My Top Ten Animated Shows

I must confess, it is much harder for me to watch shows (be it animated or live action) than movies because TV shows tend to be very long, hard to find, and I can sometimes lose interest. So, when I’m able to watch a show and actually stick with it, it becomes very special to me. Here are some of my faves (this time, I will include anime because honestly I don’t have enough ultimate fave American animated shows to make a top ten list). Here we go!

NUMBER ONE: Teen Titans

This is my favourite TV show of all time. I mentioned my love for it and its characters before in my analysis of Raven, and while I’m not a huge fan of its movie the show itself is perfect. In only thirteen episodes a season, the show manages to give us three dimensional, well developed, and very memorable characters, exciting action, great humour, and some really intense plots and overarching stories. The villains are great, the supporting characters are great, and the main characters are brilliant. And I absolutely love this style of animation; it’s cartoony without being TOO over the top all the time. I watched a few episodes when I was a little kid and while I didn’t really know what was going on most of the time, the characters (especially Robin, Raven, and Starfire) really clicked with me. I started looking it up more and more (especially since the relationship between Robin and Starfire enthralled me) and ultimately decided to buy the whole series on DVD. I do not regret that decision. This show is a real treat.

NUMBER TWO: Cybersix

This is a show I hold very dear to my heart. I was intrigued and then mesmerized by the titular character herself, and how haunting and beautiful the opening song was. I watched every episode when it premiered and they all managed to warm my heart. I was so upset when it was taken off air, and was beyond ecstatic when it finally came out on DVD. The show unfortunately only lasted 13 episodes, but every episode is good. Even if the plotlines themselves aren’t great, just exploring the character of Cybersix herself is great. The show also has a wonderful atmosphere and another great style. My goal is to help give this show more popularity and maybe Cybersix can get a second season, or something more.

NUMBER THREE: Avatar: The Last Airbender

No surprise here. This is one tops everyone’s fave list. I’m not really sure if there’s anything else I can add, other than that it’s a great show with a great story, great and complex themes, great detail/cultural references, and great characters.

NUMBER FOUR: Justice League/Justice League Unlimited

The DCAU is absolutely brilliant. The reason why this particular show is my fave is because we see all the different superheroes from DC and explore their lives, their powers, and their relationships with one another. Every single episode is well written and exciting, and the heroes (especially Superman and Batman) get to be more than just brooding and depressing (and for other heroes, not just comedic). It’s a rich and intricate show that keeps me glued to the screen whenever I watch it.

NUMBER FIVE: Hunter x Hunter (2011)

A brilliant anime. While the Greed Island and Heavens Arena Arc can be a tad long and uninteresting at times, the other arcs are totally absorbing. What makes me really love this show is just how much the characters have an impact. Gon and Killua will both lift and break your heart. The best thing is that it manages to introduce really despicable villains and turn them into sympathetic characters. It’s just amazing.

NUMBER SIX: Gargoyles

A classic. Again, not much I can say that hasn’t been said before, but what makes me really love it is the relationship between Goliath and Elisa. It’s all at once romantic, tragic, and heartwarming. The other gargoyles are likable too, and Demona is a truly menacing villain. While the Avalon World Tour went on a little too long for my tastes, the rest of the series is brilliant. I really hope it gets the proper movie or reboot (with the original voice cast!) it deserves.

NUMBER SEVEN: Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

If you don’t like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or how Disney is currently treating Marvel in general, you’ll love this show. It’s totally engaging, the character relationships are some of the best I’ve seen, the characters themselves are great, and it’s action packed from start to finish. I think my only problem is that the show looks like it ended before it wanted to. There are a few unresolved plot points, but the show is still worth it.

NUMBER EIGHT: Attack on Titan

Oh man, this anime. I decided to check it out on Netflix because I was aware of its popularity. I ended up watching ten episodes in one sitting. I could have finished the whole season then if I was able to. The show is just so engrossing and so unique. I really feel the horror that is happening, and the pain Eren is going through. It goes without saying I hope the second season delivers as well.

NUMBER NINE: Legend of Korra

I originally put in Wander Over Yonder in this spot, and it is a good show (some of the episodes are downright incredible), I haven’t seen the series in its entirety to really justify putting it on this list. But I’ve seen most of LOK and I can say that, while the first two seasons aren’t that great, the last two are solid. The show has its problems but the characters, fight scenes, gorgeous animation and relationship between Korra and Asami make it very worthwhile.

NUMBER TEN: The Most Popular Girls in School

This might be cheating since this is a web series rather than a TV show but oh my god, this is one of the funniest AND cleverest shows ever. It is snappily written, the dialogue is brilliant (and highly profane), the continuity is impeccable, and there are times when you forget that the characters are just dolls. It’s not politically correct whatsoever, but it’s bloody amazing.

And there you have it! I’ll try to check out more shows when I can.