Over the years, there have been many incredible ones Animated TV seriesBut only a select few would earn the distinction of being considered a masterpiece. To truly be a masterpiece, a show must go beyond anything else of its kind and have an undeniable quality in terms of artistry, legacy, longevity and reception. For a television show to be a true masterpiece, it should be affected in something that nothing before has been and, whether through its art style, thematic depth or influence on pop culture, break new ground in the world of animation.
Some of the best animated series ever made have earned this classification and become undisputed masterpieces of television. Although art is subjective, and not everyone will have the same opinion, The critically acclaimed series all brought something new to the table And have endured in a way few other animated shows have. While acclaimed series vi The Simpsons May have lost some credibility in the years since its glory days, other masterpieces are perfect from start to finish without special distinctions.
10
Gravity Falls (2012 – 2016)
2 seasons
Gravity falls is truly a masterclass in worldbuilding as it blends kid-friendly animation with a complex mystery that has more in common with Twin Peaks Like anything else on the Disney Channel. After the adventures of Deeper Pines and his twin sister Mabel spending their summer with their uncle Grunkel Stan in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, they soon find themselves embedded in a richly imagined world full of supernatural creatures. As Stan and the kids run the local tourist trap, the Mystery Shack, an insightful, funny and utterly satisfying story begins to emerge.
Gravity falls Stood leagues above most other animated TV shows because its animation, characters and story structure were all firing on all cylinders. Over 40 episodes, the story of Gravity falls Growing in complexity before reaching its epic three-part conclusion in “Weirdmageddon,” An apocalyptic climax that fed into everything that came before it. It is a testimony to series creator Alex Hirsch that Gravity falls Ran for only two seasons and finished on its own terms, stating (through CBR), “The show isn’t canceled – it’s finished.”
9
Adventure Time (2010 – 2018)
10 seasons
Set in the post-apocalyptic land of Ooo, Adventure Time Followed the life of a young boy named Finn and his adoptive brother and creation dog best friend, Jake. Taking influence from the complex fantasy and endless possibilities of games like Dungeons & Dragons And blending it with deep philosophical themes and David Lynch-style surrealism, Adventure Time Push the boundaries of children’s animation both artistically and narratively. Although the adventures of Finn and Jake may have looked simple in the beginning, over the course of ten seasons, the show became a masterclass in world building.
From the sad tragedy of characters like The Ice King to his innovative blend of serialized and episodic storytelling, Adventure Time May be enjoyable for young viewers, but no matter the age, the audience can take something vital from this story. With heartwarming music and incredibly innovative animation from series creator Pendleton Ward and the whole Adventure Time team, this Cartoon Network series truly deserves a place among the greatest animated shows of all time.
8
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
26 episodes
With a blend of noir, sci-fi and western stylings, Cowboy Bebop was an extraordinary anime series that followed the lives of a traveling bounty hunting crew on a spaceship named Bebop. As a precursor to TV cult classics like Firefly Or even those Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian, Cowboy Bebop Explore existentialist themes around the nature of loneliness and ideas of loss and redemption with complex characters and a believable future that mixes the old with the new. The juxtaposition of dusty salons with the futuristic depictions of space travel made Cowboy Bebop Feel unique and influential.
As a modern and beautifully crafted series, Cowboy Bebop was in stark contrast to the bubbly energy of most anime during this time and offered mature themes for mature viewers. As a true masterpiece of anime, Cowboy Bebop Had a short but effective run that has influenced its legacy as one of the all-time great animated series. When audiences are still clamoring for more, Cowboy Bebop has ensured its reputation among so many other anime that seem endless and become too daunting for new viewers to engage with.
7
Looney Tunes (1930 – present)
A franchise includes television, movies, books, merchandise and more
It’s impossible to talk about masterful animation without mentioning it Looney tunesA franchise that includes iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. While the term originates with shorts from the 1930s, Looney tunes Has already included a variety of television series, including The Bugs Bunny Show, The Road Runner ShowAnd Tiny Toon Adventures. Many styles and sequences of Looney tunes have laid the foundation for the audience’s understanding of cartoons in generalAs the sight gags, catchphrases and unique aesthetics of the franchise have become shorthand for kids entertainment.
From Bugs Bunny’s utterance of “What’s going on, doctor?“To Wile E. Coyote running off a cliff and only falling once he noticed there was nothing under his feet, Looney tunes Created a stylistic language that has informed all animation since. With a mix of clever dialogue, slapstick humor and an effective score paired with his pioneering animation techniques, Looney tunes was truly at the cutting edge of the Golden Age of American animation throughout the 1930s and 1950s. Although it may seem old-fashioned today, much modern animation owes its existence Looney tunes.
6
BoJack Horseman (2014 – 2020)
6 seasons
While Netflix Originals may have first earned recognition with prestige dramas like House of cardsIt was series II Bojack Horseman That cemented their reputation as a major new voice in the world of television. initially, Bojack Horseman It’s hard to differentiate from any other sitcom for adults Family guy Or more surreal Comedy Central series like Ugly Americans. However, as the series progresses, Bojack Horseman Began to reveal itself as the most philosophically probing series on television as it dissected and analyzed the psychological trauma at the heart of its restless horse protagonist.
While Bojack Horseman Initially received mixed reviews, this soon changed, and the show was regarded as a true masterpiece of 21st century animation. Bojack Horseman Delve deep into the human condition Through his main character’s personal flaws and addiction issues, and also dismantling celebrity culture with tragic characters like Sarah Lynn. Although viewers initially tuned in to witness the lighthearted adventures of a talking horse, they were instead given one of the most emotionally devastating and deeply poignant series ever made.
5
Batman: The Animated Series (1992 – 1995)
2 seasons
Batman: The Animated Series subverted the traditional lighthearted nature of superhero animated shows to produce a much darker and more thematically rich narrative. By leaning hard into Batman dark myth and against the campaigns of previous depictions, such as the 1960s Adam West television series, Batman: The Animated Series Redefining what could be achieved in the genreBecause it was a work that appealed to children and adults alike. With a dark, noir atmosphere, the series brought Gotham City to life in a way never before seen outside the comics.
Featuring iconic voice work from Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker, Batman: The Animated Series Added a nuanced layer to the characters that helped define their characteristics going forward. Even the introduction of villains like Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face and Clayface are given more emotional weight than might be expected from the average children’s animated series. By transcending audience expectations, this darker reimagining of Batman Even laid the foundation for Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed The Dark Knight Trilogy.
4
Samurai Jack (2001 – 2004, 2017)
5 seasons
Gennady Tartakovsky has truly created something special with this dystopian action-adventure series Samurai Jack. Telling the story of a Japanese samurai unwillingly propelled into the future and his quest to defeat the evil, malevolent demon Aku, Samurai Jack was a complex and richly imagined series that told an ongoing story while exploring themes of perseverance and the tenacity of the human spirit. By taking the classic monomyth of the hero’s journey and pairing it with a unique and effective art style, Samurai Jack Stood as one of the most impressive animated series of the modern era.
Part of the appeal of Samurai Jack S Animation was his sleek, minimalist style, which effectively used shapes and color to give it a strange cinematic feel. Through a blend of martial arts, sci-fi and dystopian influences, the story of Samurai Jack was one viewers are fully invested in the legacy of Samurai Jack was so great that Tartakovsky returned with a fifth season in 201713 years after the show first went off the air, to finally complete the story of Jack’s epic quest to defeat Aku and return to his own time.
3
The Simpsons (1989 – present)
The Simpsons Golden Age (Seasons 1 – 9)
As the longest-running sitcom of all time and one of the most recognizable pieces of animation on the planet, The Simpsons Incredible influence cannot be understated. While The Simpsons Was truly a masterpiece during its golden age, it must be admitted that in later years, the show declined in quality, saturating its once untouchable reputation. However, seasons one through nine were a masterclass in adult entertainment that impacted not only television but worldwide pop culture. As a subversion of the all-American family ideals, The Simpsons came to represent the post-modern era in a way no other show ever had.
Without the simpsons, It would not be Family guy, Bob’s BurgersOr even rick and morty, How it went from parodying popular entertainment to truly embodying it. From his incredible cast that extended beyond the Simpson family to Springfield’s entire population, the instantly recognizable yellow-skinned, four-fingered characters meant to viewers always knew it was The Simpsons Without any other context. While episodes like “The Principal and the Pauper” in Season 9 signaled the show jumped the shark when it ended Skinner’s backstory and kickstarted his slow decline, few shows have a legacy as impressive as The Simpsons.
2
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
10 episodes
The ten episode animated miniseries Over the garden wall was a true labor of love, whose atmosphere, characterization and richly imagined world made it a modern masterpiece. With a whimsical fairytale setting that immerses viewers in a strange and mysterious forest simply called the Unknown, Over the garden wall Starts with a simple premise as little by little, audiences learn more about half-brothers Wirt and Greg and the world they inhabit. As a timeless series that mixes mystery, humor and heart, it’s no surprise that Over the garden wall Quickly became a modern cult classic.
While the intriguing story of Over the garden wall was truly spectacular, the most engaging thing about the series was its effective art style, as each hand-drawn background was packed with impressive detail. The use of music throughout the series made the show appear as an engrossing piece of entertainment and as a true work of art where every detail was presented with thoughtful care and attention. As a stunning fairy and perhaps the best thing Cartoon Network has ever produced, Over the garden wall Set a new standard for episodic animation.
1
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 – 2008)
3 seasons
In terms of compelling world-building, probing thematic depth addressing social and political issues, and an engaging, well-imagined mythology, Avatar: The Last Airbender Stands in a league of its own. As the story of Aang, the last survivor of his nation, and his quest to maintain the balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Air Nomads, the Nickelodeon fantasy series mixed Western and Eastern animation styles to create a series Universal in its effectiveness. By addressing topics such as genocide, totalitarianism and indoctrination, Avatar Became one of the most complex and beautiful releases in children’s animation.
Bringing together many different aspects of classic fantasy stories, Avatar was a smartly written series that drew viewers in with impressive animation, a strong sense of humor and an undeniable heart. Over his three seasons, Avatar Increased in complexity as Aang was forced to mature and, along with his companions Katara, Sokka and Toph, acquire the skills and determination to carry out his destiny. With a legacy that has continued in the form of sequel series, comics and even a Netflix live-action adaptation, Avatar: The Last Airbender was a true modern masterpiece of Animation.
Source: CBR