The Action Cartoons That Really Rule
Generic, episodic, a lot of action cartoons are pretty much only appreciable in passing. But there exist a special few that carry true weight with smart writing and a powerful storyline. These are they.
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- CreatorMichael Dante DiMartinoBryan KonietzkoStarsDee Bradley BakerZach Tyler EisenMae WhitmanIn a war-torn world of elemental powers, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.This impeccably crafted series takes every trope in the book and breathes amazing new life into it, making them better than ever before. Possibly the greatest TV show ever made.
- StarsMasako NozawaJôji YanamiSean SchemmelGoku is settled with his family and is living in peace. Unfortunately, his peaceful time is momentary as a visitor crashes into the planet claiming to be his brother.Between the ridiculous filler arcs, the constant stalling, and the episode-long power up sessions, I almost forgot DBZ was a fighting show. But without all the fluff, Dragon Ball Kai is as action packed as a nuclear explosion and a good bit more fun (than a nuclear explosion). The quality of the story and the supremacy of the fighting finally shine as they always should have.
- CreatorMichael Dante DiMartinoBryan KonietzkoStarsJanet VarneyP.J. ByrneDavid FaustinoAvatar Korra fights to keep Republic City safe from the evil forces of both the physical and spiritual worlds.Twice as beautifully animated as the already picturesque ATLA, and with a powerful story nearly as strong. It exchanges the shonen tropes of Airbender for a more universal Miyazaki feel, and the animation alone is liable to make me weep. Every bit as impeccable as the original, it is the worthy heir to an all-time legend, and I can think of no higher praise than that.
- StarsHikaru MidorikawaToshihiko SekiRyûzô IshinoA squadron of giant robot pilots of a beleaguered Earth colony bring the war to their oppressive home planet.A sincerely interesting political undercurrent lends intellect to this fun, fierce, and action packed giant robot space opera. The characters are caricatures, but oh what fantastically engaging caricatures they are!
- CreatorTodd McFarlaneAlan B. McElroyStarsKeith DavidRichard DysartDominique JenningsAfter being betrayed and murdered by his employer, a government assassin is resurrected as a Hellspawn and is forced to act as the reluctant leader of Hell's army.As lusciously and beautifully produced as any HBO series, this gorgeously animated and thickly gothic series seems to put cult-classic "Gargoyles" completely to shame, with a stronger, darker, more intricate plot and an equally flawless performance from Gargoyles' own Keith David. At once it is seductive and terrifying.
- CreatorPeter ChungStarsDenise PoirierJohn Rafter LeeMax RedmondThere is a mysterious and immoral secret agent from the country of Monica. Her motives and background remain unexplained, as do those of her antagonist/lover, Trevor Goodchild.An absolutely cool, slick, racy MTV action cartoon with rare flare and smarts. A true rarity.