Cartoons and animation have been on a roll lately with an increasing library of quality content to sink your teeth into. With breathtaking theatrical releases such as Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse and How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, as well as amazing television series like Steven Universe and Gravity Falls, we can be sure that the late 2000s kids will have an amazing childhood. Here’s the thing right, why must it only be for kids? The stereotype that cartoons and animation are just for kids and adults should not indulge in such immaturity has been done to death. Yes, I agree, that most animated shows are aimed at children, but that shouldn’t stop you, as an adult, from loving it. So here is a list of why cartoons aren’t just for kids, and a few recommendations that can help get you started.
1. A wholesome good time
No matter how much people would like to bash it, there is no denying that cartoons are essentially a wholesome good time. With many shows being light-hearted and chill while often having minor everyday problems to overcome, kids and adults both will have a fun time following these characters as they enjoy their small wins in life. Sometimes, in this miserable world full of complicated issues, it's nice to just kick back and watch these animated characters be happy about being able to make a great burger.
There are many that fit the bill of a wholesome good time and those shows include We Bare Bears, Harvey Beaks and if you’d like a more adult-oriented choice, Bob’s Burgers would fit the bill.
2. Handling of mature themes
Another reason cartoons aren’t just for kids is because it can, at times, handle the mature themes better than shows targeted at adults. Themes such as mental health, sexuality, identity, abandonment, racism and all those other heavy hitters are better approached in cartoons because of their main demographic. The showrunners need to make it so that these issues aren’t just glossed over or settled in one gun-fight. They take time to explain and deal with these issues, thus showing that cartoons are able to better handle such mature stories compared to “adult” oriented entertainment. Here’s an example, no one can reasonably say that Mufasa’s death in the Lion King wasn’t handled well, which shows that cartoons are able to tackle these types of stories as well.
Give shows like Steven Universe, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra and Star vs The Forces Of Evil a go and you’d be surprised at where how these issues are portrayed and dealt with. Truth be told, I was surprised too, falling into the stereotype of judging cartoons for being too light with their stakes and drama. By golly did I eat my words as I was constantly taken back, saying stuff like “they are doing this in a kid show?” but then I remembered, that it is important for them to portray these issues in kids tv, and more so, that these cartoons aren’t just for kids.
3. Creative storytelling
Similar to the heavy themes they are able to address, cartoons and animation tend to have one of the most creative approached when it comes to storytelling. Stories that bring you into fantastical worlds with cool laws, societal structures and concepts that can be told without coming off as out of place. Just like how some stories should only be told through novels or on stage, others should only be told through animation. (even though it seems like Disney is out to prove me wrong with all their live-action remakes).
As I’ve brought up in the point before, the show Star vs The Forces Of Evil deals with themes of historical revisionism and racism, and this is done through the perspective of magical beings and monsters. This makes the story it's trying to tell way more accessible and way less chance to be clouded by biased thoughts and emotions. And unlike what other shows try to convince you of, Star isn’t afraid to say that “yes, this is an issue, and it’s an issue that won’t be solved overnight or with a hug. It takes time and work, but it’s possible.”
4. A unique medium
Animation is a truly unique medium. Just look at all the new and weird styles they can come out with. But what sets it apart isn’t just the art style, its how they use the medium. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t a genre but a medium. A medium where any story can be told, where many genres can exist, even in the same movie! It can be a comedy, action, thriller, tear-jerkers and everything in between. Not to mention how they look so much better animated than live.
Just look at the Spiderverse movie, the way spiderman moves in that film really gives you the sense of falling compared to the live-action ones (to be fair, homecoming was great, but this was just better with what they can achieve when actors are not in any danger of dying). How To Train Your Dragon and Big Hero 6 are both movies that are able to give you the genuine sensation of flight and the thrill of it. However, I am a bit biased towards the Dragon movies as they are amazing and a testament to the stories you can tell with this medium and in this medium alone.
5. Surprising humour
If you think cartoons are full of jokes for kids, you’d be sort of right. However, there are hidden gems sprinkled throughout, from innuendo that kids are too young to understand to puns and even jabs at society and celebrities, there is something in it for everyone. Remember, these shows are made by adults. It’s only natural that they would sneak in some jokes for the older folks. Many shows also don’t shy away from visual gags and why would they? Cartoons often use crazy expressions to exagerrate the situation, but they would just as often put things in the background of episodes that only keen-eyed viewer will be rewarded with.
The Amazing World Of Gumball has an amazing sense of humour and comedic timing. Masked behind the main characters of a blue cat and an orange fish is a bunch of jokes that everyone can enjoy, and I do mean everyone. Gravity Falls is another show that often uses its backgrounds to hide mysteries and clues. There is a whole section of its fandom that is dedicated to solving all the background puzzles and cyphers that the children won’t be able to.
6. Nostalgia
What won’t we give to feel like a kid again, that sense of wonder and enjoyment of every small thing? That’s why most blockbuster releases today are remakes or reboots of old franchises. But if you are looking for more of a kick to your nostalgia instead of a blatant cash grab, look no further than animation and their ability to integrate references and scenes of old properties into their stories. From Terminator to Monty Python, no show is safe from references and being parodied by animation.
Movies like Zootopia and Shrek, to shows like South Park, Bob’s Burgers and Archer all use references as a form of humour. You’d get nostalgia without actually needed to suffer the mediocre at best remakes.
7. A new view of society
Shows that are seemingly catered towards kids are the best way to see what our society is like and what it is going to become. For example, the 90s and early 2000s, cartoons were filled with messages to teamwork. It doesn’t matter if you are the ‘chosen one’, you can’t do everything on your own. Shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kim Possible and Danny Phantom are shining examples of this. However, newer shows placed an emphasis on being special and standing out from the rest. With the return to Disney Princess movies like Frozen and Moana, and shows such as shows such as Steven Universe taking the spotlight, it can be seen there is a change in how the youth are thinking. The emphasis on individuality over group effort will continue to shape the minds of the youth and who knows, it might have already taken effect on our world.
Those shows I’ve mentioned before aren’t bad, just that, those are the things that you can observe when watching cartoons. Other recommendations to understand current societal views may include Bojack Horseman, DuckTales (2017) and even Adventure Time.
8. Catchy soundtracks
Music and animation go together like almost every Disney movie ever made. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, I don’t know what will. Cartoon Characters can burst out into song without it feeling out of place. In fact, those that use music correctly are able to move the plot forward or tell you how the characters are feeling without them resorting to cheesy exposition. Whether its the background music or actual show tunes, these songs will have you humming it for the coming weeks.
I won’t be including Disney movies into the recommendations because that, would be cheating. Instead, check out shows such as Steven Universe, Bob’s Burgers (I know I plugged this two shows a lot, but they are just that good!), Adventure Time and Regular Show.
9. Morals that we left behind
As kids, we were exposed to many morals such as kindness, empathy and even positivity. But as we get jabbed and jaded by the world, those morals just seem like things we teach the new generation but never actually practice it on our own. Just think about it, when was the last time you held open the door for someone or vice versa just because? If it was recent, then kudos to you, if not then yea, point proven. Cartoons expose us to these morals over again and we can also see how these morals are applied in the modern day. We are no longer talking about fist fighting to solve the problems and only being kind to those who deserve it. *cough cough* every superhero show ever… Now the cartoons choose to show kindness in a different more understanding way.
Again I have to plug Steven Universe, but also We Bare Bears and The Legend Of Korra in this category as they show how understanding someone else doesn’t mean you forgive them and let them go for their crimes. Rather, it’s a way to deescalate the issue and maybe work toward a common goal.
10. It's just like any other form of entertainment
Okay, we are at the end of the list here. And what more is there to say but… Cartoons and animation are just like any other form of entertainment. You don’t have to like it if it just isn’t your thing. However, you shouldn’t just dump it into a box without giving it a shot and also shouldn’t be dumping on those who still watch them. It’s alright to like something but also realizes that there are flaws to it. Just like how superhero movies are cool and action-packed but are also essentially the same film on repeat for 10 years.
So give it a go, there are a ton of recommendations in this article and many more outside of it. It is such a wide medium that anyone can find a genre that they’d enjoy watching.