Cartoon Network has been a part of all our lives since its debut in 1992, starting its programming with reruns of old Hanna-Babera, MGM, and Warner Bros cartoons. Time Warner gambled on the idea of a channel dedicated to children that showed cartoons 24 hours a day, which paid off.
Cartoon Network has evolved into creating original cartoons, with many of their popular series reaching their height in the early 2000s. Although it is a shell of its former self as its Burbank studio closed since the Discovery merger, we will take a look at some of its best programs throughout its life.
2005-2008
Other Series
Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, Omnivers, Ben 10 (2016 Reboot)
Ben 10 follows the story of a young boy who accidentally finds himself bonding with alien tech that grants him the power to change into a variety of alien races and use their special abilities to fight the forces of evil. As the series went on, we saw Ben grow up, gain new powers, and travel the multiverse until its eventual reboot in 2016.
Ben 10 came out around a time when a lot of action series were being pushed by Cartoon Network, such as Teen Titans, Secret Saturdays, and Generator Rex, which crossed over with Ben 10: Ultimate Alien.
1997-2004
Seasons
4
As one of the original series created by Cartoon Network, Johnny Bravo focused on a brolic young man whose lack of brains gets him into trouble on his quest to find women to date. Throughout the series, Johnny meets tons of characters, from evil spies to celebrities like Adam West. There was even a crossover with Scooby-Doo in the early 2000s.
While the series can be seen as inappropriate due to Johnny’s tenacity and the lengths he will go through for a date with a woman, it was still enjoyable to see this lovable buffoon try and fail.
2007-2010
3
After Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Cartoon era, Chowder was one of the series that stood out. Chowder had a unique animation style through its art style, as many of the colors of characters and sets felt as if they were textured on a separate layer from the drawing.
Chowder is a Chef’s Apprentice who lives with his Master Chef, Mung Daal, at his catering company. While he goes off on his adventures, Chowder runs into trouble as he tries but fails to be a competent cook.
1999-2002
Courage the Cowardly Dog is about a small purple dog who lives on a farm with his elderly owners. Each episode has Courage face many paranormal and supernatural phenomena, which makes the scared Courage figure out a way to save his owners.
Courage the Cowardly Dog separated itself from the rest of Cartoon Network’s at the time as it focused on horror elements while having comedy thrown in. Some of the imagery was pretty disturbing for a children’s show, but it made us, who grew up on this show, tougher.
2013-2019
Steven Universe Future
Steven Universe was a great coming-of-age story that had its protagonist, Steven, learning how to use his powers taught by gem-based aliens, the Crystal Gems. The Crystal Gems consist of Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst, who act as motherly or sibling-like figures to Steven, who is half-human and half-gem.
The series is a great blend of action and serious themes. Steven and the Crystal Gems are able to show off their abilities as they face off against other evil gems from their homeworld. Themes of love and family give the show a lot of heart, teaching the youth lessons on the human condition.
1996-1998 & 2001-2003
4 (with reboot)
Dexter’s Laboratory follows a boy genius who hides his secret laboratory from his parents. Despite his efforts to keep the lab a secret, his older sister, Dee Dee, finds a way inside and ruins his inventions, causing mayhem.
Dexter’s Laboratory was the first original show Cartoon Network created back in 1996. Before then, Cartoon Network would show old Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and some anime like Robotech and Voltron. Dexter ran until 1999, where it ended with a TV movie, Ego Trip. Without its creator at the helm, Dexter ran for another two seasons.
1998-2005
Powerpuff Girls Z, Dance Pantsed (Special), The Powerpuff Girls (2016 Reboot)
After Professor Utonium blends the recipe for sugar, spice, and everything nice to create the perfect little girls, he accidentally adds the Chemical X, turning the three girls into the superpowered Powerpuff Girls. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup use their powers to protect Townsville from gangsters, hoodlums, and giant monsters.
The Powerpuff Girls was another early original show by Cartoon Network and ran for six seasons and a movie. While the series had a reboot in 2016, it wasn’t received as well as the original series.
1999-2009
6
Ed, Edd, and Eddy are three friends, led by Eddy, who live in a cul-de-sac with a few other children as their neighbors. With each episode lies a new scheme crafted by Eddy to gain quarters from the neighbor kids in order to obtain giant mouth-filling jawbreakers. Their antics unintentionally create destruction and mayhem, causing them to get into confrontations with the other children.
Conceived through a dare, adult cartoonist Danny Antonucci created one of the most iconic children’s shows that was inspired by his childhood. Ed, Edd, n Eddy ran for a decade, ending off in a movie that perfectly wrapped up the series as the neighborhood kids finally understood the Eds and became their friends.
2010-2018
Distant Lands, Fionna and Cake
In a post-apocalyptic world, Finn the Human and Jake the shape-shifting Dog take the world on by having fun and meeting quirky characters everywhere they go. While on their journeys, Finn instills a strong sense of justice when he sees injustices and evil do-ers in the Land of Ooo.
Originally a Nickelodeon show, they made the biggest mistake in practically handing it off to their competitor, Cartoon Network. The series has an almost medieval setting with a bit of cyber-punk thrown in. It lasted for ten seasons, with two successful spin-offs and another two being greenlit.
2010-2017
8
Regular Show is everything but regular, as it follows two friends in their twenties in their attempt to have fun at their boring job at the park. As they attempt to make a mundane task more bearable, they blow things out of proportion either through summoning demons or fighting evil video game sprites.
The show was widely successful, making J. G. Quintel a household name. While it is difficult to write a teenage animated show, Quintel successfully pushed the envelope enough through adult-oriented jokes and imagery, mild swearing, and alcohol and drug references. Regular Show has also been greenlit for a continuation which will continue in the future, shown in the epilogue of its final episode.
