Hello, this is my first post on the Toon Zone forums. I have been watching cartoons all my life, and it remains my favorite form of entertainment. Ever since I was a little kid, I would take some of my favorite shows and imagine new stories lines and alter existing ones that, I thought, would make them even better. That may be why I still dream of being a part of the animation industry one day. Anyway, the most recent show I have been very interested in was "Avatar: The Last Airbender." I am aware that this is a most beloved series, but I have always had a few problems with it. I liked how this show merged eastern animation with a western storyline, but I have always had a problem with the main characters. To me, Aang was not an ideal protagonist. I had found him too young, too happy go lucky, at least in the first season, and a little annoying. I admired the fact that he helped people in need and refused to use lethal force, but his overall character was not very enduring to me. I found Zuko a much more interesting character, as he didn't start out as a "good guy," and his overall journey throughout the series was more interesting. What would I change about the series? What I would want most is to make Aang a more well-rounded, relatable, and more interesting character. This is not a bash on the series of Avatar. All the characters journeys had some relevance, the animation was fantastic, and the last few episodes were very memorable. This is just one person's opinion on the series and how that person would make it better. Now it's your turn. Can any of you think of an animated series you like, and any changes you would make to the story, characters, setting, ETC?
Making a Good Cartoon Great
- Thread starter FFSloan
- Start date
nathancat24
New member
I thing that I remembered wanting is in the later seasons of Kids Next Door, I wanted more episodes that focused on the whole team.
I think you basically stated it.
One of the problems that I've noticed with a lot of animated series seems to be the lack of good characterization. I look for a show that doesn't just make me laugh, but have characters that you can be attached to. Somehow just watching a character's personality reflected through their actions and expressions is somehow just an enjoyment and humorous thing on its own.
Humorous expressions that aren't always repetitive are also pretty funny to me.
In my opinion what basically makes a great cartoon is a great focus on characters and a fast, yet fun plot, so it keeps moving without leaving you bored, and the characters are worth following after. Sometimes I think that a lot of cartoons are better off limiting their dialogue and just expressing themselves through actions instead.
One of the problems that I've noticed with a lot of animated series seems to be the lack of good characterization. I look for a show that doesn't just make me laugh, but have characters that you can be attached to. Somehow just watching a character's personality reflected through their actions and expressions is somehow just an enjoyment and humorous thing on its own.
Humorous expressions that aren't always repetitive are also pretty funny to me.
In my opinion what basically makes a great cartoon is a great focus on characters and a fast, yet fun plot, so it keeps moving without leaving you bored, and the characters are worth following after. Sometimes I think that a lot of cartoons are better off limiting their dialogue and just expressing themselves through actions instead.
This is a very good statement TripleS. I have always believed that characters are the most important aspect of any story. If you don't believe in the character, care about the character, or, most importantly, like the character, (or like to hate him or her), what is the point of the viewer watching the character's story. This has been a fundamental problem I've had with a few anime series. Not all, mind you, as I am a big fan of the characters Goku, Usage, Naruto, Conan, and Ray, (aka Steamboy). However, some characters like Bulma (irritating), the Love Hina cast (mean, spiteful, vengeful, etc.), and protagonists of most Gundam series, (most interchangable) have always bothered me. I really do like anime, be most of the series I seen have suffered from bad characterization, another thing I would like to change.
Personally, I want to change Dragonball Z a little.
-The Super Saiyan was suppose to be legend, only the most powerful saiyan can be one. But...It became a joke, now everyone can do it. It should have been Goku & Vegeta with that power. Better yet, just Goku.
-I wish the “searching for the Dragonballs” didn't stop. The Cell saga and Buu saga was a little pointless, it was only about fighting, nothing else.
-The Super Saiyan was suppose to be legend, only the most powerful saiyan can be one. But...It became a joke, now everyone can do it. It should have been Goku & Vegeta with that power. Better yet, just Goku.
-I wish the “searching for the Dragonballs” didn't stop. The Cell saga and Buu saga was a little pointless, it was only about fighting, nothing else.