movies/tv Are light-hearted adventure shows a new trend in cartoons?

[TheMisterManGuy 344]

Between Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, later episodes of FiM, Wander Over Yander, and the upcoming Star Vs. the Forces of Evil. Are whimsical, adventure/mystery Dramedies becoming the new trend in cartoons? The 80s was toy commercials, the early 90s was buddy comedies ala Ren & Stimpy, and the late 90s and early 2000s was action and fighting. So, is the adventure dramedy the new big thing?

Edited December 9, 2014 by TheMisterManGuy

[Larkybird~ 734]

It certainly seems that way. But you can't exactly really call what the upcoming cartoon will be just yet. Though it probably will be like the rest you mentioned.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

It seems to be. In the 90s, however, there were still cartoons on both cable and broadcast TV, and marketing wasn't the same as it was today. There seemed to be a greater diversity in what kinds of cartoons were out back then. Since the 2000s, less competition means more "follow the leader", so these trends will be more apparent.

 

Because of the fact that there are less shows today than there used to be, more of them cross genre lines, like how MLP blends slice-of-life, comedy, and serious fantasy/adventure elements together into one show. It's this "something for everyone" that makes a show like MLP so successful.

 

The general trend towards lighthearted adventure shows speaks to the versatility and entertainment potential the genre has. They are the best format where you can put in this little bit of "something for everyone", you can have a strong continuity, worldbuilding, and character development all in the same show. This is the kind of show people want to see these days, as evidenced by the devoted fandoms that pop up around them.

 

I think it's a good trend, and I can't wait to see what more comes out of it.

 

The only trend in cartoons these days I don't approve of is the simplification of art styles. That's part of why I love MLP so much, because its art style is beautifully complex and worked down to a science. In general, it has become less about the visuals and more about the story. While it's good from a writing standpoint, I think the visual language is just as important.

Edited December 9, 2014 by North Wind

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

It seems to be the way to go right now. Maybe because those shows are popular, so it proves the trend works. I really do wish though that an all comedy show like the likes of say early Spongebob could come out today and actually get it right. Too much, you get shows like Breadwinners that just have jokes that the writers think kids will find funny. Craig McCraken and Pen Ward said that they write what they find funny. That's how I feel you should write comedy.

[TheMisterManGuy 344]

The only trend in cartoons these days I don't approve of is the simplification of art styles. That's part of why I love MLP so much, because its art style is beautifully complex and worked down to a science. In general, it has become less about the visuals and more about the story. While it's good from a writing standpoint, I think the visual language is just as important.

Simplicity =/= ugly though. Gravity Falls art style is simple, but it still looks great. Hell I'd argue FiM's art style somewhat simplistic as well compared to say, Korra.

It seems to be the way to go right now. Maybe because those shows are popular, so it proves the trend works. I really do wish though that an all comedy show like the likes of say early Spongebob could come out today and actually get it right. Too much, you get shows like Breadwinners that just have jokes that the writers think kids will find funny. Craig McCraken and Pen Ward said that they write what they find funny. That's how I feel you should write comedy.

That's actually the biggest problem with Breadwinners. It has no idea what kids actually want to see in a cartoon so it just decides to be very loud, hyper, and obnoxious. This get gratting as it shows the writers of the show really have no creativity or ideas.

[That Horse 41]

Between Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, later episodes of FiM, Wander Over Yander, and the upcoming Star Vs. the Forces of Evil. Are whimsical, adventure/mystery Dramedies becoming the new trend in cartoons? The 80s was toy commercials, the early 90s was buddy comedies ala Ren & Stimpy, and the late 90s and early 2000s was action and fighting. So, is the adventure dramedy the new big thing?

 

Well, in my honest opinion, yes.  I mean, I am a fan of CN, Nick, and DSKids,  and I personally agree with that.

[Floris 287]

I sure hope so, I like adventure.