Wizard Magazine's Top 100 greatest cartoons

[Meson]

From the magazine:

1. The Simpsons - Klasky-Csupo/Film Roman
2. Batman: The Animated Series - Warner Bros. Animation
3. The Bugs Bunny Show [Looney Toons] - Warner Bros. Animation
4. Superman - Max Fleischer
5. Transformers - Sunbow, Hasbro, Marvel
6. Batman Beyond - Warner Bros. Animation
7. G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero - Sunbow, Marvel
8. Johnny Quest - Hanna-Barbera
9. Battle of the Planets - Tatsunoko/Sandy Frank Films
10. The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
11. Space Ghost Coast to Coast - Hanna-Barbera
12. Ren and Stimpy - Spumco
13. Dexter's Laboratory - Hanna-Barbera
14. The Tex Avery Show - MGM
15. Tom and Jerry - Hanna-Barbera
16. The Tick - Sunbow
17. South Park - South Park Studios
18. Pinky and the Brain - Warner Bros. Animation
19. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - Filmation
20. SpongeBob Squarepants - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
21. Superman: The Animated Series - Warner Bros. Animation
22. Peanuts - United Features Syndicate
23. Animaniacs - Warner Bros. Animation
24. Schoolhouse Rock - Newall
25. Fantastic Four - Hanna-Barbera
26. Ducktales - Disney
27. Futurama - The Curiosity Company
28. Spider-Man: The Animated Series - Marvel
29. Gargoyles - Disney
30. Voltron: Defender of the Universe - World Events Productions
31. Star Blazers - Office Academy
32. Family Guy - Film Roman
33. Robotech - Tatsunoko
34. Mobile Suit Gundaw Wing - Sunrise
35. Rugrats - Klasky-Csupo
36. The Real Ghostbusters - DIC
37. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends - Marvel
38. The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers - Transcom Media
39. Scooby Doo - Hanna-Barbera
40. Dr.Katz: Professional Therapist -
41. Dungeons and Dragons - Marvel / D&D Entertainment
42. X-Men - Saban/Fox
43. Space Ghost - Hanna-Barbera
44. Freakazoid - Warner Bros. Animation
45. The Herculoids - Hanna-Barbera
46. Defenders of the Earth - King Features Syndicate
47. Thundarr the Barbarian - Hanna-Barbera
48. Spawn - Todd McFarlane Productions
49. X-Men: Evolution - Film Roman
50. Dragonball Z - Toei Animation
51. Thundercats - Rankin/Bass
52. Clerks - Miramax
53. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Filmation
54. Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics - Hanna-Barbera
55. Darkwing Duck - Disney
56. The Flintstones - Hanna-Barbera
57. The Critic - Russell Bangert / Nick Johnson
58. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Murakami Wolf
59. Smurfs - Peyo
60. Beavis and Butthead - MTV Animation
61. King of the Hill - Film Roman
62. Danger Mouse - Cosgrove/Hall Productions
63. Challenge of the Superfriends - Hanna-Barbera
64. Muppet Babies - Jim Henson Productions
65. Tiny Toon Adventures - Warner Bros. Animation
66. Aeon Flux - MTV Animation
67. Mighty Mouse Playhouse - Terrytoon
68. Johnny Bravo - Hanna-Barbera
69. The Bullwinkle Show - Jay Ward
70. Speed Racer - Tatsunoko Productions
71. The Jetsons - Hanna-Barbera
72. The Maxx - MTV Animation
73. Men In Black: The Series - Amblin
74. The Zeta Project - Warner Bros. Animation
75. Saturday Night Live: TV Funhouse - Robert Smigel
76. Invader Zim - Nickelodeon Animation
77. Histeria! - Warner Bros. Animation
78. Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors - DIC
79. Popeye the Sailor - Max Fleischer
80. Transformers: Beast Wars - Mainframe Entertainment
81. The Inhumanoids - Marvel/Claster
82. The Woody Woodpecker Show - Walter Lantz
83. Marvel Super-Heroes - Grantray/Lawrence Animation
84. Spider-Man (old version before the 80s) - Grantray/Lawrence Animation
85. Inspector Gadget - DIC
86. Daria - MTV Animation
87. Disney's Aladdin - Disney
88. Static Shock - Warner Bros. Animation
89. Sailor Moon - DIC
90. Neon Genesis Evangelion - Gainax
91. Cow And Chicken - Hanna-Barbera
92. Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? - DIC
93. Jem (Sunbow) - 94. Voltron: Defender of the Near Universe - World Events Productions
95. SilverHawks - Rankin/Bass
96. Josie and the Pussycats - Hanna-Barbera
97. Transformers: Beast Machines - Mainframe Entertainment
98. The Yogi Bear Show - Hanna-Barbera
99. She-Ra - Filmation
100. M.A.S.K. - DIC




it's good to see a lot of my favorates make the cut

[Tapout]

I agree with most of the list but have serious issues with the order. Plus since they did include a little anime, it's blasphemous not to have Cowboy Bebop on there. They can include all 17 Spider-Man series, but not the best anime series ever? Bleh.

[krazymed]

This list looks familiar. As in a couple of years old. And ReBoot is not on the list. Wizard can stuff it.

[lostrune]

Eh, it's just another TV list. It's all opinions anyway. Criticize yet don't get too worked out about it. :)

2 years old? No wonder some worthy recent toons aren't on the list.

[Chris Wood]

That list rocks!!!! Look at all the cool toons on there that never get any respect normally. Props to whoever made it.

[Jave]

I would have either included more anime (the fact that Digimon isn't there is almost a sin) or leave anime completely out of eligibility since it sorts of unevens the selection. The fact that DBZ, Speed Racer and Sailor Moon are the only animes in there brings some serious debate, when there's a lot much better.

And it's kinda surprising Pokemon isn't there...

[Sharklady]

That's definitely not the most absurd ranking I've ever seen. But 'Bullwinkle' should be *much* higher.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

DBZ, SM, and Speed Racer aren't the only ones.

They've got Battle of the Planets, Gundam Wing, Evangelion, Robotech, Voltron, and a few others.

Where's Rocko? I demand Rocko! He did everything Sponge Bob does now only better!

Ninja Turtles made the list. Nice! Darkwing Duck did better. That's coo.

I'm glad Gundam Wing made the list. I find it odd that there aren't many new series on there. No Samurai Jack (or did I miss it?), no new TMNT, no Naruto, no One Piece, no Inuyasha, not even Cowboy Bebop. You'd think they'd have Cowboy Bebop... and FAMILY GUY (did I miss it? I didn't see it on the list).

I had no idea Klasky-Csupo worked on the Simpsons.

Awesome that nearly all the Spider-Man cartoons made it.

They've got a thing for Transformers I guess. The original show really wasn't that amazing.

Batman: TAS as #2. That's fair. I don't think there's anyone who can dissagree with that. Batman: TAS is one of the best cartoons ever made. Which is very suprising given it was a saturday morning cartoon. I didn't see Superman: TAS on that list. Is it there? I can't believe they put Batman Beyond so high... that show got old really fast (at least IMO).

I'm glad Pokemon isn't on the list. Digimon is debatable... but neither are great cartoons. Entertaining yes, but not great.

[Razor]

I'm glad Pokemon isn't on the list. Digimon is debatable... but neither are great cartoons. Entertaining yes, but not great.
I'd disagree with you on Tamers.

[Jave]

DBZ, SM, and Speed Racer aren't the only ones.

They've got Battle of the Planets, Gundam Wing, Evangelion, Robotech, Voltron, and a few others.
How could I miss that? I feel so stupid. :shame:

[Alph]

It's obvious this was generally looking at older stuff. I mean, not everything today was made when this list was made, and even if it was it may have been new. Or unnoticed at the time.


Anyway, I agree with alot of the choices but I think Beast Wars should be alot higher.

[RAINMAN]

I saw this list years ago. Fox xmen should ahve ben in the top ten. SP should not be in the top 20 and simpsons is not the greatest toon show ever. Wizard is full of it.

Hyper: The list was made back in 2000. Thats why no show from AS is not on the list, other wise CB would have made it. Can`t say the same for INY. One piece and nartuo has not ben dub yet. They cant put shows on the list that has not ben seen by the public.

[BlackoutCreature]

Im glad theyve got Transformers so high up there. How many other domestic cartoons have had an almost continuous 20 year toy line (and if u count Japan, u can take out the "almost")? Or spawned 5 domestic spin-off series? The only thing i would disagree with is Beast Wars at 80. It should be MUCH higher, possible even higher then the original Transformers series. Even though Transformers never really disappeared, Beast Wars revived it and is, in my opinion, the catalyst for the 80's revivals that started in the early 2000's. Plus its probably one of the best written cartoons of all time. I classify it, Batman: The Animated Series (the original Fox episodes) and Gargoyles (the original syndicated episodes) as the three greatest cartoons of all time.

Speaking of Gargoyles, how it didnt make the top ten is beyond me.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I'd disagree with you on Tamers.
I never really liked Tamers. I though Season 2 was the best Digimon season thus far. None the less while the series had a decent amount of depth and trumps Pokemon on all fronts it's still not the best cartoon around, or one of the best. I love the show but that doesn't mean it's fantastic. Maybe it could have been within the last 20 or 30 on the list still it's okay not to have it.

[FidgitStyles]

This article was published in a wizard magazine of the summer of 2001. So the list needs to be updated. What with FLCL and Cowboy Bebop, Teen Titans and Samurai Jack among others, which should be on there.



Interesting to note that this same issue also had a top ten worst show list. Among them are one of my fav's Life With Louie, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Now I know a lot of people on this board will argue with Wizard about the Chipmunks.



There are a lot of these top ten lists in that issue, like, the top ten babes of animation (Cartmans Mom nabbed #1). And the top ten cartoons that Casey Kasem had voiced.

I will say this. Everyone has there own taste when it comes to what they like when it comes to cartoons and TV. Watch first then decide, thats my motto. Lists mean nothing to me. So don't feel bad when you like something that someone else doesn't. That includes my little list of the cartoon characters who think thay are cool, but are not.

[Artimus Gigan]

Challange of The Superfirends ranked higher than Invader Zim...


that automaticly voided it from any reason or sound logic...

[Sharklady]

> I didn't see Superman: TAS on that list. Is it there? <

Yes. It's #21.

[ShinjiFanGirl]

Bleh, they put the dub version of Sailor Moon on there? Forget it. >P

[Andrew T. Hingson]

May not have been just for the dub though. They did have Evangelion on there and I doubt they tollerated that dub...

[Taikyo]

...How the heck did Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics and The Herculoids get on that list?

Where's ReBoot? Mighty Max? Garfield and Friends? Angry Beavers?

[Classic Speedy]

Good to see Dr. Katz on the list, but I disagree with Cow & Chicken. I never found that show remotely funny, even WITH the Red Guy.

[Don_East]

(SPAM)The Real Ghostbusters was at # 36 & it STILL does not DVD release(sign the petition).(SPAM)

Family Guy was on the list at # 32 Hyper Luigi.

Transformers G1 at # 5, GI Joe at # 7. Does any notice Beavis & Butt-Head and King Of The Hill were next to each other?

[SilverKnight]

Well, the rest is debatable, but BTAS at #2? Sweet. I can live with that. :D

[Matt Hazuda]

How the hell did Histeria get on the list? I'd put that show on my bottom 100 list any day of the week.

Shortest show on the list is Clerks with 6 episodes. That's cool, but I'd have ranked them higher probably.

[Xfox]

I think just about every overrated series made that list- Spongebob, Space Ghost Coast 2 Coast (#11? Are they serious?), Ren and Stimpy, Scooby Doo, Rugrats, etc. Though my three favorites did make the list- Darkwing Duck, Danger Mouse and Daria, I'm surprised they all weren't ranked higher.

[Dudley]

OMG, that list is old. I bought the issue when it first came out, and that was a year ago.

I can't believe that the only Mainframe shows there are Beast Wars and Beast Machines.

[Emmanuel Cruz]

I had no idea Klasky-Csupo worked on the Simpsons.
I believe Klasky-Csupo worked on the Simpsons from Seasons 1-3. They also produced a few episodes of Season 4, and then in Season 4, Film Roman took over The Simpsons.

-Emmanuel:bosko:

[Nick Biped]

Oh, yeah. I remember this list when it first came out. As these things go, it's not too bad, with maybe a few cartoons that I think were omitted (e.g. Reboot, Garfield and Friends). It'd be kind of interesting to see how the list would be if they did a new one (this list is from 2001 or so, right?).

[Yash]

*coughBIASEDcough*

[lostrune]

*coughBIASEDcough*

Of course. It is a subjective list, after all. :p

Even newspapers and magazines have their own biases.

[Toon Capone]

I know this is an old list and I'm glad a lot of my favorites made it.

But I can't believe they forgot C.O.P.S. and The Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers.

Also I don't think The Powerpuff Girls should have been ranked that high.

[SNS]

Not that I'm complaining but if this is an old list from 3-4 years ago, why was a topic made on it now? :confused:


The only thing i would disagree with is Beast Wars at 80. It should be MUCH higher, possible even higher then the original Transformers series.
I agree, Beast Wars should at least be in the top ten.

[Chris Wood]

But I can't believe they forgot C.O.P.S. and The Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers.

Galaxy Rangers came in at 38. Hell yeah. Now where's the DVD season set???

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Histeria! was awesome! I've never had such a good time pretending to be educated.

"It's Fresco"
"It's a sody pop"

"Mr. Smarty Pants, what do you do in your pants all day?"
*Mr. Smarty Pants runs off the stage*

Brilliant I tell you!

I found it rather interesting that Gatchamen (more specifically Battle of Planets) was the highest rated anime.

[RAINMAN]

I agree, Beast Wars should at least be in the top ten.

BW was good but not that good.

[Toon Capone]

Galaxy Rangers came in at 38. Hell yeah. Now where's the DVD season set???
So it did I must have missed it. Thanks for pointing it out and yes it should be on DVD.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

BW was good but not that good.
I agree. I'd have in the top 20 though.

But we all have are personal bias. For intance I'd have TMNT in the top 10.

[lucky]

No Sonic the Hedgehog (ABC)?!?!?!?!?!

Has the world gone mad?

[Bubblegum Girl]

I have that issue. I'm disappointed that Angry Beavers isn't in that list. But I'm happy the Invader Zim made it on the list!

*Shakes fist in the air* You hear that Nick?! Zim's on the list!! :D

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

...here are a few thoughts on some individual ones:

1. The Simpsons - Well deserved, especially from years past.
2. Batman: TAS - Very well deserved!
6. Batman Beyond - I liked it, but this is way too high a spot.
16. The Tick - I'd put it in my personal top 5.
20. SpongeBob Squarepants - A little low, I find.
27. Futurama - Quite low.
33. Robotech - I'm currently enjoying the series thoroughly on DVD and wish this was much higher.
43. Space Ghost - I know it spawned Coast-to-Coast, which deserves its high spot, but does the original deserve to be this high? I looked a little lower and saw it is rated much higher than 56. The Flintstones. Huh?! Ridiculous. The Flintstones should at least be in the top 20!
61. King of the Hill - Sadly low. :(

One that I wish people would take more notice of is 2 Stupid Dogs, which was not on the list. It is very overlooked and it seems either people have forgotten about it or don't give it a chance. It is one of the best written cartoons I've ever seen and is one you get more out of the older you get, which can't be said about a lot of shows. Definitely a "must see" in my opinion.

[Don_East]

RGB is higher then Scooby Doo.

[James]

Hmm, I quite like. Nice to see BotP get such a high rating, as with Batman Beyond - that was a surprise..

For me... cos I'm amused..

1. Battle Of The Planets
2. He-Man (Original)
3. Harvey Birdman
4. Family Guy
5. Batman Beyond
6. BTAS/TNBA
7. Futurama
8. Incredible Hulk (80s)
9. Teen Titans
10. Justice League

Regardless, a fun list - and MASK just made it! Yay!

Bubblin under, Spider-Man (MTV), Spider-Man&HAF, Thundercats

[Stu]

Hmm, I quite like. Nice to see BotP get such a high rating, as with Batman Beyond - that was a surprise..

For me... cos I'm amused..

1. Battle Of The Planets
2. He-Man (Original)
3. Harvey Birdman
4. Family Guy
5. Batman Beyond
6. BTAS/TNBA
7. Futurama
8. Incredible Hulk (80s)
9. Teen Titans
10. Justice League

Regardless, a fun list - and MASK just made it! Yay!

Bubblin under, Spider-Man (MTV), Spider-Man&HAF, Thundercats

I'm actually surprised that the '82 version of The Incredible Hulk wasn't on there, all who've seen it seem to enjoy it...

[Spongebrain2.0]

My list of Top 10 would've been this..........


1. Family Guy
2. South Park
3. Futurama
4. Home Movies
5. This Just In
6. The Simpsons (1989-1999)
7.Kid Notorious ( I don't care what people say, THIS SHOW ROCKED)
8. Clerks
9. Ren & Stimpy (1991-1993)
10. Rocko's Modern Life

[SwordOfOmens]

GOOD GRIEF! DIC did NOT MAKE SAILOR MOON! It was BUTCHERED AND AMERICANIZED by them and that is all. Toei Made Sailor Moon! Why is DBZ above SM?! Sailor Moon is a MUCH better show that DBZ! And how DARE they get DBZs creators right and not Sailor Moon's when they are one and the same creator?! Oh, Wizard you realy make me mad...

[oldgreypole]

Where's The Pink Panther on the list? I'm not surprised that it didn't make it, however. These days, those cartoons seem to be seldom shown and overlooked. At least the Looney Tunes and The Powerpuff Girls made it to the top ten.

I also question about some of them being on the top 100 list, such as The Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the like, as well as other cartoons, such as Aeon Flux and Jem.

[Dee]

Okay guys, this is an EXTREMELY old list. It's nothing to go bonkers over.

[Dark Soul]

Well, the list is debatable. One pokemon deserves to be there only for one reason it is on for like 5 years. Digimon definately should be on. Lupin III should be there. Static Shock shoud not be on. Sponge Bob should be at least rated in the 80 section. Cowboy Bebop should be definately on I dont know why it isnt.

thats it for me

[ElBarto]

Simpsons #1!!!!

[Don_East]

Simpsons #1!!!!
Yeah, well Homer is second only to Bugs Bunny in "The Top 100 Cartoon Characters"

[Aztec]

Although it's only been on for 2 seasons the new TMNT ABSOLUTELY should be on that list. But that was the only notable exclusion I saw. Not a bad list overall. Fox's X-Men should have been higher and Carmen Sandiego probably doesn't deserve to be on it.

[Sharklady]

> ... the new TMNT ABSOLUTELY should be on that list. <

Ditto for 'Samurai Jack.'

I'll be looking for both of 'em when somebody does an updated list.

[Dudley]

Yeah, well Homer is second only to Bugs Bunny in "The Top 100 Cartoon Characters"
There's only a Top 50 cartoon characters list.

[jrh31584]

This article was published in a wizard magazine of the summer of 2001. So the list needs to be updated. What with FLCL and Cowboy Bebop, Teen Titans and Samurai Jack among others, which should be on there.



Interesting to note that this same issue also had a top ten worst show list. Among them are one of my fav's Life With Louie, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Now I know a lot of people on this board will argue with Wizard about the Chipmunks.



There are a lot of these top ten lists in that issue, like, the top ten babes of animation (Cartmans Mom nabbed #1). And the top ten cartoons that Casey Kasem had voiced.

I will say this. Everyone has there own taste when it comes to what they like when it comes to cartoons and TV. Watch first then decide, thats my motto. Lists mean nothing to me. So don't feel bad when you like something that someone else doesn't. That includes my little list of the cartoon characters who think thay are cool, but are not.I would be interested in seeing some of these top ten lists.

[Jon T]

Wow, what issue was that list in! I'm very pleased to see that the solo Spidey 80s toon made it on the list, along with Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends. And any greatest cartoon list that includes Danger Mouse has to be given some respect!

The only things I would've realistically liked to also have seen on the list would be the 1982 Hulk show, and Ruby-Spears Centurions.

[Anarky]

if it weren't for this list, i'd never had learned about Invader ZIM.
of course, by the time i started watching zim (summer '02), nick had cancelled the series and started mucking with it's timeslot.

i never saw "The Nightmare Begins", the Halloween ep, or "Walk For Your Lives"...not to mention all the last batch of shows that got international airtime yet never aired in this country.

thankfully, media blasters and anime works are cranking out dvds. it'll probably be another 10 yrs before Nick produces another edgy LOL show

[Don_East]

There's only a Top 50 cartoon characters list.
50, 100, What's the difference? Homer is still second to Bugs.

[AttillatheFox]

Only Foxbusters! (but the &€?!§$ from SRTL do not send it any longer :sad: )

[Fone Bone]

It is a crime that Ralph Bakshi's Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures was not on that list. THE show that started the creator-driven cartoon era of the early nineties and launching pad for John K., Bruce Timm, and Jim Reardon, all of whom had only been involved in dreck before. My top twenty:

1. The Simpsons

2. Gargoyles

3. Superman

4. Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures

5. Batman: The Animated Series/ New Batman Adventures

6. Justice League

7. Futurama

8. South Park

9. Home Movies

10. Count Duckula

11. King of the Hill

12. Gummi Bears

13. The Tick

14. Samurai Jack

15. Pinky and the Brain

16. Static Shock

17. Batman Beyond

18. Spider-Man '94

19. X-Men '93

20. Teen Titans

Honorable Mentions:

Dangermouse

DuckTales

Tale Spin

Rocky and Bullwinkle

Bugs Bunny/ Road Runner Show

Duck Dodgers

The Zeta Project

Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist

The Critic