Do teens/adults really dislike cartoons, or just think that they do?

[Antiyonder]

DISCLAIMER: While I'm refering to all cartoons, I specificly also refering to any kid show as a whole. Not just the edgier ones.

While all of us here on toonzone have our likes/dislikes on certain shows, I'm willing to bet we agree on watching a new show with an open mind before deciding to like or dislike it.

For instance, when Kim Possible was first annoucned, I wasn't sure I would like it thinking it would be a generic teen show with the gero thing thrown in. Since, I gave it a chance, however, it became a favorite cartoon of mine.

On a wider scale, it seemed Teen Titans and The Batman would be burnt at the stake for not coinciding with the Timmiverse. While some on here don't like the shows, there are still a good degree of fans complimenting the shows.


To get to the point of this poll/thread, whenever I read some psots of toonzoners getting critized by parents or peers, it seems that they make those comments uninformed.

By that it means the teen/adult in question haven't viewed cartoons for quite sometime (or at all), therefore, they don't dislike it genuinely. They just have a preconcieved notion of said show. I mean, the only things that should matter in a show is the appeal of characters, stories and plot. Not whether you see real people or drawings onscreen.

[Dr.Pepper]

I think that most teens and adults just are ignorant to cartoons and think they are all kids stuff.

[90'sCartoonMan]

I've wondered this myself since my grandmother always finds it amusing when she sees me watch cartoons, but there's no way I can explain to her cartoons aren't just for kids. Some cartoons are, but not all are.

Sometimes I think cartoons have more diversity in them than the live action shows that are on the air.

What it really comes down to is that cartoons aren't "real". Those aren't real actors, they're just drawings, and that concept turns off a lot of people. So much so that they won't like a show just because it's animated. But I bet if King of the Hill were live action (only using that as an example because it's one of the more realistic shows I can think of), many people who are turned off by cartoons would enjoy its humor. And if you animated Friends (kept the exact same jokes), it would've done horribly.

So I say it's mostly uniformed but also an ability to just not be able to get past the fact that they're looking at "drawings".

[USSManhattan]

I'm going to graduate from college in May and I watch, among others, "Danny Phantom," "Ed, Edd n' Eddy," "Juniper Lee," "Foster's," "American Dad!" and "Ben 10." Until they were cancelled/got bad, I also watched "Teen Titans," JL/JLU, and "The Simpsons" pre-2000 or so. Many of my current choices are not popular here at TZ, I've noticed.

So, no, I don't think all adults are blind on cartoons... just those who grew up more than they should have. :D

[Cobblepot1982]

Two words: Peer pressure. Need I say more?

Most people are just taught to "fit in". Granted, conforming sucks your soul out, but hey, at least people will like you right? RIGHT? ;)

Regardless, once people do, over time, they forget who they ever really were, and just stick to it, and are totally miserable.

Don' follow that path- t'aint worth it.

[Gokou Ruri]

Animation is generally percieved as mainly for kids all over the world. It's mainly due to the fact humans are naturally drawn to seeing other humans act out realistic issues (such as those found in dramas) rather than 2D cartoons acting it out. Probably because humans can convey far more emotion than paper can, so it makes sense. Unless you can actually change the mentally of human nature, it's going to stay that way.

[Envy]

I think I'll be the only person going against the grain when I say that I think most people dislike a kiddie cartoon because it's made for kids. Like the shows on Cartoon Network, I agree that "The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy" can be witty at times, but really the humor is aimed at the 10-14 crowd. Sometimes a cartoon show can be entertaining with the adventurous aspect of it (like "Kim Possible"), but it can be tiring waiting for an episode that delivers in such a way.

Cartoons aren't made for adults, unless you're talking about the Fox shows, a certain percentage of anime, Comedy Central's 'toons or Adult Swim. Cartoons are made for children, which is why most adults and some teenagers tune out.

[Bubblegum Girl]

I'm 21 and I like watching cartoons(much to my parent's displeasure...) and I think teens/adults enjoy watching cartoons but they to don't want to admit it because most people feel that cartoons are for kids. :sweat:

[USSManhattan]

I'm 21 and I like watching cartoons(much to my parent's displeasure...) and I think teens/adults enjoy watching cartoons but they to don't want to admit it because most people feel that cartoons are for kids. :sweat:

I just found out myself that at least my mom doesn't like it. She went from "no problem" to "too fixated" in, like, a week. :eek:

[Ishtar]

What I don't like is when certain Adults/Teens expect everyone else their age to only watch live action sitcoms, reality TV, or Adult humor cartoons like Family Guy or South Park. Maybe I don't want to always watch that stuff, and would enjoy just watching a good regular cartoon that has interesting stories, characters, and/or has humor that isn't exactly vulgar but is still funny. Also, many of them probably do watch non-Adult cartoons, but just won't admit it because they think it would ruin their reputation if their friends found out.

[Elven Moon]

I know a good number of adults who watch and enjoy cartoons. My dad, my sister's boyfriend, etc. I think people either don't want to admit it, or remain ignorant and refuse to watch or care for cartoons once they hit, oh... 16, unless their kids are clamoring for plastic toys from the show.

[J'onn J'onzz]

Animation is generally percieved as mainly for kids all over the world.
Wrong. I know for a fact that the millions of viewers of [adult swim] and other adult animation blocks can't be dismissed. Plus, in Japan, and I'm sure many other countries animation is considered suitable for adults as well.

Mainly it's one of those dumb American stereotypes that animation is just for kids...

[Mr. Manager]

They usually think it's embarrasing or "not cool". I'm glad I'm not one of those people.

[tb4000]

Animation here in the states has the reputation of being for little kids. Always has. You try to go see an animated movie at a theatre without kids in tow and watch the looks you get from the cashiers.:p

Though a prime example is my dad, who is an avid fan of BTAS. He would watch it religiously back in the 1992, and my mom would be like, why are you in here watching cartoons?

[SirLemming]

Animation here in the states has the reputation of being for little kids. Always has. You try to go see an animated movie at a theatre without kids in tow and watch the looks you get from the cashiers.:p
I can't help but wonder how that happened. Because old cartoons like Looney Tunes and Betty Boop were indeed intended for adults, shown before movies in theaters. Does anyone have any widely-accepted knowledge on this that I missed?

[TheMecca]

i'm too cool for cartoons
cartoons are for kiddies.
THUS!

[Roman Legion]

Well, y'know how teens and adults naturally dislike painting, drawing, sculpture and whatnot, instead preferring the one still medium that presents a mature, realistic view of the world? Y'know, photography? It's kinda like that. In fact, images of real people capture subtle details of emotion that nothing drawn by hand could ever reproduce.

Romey
--Wait, what?

[J'onn J'onzz]

I can't help but wonder how that happened. Because old cartoons like Looney Tunes and Betty Boop were indeed intended for adults, shown before movies in theaters. Does anyone have any widely-accepted knowledge on this that I missed?

The '66 Batman TV show ruined the reputation of comics for adults. It may or may not have done the same thing for animation.

[Tay the Cat]

Animation here in the states has the reputation of being for little kids. Always has. You try to go see an animated movie at a theatre without kids in tow and watch the looks you get from the cashiers.:p

Maybe I've just been to good theatres, but I've never gotten that look from anyone.

[Jeff Harris]

i'm too cool for cartoons
cartoons are for kiddies.
THUS!. . . you're too cool for kiddies?:D

But seriously, to answer the question, teens and adults don't really dislike cartoons. They often feel and celebrate the American stereotype (and it is just an American one) that animation is just for kids and only for kids. They feel that animation is something they don't need to watch anymore because more often than not, their peers feel the same way, and we all know how lemmings tend to follow each other.

If you're a teenager, animation isn't supposed to be worth watching. It's something their little brother, sister, or cousin watch, and on the off chance they talk about it, they have to automatically say, "Oh, yeah, I was watching it with my little brother/sister/cousin." It's like they're embarrassed to say they like cartoons. More often than not, they grow up to become adults that feel animation is a childish pleasure. So, they often find other childish pleasures like watching grown men who wear tight pants throwing around a bean-shaped ball, men who wear little caps playing a summertime game where they throw and hit a small white ball, men who wear long shorts playing another backyard game inside throwing, bouncing, and shooting a huge ball, men who basically drive fast cars around an oval, or any other kind of sport. Heck, pro wrestling feature many of the same elements that made cartoons watchable.

Needless to say, sports and wrestling have replaced cartoons as an obsession for folks, and because it's reality, people treat them with more respect.


I can't help but wonder how that happened. Because old cartoons like Looney Tunes and Betty Boop were indeed intended for adults, shown before movies in theaters. Does anyone have any widely-accepted knowledge on this that I missed?Yup.

The rise of the baby boomers is how the belief that animation is for children came into being.

After the second World War, a new generation of Americans were born (hey, the fellas were busy over there and when they saved the world, they got busy over here). The kids of the new America had to be entertained, and film distributors knew how to entertain them. Since the cartoons of the Disney Studios were popular with families, theaters felt that every cartoon would be suitable for families, thus, they began kiddy matinees on weekends comprised of cartoons like Popeye, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and Donald Duck as well as popular action serials.

When the fairly new medium of television began popping up in the country, television programmers looking for stuff to air often partnered up with cartoon distributors to create matinee/calvacade-like shows for television often paired with serial-like action shows aimed towards kids. They were often hosted by adult hosts dressed as cowboys, rangers, clowns, or sea captains, all specifically for kid audiences.

And while The Bugs Bunny Show, The Bullwinkle Show, and The Flintstones all became primetime shows, the attitude that cartoons are for kids forced them into Saturday mornings, the fate of nearly all cartoons, until the '90s.

And that's how the belief of cartoons being just for kids got started, um, sort of.

[Anthonynotes]

My coworkers, who're almost all females and in their 40's-60's age-wise, know of my enjoyment of cartoons/comics, but mostly seem apathetic toward them at best and outlike dislike them at worst. I imagine they probably think of cartoons as for kids / something for *their* kids. They don't have a problem with soap operas, though... :-P

[Gokou Ruri]

Wrong. I know for a fact that the millions of viewers of [adult swim] and other adult animation blocks can't be dismissed. Millions? Everytime I see [adultswim] show off their ratings they're only around 750,000. Compared to Nickelodeon's 3,000,000+, that's pretty small


Plus, in Japan, and I'm sure many other countries animation is considered suitable for adults as well.

Mainly it's one of those dumb American stereotypes that animation is just for kids... That's a common misconception. Animation is also viewed mainly for kids in Japan. That's why most of the anime made target kids as well as the most popular anime in Japan are kids or family shows. If you're in high school or beyond and still watch anime, it's looked down upon.

[Kaoru]

I don't know if it was mentioned but it's this - community mindset. I think you'll find people who are spiteful of cartoons will mostly be those who are easily manipulated in other interests as well by popular thinking of peers.

[CyberCubed]

Most teens/adults I've seen around despise anime more than cartoons, and they're fairly indifferent to cartoons in general.

That being said, you do usually get a wierd look if you say you watch cartoons regularly, (whatever show it is), to someone anywhere from 18+

[Anthony C.]

That's a common misconception. Animation is also viewed mainly for kids in Japan. That's why most of the anime made target kids as well as the most popular anime in Japan are kids or family shows. If you're in high school or beyond and still watch anime, it's looked down upon.

And you know what really is confusing? Manga is read by everybody in Japan, including adults, and its OK to read the mangas that will eventually be made into Anime. That is some far out logic here.

[HG Revolution]

And you know what really is confusing? Manga is read by everybody in Japan, including adults, and its OK to read the mangas that will eventually be made into Anime. That is some far out logic here.

My guess to the logic: the reason why some people dismiss shows like Evangelion and InuYasha as crap in America AKA the ultra-creepy fans. Manga is published in magazines in Japan, so its acceptable to read like the newspaper funnies are in America (only most mangas suck less than most modern-day funnies, making it even more mainstream). Anime, however, requires a certain dedication beyond a magazine subscription (getting up/staying up to watch shows, remembering timeslots, doing online research if you miss an episode, etc.), and because of the hikikomori/serial killer stereotype you don't want to look like you're that obsessed with something. Thus, you either watch what your kids watch, watch what everyone else is watching (which is likely what people's kids watch), go to the movies to see anime (which allows more casualty because you only have to follow a plot for 2 hours as opposed to 13/26/52/100+ weeks), or have to deal with the tricky task of avoiding being grouped in with some really freaky people. The situation of anime in Japan is essentially the same as video games in America, being sorta-accepted-but-not-really.

[Gokou Ruri]

And you know what really is confusing? Manga is read by everybody in Japan, including adults, and its OK to read the mangas that will eventually be made into Anime. That is some far out logic here. I always found that weird. Reading One Piece? Acceptable.. mentioning you watch the show? Prepare to be made fun of. They're the exact same thing, though what HG Revolution said makes sense somewhat.

[TheMecca]

Millions? Everytime I see [adultswim] show off their ratings they're only around 750,000. Compared to Nickelodeon's 3,000,000+, that's pretty small
.
Family Guy breaks or gets close to a million viewers every week.
And considering it's late night on cable, 750,000 is pretty high.

and no I'm not too cool for the kiddies cause I was making an example of my self LOLLERBALL

[Duke]

Whether adults watch animation or not doesn't matter.

I'd say it depends on the type of animation. Adults are more likely to watch cartoon comedies (the success of the various Fox cartoons, South Park, PPG, and Spongebob confirm this), but dramas, not so much (sans maybe Naruto).

[Cortez2301]

The thing I hate is that even my parents think that all cartoons for kids.I mean my dad knew that B:TAS,TNBA and the rest of the Bruce Timm Dc comics animated shows were Pg but that they should only be watched by kids.I showed him a few episodes involving the mafia and drugs,"Mask of the phantasm" and "return of the joker" and he accepted the fact that they were PG for a 7+ audience.I mean the same thing happened with animaniacs and I explained that it and the rest of its related shows were for all ages having all the adult humour,excellent references to everything in the world etc.My Parents always thought the classic HB cartoons,Looney toons,Tom and jerry and classic disney cartoons were the only ones that weren't just for kids.At least they know now in a way.BTW whoever said thta the 1966 batman show had an impact on batman's world in comics and cartoons is right.

[Anthony C.]

OK you know what is weird? Most of the adults I hang out with LOVE animation. Well it really depends on gender, but my sister was a huge a fan of Inyuyasha and she recently bought the "Little Mermaid" DVD. My brother loves animation as much as I do. OH yeah my aunts and my mom loves animation too. My older aunt was telling me how good "ultimate Avengers" was and she was pissed off when Justice League was cancelled. She has also watched Incredibles about ten times. My younger aunt is a huge BOONDOCKS fan and my mom always had a soft spot for X-men and Batman. Even my dad likes animation because he is a former artist. The only one who doesn't like cartoons is my grandma, but I don't care. My friends at work and at my old university loves animation too. My coworker has a whole bunch of public domain cartoons on DVD. To be quite honset it is perfectly acceptable to talk about cartoons with people of my generation. And it doesn't matter by race either. I'm a 22 year old African American male and many of my friends at Black Student Union were talking about our favorite Simpsons episodes. Some girls may find it corny, but I don't care about them at all because if you are with that "Cartoons are for kids" schtick I don't want to date you anyways. But my opinion is that most of the kids from the 80's will watch animation and discuss it openly.

[Cortez2301]

OK you know what is weird? Most of the adults I hang out with LOVE animation. Well it really depends on gender, but my sister was a hige a fan of Inyuyasha and she recently bought the "Little Mermaid" DVD. My brother loves animation as much as my do. OH yeah my aunts and my mom loves animation too. My older aunt was telling me how good "ultimate Avengers" was and she was pissed off when Justice League was cancelled. She has also watched Incredibles about ten times. My younger aunt is a huge BOONDOCKS fan and my mom always had a soft spot for X-men and Batman. Even my dad likes animation because he is a former artist. The only one who doesn't like cartoons is my grandma, but I don't care. My friends at work and at my old university loves animation too. My coworker has a whole bunch of public domain cartoons on DVD. To be quite honset it is perfectly acceptable to talk about cartoons with people of my generation. And it doesn't matter by race either. I'm a 22 year old African American male and many of my friends at Black Student Union were talking about our favorite Simpsons episodes. Some girls may find it corny, but I don't care about them at all because if you are with that "Cartoons are for kids" schtick I don't want to date you anyways. But my opinion is that most of the kids from the 80's will watch animation and discuss it openly.Well said.

[Cullen]

Also the cartoons you see on TV are written and drawn by adults. So they must watch what they've created.

[Chimeraz]

Well, the reason being is that cartoons in general were directed at children but, now we have cartoons being created for mature audiences with shows on Adult Swim on CN and South Park and Drawn Together on Comedy Central the rules are changing.

[Draven]

Well, the reason being is that cartoons in general were directed at children but, now we have cartoons being created for mature audiences with shows on Adult Swim on CN and South Park and Drawn Together on Comedy Central the rules are changing.

Total agreement. Everybody at work finds it amusing I watch cartoons. I don't care because I know if they might like some of my favorite shows if they gave them a chance. It's just when they think cartoons, they think Looney Toons, or back to old school saturday morning when they were kids. Stuff they don't really wanna watch now. They have NO idea what goes on in animation these days.

[Ben]

Of course some adults dislike cartoons. Duh. It's possible for intelligent people to enjoy different things.

I really think this is the No. 1 most annoying fanboy/fangirl activity. "You don't like cartoons? Oh, you don't know what you're saying! Watch this and you'll change your mind!" That is such a pompous, unappealing attitude. Essentially, what the fan is saying is, "I know you better than you know yourself," or less generously, "You agree with me, you're just too stupid to realize it."

Really, really annoying.


I always found that weird. Reading One Piece? Acceptable.. mentioning you watch the show? Prepare to be made fun of. They're the exact same thing, though what HG Revolution said makes sense somewhat.

I think if you're an adult and you read One Piece that still might raise some eyebrows, though not as high as if you watched the show. Shonen manga are for kids. (Though note I am an adult Naruto fan saying this.)


Well, y'know how teens and adults naturally dislike painting, drawing, sculpture and whatnot, instead preferring the one still medium that presents a mature, realistic view of the world? Y'know, photography? It's kinda like that. In fact, images of real people capture subtle details of emotion that nothing drawn by hand could ever reproduce.

Sometimes it's really hard to tell when you're joking.

[Roman Legion]

Of course some adults dislike cartoons. Duh. It's possible for intelligent people to enjoy different things.It's one thing to not like a certain medium. Some people can't stand books, some can't stand tv, some would swear up and down that ceramics is merely a lowly craft for women and not something real male artists would lower themselves to, and some don't like cartoons. There are valid personal reasons for not being engaged by some things; that's fine. However, when someone's given reasons are questionable ("...but, cartoons are for kids), I don't see a problem in, y'know, questioning those reasons.


I really think this is the No. 1 most annoying fanboy/fangirl activity. "You don't like cartoons? Oh, you don't know what you're saying! Watch this and you'll change your mind!" That is such a pompous, unappealing attitude. Essentially, what the fan is saying is, "I know you better than you know yourself," or less generously, "You agree with me, you're just too stupid to realize it." Really, really annoying.I've met annoying "fanpeople" like that, but calling it the No. 1 most annoying activity? That can only be hyperbole. Just off the top of my head... How about fans who don't even stop to ask if someone else is interested? The type who just start talking and won't shut up no matter how much the other person tries to politely indicate their lack of interest?

Yeah, I met someone like that recently. ::shudder::


Sometimes it's really hard to tell when you're joking.I try. :p

--Romey

[umaiki]

When I sit down and watch something like Rocko's Modern Life or a good anime like Ranma or Kodocha, I can't understand why my family loathe it. . . The plots are great, it's full of humour, and the animation is superb.

But with other cartoons, espically modern ones, I can understand why they would find it annoying and childish, that's because they are. It is really hard for a adult to get something out of Billy and Mandy or the Cramp twins for they arn't as easily amused anymore by cheap animation and poor, poor plots.