Some TV the formats are as timeless as the humble cartoon, which presents a medium that could easily extend to infinity given the right circumstances. Compared to live-action media, cartoons have a certain irreverent quality; Characters in animated shows can exist forever, far beyond the original actors who portray them. Some of the longest-running animated series began to test the notion that some cartoons could simply last forever.
There are several factors that could give certain cartoons a credible chance of continuing indefinitely. Strong characters with unique voices that can survive across multiple actors, a proven formula for standard episodes, and an irreverent setting that can evolve with the march of time are strong contenders for the coveted ideal of a timeless cartoon. While the quality of these animated shows may be up for debate, it's impossible to deny their ubiquity and staying power in pop culture.
10
The Simpsons
America's Original Animated Family
The show that kicked off a whole wave of animated family imitators, Matt Groening's The Simpsons needs little introduction. Starring the greedy and idiotic Homer, the loving, husky-voiced mother Marge, the intelligent Lisa, the rambunctious Bart and the silent baby Maggie, The Simpsons has been a fixture on American TV for generations. The Simpsons It is not only one of the longest-running animated series, but also the longest-running American scripted TV series of all time.
Despite Bart and Lisa being eternally stuck with their elementary school grades, the series has always been able to evolve over time, maintaining its current references while adhering to the Greatest Generation charm that the yellow-skinned family was imbued with from the beginning. . It is true that the various seasons of the year The Simpsons have suffered ups and downs in quality over the years, but the show has continued to be an unwavering fixture of the pop culture landscape. It's hard to imagine an end to The Simpsons in any capacity.
9
Adventure Time
One of the most successful cartoons of 2010
An all-time great blond on the cover of Cartoon Network, Adventure Time It quickly gained popularity as a bold, charming, and charming animated series that inspired countless hordes of similar shows that tried and failed to capture the same magic. Following young adventurers Jake the dog and Finn the human in the mystical land of Ooo Adventure Time recorded an impressive 283 episodes spanning 10 long seasons, growing and evolving in maturity and format along with its viewers. While the series may have started out as a silly children's show, it has become a genuinely dramatic serialized fantasy story.
Even today, spin-offs like Adventure Time: Distant Lands and Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake proved that the series still has gas in the tank. Finn and Jake's story may have already ended on a perfect note, but Ooo is too tempting a scenario not to revisit again and again across multiple time periods, characters, and individual locations. It is difficult to imagine the end of the possibilities presented by the world of Adventure Time.
8
Regular Program
It's being brought back for a good reason
Another favorite from the legendary Cartoon Network series in the early 2010s, Regular Program It somehow managed to remain lodged in the pop culture zeitgeist long after its final episode supposedly aired on TV. Starring best friends Mordecai and Rigby, a blue jay and a raccoon who work in a cul-de-sac park, the series explored relatable early-adulthood scenarios that always managed to turn into end-of-life supernatural threats. world.
In recent times, Regular Program was confirmed for a revival despite the perfect ending that ended the series. However, the supposed title for the Regular Program the reboot seems to imply that the new series will be able to avoid spoiling the brilliant ending. With its characters' enduring popularity, winning episodic format, and a vague period of '80s nostalgia that requires no explanation, it's easy to see Regular Program going far.
7
South Park
The irreverently funny comedy that has nothing sacred about it
It's a good thing South Park It needs so little introduction because the series can sometimes be a challenge to describe. Instead of focusing on the family, this animated comedy follows in the footsteps of The Simpsons instead, it centered on a quartet of kids living in the small, snowy town of South Park, Colorado, getting into all sorts of terrible misadventures that poke fun at everything from Scientology to Jersey Shore for the American healthcare system. With jokes that swing from basic humor to blunt political commentary in an instant, it's no wonder South Park became so popular.
At the time of writing this article, South Park is reaching the 30-season mark with no signs of slowing down, leaving 7 specials and several video games in its wake. The series' exceptionally quick turnaround time allows it to comment on current events in record time, ensuring that the cartoon is always able to remain relevant with its parodies. South Park it seems impossible to stop as long as series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker can keep going.
6
Rick and Morty
It quickly achieved the ubiquity of adult animation
Few animated shows have had as meteoric a rise in popularity as Dan Harmon's Rick and Morty. Originally a thinly veiled parody of Back to the future, The cartoon stars the nihilistic but brilliant scientist Rick, alongside his simple grandson Morty, as they embark on bizarre misadventures across the multiverse. Rick and Morty works as a kind of cross between South Park and adventure time, mixing the unfettered adult humor of the former with the silliness and gradual world-building of the latter.
Despite the professional cancellation of Justin Roiland, co-creator of the original series and voice actor for the titular duo, Rick and Morty managed to evolve over time. Proving that he can survive even having such a central figure removed from his production team, Rick and Morty demonstrated some unparalleled durability. With a setting that allows you to tell all kinds of stories and a unique nihilistic sense of humor, Rick and Morty It's not going away anytime soon.
5
Aqua Teenager Hungry Strength
Number one in the hood, G
While Rick and Morty may occasionally wander into the world of truly absurd humor, Aqua Teenager Hungry Strength thrives on it. Even the series' plot is a hoot in itself, starring a fast-talking fast-food trio who face off against strange villains of the week while getting irritated by their middle-aged neighbor, Carl. Between 12 seasons, two feature films and several hilarious title changes, Aqua Teenager Hungry Strength It fought hard for the title of Adult Swim's longest-running animated series.
The completely surreal premise of the show itself allows Aqua Teenager Hungry Strength exist forever as a collection of absurd adventures with no real need to justify its place in the modern era of pop culture. The epitome of "stoner humor", Aqua Teenager Hungry StrengthThe character dynamic is strong enough to carry the cartoon through the various tempests and tempests of pop culture, always remaining somehow quietly relevant in its own cozy corner of TV. Influencing modern comedy for two consecutive decades Aqua Teenager Hungry Strength seems capable of surviving television itself.
4
Family Guy
A hypnotic sitcom that survived cancellation
Of all the obvious attempts to tap into the animated family comedy trope that was established by The Simpsonsnone have come close to eclipsing the show's success as Family man. From the mind of genius cartoonist Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy features a similar format of family misadventures centered on the irreverent Griffin family. Different The Simpsons, however, Family Guy It doesn't bother to maintain any poignant emotional core or even consistent love between its characters, leaning heavily on its adult rating with some shocking jokes.
Family Guy has become famous as an almost hypnotic clip that can easily distract any viewer's attention, using its unique system of cut jokes to ensure that something funny is always happening on screen. The show's enduring appeal has already allowed it to be canceled once by Fox, revived through excellent DVD sales. It's hard to imagine Family Guy leaving so soon.
3
Smiling friends
An instant Adult Swim classic
Despite being an incredibly new player in the world of adult animation, Smiling friends is quickly becoming a refreshing addition to the genre that it's easy to imagine will last for a long time. Created by Internet comedy microcelebrities Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, Smiling friends is set in a fast-paced, multicolored world of friendly (and not so friendly) creatures, where the main characters run a charity that tries to help people smile. Although it was only two seasons in at the time of writing, Smiling friends quickly won the hearts of adult animation lovers around the world.
The show's success can be attributed to its optimistic and strangely hopeful message that goes against more nihilistic and cynical series like South Park or Rick and Morty. While the comedy can be quite morbid at times, the overall light-hearted tone is a genuine anchor that supports the wacky antics. With an accessible bottle episode format from new Smiling Friends customers and a singularly unique brand of humor that caters to those who grew up in the digital age, Smiling friendsThe young age betrays its strong and possible staying power.
2
SpongeBob SquarePants
A titan of pop culture
While most long-running animated shows exist for free to adult audiences, there are several cartoons aimed squarely at children that have shown no signs of stopping in their quest for everlasting distribution. Perhaps none are as successful as Nickelodeon's cash cow SpongeBob SquarePantsa name that gradually reached the same levels of recognition as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. Centering on a chopping sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea working as a fryer at the Krusty Krab SpongeBob SquarePants was created by the late great cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg.
SpongeBob SquarePantsThe best seasons are already in the rearview mirror, having persisted for 14 seasons and counting with a notable drop in quality. However, the cartoon continued to find financing for more seasons with ease, becoming an unstoppable pop culture juggernaut with each passing year. Uniting generations with its enduring appeal, SpongeBob SquarePants is the leading candidate for the cartoon most likely to outlast all the others.
1
Arthur
An enduring building block of child development
Although technically aimed at children, SpongeBob SquarePants employed a plethora of hidden adult humor or absurdist references to maintain popularity. The same cannot be said of Arthurwhich has persisted with genuine, thoughtful children's programming for an impressive 25 seasons and counting. Despite starring talking animals like aardvarks and rabbits, Arthur is set in a very realistic setting that any child watching could easily identify with, as the titular character goes to school, makes friends, and spends time with his family.
Arthur is notable for its ability to tackle sensitive topics like dyslexia, the autism spectrum, and cancer in a digestible, kid-friendly way, with a famous episode featuring same-sex marriage being a particularly innovative entry. But the show is far from a series of finger-wagging PSAs, instead being genuinely funny with hard-hitting jokes as characters fight and punch each other in a realistic, kid-friendly way. If there is a cartoon that really deserves to appear TV forever, yeah Arthur.