Cartoon Brilliance: Are We in the Golden Age of Animated TV Shows?
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Animated shows are usually hit-or-miss. Within the first ten minutes, you can determine whether it’s worth devoting hours upon hours to complete. Like many others, I fed into the common misconception that all animated shows are comedies. It was not until I turned on BoJack Horseman, looking for a lighthearted, easy watch that I discovered an intense emotional drama. Was I caught off guard? Yes. Did I enjoy the show regardless? Absolutely. We are lucky enough to live in a generation of ever-evolving technology that has allowed animation to shift from grainy, still images to high-definition, colorful pieces of art.
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Animated shows are no longer confined to the genres from which they emerged—raunchy comedies or kids' shows. Although many of the most successful shows fall under those categories, shows like Invincible and Love, Death + Robots transcend the genre confines of the animated entertainment industry. Each show has developed a die-hard fan base, exhibiting profitability and potential for future, similar franchises to come. The success and hype these series receive suggest we are in the golden age of animation.
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If somebody ignored these animation trailblazers and solely focused on the traditional animated series, they would arrive at the same conclusion. Shows that have been around for ages, such as Family Guy, South Park, and The Simpsons, are still running and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. One would think the shows must have become monotonous and plateaued, but they haven’t. Somehow, these shows have found a way to maintain relevance within the changing industry, churning out original idea after original idea.
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Although many shows have succeeded, it does not mean some won’t fail. Each industry has its risks, and we have seen new shows crumble before establishing themselves. HBO’s Clone High and Netflix’s Inside Job and Tuca & Bertie were all canceled before their stories could be wrapped up. Not all shows are meant to succeed, prompting us to look to the shows that have stood the test of time.
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Recently, we have witnessed a resurgence in shows our generation watched as children. The Regular Show, Adventure Time, and Gravity Falls have been added to popular streaming services, resulting in many fans rewatching for a sense of nostalgia. Fans of Adventure Time were left wanting more, so the spinoff Adventure Time: Fiona and Cake was released this year.
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There have been so many animated gems released in recent years. Reflecting on the list of animated shows to date, one could not argue against the notion that we are in a golden age of animation. The bar has been set so high by shows that have redefined and reclaimed the animation industry, requiring new series to break through and develop names for themselves. We have seen Rick & Morty and Invincible do it, but the question remains—who will do it next?
Strike Out,
Writer: Lucas Zaret
Editor: Noelle Knowlton
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