For decades, Cartoon Network has entertained young viewers with some of the greatest shows, but looking back, some of their cartoon series haven't aged as well as the network might have hoped. These shows have failed to withstand the test of time either because of animation changes or because the content is just so terribly outdated. Sometimes it's been a combination of factors, but regardless, these few cartoons wouldn't fare well with audiences today.
On the flip side, older cartoon enthusiasts can rejoice in the fact that there are plenty of Cartoon Network series that still set the bar today for great cartoons.
10 Aged Poorly: Johnny Test: A Sad Excuse For The Network To Fill Their Time Slot
Although it might not mean much to today's generation of cartoon viewers, the series Johnny Test was produced as many of Cartoon Network's shows were coming to an end in the year 2008, which explains why the show appears to be rushed upon rewatch. The animation pales in comparison to both modern cartoons and even the early 2000s cartoons.
The stories told within the show aren't the absolute worst, but they are lacking in some ways. The characters have their moments of likability, but overall they aren't that engaging to watch by today's standards. The worst part of this series might just be the sound effects, which are so overdone they ruin any chance of viewer engagement, whether it's to feel for the characters or just to have a good laugh.
9 Aged Well: Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends Has Enough Charm To Still Be Enjoyed Today
If this were a question of show concepts alone, Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends would still be at the top. However, it also has the charm of a diverse cast, a unique art style along with unique character designs, and impeccable voice acting to keep it fresh for newer generations.
Its slice-of-life themes mixed with wacky cartoon circumstances is very similar to The Amazing World Of Gumball, so there is a modern audience for this early 2000s show. The characters are so lovable, and they work for any time period because of their immense relatability.
8 Aged Poorly: Cow & Chicken: An Example Of How Weird '90s Cartoons Were
The classic series Cow And Chicken has become an iconic part of '90s nostalgia, however, when rewatching it, one can notice the more adult jokes that would fly right over a child's head. There's nothing wrong with adult jokes in children's cartoons, but there are some shows that have aged better in that regard.
With Cow And Chicken, the adult jokes are pretty cringeworthy. As weird as humor has become today, Cow And Chicken sometimes takes it too far, which would prove to be a turn-off for viewers and the network itself.
7 Aged Well: Ed, Edd, N' Eddy Still Hits Hard With Laughter Today
Even though the series aired back in 1999, Ed, Edd, N' Eddy still holds up as a fun show to watch today. Although it's easy to see that animation is a little old, the fluidity of the character's movements isn't that far from today's animation trend. It's also easy to forgive the show due to its creative style of animation, which gives Ed, Edd, N' Eddy its own original look, making it timeless.
It's by far one of the funniest cartoons on Cartoon Network's early 2000s roster, and the humor still hits hard today. The show went beyond the typical cartoon slapstick and came up with its own wacky ideas which would entertain modern-day viewers.
6 Aged Poorly: Johnny Bravo: Johnny Makes For A Poor Excuse Of A Protagonist
Perhaps back in the day, a show about a macho man's failed attempts at romance was entertaining, but today the concept alone wouldn't even be accepted by networks or by viewers. The problem with Johnny Bravo is his character isn't that interesting compared to other cartoon protagonists.
Nowadays, writing has become better with more of an emphasis on relatable and diverse characters than ever before. Even in series that don't have a deepening plot like Regular Show and The Amazing World Of Gumball, the characters are given dimension and sometimes go through a period of growth. It's because of this that Johnny Bravo pales in comparison.
5 Aged Well: Courage The Cowardly Dog Entrances Viewers With A Unique Cartoon Experience
Looking back at the show Courage The Cowardly Dog, the animation isn't half-bad for something that came out in the late '90s. Any generation would fall in love with Courage, whose character is hilarious and heroic. The animators definitely had fun with this cartoon series, although modern animation tends to leave the audience with more realistic designs styles.
This cartoon's unique blend of frightening horror and charm was done so well that it's hard to not look away from this show. Within the episodes, there's also a brilliant balance between weirdness and heartwarming emotion. All of these details the creators worked on are what keep viewers coming back for more.
4 Aged Poorly: Captain Planet: The Shoddy Voice Acting & Animation Make This Series Hard To Watch
To be fair, most older cartoons haven't aged well because of the outdated animation from decades ago, but Captain Planet And The Planeteers is a special case. Without doing the right research, one might presume that the animated series hailed from the '80s, but in fact, it was an early '90s cartoon.
Even at the time, animation had made progress, but this cartoon seemed stuck in the past. On top of that, the dialogue and voice acting were terribly cheesy, so children who grew up with this show are in for a rude awakening. While on paper, this show sounds like a brilliant idea, the execution was done terribly, and it's even worse now.
3 Aged Well: Teen Titans Is A Perfect Harmony Of Great Storytelling & Entertainment
The 2003 series Teen Titans, brought the DC characters to a whole new light and audience. After the success that was Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Teen Titans became the show to beat on Cartoon Network. The animation followed the trend of anime-inspired animation, and it far exceeded viewers' expectations. The show's look is still fantastic and hasn't aged, but it's also the writing that makes this show so legendary.
The writers, as well as the voice actors, did the characters justice. The storylines were all so well-thought-out that they can still be enjoyed today. With a timeless approach to both humor and the characters themselves, this series can be watched by anyone of any age and thoroughly enjoyed.
2 Aged Poorly: My Gym Partner's A Monkey: Even Tom Kenny Couldn't Make This Show Watchable
With immense talent among both the voice actors and even the animators, My Gym Partner's A Monkey lacks a well-written script. The humor tries to hit hard with Tom Kenny's character, Jake, acting as the fool of the show, but his foolishness just comes across as trying too hard to make the audience laugh.
Not every funny cartoon has to have substance, but this show really could have used it, even if just a little. The idea of a human child going to an animals school was intriguing enough to bring the audience in, but the quality of ideas ends there. Aside from hearing Tom Kenny's voice acting, there's really not much to keep viewers to continue watching this show.
1 Aged Well: Samurai Jack Has Enough Cinematic Quality & Lore To Wow Modern Viewers
Giving cartoons the respect that they deserve, Samurai Jack told a heavy, layered story that happened to fit into the age rating for a younger audience. Supported by beautifully rendered animation with an iconic style, the series continues to be a wonderful sight to see for animation enthusiasts.
The creators didn't burden the audience with poorly timed, cheap humor, and poured their talents into characters, the plot, and did an incredible job with the battle scenes' choreography. It's because so much care and passion was put into this series that it was, and continues to be, a huge success as a fantasy, sci-fi, action, adventure show.