The Cartoons of Generation Y

You’ve seen us write a lot about great cartoons like Bugs Bunny, The Flintsones, Woody Woodpecker, Topcat and others from the growing-more-distant past.  But Generation Y has its own list.  They have their own music, influences, political priorities and films to look back on.  And of course, they also have their own cartoons.  Without the cartoons that raised the Nineties kids, they might never have learned what a gay starfish looks like or what a “queef” is. So we asked some of them what shows raised their generation.  Here are their answers.

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1.  ARTHUR

Not only was this shows theme a Ziggy Marley joint, but it was about an Aardvark whose best friend was a Bunny and with a theme like that, the show pretty just wrote itself. A bunny? Ridiculous.

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2.  RECESS

A group of baller-ass fourth graders wandering around a playground and tearing shit up at recess. Ms. Finster can suck a D.

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3.  ANIMANIACS

A show that both adults and kids could enjoy. Slapstick enough for children, but smart enough for adult. Steven Speilberg really had a good idea when he created this show.

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4.  THE BOONDOCKS

A show that keeps you MuthaF*&(kin’ Rolling Fam. Racism, old men, poetry, a tiny-ass thug, hoes, a funny show and one of Ice Cubes more respectable creations in the last decade.

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5.  DARIA

Before Jersey Shore or Teen Mom times, Daria runned MTV. Daria was the epitome of a ’90s emo chick. She made a name for herself in 1993 when she was featured on Beavis & Butthead as a smart, sardonic girl who hung around boys because she found their stupidity to be humorous. With such an attraction drawn to her from viewers (which she would have hated because she doesn’t associate with anything popular), Daria’s own series was born in 1997. Her dry humor and sarcastic edge as she observes the world around her is what gave this show a comical appeal. The show satirizes high school in the fictional suburban town of Lawndale and ridicules pop culture and social classes.

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6.  SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

The Emmy-Award winning, infamous Spongebob is iconic to the 00’s generation. Spongebob still continues to be the cartoon of choice by children across the world. The Spongbob series revolves around his quirky self and his other friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Spongebob is Nickelodeons highest rated show and Nicktoons’ most watched shows. Spongebob has been controversial, prompting parents to ban their kids from watching it as it somehow lessons their intelligence just from watching goofy dancing and singing and bad jokes. However, some think differently. Spongebob is essential to their generation for it’s comedic element and fun-loving characters.

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7.  SOUTH PARK

Comedy Central birthed one of the most comical animated series of the generation. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park follows the story of four boys- Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick- and their bizarre adventures throughout their tiny Colorado town. The show is notorious for it’s crude language, dark and surreal humor; intended for a mature audience, although a hit amongst teens. South Park may be one of the reasons responsible for the generations inappropriate and witty attitude, but nonetheless a huge aspect of comedic entertainment for them.

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8.  RUGRATS

Receiving critical reception and high appraisal, the American animated cartoon on Nickelodeon was all the rage for generation Y. The narrative focuses on a group of toddlers and their typical days, as they seek ordinary life experiences that initiate adventures of their baby imaginations. The series premiered on Nickelodeon in 1991 and sustained a large audience throughout the duration it was on the air. The show was paramount to children because of it’s venturesome and lighthearted visual as it grabbed eyes across the country.