Remember when cartoons had really nice stories that you could follow and that even span the entirety of a season? Remember when TV shows had super duper mega theme songs that remained in our mind for ever. Sadly, these times are pretty long gone. These themes also remind me of Saturday mornings chilling in my parents’ bed and watching cartoons while having breakfast. I had no idea back then, but these were the first things that introduced me to science-fiction and cyberpunk culture. Neat stuff.
Back in the day, Cartoon Network had a ton of successful cartoons that featured great themes, especially at the middle of the 90s, and I will feature only two of them and mention some others at the end of the article, along with some other themes.
I know the list is super incomplete, because it’s a reflection of my childhood, so if you have any suggestions, send them in a comment!
Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984-1985)
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend; the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe, a mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron’s legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. On Planet Earth, a Galaxy Alliance was formed. Together with the good planets of the solar system, they maintained peace throughout the universe, until a new horrible menace threatened the galaxy. Voltron was needed once more. This is the story of the super force of space explorers, specially trained and sent by the Alliance to bring back Voltron, Defender of the Universe!
Voltron was the first Japanese-based cartoon that aired in Romania, back in the beginning of the 90s and it was something out of this world for us. Really turned on my appetite for science fiction, robots and cartoons.
The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986)
The show is set in the future, some time after the year 2086, when two aliens from the planets Andor and Kirwin travel to Earth to search for allies against the expansionist Crown Empire led by the Queen of the Crown. In return for the help, the two aliens gave mankind construction plans for a hyperdrive device.
I remember watching this in the Saturday mornings and was amazed about jump drive space travel and the Galaxy Rangers saving the day.
Centurions (1986)
The adventures of a unit of elite soldiers who wear special frames that accept various weapons and transportation equipment teleported from a space station.
I remember seeing this on evenings on Cartoon Network and during the day getting bombed by the ads for the action figures. Brilliant cyberpunk show that would be super cool to be adapted to a high-budget action movie.
Saber Rider And The Star Sheriffs (1987–1988)
In the distant future, a team of four high-tech Star Sheriffs defends frontier space colony Yuma from outlaws, as well as Outriders, an army of humanoid alien beings called Vapors, led by mysterious Nemesis, who need Yuma’s resources.
While the main star of the show was Saber Rider, you know the guy with a sword that rides a cyberpunk horse, everyone I knew was a fan of Fireball or actually more of his “Red Fury Turbo Racer”. Also the ship that dubbed as a robot was cool as fuck.
The Raccoons (1985–1992)
The series revolves around Bert Raccoon and married couple Ralph and Melissa Raccoon, of whom Bert is a friend and roommate. The series mostly involved the trio’s efforts against the industrialist forces of greedy aardvark millionaire Cyril Sneer, who regularly tries to destroy the forest for personal wealth.
Pretty cool TV show aimed at teaching kids to care about the environment while showing how far friendship can take you.
Inspector Gadget (1983)
The show revolves around the adventures of a clumsy, dim-witted police officer from Metro City named Inspector Gadget—a police inspector with various bionic gadgets built into his body—who is sent on missions to thwart plans by his nemesis Dr. Claw, the leader of an evil organization known as “M.A.D.”, while unknowingly being assisted by his niece Penny and their dog, Brain.
I remember watching this on German TV and not understanding a damned thing, but I loved seeing the protagonist transform in every possible way using his … gadgets.
Denver, the Last Dinosaur (1988–1990)
When an unusually intelligent dinosaur unexpectedly hatches from a fossilized egg in 1980s California, a friendly group of human teenagers adopts him and teaches him how to hide from prying eyes and master skateboarding.
While the show wasn’t a huge masterpiece, it was a decent watch back in the day and its theme is stuck in my head since 1991, I even remember watching this while waiting to get a haircut a few days before starting school in first grade. It’s actually amazing I didn’t get into skateboarding because of this.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990-1996)
A quintet of teenagers work together to encourage environmentally responsible behavior and can summon a superhero to deal with ecological disasters.
While Captain Planet was technically released in the beginning of the 90s, the animation style, eco-friendly storyline and plot allows it to make this list. Go, Planet!
Animaniacs (1993-1998)
The zany adventures of a trio of 1930s animated characters in the modern world.
Great song, I think I still know if by heart both in English and Italian. The jokes were absolutely funny, the songs were brilliant and it’s still one of the best cartoons to re-watch as an adult, to understand the adult jokes subtly inserted that went past you as a kid.
Pinky and the Brain (1995)
Pinky and the Brain are genetically enhanced laboratory mice who live in Acme Labs. The Brain is self-centered and scheming; Pinky is good-natured but feeble-minded. In each episode, the Brain devises a new plan to take over the world.
Both the theme song and the cartoon itself were top notch, released from the laboratories of WB.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994–1998)
A young man with spider-like abilities fights crime as a superhero in New York City while trying to have a normal personal life.
“Spider-pig, spider-pig, does whatever a spider-pig can”. No, that’s not it. Great synth-rock tune for a really brilliant cartoon. Loved this back in the day!
Iron Man (1994-1996)
Industrialist Tony Stark leads his private team of superheros as Iron Man against the forces of evil.
Great Marvel-based cartoon, with a brillian intro and theme song. I! AM! IRON! MAN!
The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2004)
Three super-powered little girls constantly save the world (or at least the city of Townsville) from monsters, would-be conquerers and a few other gross things.
There’s really not much anyone can say about the Powerpuff Girls, we all enjoyed this show, and the theme is so bonkers it’s basically a cult classic, with covers over all genres.
Dexter’s Laboratory (1996–2003)
The misadventures of a boy genius and his annoying sister.
“Dee-Dee, noooooooo!”
Double Dragon (1993–1994)
A animated TV series based on the first Double Dragon video game.
Another great cartoon I used to watch Saturday mornings, and I remember loving to see the transformation animation whenever the two brothers crossed their swords.
Biker Mice from Mars (1993-1996)
When three alien motorcycle riding mice are forced to leave their home planet of Mars thanks to the evil mining Plutarkians, they rebel against their enemies on planet Earth and the city of Chicago.
If you make a cartoon about bikers, then the theme will definitely be a hard rock song with great guitar riffs. I also remember all the cheesy cheese references in the show.
Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993-1995)
In a world of anthropomorphic felines, two demoted fighter pilots battle evil as high flying masked vigilantes.
Another rock theme song with great riffs for a radical show.
Sailor Moon (1992-1997)
Usagi is a clumsy but kindhearted girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way, Usagi and her team of Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil.
Even if you didn’t watch this, the theme song is so rad, you love it. Admit it, you love it.
Daria (1997-2002)
A smart and cynical girl goes through teenage life as a proud outsider in a world of mainly idiotic adolescents and condescending adults.
Lalala-lala, lalala-lala.
Life with Louie (1994-1998)
Louie Anderson’s adventures as a child, growing up with his sweet-hearted mother, his loud and war-crazed father, his 10 siblings, and classmates who love to tease him.
One of the best cartoons out there, I also think it’s the only cartoons in this list I’ve watched dubbed in Romanian, so the English version sounds so strange to me. If you want, you can listen to the theme song in Romanian as well.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993–1996)
A team of teenagers with attitude are recruited to save Angel Grove from the evil witch, Rita Repulsa, and later, Lord Zedd, Emperor of all he sees, and their horde of monsters.
There’s not much to say about the show, which was excellent for the time, with the perfect amount of cheesy lines and stereotypically dumb villains. The theme, however, is absolutely brilliant and might be one of the best out there. Go go Power Rangers!
Honorable mentions: The Tick, Rocko’s Modern Life, Cow and Chicken, 2 Stupid Dogs, Johnny Bravo, Ed, Edd n Eddy.
