If you grew up with a TV in the house, you most likely grew up looking forward to watching cartoons on channels like Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, or maybe even all three.
Despite the generalization that cartoons are exclusively for little kids and that they're something to be outgrown, in reality, people of all ages watch cartoons, from little toddlers to grown adults. Shows like Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Regular Show, Steven Universe, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and many more have dedicated fanbases predominantly made up of people 18 years and older who exchange theories regarding different facets of the shows, create all manners of art and written works, cosplay as their favorite characters, and just sit back and enjoy them.
Adventure Time explores systems of government in a post-apocalyptic world following a nuclear fallout. Steven Universe questions what really defines a family and stresses the importance of healthy relationships. The Avatar Series—which includes The Last Airbender and the spin-off show The Legend of Korra—follow the consequences of handling the weight of responsibility and how one can learn from it. Even the infamous My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic discusses the necessity of cooperation and different perspectives to solve daily problems in life.
All these shows have their own quirks and charms, but they take the opportunities to balance with serious subject matters, and it's something that kids and older viewers can resonate with and take to heart.
Cartoons—like any other TV show—have relatable characters and emotional depth. They're used as a means of being part of something bigger than ourselves and escaping life for a little while. Even though they're meant to be weird and wacky, they're also wonderful and a huge influence on both kids and adults alike.
