I went to see Moana with my dad the other day. The visuals were appealing and the characters are great to watch. It got me thinking of a few cartoons that I watched when I was growing up and a few shows I like watching now. Whether modern cartoons are better than cartoons made in the 2000’s is up for debate. What is certain is that some cartoons can, in fact, surprise you in the end. Want the proof? Look at the cartoons that I would like to spotlight.

These three cartoons were either heartwarming, visually awesome, or both. They have a potential in planting something special inside anyone who watches it. Heck, with at least one of the cartoons, it is a manifestation of creating new art from its other two predecessors. A couple of them are even getting or already have reboots. With that in mind, here are some cartoons that I can recommend by highlighting a few episodes from each series.

1.Courage the Cowardly Dog

"Remembrance of Courage Past"

This episode is part of the series finale. It explains the backstory that is said in the opening. We actually see Courage's parents and why they're not around throughout the series.

It's heartwarming, heartbreaking, and one episode I can definitely recommend to anyone who's curious about this show.

"Perfect"

For those who watched this episode, you may know the episode has a scene containing this:

Yeah, the show is known for creating creepy imagery here and there, but there's something more.

It starts with Courage trying to do Eustice's dirty work and fails miserably. In the midst of Courage's insecurities and worries, a teacher arrives to instruct Courage how to be perfect. The more he tries, the more he fails and gets himself hurt in the process, until this scene happens:

Yes, a fish has said one of the most encouraging things you could ever say to a person. I guess in the Middle of Nowhere anything can happen.

One reason I recommend watching this series is that sometimes the most heartwarming moments come from things that don't necessarily make the most sense. If people could look past the unsettling moments, this show could be one of their favorites.

2.The Powerpuff Girls

"Knock It Off"

Professor Utonium's old college roommate Dick Hardly has come to town. He discovers Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup and instantly smells a opportunity for merchandising. The Professor is against the idea, however, and warns his old "friend" to keep away from the girls. After being denied by his former colleague, he decides to get some input from the girls themselves, who tell him how they got made. He takes the formula and makes many manufactured Powerpuff girls.

The more Powerpuff girls he makes, the more misshapen they become. It all comes to a head when in the process of taking them down, the girls end up trapped and have their essence of Chemical X stripped from them.

Just when all hope is lost, the power of the Professor's love saved the girls and brought them back to life.

"Members Only"

Who ever thought a kids' show can tackle sexism perfectly. This episode is one of the best episodes of the show.

It starts out with the Powerpuff Girls watching the live super summit of superheroes known as the Association of World Super Men, or as the girls like to put it:

The girls keep gloating on about how awesome these heroes are until they wonder what it would be like to join their club. With Professor Utonium's permission, the girls fly off to Mount Everest to see if they could be a part of the AWSM. The rest of the episode highlights that the AWSM are anything but awesome and how the Powerpuff Girls are obviously the better heroes. They do get some laughs, though, and it is satisfying to watch their butts being handed to them by a powerful villain.

The girls could have left the boys to face the impossible enemy alone, but it took the Professor to remind them that they may not be super, they shouldn't stoop to their level by doing nothing. Although her idols had mocked them and denied them membership, Blossom adds to the Professor's advice by saying that the AWSM needed real heroes to save them from the Megatron-inspired villain. With insight like that, it's no wonder Blossom is the commander and the leader of the trio.They proceed to defeat the villain, literally sending him crying to his mommy, which causes the AWSM to look up to the girls.

Although I think there's more to being like the Powerpuff Girls than dressing like them, but I suppose there's only so much you can fit into a fourteen-minute-long story. Besides seeing "manly" characters inspired by Bruce Tim cartoons and "He-Man" in dresses is adorably funny.

With that in mind, let's fast-forward to around the 2010's, where the magic of exploring dark themes continue with "Steven Universe."

3.Steven Universe

"On the Run"

This episode is built on character development; we get to know about Amethyst's backstory.

Amethyst and Steven decide to live like the No-Home Boys, a book series that could be described as "The Hardy Boys" crossed with "The Boxcar Children." They run away from Beach City and recreate the lifestyle of a runaway, which includes living in boxcars, escaping crazy raccoons, and living off rations. But one song sequence and barely an entire afternoon spent later, Steven discovers he's already had enough of running away and wants to go home. However, Amethyst decides against going back to Beach City, and shows Steven where she was born instead.

Apart from giving the audience good comedy, this episode is so deep, man. It's one of those episodes that brings you to a place you never thought a cartoon could take you. With lines such as these:

It wouldn't hurt to check some more episodes out.

My friend Alex has written a good article that highlights this show's genius. You can read her article here: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/steven-universe-and-mental-health

These episodes are only an iota of what everyone should watch. I encourage anyone who reads this article to check out these shows.