My Top 5 Cartoons That Aren’t Just for Laughs

As much as I love anime, I have to give a shout-out to cartoons as well. I have been watching them just as long as I have watched anime. What I have come to realize is that cartoons don’t have to be just for laughs. They can provide unique and thought-provoking stories too, which is represented in my top 5 favorite cartoons. 

Batman: The Animated Series

Driven by the trauma of his parents’ murder, billionaire Bruce Wayne uses his money and various skills to become the Dark Knight, Batman.

Why I Love: Batman and Sailor Moon reigned supreme on my animation list as a young child. It is a very intriguing dichotomy. Sailor Moon was all bright and magical while Batman is dark and brooding. But they have one thing in common: the fight for justice and working as a team. Sailor Moon has the Sailor Scouts, and Batman has the various Robins, Batgirls, and the Justice League (which is also on this list). 

However, the thing that I loved most about Batman was that his main focus was on improving his community. Gotham is riddled with violence and organized crime, which led to his parents’ death. Instead of curling up into a ball, he fought his way back up and gained power so that he could make social changes with his billions. But he also risked his life by going out into the streets to save others.  He did it without any superpowers, unlike his contemporaries, Superman or Wonder Woman. He relied on his intelligence, cunning, and martial arts skills to fight crime.

Favorite Scene: Batman was exposed to fear toxin created by the Scarecrow that caused his mind to spiral. The toxin led him to doubt himself and think that he was a failure to his parents. However, he didn’t let those illusions consume him. Batman reaffirming who he is during that ordeal still gives me chills down my spine. It illustrates that even though he is a superhero, he has his own self-doubts like everyone else.

Bob’s Burgers

A man runs a struggling burger joint with his family in a seaside town.

Why I Love: It is a very heartwarming show about a family who love and care about each other. They do face real-life struggles like coming up with money for rent or things breaking down, but they always remain united as a family to solve their problems. It is low-stakes and relaxing. Plus, it is easy to get into since it is more slice-of-life instead of episodic. 

Favorite Clip: Gene pretends to be Bob for a while. This clip cracks me up because of the way the various characters play off each other. They get on one another’s nerves, but the love is always there.

Daria

A young, cynical, and smart teenage girl who navigates high school as a proud outsider and introvert. 

Why I Love: It was nice seeing someone not trying to fit in with the popular crowd. Daria liked being her own person and never let anyone compromise her values or standards. It was refreshing seeing her own her individuality, and also seeing an introvert like me in the spotlight. 

Favorite Scene: I love it when a character gets surprised. Daria avoided going to her mother for help because she didn’t think her mother would support her not participating in a school project. However, Daria is surprised when her mother not only takes her side, but also calls out the principal’s disruptive behavior. It illustrates that not only should you not be afraid to ask people for help, but that sometimes people can exceed your expectations.

Haunted Hotel

A single mother tries to run a haunted hotel with her children and ghostly brother. 

Why I Love: The chaotic interactions with the cast are hysterical, especially when it comes to the character of Abaddon. He is an agent of chaos and loves to stir the pot. I also love how the characters support each other when it comes to topics of suicide, death, abandonment, finding friendship, and putting yourself out there to date again. I felt that it reflected true life in the sense that you have to accept the good and the bad. 

Favorite Scene: Abaddon has to choose whether to fulfill his dream or save his newfound family. It is heartbreaking to watch and see him struggle with that decision and how far he is willing to go to make sure his family is safe.

Justice League and Justice League Unlimited

DC Comics superheroes form a team to save the Earth from supervillains, alien invasions, and the supernatural.

Why I Love: It was jaw-dropping to see Earth’s greatest superheroes join forces to save the world, especially without them being egotistical. They are individually powerful, but realizing that they need to work together was incredible. They knew when and how to help one another. Plus, I always liked that it wasn’t necessarily all of them fighting together at a time. They mixed and matched people together, which allowed them to not only learn more about all their strengths and weaknesses, but also how to make their powers and abilities compatible with one another. 

Favorite Scene: The scene of the Justice League members trying to save the Flash from being consumed by the Speed Force makes me cry every time. It shows the great lengths that the members are willing to go for one another.

Thank you for reading as I explore my favorite cartoons. Animation has always been a huge part of my life, and I like reflecting on what made each of these shows great. I hope you find something that you like within these selections, and love them as much as I do. What are your favorite cartoons? Recommend some to me! I am looking for a new cartoon to dig into, especially ones about found family.