Don’t let the YA-7 rating fool you. These shows are must-see television programs for children and adults alike!
In a recent interview on the American Gods press junket, Michael Green stated that cartoons are doing some of the best character work on television. He cited BoJack Horseman, Archer, and Bryan Fuller threw in Bob’s Burgers.
While each of those shows are doing the heavy leg work in the adult sphere, there are several programs in the children’s arena that are producing the same level of quality content.
It’s not just about Saturday morning cartoons anymore. 7:00 p.m., the prime time for TV-G and TV-7 shows, showcases new episodes of children’s cartoons. Targeting the five to 14-year-old audiences, these shows are funny enough for children and yet sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy.
Personally, I watch a lot of TV. Sometimes it feels like too much. The Americans, The Leftovers, Fargo, American Gods, are all heavy, deep, dark shows. I devour the stillness and precise shots of these shows, and yet, the only show I can remember in the past year that made my eyes fill with tears was an episode of Cartoon Network’s We Bare Bears.
The episode was about a burrito.
Veteran shows such as Spongebob Squarepants and Adventure Time and flanked by relatively new hits We Bare Bears and Steven Universe. The latter is evoking some deep and powerful conversations, while the former lives in a bubble were the few who tune in are rewarded in 15-minute intervals.
Children’s Cartoons for Adults
’Spongebob Squarepants’
May 1, 1999, the Kid’s Choice Awards helped to introduce a yellow sponge to Nick. In his first appearance, Spongebob goes on a quest for the rarest spatula. He returns triumphant and saves the Krusty Krab from a hoard of hungry anchovies.
Eighteen years later, Spongebob Squarepants may have sharper colors, but the underwater adventures are just as enjoyable and hilarious. The classic tropes — “My leg!” — and background humor — Patrick pushing the entire town of Bikini Bottom away from an Alaskan Bull Worm — continue to keep Spongebob a light-hearted delight.
The core of what makes Spongebob Squarepants compelling is the emphasis placed on what it means to care. What does it mean to Spongebob that Patrick and Squidward are his friends? What does it mean that he loves his job so much, he cannot stand to watch Jon Hamm’s Don Gruper (yes, that is his actual fish cameo’s name) take away the Krabby Patty.
Spongebob cares with his entire heart, almost to a fault. In two silent vignettes, Spongebob’s attentiveness achieves his desired result, but often leaves a disaster in his wake. A spec on a plate that Spongebob eventually lasers off, but destroys the Krusty Krab in the process. In “Reef Blower,” a classic, Spongebob’s misadventure with a reef blower leaves his yard spotless, but ruins his neighbor’s relaxing day.
While the plots and set up may seem inconsequential, but the heart of Spongebob is what will keep you coming back for more. Even 18 years later. There’s something for everyone in Bikini Bottom.
Where to watch: Nickelodeon
Must see episodes: “Band Geeks,” “Dying for Pie,” “Glove World R.I.P.”
’The Amazing World of Gumball’
Let’s set the stage. The Amazing World of Gumball features a family where the brother and sister do not get along, the mother works long hours at the factory to provide for a father who remains home, playing video games, and watching telenovelas. They are also rabbits with an adopted goldfish who was once the family pet, but sprouted legs.
Gumball is a mixed-media series where the characters interact with other animated friends and family. Sitting against real landscapes it features a few guests, like fellow middle-grade student T-Rex, who look like cutouts from a magazine pasted on screen. The series follows the Gumball, Darwin, Anais, and their parents through school, work, home life.
While the description may appear ridiculous this series consistently tells an incredible family story. The episodes recommended below highlight the paths the series takes to bring the Watterson family values to light. “The Remote” is a bottle-like episode in which the family fights over the single remote.
“The Gift” is one of the more touching episodes of the series. The children compete against their peers to buy the best gift for a classmate. But it’s not about being liked by the “popular” child. There is more to this story. The girl’s father owns the Rainbow Factory where most of the student’s parents work.
To impress her is to make an impression about the family as a whole. Including their mother who works at the factory.
Gumball and Darwin can be selfish. What middle-schooler isn’t. But the show also focuses on the parents and shows that even parents want to indulge themselves. It doesn’t mean anyone loves any less.
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
Must see episodes: “The Remote,” “The Hero,” “The Gift,” “The Return”
’We Bare Bears’
A show about three bears living in the outskirts of San Francisco might just be the most relatable show on television. Panda, Griz, and Ice Bear are brothers whose adventures as young cubs are as intriguing as their current adventures.
The brothers have their quirks. Panda wants to be an internet and online dating sensation. Ice Bear wants to be left alone to cook in peace. And Griz wants to try new things, but also suffers from a fear of being left behind.
The show focuses primarily on the three brothers, but includes a list of recurring guests who bring out the best, and worst, in the bears. Chloe, a human girl, befriends the bears. In the episode, “Chloe and Ice Bear,” she spends one-on-one time learning about what interests the friend about whom she knows the least.
Nom Nom, the fame-hungry koala celebrity, rises and falls in the limelight. But online fame is fleeting. So when an allergy attack propels Panda to become the next internet sensation, Nom Nom must work to win the public’s attention.
But then there are the episodes where the bears are younger. They highlight the struggles of their journey and how they fought their way back to each other time and time again. Sticking together through thick and thin, even when they uncover some secrets in each others’ rooms makes this pack one to root for.
Additionally, in “Burrito” and “Yuri and the Bear,” you learn of two instances with Griz and Ice Bear that will bring a tear to your eye.
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
Must see episodes: “Tote Life,” “Burrito,” “Viral Video,” “Chloe and Ice Bear,” “Yuri and the Bear”
’Steven Universe’
Steven Universe is the show no one was ready for, but everyone needed. What sets Steven Universe apart from other shows? For one, it tends to be pretty serialized. What Michael Green points to in BoJack and Archer, Steven Universe accomplishes with the same gusto — character development.
And how could it not? Fourteen-year-old Steven, who is the child of the infamous Crystal Gem, an alien, grows up during the resurgence of a 5000 year old war.
Forget high school. Steven is at the heart of a rebellion.
But the character work and serialization are not what make the show so popular for adults. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, the women who protect and help raise Steven, are incredible female role models. The cast include same-sex couples, gender-fluid characters, and no one in Beach City is cast aside for how they look, love, or interact with one another.
Did we mention the music? You’ll want to listen to the Steven Universe music on REPEAT.
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
Must see episodes: “Last One Out of Beach City,” “When It Rains,”
’Adventure Time’
Sadly, this final recommendation is on its way out the door at Cartoon Network. Adventure Time is as quirky as it is brilliant. With the Ice King and his penguins hating everyone from above, to Princess Bubblegum, to Lumpy Space Princess, to Lemongrabs, to Jake, Finn, BMO, and more, the expansive cast of Adventure Time leaves no stone unturned.
Jake falls in and out of love, Finn goes off on an epic quest in search of his father, and sometimes there is simply a lonely traveller who loses his way. You never know what you are going to get in any given episode of Adventure Time which is part of the show’s allure.
Don’t expect to see the Ice King’s border-line abusive language each week. Don’t look for Finn and Jake to sing a song or for BMO to have a side adventure. But do stick around for touching and dramatic tales of dementia — “I Remember You” — and terrifying landscapes in the Nightosphere.
Adventure Time is unafraid. It pushes the boundaries of it’s TV-G rating with smart, witty dialogue and adventures that leave you questioning whether you watched this on Cartoon Network or FX.
Be sure to tune in before the series ends!
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
Must see episodes: “Marceline’s Closet,” Dad’s Dungeon,” “I Remember You,” “Gotcha”