10. The Fairly Odd Parents
Okay, ignoring how this show went downhill (and ignoring the Chloe seasons), this was a beloved show.
Pretending that Poof and all those unnecessary add-ins to boost Hartman’s career, it was a rather wholesome cartoon about a boy who found the love and attention of magical beings that his parents (and pretty much his own community) failed to give.
Yeah, let’s also pretend that Cosmo got stupider over time too. Man, he and Patrick Star used to be so funny...
9. Xiaolin Showdown
Four teens from different parts of the world come together at the historical Xiaolin Temple to start their training. Not just typical boot camp kind of stuff. The fate of the universe actually relies heavily on them mastering their skills. They are given the task of searching for ancient items around the world called Shen Gong Wu. First lesson: trying to get along. And they’ll have to forge friendships soon while evil witch Wuya and her dim-witted partner Jack Spicer start planning for world-domination.
A beloved and underrated classic from the Kids WB days.
Besides the diverse cast, there was a lot of heartfelt humor.
We liked Omi because he was a little guy with a big ego. And his attempts to sound “hip” like other kids was always hilarious.
We liked Clay because of his southern charm (he was Applejack before there was even an Applejack).
We liked Kimiko because she always had a different outfit every episode. And her Japanese technology was always wondrous.
We liked Raimundo because most of us were little kids who had a HUGE crush on him. Not to mention we had been rooting for him since the beginning to become the official leader (and we were so happy when he actually did!). And also because we were always getting teased with the mild romance between him and Kimiko.
This was a great show. Which is why we pretend Chronicles never existed (because that show was sh*t).
8. The Life and Times of Juniper Lee
Preteen Chinese-American Juniper Lee was just an average girl before she received the powers from her family’s secret lineage. The only one who knows about this is her grandmother, who helps Juniper with these newfound skills. Not only does Juniper have amazing powers, but she is able to talk with monsters (that ordinary humans are unable to see). She must maintain the balance between the human and monster civilizations when an old evil threatens both.
An often forgotten show that had graced the good days of Cartoon Network.
While there is Anne Boonchuy of Amphibia, this was an Asian character who really wowed us lifelong animation fans.
It’s too bad that just like most shows of the pre-2010s, this one ended right when the show could have continued somewhere deeper.
Knowing that we’re currently living in the decade of reboots, revivals, and sequels, it wouldn’t hurt if this show came back.
But not like how Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, and Teen Titans did (those are still the WORST reboots ever).
7. Hilda
Magic lives all around us. For Hilda and her mom, it’s a common occurrence (and a rather annoying one). Life is one big adventure after another when Hilda makes new friends and discoveries. Think Gravity Falls but lighter, softer, wholesome, and cute.
Another reason to own a Netflix subscription.
Hilda is what Mabel Pines isn’t (fight me).
6. The Amazing World of Gumball
Elmore is a town full of normal people doing normal things. And by normal meaning your classmate is either a ghost, a T-rex, a dancing banana, or a floating eyeball. Your mom works at a factory that produces rainbows. Or your best friend used to be your pet fish before it grew legs and got adopted into your family. Yup, nothing EVER interesting happens in Elmore…
Chowder was popular for being the greatest fourth wall breaking show in history.
Steven Universe was most popular for showcasing a large cast of lesbians.
TAWOG definitely goes down as the most fact-spouting, rule-breaking, dialogue-daring show known to animation.
Someone wants to say something that shines a harsh light on society?
They say it.
Want to jab at politics and religion?
Not a problem.
Making fun of stereotypes that often results in property being destroyed?
Hell yes.
Slowly discovering that you’re just a bunch of characters in a TV show and might possibly be “cancelled”?
Not even Rick and Morty could be this meta.
5. Summer Camp Island
A rather shy but kind elephant boy joins his best friend Hedgehog at a sleepaway camp that is more than just macrame bracelets and swimming. It’s a wondrous place where the ordinary is magical and their camp counselor is a witch. The kids enjoy each day with new beings discovered, new tasks to complete, and new mysteries to solve. Or simply beating the summer heat with some ice cream.
Very wholesome show.
I think what really makes this a good cartoon is breaking the stereotype that “best friends become lovers”.
Just because a boy and a girl are best friends does NOT mean they are destined to be shipped. And the creator made that clear with Oscar and Hedgehog.
Yes, Oscar says he loves Hedgehog. But not romantically. It just shows how much their friendship means to him.
As someone who really hated how Starco was forcibly done in Star Vs. the Forces of Evil, this BFF relationship is a huge relief.
Maybe if Star and Marco had just remained friends, half the characters wouldn’t have been wiped off by magical genocide (that was BS finale!).
4. The Owl House
Luz was always considered a weirdo by her peers. Her mom, worried for her future, decides to send her to a camp to “fix her flaws”. However, as Luz is waiting for the bus, an encounter with a mysterious owl results in her leaving her normal, boring world. And ending up in a magical, slightly disheveled one. There she meets Eda, a witch running her booth of “human treasures”. And King, Eda’s housemate who is super adorable despite claiming he used to rule. And then there’s Hooty, who is basically the entirety that makes up the Owl House. In this world, Luz will finally make her fantasy of witch magic come true. But first she must deal with a reality check and what being a witch really is.
One of the three current shows that are what make up Disney Channel. This alongside Amphibia and Big City Greens.
What I like the most about this show is how, yes, magic does exist. But not in the way the media portrays it.
There is a lot of realism to the Boiling Isles. My favorite is said best by Eda:
“Everyone wants to believe they’re ‘chosen’. But if we all waited for a prophecy to make us special, we’d die waiting. And that’s why you need to choose yourself.”
A realistic but helpful quote that gives us reason to keep going.
To all those Christian mom Facebook groups who say this is “bad for the kids”: grow the f*ck up.
3. Samurai Jack
As the evil demon known as Aku rises to conquer, Jack is forced to leave his home as a child. For years he has been trained by teachers around the world, preparing him for a destiny he knows he must win. But Aku doesn’t always play fair. Soon Jack finds himself hopping from one dimension to another. And then finally ending up in the future.
One of the best shows to Cartoon Network during the better days (more specifically the days of Cartoon Network City bumpers).
And then Adult Swim after the show’s decade-long hiatus.
What more can be said about this show other than how brilliant it was?
Well, besides the fact that the series finale was f*cked up...
2. Sabrina the Animated Series
Living with her two aunts, a young girl born from a witch and a human must balance her life. While learning to harness her witch powers, she’s also got a social life she must maintain. Her best friend Chloe is the only one aware of her background, and thinks it’s super cool. Her other best friend Harvey is completely unaware. But that doesn’t stop Sabrina from using her spells to make things a little easier for him. And then there’s Gem, Sabrina’s spoiled rival. Who says there isn’t a spell to use against your enemies? All this while Sabrina is dealing with the trials behind her half-witch background.
Memories of a simpler time when cartoons were made with heart. And not CGI.
This and the live-action series featuring Melissa Joan Hart were the highlights of childhood.
And Netflix pissed on the classics by making a “chilling” version.
With an actress who fails to honor Hart’s role (and is allergic to cats, BTW).
Thank god that dark revival ended when 2021 began.
And OF COURSE it ended on a sh*t ending. Shows made like that always get those kinds of endings.
Never forget the real adventures of Sabrina. Both as an animated character and as Hart’s greatest role.
And don’t forget Salem. Salem will always be the best part.
1. Amphibia
What started out as a simple shoplift for her “birthday present” turns into a life-changing event. Anne Boonchuy suddenly finds herself in a world inhabited by frogs and other amphibians. Under the care of the Plantar family, she must find her friends and find a way home.
By the time you’re reading, you’re already waiting for season 3.
Out of all the “human in a nonhuman world” shows I’ve seen recently, this deserves the #1 spot.
Just like The Owl House, Amphibia shines a realistic spotlight about people.
Bad friendships exist.
Being accepted takes time.
Home is truly where your heart is.
Matt Braley made it clear that season 3 would be the last (because he wanted this show to be a 3-part story).
I really hope this amazing show has a happy ending. And that Disney executives didn’t do anything to ruin everything (again).
