Cartoons are a fundamental part of childhood, but often, behind the friendly and funny characters, there are much darker and complex themes that go unnoticed by children, but that adults can easily detect.
Over the years, several cartoon series have dealt with situations that are too intense for children, some of their chapters have been devastating and disturbing.
We tell you which children’s cartoons have touched on adult themes.
#1 ‘Hello Arnold!’
In ‘Hey Arnold!, Helga is a character who, at first glance, appears to be the typical bully girl. However, his behavior is the result of a dysfunctional family environment.
Her mother is an alcoholic woman and her father is a narcissistic businessman who only has eyes for his eldest daughter, Olga.
This lack of love and attention at home pushes Helga to become a hostile, but deeply vulnerable, child. Her obsession with Arnold, who first showed her kindness by giving her his umbrella in preschool, reveals how small gestures of kindness can have a lasting impact on a child’s life.
#2 “SpongeBob”
Although “SpongeBob SquarePants” is known for its absurd humor, it also has its dark moments. In one of the more controversial episodes, SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs believe they killed a health inspector after giving him a spoiled Krabby Patty.
The chapter becomes even more disturbing when instead of calling for help, they decide to hide the body by burying it.
Although the inspector survives, the situation escalates when Bob tries to silence him for good.
#3 “The Odd enough Parents”
It’s another series that isn’t afraid to touch on sensitive subjects. One episode in particular, “Wishful Life,” is based on the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but with a much denser approach.
Timmy Turner, tired of his good deeds not being appreciated, wishes he had never been born. This request leads him to a void where there are other children who also improved the world by not being born.
Throughout the episode, Timmy discovers that everyone’s lives around him are better off without him, causing him to question his worth. Although he succeeds in reversing the wish, the message behind it is disturbing, suggesting that his existence was a mistake, too strong for a children’s program.
#4 “Phineas and Ferb”
‘Phineas and Ferb’, with its generally light-hearted tone and creative adventures, also touches on themes that are not suitable for the little ones in the house.
In one episode, the protagonists are sent to a reformatory whose purpose is to extinguish children’s imaginations. This place, with its oppressive atmosphere and brainwashing techniques, is reminiscent of WWII concentration camps, albeit in a less realistic context.
Candace, seeing what is happening to her siblings, decides to save them, only to discover that it was all a dream within a dream. This chapter touches on topics such as mind control and the suppression of creativity, which is troubling for a child audience.
#5 “Charlie Brown and Snoopy”
In a special way, the cartoon deals with the topic of cancer in a very direct way. Janice, a friend of Charlie Brown and Linus, reveals that she has leukemia and the episode focuses on her fight against the disease, including her experience with chemotherapy and being bullied at school for losing her hair.
Throughout the episode, the characters show a mixture of complex emotions such as compassion and helplessness.
Although the story has a happy ending, these themes are usually strong for children who are just beginning to understand the world.
#6 “Sesame Street”
It is one of the most iconic programs on television, as since its inception it has known how to deal with difficult subjects in a sensitive and appropriate way for its audience.
One of the most memorable episodes deals with the subject of death. In this chapter, Elmo is excited to attend a family picnic where he hoped to see his beloved uncle again. However, his father informs him that he has passed away, leaving Elmo confused and saddened.
Through a conversation with his father, Elmo begins to understand the meaning of death and what it means to lose a loved one.
#7 “Tiny Toons”
This popular cartoon series has not been far behind in the task of educating its viewers about the dangers of alcoholism.
In one of his chapters, the characters explore how alcohol consumption can affect health and social relationships. In addition, it places special emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence and highlights how peer pressure can increase your risk of engaging in this destructive behavior.
#8 “Gravity Falls”
This series, known for its plot full of humor and mystery, featured an episode in which Soos, one of the main characters, faces loneliness and the desire to find love.
In his quest, Soos becomes immersed in a romantic simulation video game where he meets .GIFfany, a virtual girl who quickly becomes obsessed with him. Although Soos is initially attracted to the attention and affection he receives from .GIFfany, he soon realizes that he is neglecting his real life.
This episode deals with topics such as avoiding reality, the importance of genuine human relationships, and the dangers of getting lost in the virtual world.
These series have shown that children’s television can be much more than entertainment. It can be a powerful tool for teaching children about life, the challenges they will face, and how to handle difficult situations with wisdom and compassion.
Source: univision
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
