Five Cartoons that Shaped Me as a Person

Cartoons have a unique spot in American culture. Especially for those who grew up toward the end of the twentieth century. During this time, a genre once geared toward children was being marketing toward an adult audience. This is also the time period when I was born, so you can be sure I grew up watching cartoons. While I’ve seen dozens, maybe hundreds, of cartoons throughout my life these are the ones I have a special connection with. I find little bits of myself in the characters in the show, relating to many of the plots portrayed in the shows, or just entertained by each episode.

Rugrats

Perhaps my love for this show was due to the fact that I was really young when it came. It was a show about babies finding adventure in everyday environments, and I was not far removed from this time in my life. Maybe I liked this show because I wanted to be more like Tommy, unafraid of the world, but related to Chucky’s hesitant nature. It also could have been due to the humor the adults shared, designed to fly over the heads of the younger viewers. This show remains popular, and its audience can relate to the sense of wonder it conveys. Often, the babies would find themselves in a grand adventure. Then, the adults’ perspective would take over and the adventure was a typical household task through the eyes of a baby.

Arthur

I remember when this show first premiered and was familiar with the series from the books. During the early years of the show, I was in the same age group as the main characters so I was able to identify with a lot of the plot lines in the show. I continued to watch the show as I got a little older, probably older than I should have been as a viewer. Arthur took an honest approach while dealing with common, middle-class problems. It may not have been the funniest show out there, but its sincerity made it one of my favorites. Bonus points for the theme song performed by Ziggy Marely. It may be one of the best theme songs ever.

Doug

Doug was the most average kid going, and somehow I loved that. He had a dog, a few friends, and spent his time hanging out in a fast-food restaurant of fantasizing about being a superhero. I think a lot of us can relate to the feeling of being somewhat average, but appreciative of the eccentric people surrounding us. His best friend Skeeter could produce any sound effect, his sister was emo before emo was cool, and his neighbors introduced me to the concept of being a DINK. I later found out Mr. and Mrs. Dink were given that name to mean “duel income no kids.”

The Simpsons

There’s a reason The Simpsons is a show that never seems to end. While it’s not controversial by today’s standards, apparently it was controversial upon its release. It also established an audience with families who were united, but also hated each other at times. Similar to many of the sitcoms of the late 80’s and early 90’s, it rejected the idea of a perfect family and portrayed a family whose flaws were as apparent as their bond. Of course, there’s a lot of humor in this show. I could appreciate it as a kid, who was probably too young to be watching The Simpsons, and I still appreciate it now.

Daria

MTV’s comedy about an alternative girl who seemed to lack emotion has gained a cult following, and apparently a reboot coming to Hulu this year. I think there’s a part of everyone who wants to reject the concept of popularity and embrace the idea of being an individual. That part of me is the part that loves this show. Daria lives in a city where she is filled with over the top personalities, yet finds herself drifting through as a meek, monotoned, and introspective. While there are many ways to describe Daria, she prefer to be called a “realist” and not a pessimist, and that is how Daria becomes a voice that resonates with many viewers.