From Cartoons to Anime
Put your nostalgia glasses on for this one! Whether you adore old-timey cartoons or some classic animes, it's clear to see that animation is a trusted medium. In fact, lots of adult shows have gravitated towards this creative storytelling style. With that in mind, here are the 20 best animated TV shows.
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1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
This adored show was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Released from 2005 to 2008, this marked the childhood of many people growing up, as it told the story of a deep world where people bend elements. With an emphasis on war, humor, and the rich mythology of other cultures, this show is as meaningful as it gets.
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2. Tom and Jerry
Of course, if you prefer a little less meaning, then Tom and Jerry has the perfect blend of subtle story with slapstick comedy. Running for countless episodes, this show told the story of a cat chasing a mouse more times than anyone can count.
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3. Looney Tunes
Speaking of humor, Looney Tunes is a beloved franchise that had its heyday in the '30s and '60s, but still has modern revivals. It features shorts following iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and created cultural references we still haven’t forgotten.
4. Scooby-Doo
The theme song for Scooby-Doo is likely still stuck in the head of many children and adults alike. The show follows a group of teenagers and their Great Dane, Scooby, as they solve mysteries. The series also took scary concepts like monsters and horror and made them approachable and fun for kids.
5. SpongeBob SquarePants
Another slapstick comedy that defined the youth of '90s kids, SpongeBob SquarePants follows the misadventures of an optimistic sea sponge. The jokes are absurd and clever, and the characters are so memorable they’ve become pop culture icons.
6. Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon to appeal to adults, and appeal it did. Focusing on dark sci-fi comedy, the story follows a cynical mad scientist and his awkward grandson on interdimensional adventures, but nobody was ready for the psychological and philosophical depth of the show.
7. The Simpsons
Speaking of adult-focused comedies, The Simpsons can easily appeal to the whole family, although by now its original fans are likely fully grown. Full of sharp satire and cultural references, it follows the life of the Simpsons family in Springfield.
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8. Gravity Falls
While this show was intended for a younger audience, its sheer depth and clever storytelling make it appealing to adults as well. Following twins Dipper and Mabel as they spend their summer in a supernatural town, the show is full of secrets and mystery that some fans are still working on solving.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Everyone knows animes can offer some beautiful animation as well as storytelling, and one prime example of this is Fullmetal Alchemist. The story follows two brothers as they use alchemy to restore their body, but in between dark government conspiracies, the show carves out time for deep philosophical ideas as well.
10. Teen Titans
This show was iconic in the early to mid-2000s and brought DC characters like Robin, Starfire, and Raven into the limelight. Fans adored the strong character development and appreciated the blend of humor with actual depth, making it quite a relatable teen drama.
11. Batman: The Animated Series
Considered one of the quintessential Batman works of all time, this show by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski solidified Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman. The show focused on a dark stylistic take on Batman, included mature storytelling, and has a nostalgic noir-inspired style.
12. Death Note
Death Note is an anime that is geared more so for adults, and certainly has a deep and intense story to tell. It follows a high schooler who gets his hands on a special notebook capable of taking mass destruction. He tries to use the powers for good, but the story follows themes of corruption and moral ambiguity nonetheless.
13. Dragon Ball Z
Many kids grew up watching this anime, and for some, it was their version of space Superman. It follows Goku and his friends as they protect the Earth from powerful villains, grounding into ideas of determination and family.
14. Pokémon
One final anime to consider is none other than Pokémon, which was so popular and adored that it launched numerous video games, movies, and sequel shows. By now everyone is familiar with these cuddly creatures—after all, the whole monster-trapping idea is a winning concept.
15. Adventure Time
For kids growing up in the early 2010s, Adventure Time was all the rage. It follows Finn the Human and Jake the Dog as they explore magical lands and make strange friends. Many see the show as a creative outlet with equal parts deep lore and quirky humor.
16. Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb may have been a kids’ show, but the characters and references live on to this day. From the iconic platypus to the whimsical villains, this show was clever and catchy. For those that don’t know, it follows stepbrothers as they pursue a new wild project every day during summer vacation.
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17. DuckTales
Taking a turn back to the classic animations, DuckTales was based on Carl Barks’ comic book and follows Scrooge McDuck and his nephews as they go treasure-hunting. It's quite nostalgic for many, but still imparts witty humor and heartwarming family dynamics.
18. The Pink Panther Show
What made this TV show so fantastic was that it was entirely silent. There was no dialogue, just some smooth jazzy theme music as the Pink Panther, cool as ever, slipped from one comedic scenario to another.
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19. The Fairly OddParents
If you had Nickelodeon growing up, you probably adored Timmy Turner. Made by Butch Hartman, this show brings to life a concept every kid has thought of: how great it would be to have wish-granting fairies to solve every problem.
20. Futurama
Finally, Futurama was created by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen and was around from the late '90s to early 2010s. It follows a pizza delivery guy as he wakes up eons later and joins an intergalactic delivery crew. Not only is the show comedic with depth, but the unique characters and their memorable lines live on to this day.
