Cartoons of the 80’s

Just gotta love them.

Published on April 20, 2006 By DJBandit In Blogging

You all should know by now I’m a big 80’s fan. I love the music, music videos, movies and yes the girls. But I also have another passion, cartoons of the 80’s. I’ll never forget those great cartoons such as He-Man,

Galaxy Rangers,

Voltron,

Fat Albert,

G.I. Joe

and my all time favorite M.A.S.K.

As good as some cartoons are now a days, they just can’t compare to those of the 80’s. Sure there are a few exceptions such as Dragonball Z

Gundum Wing

and Yu-gi-oh.

Yes I still watch cartoons today. I never stopped watching them, I find them entertaining and relaxing and 100 miles away from reality. I get enough of that every time I open my eyes. Besides, I have 2 kids and watching TV with them is a must. Though most of them have less violence in 20 episodes of them that in 1 minute of Dragonball Z. The 80’s cartoon were kinda like sex scenes in movies years ago where they barely showed anything. Violence was very mild and hero’s barely got the worst of it. Heck, no one ever died in G.I. Joe. If that were even possible. But things have changed and at times keeping count of the dead is about as easy as counting the bullets being shot out of an automatic weapon.

So, what was your favorite 80’s cartoon? What cartoons can you remember and wish to see again, maybe on DVD? How do they compare to today’s cartoons? Do you own any episodes of some 80’s cartoons??

Comments (Page 1)

Deference

on Apr 20, 2006

Great topic.

I grew up on Voltron, Transformers, Gi-Joe, He-Man, Thundercats, Silverhawks, Smurfs, Snorks, Galaxy High, Lazer Tag Academy, and a bunch of Hanna-Barbara shtuff I can't even remember the names of. Some of the most action-packed and emotionally charged toons to have ever hit the tv arrived in the 80's, usually accompanied by a healthy dose of slightly lame PSA's.

I really have a hard time appreciating any of the cartoons inhabiting the television today, but if I had kids, I would wish they'd get the chance to see Digimon, Pokemon, PBS Kids programming - then leave the telly alone.

Oh, it wasn't a cartoon, but Captain Power was a great prog back in the 80's.

DJBandit

on Apr 20, 2006

grew up on Voltron, Transformers, Gi-Joe, He-Man, Thundercats, Silverhawks, Smurfs, Snorks, Galaxy High, Lazer Tag Academy, and a bunch of Hanna-Barbara shtuff I can't even remember the names of. Some of the most action-packed and emotionally charged toons to have ever hit the tv arrived in the 80's, usually accompanied by a healthy dose of slightly lame PSA's.

Wow, what a great list, had forgotten about a couple of those. Never hear of Galaxy High before and never got a chance to see Lazer Tag Academy. Really wish I could get episodes of some of these cartoons. i have a few from Transformers, He-man and She-Ra. I wonder if I could share and trade with others?

I really have a hard time appreciating any of the cartoons inhabiting the television today, but if I had kids, I would wish they'd get the chance to see Digimon, Pokemon, PBS Kids programming - then leave the telly alone.

I on't mind them much except for those really japanimation drawn ones like Bobo Bo BoBoBo Bo or something like that. My kids like these cartoons you mention but i try to keep them connected to educational ones so they don't steer to far off.

Oh, it wasn't a cartoon, but Captain Power was a great prog back in the 80's.

Never heard of it, sounds interesting though.

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2006

Sorry, there has been no great cartoons since the hey day of Loony Tunes. Bugs is the best! Daffy cant be beat, and of course Tom and Jerry, Sylvester and Tweety, and the Road Runner.

sushiK

on Apr 20, 2006

Anyone remember Star Blazers the series?
That was the best

DJBandit

on Apr 20, 2006

Sorry, there has been no great cartoons since the hey day of Loony Tunes. Bugs is the best! Daffy cant be beat, and of course Tom and Jerry, Sylvester and Tweety, and the Road Runner.

Ok, Ok, I'll let you get away with this. I have to say though that replacements have been horrible. Tinytoons stinks, Baby Looneytoons is boring, Lunitics Unleashed is a sad attempt to make a fighting show out of a funny cartoon and the newest Tom and jerry episodes and movies lack the style of the original ones.

You guys are probably thinking I watch to many cartoons, can't help it, I never grew out of them Will probably watch them till the day I die. I even found a cartoon for my favorite collecting item, Hotwheels.

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2006

I have to say though that replacements have been horrible. Tinytoons stinks, Baby Looneytoons is boring, Lunitics Unleashed is a sad attempt to make a fighting show out of a funny cartoon and the newest Tom and jerry episodes and movies lack the style of the original ones.

I agree. That is why I was careful to say the old ones. And they dont make them anymore. Besides. Mel Blanc is dead, and with him died countless cartoon voices.

DJBandit

on Apr 20, 2006

I agree. That is why I was careful to say the old ones. And they dont make them anymore. Besides. Mel Blanc is dead, and with him died countless cartoon voices.

Wow, just like Charles Shultz and Charlie Brown. What a shame. At least I have DVD with the old episodes and a few of those forbidden ones I've heard about online like that one about Vietnam I think it was.

pseudosoldier

on Apr 20, 2006

Great topic, something I can definitely identify with... but let me pick some (very small) nits:

1) Technically Dragonball Z could be considered a "Cartoon of the 80's", since it premiered in April of '89 in Japan.

2) While no one died in the G.I.Joe cartoon (I know, I know, this was about the cartoons), they eventually killed off about a half-dozen of the Joes in the comic book. I thought it was always interesting that the Joes always hit the engines of the Cobra vehicles, and they didn't blow up until the pilots/drivers had enough time to bail out (safely, and with a parachute if necessary).

crimson

on Apr 20, 2006

Mark, Jason, Princess, Tiny, Keyop.... G-Force from Battle of the Planets.

It ruled!

oh and:

Ybus

on Apr 21, 2006

80's cartoons sure are the best.. but is it 'cause I myself date of the 80's or just because they are beter than cartoons from the 90's or 00's?

DJBandit

on Apr 21, 2006

1) Technically Dragonball Z could be considered a "Cartoon of the 80's", since it premiered in April of '89 in Japan.

That's just a technicality.

, I still think it's one of the best animes.

2) While no one died in the G.I.Joe cartoon (I know, I know, this was about the cartoons), they eventually killed off about a half-dozen of the Joes in the comic book. I thought it was always interesting that the Joes always hit the engines of the Cobra vehicles, and they didn't blow up until the pilots/drivers had enough time to bail out (safely, and with a parachute if necessary).

They did? Didn't know that. I never saw the comic books so wouldn't really know, was not my thing. It's true they always had time to run. At least Cobra saved money having to recuit more of them.

G-Force from Battle of the Planets.

Ah yes, that is my second favorite cartoon. I love that ship and all the vehicles. Was not a big fan of underdog though. Just not me.

80's cartoons sure are the best.. but is it 'cause I myself date of the 80's or just because they are beter than cartoons from the 90's or 00's?

There's no doubt they were the best.

highbass

on Apr 21, 2006

i was a huge fan of transformers so i decided to watch it recently ... remembering the fact that i used to love watching them when i was younger... well lets just say i wanted to shoot myself after watching the first 2 episodes... they were horrible and they left no detailed untouched... they would explain every single last detail to the bone... same with thundercats.... so the truly good cartoons of the 80s were in my opinion... tom and jerry, tom and jerry kids (not really 80s) ... pink panther, felix the cat, mr. magoo, bugs bunny and the gang.... and tons more i cant seem to recall at the moment.

foreverserenity

on Apr 21, 2006

I loved Transformers, He-Man and good old bugs bunny! I also loved O Mighty Isis which no one ever seems to remember! No matter who I ask about it when we're discussing cartooons remember that one.

DJBandit

on Apr 21, 2006

I loved Transformers, He-Man and good old bugs bunny! I also loved O Mighty Isis which no one ever seems to remember! No matter who I ask about it when we're discussing cartooons remember that one.

Never heard of Isis but now I know why, this was a 70's show. Strange though, I was born in 76, should have at least heard of her. What about this character, anyone know him?

Rightwinger

on Apr 21, 2006

Cool article. Anything on the 80s always gets a thumbs-up from RW.

I was a child of the 70s, but a teen of the 80s (I graduated in 1985), so I was a little out of the cartoons by then. I usually spent Saturday morning sleeping in after indulging in a night-long orgy of music videos on "Night Tracks" on TBS or "Night Flight" on USA. "Tracks" was the best, though, in my opinion.
I did, however, enjoy "Thundarr the Barbarian" and "Blackstar".

Never heard of Isis but now I know why, this was a 70's show. Strange though, I was born in 76, should have at least heard of her. What about this character, anyone know him?

"Isis" was on in 1975 or '76. You'd have been too young to remember the "Shazam/Isis Hour".

That's Mighty Mouse! "Heeere I come to save the day!!!"

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