Over the years, there have been plenty of incredibleanimated television series, but only a select few would earn the distinction of being considered masterpieces. To truly be a masterpiece, a show must go further than anything else of its kind and have an undeniable quality in terms of artistry, legacy, longevity, and reception. For a TV show to be a genuine masterpiece, it should tap into something that nothing before it previously had and, whether through its art style, thematic depth, or influence on pop culture, break new ground in the world of animation.
Some of thebest animated series ever madehave earned this classification and become undisputed masterpieces of television. While art is subjective, and not everybody will have the same opinion,these critically acclaimed series all brought something new to the tableand have endured in a way few other animated shows have. While acclaimed series likeThe Simpsonsmay have lost some credibility in the years since its glory days, other masterpieces were perfect from start to finish with no special distinctions required.
10Gravity Falls (2012 - 2016)
2 Seasons
Gravity Fallswas truly a masterclass in worldbuilding as it blended child-friendly animation with a complex mystery that had morein common withTwin Peaksthan anything else on the Disney Channel. Following the adventures of Dipper Pines and his twin sister Mabel spending their summer with their great-uncle Grunkel Stan in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, they soon found themselves embroiled in a richly imagined world full of supernatural creatures. As Stan and the kids ran the local tourist trap, the Mystery Shack, an insightful, funny, and wholly satisfying narrative started to emerge.
Gravity Fallsstood leagues above most other animated TV shows because its animation, characters, and story structure were all firing on all cylinders. Throughout 40 episodes, the story ofGravity Fallsgrew in complexity before reaching its epic three-part conclusion in “Weirdmageddon,”an apocalyptic climax that fed into everything that came before it. It’s a testament to series creator Alex Hirsch thatGravity Fallsran for just two seasons and finished on its own terms, stating (viaCBR), “The show isn’t being cancelled – it’s being finished.”
Gravity Falls
Cast
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
9Adventure Time (2010 - 2018)
10 Seasons
Set in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo,Adventure Timefollowed the lives of a young boy named Finn and his adoptive brother and shapeshifting dog best friend, Jake. Taking influence from the complex fantasy and endless possibilities of games likeDungeons & Dragonsand blending it with deep philosophical themes and David Lynch-style surrealism,Adventure Timepushed the boundaries of children’s animation both in an artistic and narrative sense. While the adventures of Finn and Jake may have looked simple at the outset, throughout its ten seasons, the show became a masterclass in worldbuilding.
From the sad tragedy ofcharacters like The Ice Kingto its innovative blend of serialized and episodic storytelling,Adventure Timemay have been enjoyable for young viewers, but no matter the age, audiences could take something vital from this story. With heartwarming music and incredibly innovative animation from series creator Pendleton Ward and the entireAdventure Timeteam, this Cartoon Network series truly deserves a spot among the greatest animated shows of all time.
Adventure Time
Adventure Time is a science fiction/fantasy animation from Cartoon Network. Adventure Time follows Finn (Jeremy Shada) and his dog Jake (John DiMaggio) as they go on adventures in the near future. The series was created by Pendleton Ward and ran for a total of 10 seasons on the network. Adventure Time was critically acclaimed while it was on the air and managed to pull in younger audiences, as well as adults.
8Cowboy Bebop (1998)
26 Episodes
With a blend of noir, sci-fi, and Western stylings,Cowboy Bebopwas an extraordinary anime series that followed the lives of a traveling bounty-hunting crew aboard a spaceship named the Bebop. As a precursor to television cult classics likeFireflyor even theStar WarsTV seriesThe Mandalorian,Cowboy Bebopexplored existentialist themes around the nature of loneliness and ideas of loss and redemption with complex characters and a believable future that mixed the old with the new. The juxtaposition of dusty saloons with the futuristic depictions of space travel madeCowboy Bebopfeel unique and influential.
As a stylish and beautifully crafted series,Cowboy Bebopwas in stark contrast to the bubbly energy of most anime during this timeand offered mature themes for adult viewers. As a true masterpiece of anime,Cowboy Bebophad a short but effective run that has influenced its legacy as one of the all-time great animated series. By bowing out when audiences were still clamoring for more,Cowboy Bebophas ensured its reputation among so many other animes that seem endless and become too daunting for new viewers to engage with.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a 1998 animated series set in 2071, where humanity has colonized the Solar System following a catastrophic event. As crime surges, bounty hunters known as “Cowboys” are employed by the Inter Solar System Police to capture criminals in exchange for rewards.
7Looney Tunes (1930 - Present)
A franchise including TV, movies, books, merchandise and more
It’s impossible to talk about masterful animation without mentioningLooney Tunes, a franchise that includes iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. While the term originates with shorts from the 1930s,Looney Tuneshas gone on to include a variety of TV series, includingThe Bugs Bunny Show,The Road Runner Show, andTiny Toon Adventures. Many of the styles and sequences ofLooney Tuneshave laid the groundwork for the audience’s understanding of cartoons in general, as the sight gags, catchphrases, and unique aesthetics of this franchise have become shorthand for kids’ entertainment.
From Bugs Bunny’s utterance of “What’s up, doc?” to Wile E. Coyote running off a cliff and only falling once he’s noticed that there’s nothing below his feet,Looney Tunescreated a stylistic language that has informed all animation since. With a mix of clever dialogue, slapstick humor, and an effective score paired with its pioneering animation techniques,Looney Tuneswas truly at the cutting edge of the Golden Age of American animation throughout the 1930s and 1950s. While it may seem old-fashioned today, much modern animation owes its existence toLooney Tunes.
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunesis a classic American animated franchise produced by Warner Bros., featuring iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Originating as short films in the 1930s, the franchise became a cultural phenomenon, expanding into television, feature films, comics, and more.
6BoJack Horseman (2014 - 2020)
6 Seasons
While Netflix Originals may have first earned recognition with prestige dramas likeHouse of Cards, it was series likeBoJack Horsemanthat solidified their reputation as a major new voice in the world of television. At first,BoJack Horsemanwas difficult to differentiate from any other adult sitcom likeFamily Guyor more surreal Comedy Central series likeUgly Americans. However, as the series progressed,BoJack Horsemanbegan to reveal itself as the most philosophically probing series on TV as it dissected and analyzed the psychological trauma at the heart of its troubled horse protagonist.
WhileBoJack Horsemaninitially received mixed reviews, this soon changed, and the show became regarded as a true masterpiece of 21st-century animation.BoJack Horsemandelved deep into the human conditionthrough its main characters' personal faults and addiction issues while also dismantling celebrity culture with tragic characters like Sarah Lynn. Although viewers may have initially tuned in to witness the lighthearted adventures of a talking horse, they were instead given one of the most emotionally devastating and deeply poignant series ever made.
BoJack Horseman
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
5Batman: The Animated Series (1992 - 1995)
Batman: The Animated Seriessubverted the traditional lighthearted nature of superhero animated shows to produce a far darker and more thematically rich narrative. By leaning heavily intoBatman’sdark mythos and going against the campy zaniness of previous depictions, such as the 1960s Adam West TV series,Batman: The Animated Seriesredefined what could be achieved in this genre, as it was a work that appealed equally to children and adults. With a dark, noir atmosphere, this series brought Gotham City to life in a way never previously seen outside the comics.
With iconic voice work from Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker,Batman: The Animated Seriesadded a nuanced layer to the characters that helped define their characteristics moving forward. Even the introduction of villains like Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, and Clayface were given more emotional weight than what could be expected from the average kids’ animated series. By transcending audience expectations, this darker reimagining ofBatmaneven laid the groundwork for Christopher Nolan’s acclaimedThe Dark Knighttrilogy.
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as he assumes the role of the masked vigilante Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. This acclaimed 1992 series explores his dual identity and features an array of iconic villains, while Bruce vows to avenge the murder of his parents.
4Samurai Jack (2001 - 2004, 2017)
5 Seasons
Genndy Tartakovsky truly created something special with the dystopian action-adventure seriesSamurai Jack. Telling the story of a Japanese samurai unwittingly propelled into the future and his quest to defeat the evil, shapeshifting demon Aku,Samurai Jackwas a complex and richly imagined series that told an ongoing story while exploring themes of perseverance and the tenacity of the human spirit. By taking the classic monomyth of the hero’s journey and pairing it with a unique and effective art style,Samurai Jackstood as one of the most impressive animated series of the modern era.
Part of the appeal ofSamurai Jack’sanimation was its slick, minimalist style, which effectively utilized shapes and color to give it an oddly cinematic feel. Through a blend of martial arts, sci-fi, and dystopian influences, the story ofSamurai Jackwas one viewers were extremely invested in. The legacy ofSamurai Jackwas so great that Tartakovsky returned with a fifth season in 2017, 13 years after the show first went off the air, to finally conclude the story of Jack’s epic quest to defeat Aku and return to his own time.
Samurai Jack
In Samurai Jack, a young samurai prince engages in a fierce battle with an evil shapeshifter known as Aku; but just as he is ready to deal the final strike, he is thrown into the future. Now lost in time and seeking a future where Aku has corrupted and taken control of the world, “Jack” will jump through time, helping others as he makes his way back to the past and undo the damage done by his ultimate foe.
3The Simpsons (1989 - Present)
The Simpsons Golden Age (Seasons 1 - 9)
As the longest-running sitcom of all time and one of the most recognizable pieces of animation on the planet,The Simpsons’incredible influence cannot be understated. WhileThe Simpsonswas truly a masterpiece during its Golden Age, it must be admitted that in its later years, the show declined in quality, souring its once untouchable reputation. However, seasons one through nine were a masterclass in adult entertainment that impacted not just TV but worldwide pop culture. As a subversion of the all-American family ideals,The Simpsonscame to represent the post-modern age in a way no other show ever has.
WithoutThe Simpsons,there would be noFamily Guy,Bob’s Burgers, or evenRick and Morty,as it went from parodying popular entertainment to truly embodying it. From its incredible cast that extended beyond the Simpson family to Springfield’s entire population, the instantly recognizable yellow-skin, four-fingered characters meant viewers always knew it wasThe Simpsonswithout any other context. Although episodes like “The Principal and the Pauper” in Season 9 signaled the show jumping the shark as it undid Skinner’s backstory and kickstarted its slow decline, few shows have a legacy as impressive asThe Simpsons.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
2Over The Garden Wall (2014)
10 Episodes
The ten-episode animated miniseriesOver the Garden Wallwas a true labor of love whose atmosphere, characterization, and richly imagined world made it a modern masterpiece. With a whimsical fairytale setting that immerses viewers into a strange and mysterious forest simply called the Unknown,Over the Garden Wallstarts with a simple premise as little by little, audiences learn more about the half-brothers Wirt and Greg and the world they inhabit. As a timeless series that mixes mystery, humor, and heart, it’s no surprise thatOver the Garden Wallquickly became a modern cult classic.
While the intriguing narrative ofOver the Garden Wallwas truly spectacular, the most engaging thing about the series was its effective art style, as each hand-drawn background was packed with impressive detail. The use of music throughout the series made the show stand out as an engrossing piece of entertainment and as a true work of art where each detail was presented with thoughtful care and attention. As a stunning fairytale and perhaps the best thing Cartoon Network has ever produced,Over the Garden Wallset a new standard for episodic animation.
Over the Garden Wall
Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that follows brothers Wirt and Greg as they navigate the mysterious Unknown, a timeless and enigmatic forest. Accompanied by a wise Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice, they embark on a journey filled with unexpected challenges to find their way home.
1Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 - 2008)
3 Seasons
In terms of compelling worldbuilding, probing thematic depth addressing social and political issues, and an engaging, well-imagined mythology,Avatar: The Last Airbenderstands in a league of its own. As the story of Aang, the last survivor of his nation, and his quest to keep the balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads, this Nickelodeon fantasy series blended Western and Eastern animation styles to create a series that’s universal in its effectiveness. By addressing themes such as genocide, totalitarianism, and indoctrination,Avatarbecame one of the most complex and beautiful releases in children’s animation.
Bringing together many disparate aspects of classic fantasy stories,Avatarwas a smartly written series that pulled viewers in with impressive animation, a strong sense of humor, and an undeniable heart. Throughout its three seasons,Avatargrew in complexity as Aang was forced to mature and, along with his companions Katara, Sokka, and Toph, acquire the skills and fortitude needed to carry out his destiny. With a legacy that has continued in the form of sequel series, comics, and even a Netflix live-action adaptation,Avatar: The Last Airbenderwas a true modern masterpiece ofanimation.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender, released in 2005, follows a young boy in a war-torn world of elemental magic as he reawakens to embark on a challenging mystical quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar and restore peace to the world.
