Top 10 Times Cartoons Tackled Serious Issues

#10: “Escaping Expulsion”“The Owl House” (2020-23)

When we first meet Amity Blight, she might seem like a one-dimensional rival for Luz. She becomes so much more as her relationship with Luz develops, and we learn more about Amity’s repressive home life. Feeling that Luz and her friends are negatively impacting her daughter, Amity’s parents, namely her mother, use their position to get them expelled. The usually outspoken Amity feels powerless around her mother, who literally gets inside her head. We’re brought up with the mindset that we should listen to our elders. While that can be a good rule of thumb, it’s equally important to recognize when a parent is being manipulative and emotionally abusive. This is when one must follow Amity’s example and stand up for themselves.

#9: “April 9th”“Arthur” (1996-2022)

This episode’s called “April 9th” and first aired on November 29, 2002. Another infamous date loomed over the story: September 11, 2001. While that real-world tragedy isn’t directly mentioned, it’s hard not to think about 9/11 as firetrucks gather around Lakewood Elementary, turning what started as a normal day into one the students will never forget. Writer Peter Hirsch was in New York when the towers were attacked, bringing a relatable perspective to each character. Sue Ellen copes with loss, Binky conceals his trauma, Buster feels disconnected, and Arthur fears that something horrible can still happen. The episode not only spoke to New Yorkers, but to anyone struggling to process this event that made the world stop. Yet, we had to move forward.

#8: “The American Dad After School Special” “American Dad!” (2005-)

With a title like that, you might assume this episode is going to be a satire of how corny after-school specials usually are. The episode is not only clever, but surprisingly poignant in its depiction of how people with eating disorders can view themselves. When Stan criticizes Steve’s plus-size girlfriend, he becomes self-conscious about his own weight. No matter how much he exercises and diets, Stan keeps gaining weight. Although it seems like his family is conspiring against him, it’s the opposite. In a shocking twist, we find that Stan is actually anorexic, but whenever he looks in the mirror, he sees himself as obese. The episode demonstrates how eating disorders aren’t just physical, but also rooted in our mental health.

#7: “Kenny Dies” “South Park” (1997-)

“South Park” weekly tackles serious issues. It also killed off Kenny in almost every episode for its first few seasons. So, you wouldn’t think an episode about Kenny dying would be a big deal. When Kenny comes down with a terminal illness toward the end of Season 5, though, it isn’t merely brushed off. Stan and Kyle react how many kids would if they had a young friend under these circumstances. Kyle puts on a brave face for Kenny, while Stan is too broken up to face his friend. Stan eventually finds the strength within, but by then, it’s too late. Kenny is gone forever… or at least for another season. While the ending is a punchline, Stan and Kyle’s grief feels bizarrely genuine.

#6: “Growing Pains”“Steven Universe Future” (2019-20)

Younger audiences often envy the adventures that kids in cartoons get to go on. As we grow up, though, we begin to notice that some “adventures” would actually be kind of terrifying. Most animated kids never realize this because they don’t get older. Steven Universe does, however. Enduring growing pains, Steven goes to the doctor… for the first time. This is just one sign that Steven didn’t have the most stable childhood, despite being surrounded by loved ones. While Steven always knew his upbringing wasn’t normal in the conventional sense, it’s only now that he starts to recognize how traumatizing these experiences were. All of these repressed emotions flood back at once, and they only get bigger the more Steven denies something’s wrong.

#5: “I Remember You”“Adventure Time” (2010-18)

Although he initially seems like a goofy villain, the Ice King emerges as one of the most tragic characters in Ooo. This isn’t just because of what the Ice King has lost, but the fact that he doesn’t realize just how much has been taken from him. Although Ice King can’t remember, he was the father figure that Marceline needed when she had nobody. His memories have faded, making it difficult for Marceline to be around the person she once knew. Mirroring the relationship many children have with parents or grandparents who develop Alzheimer’s, the episode sees Marceline try to reconnect with someone who has become a stranger. They struggle to have a conversation, but music triggers something that appeared to be gone.

#4: “Time’s Arrow”“BoJack Horseman” (2014-20)

With the protagonist routinely dealing with substance use, depression, and self-destructive tendencies, we could include the entity of “BoJack Horseman” on this list. This standout episode centers on BoJack’s mother, Beatrice, revealing how trauma can be generational. As an aging Beatrice endures ​​dementia in the present, we see fragments of a miserable upbringing that culminated in a toxic marriage. Rather than end the circle of abuse that started with her emotionally absent father, she repeats the cycle, not only taking out her unfulfilled dreams on BoJack, but also ripping another mother and child apart. Despite their strained relationship, BoJack tries to bring his mother some comfort as her time runs out. Neither can undo the past that’s caused so much irreversible damage, however.

#3: “Arnold’s Christmas”“Hey Arnold!” (1996-2004)

Although not mentioned in this Christmas special, Arnold’s parents have notably been missing since the first episode. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that Arnold is compelled to help reunite Mr. Hyunh with his long-lost daughter, Mai. While the separation between a parent and child is always serious, Hyunh’s case is especially solemn for a Nickelodeon show, considering that he lost track of Mai during the Vietnam War. He gave Mai to U.S. soldiers amid Operation Babylift, giving Mai a better shot at life. Hyunh eventually made it to America, but has yet to find his daughter, showing how the plights of many immigrants go unheard. Arnold hears Mr. Hyunh, though, getting the snowball rolling for a Christmas miracle.

#2: “Mother’s Day”“Rugrats” (1991-2004)

From early on in the series, there had been talks among the crew about why Chas is a single parent. Co-creator Paul Germain suggested that he was either divorced or a widower. Nickelodeon didn’t think either was appropriate. After Germain left the series, the idea was revisited in this special, which reveals that Chuckie’s mother died from a terminal illness. Much like how Nickelodeon was hesitant about tackling the loss of a parent, Chas tries to conceal any memory of his late wife, fearing that it will upset Chuckie. Chas finds that loss can’t stay boxed up in the back of a closet. It may be painful, but remembering a loved one can also be as beautiful as the flowers and clouds.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Lure of the Orb,” “The Smurfs” (1981-89)

It’s Not a Coincidence That This Aired During Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” Campaign

“Where There’s Smoke,” “Ozzy & Drix” (2002-04)

A Reminder That Substance Use Starts with the Brain

“The Music,” “Bobby’s World” (1990-98)

Abe Crosses Over

“Mother Simpson,” “The Simpsons” (1989-)

You’re Never Too Old to Miss Your Mom

“The Mask,” “Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)

The Mask Is Creepy, But What It Conceals Is Far Scarier

#1: “Jimmy”“Static Shock” (2000-04)

We could make a list of times that this superhero show tackled serious issues. Fans will agree that one episode, in particular, went further with its subject matter than we ever thought Kids' WB would go. We’ve seen many shows deal with teasing at school, but this episode reveals what can happen when the victim is pushed to the edge. Jimmy reaches his breaking point, stealing his father’s gun and pointing it at his tormentors, although it’s Richie who gets caught in the crossfire. While Richie survives, Jimmy has possibly thrown his future away, and not everyone learns from this experience. Virgil does, however, demonstrating that you don’t need powers to be a hero. Simply letting people know they aren’t alone can make a difference.

What other cartoons tackled serious issues? Let us know in the comments.