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As a child of the 80s, I have a deep appreciation for the cartoon series that defined the era. From the epic battles of the Transformers to the heroic adventures of the ThunderCats, the 80s were a golden age of animated television. In this article, I will be ranking the best 43 1980s cartoon series, based on a set of criteria that takes into account their impact, popularity, and lasting appeal. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Introduction to 1980s cartoon series
The 1980s was a time of rapid technological advancement and cultural change, and this was reflected in the entertainment of the era. Cartoon series of the 80s were known for their colorful characters, imaginative storylines, and breathtaking action sequences. From the Saturday morning cartoons that we watched religiously to the after-school shows that we rushed home to catch, 80s cartoons were a staple of childhood for many of us.
Criteria for ranking the best 40 1980s cartoon series
To rank the best 43 1980s cartoon series, I have taken into account several factors. First and foremost is the impact that the show had on the industry and popular culture. Did it introduce new storytelling techniques or technology? Did it spawn a successful franchise? Secondly, I considered the show’s popularity at the time of its airing, as well as its lasting appeal. Does it still hold up today, or is it a product of its time? Finally, I looked at the overall quality of the show, including the writing, animation, and voice acting.
Honorable mentions – notable 1980s cartoon series
Before we dive into the top 43, let’s take a moment to acknowledge some of the notable 1980s cartoon series that didn’t quite make the cut. These shows may not have been the best of the best, but they still hold a special place in the hearts of many fans.
First up, we have “Jem and the Holograms,” a cartoon series that followed the adventures of a pop star and her band. Next, there’s “Inspector Gadget,” a show about a bumbling detective with all sorts of gadgets built into his body. Finally, we have “The Real Ghostbusters,” a cartoon series that continued the adventures of the Ghostbusters from the hit movie.
Ranking the best 43 1980s cartoon series
- “Transformers” (1984-1987) – The battle between Autobots and Decepticons in a war of shape-shifting robots.
- “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” (1983-1986) – The elite military team fights against the villainous Cobra organization.
- “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (1983-1985) – Follows Prince Adam, who becomes He-Man to defend Eternia against Skeletor.
- “She-Ra: Princess of Power” (1985-1987) – A spin-off of He-Man featuring She-Ra’s adventures.
- “The Real Ghostbusters” (1986-1991) – Animated adaptation of the popular “Ghostbusters” film franchise.
- “Voltron: Defender of the Universe” (1984-1985) – Five robotic lions combine to form the mighty Voltron.
- “DuckTales” (1987-1990) – Scrooge McDuck and his nephews embark on treasure-hunting adventures.
- “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1987-1996) – The adventures of the pizza-loving, crime-fighting turtles.
- “Inspector Gadget” (1983-1986) – The bumbling Inspector Gadget fights crime with high-tech gadgets.
- “ThunderCats” (1985-1989) – Follows the adventures of the cat-like humanoid ThunderCats on the planet Third Earth.
- “My Little Pony” (1984-1987) – Follows the adventures of colorful ponies in the magical land of Equestria.
- “The Adventures of the Gummi Bears” (1985-1991) – Gummi Bears protect their hidden treasure from various threats.
- “The Smurfs” (1981-1990) – The small blue creatures live in a village and have various adventures.
- “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (1989-1990) – Chip and Dale lead a team of animal detectives.
- “Jem and the Holograms” (1985-1988) – Follows Jerrica Benton, a music executive who transforms into Jem, a rock star.
- “Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo” (1980-1983) – The Mystery Inc. gang, joined by Scrappy-Doo, solves mysteries.
- “Muppet Babies” (1984-1991) – Features the Muppet characters as babies, going on imaginative adventures.
- “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (1983-1990) – Follows the adventures of the singing chipmunk trio.
- “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1988-1991) – Classic A.A. Milne characters in new animated stories.
- “Rainbow Brite” (1984-1986) – A girl with magical powers brings color to the world.
- “The Care Bears” (1985-1988) – Follows the adventures of the lovable Care Bears.
- “Inspector Gadget” (1983-1986) – The bumbling Inspector Gadget fights crime with high-tech gadgets.
- “Dungeons & Dragons” (1983-1985) – A group of kids is transported to a fantasy world based on the popular role-playing game.
- “Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show” (1984-1985) – Featuring classic DC superheroes.
- “The Snorks” (1984-1989) – Underwater creatures with snorkel-like appendages on their heads.
- “Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer” (1985) – A feature-length animated film featuring Rainbow Brite.
- “Pac-Man” (1982-1984) – Animated series based on the popular arcade game.
- “Denver, the Last Dinosaur” (1988-1990) – A rock ‘n’ roll dinosaur discovered by a group of teens.
- “The Centurions” (1986-1987) – Follows a team of futuristic heroes with powerful exosuits.
- “SilverHawks” (1986-1987) – Spacefaring heroes with metallic bodies protect the galaxy.
- “M.A.S.K.” (1985-1986) – Mobile Armored Strike Kommand battles the villainous V.E.N.O.M.
- “Defenders of the Earth” (1986-1987) – Features classic comic book heroes fighting the evil Ming the Merciless.
- “BraveStarr” (1987-1988) – A space western featuring the hero BraveStarr on the planet New Texas.
- “The Bionic Six” (1987-1989) – A family with bionic enhancements fights evil.
- “Kidd Video” (1984-1985) – A rock band gets transported to a music-themed world.
- “The Wuzzles” (1985) – Features hybrid animal characters in the land of Wuz.
- “Babar” (1989-1991) – Animated adaptation of the popular children’s book series.
- Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock – This show about a group of creatures living in a network of underground caves was a classic of the era..
- Garfield and Friends – This show about a lazy cat and his animal friends was a comedic delight.
- The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin – This show about a talking teddy bear was notable for its use of animatronics.
- The Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light – This show about a group of heroes with magical powers was notable for its impressive toy line.
- Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors – This show about a group of heroes fighting evil plants was notable for its interesting premise.
- Galaxy High School – This show about a school in outer space was a hit with young viewers.
Analysis of popular themes and trends in 1980s cartoon series
Looking back at the 1980s cartoon series, we can see several popular themes and trends that emerged during the era. One of the most notable was the prevalence of toy-based shows, which were designed to sell merchandise alongside the show itself. Another trend was the use of high-concept premises, such as transforming vehicles or magical powers. Finally, we saw a focus on action and adventure, with many shows featuring epic battles and daring escapes. These themes and trends helped to define the 1980s cartoon series and continue to influence the industry today.
Impact and legacy of 1980s cartoon series
The impact of 1980s cartoon series cannot be overstated. These shows introduced new storytelling techniques and technology, spawned successful franchises, and influenced an entire generation of viewers. Many of the shows on this list are still beloved today, with fans eagerly awaiting reboots and remakes. The legacy of 1980s cartoon series can be seen in the current state of the animation industry, with shows like “Steven Universe” and “Gravity Falls” continuing the tradition of imaginative storytelling and stunning animation.
Where to watch 1980s cartoon series today
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to revisit some of the 1980s cartoon series on this list, there are several options available. Many of these shows are available on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, while others can be found on DVD or Blu-ray. Some shows, like “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe,” have even been remastered in high definition, allowing fans to experience them like never before.
Nostalgia and the enduring appeal of 1980s cartoon series
There’s no denying the power of nostalgia when it comes to 1980s cartoon series. For many of us, these shows represent a time of innocence and wonder, when anything was possible and heroes always prevailed. But beyond nostalgia, there is a timeless appeal to these shows that continues to draw in new viewers. From the epic battles to the memorable characters, 1980s cartoon series have a magic that transcends time and place.
