Best Cartoon Shows Ever

Dragon Ball Z, originally airing in Japan, this popular anime was ported to the United States thanks to the Cartoon Network afternoon block, Toonami. It saw massive success, introducing an entire generation of Americans to anime. From the strong, and often silly heroes to the progressively evil villains, the show excelled at keeping its viewers hooked to its characters and plots with each episode usually ending on a cliffhanger.

Futurama, a sci-fi comedy from the creator of The Simpsons, this cartoon threw together every sci-fi trope and idea in the book and ruthlessly made fun of it. The creators toiled over every episode, making sure the writing and jokes were the very best. As such, it could take up to a year to complete an episode. No joke. While it didn’t have the ratings of The Simpsons, it garnered a loyal fanbase and took home a few Emmys to boot.

Bojack Horseman: If you’re an adult and you haven’t started watching this cartoon on Netflix, then it’s time. About a washed-up sitcom actor, who also happens to be a horse riding the highs and lows of not having much of a career anymore, it’s perhaps one of the most complex, cynical, and hilarious cartoons to be on television. It also happens to have one of the best opening credits to ever grace the screen. It’s so good, you’ll never want to click “Skip Intro.”

Adventure Time, arguably a fantasy cartoon masterpiece in its own right, this cartoon went to bizarre and surreal ends that few cartoons have gone to before. By skirting convention and embracing weird, it became an inventive, clever, and must-see show for kids of all ages. At the same time, it didn’t avoid real conflict and real emotion, pitting its hero up against obstacles that most kids likely will face in some shape or form. It recently had its season finale, but its doubtful fans will let it go anytime soon.

Family Guy, created by Seth MacFarlane, this often irreverent cartoon about an American family dealing with a number of issues has had its ups and downs as a series but ultimately became a powerhouse leading to many seasons and a number of spin-offs. While it has both fans and haters alike, it’s hard to deny the show’s success and unabashed humor in the pantheon of great cartoons.