The 140 Essential Animated TV Shows

Synopsis: A boy experiences life's ups and downs among eccentric people.

Starring: Lane Toran, Jamil Walker Smith, Francesca Smith, Phillip Van Dyke

Synopsis: Some dedicated superteens work together to fight the battles of Metropolis and the battles of growing up at the same time.

Starring: Tara Strong, Myrna Velasco, Kimberly Brooks, Grey DeLisle

Synopsis: In a world where ghouls live among humans, they are the same as regular people in virtually every way -- other than their craving for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Sora Amamiya, Mamoru Miyano, Takayuki Sugô

Synopsis: Monkey D. Luffy wants to become the King of all pirates. Along his quest he meets: a skilled swordsman named Roronoa Zolo; Nami, a greedy... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi

Synopsis: Lucy Heartfilia joins the Fairy Tail wizards' guild and partners with Natsu Dragneel.

Starring: Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Newton Pittman

Synopsis: Marinette seems to be a normal teenage girl -- she dreams of becoming a fashion designer, is a bit awkward and has a crush on... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cristina Valenzuela, Bryce Papenbrook, Mela Lee, Keith Silverstein

Synopsis: This anime series features a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game, which shares its name with the show's title (abbreviated SAO), that is released... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu, Ai Kayano, Nobunaga Shimazaki

Synopsis: This animated series geared toward adults follows a police department that doesn't do a great job of protecting the backwater, small town where it is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Kenny, David Herman, Sarah Chalke, Kyle Kinane

Synopsis: In a world where those with powers are known as "Quirks," Izuku Midoriya has aspirations to one day become a hero but there's a catch... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daiki Yamashita, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Ayane Sakura, Kenta Miyaki

Synopsis: Emmy winner Mike Judge has made a name for himself as an animator and producer ("King of the Hill," "Beavis and Butt-Head," "Silicon Valley"), but... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mike Judge

Synopsis: Adapted from a comic by Masashi Kishimoto, this animated hit follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a boy who is determined to become a Hokage,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Hôchû Ôtsuka

Synopsis: This Japanese anime is set in a make-believe future in which humans have been forced to live in isolated underground villages, where they constantly must... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Takayuki Sugô, Tetsuya Kakihara, Katsuyuki Konishi, Marina Inoue

Synopsis: Young New Republic pilot Kazuda Xiono is recruited by Resistance Commander Poe Dameron for a secret mission on Colossus -- an aircraft refueling station on... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christopher Sean, Suzie McGrath, Scott Lawrence, Myrna Velasco

Synopsis: Four young pandas go on the adventure of a lifetime after they accidentally absorb the chi of ancient kung fu masters and convince Dragon Master... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mick Wingert, Haley Tju, Gunnar Sizemore, Laya DeLeon Hayes

Synopsis: A bored superhero searches for meaning in a world riddled with monsters.

Starring: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Aoi Yuki, Kazuhiro Yamaji

Synopsis: This collection of animated short stories spans several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror and comedy. World-class animation creators bring captivating stories to life in... View Full Synopsis

Synopsis: When man-eating Titans first appeared 100 years ago, humans found safety behind massive walls that stopped the giants in their tracks. But the safety they... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Yuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue, Kisho Taniyama

Synopsis: This clever animated comedy revolves around the law firm of Sebben & Sebben and primarily the activities of Harvey T. Birdman, described as a third-rate... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gary Cole, Thomas Allen, Stephen Colbert, John Michael Higgins

Synopsis: Astro Boy battles evil.

Starring: Billie Lou Watt, Ray Owens, Gilbert Mack

Synopsis: Johnny Bravo has no shortage of confidence, and he's certain that all women want him. With his big hair and tight black clothes, he's known... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jeff Bennett, Brenda Vaccaro, Mae Whitman

Synopsis: Three brother bears awkwardly attempt to find their place in civilized society, whether they're looking for food, trying to make human friends, or scheming to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bobby Moynihan, Eric Edelstein, Demetri Martin, Charlyne Yi

Synopsis: The animated adventures of a mysterious being who uses his dark powers against the forces of evil.

Starring: Keith David, Dominique Jennings, Victor Love, Richard Dysart

Synopsis: A divorced psychologist tries to help his patients, some of them famous, cope with their life traumas while sharing his home with aimless adult son... View Full Synopsis

Synopsis: The great secret agent and his clumsy sidekick continue their fight against Baron Greenback.

Starring: Alexander Armstrong, Dave Lamb, Kevin Eldon, Stephen Fry

Synopsis: The web-slinger teams up with Ice-Man and newcomer Firestar to battle both new and familiar enemies in this animated adaptation of the Marvel Comics character.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dan Gilvezan, Kathy Garver, Frank Welker, Stan Lee

Synopsis: The popular game is brought to life through animation.

Starring: Willie Aames, Don Most, Adam Rich, Peter Cullen

Synopsis: Baloo, King Louie and Shere Khan operate businesses in Cape Suzette.

Starring: R.J. Williams, Ed Gilbert, Sally Struthers, Janna Michaels

Synopsis: A trio of fast-food items works to solve mysteries in an edgy adult cartoon. The brains of the group is Frylock, a floating box of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Carey Means, Dana Snyder, Dave Willis

Synopsis: A generation of American kids grew up singing the catchy tunes that were a integral part of "Schoolhouse Rock." These animated shorts incorporate songs that... View Full Synopsis

Synopsis: The ghostbusters fight a bevy of other-worldly creatures.

Synopsis: Based on Sam Keith's popular comic book.

Starring: Michael Haley, Glynnis Talken, Barry Stigler, Amy Danles

Synopsis: In the magical land of Xadia, magic comes from six primal sources: the sun, moon, stars, sky, earth and ocean. When human mages create a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jack De Sena, Paula Burrows, Sasha Zoey Rojen

Synopsis: Like any boys trying to survive their adolescence, Ed, Edd and Eddy are as clueless about girls as everything else. Eddy may not be the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tony Sampson, Sam Vincent, Matt Hill

Synopsis: Drake Mallard dons a mask to fight crime.

Starring: Christine Cavanaugh, Jim Cummings, Katie Leigh, Terence McGovern

Synopsis: Alvin, Simon and Theodore drive their manager crazy.

Starring: Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman

Synopsis: You'd better keep an eye on your pic-a-nic basket because everyone's favorite resident of Jellystone Park is on the prowl. Yogi Bear has an insatiable... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daws Butler, Don Messick, Julie Bennett, Vance Colvig Jr.

Synopsis: Kim Possible looks like an average high-school cheerleader, but in her spare time, she saves the world from supervillains. Her buddy, Ron Stoppable, his pet... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christy Romano, Will Friedle, Gary Cole, Jean Smart

Synopsis: This follow-up to the popular "Teen Titans" series takes a more comedic look at the superheroes, showing what life is like for the teens when... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Greg Cipes

Synopsis: The members of an all-girl rock band seem to have a knack for crossing paths with power-mad lunatics and assorted other crazies along their concert... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Janet Waldo, Jackie Joseph, Barbara Pariot, Jerry Dexter

Synopsis: Sometimes imaginary friends get lost or kids outgrow them and that's why Madame Foster started Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. When kids dream up pals,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keith Ferguson, Sean Marquette, Grey DeLisle, Tom Kenny

Synopsis: G-Force, a five-member superhero team, fights to defend Earth and its space colonies from the threat of the planet Spectra.

Starring: Alan Young, Keye Luke, Ronnie Schell, Janet Waldo

Synopsis: "Jonny Quest" gets an irreverent but affectionate spoofing in this animated series chronicling the sometimes hair-raising adventures of Hank and Dean Venture, the not-especially-bright twin... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackson Publick, Michael Sinterniklaas, Patrick Warburton

Synopsis: Hey, hey, hey! A group of urban adolescents learns a series of valuable life lessons while hanging out in their Philadephia neighborhood. Members of the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bill Cosby, Jan Crawford, Lou Scheimer, Gerald Edwards

Starring: Brad Swaile, Michael Kopsa

Synopsis: Teenagers transported from Earth become pilots for robotic lions during an intergalactic war.

Starring: Kimberly Brooks, Rhys Darby, Josh Keaton, Tyler Labine

Synopsis: Stan Smith is a CIA agent painfully dedicated to homeland security. His home life includes doting wife Francine, a ditzy housewife, liberal daughter Hayley and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Rachael MacFarlane, Scott Grimes

Synopsis: Inspector Gadget, a bumbling detective, needs lots of help and luck to solve cases assigned by short-tempered Chief Quimby. That help comes from his young,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Don Adams

Synopsis: Dexter Douglas is a superhero overloaded with useless information.

Starring: Joe Leahy, Paul Rugg, Tress MacNeille

Synopsis: A new generation of young cartoon characters attends Acme Acres Looniversity, where they embark on a series of off-the-wall adventures while learning the basics of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Charlie Adler, Tress MacNeille

Synopsis: Adapted from a comic by Masashi Kishimoto, this animated hit follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a boy who is determined to become a Hokage,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Junko Takeuchi, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue

Synopsis: Ben Tennyson, a 10-year-old boy, discovers a magical device that can turn him into 10 different alien heroes, each with its own unique abilities. With... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tara Strong, Meagan Smith, Paul Eiding, Dee Bradley Baker

Synopsis: Giant alien Autobots and evil Decepticons wage war with Earth's fate at stake.

Starring: Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Corey Burton, Chris Latta

Synopsis: This popular animated series from the mid-1980s tells the saga of a fearless, globe-trotting special missions force -- called G.I. Joe -- which works to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Bell, Gregg Berger, Chuck McCann, Arthur Burghardt

Synopsis: "Dora the Explorer" features the adventures of young Dora, her monkey Boots, Backpack and other animated friends. In each episode, viewers join Dora on an... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fátima Ptacek, Regan Mizrahi, Alexandria Suarez, Marc Weiner

Synopsis: Balding movie critic Jay Sherman hosts "Coming Attractions."

Starring: Jon Lovitz, Christine Cavanaugh, Gerrit Graham, Judith Ivey

Synopsis: Cantankerous Robert "Granddad" Freeman is the legal guardian of his grandsons, 10-year-old revolutionary Huey and 8-year-old Riley, a product of contemporary rap culture. After moving... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Regina King, John Witherspoon, Gabby Soleil, Cedric Yarbrough

Synopsis: This follow-up series to "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is set 70 years after the events of "Avatar" and follows Korra, the next Avatar after Aang,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Janet Varney, Jeff Bennett, Dee Bradley Baker, P.J. Byrne

Synopsis: Zim dreams of greatness. Unfortunately, though, he's hopelessly inept as a space invader. Desperate to be rid of the annoying Zim, his planet's leaders send... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Richard Steven Horvitz, Rosearik Rikki Simons, Andy Berman, Joie Marlowe

Synopsis: Rocko is a wallaby who has moved from his native Australia to the United States. But life in the United States isn't as idyllic as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Carlos Alazraqui, Tom Kenny, Charlie Adler, Mr. Lawrence

Starring: Ted Schwartz, Bill Woodson, Mona Marshall, Linda Gary

Synopsis: A superhero with spider-like skills fights villains.

Starring: Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Hale, Ed Asner

Synopsis: This animated comedy series explores the friendship between two 30-year-old bird women who live in the same apartment building. The buddy comedy features cocky, carefree... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun

Synopsis: Inspired by the popular video game series, this anime series is a dark medieval fantasy. It follows the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Richard Armitage, James Callis, Alejandra Reynoso, Jessica Brown Findlay

Synopsis: Timmy Turner, a 10-year-old boy, has had it with his babysitter! He summons his fairy godparents who have the power to grant him wishes. Some... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Susan Blakeslee, Daran Norris, Tara Strong, Jim Ward

Synopsis: In the fictitious country of Amestris, two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, are bestowed with the gift of alchemy - the supernatural ability to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Romi Park, Rie Kugimiya, Miyoko Aso, Megumi Toyoguchi

Synopsis: The adventures of the 10-year-old son of a government scientist.

Starring: Mike Road, Tim Matheson, Don Messick, Danny Bravo