Best Action Cartoons To Watch

The Spectacular Spider-Man is a beloved animated television series that aired from 2008-2009, and is widely regarded as one of the best adaptations of the web-slinging superhero. The show was created by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, and was produced by Sony Pictures Television and Marvel Entertainment.

The Spectacular Spider-Man follows the adventures of Peter Parker as he juggles his high school life with his secret identity as Spider-Man. The show takes a deep dive into the character of Peter Parker, exploring his struggles with adolescence, relationships, and the responsibilities of being a superhero. The show also features a diverse cast of characters from the Spider-Man comics, including Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, and several classic Spider-Man villains.

One of the standout aspects of The Spectacular Spider-Man is its animation style. The show features a sleek and stylized art style that perfectly captures the look and feel of the Spider-Man comics. The action scenes are fast-paced and fluid, and the show's use of camera angles and framing creates a sense of excitement and tension that draws viewers in.

Batman: The Animated Series is a critically acclaimed animated television series that aired from 1992 to 1995. The show was created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cartoons of all time.

The series is set in the iconic Gotham City and follows the adventures of Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, as he battles against a variety of villains, including the Joker, Two-Face, and Catwoman. The show is notable for its dark and gritty tone, which perfectly captures the brooding and intense nature of the Dark Knight. The series is also praised for its mature themes and sophisticated storytelling, which made it a hit with audiences of all ages.

One of the standout aspects of Batman: The Animated Series is its animation style. The show features a unique and stylized art style that draws inspiration from classic film noir and art deco design. The show's use of light and shadow creates a moody and atmospheric tone that perfectly suits the dark and mysterious world of Batman. The animation was so impressive that it won several Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is an award-winning animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The show was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated shows of all time.

The series is set in a fictional world where certain people can manipulate the elements of water, earth, fire, and air. The Avatar, the only person who can manipulate all four elements, must restore balance to the world by defeating the Fire Nation, which seeks to dominate the other nations. The show follows the journey of Aang, the last surviving Airbender and the Avatar, as he travels with his friends to master the elements and defeat the Fire Nation.

One of the standout aspects of Avatar: The Last Airbender is its world-building. The show's creators crafted a detailed and expansive world that is influenced by a variety of cultures and traditions, including Chinese, Japanese, and Inuit. The show's use of martial arts, elemental powers, and mythology creates a unique and immersive world that captivates viewers.

The show is also notable for its strong characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. Aang is a young and inexperienced hero who is forced to confront his responsibilities as the Avatar. Katara is a skilled waterbender who serves as Aang's mentor and love interest. Sokka is a skilled warrior who provides comic relief and strategic planning. And Zuko is the conflicted prince of the Fire Nation who seeks redemption for his past mistakes.

The show's animation is also a standout feature, with its fluid and dynamic action sequences that showcase the characters' elemental powers. The show's use of color and light creates a unique and visually stunning aesthetic that perfectly captures the show's themes and tone.

Samurai Jack is a critically acclaimed animated television series that aired from 2001 to 2004. The show was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, who is also known for creating other popular animated series such as Dexter's Laboratory and Star Wars: Clone Wars.

Samurai Jack follows the story of a young samurai named Jack who is sent into the future by an evil demon named Aku. Jack finds himself in a dystopian world where Aku reigns supreme and he must use his skills as a warrior to defeat Aku and find a way back to his own time.

One of the standout aspects of Samurai Jack is its stunning animation. The show features a unique art style that draws inspiration from Japanese art and animation, as well as classic Western animation. The use of bold colors, striking silhouettes, and minimalist designs create a distinctive and visually striking aesthetic that perfectly suits the show's futuristic and otherworldly setting.

The show's use of music is also notable, with its evocative and atmospheric score adding to the show's overall tone and atmosphere. The show's sound design, featuring a mix of futuristic and traditional sounds, further enhances the show's immersive and otherworldly feel.

The show's storytelling is also a standout feature, with its blend of action, adventure, and comedy. The show's use of episodic storytelling, with Jack encountering new characters and challenges in each episode, creates a sense of variety and excitement that keeps viewers engaged. The show's exploration of themes such as morality, honor, and redemption adds depth and complexity to the show's characters and world.

Dragon Ball Z is a hugely popular anime series that has been entertaining audiences for over three decades. One of the standout features of the series is the transformation of certain characters with blonde hair when they achieve a higher level of power.

The most iconic example of this is the character Goku, who is the main protagonist of the series. When Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan,** his hair turns blonde** and his eyes turn green.

This transformation occurs when a Saiyan becomes enraged, tapping into a powerful energy source within them called "ki". The Super Saiyan transformation grants the character immense strength, speed, and durability, making them a formidable opponent.

In addition to Goku, several other characters in Dragon Ball Z can also achieve the Super Saiyan transformation, including Vegeta, Gohan, and Trunks. Each character has their own unique take on the transformation, with their hair and eye colors changing to reflect their personality and fighting style.

The Super Saiyan transformation has become an iconic aspect of the Dragon Ball Z series, with fans eagerly anticipating each new transformation and power-up.

The transformation symbolizes the characters' growth and evolution as they push themselves to new limits and become stronger through their experiences and training.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated television series that premiered in 2008 and ran for seven seasons until its conclusion in 2020. The show is set between the events of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and follows the adventures of Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and their padawan learners during the Clone Wars.

One of the standout aspects of The Clone Wars is its stunning animation. The show features a unique blend of 2D and 3D animation that creates a distinctive and visually stunning look that perfectly captures the Star Wars universe. The show's use of color, light, and special effects creates a cinematic experience that rivals the live-action Star Wars movies.

The show's storytelling is also a standout feature, with its exploration of complex themes such as war, politics, and morality. The show's use of serialized storytelling, with each episode building upon the last, creates a sense of depth and complexity that is rare in animated television. The show's exploration of characters such as Ahsoka Tano, a padawan learner who becomes a key player in the Clone Wars, adds depth and nuance to the Star Wars universe.

The show's action scenes are also a highlight, featuring epic battles between Jedi Knights and droids, as well as intense space battles and ground assaults. The show's use of music, featuring a mix of classic Star Wars themes and original compositions, further enhances the show's epic feel and emotional resonance.

X-Men: The Animated Series is a classic animated television series that aired from 1992 to 1997. The show is based on the popular Marvel Comics superhero team, the X-Men, and is widely regarded as one of the best adaptations of the characters.

The series follows the adventures of the X-Men, a team of mutants who possess extraordinary abilities, as they fight against threats both human and mutant. The show's focus on the X-Men's struggles with prejudice, discrimination, and social isolation set it apart from other superhero shows, and helped to make it a cultural touchstone for a generation of viewers.

One of the standout aspects of X-Men: The Animated Series is its storytelling. The show's use of serialized storytelling, with each episode building upon the last, creates a sense of depth and complexity that is rare in animated television. The show's exploration of complex themes such as identity, tolerance, and prejudice helped to make it a groundbreaking show that resonated with viewers of all ages.

The show's characters are also a standout feature, with each X-Man possessing their own unique personality, powers, and backstory. Wolverine, the gruff and rebellious member of the team, quickly became a fan favorite, while characters such as Cyclops, Storm, and Rogue each had their own distinctive personalities and story arcs.

The show's animation is also noteworthy, with its bold and colorful art style capturing the look and feel of the comics. The show's use of dynamic camera angles, striking character designs, and fluid animation created a sense of excitement and energy that drew viewers in.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe is a classic animated television series that premiered in 1984. The show is a Japanese-American co-production that features giant robots, epic battles, and memorable characters, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest mecha anime of all time.

The series follows a group of space explorers who pilot lion-shaped robots that can combine into a larger robot known as Voltron. Together, the team must defend the galaxy against the evil forces of King Zarkon and his minions. The show's focus on teamwork, friendship, and heroism made it a hit with audiences of all ages, and it has remained a beloved classic of animated television.

One of the standout aspects of Voltron: Defender of the Universe is its iconic mecha designs. The lion robots that combine to form Voltron are some of the most recognizable and beloved robots in all of anime, with each lion possessing its own unique abilities and personality. The show's use of mecha battles, featuring giant robots battling it out in space, helped to define the mecha anime genre and has influenced countless works of anime and animation in the years since.

The show's characters are also a standout feature, with each pilot possessing their own distinct personality and backstory. The team is led by Keith, the level-headed and determined leader, and includes memorable characters such as Pidge, the tech-savvy genius, and Hunk, the lovable and dependable comic relief.

The show's animation is also noteworthy, with its colorful and vibrant art style capturing the excitement and energy of the show's epic battles. The show's use of music, featuring a memorable and catchy theme song, further enhances the show's overall appeal and has made it a cultural touchstone for fans around the world.

Pokemon is a massively popular media franchise that has captivated audiences around the world for over 25 years. The franchise began with the release of the original Game Boy games, Pokemon Red and Blue, in 1996, and has since expanded into a wide range of media including anime, manga, trading card games, and more.

At its core, Pokemon is a series about capturing and training creatures known as "Pokemon", which possess a wide range of abilities and powers. Trainers journey through various regions, battling other trainers and Gym Leaders to earn badges and ultimately challenge each region's Elite Four and the Champion.

One of the standout aspects of Pokemon is its world-building. Each region in the Pokemon world is inspired by real-world locations and cultures, creating a rich and diverse universe for fans to explore. The various species of Pokemon are also notable, with each possessing unique designs, abilities, and personalities that have helped to make them some of the most recognizable and beloved characters in pop culture.

The Pokemon anime has also been a major part of the franchise's success, with its focus on friendship, adventure, and self-discovery appealing to fans of all ages. The show's use of episodic storytelling, with each episode featuring a new adventure or challenge for protagonist Ash Ketchum and his friends, creates a sense of variety and excitement that keeps viewers engaged.

Thundercats is a classic animated television series that originally aired from 1985 to 1989. The show follows a group of cat-like humanoid aliens who flee their dying planet and land on a new world, where they must fight against their enemies and protect their new home.

One of the standout aspects of Thundercats is its unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements. The show's use of advanced technology, space travel, and intergalactic warfare is balanced by its incorporation of magic, mythology, and ancient relics. The blend of these elements creates a distinctive and imaginative universe that has captured the imaginations of viewers for decades.

The show's characters are also a standout feature, with each Thundercat possessing their own unique personality and backstory. Lion-O, the young leader of the Thundercats, quickly became a fan favorite, while other characters such as Cheetara, Panthro, and Snarf each had their own memorable moments and story arcs.

The show's animation is also noteworthy, with its bold and colorful art style capturing the look and feel of the Thundercats' alien world. The show's use of dynamic camera angles, striking character designs, and fluid animation created a sense of excitement and energy that drew viewers in.

Thundercats was well-received by fans and critics during its initial run, and has remained popular in the years since. The show has spawned numerous spinoffs and adaptations, including a rebooted series in 2011 that introduced the classic franchise to a new generation of fans.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is a media franchise that originated as a comic book series in the 1980s and has since expanded into a wide range of media including animated television shows, movies, video games, and merchandise.

The series follows the adventures of four teenage turtles, named after famous Renaissance artists, who have been mutated into humanoid form and trained in the art of ninjutsu by their adoptive father, a mutated rat named Splinter. The turtles, along with their human ally April O'Neil, fight against their archenemy, the evil Shredder, and his army of foot soldiers.

One of the standout aspects of TMNT is its unique blend of action, humor, and sci-fi/fantasy elements. The show's use of martial arts, weapons, and high-tech gadgets creates a sense of excitement and adventure, while its incorporation of supernatural and sci-fi elements adds depth and complexity to the show's mythology. The show's humor and wit also add a lighthearted and fun aspect to the show, making it appeal to viewers of all ages.

The show's characters are also a standout feature, with each turtle possessing their own unique personality and fighting style. Leonardo is the serious and disciplined leader, Raphael is the hot-headed rebel, Michelangelo is the fun-loving jokester, and Donatello is the tech-savvy inventor. The turtles' dynamic and interactions with each other and their allies make for engaging and entertaining viewing.

Gargoyles is a classic animated television series that premiered in 1994 and ran for three seasons. The show follows a group of gargoyles, creatures that turn to stone during the day, who awaken in modern-day New York City after being frozen in stone for a thousand years.

One of the standout aspects of Gargoyles is its unique blend of mythology, history, and urban fantasy. The show's use of Shakespearean themes, ancient legends, and modern-day crime and corruption creates a complex and layered universe that sets it apart from other animated shows of its time.

The show's characters are also a standout feature, with each gargoyle possessing their own unique personality and backstory. The leader of the group, Goliath, is a strong and honorable warrior who struggles to adapt to the modern world, while other characters such as Brooklyn, Lexington, and Broadway each have their own distinctive personalities and story arcs.