The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a source of fond memories for multiple generations of children. Now that the show is available to view on Disney+, it’s worth investing a little time into discovering why it was so beloved.

Created for television by the Walt Disney Company, the show revolves around the continuing adventures of Christopher Robin and his stuffed animals, the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Woods. The show first aired in 1988 and ran for four seasons. Since then, it’s appeared in reruns multiple times on a variety of channels. Based on stories and characters written by English author A. A. Milne, Pooh has always been a successful property for Disney, but The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in particular holds a special place in the hearts of fans.

The quality of The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was quickly validated when the show won two Emmy awards for Outstanding Animated Program, once in 1989 and again in 1990. However, even well-regarded childhood cartoons don’t always hold up well when viewed years later. Sometimes the animation can look cheap and nostalgia doesn’t make up for uninspiring storylines. This isn’t the case for The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Instead, the show feels surprisingly fresh and vibrant.

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Pooh Gopher Piglet and Tigger

One reason this series endures is because the design and animation still look great. The backgrounds seem watercolored and the characters appear to be sketched directly onto the screen. That charming, handcrafted quality contributes to making the show look timeless, instead of dated. Adding to the vibrancy of the production, Disney+ features an HD version of the show, while keeping the original 4:3 aspect ratio.

The character design is also strong. Even minor characters brim with personality and distinction. The bees, who appear multiple times, are determined and violent little warriors, complete with humanoid faces and shiny helmets. The marching crayons in Season 1, Episode 6, "Cleanliness is Next to Impossible," appear to come straight out of a classic Disney film, with intimidating expressions and distinct body language.

The writers took just as much care with the main characters. Working with well-loved and familiar characters can be an uphill battle. Characters can either be overly rooted in their own quirks, becoming Flanderized over time, or they change and risk losing what made them special in the first place. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh finds a balance, gently nudging each creature into new directions, without losing sight of their original qualities.

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Eeyore and Owl

A great example is the way the show dealt with Eeyore in Season One, Episode Two, "Donkey For A Day." Eeyore’s whole deal has always been his gloominess. However, in "Donkey For A Day", he’s allowed to possess more complexity. The other inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Woods see him staring off into space by himself and assume he’s having a depressive episode and needs to be cheered up.

At the conclusion of the episode, it's revealed that Eeyore isn’t actually sad. He’s just been spending some time on his own, peering into the wonders of the universe with the help of his imagination. This glimpse into his creative soul means Eeyore gets to be more than a sad donkey, but it in no way jeopardizes what viewers already love about him.

All the characters are handled with similar nuance and care -- but that’s not to say The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh isn’t also a lot of fun. Much like in the original books, many plot lines revolve around misunderstandings and humorous leaps in logic. Tigger’s constant stream of mispronunciations are the source of many laughs.

For viewers who have been using this time as an opportunity to catch up on dense, grim dramas, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’s thoughtful art and gentle laughs make it the perfect palate cleanser. It’s one of those rare shows that can keep adults giggling while also sparking the imaginations of the children who watch it.

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