Rethinking the Top 10 Overrated Cartoons?

Back in the early 2010s. I used to participate in a number of memes found on DeviantArt. I would use certain templates to offer my thoughts and opinions in my spare time. One of these included a list of 'overrated cartoons', in which I would talk about animated series' I felt didn't deserve the praise or attention they received. 

Since I made this list, I've learned to be more thoughtful and constructive with my criticisms. So I thought why not look back on this list and re-evaluate these choices, and see how my opinions hold up. I'm not doing this to sound like a Mr Enter wannabe, but rather take a look at each animated series with a perspective that offers a much fair assessment. Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm not going to do the same with my list of 'underrated cartoons'; as I don't think there's much I can change there (and I've already talked about most of the choices enough times on this blog.

10. South Park

It figures that one of the choices for this list would be a controversial pick, as these 4 boys in the cutout Colorado town are no strangers to controversy. Chances are, many children were (and still are) prevented from watching 'South Park', and I was one of those children. That may be a contributing factor in my opinion at the time. When I was at the age to watch it, and any time I did; it just wasn't to my taste. I am aware of how popular and significant it is to many people, but the truth of the matter is that I could not stand how vulgar, crass, and shocking it can be. I'm no expert on comedy, but it's my understanding that being gory, shocking and disgusting doesn't make your humour funny. But if the joke is funny, and just so happens to use gore and disgust, so be it. But they're definitely times where it can go too far. The characters and the way they treat each other give off this overly pessimistic and bitter vibe in how it portrays our sociality. One notable example is Cartman, this fat devil child has done acts that are so despicable and conniving that would make even Dennis the Menace, Wayne Cramp and Shin Chan appalled. Now, I don't have a problem with jerk protagonists if they A. suffer the consequences of their actions, or B. learn the error of their ways and try to improve themselves. Not all characters have to set examples of virtue all the time. Even if that was the case, that still wouldn't make him any more likeable. Maybe seeing these kid characters committing these acts and getting into crazy situations was edgy in the 90s, but I seldom ever been attached to any of these characters or find them endearing. 

But you know, I learned something one day; from what I saw from South Park and from further research, I came to understand that significance. The show uses vulgar shock humour and hyperboyles to convey social commentary on current events and social issues. Even back then, I acknowledged that the writers manage to inject their message into their comedy and storytelling. This is a show that's not afraid to point out the naked truth and give a statement on both sides of any issue; no matter what it is. It has the nerve to address such difficult topics without fear of who gets offended in the process. The reason why it's animated in such a crude minimalist style so to keep these stories topical. It's something I can respect, more so than I like. Another nice thing I can say about it is that admittedly, Trey Parker really does put the right inflections when voicing these characters; which might add to why these lines of dialogue are quotable among fans. So, do I regret putting this show on the list? No. Despite its significance, if I'm not entertained by it or find enlightenment in it; then I could care less about it. For me, I feel these characters feel more like mouthpieces for the writers to voice their opinions than seemingly weaving such ideals into the plot. Maybe it's because I'm personally more drawn to characters that become fleshed out in multi-layered settings as opposed to satire. Are these messages really sincere when you have to sit through such profanity? But when I say I don't like the show, I'm not just referring to the episodes that are hated among fans. Even if society becomes much more chaotic as time goes on, it's unlikely that Trey and Matt are going to run out of ideas anytime soon. But for me personally, it is staying on the list. As long as our world doesn't become as crazy or extreme as South Park's, I hope people won't take this opinion out of proportion.

9. Johnny Test

I don't know how many people remember, but Johnny Test had a certain bad rep. Johnny Test takes the concept of 'Dexter's Lab', swapped the genders, split the genius into two and added a talking dog (definitely not the most original premise for sure). Although it tried to make itself different from that show, it simply wasn't enough. Many people criticized the cartoon for its drop in quality, not that it was ever great at the start, but its first season looked masterful compared to the mutation it became. The animation switched to Flash, the characters became less likeable, the stories would make less sense, the deliveries became much more breakneck and furthermore; it relayed heavily on the 'whip crack' sound effect. But what made this show so hated is that at the time, it stayed on the air for far too long, despite all this criticism. Probably because it was so cheap to produce. But was all the backlash towards Johnny Test warranted, or was it overblown?

I don't understand why I even considered putting this show on the list if it received so much backlash.

That's what I thought as well, but back then I thought there had to have been an audience for it if more episodes were being made. I think I just wanted an excuse to talk about my frustration for it, that I put it there anyway. I must say, I was inclined to agree with the criticism towards 'Johnny Test' as I was also sick of it back then (Even though I just easily ignored it). But even though it eventually stopped, I will say that it's still a far cry from being among the rites of good cartoons. On some level, the concept of Johnny using his sister's inventions to achieve his personal goals and go on many adventures could work. I mean it was a common premise for children's cartoons back when I was young. The show likes to experiment with certain scenarios and ideas, but like the sisters' works, the execution result in them not being as fun as it could potentially be. As it went on, it would take less time to take a breathe and let the action and comedy set in. Whatever plot-line it tries to do falls flat or has already been done better in other tv shows of its kind. Plot points just come off as contrived and not well thought out. As it's a dialogue-heavy show, the comedy is based on gag humour; particularly in its use of self-referential remarks. While a percentage of it is very sophomoric. I can accept extreme/gross-out humour, but it needs to be balanced out with strong storytelling. A majority of it is on par with the last 2 seasons of 'Fairly Odd Parents'. At its best, the show can have a point. These "good" episodes aren't the most original story-wise, but there are plot points that can serve a particular purpose or moral. Give it some credit, it had an episode that foretold how badly Youtube stars like Fred and Annoying Orange would translate to film/tv. 

Most of the characters fall into the category of archetypes, with maybe a few key differences. The main characters like Johnny and his sisters use these devices and each other for their own personal gain. Johnny is essentially a blank slate, meant to be radical and relatable to the target audience; his attitude comes off stubbornly persistent throughout each episode. Whereas I can empathise with Timmy Turner and his plights, Johnny is just arrogant and self-entitled. While Susan and Mary are one and the same, as the young prodigies who offer scientific exposition; and whose main motivation is to attract their crush. (Who barely knows they exist). Though they each have their different viewpoints, it gets too common for their experiments to go awry. Dukey acts as the supposed voice of reason (no pun intended), he offers Johnny his own worldly advice. He can actually be alright with his remarks, support and how he has to knock sense into Johnny. But he can also be easily roped into these antics. As it's more episodic, there're rarely any moments of these characters growing and developing from these episodes. Any time it looks like it's trying to be sincere, it's just playing itself for laughs. I'm not asking for these characters to be totally complex, but more development from them would have helped this show in the long run.

If there's any other positive aspect I can say about it, it would be the voice acting. I mean it's hard to tell with the obnoxious amount of whip sounds and times where the characters yell their lines, but I admit it has talented people on board. I feel like they tried to give the best performances with the material they were given. But just because an actor/actress has been in good projects doesn't mean they haven't been in bad ones as well. Voice acting aside, the rest of the production values are like junk food for the senses. It's obvious that the animation budget was cut in half, with how artificial the movements and oversaturated the backgrounds became. There are moments where the keyframing doesn't look so stiff, this shift was not very seamless. The main reason why I think it doesn't take a breath because practically every scene contains a simultaneous music cue or sound effect to compensate for the lacklustre movements. But the animation is only the least of this show's problems compared to how contrived the stories became. Maybe younger viewers who haven't seen these plots before might find enjoyment in these flashy images and sound effects, but there's only so much that they can resonate with. Older audiences might not be so appreciative of it. But I know children are smart enough to realise what they like and dislike, I knew I realised this cartoon became half-assed and cheesy the older I became. That's something I bet anyone didn't see coming at all.

So I do understand why Johnny Test got on people's nerves, and why people were sick and tired of seeing over-saturated at the time. It was definitely an experiment that got botched due to less restraint. While it certainly wasn't necessary for it to have lasted as long as it did, it definitely didn't need to be on this list in the first place. For that, it gets to be off the list. Looking back, I probably should have put Johnny Bravo or Powerpuff Girls there instead (I make no apologies). But I don't think there's a need to try it over again with a reboot, just shut down this operation for goodness sake. And while you're at it, focus on continuing shows that deserve a proper ending. Or you know, make new stuff.

8. Dynomutt Dog Wonder

Many regard Hanna Barbera as pioneers in television animation, but let's not kid ourselves; their library may have had a few stinkers to their name. In my opinion, the 1970s was where the company took a decline in quality. They relied too heavily on trying to milk the success of 'Scooby-Doo' by making copies of it, there were very few shows from that era that are as well remembered as they were in their heyday. Most of their output would have these hero hound protagonists, and Dynomutt Dog Wonder was one of them. For those who aren't as knowledgeable with HB, the premise revolves around rich socialite art dealer Radley Crown and his mechanical dog as they protect Big City as the crime-fighting duo, The Blue Falcon and Dynomutt. If you're a millennial like myself, you probably know about Dynomutt Dog Wonder from the crossover it made with Dexter's Lab. If you've seen every superhero duo, you've pretty much seen this show. With its kooky villains, one-liners and diabolical schemes that involve some kind of device. It doesn't do much to advance the crime-fighting genre at the time, except for adding much more comedy. Unfortunately, it barely triumphs at both action or humour. 

Dynomutt acts as the comic relief, he's able to be more expressive and spontaneous with how he moves his robotic limbs. Like a certain mystery-solving hound, his expressions are designed to appear much goofy compared to the more realistic human characters. Each gag involves the Dog Blunder (the show's words not mine) screwing up any endeavour he and the Falcon undertake. I mean, just because it's in his character to mess up, make problems worse or cause frustration; it doesn't make him a good character. Captain Flamingo was more diligent than this so-called "hero hound". Now having the main character cause comical mess-ups, much to the misfortune of others could be funny depending on the context. But the show expects us to root for him. I mean he's not the worse example of a superhero causing more problems than solves, he can make an effort to follow through with a plan sooner or later; but his errors/malfunctions are not loveable as he or the writers may think. Dynomutt having all these high-tech gadgets built into his body isn't all that special when you can get that from the likes of 'The Million Dollar Man'. Also, not to disrespect Frank Welker, but the voice he provides for Dynomutt sound oddly similar to Bullwinkle, it doesn't help that Dynomutt spouting lines that aren't the least bit clever. Blue Falcon is the serious strategist of the duo, with him being the moral centre who comes up with the plans. It's usually him who fixes Dynomutt's efforts and thwart the villains. As a hero I can't find him compelling, ironically I feel a show about an art dealer would make a much more interesting concept. Each episode shows him having to put up with Dynomutt's antics, though some of his dry remarks towards Dynomutt can be pretty funny. 

Speaking of which, I'm not particularly a fan of how it mixes humour with action, I don't know if it's the swift pacing, or the actors' delivery but it's much akin to what HB was doing with their mystery-solving cash-cow. As the show didn't have a high budget, the angles used in the more action-oriented scenes aren't as dynamic as they're supposed to be. I can understand that Hanna Barbera didn't have the budget to achieve that, but even as someone who's still trying to improve on developing compositions, how it used here is basic by today's standards. Since the 90s, it has taken much more to pull off a superhero comedy. Whatever, Dynomutt is just not to my taste, I can only see people enjoying this as a goofy guilty pleasure, but if you're a die-hard HB fan; you might find this up your alley. But if you're not into the campy, lighthearted heroic duos, and you have a low tolerance for clumsy sidekicks; I just don't think it's worth going out of your way to watch it. As someone who doesn't care for the main characters or these comical perils, it remains on the list. Like an old machine, I see more of Dynomutt's faults with retrospect.

7. Dora the Explorer

Full disclosure, I wasn't in the show's intended audience when I first discovered it. I mean I still caught wind of it, but I was becoming less interested in "kid's shows" at that time. But that doesn't excuse it from any form of criticism. The show follows a young Latina girl Dora and her monkey sidekick Boots as they travel to various locations searching for mystical objects; while coming across various colourful characters. Such as their talking map, their talking backpack, Dora's cousin Diego and a dastardly fox who always attempts to swipe any important object. But it's also an interactive show, where Dora and Boots would break the fourth wall in order to ask the viewers to find the locations and help solve the puzzles. Instead of using the fourth wall for comedic gag purposes, Dora asks the audience to partake in her quests; even making them do a series of random exercises to achieve them. Can you see what the problem with this cartoon is?

The show is so incredibly formulaic, no matter where Dora and Boots end up it always follows the same story beats, but it seldom ever tries to mix up or subvert the formula. The locations and adventures that Dora embarks on could lead to promising and fantastical concepts; the problem is the road the writers take. Dora would constantly put the plot on hold to look for the destination or remind the viewers, to much older viewers these pauses can get awkward. Everyone speaks the catchphrases in a manner that gets old and irritating fast. The way these characters talk in these bizarre inflections feels so condescending that I agree with my younger self that it's too much to bear. I understand that Dora is intended for little children, but even shows of this type still need to have effort and thought put into them. Each journey keeps the same simple structure in order for children to follow, it showcases these obstacles at their level to help form their puzzle-solving skills. 'Lost' this is definitely not! In a show like this, you have to keep the concept simple in order to build on from. The problem is that the story is put aside to focus on the puzzles, rather than fitting them into a cohesive story. But the songs keep beating you over the head trying to remind you where they have to go. The visuals are made to be more child friendly, with its use of bright colours as well as the pastel textures in the backgrounds. The polished designs and movements fit the criteria you expect for an animated series. It's just that it looks all overly saccharine and safe, that it's also a little too much. It certainly used its growing budget to use. When they reach its climax, it sometimes plays it off in a mundane way, to teach/showcase social skills rather than applying these actions to the theme of the setting. 

In terms of educational value, it's questionable if it even works on children. I doubt the methods Dora

shows would be applicable in real-life situations. Except for maybe picking up on some Spanish. As someone who's half Latino, it's good that it tries to have ethnic characters, I mean it's not like it's done in a way that reflects badly on the writers/creators. Unlike other main protagonists in which you can put yourself in their place as you follow them, this show encourages them to partake in the puzzles with them than learning from their actions. They use the interactions as a ploy to engage child viewers, instead of showing the characters figuring these obstacles out. Dora's role is to interact with the viewers to see if they can spot the object; and offer exposition, even though she and Boots can find it for themselves. Boots pretty much does the same thing, only his dialogue and enthusiasm can be even more puerile. I fail to find the charm in these catchphrases or recurring gags. All this time they interact and let the audience respond could've been used for plot/character development. Sooner or later, children will realise that they can't communicate with the characters. Swiper is pretty much the amount of conflict the show gets. Not only do these characters need to be aware of their location, but they don't show self-awareness of the plot or the tone. 

For many years, this along with Spongebob was Nickelodeon's cash cow. It was loco how popular it was. While this may have intrigued smaller children, this only seemed to irritate much older viewers. Despite all the publicity it had, I feel the series has gained the reputation it deserves, from critics at least. Whereas other children's programmes have their own strange but unique charm and morals that are still enduring. This might explain their staying power and why these remain to be remembered fondly, Dora is just seen as a has-been nowadays. The last time Dora was ever relevant was with its live-action film adaption, and no I'm not talking about the CollegeHumor video; there was a legitimate big-budget film to cap off the series. By the way, if you have seen the Dora movie, could you let me know how it was? I don't know if it could be any worse than the Fairly Odd Movies or 'The Last Airbender'. While I wouldn't say it's a good show, the criticism from educators and those outside its key age demographic is justified. Those who did outgrow Dora will look back and laugh at how stupid it could be, while others will go on to explore other adventure-based stories. Which is enough for this show to find its way off the list. Maybe its target audience could find something enjoyable in Dora's adventures, older viewers will only find them annoying. Tenía que decir eso.

6. Jonny Quest

We now move on to the other cartoon with the main character called Jonny (though my mistake is that I spelt the name incorrectly the first time). Anyway, Jonny Quest follows the adventures of a young boy and a group consisting of his father Dr Quest, Race Bannon, Hadji and their canine Bandit. Each episode would have this team exploring the globe to discover its unusual mysteries and phenomena, while also having to battle many oddities and foes such as the evil Dr Zin. But don't worry these adventures are relatively more robust than our last entry. Out of all the Hanna Barbera cartoons of the 60s, I've never cared for Jonny Quest. Whether it be the 90s version or the 60s version, it just never left an impact on me. But that's not to say I have anything against the action/adventure genre, it's just that I've never been a fan of ones of this show's variety. When I would watch old HB shows at a young age, I was mostly spoilt on their stylized sitcoms. But when I did see shows like 'Jonny Quest', I wasn't able to follow them. As time went by though, I was also so busy with reading classic literature, I never bothered to get into these adventures. But for variety's sake, I suppose I can give HB credit for branching out by doing something other than just comedy. But the mystery remains, how do these adventures fare?

In each episode, we see Jonny and the gang rumble with international terrorists, unethical professors or ferocious creatures. Like with Johnny Test and Dora the Explorer I have nothing against the set up of the locations Jonny embarks on, but mostly it's the direction the show takes that doesn't cut it for me. I'm all for adventure stories if the characters we follow are compelling and the locations are intriguing. Well, the show certainly embraces its influence of radio serials and espionage; but its incorporation of other genres like science fiction and spy fiction doesn't draw me into Jonny's missions. The approach JQ takes is that it's set during a Cold War setting, many of these settings and futuristic devices are the typical action show standard, but these machines I don't find to be designed or function that uniquely. The stories don't affect me like the literary classics of the adventure genre, it's what they entail and how they're presented that may not matter to you as it would to me. After all, 'Treasure Planet' is the same Robert Louis Stevenson story, just in an alternative setting. And I wouldn't say the action scenes are poorly done, it's just that if I'm not captivated with the story or characters; then they don't mean anything to me. Before Jonny, HB cartoons were focused on slapstick humour, but whenever people would come in contact with explosives or whatever fatality comes their way. It really infers they're hurt and/or killed, though it doesn't show them bleeding. You really have to be in a certain mindset to handle the amount of action, but I feel it's tamed enough that younger viewers nowadays could watch it just fine. You can read into its details and discuss how much of an impact it had on you or animated programming. But at the end of the day, I'm not a big fan of it.

When you get down to it, these characters could be seen as archetypes. Jonny is the intrepid, young
adventurer who usually behaves enthusiastically when aiding his father and Race or outwitting foes, he tends to give the more humourous lines as any plucky child character would. Dr Quest usually offers his own wisdom and technical jargon. I'll admit he can be a sensible strategist and offer witty lines. Race is the rugged agent that offers exposition for any mission and makes observations at any given situation, but he can also kick heinie. He can also act as a role model for Jonny. Hadji processes mystical abilities as well as judo, even if they're just parlour tricks. As cautious as he may be, he can also be persuaded into these adventures like Jonny. I give it credit that he was the earliest TV show character in a turban to not be portrayed as a villain. Though that doesn't excuse the other racial stereotypes. The villains can pose a real threat, but what made previous HB antagonists so memorable was that they had over the top personalities. I don't see that with the villains here. I couldn't recall their motivations here. Bandit's facial expressions and movements lighten up the intense, edgier tone. At least he doesn't speak in an irritating voice like a certain great dane. The character's actions can serve the plot as well as a jocular one-liner. I mean their dynamic is there, I just don't find them that interesting, and I wish to see more compelling characters in their roles.   

Art style-wise, I could see what they were going for; they tried to evoke the illusion of a comic book brought to life. But that's something the limited animation budget at the time couldn't justify. Contrast and compare this to the only action cartoon many were aware of 'Clutch Cargo'; which (I kid you not) super-imposed live-action lips onto still images. Because it was made on such a shoestring budget, people nowadays see it as a relic of the past. (Though I could see how some find the effects awkwardly charming). That's probably the same reason why millennials don't take 'Space Ghost' or 'Birdman' seriously anymore, for how they've been parodied on Adult Swim. I'm not saying this looks just as uncanny, nor do I expect the company's output to look like a moving painting. But the dark shading on the characters or the colour palette isn't particularly my cup of tea. I acknowledge HB were daring enough to take on a much intense direction, while still employing their own trademarks for the effects. But the fact HB made shows like Johnny Quest opened up the possibilities for them to take on other genres and styles.

However just because something is influential or innovative, doesn't mean it can always lead to good things. They'll always be a ton of imitators who either don't understand what made that thing work in the first place, or they'll be in favour of over saturating the market with the same idea, while other genres will be overlooked. They're plenty of adventure shows that are done in different styles and genres for people to explore, it's just in terms of aesthetics, JQ doesn't appeal to me personally. The same can be said for many of HB's iconic animated shows. You may think I sound grossly biased, but JQ is just not for me. If Jonny's mission was to convince HB to make more serious programming, I can't say it didn't succeed in that regard. But to get off this list, well, I'm leaving it there. I also cannot lie, a show's legacy cannot equate to its overall quality. But still, the only mystery that's yet to solve is how Jonny's name should be spelt? But I'm going off-topic there.

5. Jabberjaw

Remember how I said Hanna Barbera relied on cashing in on the success of 'Scooby-Doo' with similar copycat shows; this was one of them. For those who haven't discovered Jabberjaw, it basically follows a similar setup as SD, with the team of teens and their anthropomorphic companion who encounter an assorted number of antagonists (Though they don't have their own intense closeup). Only this time, they're in a band and the setting is this underwater civilization. On their own, these concepts could be interesting on paper; it would take a lot to pull them off together. My problem with Jabberjaw is how this mash-up is executed. I remember watching this show quite a bit as a child, but it never left an impact on me like a certain undersea sponge. The plots follow the same rhythm with very few attempts to add different strokes. It always involves Jabberjaw and the gang clashing with intergalactic villains, thus messing up their schemes to take over the ocean floor. It squanders a setting that could lead to plenty of promise in favour of the cheese factor. It thinks just because it has a compound premise, that it can excuse the writers from putting a focus on the right elements. I've seen villain schemes that can be convoluted, but the setups here aren't even accurate. For example; there's a villain called 'Coldfinger', shouldn't the obvious Bond reference be 'Octo-pussy'? The humour is very much dialogue-driven as well, it also comes from Jabberjaw adapting himself to various forms and objects, using his abilities to get his friends out of hot water. It's like they combined the humour of 'Squiddly Diddly' and the setting of 'Sealab 2020' (Sealab 2020, so much for foresight). I didn't laugh out loud at this, I can see a set up for a joke. Aside from a snide expression, the humour isn't a barrel of laughs. A group of musical teens battling aquatic foes just isn't as cool as it may sound. I'm not asking for the show to be overly serious or tackle melodramatic turmoil, but it makes for silly, ludicrous, ultra corny vibes.

It's really the characters that keep the premise from working. Jabberjaw is the band's pet/drummer whose goofy antics always act as the catalyst to these stories, his main character conflict is that he has trouble being accepted among other humans and sea life; being a predator and all. He was made to appear and behave friendly, heroic and goofy that even people who're afraid of sharks can like him. The problem with how he's written to spout irritating noises, yeah I get that his voice is based on Curly from 'The Three Stooges'; but the sounds that come out of him can get really old and annoying fast. Whenever he tries to act tough, I can't help but be reminded of Scrappy-Doo. Biff is the pretty boy of the group, all that's known about him is that he's the leader who plans out these gigs. Shelly is the vain, stuck up member with a massive ego; who believes she's more important than the others. She can be a real sea cow. Basically, she hates Jabber's guts and is shown to not get along with him; except for the times where she shows her mutual respect for him. Frankly, I could not stand to be with each of them. Bubbles is the ditzy member with a high-pitched voice, so she's the 'Cat Valentine' of the show. Clamhead is Jabber's human companion who constantly says these jibberish phases. This Jughead wannabe has uttered as many incomprehensible remarks as much as Shaggy as said 'zoinks'. And that's the main problem with these main characters, it's their dialogue. The writers made these teens and Jabberjaw's dialogue comprised of ocean-related slang, to appeal to the youth at the time. The register that they exchange becomes grating really fast. It takes a linguist even, to pull off this dialogue in a manner similar to 'Klingon'. I feel Spongebob did a much better job at ocean-related wordplay. I've seen better variations of these characters in one way or another, they're one-note; for lack of a better term. Quirky character traits are fine sparingly, which Jabberjaw doesn't know the meaning of.

This was made in the 70s, So I'm not going to expect the animation quality to be fluid and elegant, but

barnacles is the movement stilted and limited! The poses aren't particularly dynamic or interesting enough to compensate for this. I've seen cut-out animation that looks more believable than how the characters move here. Basic angles may have their place, but it can get tiring to see this little variation for each episode. The character design looks like it's taken straight out of "Archie's Comics'. The backgrounds aren't especially detailed, the underwater cities that our gang tour around aren't very interesting to look at. The colour palette consists of shades of blue with dull beige colours. They would have looked more interesting if there was more ancient architecture mixed with futuristic design, there might be a few glass domes that reflect that (no pun intended). But as it is, the settings are just generic sci-fi scenery. The songs that play during fight or chase sequences have very little to do with the episode plots, nor do they advance them. The style and melodies are typical of pop-rock from that time. 

I would complain about how similar it is to 'Scooby Doo', as it seems like it's interconnected with it even. The 1970s had so many bizarre trends, yet I could never understand the appeal of these SD wannabees. For which is worse, the offender or the one influenced by the offender? I mean Spongebob tends to borrow traits from 'Ren and Stimpy' (even having some of the same crew members), but it still managed to make itself different from that show. It really goes how far animated comedies have come, and how far they shouldn't go. With Jonny Quest, it opened the doors for TV animation to tell more complex stories, but instead, HB chose to exploit the same cheesy formula. It would take them a decade to get out of their doldrums. There's a place for poppy, cheery, squeaky clean, non-threatening entertainment. There's just not enough to make these characters or their setting enthralling. Sure there are pop groups I still have a soft spot for, but this embodies the traits of pop that don't hold up. I still think the overall reception is still giving it too much credit. There's certainly worse stuff out there than this, but I still wouldn't recommend it. This shark and his group remain on the list for sure, sorry Jabberjaw but you still don't deserve any of my respect.

4. Captain Planet and the Planeteers

If you've never been raised in 90s culture, I'll explain briefly the way this show can. Captain Planet and the Planeteers was Ted Turner's attempt to raise awareness for eco concerns the only way he knew how. When the earth is consumed by pollution and climate change, Gaia a Mother Nature-esque Earth goddess cannot take it anymore. So she sends 5 magical rings to these 5 teens of different nationalities, with their powers combined they summon the environmentally themed super-being known as CAPTAIN PLANET! Sorry there. In the 21st Century, Captain Planet has been criticised by the likes of the Nostalgia Critic for how corny, lame and how heavily it corporates its messages. I must ask, are environmental messages in cartoons so inherently bad? Every story has some form of a lesson, but I'm a firm believer that it's the story that should take main priority. I'd much prefer if it intertwined it's message into the stories. Even stories that don't go out of their way to preach lessons, do have a sense of morality. And Captain Planet was the earliest to present such topics at the time. Each episode follows a template, in which the planeteers go around the world to protect the environment from the polluting baddies and their schemes. It illustrates the subject matter as these action-packed missions, as to make it seem appealing to impressionable young viewers. In principle, the concept of a group of youth protagonists battling against an evil tyranny or force with a specific theme could work. In fact, the idea of each member having powers to control the natural elements is a concept that has worked well in other shows. I actually don't have a problem with the idea of Ma-Ti using 'heart' as a power, I like the idea of using compassion and feeling as an asset. But the show doesn't just tackle environmental issues, it also touches upon prejudice, diseases, drug abuse and other heavy topics that were yet to be tackled back then. If there are episodes that can raise an eyebrow, it would the ones that are about overpopulation, which definitely doesn't fly by these days (if you're aware of what I mean). It does try to convey the disastrous effect pollution and deforestation can have, as well as the brevity of these situations with intense drama. I agree it can come off as heavy-handed in its approach, in your face even. But when it's not well informed, that's when its heavy handiness gets ham-fisted as well and not always universal. In terms of visuals, the character movements are a tad more natural/believable and less stilted (except when they don't). The shading on their designs is the standard of action-oriented cartoons at the time. Most of the shots can rely on close-ups that can get awkward.  

I'm all for these team members having different nationalities, so long as they have strong, memorable personalities and their own personal motivations and backstory to fight for a cause. In this case, the

planeteers' purpose is to project values through their dialogue and character growth. Wheeler is the cocky one, who doesn't think things through before acting upon them. While he can be tempted to abandon his duties to do his own thing, he does come into a crisis when the others depend on him. Kwame usually takes initiative as the serious thinker who tries to keep the team's composure calm. Linka is a smart, determined planeteer who's rational and technological even in these dangerous situations, but she can also be tempted and helpless. She also tends to reject Wheeler's attempts to woe her, she just might have her way to show affection for him. I also find it funny that her voice actress Kath Soucie would later be typecasted to play another eco-loving young activist. Ma-Ti is the youngest one with good nature and purity. Although he can get the short end of the stick, the others learn to appreciate him. With his heart powers, Ma-Ti is able to read the minds of living creatures and control them. This proves he's not as useless as he's made out to be. But when the going gets tough, they call upon Captain Planet, this character acts as a heroic symbol of when we put all our efforts together. Although he has the tendency to make cheesy lines at the expense of the villains, his ingenuity and super ability come from a good place. I could see how it could motivate any child to be passionate about protecting the earth. His weakness to forms of pollution emphasises the effect even further. People only seem to remember this show for the celebrity voices, you could tell they were having a ball playing the antagonists. They sound like they were trying to make the cliche and corny dialogue work. Especially Tim Curry as he takes on the role as MAL; he pretty much gives a typical villain performance for him. As he's normally able to embellish any antagonistic role he's in, that can make anything he's in worth it. If there's any criticism I can give them is that the show just demonises these major corporations that exploit the environment without addressing why they exploit its resources. By making the villains less human, it takes away any relatability so viewers are less likely to see what they could become. Stories that concern protecting nature usually don't have real villains, but rather they're cautionary tales. In this case, the villains take pleasure in the destruction they cause in order to obtain wealth or power. 

With all that said, I still stand by that I appreciate that it's tries to get its message across. It's important that children's media should cover similar topics and tackle them in ways the target audience can handle. The way that message is presented may not be to mine or other people's liking, but I cannot dislike it too much; just for how well-intentioned it is. This made a generation aware of these vital topics and I cannot fault it for that. Though one can't help but acknowledge the irony that many trees were cut down for the materials to make this show. If you are looking for subtlety, you won't find it in Captain Planet. But like the natural order, there should be a balance of storytelling and morals. I think that's an opinion we can all agree upon, so the planeteers have cleared their carbon footprint off the list. What more can I say but......

3. Transformers

I've stated before that I have second-hand nostalgia for media from before my time, and the radical yet revolutionary time known as the 1980s is no exception for me. As much as I admire the culture of that decade, I was never particularly a fan of the animated shows to come out of it. A majority of them were based on existing properties, mainly toylines, but I for one didn't hold onto them (with some notable exceptions). When I first discovered the 'Transformers' franchise, I was passed any interest I had in giant robot battles or motor vehicles. From a toymaker's perspective, the idea of vehicles turning into robotic soldiers might appeal to some adolescent boys; but I wouldn't put myself in that percentage. Personally, I was more into medieval armoury and weaponry. When it comes to Transformers, my knowledge of the franchise isn't deep. I was well aware of them, but I never took an interest in them. Putting aside my personal preference, could the Transformers still function as a show? 

It focuses on the Transformers, a race of cyborgs from the planet Cybertron; who have the ability to metamorphize, which they would use to camouflage to their surrounding. They're two warring factions, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. They have been battling in a conflict that's been going on for eons, but they soon crash land on Earth. After a million years, they awake to continue their war. The Decepticons would plan on draining the earth of its energy, they would value such power sources like gold or crystal. It makes it seem like the Decepticons have the upper hand, it would always end with them being defeated in some form. That is until the next episode. In the past, I may have stated that Transformers was just as pandering to young boys as 'My Little Pony' was for young girls, was there more to it than that? Writing a story about a toy should be a lot more complex than playing with such, here its essentially used as a tale of good vs evil. From what I've seen from the original series, it rarely disrupts its status quo. It relies on spoken dialogue than letting the action or atmosphere tell the story. Every scene either has the robots discussing strategies or having light-hearted banter with one another. The very few instances that I laughed at the banter was for the wrong reason, (probably) as they're lines that are extremely corny that I couldn't help but giggle unintentionally. All the while these Transformers battle with each other, they spout lines/quips at each other; that's coated in that 80s camp. In the previous list, I stated that the franchise never gave me a reason to care about the story or the characters. I'm all for stories of good guys battling in spite of their enemies' dissension, but IMO; these stories cannot compare to other war epics. Is it really worth watching through such overstimulated and excessive action in anticipation for the Autobots to prevail against the enemy? It leaves the origins of the war vague, but sometimes it isn't always about explaining how the war began, but what the characters do to overcome it that matters. I mean a story can establish its lore over time. Like with Jonny Quest though, I can't be invested in these battle scenes if I'm not invested in the characters. What is this war good for?

As it takes skill and prowess to make a story based on a toy, it takes just as much to make good characters

out of sentient beings. The most well-known of all the Transformers, Optimus Prime the brave leader with tons to bear, as he brought them to Earth in the first place. While he does care for human life, he's willing to take a punch for them. Bumblebee is the messenger/spy who strives to be respected by the other Autobots, despite his explorative stealth he barely gets any appreciation from the others. Megatron is the ruthless leader of the Decepticons, determined to fulfil a conquest he gives a commending spectre. Starscream is the envious second in command with a devious tongue who tries to overthrow Megatron, who believes his methods of guile are much better. Spike is the human teen who aids the Autobots by helping them be accustomed to the planet. Whether he's a Shia LaBeouf or a Jason Spisak, he takes a fascination in them, even though there's not much that's interesting about him. There's not much of a focus on building character. It features a who's who cast of voice talents and they don't give a bad performance by any stretch of the imagination. Their mode of speech tries to give each one their own distinct characteristics I suppose. It would keep adding new characters or teams, often without regard for any introduction. And when they did, much of their plot doesn't leave that big an impact. Each character was modeled off their toys, in which their anatomy is based on the parts of a particular vehicle. The animation was outsourced to Japan, and they tried to make these extra-terrestrial cyborgs' movements convincing. I can't say their efforts didn't pay off, I also won't deny they did a decent job with the effects. However, they're a few scenes that might contain an animation error or two. And they can be quite noticeable like a dent. I also won't deny that the backgrounds have detailed strokes and tones. But just because the visuals are technically sound, the designs and the colour schemes aren't unique or interesting in my eyes. I must say though, the incarnation where the character design looks the least appealing for me is 'Rescue Bots'. 

So not much of my opinion has changed. I'm trying to justify why I never held onto these action shows, it's very adulterated for my taste. I've never gone out of my way to look into the story arc or the countless incarnations. I'm well aware that later seasons become less formulaic (even though it gets cluttered) and that in later variations the designs have more finesse in them. For me, it was the production history that was worth noting, it was the money these cartoons made from toy sales that would later fund creator-driven projects and adapt other properties that otherwise wouldn't have been made. So I'll give it that. However, this series can't disguise the fact that it's trying to promote the toy line. More power to you if you could see something special in it, but it remains on the list for sure. Though that theme song has always kept inside people's heads.

2. Pokemon

Pokemon doesn't need any introduction, this phenomenon started the trend of animes based on tabletop games. Whereas these aspiring young gamers would compete in these grand versions of such games using mystical creatures. I'm surprised there hasn't been one about tiddlywinks. I was there when Pokemon's popularity skyrocketed, but the extent of knowledge was only applied to the first season. Much like Transformers, my familiarity with Pokemon is very general. I remember watching a couple of episodes of the first saga and I may have had a toy of one of them. However, I was too busy getting into other things, that Pokemon never left much of an impression on my young self. Personally, I was more into Beyblades as a kid XD. When I originally included it on the list, I was not in the show's target audience anymore, so I assumed it was okay to criticise the franchise and how overly exposed it was. The show follows Ash Ketchem, a young boy who aspires to catch every Pokemon and become a famous trainer (like no one ever was!). Each episode follows a self-contained route in which Ash and a group of his companions would discover different pokemon, they learn about it's different abilities, their personality traits and duel other Pokemon against each other. The world-building here is so dedicated to studying these strange creatures that can attract a niche cult to follow. There seems to be more Pokemon exploitation than I remember. Much of the character's dialogue consists of emphasising themselves and the predicament. This type of hokey exposition was been made fun of that I can't take them seriously. The actual humour does come from the character's wild expressions (that's typical of anime) and how they play off each other  They're aspects of the English dub that you'd find either charming or cheesy (or a combination of both). The heart of it does come from the bond between these characters. 

These characters have their own calling. Ash is a very eager protagonist who shows a greater ability and is

kind to the many Pokemon, he has what I call "anime boy" syndrome. In which he tries to be brave in the face of adversity, but he can also come off as arrogantly impulsive. He can get way over his head, like any main character he has to tackle his own issues. But he does work on these traits over the course of the series (so I've heard). He's not treated as a messiah though. There's a lot for him to learn before he could become a true Pokemon trainer. Despite showing confidence, Ash is shown to be insecure, he worries about losing friends (which he does lose contact with) and putting their lives at risk. Misty is the girly character who's shown to like cute creatures, but she can also get frustrated and furious with Ash and others. Brock aspires to become a breeder of Pokemon, as he's shown to be quite nurturing, whenever he's not hitting on a group of identical women. But because Misty and Brock would be replaced, they don't get consistent development throughout. The ones who fill their roles as companions are interchangeable. BTW, is this common in Japanese television as it is in the UK? Then there's Team Rocket, the group of comedic villains bent on stealing powerful Pokemon. They give off such a dramatic and theatrical presence whenever they come in contact. The scenes with them playoff as very goofy and offbeat, it's much reminiscent of other cartoonish antagonists, as they manage to get foiled in a manner that's just as outlandish. I like how each character has their own special Pokemon, these creatures can display savage powers/abilities or act as cute comic relief. However, a majority of their designs don't particularly catch my eye or find that appealing. I mean from a design point of view; I could see how their symmetrical shape could be recognizable as a silhouette, I must say they're distinct and also strange in their own way. But they weren't enough to grab me personally. The storyboarding follows a certain class of anime, which is evident in the battle scenes. The backgrounds contain blotchy brushstrokes with their use of saturated colours, it's sure to capture a brighter, much tumultuous time. 

To re-iterate I don't have a problem with Pokemon, I choose it as I thought the saturation was insane. Because I lost track of the show, I never took the time to watch every single episode (which there is a lot of). This is why I'm not a watcher of anime, I don't have anything against it, but there are so many seasons/sagas that you just can't watch casually. So if you thought my previous opinion wasn't fair because I haven't watched the series in its entirety, I was only giving the perspective of an outsider. So I won't be going out of my way to watch them all (for lack of a better term). But I'm clearly missing something because this franchise really charmed many children back in the day, I'm aware people still look back on it fondly and it's still a worldwide phenomenon with youngsters. Even if the original series ends someday, its cultural impact will somewhat inspire many to create their own ideas for mystical creature games or a new incarnation. Pokemon may have not been my thing but I could see why people would be sentimental about it in the same way I'm sentimental about my own childhood playthings. But looking at it from an analytical perspective, I wouldn't call Ash's never-ending pursuit to be great as a whole. They're so many other shows that do a better job at balancing world-building, humour and characters. Nothing amazing, but I'd let it go from the list. 

1. Scooby-Doo
Do I even need to say anything more about these ghost-hunting teens? I've made it no mystery how I feel about this franchise. It's definitely staying on the list, without any hesitation. I've had all I could bear of Scooby-Doo in the past, I don't want to hear anyone try to convince me otherwise. I never said the original show was the worst HB cartoon, especially when compared to the live-action movies (which are only frightening for how bad they can be) It's a mystery to me how the franchise has been over-saturated for so long. Did I ever find anything good about it? Honestly, I don't care anymore, any positive memories I have with the franchise might just be based on childhood nostalgia. I'm just glad that other Hanna Barbera cartoons had their chance to get the reboot treatment throughout the last decade (for better or worse), and maybe that 'Jellystone' project might be something. You want a more in-depth overview on Scooby and the gang, then read this: https://milococoblog.blogspot.com/2019/08/scooby-doo-and-guess-who-is-gonna-be.html

Bottom line, the reason I made this list was not to insult these cartoons or the people who like them. I participated in making my own version of this meme to offer my own opinions that may go against the grain, the same goes for the 'underrated' list as well. I did this to show anyone that they're some TV shows that may not resonate with me like they do with others. And if you're in any majority that feels strongly about these, I find that perfectly fine. We all have our individual tastes, interests and other orientations, and as long as we continue to tolerate other's opinions and subjective tastes, then we can learn to find peace in accepting a different piece of mind. If you can find something special in these cartoons that I cannot, then who am I to judge. As always, tell me if you agree with me or not and feel free to say what cartoons you feel get too much praise. It was....intriguing to look back on this small endeavour of mine. I just really wanted to ask if these cartoons are overrated, or am I just over them? At this point, all I can say is.........

I Did It!

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.

                                      1*2