I miss cartoons these days. Growing up, we had plenty of them, but they died off quicker than tie-dyed tshirts. And the key aspect of their appeal, was their intro. That’s a minute that they needed to sell you on the concept, no matter how ridiculous it was. And I bought all the merch possible with these twenty classics.
Bravestarr
The whole idea of Bravestarr is ridiculous, insane and shut your face, it is awesome. Don’t pay any attention to the fact that some of Bravestarr’s animal powers make no sense whatsoever. Ignore the fact that theme song confuses moons with suns. Just sit back, relax and let that catchy tune sweep you up a distant planet that is far, far away.
Knights of the Zodiac
It may have had edits and cuts that bastardised the original vision of Saint Seiya to be more child-friendly. It may ahve had voice acting from the ninth circle of hell. But there’s one thing that the Knights of the Zodiac had that other cartoons didn’t. And that’s a hard-rocking Bowling for Soup cover song. Awww yeah.
Sabre Riders
Big thanks to One Large Prawn for reminding me of this hidden treasure. Which I can’t ever remember watching. But with big exoskeleton hats, swords and armour like the ones in Sabre Riders, it must have been good. I’d bet my reputation on it.
Reboot
“I come from the net. Through portal hubs, Twitter CC’s and free-to-pay gates to this place! Lazygamer!” If you;ve never introduced yourself Reboot style, then man, you’re missing out on life. It’s one of the few joys in existence that has yet to be taxed, and it never gets old. NEVER EVER.
Mysterious cities of gold
True story: Anyone who watches or remembers this intro is going to have that song stuck in their head for the rest of the day. Also, I dream of owning a giant gold eagle jet one day.
Biker Mice from Mars
I’ve mentioned this before, but back when I happened to be young (technically last week), this is the cartoon that I would make up all kinds of excuses for, in order to avoid going to Sunday school. After all, what’s more important in life? Religion or super-awesome martian mice riding motorcycles that should have been put into production by Yamaha the second they saw them?
X-Men
Superhero cartoons in the early nineties were essentially goofy in execution. After all, how could a man who wore his underwear on the wrong side of his spandex pants be taken seriously? And then along came X-Men, which not only proved that being serious could work, but that an intro with some the heaviest guitar riffs possible could also drive that point all the way home.
Dragonball Z (USA)
I love Dragonball Z, as a guilty pleasure. Provided that it’s the version that has been dubbed into English. Because quite frankly, the original audio clocks in at over 9000 on the make-my-ears-bleed scale. And when you combined proper manly voices with some good ol’ fashioned hard rock, you’ve got a winner on your hands. Even if the lyrics don’t make a lick of sense.
Taz Mania
Ah, the early nineties. If there was one fad that became international, it was Australia and anything remotely related to it. Cue Warner Bros jumping on the successful bandwagon that Crocodile Dundee and vegemite sammiches had created, by turning their berserker rage cartoon character Taz the Tasmanian devil into an overnight sensation.
For about three weeks anyway.
King Arthur and the Knights of Justice
I doubt anyone remembers this cartoon. But holy heck did I identify with a cartoon that had a main character share a name with me. And the first person who mentions Sir Brenda is going to get my size 9 excalibur boot up their ass.
And that rocking guitar intro! It was impossible not to air-guitar along with it. And that’s how you sell a toy line! Wait, what was I talking about again?
Sonic the Hedgehog
If you look at a Sonic game, you have to admit that the theme of imprisoned animals in robot shells, super-speed, gold rings and a fat guy obsessed with eggs is a pretty hard dish to swallow. And then you get that one cartoon intro which sets the tone perfectly in a mere minute, using all those details mentioned above.
Not bad for a cartoon character voiced by Steve Urkel.
Doug
Not every cartoon intro needs to be a straight minute of massive action and visuals that you’ll never see again. Take Doug for example. It’s simple, easy to understand and most of all: Catchy. Plus it helps you forget that Doug might be mentally unbalanced and one hallucination away from wearing Patty Mayonnaise as a raincoat.
Much like 50% of its two main cast members, the intro for Pinky and the Brain is genius, but in an insane way. It sets the plot up nicely, and it always starts with two lines that are forever imprinted in your brain.
Narf!
Thundercats
Thunder! Thunder! Thunder! Thundercats…hoooooooooooooo! Oh man, that never gets old, and I don’t care how many people were staring at me at that funeral when I spontaneously re-enacted the Thundercats intro. That, and I shouldn’t have dressed up like Cheetarah.
The Real Ghostbusters
If you don’t like Ghostbusters then you’re probably dead and I’ll be zapping your negative particles with some positive geddafugouddahere soon. While the film is still loveable to this day, it’s the cartoon series that actually took some damn good care of the frachise, perfectly adjusting it for the small screen and continuing the adventures of the supernatural exterminators.
Until they decided to slime that it is.
Samurai Jack
If there’s one thing that a bunch of intros don’t do, that’s set up enough exposition to get the story moving. Samurai Jack was the exception though, pitching a plot that it would soon sum up with a lethal sword stroke and eyes that could see into your soul.
Darkwing Duck
Be honest. At one point in your life, you’ve turned around, looked at your colleagues and menacingly said “let’s get dangerous”. Darkwing Duck is essentially the Disney Batman. But minus the skill, cash, sidekicks, gadgets and actual competency to get the job done. In other words, he’s perfect for a job on governement.
Freakazoid
I’ve got to hand it to Warner Bros, as they weren;t afraid to take a risk or two back in the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons. Amongst classics like Superman,Animaniacs and Batman came this gem of a series, with an equally outrageous intro as well.
Batman Beyond
What, you’d think I’d have a list like this and not have some sort of Batman included. While I loved the original show, it’s the Batman Beyond intro that really stuck with me, as it spun some crazy visuals with a future gone wrong. Slick, cool and experimental, it’s an example of the kind of cartoons that are deemed to risky for TV these days.
Duck Tales
I don’t care that diving into an ocean of money will break every bone in your body. I don’t care that technically, all the ducks in this film are perverts without pants. But dat intro! That marvellous song and dance! Is there a person alive who doesn’t know it? Nope!
Big thanks to @Grim_tenmiles and @Neverglade_ZA for getting this ball rolling.
Last Updated: January 4, 2017
Gustav Minnie
July 5, 2013 at 19:07
We didn’t have MNet so every day i climbed on my bike, 5km to my friend’s house to watch the terror that flaps in the night. Never watched Knights of the Zodiac, Sabre Riders & King Arthur and the Knights of Justice. The rest I watched them all. They don’t make cartoons like this anymore.
PS Darryn how could you miss these?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yeA7a0uS3A
Aster
July 6, 2013 at 10:55
Bionic Six!!! Awww I miss that show.
That and Diabolik: Track of the Panther
Draco Lusus
July 5, 2013 at 19:13
Dude, did you not watch this???
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 7, 2013 at 18:12
Sadly, no 🙁
Tiaan Pat
July 8, 2013 at 08:02
Aww man that brought back some good memories… i have been looking for these for a long time!!! Anyone know where i can get the series???
Draco Lusus
July 5, 2013 at 19:19
Dino Riders!
ElNicko
July 5, 2013 at 20:22
Thank you so much Darryn – definite ticket on the Nostalgia train……wow(cue sudden realisation that I’m getting old)
ElNicko
July 5, 2013 at 23:02
also forgot Captain Planet , Beast Wars , Gi Joe :A real America Hero ,TMNT and Swat Cats……
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 07:31
Anything but Captain planet. Really did not like that show.
ElNicko
July 8, 2013 at 08:27
come on , it wasn’t that bad. At least it wasn’t Widget the world Watcher……Also , Captain Planet would have been entertaining like this pic
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 08:30
Brilliant!
Captain Minion TallTwit
July 8, 2013 at 15:06
Shut up & take my up vote.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 07:51
Beast Wars FTW
Veeash Lala
July 5, 2013 at 20:35
Where are the Gummi Bears?!
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 7, 2013 at 18:12
Hopefully in hell. Where they belong.
OVG
July 5, 2013 at 20:47
You fail on so many levels, you forgot this
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 7, 2013 at 18:12
I see neither Cadillacs, nor Dinosaurs. ARGUMENT INVALID!
OVG
July 8, 2013 at 08:48
lol
fintel
July 5, 2013 at 20:50
Gummi Bears, chip and dale?
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 7, 2013 at 18:11
It’s no secret around here, but…I fucking hate the Gummi Bears. Chip ‘n Dale would have made it in a Top 25 list though.
fintel
July 7, 2013 at 18:15
To each their own. What about Tail spin or is that also on the “you shall not speak of it” list.
Tbone187
July 8, 2013 at 13:39
I don’t reckon de mom’s got him the Gruffy toy he wanted oh so bad…
Grant Hancock
July 6, 2013 at 13:08
Love your list ! … sooo many of my favourites 🙂 … Have NO CLUE why Reboot hasn’t been …uhh… rebooted :/ ..or made into a film
hairyknees
July 6, 2013 at 17:35
FREAKAZOID! Oh my goodness I loved that show 🙂
hairyknees
July 6, 2013 at 17:35
FREAKZOID! CHIMPANZEE! XD
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 07:54
XD
Ultimo_Cleric N7
July 6, 2013 at 17:55
Freakazoid, Bravestarr,Animaniacs and Xmen were amazing.
Dragonball Z changed my life.
But Batman Beyond wins. Hands down. Dat intro music…….
Rags
July 7, 2013 at 16:05
😮 No TMNT?
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 7, 2013 at 18:53
so much memories…reboot,I still remember when Max(i think that’s his name) went all rogue with a targeting system in his eye…
Doug and skeeter …
gambit to rogue: Mon ami ..gambit lurrv you
….such good times. all these random memories flowing
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 07:31
Reboot was epic 🙂 Never missed an episode. I have it all on my PC actually 🙂
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 8, 2013 at 07:39
whoo, Nice, Man the memories of that hey …. back when cartoons were still awesome. I feel like watching Animaniacs now too
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 07:54
Must get those from you!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 08:15
We must make plans!
Magius
July 7, 2013 at 20:30
King Arthur and the Knights of Justice also had a semi decent Megadrive game as I recall.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 07:19
What!? No Samurai Pizza Cats?
TiMsTeR1033
July 8, 2013 at 07:27
I loved that show, the way they got shot out that gun thing. Found memories
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 07:55
Found or fond?
Guest
July 8, 2013 at 08:27
So many good memories…
Have to say, being part of the younger generation, Dexter’s Laboratory and Johnny Bravo were two classics for me as well.
DBL_ZA
July 8, 2013 at 08:29
So many good memories…
Have to say, being part of the younger generation, Dexter’s Laboratory and Johnny Bravo were two classics for me as well.
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/1007277/johnny-bravo-o.gif
DBL_ZA
July 8, 2013 at 08:31
Apologies everyone for the double-post (if it shows up), gif wouldn’t work in the first post
DieJason
July 8, 2013 at 09:18
Bucky O’Hare anybody?
Tidycpc
July 8, 2013 at 10:34
Brakkenjan
Banana_man
July 8, 2013 at 11:04
Robotech! C.O.P.S! Swat Cats!
Tbone187
July 8, 2013 at 13:33
You could add Gargoyles… Asterix and Obelix…Tin Tin…the 90’s Spiderman cartoon was epic as well…