What do you look for in a cartoon?

Amusing characters with original personlities, aren't flat Butch Hartman cut outs, and unique voices. I also seek original unpredictable plots but I prefer plots that last at most 7 episodes.
 
I also prefer the "classic" 7 minute short format in comedy toons, but not all plots can build their jokes in that amount of time. And I'd just like to say that Butch Hartman's style isn't always flat; it's only like that in Fairly Oddparents and Danny Phantom. If you've seen the WAC! shorts Gramps or Snoot's New Squat, you'd know what I'm talking about.
 
I look first to the artistic styling. The characters and the world they inhabit have to appeal to my eye. Then I look to how those characters manifest their personalities in the situation they are in, whether it be action or comedy.

In action 'toons, I like characters with some inner contrasts -- heroes with flaws, villains with virtues. I also like to see the characters grow over the course of a series run. You don't have adventures week after week without it affecting your outlook somehow. And I want a story where I care about how it comes out. This is all subjective but I know when an action cartoon is a winner for me.

In comedy, I just want laughs. To me, the best comedy arises from how a well-known and well-liked character will react to a new situation. Again, humor is a totally subjective thing, but I know what I find funny and what I don't.

Some pet peeves: Action cartoons where writers pay no attention to the canon of the story's universe, changing its rules without accounting for the change in some fashion. You know, in one episode the hero needs a plane to fly to Europe but in the next episode he travels by teleporter. No explanation to account for the difference. And then there's inconsistent characterization: This week's stoic brooder is next week's life of the party. But no explanation for the change.

There's also the dreaded cardboard character: The hero who's heroic because the writers needed a hero, and a villain who's evil because the story needed a villain for the hero to fight. That often ties in with formulaic stories where you can just about predict what the next scene will be, and usually turn out correct.

In humor cartoons, there are the shows that are just endless strings of lame, tired gags, where interchangeable characters simply spout jokes. And there are the alleged comedy cartoons built around bloody violence and nihilistic destruction as the source of their humor. There's a fine line between slapstick humor, which is funny, and gratuitous violence, which is not. (^_*)




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Those are the things I look for, too. I also like shows that look decent, as shallow as that is; i.e. have an interesting art style or just any animation that doesn't make me want to put forks in my eyes.

I mainly look for more comedic cartoons, but not just any comedy - preferably the offbeat kind, or the sarcastic kind, like Home Movies or pre-4th Season SpongeBob.
 
I completly agree I prfer characters with real personalities tha mke you foorget that its just a cartoon, I also look for amazing animation,something that say HEY look at us,watch our show!

I like your standards one show that doesnt comply to me is family guy i know most people enjoy it i cant really wacth it with out cringing, but looney tunes or animaniacs i could watch and learn from



once again i like charecters that are flexible and not pedictable and one sided and can be in a new situation and expected to keep his/her characterisics but also, to give an unexpeted twist, that is what i like in a cartoon;)
 
comedy or action the voice actors have to be superb. i have not even watched more than 2 minutes of the new batman because i just do not like the voice, and mainly because i see the stupid character he played on the drew carey show. my batman needs to be intelligent and most importantly it needs to be kevin conroy :). i am flexible with that though (sort of).

second the premise needs to be intriguing. if they have a good idea i will watch at least for a few episodes to see how things develop.

third the art style has to be unique to that show i need to be able to look at a show and know what it is. now granted there are shows of similar genre with the same art designers and that makes a difference but the idea still remains the character designs and environment need to have an identity.

finally continuity a show needs to stay in its wheelhouse for the most part. do not start out with a serious plot or story line and leave it to die after a couple of episodes. or with comedic shows do not try and create a plot point and let it die with little to no resolution except for when it it convenient for you. either stay compact in a single or occassional 2 part episode or deal with the plot, no matter the case do go and change things and never deal with it.

so yeah those thing in order are what i care most about in a cartoon. VAing is paramount i can actually tell most actors just from listening to them for a few moments. even great character actors like maurice lamarche who have such a wide range i can still pick them out and i really enjor their persormances.
 
Well, for one, it helps if I like the art style and character designs. Some shows, like Teacher's Pet for example, that have designs I just don't like are hard for me to get into.

The other thing is just about the same thing I say about movies: "Be good or be bad, but just don't be boring". You can be serious or comedic, serialized or episodic I(I actually do prefer episodic sometimes so I don't have to fuss about missing an episode). Sometimes I'll even let plot holes and stuff slip by. But if I ever find myself thinking "Y'know, I wonder what's on the other channel", then it's a problem.
 
What I look for:
  • Likable characters. If I find myself being perfectly open to meeting them in real life and spending the weekend hanging out, giving hugs or professing love, etc. the show has done its job.
  • Good/entertaining writing
  • Decent artwork. It doesn't need to be the best as long as the above applies.
  • Something for all ages. If the creators throw in something only an adult would get, all the better. Not mandatory, but definitely helps.
  • A good story. Meaning, I'll be drawn to a show if I like what's behind it.
What I hate:
  • Toilet humor. This is a huge turnoff, especially if the artwork is drawn to match the gross factor (like Ren & Stimpy, or Mighty B). I don't want a show full of fart jokes, please!
  • Lack of continuity. It's fine if a cartoon isn't episodic, but I don't care for when they forget/ignore something that happened in a past episode. Like, if a character said they were allergic to something in episode 10 and in episode 33 they're seen eating that allergen. Or two characters come to some kind of romantic connection and nothing comes from it (think Leela and Fry of Futurama) like a "reset button."
 
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