When you watch children’s cartoons, it’s easy to get swept up in the laughter and light-heartedness of it all. However, underneath the surface of some of these seemingly innocent shows are some surprisingly serious topics and ideas. Today, we’re looking at 18 of these childrens cartoons that actually deal with some heavy themes. Prepare to be surprised!
Adventure Time
“Adventure Time” might seem like just a whimsical journey through the Land of Ooo, but it’s so much more than that. Behind its colorful appearance lies a post-apocalyptic world with themes of loneliness and existential dread. The backstory of the Ice King reveals a tragic tale of love lost and the slow descent into madness, which is a surprisingly mature topic.
Courage the Cowardly Dog
Set in the middle of Nowhere, “Courage the Cowardly Dog” is the perfect children’s horror series. Each episode brings new, often supernatural, threats to Courage’s owners, an elderly couple. The show explores themes of paranoia and the unknown, with some episodes leaving you with more questions than answers about what’s truly real. There’s also a lot of symbolism.
Gravity Falls
“Gravity Falls” starts off as a fun mystery-adventure series, but it quickly introduces complex themes of trust and betrayal. The show’s underlying plot explores how we mature from childhood to adolescence under the disguise of being a kid’s show. It also has quite a few adult jokes as well!
Hey Arnold!
At first glance, “Hey Arnold!” seems to be a show about childhood adventures. However, it subtly tackles serious issues like poverty, absentee parents, and mental health. The episodes often explore the characters’ sense of loneliness and struggle in a touching way. The show explores these real-world issues through the lens of a child’s experiences.
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
This show follows two kids who befriend the Grim Reaper, and it’s as dark as it sounds. As you might expect, ideas of death and the macabre are the norm, but with a comedic twist that doesn’t fully hide the sinister undertones. It’s a bizarre mix of humor and morbidity that shows the inevitability of death in a surprisingly lighthearted manner.
SpongeBob SquarePants
Underneath the bright and bubbly exterior of Bikini Bottom lies a layer of adult humor and existential questions. Almost every adult can relate to the sense of monotony of adulthood and attempts to find a purpose that the characters feel while working at the Krusty Krab. Even Squidward’s existential dread and disillusionment with life are chillingly real.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
A tale of war and genocide hardly sounds like appropriate material for a kid’s cartoon show, but that’s exactly what “Avatar: The Last Airbender” did. The show introduced young viewers to complex themes of morality and loss. It also explored the impact of imperialism and the struggle for peace in a war-torn world.
Invader Zim
“Invader Zim” takes a darkly funny look at an alien’s mission to conquer Earth, dealing with themes of existentialism and the futility of life. The show’s grim humor and satirical take on human society explores the absurdity of life through the eyes of its diminutive, would-be conqueror. And somehow, the show made it work!
Over the Garden Wall
This miniseries is a fairy tale that looks at ideas of death and redemption. The story follows two brothers lost in a mysterious forest, focusing on the uncertainty of life and their journey through the unknown. Its eerie atmosphere and somber undertones challenged young viewers to confront their fears.
Rugrats
“Rugrats” presents the world through the eyes of toddlers, but don’t let that fool you. The show was actually surprisingly deep and looked at challenging topics like neglect and family issues. It showed just how resilient children can be in the face of such problems, all while pretending to be an innocent and carefree show.
The Powerpuff Girls
At first glance, “The Powerpuff Girls” seems like a typical kids’ cartoon with high-flying action and bright colors. However, it subtly criticizes society’s expectations of women and heroes. The sisters fight villains who often represent real-world issues, such as toxic masculinity and environmental destruction, making each episode a mix of fun and thoughtful commentary.
Batman: The Animated Series
“Batman: The Animated Series” completely changed what a superhero cartoon could be. Throughout the storylines of good versus evil, the show also questioned ideas of morality. Gotham City’s gallery of villains are not just criminals but troubled individuals, giving viewers a less black-and-white view of justice and the thin line between good and evil.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
While known for its mystery-solving, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” often addressed broader societal fears. The monsters and ghosts, usually revealed to be humans in disguise, are part of the show’s commentary on human nature. In almost every episode, the real monsters were among us – greed and deceit.
Arthur
“Arthur” often spoke about the everyday challenges of childhood and family life with a mix of humor and heart. Topics like bullying, dyslexia, and even cancer are tackled in a way that’s accessible to young viewers. It taught them valuable lessons about empathy and the importance of community support, among other things.
Gargoyles
“Gargoyles” completely broke the mold for kids’ cartoons with its darkness and complex story arcs, which involved betrayal and prejudice. Though they look scary, the gargoyles struggle with their identities and the challenge of coexisting with humanity. Sound familiar? These storylines were very similar to real-world issues of acceptance and the fear of the other.
Dexter’s Laboratory
“Dexter’s Laboratory” might be a funny look at a boy genius’s adventures, but it also comments on the ethics of science and experimentation. Dexter’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and his rivalry with his sister, Dee Dee, encouraged young viewers to think about the consequences of unchecked ambition. It wasn’t such a simple show!
Samurai Jack
“Samurai Jack” is an absolute masterpiece of a show for its visuals alone. But what elevates the show further is how it deals with heavy topics like isolation and justice. Jack’s timeless journey to return to his time and defeat the evil Aku involves numerous challenges that test his morals and resilience. He is constantly told to think about how actions affect those around him.
The Fairly OddParents
On the surface, “The Fairly OddParents” is simply about getting what you wish for. However, the show does more than that – it also looks at the consequences of this. The show cleverly addresses issues of satisfaction and the challenges that come with greed. Its central message? To appreciate what you have, all while keeping the tone light and entertaining.
