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I'm one of the 90s kids who watched this series. I'd not realized that there'd been executive pressure to make the show into another 20 minute toy commercial --
by korethr 9y ago
I'm one of the 90s kids who watched this series. I'd not realized that there'd been executive pressure to make the show into another 20 minute toy commercial -- I never got that vibe from watching it. So, IMO, they successfully resisted that pressure, which I'm glad of.
I was only half-aware of it at the time, but I absolutely loved the fact that it wasn't overly silly, wacky or talking down to me. It offered serious, mature storytelling with relatable characters, and a longer serialized plot. I couldn't quite articulate those qualities at my young age, but at some level, I felt their lack in other cartoons. Even if I couldn't explain why, I knew what I was watching was good.
In that way, it reminds me of another cartoon from the early 90s, DiC's Saturday morning version of Sonic the Hedgehog (dubbed "SatAM" by fans the to distinguish it from the other Sonic cartoon which ran concurrently on weekdays). SatAM also tried it's hand at a darker setting, more mature story telling, and in its second season, a longer serialized plot. And again, I recognized quality and lapped it up. Not to say it was without flaws; quality zig-zagged through the show's run. But like X-men, it was neither infantilizing or preachy, and I loved it for that.
Now, cartoons are no longer _only_ for young children; take for example Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block, or South Park. But I think there still should be some kids cartoons that attempt serious storytelling alongside the comedic ones. Not having kids, I've not been closely following kids cartoons. Are there any of that latter type presently?
- egypturnash 9y agoSteven Universe. Its deceptively cute character designs provide a charming cover for its stories of alien soldiers with PTSD.
- subwayclub 9y agoGravity Falls was a big hit with older viewers(grand supernatural mysteries plotline underpinning various family drama). There's also a new Ducktales - I've only caught the premiere of that but it looks like a fitting reboot. Steven Universe has been very good, and before that there was Adventure Time. Good all-ages shows are definitely there in the mix, although the pressure to cut everything down to formulaic audience pandering has remained a constant.
- korethr 9y agoI feel seriously remiss for forgetting Adventure Time now. Gravity Falls has been recommended to me before, though it escaped my memory since I've actually never seen it. Even though it's a miniseries, I do feel like I should perhaps mention Over The Garden Wall for a few reasons: 1. More than once I've been told that if I liked Over the Garden Wall, I'd like Gravity Falls, 2. Over the Garden Wall was produced by Patrick McHale, creative director and frequent writer for Adventure Time, and 3. It's that damn good -- the basic story is presented simply enough that a kid mature enough to not get freaked out by spooky things would enjoy it, and there addition themes woven in that story that adults would enjoy it too (I know I did).
- on_and_off 9y agoAdventure Time comes to mind. It even has one of the most tragic characters I can think of. The show has a very long storyline and evolves little by little: