For a majority of cartoons, the first seasons are spent building a rich setting and establishing characters. When these cartoons get past their first season, they begin to pick up in pace and raise their stakes at the same time. Shows with strong developments like these leave fans on the edge of their seats and looking forward to what comes next.
It's that crucial point after a few seasons of build-up that can make or break a cartoon's long-term appeal. Some shows manage to deliver on all their promises and expand on their themes in new and interesting ways, while others fall flat. Any fan of an ongoing cartoon knows the incredible feeling of a show just starting to find its true footing.
10 Bee And PuppyCat Makes A Comeback
Bee and PuppyCat was an instant hit when it first showed up on YouTube in 2013. The continuation of the cartoon, called Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space has fans very excited. The show follows a young woman named Bee and a creature named Puppy Cat that she adopted in the earlier seasons.
The first season of Bee and PuppyCat is focused on Bee's unemployment, and she takes on temporary and intergalactic jobs to pay the rent. The seasons of Lazy in Space bring fans back to this familiar comfort of the show, sending Bee and her friends on even more memorable adventures.
9 The Will They Won't They In Miraculous Ladybug
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir is a classic tale of will-they-won't-they. The series follows a pair of teen heroes as they protect Paris from their adversary Hawkmoth and his possessive Akuma. The earlier season of the show takes fans through humorous storylines and the daily lives of the heroes. This includes a hinted romance between Ladybug and Chat Noir.
Since the fourth season, however, Miraculous Ladybug has begun to raise the stakes with interpersonal conflicts between the characters and schemes from the villains that are increasingly difficult to beat. With Ladybug and Cat Noir losing some of their best allies, the once fun and easygoing show is keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
8 Pantheon Captivates Fans With A Dark Storyline
Pantheon is an adult drama in animation form. The series is about Maddie, a teenager who begins to receive mysterious messages from a stranger. This stranger claims to be her recently deceased father, and the messages launch her into uncovering the truth. Maddie learns that her father's consciousness has been put into the cloud after an experimental brain scan, but he's not the only one.
Throughout the first season of Pantheon, Maddie's journey leads her to other characters, and together they unravel a conspiracy that could instigate a world war. Pantheon keeps introducing more and more mysteries to keep the audience captivated, and there's no limit to what might be on the horizon.
7 Dead End: Paranormal Park Transcends Genres
Dead End: Paranormal Park is a fun show full of relatable characters. It also transcends its genre, taking the themes of a paranormal investigation into an animated world. The story follows two teenagers, Barney and Norma, as they navigate their new job at a haunted Amusement park.
The premise alone is enough to garner interest, but fans flock to Dead End due to how it handles representation and day-to-day situations. The show comments on sexuality, crushes, and family tensions. These can be heavy topics, but they bring an openness to the genre that few cartoons have before. The series is equal parts horror and coming of age, which is sure to keep the story both interesting and relatable as it continues.
6 Marvel's What If...? Is A Fantastic Twist To The MCU
Marvel added a unique twist to its lineup of TV shows with the animated What If...? series. Within each episode is a miniature story about what could have happened to fan-favorite heroes had one event played out differently. The episodes vary, with one featuring a zombie apocalypse and another following a storyline where the villain Ultron won against the Avengers.
What starts as individual episodes eventually collides into a cross-over within the show. When this happens, characters from across the multiverses come together to defeat a common enemy. Now that the boundaries of the multiverse have been broken, What If...? is going to keep exceeding fans' expectations.
5 The Dragon Prince Renews A Love For Fantasy
The Dragon Prince follows brothers Callum and Ezran as they embark on a journey to stop a catastrophic war. The two brothers are joined by a Moonshadow elf named Rayla, and together they navigate a world full of magic.
The Dragon Prince evenly balances humor and heartache, placing fans in a position to sympathize with both sides of the story's narrative. At the story's start, the main characters appear to have lost everything dear to them. This rising tension reaches a head at the end of the third season. But with each side left to rebuild in the aftermath, it's clear that the conflict is far from over.
4 Harley Quinn Is Coming Into Her Own
Few animated DC shows have reached such an invested audience as Harley Quinn. The series follows the popular DC anti-hero Harley Quinn as she navigates the world after her recent breakup with the Joker. Harley has been in the Joker's shadow since her first appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, so it's great to see her finding her own way.
While Harley Quinn is far from family-friendly, it has allowed fans to see her step into her own. The series contains good representation, including Harley's budding relationship with Poison Ivy, and it includes an abundance of other DC characters. As the series continues, it amps up its use of dark humor to keep fans coming back. With the way Harley Quinn has been well received, it is likely to continue putting Harley and other characters like her into the spotlight.
3 The Legend Of Vox Machina's Beloved Heroes
The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated adaption of Critical Role's D&D campaign of the same name. The series follows eight characters who become unlikely heroes of their realm. While the series is an adaption, it is enjoyable to an audience who is unfamiliar with Critical Role. The story centers around murders, mysteries, and the relationships between characters.
With each episode, The Legend of Vox Machina's stakes rise as the conflicts become more personal for each character. As the first season progresses, the breathtaking animation combines with the heart-wrenching plot to make each episode one to remember. Fans of the series feel the hurt, shock, and betrayal that their favorite characters do, and the emotional rollercoaster doesn't appear to have an end in sight.
2 The Owl House Brings Back Childhood Magic
The Owl House airs on Disney Channel, but it has accumulated fans of all ages. The series follows Luz Noceda as she leaves her home and enters the Demon Realm. The series is known for its abundant representation, beautiful animation sequences, and compelling story.
What began as a wholesome journey into a new world has turned into a story full of self-discovery and painful goodbyes. The Owl House contains heavy topics, and the relatable characters are ones that fans adore. With each season the conflict becomes more difficult for Luz and her friends to beat. This rising tension and uncertainty leave fans yearning to know what happens next as the series progresses.
1 Arcane Leaves Its Fans Stunned
Arcane is an animated series telling the origins of well-known League of Legends characters. The series is both intense and beautiful, putting its characters through hardships that are sometimes hard to watch. It is the type of story that creates sympathy for the villain, and it puts its characters through impossible situations.
The first season of Arcane ends on a cliffhanger, and the suspense of those final moments tells fans that the series is just getting started. The fighting sequences are worth multiple rewatches alone, and each character has enough influence to shape the world around them. As the series continues, there is no telling where they will end up next.