The animated cartoon is usually associated with children and of course, kids love this kind of entertainment. However, many
adults are entertained though animation as well. Recently, adults have become the target audience in some animated cartoon
programs. It is not unusual to have a conversation between two adults that include current programs like Family Guy and
Sponge Bob Square Pants.
There are basically four categories in this entertainment genre, basic American, Anime, American Anime and classic. The basic
American animated cartoon includes such memorable programs as Bugs Bunny, Flintstones and Scooby Doo. The changing face of society has left many of these old favorites as cult classic animated cartoons.
Gearing some of the content toward mature audiences is not really a new thing. The older Warner Brothers animated cartoon
would include some jibes and jokes that would go completely over a child's head while providing some entertainment for
parents. Other programs were based on adult shows. For example, the Flintstones animated cartoon was based on Jackie
Gleason's Honeymooners.
Anime is the Japanese style of animated cartoon that has been in circulation for many years. It has become increasingly
popular over the last decade. Anime has been geared for both children and adults. There are several cartoons that are
developed just for children like Pokemon and Digemon Digital Monsters. There are also several adult themed anime cartoons
like Full Metal Alachemist and Inuyasha.
American Anime is the most recent trend in the modern animated cartoon. Shows like Avatar and Martin Mystery and Teen Titans blend the American style of using proper body proportions while adding elements of traditional anime as well. Common
features of the traditional version include oversized eyes and extreme exaggeration of emotion in facial expressions.
Classic animated cartoon styles include Disney and Don Bleuth films. These films are very realistic in style. The animators
are required to study everything about the characters. They even have to know the movement of a cat's tail that is sitting in
the background. The classics like Snow White and The Secret of NIMH are prime examples of this intricate art form.
The animated cartoon has come a long way. You can find entire networks dedicated to this form of entertainment. The Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and The Disney Channel offer this programming twenty-four hours a day. The Fox network devotes most of its Sunday lineup to the grown-up animated cartoon like Family Guy, The Simpsons and American Dad.
While the animated cartoon will always be closely tied to our experiences with childhood, it is nice to know that we can
still appreciate this form of entertainment as adults.
