5 More Great Cartoon Network Shows That Nobody Talks About

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Launched in 1992, Cartoon Network completely changed the world of animated television. It was the first channel to air cartoons 24/7, becoming a favorite for fans and a starting point for many new artists. The late 1990s and early 2000s were a particularly creative time for the network, leading to the popular “Cartoon Cartoons” era and hit shows like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Johnny Bravo. These series became cultural touchstones, offering a unique mix of funny and heartfelt moments, and redefining what children’s television could be. Beyond its original shows, Cartoon Network also helped introduce anime to a wider American audience with its Toonami programming block.

As a lifelong animation fan, I’ve always admired Cartoon Network’s guts. They weren’t afraid to try new things, and that’s what really made them a force in cartoons – they truly defined what a lot of us grew up with. But it’s funny, for every show like Adventure Time or Steven Universe that blew up and everyone knows, there were so many other incredibly inventive series that just didn’t quite catch on. Honestly, those lesser-known shows were often just as brilliant and daring, and I wish more people had given them a chance – they really deserved the spotlight.

5) Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

Inspired by the Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi, the animated series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was a fun and lively show about music, friendship, and Japanese culture. It followed Ami, a happy and upbeat pop music fan (voiced by Janice Kawaye), and Yumi, a cool and sarcastic rock enthusiast (voiced by Grey DeLisle), as they traveled the world in their unique bus with their manager, Kaz (voiced by Keone Young), who was a bit greedy but always had good intentions.

Originally airing in 2004, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was unique for its anime-inspired look and the way it combined animation with real-life appearances by the band. The show was funny thanks to a blend of silly physical comedy and quick, clever dialogue, especially from the contrasting personalities of the two main characters. Though popular – it attracted a large audience and even inspired merchandise – the show was unexpectedly cancelled after three seasons. Now, it’s fondly remembered by fans for its upbeat vibe and memorable theme song.

4) Hero: 108

Inspired by the classic tale Water Margin, Hero: 108 is an exciting action series with a unique visual style. The story takes place in the Hidden Kingdom, where the villainous HighRoller (voiced by Brian Drummond) has caused conflict between animals and humans. Commander ApeTrully (voiced by Ian James Corlett) creates a team called Big Green to bring peace back to the land. The show follows Big Green’s First Squad, a group of heroes including the talented fighter Lin Chung (voiced by Andrew Francis), the rabbit leader Jumpy Ghostface (voiced by Brian Drummond), the strong Mighty Ray (voiced by Ian James Corlett), and the clever Mystique Sonia (voiced by Kelly Sheridan).

I was completely hooked by Hero: 108! Every episode was a wild ride as the team journeyed into different animal lands, trying to get them to team up with humans. It almost always led to crazy fights and really strange competitions. What really grabbed me was the show’s amazing animation – it was so slick and fast-paced! It blended incredible martial arts action with a really unique, over-the-top sense of humor, and I can see why it’s gained such a dedicated fanbase. It’s just…different, and brilliantly so!

3) Evil Con Carne

Created by Maxwell Atoms, the mind behind The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Evil Con Carne was a wonderfully silly cartoon. The show followed Hector Con Carne, a wealthy and evil villain (voiced by Phil LaMarr), who lost most of his body in an explosion. Luckily, his brain and stomach were saved and attached to Boskov, a not-very-bright circus bear (voiced by Frank Welker).

Hector, hiding out on Bunny Island with his devoted scientist, Major Dr. Ghastly (voiced by Grey DeLisle), and the power-hungry General Skarr (voiced by Armin Shimerman), never gives up on his plan to take over the world. Originally a segment of the Grim & Evil show, Evil Con Carne was a brilliantly silly cartoon that mixed spy adventures with classic slapstick comedy. The funny arguments between the villainous Hector, the overachieving Skarr, and the clumsy Boskov made their repeated failures hilarious to watch.

2) Time Squad

The animated series Time Squad was a hidden gem, brilliantly combining historical facts with funny, relatable characters. The show took place in the distant future and followed the Time Squad – three unlikely time-traveling cops whose job was to fix mistakes in the past. The team included Buck Tuddrussel, a confident but clueless officer (voiced by Rob Paulsen); Larry 3000, a smart-mouthed robot (voiced by Mark Hamill); and Otto Osworth, a gifted 8-year-old history expert and orphan (voiced by Pamela Adlon) who joined the team early on.

The comedy show Time Squad centered around the idea that famous historical figures often acted in unexpected and funny ways. This meant a team had to constantly step in to fix things. The show created ridiculous situations, like imagining Beethoven as a wrestler or Leonardo da Vinci as a poet. What really made the show work was the relationship between the three main characters, who felt like a family that playfully argued with each other – that connection was at the heart of everything.

1) Megas XLR

If you love giant robots, monster movies, and video games, you’ll probably enjoy Megas XLR. The show kicks off when a huge robot travels back in time from the future and ends up in a New Jersey junkyard in the 1930s. Years later, Coop, a laid-back mechanic and gamer from Jersey City (voiced by David DeLuise), finds it. He fixes the robot up, gives it a cool new look with a muscle car for a head, and calls it Megas.

Coop teams up with his sarcastic friend Jamie (voiced by Steve Blum) and Kiva (voiced by Wendee Lee), the original pilot of the giant robot from the future, to protect Earth from the villainous Glorft aliens. The show was known for its fun, energetic style and summed it up with the repeating line, “You dig giant robots. I dig giant robots. We dig giant robots. Chicks dig giant robots.” Megas XLR was a loud, funny, and action-packed series that didn’t take itself too seriously, and fans are still disappointed it was cancelled after only two seasons because of its unique, over-the-top humor.

What’s your favorite classic Cartoon Network show? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-19 20:12