The Big List of Great Cartoons

[Baron_BJ]

I watch a lot of cartoons, Most of my friends watch an inappropriate amount of them as well and a recent thread (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.836232-why-was-young-justice-cancelled-and-why-isnt-teen-titans-go-cancelled-yet) got me thinking about making a public list of ones that people consider truly great.

I'm looking for contributions to the list (Justify your responses, tell me why) and I want opinions on the list, even if you just want to gush over something already listed or call something a turd. I'm not even going to add everything I personally want to see on this list (at least not to start with) purely so that I can see more discussion occur. (No anime, there are many such lists out there already, many of them on these forums already). If there's a good cartoon out there mention it, explain why and it will be added to the list.


As you may have guessed this is essentially a glorified suggestions thread but don't let that take anything away from you. Things Will be edited into the list as we go along.

Adventure Time
Angry Beavers
Animaniacs
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Avatar
Batman Beyond
Batman TAS
Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys
Clone High
Courage the Cowardly Dog
Cyber Six
Darkwing Duck
Dexter's Laboratory
Dilbert
Duckman
Ducktales
Ed, Edd n Eddy
Fairy Odd Parents
Freakazoid
Futurama
Gargoyles
Goof Troop
Gravity Falls
Hey Arnold!
Invader Zim
Justice League
Justice League Unlimited
Looney Toons (Assorted Shorts)
Megas XLR
Motorcity
My Little Pony: FiM (I was told that if this wasn't on the list I may never see my loved ones again)
Night Hood
Power Puff Girls
Pinky and the Brain
Ren and Stimpy
Rocko's Modern Life
Rocky and Bullwinkle
Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles
Samurai Jack
Spectacular Spider-Man
Spider-Man TAS
Spongebob Squarepants (I've Been told to say "early seasons")
Star Wars: Clone Wars
Sym-bionic Titan
Teen Titans
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Adventures of TinTin
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
The Legend of Korra
The Real Ghostbusters
The Regular Show
The Simpsons (Up to Season *Insert Season Here*)
The Tick
The Venture Bros.
Thundercats 2011
Transformers
Transformers (Reboot)
Transformers: Beast Wars
Wakfu
X-Men TAS
Young Justice

ADULT SECTION
American Dad
Archer
Clerks
Daria
Family Guy (Another Instance of being told to add "early seasons")
Frisky Dingo
Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil
Metalocalypse
South Park
The Boondocks
The Cleveland Show
The Critic



NOTE: Things will be omitted until they're mentioned, I started this list small and leaving out some personal favorites, growing it is partially your job. Also, explain your choices, otherwise I might be tossing up anything.

Also, the shows must stand up to viewing by you as an adult (or near adult as the case may be), it cannot be something that only worked because you were a child, nor should it be something that you enjoy "Because it's so bad it's good".

If you see something on the list you vehemently disagree with say so, it may change, the list isn't meant to based upon my opinion so much as general consensus.

 

[kurokotetsu]

What about Mat Groening's creations?

THe classic Simpson's are still some of the funniest and most endearing episodes ever on television.

And Futurama was also a master piece of sci-fi comedy.

 

[Realitycrash]

Batman Beyond.
Justice League
Justice League Unlimited.

..All I can think of right now.

 

[madwarper]

Are you including The Adventures of Batman & Robin and The New Batman Adventures in Batman: The Animated Series?
Because the different animation styles after the first 'season' feels like a different shows.

Anyway, I'd like to add Freakaziod, Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys, Roughnecks: Statship Troopers Chronicles and The Venture Bros..

 

[Scarim Coral]

Well for one thing, you forgot Samurai Jack and also what? No Nickeloeon cartoon (Hey Arnold, Fairy Odd Parent, Invader Zim come to my mind if you want a specific Nick cartoon. Lastly there is also Dexter Lab to consider too!

I would like to throw in this French cartoon Wakfu which I know most people have no idea about that show.

Last cartoon to mention is Spectacular Spiderman which I think is the best incarnation of the Spiderman cartoons since the TAS).

 

[Baron_BJ]

Are you including The Adventures of Batman & Robin and The New Batman Adventures in Batman: The Animated Series?
Because the different animation styles after the first 'season' feels like a different shows.

Even with the animation style change I still lump them in with the main series, I personally see them as just changing in later seasons with certain aspects of their quality fluctuating due to the change (shows dip in later seasons all the time). If people wish to add a disclaimer to the show, similar to the one that The Simpsons is wearing, then I'll do so.

I would like to throw in this French cartoon Wakfu which I know most people have no idea about that show.

Last cartoon to mention is Spectacular Spider-Man which I think is the best incarnation of the Spiderman cartoons since the TAS).

Firstly, I've heard rumblings about Wakfu myself but I know next to nothing about it, I've only heard good things though. Is there a dubbed and/or subbed version of the episodes available anywhere?

Secondly, I'm so glad someone mentioned the Spectacular Spider-Man, I would have been so disappointed in the Internet if it were left out.

EDIT: Going out now, so I will be unable to update the list for a few hours.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

Megas XLR

A massive parody of humongous mecha series. If you consider Neon Genesis Evangelion the Deconstruction of the Humongous Mecha genre, then consider Megas XLR the Demolition of it.

Spoiler

Yes, the robot has a car for a head. (A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda to be precise)

Samurai Jack

Multiple Emmy Awards, the villain is voiced by Mako Iwamatsu (aka General Iroh of Avatar: The Last Airbender) what more do you need?

Spoiler

Star Wars: Clone Wars

No, not the CGI version, this was created by Genndy Tartakovsky of Samurai Jack fame and it shows.

Spoiler

This is how I remember General Grevious, the Episode 3 version that came afterwards did him a massive disservice.

EDIT: Forgot about Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles! Wait, looks like its already on the list.

 

[madwarper]

Even with the animation style change I still lump them in with the main series, I personally see them as just changing in later seasons with certain aspects of their quality fluctuating due to the change (shows dip in later seasons all the time). If people wish to add a disclaimer to the show, similar to the one that The Simpsons is wearing, then I'll do so.

I'm not saying there was a drop in quality, but the different incarnations track the evolution of the Timmverse from Batman: The Animated Series to Justice League Unlimited.

 

[TheSYLOH]

snip

I'm surprised you didn't recommend My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
For evidence both for and against the show, just see THE ENTIRE INTERNET.

Also

Night Hood

Its like a western Lupin III with more dignity.

 

[Tokeism]

South Park - Into its 15th season, still going strong, I find if funny.
Adventure Time: With Jake And Finn - Good for all ages
Rocko's Modern Life - Nickelodeon classic
SpongeBob Square pants - I don't think we need a reason for this to be on the list
The Adventures of TinTin - The theme music is epically good

 

[Scarim Coral]

I would like to throw in this French cartoon Wakfu which I know most people have no idea about that show.

Last cartoon to mention is Spectacular Spider-Man which I think is the best incarnation of the Spiderman cartoons since the TAS).

Firstly, I've heard rumblings about Wakfu myself but I know next to nothing about it, I've only heard good things though. Is there a dubbed and/or subbed version of the episodes available anywhere?

Secondly, I'm so glad someone mentioned the Spectacular Spider-Man, I would have been so disappointed in the Internet if it were left out.

EDIT: Going out now, so I will be unable to update the list for a few hours.

Wakfu is based on this turn based MMORPG of the same name (sequel to the first turn based MMORPG Dofus which again the show is based on that game universe).
Here is snippet of the season 2 intro
I just find the animation so amazing seeing that it was done in Flash which I admit look far more superior compared to MLP:FiM animation (since that show is also made in Flash).
As for finding episode of it in English sub, good luck with that! Youtube pretty much banned anyone uploaded english sub episodes but they seen to gotten lazy when it come to other subs episodes (I was able to watch most of the episodes before they got taken down).
If you search hard enough you will be able to find the english sub episodes.
There is one dub episodes that preimer in this anime convection but nothing came out from it (it was years ago when they shown the first dub episode in that convection).

snip

I'm surprised you didn't recommend My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
For evidence both for and against the show, just see THE ENTIRE INTERNET.

Heh, I guess I was more focusing on past shows then the current one (which is also why I forgot Adventure Time).

EDIT- I can't believe I had forgot about Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (and aswell what other people had typed)!

 

[JoJo]

Family Guy? Or will I be crucified for even mentioning it in this thread?

Okay, how about Dora the Explorer, that's pretty good.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

It's hard to come up with some good ones since they were already mentioned:

Motorocity - from what I've heard, anyway, I didn't watch this one a lot, and now it's off the air... damn TV executives...
The Spectacular Spider-man - A fun show with lots of good action and characterization... only for it to get canned. Goddamnit.
Gravity Falls - Clever, smart funny, and just a bit creepy, this is one show not worth missing.
Tiny Toon Adventures - like Animaniacs, funny and enjoyable, but oh so very 90s.
Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated - A new twists on the "teens solving mysteries with their no-human sidekick" cliche... albeit with a seriously darker undertone...
Transformers Animated - not muhch to be said, other than an action-packed story with lots of shouts outs to the entire Transformers franchise... only to get wrapped up one season short. What is it with good shows getting screwed over all the time?
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - C'mon, do I REALLY have to explain this one?

 

[BakedSardine]

The original GI Joe and Transformers.

/thread

Well, at least if you were a kid in the 80's. Both are on Netflix now.

 

[silver wolf009]

Danny Phantom needs to be up there. Great show, and the movies in particular were really good. I especially liked the ghost controlling carny one, and his, "Definitely Not The Infinity Gauntlet."

 

[EmilShmiengura]

Does anybody remember Gargoyles?

 

[hermes]

How can there be a definitive list of cartoons without someone mentioning Looney Tunes?
Seriously, guys. That is the grandpa of most of those shows, and better than 90% on that list.

 

[retrochimp]

Excluding Japanese anime and 3-d shows:

The Boondocks
Metalocalypse
12 oz mouse
Batman: The Brave And The Bold
Ultimate Spider-man
Power Puff Girls
Clerks
Clone High
Rocky And Bullwinkle
Space Ghost: Coast To Coast
The Brak Show
The Pink Panther
The Real Ghostbusters
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Adventure Time
Superfriends
X-Men (90's)
Spider-man (90's)
The Magic School Bus
Danger Mouse
Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers
The Critic
The Batman
Archer
Darkwing Duck
Winnie The Pooh
The New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
Home Movies

That's all I can think of that aren't mentioned.

 

[Fox12]

Oh man, Hey Arnold might be my favorite cartoon of all time. The amount of depth put into a kids show was insane. Helga was neglected by her parents and her mom was constantly drunk or hung over. The christmas episode dealt with families torn apart by the Vietnam War. It was full of philosophy and serious issues, all whlie remaining approachable by children. It was also hilarious.



I was also a huge fan of the third season of Digimon as a kid, which also dealt with some pretty dark material while being overall happy. I felt like these two hows treated kids with respect, and didn't feel the need to shield them from life. That said, they still handled the material in a way that that children could understand and relate.

 

[DjinnFor]

Samurai Jack

Multiple Emmy Awards, the villain is voiced by Mako Iwamatsu (aka General Iroh of Avatar: The Last Airbender) what more do you need?

Spoiler

Those are good clips but... I think you're forgetting the best:

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - C'mon, do I REALLY have to explain this one?

Yes, yes you do.