What’s your favorite cartoon?
Cartoons are a great source of entertainment, education, and inspiration for children and adults alike. They can make us laugh, cry, think, and dream. Some cartoons are so memorable and influential that they stay with us for a long time, even after we grow up. In this blog post, I will share some of my favorite cartoons from my childhood, and why they might still be valid today.
Oblio
Oblio is the protagonist of The Point!, a 1970 animated musical film based on a story and songs by Harry Nilsson. Oblio is a round-headed boy who lives in a land where everything and everyone has a point. He is banished to the Pointless Forest for being different, but he learns that everything has a point, even if it is not obvious. Oblio is a special cartoon character because he teaches us to embrace our uniqueness, and to respect and appreciate the diversity of others. He also shows us that there is beauty and meaning in everything, if we look beyond the surface. It was a comfort to watch this character endure a lot of adventures, especially because it made me, and my friends, understand that what made us different, also made us special and unique.
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry are the iconic cat and mouse duo who have been chasing and outwitting each other since 1940. They are the stars of one of the most successful and longest-running animated series of all time, produced by various studios and creators over the decades. Tom and Jerry are hilarious and timeless because they appeal to our sense of humor, adventure, and rivalry. They also demonstrate the power of friendship, as they sometimes team up or show compassion for each other, despite their constant conflict. In recent years I saw parents that say these cartoons are not suitable for their children, because they are somewhat violent and might make the youngsters to behave in an undesirable way. To them I say that we grow up with them, and we were sufficiently smart not to replicate them. So, in my opinion, the problem is not with the cartoon, but with you and the way you raise empathetic and socially adapted human beings.
Sylvester
Sylvester is a black and white tuxedo cat who is best known for his endless pursuit of Tweety Bird, a yellow canary with a big head and a high-pitched voice. Sylvester is one of the main characters of the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, created by Friz Freleng in 1945. Sylvester is a funny and lovable character because he is always optimistic and persistent, even though he rarely succeeds in catching Tweety. He also has a distinctive lisp and a catchphrase, “Sufferin’ succotash!”, that make him memorable and amusing.
Popeye the Sailor
Popeye the Sailor is a muscular sailor who loves spinach and his girlfriend Olive Oyl. He is the hero of a comic strip, a radio show, and a series of animated cartoons, created by E.C. Segar in 1929. Popeye the Sailor is a classic and influential character because he represents the values of courage, honesty, and loyalty. He also inspires us to eat healthy, exercise, and stand up for ourselves and our loved ones. He is famous for his one-eyed squint, his pipe, and his motto, “I yam what I yam and that’s all what I yam.”
Droopy
Droopy is a white basset hound with a droopy face and a monotone voice. He is the star of a series of animated shorts, created by Tex Avery in 1943. Droopy is a clever and charming character because he is always calm and composed, even when he faces bigger and stronger adversaries. He also surprises us with his hidden strength and speed, which he uses to outsmart and defeat his enemies. He is known for his catchphrase, “You know what? I’m happy.”
Mihaela
I confess this one is more regional, but I can’t say something about my favorite cartoons without mentioning Mihaela. This character is a cute little girl with blonde hair and bows, who has a dog named Azorel. She is the main character of a Romanian animated series, created by Nell Cobar in 1968. Mihaela is a sweet and curious character because she explores the world around her, and has fun and adventures with her dog and her friends. She also used to teaches my generation about Romanian culture, history, and folklore, through her stories and songs.
Gopo
Now, Gopo is not a cartoon character, but the pseudonym of Ion Popescu-Gopo, a Romanian animator, filmmaker, and artist. He is the creator of several animated films and series, such as Scurta istorie (A Brief History), Maria, Mirabela, and Aventurile lui Guguta. All of these were paramount to our time watching TV. And that time was very limited in my first ten years during communist Romania. Only two hours a week, on Sunday mornings. Gopo is a brilliant and original artist because he uses simple shapes, colors, and symbols to tell complex and meaningful stories. He also mixes humor, fantasy, and realism, to create a unique and captivating style. He is considered one of the pioneers and masters of Romanian animation.
Captain Planet
Captain Planet is a superhero who is summoned by five young people, called the Planeteers, who each have a magic ring that controls an element of nature: earth, fire, wind, water, and heart. He is the main character of an animated series, created by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle in 1990. And he was one of the first that were aired in post-communist Romania. I was about 11-12 and it really made me think about recycling and protecting the Planet. We were used with heavy recycling quotas during communism, and somehow used with the term. But Captain Planet was an important and relevant character because he was putting recycling in a new light, as environment awareness and action. He also encouraged us to work together, respect diversity, and be responsible for our planet. He is famous for his slogan, “The power is yours!”. Too bad few applied those principles.
Ninja Turtles
Ninja Turtles are four teenage mutant turtles who live in the sewers of New York City, and are trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. They are the heroes of a comic book, a series of animated shows, and a franchise of movies, video games, and toys, created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984. Ninja Turtles are cool and awesome characters because they combine martial arts, science fiction, and comedy. They also have distinct personalities, weapons, and colors, that make them easy to identify and relate to. They are known for their love of pizza, their catchphrase, “Cowabunga!”, and their names, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Also, they made us salivate for those pizzas in times when few of us had access to any.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to like, share or comment. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thank you!
Ink And Reason 