Were the 90s really better?

If they could enjoy Disney's Tween Sitcoms or Spongebob Squarepants, I think they could just as easily enjoy Gargoyles.

Besides, in that other thread you stated that Animation is at it's best when used for over the top action as well as the animal type shows. Well, as should with Gargoyles and JLU, over the top action can work with some drama. Thus some dramas if done right could easily complement the medium provided they are also Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
 
That's really a tough question in a lot of ways, since the eras were so vastly different.

There are a boatload of shows I remember fondly from the 80s (my generation) and still like today: Godzilla, Dungeons & Dragons, GI JOE, Transformers, He-Man, et al

The 90s were a more diverse group, with a lot of Media tie-ins: Tiny Toons Adventures, X-Men, Spider-Man, Exo-Squad, the origins of the "DC Timm-verse", and who can forget classics like Duck Tales, Chip & Dale's Rescue Rangers, Tale Spin, and Darkwing Duck? Love em all...

Frankly, the 2000s, while producing many gems, such as Dexter's Lab, Johnny Bravo, X-Men Evolution, and the continuation of the "DC Timm-verse", saw them often drowned out by the flood of CCG based POKE-YUGEH-MON-OH crap. One bright spot has been the introduction of the mass DTV, working outside the newly re-tightened S&P censors, giving us the Lionsgate Marvel Projects, Superman/Doomsday, et al.

For me, it isn't about "generation", it's about what's GOOD...and that is becoming increasingly harder to find, starting in the early 00s, because the nets are aiming for the "lowest common denominator" with animation in general.
 
I grew up in the 80s (being born in the mid-70s), but still, I liked 90s animation plenty---moreso than the current state of things (SpongeBob and a few other shows aside, things these days are pretty mediocre... especially with how far into the hole Cartoon Network's sunk.).
 
My theory is that it's not that cartoons from the 90s were better, it's just that on average, there were just so many more cartoons being made, so that there were more good ones at the time. There are great ones being made now, just as good as those in the 90s, it's just that there aren't quite as many cartoons being made currently so the amount of great ones seems less.
 
Cheesy?

Maybe at first, but I think Reboot, in it's second season, stepped up the plate big-time and took a lot of what it did well in the first season (the comedy, the characters, the quirkiness) and expanded on it by expanding on those qualities and adding some REAL tension (which was present in the first season, but defused so often by a goofy gag or something that was just flat out weird).

Really, I think that's what the 90's did. Same thing with the 60's. The quality just took a huge booster shot. Shows weren't just about quirky characters and one-shot plots anymore. There was a serious edge to it all, and real character development and continuity. Kinda like the 60's introduced the concept of a serious sci-fi action adventure cartoon, and a cartoon that could be a sit-com. The 90's took those concepts (i.e. with the Simpsons and SO many animated action shows) and took them to the extreme.

As for the necessity of animation. It's not just the effects, it's the atmosphere. Would Batman: The Animated Series be as good in Live Action? No. You'd never be able to get an actor who could play the part so well, you'd never have that CLASSIC Batman sillhouette looking that good, you'd never have that grainy quality (which was completely unintentional, that the creators hate), that made the show feel so old-fashioned. And all the old-fashioned movie monster (such as Clayface) elements would feel completely out of place, and they'd never get away with them.

And really, the 00's hasn't seen a drop in quality, but it's seen a steadyness to it. Transformers: Animated is a STEP UP from Transformers the 80's show, but it's certainly not a step up from Beast Wars (at best, it's keeping the pace). And the comedy shows, like Family Guy, and American Dad, and even the Simpsons, just aren't as funny, charming or heartwarming as the first decade of the Simpsons.

But again, that's not to say it's BAD. It's just not pioneering.
 
A few random statistics from Teh Interwebz:

Amount of cartoon series by decade:
1940s: 2
1950s: 14
1960s: 78
1970s: 163
1980s: 162
1990s: 251
2000s: 253
(that defeats my more series in the 90s theory)

Top 100 animated shows according to tvshowsondvd.com:
1960s: 5
1970s: 5
1980s: 27
1990s: 39
2000s: 24

Cartoon series with an 8 (8 usually meaning "great" on a 1 - 10 score) or higher according to imdb.com:
1950s: 2
1960s: 11
1970s: 6
1980s: 12
1990s: 33
2000s: 11

So popular opinion says that yes, the 90s were the best decade for cartoons, followed by the 80s barely beating this decade. Does that make it true? Not really. Arguing that any decade's animation is better than another is about as effective as arguing which video game console was the best (of course the answer is the SNES, but that's beside the point). You can't prove that it's true because it will always be based on opinion. What may be "great" to one person may be "overrated" to someone else and "just nostalgia" to yet another person.

So I guess the question really is do you agree with public opinion or not? I generally do. I love all animation no matter when it comes from, I just find myself enjoying that of the 90s most of all. I really didn't start having "then vs now" arguments until the mid 00s myself, more due to the disparity of animation on TV and the repetitive nature of what is on rather than what's better way back when. A lot of my favourite cartoons came from the first few years of this decade. Too bad none of them are shown anywhere and half aren't even on DVD.
 
The problem is you're using the internet to gauge popularity, which is always flawed. According to the internet, Avatar is more popular than Spongebob/Hannah Montana, but we know that's false. The internet (specifically, the people who care enough to post on message boards and not just shop/MySpace/browse) is not a good sample of the American public.
 
I'm a 80s cartoon junkie, but like another said, people will say what they grew up with is the best. But I will have to say the 90s was a hell of better then the 00s, and I shall make a list!

Bobby's World
Peter Pan and the Pirates
Taz-Mania
The Pirates of Dark water
Batman: The Animated Series
Eek! The Cat
Tiny Toon Adventures
X-Men
Animaniacs
Terrible Thunderlizards
Spider-man
The Tick
Life with Louie
Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
Exosquad- Which I think is the best ever made U.S action cartoon
Doug- Which I think is the best Nicktoon ever
Rugrats
The Ren and Stimpy Show
Rocko's Modern Life
Hey Arnold!
Aaahh!!!! Real Monsters
Talespin
Darkwing Duck
Goof Troop
Gargoyles
Swat Cats
2 Stupid dogs
Dexter's Laboratory
Johnny Bravo
Cow and Chicken
The Powerpuff Girls
Ed, Edd n Eddy

There is more, but I'm getting old and forgetting stuff :P
 
I think there has been a style shift as well that reduces the chance of "great" cartoons being made, that being towards super-formulaic, simplistic action/comedy like any of the CCG tie-ins. Simple, brainless fluff that fills time and says little.

The situation isn't helped by recent trends towards re-TIGHTENING Standards and Practices. Bruce Timm has said he would not be allowed to make any of his DC shows the way he did just a few years ago if he pitched them today.
 
By that logic I should disregard what you just said because I read it on the internet. But I digress. If you want me to be totally fair, I guess I should say "Do you agree or disagree with the internet-fairing populace that actually takes the time to discuss the subject of cartoons or not?" And, really, like I said, in the end it doesn't matter if the entire world says one thing, it all boils down to your own personal opinion. Spongebob may be more popular than Avatar, but I don't care; in my opinion, Spongebob is dreck and Avatar is one of the best toons ever made, and no force on earth will change that opinion. I really find it strange that people seem to have dedicated their lives to convincing the internet-browsing populace to conform to their own personal viewpoint of which decade is the best.
 
Not only did the 90s have better cartoon tv shows, but better movies as well.
We had Aladdin, Pocahontis, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Hurcules, etc.
Name me 2 bad animated Disney movies form the 90s.
 
I agree with everyone's ups-and-downs diversity opinion, but the great thing about the 90's animation is that when it had it's ups, they were WAY UP.

Obviously, shows like Batman, Animaniacs, and Gargoyales need no introduction. But one of the best moments I can remember from the 90's was the birth of 3D animated series/movies. I can remember when Reboot, Beast Wars, and Toy Story came on the scene and those were big moments in my life. And looking back on them, Reboot was cheesy, Beast Wars can still beat any other Transformers series, and Toy Story is still a great story.

I think the 90's were great primarily because of a lot of 'firsts'; The first full-3D animated feature film, the first Batman series to have a noir edge, the first 3D animated TV series, the first cartoon to try and revive the Looney Tunes themes (Animaniacs and Tiny Toons), etc.

It's easy to say that it's just one generation's opinion and you're right, but you can't deny the huge push forward brought on by 90's cartoons. Think of how many cartoons today have been inspired by the likes of Ren and Stimpy, Batman TAS, Toy Story, etc.
 
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