Animation today
Animation today
A cartoon geek's recommendations for the best of today's animated series
I grew up on Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoons, also weekday afternoon cartoons. And then The Simpsons in college every Sunday night, followed by X Files.
Is there an easier way of saying I’m Gen X?
But while animation carried on, and got wildly better, I dropped off watching—to a point that, years later, when I saw my first Miyazaki film, I was blown away.
My friend Victor Quinaz, however, did not fall behind.
Victor has been a writer-producer on Netflix’s Big Mouth basically since the show’s beginning. He’s also got his own show in the works, and he’s a devoted student of the genre.
“As a fan, it was instant,” he said, when I asked when the love started. “I grew up at a time when the government pulled the rails off children’s programming and toy companies were allowed to finally mass-produce cartoons that were basically 24-minute toy commercials. But in the arms race for a nine-year-old’s five dollars, some beautiful things were made. Maybe not whole shows, but moments and stories that stuck with me. You couple that with The Simpsons and the Disney renaissance of the early ‘90s, and I think you’re now seeing a generation of adults who are more than okay with being entertained by a cartoon. We give them Oscars, we take our kids to see ones that are created with adults in mind, and now they even make them just for adults. It’s an art form that translates well to the globalization of media as well. Everywhere in this world, there’s someone who loves cartoons.”
I asked him what people might not appreciate about what it takes to make an animated show. For example, I didn’t realize until he explained it to me that these things are still basically drawn by hand.
“I think what I love most about it is the same thing that people take for granted with animation: every frame is painstakingly made by a team of artists that probably most likely love what they do, or did at some point,” he said. “I think being in animation on the art side of things probably feels more like a vocation than a job. But as much as people are watching more and more animated shows and movies, they’re just as disposable.”
“Think about the kid you’ve seen who quickly flips to the next show or movie before the last one has ended,” he added. “We all do it. With live-action stuff, too. But just think of all that carpel tunnel someone suffered for the parts you skipped over, never finished, or never thought to watch. Even if a show was created as a cash-grab, I guarantee someone behind the scenes gave it their blood, love, and talents.”
I asked Victor to recommend some shows and episodes (I wanted shorter than film-length) for somebody who’s interested in dipping into the wonders of contemporary cartoons, but doesn’t know where to start.
Victor’s top five with a quick reason why—
Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix). Why did he choose it? “Imagine David Milch working in animation, but with Kurosawa’s elegance and authenticity.”
X-Men ‘97 (Disney+). Why did he choose it? “It’s the best soap on TV and a reminder of how kinky Marvel can be.”
The Simpsons (multiple platforms). Why did he choose it? “They’re back baby! Also, I’ve never missed an episode to this day.”
The international episode of Big Mouth in season seven (Netflix). Why did he choose it? “Because I’m biased and petty, and so many people around the world made that episode great.”
Thanks, Victor!
𓀠 Hi. I’m able to write these meditations because: paying subscribers. Level up and enjoy tomorrow’s supplement with three-plus things to love—new culture, gear tip-offs, cool stuff generally—plus the monthly “Humans Being Humans” ballyhoo.
Speaking of which, tomorrow’s three-plus things—
A custom playlist to get you into autumn, from DJ Anonymous Teenage DJ
Victor’s picks for the top three animated movies of the past couple years
A week of solid reads online
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More info at her website. Strong rec.
What the what
“Meditations in an Emergency” is a weekly essay from writer Rosecrans Baldwin about something beautiful. Paying subscribers receive a Sunday supplement with three-plus things to love, plus the monthly “Humans Being Humans” ballyhoo.
Rosecrans is the bestselling author of Everything Now, winner of the California Book Award. Other books include The Last Kid Left and Paris, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down. His debut novel, You Lost Me There, was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice. For magazine articles, bio, contact info, blah blah blah, try rosecransbaldwin.com.