Banana Scoop

I have two cousins around the age of 9 and 4.  When they come visit me [or I come visit them from college], I, my parents, and my uncle and aunt have found television a great way to pacify them.  As cruel and demeaning to them as it sounds, I’m sure my parent readers know what it’s like to require some peace and quiet.  But when I don’t feel old enough to talk to my parents and uncles and aunts [although I’m 20, so I feel as though I should], more than often, I sit with them to see what’s still running on good old Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network these days.  Truth be told, I’m pretty disgusted in what flies as acceptable for cartoon shows these days.  Things like this Gumball show or Chowder, what have you.  I don’t identify with any of it.  But I’m probably as disgusted as my parents were when I turned on shows like Spongebob and Fairly Odd Parents in the 2000s, and even shows like Doug and Rockos Modern Life in the 90s.  Regardless, despite the childish aspect of some of these cartoon shows, there are a couple of respectable cartoon shows that, while catered to children, also capture my interest due to themes only adults would get and character/story development that goes far beyond the minds of the targeted demographic.  Below I’ve compiled 5 cartoon shows that are catered to mostly children and my explanations as to why a 20 year old like myself would totally still watch it.

Samurai Jack (Cartoon Network)

This show was badass as a kid.  Probably the most violent thing on Cartoon Network of its time, Samurai Jack just ruled in terms of its distinct animation and badass cinematic moments.  While I watched it as a kid for it’s intense moments.  I actually rewatched the entire series a couple of months ago.  It turns out that this show is more than just the action.  It has absolutely beautiful animation and is extremely respectful of the Japanese theme that centers around its title character.  There’s a strong moral code for the children that even resonates with an adult audience.  Add a sprinkle of humor, and you’ve got yourself a golden series.  If only this series wasn’t only bound for children.  The series is pretty gruesome and gory enough, imagining it without any restraints would have produced one of the craziest and awesomest series.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Nickelodeon)

This series was super dope.  I still love this series.  I watched the entire series last year and was completely fascinated by it.  It is clearly catered to children with some of its dialogue and jokes, but even adults can’t deny the beautiful animation, heartfelt characters, and intense fighting scenes.  This series painted a completely original universe and combined a series of animation types to give us a unique and still nostalgic to original, Japanese animation.  With a compelling storyline, unique and memorable characters, and a very fun universe, Avatar: the Last Airbender provided the thrills from the beginning of Book 1: Water all the way to Sozin’s Comet.

Avatar: the Legend of Korra (Nickelodeon)

This series has not yet aired, but when it does, I will surely be watching.  Set 100 years after Avatar: The Last Airbender, this story follows the adventures of the new avatar.  Original series fans will rejoice after seeing what become of the Avatar world after 100 years.  The writers have implemented strong social and societal changes that will likely go right over the younger audience’s heads.  I can only imagine the animation is even better, and hopefully the storyline got better with it.

Invader Zim (Nickelodeon)

Definitely the most childish in this list, Invader Zim was a dark and very loud tale of a small invader trying to take over the Earth.  As he awkwardly learns Earth customs, he’s put in various situations that make himself scream and write in pain or forces him to do that to others.  With a very distinct and distinguishable artistic style and the creation of one of today’s more recognizable character icons, GIR, Invader Zim was a cartoon that was likely too mature for it’s younger demographic for it’s dark tones and implications and too childish, constant screaming can get annoying, for the older one.

Star Wars: Clone Wars (Nickelodeon)

No no no, not that crap that’s airing now with all 3D character models and  animation.  I’m talking the 2D, 3-7 minute shorts that usually had no voice track and was just pure animation and battles.  They usually held little relevance, but they provided awesome battle scenes in areas not seen in the movies.  Underwater fights, jungle fights, and even utilizing little known Jedis and heroes made this short lived series even better.

Bonus:

One Piece (Cartoon Network/Toei Animation)

In 2004, I followed one of Toonami’s television adaptations from Japanese animation, One Piece.  I watched Dragon Ball Z as a kid, so I was definitely open to to English dubbed over Japanese ‘anime’.  As I slowly fell in love with the 4Kids produced One Piece, it was eventually cancelled in the middle of it’s American airing.  Being in the younger age of high speed internet, I turned to that resource to find out what happened with Luffy and the gang.  Little did I know I was being jipped of a much grittier and awesomer version of the series I fell in love with.  That’s when I started reading the ‘Manga’ and watching the ‘Anime’ to this series.  I wouldn’t call myself a Japanese fan-boy of the sorts, being as this is the only manga I read or anime I watch, but it’s well known that One Piece is the MOST popular manga in Japan for good reason.  There’s amazing storylines, extremely well developed characters, and compelling drama, and well done illustrations by the creator Eiichiro Oda. After more than 10 years, One Piece still remains as one of the most popular manga and animes out there today, likely to dethrone Dragon Ball Z and Astro Boy as one of the most influential Japanese related entertainment piece out there today.