
















Let me re-title that as "SOME of My Favorite Animated Shows", because there are way too many cartoons that I love. But these are the shows that I can watch over and over and I never get tired of. I thought it would be fun to talk about some of these shows and why I love them so much. And I would be very happy to hear about some of YOUR favorites in the comments as well!!
So let's get started with my Western favorites (in no particular order):
Looney Tunes:
Okay, this is just a given. I mean honestly, who doesn't like the classic Looney Tunes cartoons? They are some of the greatest animated (and comedic) creations in history, capable of entertaining people of ALL ages and sporting a cast of characters that have become national ICONS. And you know something that I have always found amusing? There's this perception of cartoons as "childish", "low-brow", or "brain-rotting". But I have to really argue against this. Sure there's slapstick and nonsense galore, but I learned so much from these cartoons, ranging from classical culture and music, to 20th century American culture and history (TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!! XD). And the same can be said for the next show on my list.
Tom and Jerry:
Again, the old Tom and Jerry cartoons are just animation and comedy masterpieces. They are so fun and enjoyable and, as with the Looney Tunes, taught me a LOT about classical music and art, as well American culture from a time before my mother was even born (the 30s, 40s, and 50s). I love the show so much, and I'll just close out with my favorite T&J moment EVER...
[link]If a guy ever did that for me..? Please... he'd have me at the first note of the bass. XD
Batman: The Animated Series:
It is a carnal SIN that not every human being on Earth has seen this work of art. It's just the perfect cartoon (well until the 4th season where they changed all the character designs, but even then the stories were still good). Fantastic music, fantastic characters, fantastic setting... The whole thing is just amazing. And it officially initiated me into being a DC girl for life (well okay, the 1940s Superman and the Super Friends deserve partial credit as well). It was also great that the show treated it's audience like intelligent, thinking individuals (unlike some of the more recent tripe they have on the air now... I'm looking a YOU Regular Show) and not every episode ended on a happy note. There was sometimes some real tragedy. Like one ending in the episode where the Mad Hatter makes he debut. He's (no spoilers here, you all can guess this) defeated by the Bat in the end. And as we see him immobilized, he watches the woman he loves run into the arms of the man SHE loves. He dejectedly hangs his head, shaking it slowly, and proceeds to sorrowfully recite lines from "The Mock Turtle's Song" ("could not, would not, join the dance") as the scene fades out and the episode ENDS. I mean DUDE... You feel BAD for the Lewis Carroll crazed kidnapper!! The day is saved, Batman is victorious, the crook is caught!! And yet it's all still bitter-sweet...
That was probably the best part of the show, the way they characterized their bad guys. They weren't just cackling, mustache twirling, fiends (well okay, Joker KINDA was, XD). For the most part they were, at the core, actual people with serious mental sicknesses and you could really pity them at times.
But in any case, the show is a must see.
Samurai Jack:
What can I say about Samurai Jack that hasn't been said by every single person that sees it? It's just incredible. XD
The premise is creative and the setting leads to unlimited story ideas. It's theme song is insanely catchy. The protagonist is a refreshingly GOOD person (in a time where good characters are unfortunately looked down on as "boring"). Jack is kind, respectful, disciplined, patient, empathetic, and intelligent and only fought in order to protect the innocent or himself. And mentioning the settings again, oh jeeez... the art is so BEAUTIFUL... TTwTT
And one of the coolest things about the show is just how... quiet it is. I mean when the last time you saw it? Watch it again. When Jack it just strolling through the wilderness, most of the time you hear nothing but the wilderness. The wind, and the leaves, and some birds chirping. It makes the viewing experience kind of relaxing. It really was taken off the air too early.
SWAT Kats:
Okay... THIS show... this show just... ROCKS!!

I mean, MY GAWD!! It's got monsters!! It's got explosions!! It's got guitar solos!! There's sorcerers and time travel!! There's mutants and androids!! AND THERE'S AIR FORCE VIGILANTE ANTHROS FLYING A SUPER SONIC JET!! IT'S A 90s-PLOSION!! YOU MUST WATCH THIS SHOW!!! I am such a fangirl for the series that I squee like a basket case just listening to the intro...
[link]But yeah, fan-spasms aside, I honestly think this is a GOOD show. It's not just explosion-fest junk food (although that certainly is fun). There is real heart and heroics and I love the friendship between the two main characters. They define the term "comrades" to me. They're just great friends and perfectly lovable. And the side characters are a lot of fun as well, particularly the main female who, while she does need to be rescued from time to time throughout the show, is no Princess Peach. Just go hunt it down. You won't regret it.
Young Justice:
This one's actually kinda new. I mean REALLY new. Not just as far as being on TV for a short time, but I JUST watched the entire series last week!! And you know what? It really impressed me!! The characters aren't perfect at the very beginning, but they really grow and become something special as the series goes on (and I just about flipped my fangirl gourd at the somewhat degrading portrayal of Edward Nygma (The Riddler) in one episode, but he's kind of a cameo and they made up for it with him later, so I can forgive them). The humor is great (I actually LOL'd several times), the drama is great, and like B:TAS, the show doesn't treat it's audience like drooling idiots. There is genuine intelligence and heart behind the stories and a TON of little Easter Eggs and cameos for all those big DC fans like me. Go check it out!!
Now western cartoons are where my childhood lies, but don't think for a second that I was immune to the American anime craze!!
Here's some of my favorite cartoons from The Land of the Rising Sun.
Pokemon:
This is the anime that got me into anime (and the video game that got me into video games). I think that was the case for a LOT of kids in the 90s. I, like so many other children, was a part of the Pokemon craze. And it was glorious. Now I don't watch the show anymore. Something just seems different. I'm not sure if it's because the quality of the new seasons is lower, or if it's the same as the old show and I just got picky as an adult, but the original first three seasons of Pokemon were something really special and fun and gave me one of my first tastes of eastern animation (well okay, that honor actually goes to Speed Racer, but I CANNOT remember anything but the bare bones plots of that show, I was so young when I watched it).
Even though I never could memorize the Pokemon Rap...
Cowboy Bebop:
Again, what can I say about this anime that hasn't been said before? It's just so GOOD... The art is gorgeous, the characters are awesome (oh, dear lord, Ed is so awesome, XD), the soundtrack is inescapably catchy... but I remember my first experience with the show... Oh, man... It was the episode "Toys in the Attic" and I was WAY too young and imaginative. Needless to say, it scared the pants off me. BUT years later I watched the show again and this time saw the other, less oogie episodes. Well it got me hooked!! But oddly enough, I think the scariest episode of them all, "Pierrot le Fou" is my FAVORITE (well maybe tied with "Jamming with Edward"). I'm not sure why... XD
I really enjoy the show because it so DIFFERENT from other animes. It's not strictly filled with Japanese culture, but takes influences from all over the world. It does have a storyline, but for the most part it's just a bunch of one shot stories with these great characters. And I really like it.
Cyborg 009:
Alright... I just want to say this right now... I love this anime. But I only just got back into it!! Like JUST got back into it!! Like YESTERDAY!! The basic premise is that 9 people from different countries have been kidnapped by an organization run by the mysterious Black Ghost and turned into Cyborg weapons against their will. They escape and are now on the run, avoiding capture and learning to cope with the loss of their old lives as well as create new lives and perfect their new powers.
It's been years since I've watched this show, but the experience is still the same. I'm hanging on every moment. I think I might have to go into more detail in a later journal about this anime, because I think it deserves more attention than it gets, but at the moment I'm still just getting into it again. But from what I remember as a kid watching, this is another show with a lot of heart and represents one of my favorite genres. Cyborgs, artificial intelligence, human weapons projects, a balance between technology and nature... It's not the show that STARTED my love for those kinds of stories, but it's one of the best. Like I said I haven't watched in years, but there are still moments in the show that have stuck with me all this time. But I don't want to spoil it for you. The cast of this series is just awesome (I have the biggest freaking crushes on 002 and 004) and the art has this interesting Astroboy sort of style.
I really recommend you check it out. Or if you've already seen it, let me know!! It would be awesome to meet other fans of this great series!!
Zoids: New Century:
Let me explain the premise of this show for those that haven't seen or heard of it. Imagine an alien planet similar to Earth and populated by humans, but the most popular sport on this planet takes place in huge battlefield environment where teams pilot fully-weaponized giant animal mechs called Zoids and fight till all the Zoids on the opposing team can't function anymore and they win boatloads of cash. All while there's a sinister plot in the background. Oh, and the main character's Zoid is sentient... Yeah... pretty friggin' sweet.
Just go hunt it down. XD
So those are some of ShadO's top animated favorites!! I know as soon as I post this, another show is going to pop in my head and I'll be like, "OH, I SHOULD HAVE ADDED THAT!!" But no worries. This list will get you a good sample of the shows closest to my heart.
I hope you enjoyed the list. Please tell me what you think of the shows I've listed and if you like them as well. And please, share your favorite animated shows with me!! I'm curious to see what you all enjoy!!
Thanks for reading!! Ttyl!!
--
RANDOM JOURNAL REQUESTS - CHECKLISTThese are old requests. They may not be done in order. I'll probably get the easy ones done with first. But they'll get done. Promise!!

1 -

- Picture of the twins, Collin and Cici
2 -

- Their character Pernicies taunting a dog from up high
3 -

- Their character, Tilulu the Cat

4 -

- Her OC Hikari
5 -

- Little Jester (their OC) meeting Jonathan Crane (the Scarecrow)
6 -

- Their character Ice/Dion kissing Katy Thorn's hand

7 -

- Their character, Karmit the Fox
8 -

(for a friend) - Her friend's (~
skyph) Sonic character
9 -

- Her character Kimberly and the Riddler
10 -

- Riley, Manik, and Jillie-Ann playing with a chao
CLICK MY BANNER TO GET A CLOSE UP OF MY ADULT DRAGONS. DON'T WORRY, THEY DON'T BITE... OFTEN. XD
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