Best Cartoons Ever/Recomendations

[Time Mistress]

I love animation! And it seems like we have a lot of cartoon lovers here, not just of TMNT (old and new), but people who love the art of animation in general. We talk about a lot of different show here. I love learning about new shows that might be out there or rediscovering old favorites that I haven't watched in ages and I hope I'm not alone.

I thought it might be cool to have a thread where we can recommend shows for fellow animation fans, maybe even come up with a some kind of Technodrome majority consensus or list of the "not to be missed" from each decade, genre, currently on the air, etc. Maybe just start by saying what's in your own DVD collection (in addition to TMMT of course) or just pick out a few of you favorites and why you feel they're worthy of watching.

My top picks (aside from TMNT):

1. Transformers - Generation 1

All great cartoon legacies start somewhere. The genius of Transformers lies not just in its ultra cool concept of robots to vehicle, but breaks the mold of the average mecha series by having sentient robot characters that engage the viewer to care about them in a way no other robot based show has done. The world is epic, the characters are archtypal, the sci-fi concept is fantastic, and the escapism is the highest octane there is. Other incarnations of this show may have evolved in terms of story and animation quality, but G1 was at the top of it's game in both at the time it was made. And for all the glam of spin offs, sometimes there is nothing quite like watching the original. Truly a show that is more than meets the eye.

2. Transformers - Beast Wars

Can lightning stike twice? Can it be captured in a bottle? BW is a show that truly is magic in it's appeal and respect to an audience of multiple generations, a true show for the whole family to enjoy. The quality is amazing, a show that respects its roots but revived a franchise as well as being on the cutting edge of early TV computer animation. BW respects it's legacy, never talks down to it's audience, and dares to push the envelope both in animation and storytelling. It's shows like this that stand out as a shining example of what western animation can be at it's very best. If only more could learn from it's example.

3. X-Men (Fox/Saban)

The 90s was the age of superhero cartoons. There are many that deserve recognition, and this is just one of them. With close adaptation to comic book storylines, top voice talent, and a unique comic book-like "inked" look to the animation this series captures the essance of the X-Men and is the perfect introduction to one of Marvel hottest comic book properties.

4. X-Men: Evolution

Replicating success can be hard, but this show succeeded. More than that, it manages not to alienate lovers of the privious show but reinterprets the source material in a fresh new way with even slicker animation. This show is a winner with new twists and turns to the X-Men mythos that complements what has gone before, building an even better continuity thoughtout it's four seasons.

5. G.I. Joe

Sunbow really pushed the envelope creating many great cartoons in the 80s that went so far beyond being "half hour toy comercials." G.I. Joe is one of the great "spy/military" cartoons of all time, the best of its genre with all the fantasic gadgets, pseudo-science, and plots to take over the world you can handle. It's just so much fun and enganging it sucks you in, you'll want to be a part of the Joe team right along with all the unforgetable, colorful characters this show produced. And maybe in some small way make you proud to be living in a free country, there really is no better cartoon to watch on some of those patriotic holidays.

6. Darkwing Duck

There was a time when Disney believed in pushing the animation envelope and thinking outside the box when it came to it's cartoons. Darkwing is a terrific parody of hilarity and wackiness that has Disney drawing on the early shorts of Warner Brothers for it's gags and humor. But most of all, the Darkwing contains heart just like the best of Disney's animated stories. It goes beyond satire into a world you laugh at because you care about these characters. Of all of Jim Cumming's great voiceover performances, I would argue this show was his greatest.

7. Tale Spin

What an amazing underrated gem this is from Disney! The true genius of Tale Spin is just how adult and mature it is, not in the way we think of something like the cartoons of adult swim being mature, this show is clean in that respect being Disney, but in the relationships and sheer humanity of the characters like the best of Walt's creations. There are no story arcs or planned direction per se, but the characters need and depend on each other at a level you would expect to see in something prime time. It's an action adventure sitcom, that just happens to be told in beautiful animation. The timeless quality of the show and tribute to the golden age of 30s also makes it one of the most rewatchable cartoons I've run into, you don't tire of it easily.

8. Duck Tales

Much like Tale Spin, Duck Tales's appeal lies in being amid the best Disney has to offer. The animation is great, but the fact that this show is a cartoon is secondary to the fact that this is one of the best action-adventure shows ever done for television. Animation allows for the element of the fantastical, but it's the all ages label with out the need to exclude adults or kids that make for it being such a great cartoon. It also ranks among the best comic book to TV adaptaions though many may not know it. The genius of comic book legend Carl Barks shines through on this show, even with some modifications to the source material.

9. Rurouni Kenshin

The best anime transcends culture while providing a great look at the values that drive it. This show has everything. It's got the best action, the best romance, the best comedy, the best historical setting, the best psycological drama, one stop shopping really, how many shows do we wish could say that and how many actually can? This is one that can! Legend of Kyoto is not just some of the best animation I have ever watched but some of the best television I have ever watched period. The first two season are a must have, the third season unfortunately is of no consequence compared to them.

10. Phantom 2040

This was a sci-fi show that just happened to be told in animation - one of the first western cartoons with story arcs, it dared to tackle environmental and psycological issues practically unheard of in western animation at that point in a manner one might expect to see on a show like Star Trek. This show served as an important influence on Batman Beyond and brought
a much deserved superhero into the public spotlight with the same unique animation style that brought promenance to Aeon Flux.

I could list a lot more (like the entire Tim/Dini DC-verse), but I want to hear what other cartoon fans recommend. What are your "best" cartoons?