When it comes to 90s cartoon crime fighters, a few characters might come to mind. Aside from the typical Marvel and DC headliners that made their way to popular channels like Disney XD and Kids WB, there was another superhero group that made their enemies cower in fear. The Powerpuff Girls squashed superhero norms with their bright doe eyes, pretty dresses, and kindergarten ages.
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were created in a lab after their father, the Professor, accidentally added chemical X to his vat of sugar, spice, and everything nice. Now "using their ultra superpowers, [the girls] have dedicated their lives to fighting crime and the forces of evil." Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup fight villains on a daily basis, keeping Townsville citizens safe. While "the day is saved thanks to the Powerpuff Girls" most of the time, there are rare occasions where they've lost or needed help.
10 The Ameoba Boys Made The Girls Too Sick To Fight
The Ameoba Boys weren't the most dangerous criminals in Townsville. In an attempt to break the law they stood on a keep off grass sign in the rain. As a result, they developed a virus that infected all Townsville citizens, including the Powerpuff Girls – rendering them too ill to fight. The professor needed the girls to find the Ameoba Boys in order to develop an antidote, but they passed out before reaching them.
The Ameoba Boys discovered them and begged the girls to subdue them with their super powers so they could feel like real criminals. Blossom managed to land a soft tap, while Bubbles sneezed, and Buttercup curled up on the ground. In a hilarious display, the Ameoba Boys pretended to be affected by their actions. Thankfully the Ameoba Boys kept their word and returned to Townsville with the Powerpuff Girls, if they didn't the girls would've remained powerless.
9 Ms. Keane's Curfew Suggestion Got In The Way Of Their Crime Fighting
Hours of crime fighting starting to take its toll on the girls, resulting in them falling asleep in class. Ms. Keane called the Professor in for a parent-teacher conference and she suggested that he give the girls a curfew.
Their curfew sent Townsville into chaos as villains were able to roam the streets and wreak havoc without interruption. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup weren't able to save the day for several days. Their frustration subsided soon enough – daylight savings saved Townsville from complete destruction.
8 Blossom Let Things Get Out Of Hand With Retired Villains
When the girls answered a call for a bank robbery, they discovered The Ministry of Pain, an elderly villain group that robbed banks in the 1950s and decided to come out of retirement. Buttercup and Bubbles were ready to attack them but Blossom insisted they had to respect their elders. After the Mayor revealed that the Ministry of Pain was defeated by Captain Righteous and his sidekick Lefty, Blossom decided to recruit them.
Unfortunately, her plan failed and the news later reported that 5 elderly citizens were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The news anchor went on to say that none of this would've happened if the Powerpuff Girls would've just saved the day.
7 The Powerpuff Girls Had To Use Their Imagination
Mike was lonely when he started his first day at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten. To ease his loneliness, Mike created an imaginary friend. While interacting with his imaginary friend, Mike became disruptive in class. After several pranks, Mike was punished by Ms. Keane and placed in the corner. While there, Ms. Keane's chair was pulled from under her. She was ready to reprimand Mike when Bubbles stated she saw the chair move on its own.
The class realized that Mike was telling the truth and his imaginary friend Patches committed all the offenses he was blamed for. The Powerpuff Girls tried to fight Patches but they were unable to fight what they couldn't see. In order to take Patches down the girls had to create an imaginary friend – a cute, strong, and intelligent bunny who was able to save the day.
6 Bunny Was An Honorary Powerpuff
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup felt the weight of constantly saving the day, living as normal school children, and completing their responsibilities at home. They were unable to maintain a proper balance and felt exhausted at the end of each day. In an attempt to lighten their work load, the girls snuck into their father's lab and recreated the accident that created them – sort of.
The girls added powdered sugar and everything they believed was nice – books, lizards, flowers, mackerel, a globe, and band aids, among other outrageous items. When they were finished they "accidentally" added chemical X – and thus, Bunny was born. She held a deformed appearance and couldn't form complete sentences. After misunderstanding her new sisters, Bunny released the criminals in Townsville and arrested the police officers. When Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup tried to clean up her mess they were overpowered by the newly freed villains. Bunny came to their aid. She defeated every criminal and saved her sisters. She succumbed to her unstable ingredients and exploded shortly after.
5 Lenny Baxter Was An Obsessive Fan
Lenny Baxter was a creepy fan who was obsessed with the Powerpuff Girls. He collected several PowerPuff Girl merchandise and paraphernalia. When Lenny realized his collection was complete, his inappropriate obsession led him to a breakdown – he needed more. He started collecting their personal items after breaking into their home, but it still wasn't enough. He devised a plan to pose as a victim in need. When Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup responded, Lenny kidnapped them and placed them in sealed packages.
Once the professor realized the girls were missing, he and the mayor led the Townsville citizens to Lenny Baxter's home. After refusing to release the Powerpuff Girls, the Professor instructed children to open his limited edition toys. When he couldn't take it anymore, he finally pointed them out on the top shelf. The Professor released them and "for the very first time the day [was] saved by the citizens of Townsville."
4 Buttercup Needed To Swallow Her Pride To Save Her Sisters
Elmer Sglue is one of the Powerpuff Girls' classmates. As his name suggests, he had an unhealthy relationship with glue – he liked to eat it. Buttercup joined the class as they teased Elmer, while Bubbles and Blossom watched with disapproving eyes. Though Ms. Keane told Buttercup to apologize, she was too stubborn. Later, Elmer accidentally consumed toxic chemicals along with his glue, and transformed into a giant monster. He immediately attacked the children that bullied him and wreaked havoc on school grounds.
Elmer's glue-like exterior prevented the girls from doing any damage. As Bubbles and Blossom sank into Elmer's pasty consistency they told Buttercup to do the one thing they knew would stop him, apologize. Once she did Elmer let everyone go. If he hadn't, the Powerpuff Girls wouldn't have been able to stop him.
3 Mojo Jojo Underestimated Townsville's Normal Girls
When Mojo Jojo discovered the Powerpuff Girls were hosting a slumber party, he took the opportunity pose as little girl named Moejisha. The girls saw through his plan but didn't want to alarm their guests, they decided to secretly keep an eye on him. Throughout the night they let their guard down, and enjoyed Mojo's company.
After everyone was asleep Mojo snuck into the Professor's lab and created Antidote X. He threw the dangerous concoction on the girls weakening them. While taunting them he referred to Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup as "useless, normal little girls." After hearing Mojo Jojo's opinion of them, Townsville's "normal girls" attacked Mojo and saved the day.
2 Ms. Bellum Showed She's More Than Just The Mayor's Assistant
Sedusa returned to her life of crime, but this time she was disguised as Ms. Bellum. She manipulated the mayor and gained easy access to jewelry stores and banks. When a ransom note was left for the Mayor stating Ms. Bellum was being held hostage, the Powerpuff Girls arrived on the scene quickly.
When they arrived Sedusa was already tied up, and Ms. Bellum claimed she defeated her on her own. The girls saw through this ruse and turned on Ms. Bellum, knowing she was actually Sedusa. Sedusa quickly gained the upper hand, but Ms. Bellum took over. While the girls remained trapped, Ms. Bellum defeated Sedusa
1 The Powerpuff Girls Met Their Match With The Rowdyruff Boys
After being defeated for the umpteenth time, Mojo Jojo was filled with rage. Pretending to be a student from Townsville's local college, Mojo called the Professor to ask what the girls were made of. Mojo then proceeded to make an opposing mixture, combining "snips, snails, and a puppy dog tail" in a disgusting jail toilet. The resulting blast created the Rowdyruff Boys, the anti-Powerpuff Girls.
At first it seemed like the two teams were evenly matched, but the girls were ultimately defeated. The Townsville citizens thought Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were dead. When they regained consciousness, they were ashamed to admit they lost and felt unfit to protect Townsville. It was their first lost and the girls were ready to quit. Thankfully a pep talk from Ms. Bellum convinced the girls to stay.