10. Star Vs. the Forces of Evil
Now old enough to inherit the family wand, Mewni princess Star Butterfly still has a lot to learn about magic and spells. She transfers to Earth where she hopes to learn about humans and everything that differs from her home. Of course, being a magic wielder, she gets to a rough start. Marco Diaz, a boy whose family took Star in, is not exactly thrilled someone like her is now part of the “normal” community. But as they get to know each other, Star begins to love Earth. And Marco realizes she’s not entirely an annoying, magical pest.
This show was awesome. For the first three seasons.
A lot of us want to pretend that season 4 never happened.
Or prefer to read fanfiction. Because fans could write a better ending than whatever the hell Daron Nefcy’s team was thinking with that series finale.
Granted, it was possibly the fandom’s fault we ended up with THAT ending.
Not the entire fandom. Just the chunk that wouldn’t shut up about Starco. And possibly pressured Daron to make that ship happen.
You think Steven Universe has a toxic fanbase?
Despite how poorly done season 4 was, the show had originality.
Magic. Racism. Family Issues. And lots and lots of plot twists!
If by miracle Disney actually allows season 5 to happen, then hopefully there’s someone on the show that can actually write good ideas.
9. Adventure Time
Finn and Jake are a couple of adventurers in the Land of Ooo. Whether it’s helping innocent civilians or stopping the Ice King from kidnapping princesses, they do their job without hesitation. In the many side quests and discoveries they have made, some are either life-changing. Or possibly a threat to all life.
It was no surprise this show went down in history as one of the greats.
Disney may have their princesses, but how many of them are made of fire or lumpy space stuff?
It’s still a shock that the pilot for this show actually auditioned for Nick before they found a contract with Cartoon Network. But then thinking about Nick’s decisions over the years, I think Adventure Time really dodged a bullet.
And if this show had been on Disney, there is no way Marceline and Bubblegum would have been allowed to become a couple. Just ask Alex Hirsch.
It’s no wonder this show ended up getting a spin-off so soon after the series finale.
We just can’t get enough of these characters!
8. The Little Mermaid (TV series)
What happened before the movie? Before Prince Eric? Before the deal with Ursula? Before finally living her dream? This prequel series shows the life of young Ariel and her many adventures in Atlantica alongside Flounder, Sebastian, and all her underwater friends!
The glory days of Disney Afternoon. This was one of those shows you enjoyed alongside an episode of TailSpin or Gargoyles.
You know what’s funny? The fact that this series alone was WAY better than any of the sequels. Including Ariel’s Beginning (which was obviously just another cash grab).
7. Winx Club
Bloom thought she was just an average teen with two loving parents and a typical high school life. However, an encounter with a fairy reveals that she’s no ordinary girl. Realizing there’s more to her past, Bloom joins her new friend Stella at the prestigious school for fairies. There she discovers more about herself and the dangers she must face.
Pretty sure this tried to be next level Sailor Moon.
The animation and design are actually pretty good.
But the English voice acting is ATROCIOUS.
6. Nella the Princess Knight
Princess Nella is a young royal who trains to be a good knight. Brave and compassionate, she’s not afraid to do what’s right. Along with her trusted unicorn Trinket, and good friends Sir Garrett and Clod, she always lends a helping hand. Whether person, dragon, or enemy, she will always be their knight in shining armor.
One of Nick Jr’s better shows that unfortunately got cancelled (and knowing Nick, probably for dumb reasons).
It was rather progressive. It featured a POC as the main character that broke gender stereotypes.
Nella comes from a biracial family who is very supportive of her dream to become a great knight. She proved that being a princess did not mean restricting other opportunities.
It was like Max and Ruby. A sweet slice-of-life series with lessons in kindness and patience.
And most importantly, it was NOT 3D-animated.
5. Disenchantment
Princess Bean is a moody, miserable teen who is just trying to survive in her kingdom of disease, dangerous creatures, and misogyny. Ever since she lost her mother, the relationship with her father has been nothing but bitter. And she refuses to connect with her stepmom or her half-sibling. However, despite being practically hated by her people, she does have two that look out for her. A jolly half-elf named Elfo and her personal demon Luci. Whether it’s rebelling against an arranged marriage or uncovering something much sinister, Bean refuses to let Dreamland eat her up.
We have The Simpsons that takes place in the present day. Futurama which takes place in, well, the future.
Now Matt Groening has written a show taking place in what could be fantasy Middle Ages. Or better yet Grimm Fairy Tales since those stories had just as much blood as this show.
Bean isn’t your average fairytale princess. She’s more like a hardened teen who often has to fight for herself and her friends against people like her own father.
The show gets darker, heavier, and emotionally painful the more you watch.
It’s very different from Groening’s previous works. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
It’s like watching a serious Simpsons episode. (And we all know how rare those are!)
4. Elena of Avalor
After the defeat of Shuriki and reclaiming her kingdom, Princess Elena must first learn all she needs to know before becoming queen. With new friends and new discoveries about Avalor, she wastes no time experiencing what she had been missing out on all these years. But enemies lurk in the shadows, planning to destroy the princess and her kingdom.
I watched Sofia the First before this.
THIS was a vast improvement compared to the riggedy plotline that revolved around a Mary Sue kid.
I don’t need to explain how disappointing Sofia the First has become after season 1. That show left too many plot holes. And the reason things turned out that way is because the writers wanted to “take it easy for the kids”.
I get it. Sofia was solely created to sell merch.
Her world is like Steven Universe and everything can be resolved with a song.
Meanwhile, Elena of Avalor doesn’t shy away from more adult elements: self-esteem, loss, betrayal, and trauma.
And the songs were better.
Let’s not forget Elena showed it’s not always forgive and forget.
Sofia basically forgave someone who plotted for three seasons to overthrow her father and take over the kingdom.
And all it took was a half-ass “I’m sorry” to make them friends again.
Elena found out that her own cousin betrayed her family, which resulted in the death of her parents.
Yeah, no sh*t she lost her mind, leading to her cousin being imprisoned, exiled, and labelled as an enemy.
As someone who cosplayed as her for D23 2017, it’s no surprise how widely successful Elena was in comparison to Sofia.
3. True and the Rainbow Kingdom
True and her cat Bartleby live in the colorful land known as the Rainbow Kingdom. Filled with lively characters and fantastic creatures, it’s a warm and loving community. Ruled by an equally warm and loving king. But when problems do happen in the kingdom, True relies on the wishing tree to provide her three wishing orbs. Each provides the assistance she needs to solve an issue. Leading to an always successful outcome.
Another reason I have a Netflix account.
This is one of those shows that is precious, wholesome, and the CGI animation is actually GOOD.
I am a sucker for the simplistic kawaii character designs. Everyone and everything has a face you would die for! Even the inanimate objects are adorable!
What really makes this show shine is True and Bartleby. Especially the latter. His dialogue never fails to make us laugh!
Princess Grizelda is an especially funny character. While a bit spoiled and demanding, her desire to be the center of attention often leads to hilarious results.
2. Unikitty!
I’m still shocked this was made by the same people behind Teen Titans Go. Yeah, still not into that show, no matter how many guest stars appear (Stan Lee’s cameo was awesome though).
And the fact that this is Flash animation, the same program used to make the god-awful Johnny Test (I can still hear the whip sounds), really proves you can make the best of something with what you have.
When I first watched this show, it really left an amazing impression on me. Tara Strong and Grey DeLisle make the perfect pair as Unikitty and Puppycorn.
And kudos to voice actors like Kate Micucci, Roger Craig Smith, and especially Eric Bauza (who would later bring life back to the Looney Tunes).
I’ll admit, some episodes were kind of cringey. Others left an unsatisfied feeling. While a few did leave me happy enough to buy them on iTunes (especially if they’re Hawkodile-centric).
This was a TRUE Cartoon Network series (and f*ck Total DramaRama).
1. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Adora grew up believing The Horde only fought to retain peace in the universe. As an act of loyalty, she willingly accepts an assignment that involves infiltrating a secret attack from the enemy. However, the plan fails when Adora finds herself crossing paths with said enemies, Princess Glimmer and archer Bow. Both fighting in the rebellion, they explain their side of this entire battle: that The Horde are the real enemies and many planets have suffered because of them. Forced to face the reality of whom she thought were family, Adora comes to terms with who she must truly fight for.
LGBTQ representation. A powerful storyline. Princesses of all kinds.
It’s no wonder this show picked up so highly compared to its classic predecessor.
Dreamworks, you did something Disney is always bullsh*tting on.
