15 Most Memorable 1990s Kids Cartoons

7. Animaniacs

AnimaniacsSeries Run: 1993-1998 (99 episodes) Network: The WB Theme Song: Cute, cheesy, showtune-based, and perfect for the show, 4/5. The Animaniacs could have easily been a simple cash-grab for the WB and Steven Spielberg (the show's full title is actually Steven Spielberg Presents The Animaniacs), but the show was a fun call-back to the classic Looney Tunes TV program. With a large ensemble including Pinky and the Brain, Slappy and Skippy Squirrel, Rita and the Runt, and the Goodfeathers there were opportunities for even more spinoffs. The central characters Yakko (voiced by a man, his name is Rob Paulsen), Wakko (voiced by Jess Harnell), and Dot (voiced by Tress MacNeille) were animals of an indeterminable species who were drawn to be generally cute rather than a specific creature. Yakko was based off of Groucho Marx, and the anarchic comedy of the Marx brothers is the most direct influence on the show. Full of sight gags and slapstick, the Animaniacs is a near-perfect kids show that doesn't let emotionalism bring down funny ideas. Sure, the family dynamics of the Warner Brothers (and sister) serve to give the audience an idea of the central group and how they feel about one another, but the comedy comes from the situations rather than the characters. Fast-paced and zany, the Animaniacs has aged well because the humor of the show is classic comedy (although Yakko's attraction to Michelle Pfeiffer seems particularly dated). It had more of an explicitly educational slant than any other show on this list, some people probably still remember the Presidents based off of the song in the show, which makes for a few dull moments. But even when the show is trying to teach you something it cloaks it in enough fun to make it worth your while, and as soon as the show gets back to its regular antics it picks up its form. The Animaniacs is memorable for having so many iconic characters, and its reliance on theatrical comedic tropes make it more timeless than some of the more "modern times" oriented cartoons.
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Bryan Hickman is a WhatCulture contributor residing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Bryan's passions include film, television, basketball, and writing about himself in the third person.