American cartoons are dying or dead

[Dagobahn Eagle]

Some time ago the State TV channel in Norway, NRK, started sending re-runs of the excellent series The Animals of Farthing Woods. It's a fantastic epic about a pack of animals and rodents and other life-forms (like a snake), led by a wise fox, that flee the human destruction of their forest for a new home in a fabled park that I admit I do not know the English name of.

 

Each episode presents totally new challenges and discoveries. The characters all have different personalities. The drawings are downright incredible, with detailed backgrounds and animals that move in a "real" way. For example, when the fox was tired, it ran in a different way than when it was fresh.

 

I couldn't find many pictures from the series, but just look at this owl:

 

When I wandered into the kitchen and saw to my great surprise that the fox and his gang was on the screen again, I got to thinking: Why is it that kids of today are naïve enough to put up with poorly drawn, low-quality cartoons like Craptoon Networks' Dexter's Laboratory? Or the Powerpuff Girls? Why has cartoons been allowed to decline from the quality of Farthing Woods to the horror that is Dexter's Lab? When I first saw it in Houston I was simply shocked at how it was such a popular series when it was so horribly made.

 

Its problems? Every goddamned episode is nearly identical. The characters are so devoid of quality that it scares me. Attempts to teach kids about morals are so obvious and cliché that it makes me gag (instead of subtly hidden like in Farthing Woods and The Lion King).

 

This is why certain countries have banned commercials directed towards kids: Children accept anything, no matter how poor it is, as long as it meets a certain low standard. All Craptoon Networks has to do is pump out a million mainstream episodes of Dexter's Lab and broadcast them. Instant $. Disney's movies are still fairly good (just "fairly"), but I have a feeling they might go down, too.

 

D. E.

[toms]

I think you may be suffering from a case of rose tinted spectacles, at least slightly.

 

Over the past few years I've ammased quite a colection of "classic" old cartoons that I remember fondly from when I was young, and unfortunately the vast majority of them have been highly disappointing. Compared to current cartoons the animation is often very poor (compare the old Spiderman to the more recent one... or look at the terrible cheap animation in ones like he-man or thundercats or D&D). The biggest surprise to me was how transparent, reptetive and filled with hammered-home morals they all were. That and the fact that most of them now look like blatant adverts (as i'm sure they were often intended.

 

Thats not to say that a few weren't great (the japanese-french collaborations of Dogtanian, Ulysses 31 and especially Cities of Gold spring to mind), but on the whole they weren't as good as you probably remember.

 

I haven't seen dexter's laboratory, but in the case of Powerpuff Girls I think you are mistaking a simplistic style for bad animation. I actually tend to prefer cartoons that go for cool, unique styles (clone wars, powerpuff girls, samurai jack, clerks etc...) to ones that just do boring old "realistic" animation.

Also, though i haven't watched many episodes, from what i understand Powerpuff girls has lots of hidden references... far more than something like farthing woods would have had. And cartoons like Invader Zim have both great animation, plus cool crazy inventive plots.

 

The problem is that american animation is very entrenched in the "only for kids" mindset. You would think the huge successes of Family Guy, the simpsons & futurama (all very clever btw) would have opened their eyes to having adult animation as well as kids stuff... but like many things (games, comics, etc..) once people have a set idea in their head its hard to shift them.

I doubt you want to get into the Anime debate but, like it or not, at least in japan its treated as just another medium... for comedies, romances, action, drama, adults, kids, etc..

As for recent US cartoons, Batman The Animated series is excellently animated, well styled, intelligently written etc...

[Lynk Former]

Aye, the "only for kids" mindset is limiting american animation a lot, but like toms has pointed out there are some american animations that are very well done.

 

What I'm worried about with American animation at the moment is that I have seen signs that some people in the industry seem to think that the only way to go is to try to "japanise" (wtf?) the animation to try to make it look kinda like anime... or they get an anime and americanise it to death...

 

Very bad way to go, I have noticed that American animation is trying to find new styles, but I don't think that's the way to go at all.

 

 

The Animals of Farthing Woods

Man I remember that, that show rocked

[IG-64]

There is some truth to what Dagobahn Eagle is talking about, the quality of American cartoons has been declining in the past few years. There have been some really entertaining, and well animated cartoons, such as Samurai Jack. And Batman the Animated series, like toms pointed out; I remember watching that all the time, and I have the 3 DVD box sets.

But the problem is, those shows are discontinued. And have been for quite some time. It seems they like to throw away all the good cartoons now days. The only kid's cartoons I enjoy watching now days are Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and Teen Titans. And I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled both of those in the coming months, to make room for more crap shows like Mucha Lucha or Camp Lazlo.

Or more Dexter's reruns. Dexter's Laboratory was funny the first few times. But they play the same old episodes a billion times. And all of the more recent episodes of Dexter are hideously changed from the original show.

It looks like that animal show Degobahn was talking about would be pretty entertaining to watch, and from what it sounds like (if he's not exaggerating), you only find that kind of animation in America now days in animated movies. Though from what i've been reading about it, there was alot of death in it. I don't think American censors would like that.

 

I just hope the people who run the networks in America will wise up and put on some good kid's cartoons, and keep them running, and maybe we'll see a comeback.

[toms]

Anime and US animation are merging a fair bit. And also much US animation is actually being produced in Asia anyway.

 

Producing a wide range of styles, topics, age ranges and genres is the best way to go imho.

 

CGI seems to be the big new thing in both US and Japanese animation... though hopefully it won't go to the extent of Disney where they (stupidly) dump all their traditional animation and just do 3D.

[IG-64]

Anime and US animation are merging a fair bit. And also much US animation is actually being produced in Asia anyway.

 

Producing a wide range of styles, topics, age ranges and genres is the best way to go imho.

 

CGI seems to be the big new thing in both US and Japanese animation... though hopefully it won't go to the extent of Disney where they (stupidly) dump all their traditional animation and just do 3D.

 

Hey... I like 3D animation. >_>

 

I think some good could come out of having a well done 3D cartoon. I remember watching "The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest" when I was little, and loving the 3D "quest world" segments. That's part of what introduced me to the 3D concept. And some of the best animated movies now days are from Pixar.

 

I think more people should give 3D animation a chance. Just because it's easier to animate doesn't mean you can't make something good out of it. It brings a whole new feel and dimension (literally) to animation.

[Lynk Former]

I don't mind the experimentation done with new technology in terms of animation, just as long as it's not all about pretty animation, I want a decent story after all. That's what it's all about.

 

At this point it looks to me that on the American side you're getting a group like Pixar producing completely GGI animations. On the Japanese side I have noticed that they're using 3D animation to create a new form of animation that looks and feels like traditional animation. The best example I can think of is the works done by Gonzo, an anime production company in Japan who has done some real kickass works, like Last Exile which uses a lot of 3D animation, but uses 2D animation as well, the end result is one hellova cool mix where nothing looks out of place in this new 3d/2d world that's been created.

[Prime]

Aye, the "only for kids" mindset is limiting american animation a lot

It kills me how many adults think a medium is for kids. It's like saying a newpaper is only good for adults because it is made of paper.

 

The problem is that they have for the most part only been exposed to content that has been aimed at children.

[Hermie]

Flukten fra Dyreskogen vinner. ^_^

 

 

But yeah, I am amazed by how much crap the kids watches today... Though I aknowledge that at least some of the stuff I watched was crap too.

[toms]

3D can be used in awesome ways in cartoons (clone wars and Invader Zim use it in great, subtle ways, as do some animes) but I have noticed a trend towards more and more flashy 3D which is sometimes at the expense of imagination, style and originality. Again, it isn't a problem with the medium of 3D, its how it is used. People shouldn't let the medium become the whole point, it should simply be a tool in telling their story.

 

I used to love Re-boot back in the day though... partly because at that time 3D WAS new and innovative, and partly because i liked the clever idea of game characters inside a machine having lives of their own. Then it went weird and killed off all its main characters...

 

I've been watching a few Myasaki films recently (often called the japanese Disney... makes cool kid-friendly cartoons without guns or violence, but which adults can enjoy too) and it just goes to show that Disney's proclamation that 2D animation is dead was stupid, and merely a consequence of the fact that all their 2D films for the past 15 years have had the same plot.

[BongoBob]

INVADER ZIM FOR THE WIN!

 

"I am the neighborhood baby inspector, I have come to inspect your baby."

"Oh goodness, inspect him for what?"

"YOUR RESISTANCE WILL BE NOTED!"

 

[Captain Wilson]

led by a wise fox

 

 

It was a badger , untill he died

 

I do agree, cartoons do seem to 'dumb stuff down alot'. Or al least a lot do

[Hermie]

It was a badger , untill he died

No it wasn't. The badger was like second in command.

[lukeiamyourdad]

Then it went weird and killed off all its main characters...

 

I don't think you got the seasons that followed in England, but I can assure you that none of them actually died

[Darth Groovy]

I HATE Anime!

[Lynk Former]

Badger went senile and died, I remember mole died and when badger was senile he thought moles son was mole. Fox had trouble with his kids, one of them, the hothead, ran away and knocked up some chick fox somewhere else...

 

That's what I remember last about it.

[TiE23]

I HATE Anime!

 

Ohhh, come on, how isnt this cute?

 

 

I also made a rant about new cartoons and shows last week. Here it is (heavily censored).

 

Note: When I say "Flash", I mean the stuff looks like it was made with a really good version of Flash animation maker.

 

 

 

Nickelodeon

 

Zoey 101: Okay, this is uber stupid. That Jamie Spears girl is so stereotypical oh a little TV diva. (Yah, its not cartoon)

 

Avatar: Ehh, better animation than the other anime shows, and they have sync'd lips for english, but I like the art, but I havent been following the story, though. Kinda goofy stuff goes on.

 

Rugrats All Grown Up: The only show where the character's clothes always change (real life like), but animation is really bad, characters are retarded, they dress like they are 16 who live on Double Shot Mocha Lattes and biscottis from Star Bucks, but they are supposed to be 12 or something. And their voices are so dumb.

 

Jenny the Robot: Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I hate the whole "off color abstract" art and backgrounds. Apparently, black outlines are out.

 

Fairly Odd Parents: This is the show that everyone should blame for the ADHD problem in kids from watching too much TV. Its always moving, shots are always changing and flashing by. Its crazy.

 

Danny Phantom: Okay, this show sucks, characters look like crud, story ideas suck, 15 yearold characters who whine dont appeal to 10 yearolds that watch Nick.

 

Sponge Bob: Sweet, of course. One of the last cartoons that are original and arent "Flash" cartoons.

 

My Dad is a Rock Star: This show is by far the worst. The dad's name is Rock Zilla, what the hell?! The kid is always depressed and stuff, always gotta have the cool black kid with bling as a friend, and the tomboy girl. Ahh, perfect! Add some neon hair and hippies and dumb music that took 20 minutes to write and you have My Dad is a Rock Star.

 

Drake and Josh: Has its moments and stuff, but can be pretty stupid, I don't know, but accidentally running into people holding huge buckets of pop-corn and spilling stopped being funny when I was 9. (Yah, its not cartoon)

 

Jimmy Neutron: Is it just me, or does every episode seem the same?

1: Beging setup (monsters come alive, someone get kidnapped, asteroid dooms day)

2: Jimmy or Friends find problem

3: Whole town is pulled in.

4: Jimmy invents some crazy crap.

5: Uses stupid invention after "thinking" and wins.

And what the hell is with the whole open cockpit on the rocket ships and stuff? Its negative 200 degrees, there is radiation exposure, vacuum pressure, and flying at 75,000mph and all that happens is that their hair flaps in the wind, what wind?! What the crap!?

 

ChalkZone: Most horrible cartoon ever conceived. I'd rather watch "Les Triplettes de Belleville" 12 times with the lights out and on crack than watch 2 episodes of that crap.

 

As Told By Ginger: Depressing Cartoons are not fun. Poor looser girl with fugly mom, no dad, dumb**** brother, one friend who is a wannabe whore and another friend destined to become an Emo. Its not cool.

 

 

 

Cartoon Network

 

 

Ed, Edd, n' Eddy: Okay, this show is kinda cool, sometimes too strange and boring, and sometimes just really funny. If this was on, I would stop and watch.

 

Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi: So, a Japanese only girl band that is supposed to be "The Craziest Thing in Japan!" Okay, so they make a strange ass "Flash" cartoon. With strange ass visuals, completely retarded music clips and all Japanese video clips.

 

Fosters Imaginary Friends: Okay, I kinda like this one, cool characters, story, and ideas. I like the humor. But still, its "Flash"

 

The Grim Adventures...: Ehh, this just doesnt really interest me, but that girl is really annoying and the Jamacian thing with Grim is stupid. The characters make me want to choke myself.

 

Teen Titans: Wow, a team of angst-filled teens (and that one foreign girl) who like... not really fight crime... they only beat up seriously evil bad guys and stuff. End of story. Repeat 16 times a season. And use some popular anime expressions. Why not just add some dialouge that includes "LOL!" and "ROFL CAKES" >_<

 

Life and Time of Juniper Lee: I saw one episode, and I liked it, got Sponge Bob humor and lots of in-jokes. And the action is cool. Last time I watched it, it had lots of insignifigant details in the animation, but made the show that much cooler. But still, its a 10 yearold's kid cartoon.

*I'll be watching more Cowboy Bebop if you need me.*

 

Kids Next Door: Really way over the freaking top. The damn characters stink, and it annoys the hell out of me that the kids dont have names for crap's sake! Its so messed up!

 

Totally Spies: This show is seriously messed up beyond reason. Man I hate it so much.

Reminds me of an instant in Arfen House 2:

 

"Wait a minute, what was Dr. Utonium doing making little girls in the first place?!"

 

[Long Pause]

 

"Eww."

 

Megas XLR: Ehh, I only saw one episode. It was messed up, kinda cool, but flippinh messed up. I'll be waiting for Mechwarriors series, guys!

 

 

 

 

Disney Channel

(Not many cartoons,

but its still worth mentioning)

 

 

The Suite Life: One of those crappy shows where they use 5 episodes for their first 4 months that the show is on air. And then run those 5 episodes 4 times a days till every kid that watches it knows every line until they puke.

 

Thats So Raven: This show can easily border on the edge of really annoying, to extremely annoying, to "kill them now please!" And that kid, I would love to kick his butt so bad, but I should probably rethink that, incase his arse may envelop my foot and suck it in, possibly chewing it off.

 

Phil of the Future: This show sucks, no originality at all. And I swear there is a guy at my school that looks like the main character of this cruddy show. The show should freaking die, it sucks, no one likes it, it must die!

 

Kim Possible: Whats the sitch? Is it me, or does "Kim Possible" seen like one of those girls who makes their Myspace sites thats all pink, underlined, and has 30 music videos with nothing but Justin Timberlake, Green Day, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, and the Killers with 100 quizes and surveys about how popular she is, and every sentence contains either "LOL" or "OMG!" or "teheheheh!"

This, must also die.

 

American Dragon: This show give me another reason to cut my ears off one day and jab exacto blades into my ear drums. Every damn sentence that kid uses is filled with "YO!" or "'Aight!"

And yah, gotta have the black girl, and make sure she is sassy, cause all black women are like that, yah, all "talk to the hand."

They try to make it seem like hes cool. Its annoying.

[swphreak]

hmmmm

 

For the comment on poorly drawn cartoons, I have to play the "Gameplay > Graphics" card. Although I agree that [American] cartoons are going down the drain these days. More poorly done cartoons are coming out than actual good stuff.

 

There are still few good cartoons being made (IMO). Avatar: The Last Airbender is good. When they were making the Xmen Evolution series, I liked it (keep in mind I wasn't a huge Xmen fan back then).

 

As for the 3D animation: if they do it right, it can be very good (Shreks, Toy Stories, Shark Tale, ect).

[CapNColostomy]

Cartoons suck. All of them. Not because they're from America, but because of another country and it's lame ass trend setting styles. Because of anime. "Unggg!!!" the character says, while we get a close up view of his pole blower and the background ZOOMS by. Lame. Every cartoon has that now. And it sucks. **** cartoons.

[Lynk Former]

Don't blame anime cause of that, blame the morons who try to copy it and think people like it. Plus the funny thing is that most of the time the crappier animes have it while the good animes don't XD

[CapNColostomy]

Don't blame anime cause of that, blame the morons who try to copy it and think people like it. Plus the funny thing is that most of the time the crappier animes have it while the good animes don't XD

 

Well, you're right. It's not fair to blame the ****ty Japanese animation folks for ****ty American animators copying them. I think we've all learned a valuable lesson here. And that lesson is anime sucks no matter who does it.

[Lynk Former]

Don't be obnoxious. If someone jumps off a bridge and you decide to do the same it's your own fault. Like a wise man once said, "Who's more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?"

 

Very few animes these days use those kinds of animation techniques, and the only reason they did back then was to save money on animation costs. It became a style, one that some people liked and others don't, then others mimicked that technique.

 

Though if you want to go back to the source you should blame Walt Disney.., or the French, seeing as you're on a roll already

[lukeskywalker1]

I didn't mind that flashy background thing in escaflowne, because escaflowne actually showed animation afterwords. In the movie you don't even see a flashy background, due to the higher budget. Proof of what Lynk is saying.

[BongoBob]

Cartoon I hate:

Kids Next Door

Kim Possible

 

Cartoons I actually Like:

Ed Edd N Eddy

INVADER ZIM

Fairly Oddparents

 

And tie, you forgot a disney channel cartoon.

Dave the Barbarian.

That show rocks. one random quote that I'll just pull out of my ass as an example of the shows awsomeness...

"And dave proceeded to craft a megaphone using only the materials he had on hand. A squirrel, some string, and a megaphone."

"Some of you might be wondering why I tied a squirrel to a megaphone...Bye!"

 

That show is awsome sauce.

[90SK]

I don't watch cartoons anymore. The humor is low par. I mean, if they're showing Roadrunner re-runs than I'll watch it, sure. But if I see the Powder Puff girls mercilessly beating on a helpless robber, who is probably stealing because he can't find a job to feed his family, I get sick to my stomach. What kind of black and white message does that shove down out youth’s collective throats? No wonder most young kids are violent punks these days.

 

Regarding anime, I've never once considered it a cartoon. I mean, DBZ and the like don't really count, I guess. Regarding them, they've already been Americanized beyond repair. And example: Pokemon the Movie = G . Cowboy Bebop: The Movie = R. The difference between day and night anime...toned down and genuine...is usually 3 ratings.