My 10 Favourite Animated Shows

Animated shows...who doesn't love them?

Some of the best TV we've ever witnessed in our lives are the animated series out there. From superhero shows to comedy shows to sci-fi shows and much, much more, animated shows have been a staple in the media for many, many years and has spawned legions of devoted fans who love to see what animation can give them next. Some are really passionate about their favourite shows in a good way, and some...not so much. ^^;

And that's what I'm here to talk about today. Here, I'm going to share 10 of my favourite animated shows. For this list, both Western Animation AND Anime shows can make the countdown. I'm not picky and choosy when it comes to what counts as "animation" after all.

Also, this list is in no particular order. This isn't a list of favourites from 10 to 1, just 10 of my favourite animated shows in general. Also this list isn't based on what I consider to be the best either, this strictly my favourite shows, so don't go saying things like "How could you put this show on this list?" and such. If I did do a list of what I consider to be the 10 Best Animated Shows I've seen, it would look very different to this one.

Without further ado, let's unleash our animated side as I reveal my 10 Favourite Animated Shows...

1: TMNT 2003

While this list is in no particular order, if it WAS, this show would be Number 1 without question. Even now, I still consider it the best animated show I've ever seen in my life and the standard ALL animated shows should follow. Seriously, this thing had no business being as good as it was, yet here we are.

TMNT 2003 is the best iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and nobody can convince me otherwise. This version of the turtles gave us a surprisingly dark story that was very multi-layered and complex, story-arcs that would carry on from episode-to-episode, strict attention to continuity to the point almost nothing was forgotten about, very few filler episodes so the pacing was kept consistent, enjoyable and memorable characterizations of these iconic characters, interesting new characters that have gone on to make future appearances in TMNT media like Hun and Agent Bishop and some really awesome animation that especially by TV standards was excellent and so full of detail and dynamic action.

The most surprising thing about this show for me is how dark it could get, and yet this was a product by the infamous 4Kids Productions. It's so funny how they got so censor-happy with anime they would dub and yet when they have their own property, they go all out and don't hold back. Seriously, there are a few episodes that REALLY have you questioning if this show was really meant for kids. As is, it never felt like it was dark to the point of grimdark edgelord levels, and it still managed to be really engaging and enjoyable. Each season feels like it raises the stakes, and you can hardly take your attention away once you watch it.

I love this show for introducing me to the Ninja Turtles, for its complex story-telling, strong story arcs, dark tone that never feels too excessive, fun characters and just how well thought-out these plots were. Seriously, the amount of attention to detail and continuity these writers display is incredible, and it goes to show that even with shows aimed for kids, you can still go all out with the story-telling. And of course, it has all the kickass ninja action we expect from the Ninja Turtles, and this show's action scenes are some of the best in the business.

Incredibly written, intricately detailed, exciting to watch, surprising with what it got away with, this show is peak TMNT and the standard all versions of the Ninja Turtles should strive to be. COWABUNGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

2: Pokémon

You're surprised, I can tell. =P

When it comes to the show, I don't like ALL of it, mainly because I haven't watched every season of the show yet. From what I have seen, I can say my favourite seasons include the Kanto, Orange Islands, Diamond and Pearl and X and Y seasons. While Pokémon Horizons isn't part of the original anime and seems to be its own thing, I'm including Horizons here too.

The Pokémon anime is special to me, as it is loads of other people, for being one of the big shows that got me into anime back in childhood and so the nostalgia I have for this series is immense. While it can be argued that the older seasons don't hold up that well (and I've seen countless memes mocking those older seasons too), some of the later seasons such as Diamond and Pearl and X and Y are genuinely strong shows with a better fix on story and characters while also making the battles more exciting and action-packed than when the series started. Ash vs. Paul at the Sinnoh League remains a series highlight for a reason. While the show is very formulaic, and sometimes to a fault, I like how the later seasons would at least play with the formula and see what else they can do with these characters, and they'd even do a spin on certain aspects of the series. Pokémon is a wonderful show for not just its enjoyable cast of characters, its animation that got progressively prettier and more awesome as it went along, how it adapts the games and for its appealing world we love to escape to, but for its wonderful morals that remain strong and inspiring even to this day. This show teaches us that "failure is not the end of the journey" and that even if you fail, you can still succeed in the future. I mean look at Ash, it took him over 20 years worth of travelling and battling and he finally achieved what he set out to do. If he can do it, so can we.

There's a lot to make fun of this show for and it does have its downsides, yes I'm aware of that. Does that stop me from labelling it as one of my favourite shows of all time? Not a chance. Pokémon is a great series, especially the Diamond and Pearl and X and Y seasons and Pokémon Horizons, and this is a show I'll forever thank for making my childhood. This is a show that made me, and many others, want to become a Pokémon Master...

3: Avatar: The Last Airbender

This cartoon has writing quality that few others have matched. If I ranked this list in terms of what I consider to be the best cartoons I've ever seen, this would rank pretty high just below TMNT 2003.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is by far the best thing Nickelodeon has ever produced (and ever will produce). I actually missed out on this series back in childhood and it took me until this decade to finally watch it. All I can say is WHY DIDN'T I WATCH THIS SOONER?! Avatar is a masterpiece, and everyone knows it. It has a surprisingly complex and multi-layered plot that tackles some insanely tough subject matter despite being a "kid's cartoon", the characters are three-dimensional and full of personality, charm and wit, the voice-acting is practically Oscar worthy, the world-building is amazing and the animation delivers on the zany comedy and the incredible action. Yes, not every episode is a masterpiece. I even plan to skip "The Great Divide" and "Avatar Day" if I ever watch this show again. But when you have only a couple of duds in a series that is mostly hit after hit, that should tell you how awesome this show is.

I was invested from beginning to end thanks to the show's incredible writing that manages to be dark and intense at times, yet also really hilarious and fun at other times, and how it manages to keep us on our toes from one episode to the next as due to the unpredictable nature of the show's tone, you never know what to expect. It's like the creators of this show were expected to make a simple meal and gave us a five-star steak dinner with the resources they had, they didn't need to cook so well and yet they did. This show has it all: a fascinating world, enjoyable characters, fantastic writing, awesome animation and a show that wasn't afraid to get ballsy from time-to- time.

This show mastered the four elements to give us one hell of a viewing experience. A true example of the power of the Avatar indeed...

4: Sonic X

Some may look at me in confusion with this one, but I'm serious. I unironically consider Sonic X one of my favourite animated shows ever. No, I don't feel ashamed to admit that. =P

Sonic X is what kickstarted my love of Sonic the Hedgehog, so once again my enjoyment of the show does admittedly come from nostalgia. As is, I still enjoy Sonic X for its fast-paced action, the performances of the 4Kids cast that to this day still remain the definitive versions of these characters for me, some cool adaptations of the Sonic Adventure games and most especially, its Metarex saga that to this day remains the best depiction of the Sonic franchise in an animated series. The Metarex saga is what made this show for me thanks to its darker tone, new direction that finally took us away from Earth, intimidating villains that made the stakes feel higher than before and how Chris was less of a spotlight stealer than he was before. That and this season gave us Tails and Cosmo, my OTP, so that's another plus in its favour. XD

Would I ever say Sonic X is one of the best shows I've ever watched? Not a chance. I doubt this would even make the countdown if I did a list of the best shows I've seen. But it's still one of my favourites for the reasons I listed. I owe much to Sonic X for introducing me to this franchise and getting me started in it, which is another thing I applaud the show for: its accessibility. To guys like me at the time, this show was a great jumping on point for it re-introduces us to the world of Sonic and friends while throwing in some fan service for older fans and even adapting a couple of the games. If you're new to Sonic the Hedgehog, then Sonic X would've been a good jumping on point, and any new show based on an old franchise should do that.

Sonic X is a flawed series and definitely not the best show ever made. But I still enjoy it, and I unironically enjoy it no less. This show made me a Sonic can, so how can I possibly hate it for that?

5: Yu-Gi-Oh!

I'm specifically talking about the original series. While I liked 5D's, it's not enough to earn a spot on the list, I didn't like GX, I haven't seen Zexal, I REALLY didn't like Arc-V and I haven't seen any of the shows that came after Arc-V. The very original Yu-Gi-Oh! anime is the only time I've ever liked a Yu-Gi-Oh! anime beginning to end and I still consider it to be unmatched compared to all other Yu-Gi-Oh! shows.

Yu-Gi-Oh! was another show that kickstarted my love of anime, just as Pokémon did. This was a show that had no business being as good as it was, especially since on paper, it sounds absolutely ridiculous. This is a show where the fate of the world depends on our hero beating the villain at a trading card game. A show like that should be the dumbest thing ever! Yet in execution, it ended up being a thoroughly engaging watch. As a child, I was constantly hooked from episode-to-episode as I would watch the duels and see who would emerge victorious in the end, and watching again as an adult, it's still pretty gripping stuff. I love how each season had its own antagonist to deal with and each antagonist bought their own unique set of challenges, the duels were fun and engaging to watch (even if some of the things that happen are pretty ridiculous as the fandom has often memed about) and the characters are unforgettable. I love how these duels would also have personal stakes behind them to make it clear that there's more to them than just winning a card game. Whether it's Joey needing to save his sister's failing eyesight or Yugi needing to save his grandfather or Kaiba needing to save his brother, these duels felt like they mattered and who won or lost was a big deal, something later seasons I feel often lacked.

This show does have some early installment weirdness, yes, and the premise can be seen as a little silly. Does that stop the show being enjoyable? NOPE! If anything, it adds to the charm of the series. That and since this was in an era of Yu-Gi-Oh! where the card game was actually fun and cool to play and not a boring round of two guys throwing their entire decks at you just to pull off an OTK, this was when Yu-Gi-Oh! was at its best to watch. If there's any Yu-Gi-Oh! anime I recommend, it's always going to be this one.

This show taught us to believe in the Heart of the Cards, and in doing so we ended up with one awesome show to cherish forever...

6: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Objectively the best thing to EVER come out of this franchise. Yes, I even rank it above the movies. This is where Star Wars peaked and nothing they produce will ever top this, especially with Disney in charge of the franchise and how they just make it sink further and further to the bottom of the sea with every product they produce.

Anyways, the 2008 Clone Wars series is the best of everything regarding Star Wars. Its well-animated, it depicts the galaxy of Star Wars well in animation, it has the expansive world-building that makes the franchise endlessly engaging, the characters are given more time to shine than they ever did in the movies, and it even adds interesting new lore to the franchise. Star Wars: The Clone Wars feels like it's a show written for the fans by the fans due to how much it expands on Star Wars lore and includes a lot of little Easter Eggs and details only the fans would notice. That and it even adds new context to the movies in places so that we can enjoy the movies again on a re-watch with this new context in mind. I especially think this series strengthens Revenge of the Sith thanks to its existence. I love how the show is set during the Clone Wars era of Star Wars so we got to see more of the prequel era's world-building and characters and given how divisive the prequels are, this show is able to make people actually LIKE the prequels in the end! Compare that to Disney's Star Wars properties where the live-action shows just make people hate the franchise all over again and their animated properties are a diamond in the rough.

The Clone Wars had a unique writing style in how each season comprised of a series of arcs rather than having an over-arching story per season, which makes sense since the Clone Wars is the overall story of the show so we don't really need one singular story over the course of a season. This kind of story-telling also allows the writers to give almost every character their own story and their time in the spotlight, which only adds to the appeal behind Star Wars and how it's a galaxy-sized franchise with so many characters and worlds to visit. Speaking of characters, the development of Ahsoka Tano remains one of the best things to come out of Star Wars. Seeing her start off as the cocky new Padawan and see her gradually become more hardened by the war and eventually disillusioned with the Jedi to the point she would leave them and go her own way was compelling TV and also a reminder that Star Wars can and HAS written strong female characters well, they didn't always suck at it like they do now.

This is the series that makes up everything great about Star Wars and Disney should take some inspiration from it if they hope to make anything good again. The Force was VERY strong with this show...

7: Tom and Jerry

OK, I'm kind of cheating with this one since the classic Tom and Jerry cartoons were theatrical shorts and not an "animated series" since this was before television was invented, but I feel they can still qualify for this list.

Classic cartoons are the best, and Tom and Jerry are no exception. These shorts were just comedic gold with how well animated the slapstick violence was, the great comedic timing, the hilarious expressions and how the writers and animators were able to just go all out with these wacky scenarios that they could think up for the classic cat and mouse duo. Tom and Jerry are comic legends for a reason, and I still enjoy their shorts even to this day. It's a pity Tom and Jerry media nowadays is incapable of ever living up to the original shorts and they're so toned down because we as a society of become way too soft and easily offended these days. For crap's sake people, it's a CARTOON! They're not real! At least the slapstick violence is done a cartoonish manner so it doesn't look overly gory or anything!

But I digress. Classic Tom and Jerry shorts may not technically count as an animated series, but I feel I can still include them on the list here. They're timeless, fun, zany and full of laughs. I'm an adult in my thirties and I STILL find these cartoons hilarious! Tom and Jerry will forever remain as one of the best comedic duos of all time, and easily one of my favourites...

8: The Owl House

Easily Disney's greatest animated show they've made yet, and they idiotically cut it short for reasons too stupid to comprehend. Yes, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's still bitter about that.

Despite how abruptly the show was brought to a close, The Owl House still remains one of the best animated shows to come out in recent years, and it didn't take long for it to become one of my favourites either. The story was fascinating and full of unpredictable twists and turns, the tone was equally as unpredictable as it could flip-flop between being funny as hell or disturbing as hell, the characters have a lot of charm and layers to them, the humour is creative, quirky and fun, the animation is really pretty even by TV standards and the LGBTQ+ themes were expertly handled. Unlike some media where they try to shove those themes down the viewer's throat in a desperate attempt to win brownie points on social media, this show includes LGBTQ+ themes because it ACTUALLY wants to tell a story with those themes and it includes them in a way that feels welcome and natural, not alienating to the audience. I love how the show treats being queer, bi or non-binary as completely normal and never once makes a big deal about it. This in turn is why Luz and Amity's romance was so appealing and felt so special when it became official. It's about time we had a full-on queer romance in kid's cartoons that gets to be prominently on display and not just a thing that happens when the show is over (looking at you Legend of Korra and She-Ra...)

But the show isn't just enjoyable because of that, of course. I really got engaged with the story and world-building that surrounded the Boiling Isles, I loved the character development for the cast both main and supporting, I loved the quirky humour and I especially loved how the show got darker over time, but never too dark, and that the villainous Emperor Belos was played completely straight. He was such an awesome villain and one of the most intriguing things about it.

Engaging, funny, scary, heart-warming, heart-breaking, quirky and unapologetically queer, The Owl House really does feel like it was made by magic. Disney missed out on a good thing by cutting this show short, and I hope Dana Terrace can find work elsewhere because her talents deserve to be rewarded with another creation in the future...

9: Transformers: Prime

This was when the franchise peaked for me, and it's never been the same since. I grew up with Robots in Disguise 2001 and the Unicron Trilogy of shows, but despite my childhood experiences with the franchise, I consider Transformers: Prime to be the "prime" example of how a Transformers cartoon should be handled.

Before anybody dares to comment, yes, I ama ware that Transformers: Prime has a lot of flaws, and sadly they're pretty big flaws that can almost ruin the show. But you guys need to remember, none of this is the fault of the writers! The show was getting too expensive and so sacrifices had to be made to keep the budget down, hence some characters being wasted and Season 3's incredibly rushed pacing. We need to remember, making media is NEVER as easy as it looks and unfortunately for TV shows, they have executives to answer to regardless of whether their ideas are bad. At least for self-published authors like myself, we answer to no one...

But back on track, Transformers: Prime is still the best Transformers cartoon ever made, hands down, and no iteration of the franchise will ever top it. This was a welcome breath of fresh air in an era of the franchise where those terrible Michael Bay movies had become the face of the franchise thanks to its mature story-telling, eloquent dialogue, complex characters and surprisingly solid animation for a TV show of its kind. Unlike other TF cartoons, this show actually feels like a proper show and not an over glorified toy commercial. These characters are given multiple layers and a lot of personality, and the story never once feels like it's trying to sell a product. It takes itself more seriously and prioritises story and character first, selling toys second, and all this gives the show a more nuanced feel that no other Transformers show has.

I love the show for how it improved the image of Transformers for many and how it did so many things right compared to other shows. It was surprisingly mature despite the audience it was aimed for, it was really exciting and action-packed to watch at times, the cliffhangers were effective in keeping us hooked episode after episode and it had a strong sense of continuity. It almost never forgets anything that's happened and even the tiniest of plot points end up having payoff later down the line, kinda like TMNT 2003 actually.

Is it a flawed show? Yes. Do I still love it? YES. Transformers: Prime is the definitive Transformers show for me and the franchise will have to do a lot in order to reach its level of quality...

10: Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers

I once went through a phase where I just become obsessed with Chip N' Dale and was trying to consume all kinds of media involving the chipmunk duo. Naturally, I had to check this out once I found out they'd had their own show back in the day. I was a 90's kid born in the UK, so I missed out on this show back when it first aired. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch it and I really had a good time with it.

Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers was part of Disney's Afternoon lineup of shows back in the 80's and 90's and is essentially The Rescuers but with Chip N' Dale and a team of other characters. The show may have pretty standard plots and an episodic nature with no over-arching story or any real depth to its story and characters, but it was still a fun watch regardless. I loved how creative some of these scenarios could get and how the writers and animators took advantage of this being a show starring little animals, how crazy some of these plots could get at times to take advantage of this being in a cartoon world and also just the fact that it was a show starring Chip n' Dale. Lord knows those two don't get anywhere near enough exposure in media these days and do feel overlooked at times, so the fact they got their own series is something in and of itself.

The humour is great too with a lot of puns, slapstick comedy, funny performances from the voice-actors and quippy dialogue. They even slip in some pop-culture references, and some are more obscure than others and some jokes might be ones only adults would get, thus giving something for everybody in this show. I also enjoy the characters, mostly the rangers themselves and the delightfully villainous Fat Cat. They're the reason the show is so enjoyable after all. While they're pretty basic for what they are, it works for this kind of show and adds to their charm.

I'm not sure if modern audiences would think much to this show, but I personally enjoyed it and I still label it as among my favourite animated shows of all time.

Oh, and before you ask, yes, I'm aware of the movie we got in 2022 and NO I AM NOT EVER GOING TO WATCH IT! So don't ask me to!

And that's it for this list. I hope you enjoyed it and I invite you all to share your own favourite animated shows down below in the comments. What shows are YOUR favourites? :)

Next week I'll be counting down the Top 10 Disney Opening Scenes. See you then media fans!

Honorable Mentions

The Dragon Prince (Seasons 1-3 only)

Star Wars: Rebels

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

Gargoyles

Spider-Man (1994 series)

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (only the first half)

Digimon

Justice League