movies/tv Why are Cartoon protagonists often 12-14 years old?

[TheMisterManGuy 344]

Kids cartoons, especially nowadays typically have main characters start at roughly 12-14 years old. Sometimes younger, sometimes older, but 12-14 is the typical starting age for many protagonists of kids cartoons and shonen/shojo anime. Why is this though? After all, cartoons are supposed to be something to distract little 7 year old suzzy and jimmy at least that's what stereotypes dictate. I think it's for 2 reasons.

 

1. Most kids networks target up to 14 years old.

 

2. This is the best age for relatablility in the eyes of creators. It satisfies the little kids who look up to the bigger kids, as well as actual 12-14 year olds who need something to relate to.

 

Which is why I think kids cartoons should (and in many cases are) targeting 6-14 as opposed to just 6-11. It's not only a broader demographic, but it can also lead to broader variety of advertisers.

Edited December 11, 2014 by TheMisterManGuy

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

I guess because at that age you're still a child, but you're starting to become adult-like and semi-independent. It makes for good coming of age type drama.

[Discordian 6,022]

It's most likely nothing more than relatability.

 

What I wanna know is why so many anime feel the need to put the hands of gods and the ranks of generals in the hands of sixteen year olds. I'm not against children being main characters, or even being strong, but they are often given these things with little reason.

 

What's wrong with adult protagonists? *narrow*

[Wind Chaser 4,769]

I was just thinking about this the other day. It is said that kids relate best to other kids, and at the same time, they need good role models in life which are older and more experienced than they are. Putting their protagonists at the mental age of a tween or early teen is good because it puts them in the best spot right in between the kid and adult ages. They still have the personalities and the worldview of a child while they are just beginning to take on adult freedoms and responsibilities, and are learning to develop themselves as they get older. They are still learning and maturing, like the main target audience, but they have more experience that will be relevant to the audience later in life. It's a natural fit for stories with purpose, especially if it includes life lessons.

[ukxRainbowdash 165]

relatability is the biggest reason probably. Other than that it's a lot easier to give a teenage character development.

Good characters need to develop for a story to be a bit more interesting, teenagers are semi-adult meaning that they are in the process of becoming young adults which lets writers include a developing, interesting character.

[Boo 92]

Its very easy to justify younger MC's silly decisions. Mostly, when a younger character is the protag, it tends to be a coming-of-age or Aesop moral. Adults (while still clueless) tend to have a wider grasp on situations and may act more consciously and proactively than a child - it allows more leeway for drama, internal conflict, and impressionability via other characters.

 

While relatability is important, I doubt that's the largest reason. It's very easy to tell a story through the eyes of a child, because it has the opportunity to make the world they're in more raw, more beautiful. Younger children/preteens are full of 'firsts' in their life, and it makes for good storytelling to depict the beauty of, let's say, a first kiss. A first adventure. A first moment of independence. It's also very safe for writers to write about young protags, which isn't bad! Like I said, young adults are very impressionable and can be molded very easily into whatever the writer wants in that moment, while it would be more difficult to use an adult.

[boiteporte 591]

I always hated those cartoons in which kids were the main characters. I think the reason is exactly what the OP said. But still,..

 

The Teen Titans, Spies (new generations) and Totally Spies as well. I always found those cartoons just plain stupid. I mean they are KIDS !

They cannot even act in a mature way, how the hell are they supposed to save the world ?

 

Of course, those cartoons are not targeted at my age group so that is probably why I do not like them.

But, yeah, I think it is so that the children can relate to the characters in the show. Those shows would not feel the same if the main characters were adults.

 

Definitely not.