As someone who loves animation, I’m here to say that there’s more to it than meets the eye. Animation is often dismissed as “cringe” or “for kids,” but these sentiments often come from people unwilling to try it. Most animated shows and movies have complex themes, characters, and stories that rival those of live actions.
Don’t believe me? Try giving one of these five animated shows a try:
- Avatar: the last airbender
-
Okay, let’s start strong with an all-around favorite, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Most of us remember this classic series from childhood, but it is far from being a simple kids show. With loveable yet complex characters, this show tackles very mature themes of love, honor, redemption, imperialism, and even genocide, in ways that are understandable for all audiences. Most importantly, this show teaches empathy and forgiveness in the wake of great anger, an important lesson people of all ages can gain something from. Whether you’ve never seen it before, or have rewatched it several times, the show’s lighthearted, yet valuable tone is perfect to watch in the beginning of summer.
- Death note
-
What would you do if a book fell from the sky that gave you the power over life and death? Well, protagonist Light Yagami has his own morally corrupt ideas when the Death Note falls into his possession. This anime is a classic for a reason; renowned for its thrilling story and compelling characters, you’ll be binging episode after episode just to find out what happens next. It has had quite an influence on popular culture since its release in 2006, partly due to the iconic rivalry between Light and his adversary “L.” Also, this show is just the right length, coming in at 37 episodes, which will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
- arcane
-
Let’s talk about Arcane. This incredible show is based on the popular game, League of Legends. Now, hold on—before you dismiss it, I’m here to tell you that you do not need to know a single thing about League of Legends to enjoy this show (I didn’t). In fact, the only relevance this show has to the game is its characters, who have been almost completely rewritten from the original lore. The first season took nearly six years to make, and it shows. The animation uses a mix of 3D models with 2D textures, effects, and background paintings to create a remarkably unique style and a cool steampunk aesthetic. Not to mention, Arcane is a prime example of masterful storytelling set to a perfectly paired soundtrack. There are so many reasons people consider this show to be a masterpiece, so if you choose to try this one out, I promise you will not be disappointed.
- Blue Period
-
Blue Period is a wonderful, slice-of-life anime that follows the artistic journey of a high-school student striving to make it into an art university. Yaguchi’s decision to pursue art comes as a shock to everyone, as he only picked it up towards the end of his high school career, but his journey is recognizable to artists of any medium. The story documents his struggle to learn and grow as an artist while navigating his crippling self-doubt and the immense pressure to perform well for his entrance exam. The story has only 12 episodes in its first (and perhaps only) season, but it is deeply moving, vulnerable, and scarily relatable for any type of artist.
- Over the garden wall
-
Of course, I have to mention Over the Garden Wall. This heartwarming series never fails to put a smile on my face, and it’s beloved by many. It has a fall feel, but I think it’s perfect for watching in any season. This show only has 10 episodes that are about 10 minutes each, so you could watch this through in about two hours if you wanted. Our protagonists, brothers Greg and Wirt, find themselves lost in the woods and have to find their way out, and they encounter plenty of eccentric characters on the way. It’s quirky, eerie, and sweet all at once, and well worth it if you want something low commitment.
Of course, there are plenty of other amazing animated shows out there, but in my opinion, these are a pretty good place to start. If you decide to watch any of them, I hope you find something wonderful in them the way I have!
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!