Top 10 Cartoons with Surprisingly Amazing and Complex Plots

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender

   

   Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. It is set in an Asian-inspired world where some people can manipulate the classical elements through psychokinetic techniques based on Chinese martial arts known as "bending."... read more

   Want an example of a timeless kids' cartoon? You found it. Stop looking, this is it.

   The plot is straightforward, but the world-building that happens is the real star of the show.

   Really complex and linear story, one of the best shows I've ever seen.

2. Gravity Falls

   

   Gravity Falls is an American animated television series produced by Disney Television Animation. It first aired on Disney Channel before moving to Disney XD, running from June 15, 2012, to February 15, 2016. The series follows the adventures of Dipper Pines and his twin sister, Mabel, in the fictional... read more

   Honestly, this series had an amazing plot as well as immaculate character development. I absolutely love this show.

   One of the most famous cartoons nowadays, and it's totally worth it. It has well-done animation and a really well-worked story.

   Gravity Falls is still one of my favorites and it's just so amazing. I'm just sad it didn't last longer.

3. Steven Universe

   

   Steven Universe is an American animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. The show centers on a young boy named Steven Universe, who is a human-Gem hybrid. He lives with the Crystal Gems Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl.

   I wouldn't recommend watching Season 1 because of the slow-paced story and character development. However, it's worth watching in the end. Season 2, on the other hand, was great. The number of filler episodes was reduced, and it would be great if there were no filler episodes at all.

   Season 3 is the second-best season of Steven Universe, in my opinion. Although it felt a bit rushed, it contains many great episodes, including one of my favorites. Season 4 ranks as the third-best season, in my opinion. There's a lot I want to discuss, but the story progresses slowly. Still, it's worth watching.

   Season 5 is the best season of Steven Universe to date. This is the reason why I watched all the seasons of Steven Universe. The story and the plot twists are compelling. If you think seasons 1 through 4 are bad, then I'm going to say it again: it's all worth it in the end.

   Steven Universe is now my top cartoon show of 2018. Don't forget the music in Steven Universe. It's amazing!

4. Adventure Time

   

   Adventure Time is an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network. The series follows the adventures of a boy named Finn, voiced by Jeremy Shada, and his best friend and adoptive brother, Jake, voiced by John DiMaggio. Jake is a dog with the magical power to change... read more

   I still remember how it all started as another of your run-of-the-mill "random episode each week" shows and then over time it became this really serious linear storyline with deep character development.

   Amazingly deep show with backstories for countless characters and locations that will have you pondering over each and every episode. Lots of deep emotion and character development as well.

   Adventure Time had one of the most complex storylines ever, not just for a cartoon but for a TV show overall. There are so many different dimensions, plot lines, and loopholes.

5. Batman Beyond

   

   Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created and developed by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett and produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation. The series is set in a futuristic Gotham City where a teenager named Terry McGinnis takes on the role of Batman. He is mentored by... read more

6. Dragon Ball Z

   

   Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Fighters as they protect Earth from various villains. The series emphasizes themes of good versus evil and highlights values such as teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance.

7. The Legend of Korra

   

   The Legend of Korra is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 2012 to 2014. The show was created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino. It serves as a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender and continues the story in a new setting with a new Avatar.

   Great show, especially Season 1 with the mix of suspense, action, and romance.

8. Star vs. the Forces of Evil

   

   Star vs. the Forces of Evil is an American animated television comedy produced by Disney Television Animation for Disney XD. The series was created by Daron Nefcy and developed by Jordana Arkin and Dave Wasson. It follows Star Butterfly, a teenage magical princess from the dimension of Mewni, and her... read more

   This show started lacking after The Battle For Mewni, but before that, it was amazing. Even after it started lacking a bit, it's still one of my favorites.

   This is my favorite show of all time. The last few episodes were amazing, and it has incredible character development.

   I was really surprised when I watched this show. It has surprisingly solid character development and linearity.

9. Danny Phantom

   

   Danny Phantom is an American animated series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. It was produced by Billionfold Inc. and Nickelodeon Animation Studio.

   The series follows a teenage boy who becomes a human-ghost hybrid after an accident involving a malfunctioning portal between the human world... read more

10. Amphibia

    

    Amphibia is an American animated television series created by Matt Braly. It originally aired on Disney Channel from June 17, 2019, to May 14, 2022. The show follows a young girl named Anne Boonchuy who is magically transported to a fantastical world inhabited by anthropomorphic amphibians.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    The Owl House

    

    The Owl House is an American animated fantasy television series created by Dana Terrace. It premiered on Disney Channel on January 10, 2020. The series features the voices of Sarah‑Nicole Robles, Wendie Malick, Alex Hirsch, Tati Gabrielle, Issac Ryan Brown, Mae Whitman, Cissy Jones, Matthew Rhys, Zeno... read more

    The whole show was great, and I am sad Disney cut it short. Dana Terrace did an amazing job with Thanks to Them, For the Future, and Watching and Dreaming. This whole show was a trip filled with laughs, cries, and screams of frustration. They were also one of the first shows on Disney to be open with LGBTQ representation.

    I don't know why, but this show changed my life.

12. ?

    X-Men: The Animated Series

    This show was so ahead of its time, it talked about serious issues and topics like racism, discrimination and it also made children wonder, want to understand.

The Contenders

13. Teen Titans

    

    Teen Titans is an American animated television series created by Glen Murakami and based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006, with its first two seasons also airing on Kids' WB. The series follows a team of young superheroes as they... read more

    This show had an epic plot with a story arc for every character. Characters developed as more seasons progressed, making it the best show ever. Why isn't this ranked higher? The show was very complex, yet managed to be funny and lighthearted at the same time. Each character had their own fatal flaw, which defined them. And besides, who doesn't want to see the cute chemistry between Robin and Starfire as the series progresses?

    I love this show. Each season is basically an arc for each character. It's too bad season 6 was cancelled.

14. The Dragon Prince

    

15. Scooby-Doo! Mystery, Inc.

    

    Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is an American animated mystery, comedy, and drama television series. It is the eleventh television incarnation of the Scooby-Doo media franchise created by Hanna-Barbera. It was the first series in the franchise that did not traditionally air on Saturday mornings, and... read more

    I have absolutely NO idea why I did not put this in the top 5!

    I have binge-watched the series so many times. The art, the characters, and the story are all fabulous!

    I like how this adaptation of Scooby-Doo is different from the other ones.

    This show was amazingly surprising and pretty shocking. And I loved it.

16. Young Justice

    

    Young Justice is an American animated television series developed by Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman for Cartoon Network. It follows a team of teenage superheroes who operate as a covert group under the supervision of the Justice League. The series premiered in 2010 and was revived after its original... read more

    Young Justice Season 1 will forever be the best-animated series to exist. Although the quality of the seasons diminishes as they progress, they always promise complex plots and a different view into the world of DC. Season 1 is very character-centric, so you'll get attached to the team and all of their adventures.

    Definitely one of the best cartoon storylines. Surprisingly, it isn't all Japanified with those big eyes and exaggerated emotional expressions.

    AMAZING! The most complex and thought-out plot I've ever seen in a cartoon.

17. Invader Zim

    

    Invader Zim is an American animated television series created by Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The series centers on an extraterrestrial named Zim from the planet Irk, who is determined to conquer Earth with the help of his malfunctioning robot assistant, GIR.... read more

18. Cowboy Bebop

    

    Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime television series that premiered in 1998 and was produced by the animation studio Sunrise. The series was directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and featured character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto and mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane. The music... read more

    Highly recommended! The dub is well done.

19. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

    

20. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

    

21. Rick and Morty

    

    Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Adult Swim. The series premiered in 2013 and follows the misadventures of an eccentric scientist, Rick Sanchez, and his good-hearted but easily influenced grandson Morty. The show is known... read more

    Speechless. This is the most incredible and intellectual comedy cartoon that's ever been created. This is what inspired me to do animation.

22. Ben 10

    

    Ben 10 is a media franchise conceived by Man of Action and primarily produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The franchise revolves around a boy named Ben Tennyson who acquires a watch-like alien device called the Omnitrix, which initially allows him to transform into ten different alien creatures. The... read more

    The world manages to feel real and lived in through all the insanity that happens in the show.

23. Sword Art Online

    

    Sword Art Online is a series of Japanese light novels written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. In 2012, it was adapted into an anime by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomohiko Ito. The first season features the "Aincrad" and "Fairy Dance" arcs and was followed by a second season titled Sword Art... read more

    Last I checked, Sword Art Online is a Japanese anime series, not an American cartoon. Either way, Sword Art Online actually has a good and decent story despite all the negative comments from the haters with their salty SAO hate parade.

    It does have a pretty decent plot. Also, to those who say this is not a cartoon, I have some big news for you: it is a cartoon, just a Japanese one. They never said the results on this page were limited to Western animation.

24. The Amazing World of Gumball

    

    The Amazing World of Gumball is a British animated children's television series created by Ben Bocquelet for Cartoon Network. The series was produced by Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe. It features a unique mix of animation styles and follows the misadventures of Gumball Watterson, a blue cat... read more

    This is the best show ever. It deserves to be in the top 10.

    I love the comedy in this one, and the different types of animation all in one, that make Gumball a well-worked and well-done cartoon.

25. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

    

    Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an American 3D CGI animated television series created by George Lucas and produced by Lucasfilm Animation, Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, and CGCG Inc. The series originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2008 to 2013, with a sixth season released on Netflix in 2014. It was... read more

    Although some episodes are filler or overly kid-friendly, the show overall is well-written and surprisingly mature in tone, content, and themes. The voice acting is excellent, and the animation is significantly more advanced than anything else on this list. I can happily report that Clone Wars is some of the best Star Wars content around, and it's the second-best show on this list.

    Great character development and insight into the universe of the Prequels. Honestly, it makes me like them a bit more than the Original Trilogy, if only because they feel like add-ons to this amazing show.

26. Over the Garden Wall

    

    Over the Garden Wall is an American animated television miniseries created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network. It premiered in November 2014 and consists of ten episodes. The series follows two half-brothers as they journey through a mysterious forest and received critical acclaim for its art style... read more

    Although it is extremely short, the spooky plot and strange characters offer more world-building than some three-season shows ever manage to do.

27. Courage the Cowardly Dog

    

    Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated horror comedy television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. The show follows a timid pink dog named Courage who lives with an elderly couple, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, in a farmhouse near the fictional town of Nowhere, Kansas. The... read more

    A dog with anxiety problems... well, no, but it seems like it. One of the old gold cartoons that will never get too old for anyone to stop enjoying it.

    Not only is this an amazing cartoon, it's also a horror comedy. Superb.