Why I think modern media has ruined fun in cartoons.

!! THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL RANT, OPINION, AND VIEWS. !!

Modern television has changed drastically from 1990s - 2016 television.

What I mean though, is Media in general. Back then shows were completely different compared to now, story line wise. Media back then could easily balance their tragic story line to the colorful atmosphere, shows could easily portray a story and still keep the show friendly to the target demographic.

For example; 2010s My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic.
This show has wonderful bright colors, great life lessons, and can teach both kids and adults how to properly work out differences and relationship problems, along with self help lessons to the viewers. There is a darker story, and there are some lessons in the episodes they do show that slightly darker story. Nonetheless, this show isn't that dramatic, but a great example on the balancing of cartoon media that both adults and kids can watch.


Modern shows nowadays (no specific example) don't use that, and they don't balance it out at all; But Gen z and Gen Alpha still watch those things because they are all into those overly cartoony art style shows with a " tragic " or " serious " plot. This interest in these shows most likely stems from Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Star Vs The Forces of Evil, Gravity Falls, Wonder Over Yander, etc.
Now, I'm not saying those are bad shows, they're actually really good! I'm complaining about the knockoff shows that try to copy the same feelings it gave us and story portrayal those shows had presented.

Modern media now HAS to have some sort of dramatic side of it though. It just CANT be colorful and fun by itself. it HAS to have some sort of subplot away from the fun atmosphere that people can focus on and say the media is dark. If a show tries to come out and STAY colorful on its own its not even looked at, AND if it is; its people complaining about how the show is boring or something of the sort. There's no modern versions of shows like Annoying Orange, There's no modern versions of media like Your Favorite Martian, PBJT, ASDFMovie, SML, Regular Show, Video Game Music Videos like RMV or GLMV, etc.
and if there is? its ruined immediately. Ruined by chronically online individuals or low ratings, because as much as people love to complain that shows/media like these aren't made anymore; they do SO little to support things that come out and are LIKE those things.
ALSO, if something is like those shows, they HAVE to change to fit in with what people are watching and what is popular now because otherwise they'll get no support from anyone because its not what people like and are into now.


Young people nowadays don't like that stuff anymore, as much as they like to use it for an aesthetic they don't support anyone who makes anything like it because their interests in it are simply for nostalgia and not for the actual enjoyment. Its rare to find people who ACTUALLY like 2010's online pop culture and are still into stuff for both the enjoyment AND nostalgia. Stuff like the way teenagers would hang out after school, but instead of going to the mall to get boba and shop for hello kitty stuff, they'd go to 7/11 and get snacks and go to the park. times when the world felt free is what I mean.
Like waking up and watching YouTube on someones laptop, playing Nyan Cat games, Temple Run, Cut the Rope, reading web comics, playing your Xbox, playstation 2, Wii, N64, WiiU, etc.

People are ONLY into that shit for the nostalgia and aesthetic now. Dont tell me I'm wrong because tell me someone who still actively watches Nyan Cat, Annoying Orange, Happy Wheels gameplay, MMD animations, or fan made Mario videos.

That stuff was a structure, a really cool structure that seemed like it was going to be a building for something fun like a new arcade, but ended up being another Walmart that wasn't there before and seemed useful until those Walmarts and chain companies started to tear down all the other arcades in your town. It isn't fun. New media isn't fun.

I'm NOT having fun. 

" no, I'm not mad the world has changed, I'm mad because there's NOTHING EVEN REMOTELY like 2010s cartoons and it's only been a decade and a half!! "

- Jeremy Gallardo. 2025.