with these ideas to spite his sister or gain any fortune; he just wants to have a fun time. He shows the same ambition and imagination, as any young boy should. Ferb; while he's the silent one of the group he does spout out his thoughts and some facts on one occasion. Agent Perry is another silent character, but his expressions and actions speak volumes of his motivations. He's able to kick butt whenever he comes face to face with his nemesis.
Dr Heinz Doofenshritz is the embodiment of a comedic cartoon villain, he's always coming up with convoluted plans and machines in order to get his own way in life and take over the "tri-state area". The scenes with Perry and Doofenshritz make for a tongue in cheek satire of the spy-fiction genre. There's also Vanessa, Doofenshmirtz' teenage daughter who's also his assistant; it's shown that Ferb has a crush on her, and can you blame him? These characters are also very diverse, like Doofenshmirtz being from the fictional old country of Drusselstein for example.
Now is this show formulaic? Yes, yes it is. It does fall into that category in which you see one episode; you've seen them all. But in this case, it works because it knows how to keep me curious to how things are going to turn out, it would also mix up the formula once in a while just to keep itself from going stale. Another problem I have with this show is that the authority figures like Candace imply that the boys' behaviour is unacceptable, and frankly I don't stand for that at all. I understand that Candace is trying to protect her brothers and all, but at the end of the day, Phineas and Ferb aren't doing any harm. Don't they think that instead of punishing them, they should be rewarded for their achievements? I mean in reality if a child their age was able to do such things, with their two hands........it would be considered impressive. Wouldn't you want to make money from these two, assuming you want to exploit them? Surely the good of creativity is worth just as much as the good of their safety. Yes, children need limits; but if you don't encourage them to express themselves, they won't be able to learn, especially if you don't give them guidance. There will be consequences, but I think this show knows this.
But despite my problems with Phineas and Ferb, I don't let them hinder my enjoyment of it overall. Even after all these years; people are still remembering this show, it's impressive in how it turned out. But I think its main appeal and heart is that it reminds you of the summer memories you had when you were younger, and the things you wanted to do. It teaches children to make the most of every day of their summer, to make accomplishments they've not done before. It encourages them to go beyond their expectations and that they can go to amazing feats once they put their mind to it. To never give up on their goals, and keep following those ambitions. It shows that summer can be an adventurous experience with ups and downs; it can be a time for children to go as far as their imaginations could take them. Because it's an imaginative show made by imaginative people; and as long as children are being imaginative, summer will always mean so much to everyone.
11. Futurama
When a pizza delivery boy named Philip J Fry gets cryogenically frozen, he finds himself a thousand years in the future. He then works for his ancestor Professor Farnsworth and becomes a delivery boy for Planet Express, along with a cyclops named Leela and a robot called Bender. Each episode would have them go to different planets or experience the wonders of the future. Created by Matt Groening, this animated sitcom combines sci-fi with comedy; it depicts the future like modern times only it's littered with predictions that the writers are able to imagine. I don't watch many adult cartoons or sci-fi shows, but when I do it's Futurama that I always put on. Not only do I appreciate its impact on television, I've always found it smart and entertaining for a lot of reasons. However, it's only when I got older that I fully understood it's greatness. The stories would range from slice of life situations to sci-fi adventures. Much like Matt Groening's other show; Futurama has a wide range of memorable quotes and hilarious moments, the show uses its futuristic setting to come up with unique jokes and convey satire that makes fun of present-day events. Much of the plots and humour comes from how it subverts sci-fi conventions, as well as how wonderfully surreal these predictions can get. The animation quality is also strong as it mixes Matt's trademark style with a range of imaginative settings, machinery, robot, and alien designs. It also incorporates CGI for more complex shots, that and the colour palette differentiates it from his yellow family cartoon. It's more than just a comedy, as it has dramatic and emotional scenes that can be really touching. It would have episodes that took on other genres, which gave it a variety of themes to parody and put the characters in compelling adventures.
Speaking of which. The characters really make this show, they really work well with each other, as well as having to put up with each other. Fry may be simple-minded, to say the least, you can understand his plight to make a name for himself in the future. Leela is the more sensible leader, as well as the feisty strong one who's able to defend her self. Even she's trying to find herself. Bender may be an egotistical jerk that always makes wisecracks, steals, and wants his own way. There are moments where he genuinely cares about his friends than himself. It's these traits that make him a likable jerk; he also gets the best lines. All these characters have their own odd and pessimistic traits that make them either relatable or eccentric. You understand their motivations and desires and you really feel for them as well.
This show managed to get a second life, and it was still as well written, imaginative and humorous as it always was. With that said, it really did all it could do; I actually believe it's for the best that it came to a second conclusion. Only time will tell if it ever comes back for a third time. It's a show that anyone who loves sci-fi and comedy alike will love. I've grown to adore Futurama, and I (and many others) will continue to watch and admire it for years to come. I consider it a significant part of adult animation and the sci-fi genre that managed to live up to its full potential. It does a wonderful job of telling stories whether I'm interested in the subject matter or not, it's intriguing how they were executed. It will go down in history as one of the most profound comedy series on television.
