In the "The First Anime You've Ever Watched" thread, there were mention of American cartoon works that could be comparable to their Japanese counterparts in depth and animation. What are some American or non-Japanese titles deserving enough to be called "Anime" in the current sense of the word?

For me personally, I loved Peter Chung's Aeonflux. It was shown on MTV a while back, and I think I caught its marathon swan song... so I was up until 4 am in the morning watching episode after episode. I wasn't introduced to Japanese anime yet and was hypnotized by Chung's rendering of his surrealist futuristic world. Chung's other work; Phantom 2040 deserves mention.

And of course, Disney's Gargoyles! What I remembered was the rich fabric of mythology stretched onto your typical metropolitan setting. The heavy borrowing of allusions really gave the Gargoyle universe texture.

Starship Troopers. I wish I could see the end of that series, it was CG though . It was on BK Kids(98-99?) with Monser Rancher.

SPIDERMAN!
The original version! Not the povo ones out now!
It was pretty lame... Americans sure dont have the Asian touch!

Ja

Well i must also mention Gargoyles, and Starship Troopers.
But i also think that Undergrads and Clone High, are almost deserving of the title "anime" They both have great storys and are very funny.
Quote from clone high
Abe Lincoln - Nobody wants me
Joan of Arc - I want you
Abe - You want me to what?

god i laughed so hard when i heard that...

and by orignial spiderman you dont mean the godawful one that was made in the 70's do you? The one that was made in the 90's that fox kids showed was the good one, had great story and animation.

Oh yes i also must include X-men is this list cause it was great too.

Justice League, and Batman the Animated Series hands down.

Justice League has the comedy for adults but the characters are pretty true to the comics. As for Batman anyone who has watched the cartoons or the movies would know why I chose that show.

On the topic of Justice Leauge, I hated how they distorted the original comic book to fit their twisted vision of political correctness. Hawkman to Hawkwoman? What ever happened to Hal Jordan?

Hal Jordon got married and retired as earth sector GL back in the mid 80's. Still a reserve GL though.

Well then...whatever happened to Guy Gardner? i just assumed they didn't use him because he's basically the rush limbaugh of the DC Universe, and nobody wants to see that...

And there was a Hawkwoman, although I would like to see an episode with Katar Hol in it.

I'm sorry but i have to disagree, Justice league was a pile of old tosh and as for having comedy for adults, when???
Spiderman was good though, worth getting up for on saturday mornings when i was a school kid.
But it is a tough question actually i keep thinking of one and then realising that it was japanese originally, so i'll say Ren and Stimpy for now until i think of another...

it absolutely has to be Spider-Man....i've been watching it since i was five...and i watch anything that has to do with spider-man....i've seen the old ones, the new ones, and the really new one on mtv......and of course one of the best movies of all time.......SPIDER-MAN.......and im waiting for the sequel which comes out i think july of next year....

Marvel comics had the best non-Japanese cartoons out there, in my opinion. I loved the Fox Kids Spider-Man cartoon and the original X-Men series. Even X-Men: Evolution is pretty decent once you get past the slight teenybopper-ness it develops every so often. The third season was really good.

Oh! And it's not Marvel, but I love Batman Beyond too. That one was so cool it almost could have been an anime...

I also liked watching Aeonflux. Dunno if this counts, but I liked the Invader Zim, too bad they don't show it anymore, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. "Stupid Dog!" lol

I realize the hiatus- but that was in the 80's??? It's clearly not that era now. The network has nothing to gain by specifically chosing that story arc of green lantern. The only explination is reverse racism. It would kind kind of like be going with Azrael for every episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Significant character yes. Good arc yes. But not represenative of what we know as "batman."

Futurama, Family Guy.......that's my bag.

As for cartoons I watched when I was a kid, I don't really remember much, I didn't have cable so I had to watch bad Canadian TV, like The Racoons.

Simpsons and Space Ghost Coast to Coast... and the Brak Show...

DEFINITELY the brak show.

Ayeman, i love that shit as well. Aqua Teen Hunger Force can be really funny as well

Simpsons is cool thought I dont watch it as much. As for Futurama.... some of the episodes are umm... quite disturbing.

Family Guy......one of the funniest shows i've ever seen in my life.....

I hate getting onto these threads late.... so many of my choices if not all of them have already been mentioned!! OH well i guess i'll echo some sentiments

Gargoyles.... i mean really was there a cartoon out there that was made accessible to kids that was deeper? I love the way this series storyline twisted back and fourth on itself!

simpsons & futurama... same creator, same political and social satire. you gotta love some of the taboo things that were brought up with these two series and done so in prety entertaining methods

batman... the eariler ones were some of the best ones puting my fav dark knight in some of the darkest settings with some great twisted villains... my favs included the puppeteer, the mad hatter, and riddler.

batman forever... same reasons as the original except with a little neon glow of a future apathetic society. I love it when a show gives a dismal prospect of human society kinda makes you have to think if it's possible of us higher level apes.... soylent green anyone?

anything marvel... FOX had some beautiful ones that had a style that tryed to mimic the comics[toned down to telelvision and it's prospective audience of course but well executed none the less] the story lines i felt were well adapted and voice actors were admirable... except for morph... so few eps, such a bad VA

ooh and i know that it isn't animated but one of my current addictions has to be smallvile, though i'm usually not into the teen soap opera type things, this one is addictive, if anyone else out there feels the same way please echo me so i don't feel alone in my addiction here... i know you're out there, after all it's still airing

ummm that's all i can think of for now.... maybe more l8r

I like Smallville and Gilmore Girls!
So you aren't alone, and my ex-boyfriend is obsessed with Smallville.
Also so is my brother for a matter of fact.

/*me breathes a sigh of relief

yay!! i'm not alone!

/*me dances then trips...

I'm a fan of Smallville too. And I like Gilmore Girls, but I but I haven't seen nearly as much of that.

Anyone here like 24? It's without a doubt the best live-action show on television right now. Can't wait for season 3.

Was rather obsessed about it for a while. Kinda stopped midway through season two due to academic necessity. Have theymentioned the plot for season three?

Personally I hate Peter Chung's work his style and stories never made a great impression on me. I like the simpson like shows like Family Guy, Futurama and of course the Simpsons.

smallville is definetely addictive......i love it and i cant wait til the new season starts

Shiori = Total 24 Addict!
Oh yeah...I love this show. Tuesdays at 9:00pm people think I am dead because I don't answer the phone or the door for one full hour. I used to not like Kiefer Sutherland, but after the first season, I was in love with him. Now I just like him as Jack Bauer. I own the first season on DVD and I'll get the 2nd season at Christmas on DVD. Spoiler for those who haven't seen 2nd season of 24....
I knew the whole season that Mandy from season 1 was going to make an appearance. I can't wait to see what happens to Palmer!

Spoilers off.

Dear god, I LOVE you!! So far, I've only met a handful of people who know that show. I was a HUGE fan when it was on; hard to believe it's already been almost 10 years since it first aired! Even harder to believe is that it was a DISNEY cartoon.

Spider-Man!

I don't remember that much of the show,
but I've had a crush on him since I were 6.
Spider-Man is the greatest hero ever!
He has feelings and a true personal life!
Like the time he was gonna fight The Green Goblin,
but his aunt had a heart attack (it was so sad)
and he had to find a way to get money for her medicine.
Then he said that he didn't wanna be Spider-Man...
anyways, that story is from the 70's ^^
I collect the old Spider-Man comics - they're so good!

Um Star Kidz is another great childhood memory...

I know! Will he live or not? I think someone mentioned on another board that the actor's name wasn't mentioned in the list of the returning season 3 cast members, which made me nervous... but then again, if they didn't want to spoil the surprise, of course they wouldn't put his name there.

And Mandy's reappearance at the very end of last season surprised me even though I hadn't forgotten about her and had been wondering if she'd show up again. She sure did so in a big way...

We should make a 24 thread in the General Discussion forum when season three starts airing.

I think a 24 thread is a great idea! I'll be all over that.

Spoilers from 2nd season of 24

I would say that Palmer will probably live. It was one hell of a finale though. I'm pretty sure they are keeping Dennis Haysbert confidential as to not ruin the surprise, like you said. I never did like Mandy, but who did? The first season of 24 completely blew me away. I came in after like 3 episodes and I was hooked indefinitely.

End Spoilers

tom and jerry was also one of my all time favs...

If you can say Tom and Jerry, then I can say one of my all time favorite animated shows that wasn't Japanese. Animaniacs! I loved that show! Yakko, Wakko, and Dot ruled. I always thought Wakko was adorable in that little red hat of his.

oooh oooh i can sooo relate... i loved that show... but my personal fav was pinky and the brain... i'm still looking for a copy of the hack 'n' sack sack kicker factory ep

kuro.... look around this thread and you'll see that you're definetly not alone with liking gargoyles ppl know quality when they see it. esp when it's put along side ho hum shows of a desolate tv wasteland

24... a very cool show can't wait for the new season to begin

I can't believe no one has mentioned Exo-Squad. That show was so outstanding. One of the few American cartoons to actually have a continous story through out the whole show. Really excellent stuff. Oh yeah, can't forget Tiny Toons!!
"We're tiny, we're toony, we're all a little loony,
and in this cartoony, we're invading your TV!
With comic dispensers, we cracked up the censors."
Damnit, I remember most all of the rest of the song, but I can't remember the next line. Little Help here?!!

Ah yes the greatness that is tinytoons... oh yeah song lyrics

We're tiny, we're toony
We're all a little loony
And in this cartoony
We're invading your TV

Comic dispensers
We crack up all the censors
On Tiny Toon Adventures
Get a dose of comedy

So here's Acme Acres
It's a whole wide world apart
Our home sweet home, it stands alone
A cartoon work of art

Our scripts were rejected
Expect the unexpected
Cause Tiny Toon Adventures
is about to start

They're furry, they're funny
They're Babs and Buster Bunny
Montana Max has money
Elmyra is insane

There's Hamton and Plucky
Dizzy Devil's ducky
Furrball's unlucky
and Go-Go is insane

At Acme Looniversity
We earn our toon degree
The teaching staff's
Been getting laughs since 1933

We're tiny, we're toony
We're all a little loony
It's Tiny Toon Adventures
Come and join the fun.

And now our song is done!

Absolutely, Tiny Toons (and almost every cartoon tha Spielberg produced) was outstanding.

And thanks for the lyrics.

I feel the same way about Exo-Squad. Though, I've recently d/led a few episodes and rewatched for old-time's sake- the dialouge seemed intellecutally watered down (now that I'm older). However, the case- much fond memories. =)

I may have missed this... But has anyone mentioned Rescue Rangers?
The OP was the BEST!
It was funny, had cool charas and was allround cool!

Yeah! ROCK ON!

ja

I really remember Tiny Toons (I think it's still airing),
especially when they made fun of Princess Di. ^^
And thanx for the lyrics *sang along like a maniac*
I wonder if I still know the swedish lyrics...
ah... I can only remember like 2 parts or something.

They're furry, they're funny
They're Babs and Buster Bunny
Montana Max has money
Elmyra is insane

this became:

Se Sigge o Siri
(see Babs and Buster)
dem gör så fina konster
(they do such neat tricks)
Se Max som äger pengar
(see Max with all the money)
och Elvira våran skräck!
(and Elmyra - our fear)

At Acme Looniversity
We earn our toon degree
The teaching staff's
Been getting laughs since 1933

and this became:

Men vill man vara rolig
(but if you wanna be funny)
då får man jobba hårt
(then you gotta work for it)
det gör vi varge dag
(that's what we do every day)
på universitet' Loony Toons
(in Acme Looniversity)

*wish she could get up at 7.30 am...*

Like others have mentioned. Gargoyles and Starship Troopers were both kick ass shows.

Oh my God, I actually remember that show! Even more shocking, I used to love it! (I never even called it "Rescue Rangers" when I was a kid, though; always just "Chip and Dale.") And I remember the op...

Some times some crimes
Go slippin' through the cracks
But these two gumshoes
Are pickin' up the slack

There's no case too big, no case too small
When you need help just call

Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'n Dale!
Rescue Rangers
Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'n Dale!
When there's danger

Oh no, it never fails
They'll take the clues
And find the wheres and whys and whos

Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'n Dale!

Oi... :ph34r: This is bringing back some really old memories... I'd better hit "Add Reply" before I start remembering the lyrics to the "DuckTales" op.

I loved Rescue Rangers as well. I was also a big fan of Ducktales, but my favorite Disney cartoon was Tailspin. I just loved that show! My favorite Nick Toon was Rocco's Modern Life.

OMGODS Spect!! That was so beautiful....
I remember rescue rangers when i were a kid.
I think I remember the Swedish lyrics:
(Chip 'n Dale = Piff o' Puff....
Rescue Rangers = Räddnings Patrullen)

Nånting händer
det e nåt skumt på gång
men våra vänner
dem räddar dagen lång!

(Something's happening
something weird is going on
But our friends
they'll save the day)

Och dom finns i trakten här omkring
så vill du ha hjälp så ring

(and they're in the neighbourhood
so if you want help just call)

Här kommer Piff o' Puff
e på gång nu
Här kommer Piff o' Puff
varge gång nu

(here's Chip 'n Dale
they're on the go
here's Chip 'n Dale
everytime now)

Dem e världens bästa räddnings patrull
dem löser fallen fö' din skull

(they're the best rescue rangers in the world
they will solve the cases for you)

Här kommer Piff o' Puff!

(here's Chip 'n Dale)

_________

But Darkwing Duck and Ducktales was so good...
I think i can rememeber the Ducktales OP if I think hard.
I just remember the: "Darkwing Duck!!"
and ... I SHOULD remember the OP to Ducktales.

I allways loved tailspin (I used to know the whole song).

"Ooo-ee-yeah! Flyplan!
Ooo-ee-yoh! Flygplan!
Up i luften över stan,
kommer bara flygplan!"

(oo-ee-yeah! airplanes!
oo-eeyoh! airplanes!
up in the air above the city,
there's only airplanes!)

I had some really girly cartoons like The Getalong Gang, My Little Pony and She-ra....sad stuff

But Gargoyles was so excellent I was so mad when they discontinued it, and they didn't make all that may eps either. The voice for Goliath was excellent. Whenever I hear his voice now it will always be Goliath for me

Wasnt Goliath Michael Dorn from Star Trek, or something? If so, he does landrover and navy adverts on TV and some history channel documentaries.

X-Men Evolution is good, both art and storyline so far.
I'm scrounging around on Kazaa for second season right now. :-/

Justice League is okaaay, but they could use a storyline byond the backstory.

Well, Aeonflux was good, but sadly I'd have to say, ....Samurai Jack...

I actually genuinely liked X-men, Spiderman and...... transformers:beast wars....they had good graphics, x-men was interesting and a black suited spiderman looks cool...

now if there was an evil spiderman....that would be sooo cool

I believe his name is Venom, actually it is the suit that makes him evil.

nah....that tongue makes him so uncool....they should have an evil spiderman without the tongue..