Television shows have won our hearts over the years. Whether it was a show from your childhood or a series you’re watching recently, it’s pretty common that, as we go through life, we attach ourselves to some of the characters we see onscreen.
Aside from their main purpose of entertainment, TV shows can impact our feelings. They become our coping mechanism or our sense of comfort to counter whatever may be putting us down. They give us that feel-good sensation! Whether you find them funny, wholesome, silly or nostalgic, the following shows have the potential to become your next comfort show.
- Hilda (2018-)
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Hilda is a story about a girl that moves from the whimsical wilderness she grew up in to the city of Trolberg. The show follows her adventures with her deerfox, Twig, and her friends: Alfur, an elf that accompanied her from the woods; David, a nervous boy who disdains bugs; and Frida, a clever and ambitious girl with a knack for organization. Hilda is charming in its storytelling and animation. It has a great sense of adventure and transmits the message that friendship can bloom even in the wildest of places.
- Steven Universe (2013-2020)
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Steven Universe is a coming-of-age story about a boy trying to find his place in his social circle and family. He faces issues while growing up and making friends, all while we’re told a story about love.
Steven is a refreshing male lead, solving most of his problems by talking and reasoning, shying away from unnecessary violence, with the courage to be vulnerable and sentimental. The music and animation in this show harmonizes so well, and the loving relationships portrayed in it make the show warm and inviting, like a quiet day at the beach.
- Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
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Gravity Falls follows the Mystery Twins, Dipper and Mabel, during their adventures one summer while they stayed in Gravity Falls with their Great Uncle (or Grunkle) Stan. Dipper and Mabel run into different situations and face off with a variety of creatures, while trying to find the author of a mysterious book that Dipper finds in the woods.
Dealing with ciphers, secret societies, interdimensional beings, and summer crushes, the Mystery Twins have a lot on their hands for just one summer. Ranging from enthralling, to silly, to just plain funny, Gravity Falls is overall a wholesome story about family and the memories we learn to make along with them.
- Adventure Time (2010-2018)
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It’s hard to ask “What time is it?” without getting that one ethusiastic reply: “Adventure time!”
This show started rather aimlessly, as a series of silly episodes with the purpose of weirding out the viewer or making us laugh at the show’s one-liners, and slowly progressed into something more. Adventure Time follows two brothers, Finn the Human and Jake the Dog, and the adventures and quests they go on.
From dungeons and labyrinths, to crystal dimensions, Finn and Jake explore the land of Ooo while the viewers slowly discover the show’s underlying plots. These plot points slowly developed throughout the show’s eight-year-run, creating a snowball-effect. While it is in essence a fun and light-hearted show, it doesn’t shy away from including heavy lore and emotionally complex moments between its characters.
- We Bare Bears (2014-2019)
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We Bare Bears follows three adoptive brothers: Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear. The story, within the slice of life genre, narrates the day-to-day of these three brothers as they try to lead a human life. They do their best trying to get jobs, signing up for dating sites, and helping friends and creatures as they go along. They showcase teamwork by solving their problems by the end of each episode, giving the show a wholesome feel with a dose of cuteness carried by the adorable Ice Bear.
- Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013)
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Set in the paranormal town of Crystal Cove, this version of Scooby-Doo explores the Gang’s adventures in high school, being teenagers, interacting with each other outside of mysteries, and having crushes in and out of their group. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is everything you could want in a Scooby-Doo show. It portrays the background of many characters and even features most of the other mystery cases the gang has solved in past iterations of the show. It follows a consistent arch, solving small mysteries in between (sometimes related to the bigger picture), of the mysterious figure of Mr. E and the paths he leads for the Gang.
There you have it: a variety of feel-good shows to choose from! While these shows may or may not work for you, they are worth trying out. Maybe your comfort shows are more like Infinity Train, Bob’s Burgers, The Amazing World of Gumball, or shows that are much older. Whichever TV show brings you ease, remember to treat yourself during these difficult times. We all deserve a little breather to feel good, and flicking that screen on might just get the job done.