Time. The undisputed ruler. The one that no one and nothing has ever conquered. As time goes by, the more I realise that the only valuable thing left is memories. Good and not so good ones. School, friends, relationships, games, etc.. But do you know what else comes to mind these lonely days when you “dream” about the best time of your life, your childhood? Yes, you guessed well: cartoons, or the most formal name, animated series. The ones that were an essential part of your life on the weekends, and not only. These series that you anxiously wait to see their latest episode. Part of your conversations with your friends, and sometimes for fights. “Goku is the undisputed fighter of the whole universe, Batman is the best, etc.”
But the popular series are not the only ones you have watched. There are series that nowadays are only a part of your memories, or you don’t remember well, if not at all. This article is not only for your favorite and popular series, but for the ones that you might not remember so well anymore. I am here as a blast from the past. Consider me the old friend who came to share your childhood memories. Maybe the only ones that matter (including your children, if any).
P.S.: Retrip is a made-up term that I came up with by combining the words retro and trip. All the animated series are before the year 2000.
Wandering Kkachi/Tteodori Kkachi
A North Korean animated series that was about the story of Kkachi, who wanted to be the best baseball player. I wasn’t even aware that North Korea loves baseball.
Gigi (Dash Kappei manga)
Gigi was based on the Dash Kappei manga and was about Gigi, a short guy who excelled in basketball and peeking at Anna’s (the girl he loved) underwear. I have to note that Anna’s dog was in love with her as well. I don’t know what to think of it.
Igano Kabamaru
This is a cult anime in Greece. Although not so well-known in Japan, in Greece, it gained popularity because of its really bad dubbing. The 80’s and 90’s kids should remember. The story is not something game-changing, but somehow it managed to be worth watching. “Makaronada” (the bad translation of noodles. For years, we thought that Kabamaru was spaghetti-fan).
Tatsu no Ko Tarou (Taro the Dragon Boy)
Taro was not a TV series, but I think it’s worth its spot in this list. He was a very strong boy whose mother was cursed. In his journey, he learns how to deal with life and its unexpected good or bad things, and finally reunites with his mother.
Franklin
Back when turtles were cool.
Arthur
A popular family show.
Caillou
The adventures of a baby.
Dragon Tales
A show with friendly dragons.
Toriton of the sea
Toriton was the last survivor of the Atlantis kingdom, and he learns the truth from the man who adopted him when he came of age. Its journey begins seeking redemption and vengeance.
Zoro, the animated series
The all-time favorite masked avenger rider had its own animated moment.
Ed, Edd n Eddy
I barely remember it.
Doug
Nickelodeon’s animated sitcom.
One Piece
Not much to say about the Mugiwara crew that still goes strong.
Sabrina (The Witch)
The well-known witch.
Kerokko Demetan (Demetan Croaker, The Boy Frog)
Also known as Jonathan the Brave Frog. Demetan is a frog who survived an attack on his peaceful village, and when he comes of age, tries to restore peace. You either hate or love these series. It handles some sensitive matters either successfully or not so well.
PlaWres SanSiro (Juohmaru)
In Greece is known as Jumaru (Tζουμαρου). SanSiro is a young boy who, with his robot Juohmaru, wants to be the PlaWres (Plastic Wrestling) champion. A challenging task.
Danger Mouse
Pennfold, Shush!
Casper
The friendly ghost.
Fat Albert and the Cosby kids
Cult animated series.
Voltes V
Also known as Voltus Five. It is a Japanese mecha anime, part of the Robot Romance trilogy, that was extremely popular in the Philippines (recent live-action adaptation is also available). In Greece, only the first part was broadcast. It includes an addictive main theme.
Combattler V
The first installment of the Robot Romance trilogy.
Tosho Daimos
The third and the last installment of the Robot Romance Trilogy.
Tom & Jerry (+Kids)
The infamous duo that accompanied our childhood.
Sabre Riders
What will you get when you mix cowboys with tech future advancement? Sabre Riders would be the result.
TigerSharks
The sea part of Thundercats. Similar story.
SilverHawks
The air part of Thundercats. Similar story.
ThunderCats
The land part of the trilogy, as mentioned earlier, and the most popular one. Eternal spirits of evil, I am Mumm-Ra.
Dexter
The mad scientist.
Winsome Witch
A Hanna-Barberra witch.
Luky Luke
I am a lonely cowboy.
Betty Boop
A somewhat cult retro old cartoon.
Dragon Ball
Not much to say for one of my favorite anime about a boy who actually seeks balls.
Transformers (the original)
When they were cool.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the original)
Remember, remember how cool was the Shredder.
Bravestarr
The future Texas sheriff who could adopt animals’ strength and abilities. His fellow horse was the real deal. Bear’s strength.
Captain Planet
An environmental-focused animated series. Captain Planet is our hero.
Denver, the last dinosaur
Denver is a surviving dinosaur that has human intelligence. The 80’s were crazy.
Skeleton Warriors
Not so popular, but it had groundbreaking music.
Lalabel
A better version of Candy-Candy?
Hai Step Jun
Not much to say. I barely remember it.
Ernest Le Vampire
An elephant vampire. The Greeks might remember the SevenX channel.
Wacky & Packy
Prehistoric adventures.
Yoghi Bear
The adorable bear that included my favorite Christmas childhood movie as well.
Super Mario World
The popular video game had its own series.
The Black Corsair
Not to be confused with the Corsair company. The Black Pirate.
Garfield
The popular lazy cat.
Snoopy
A somewhat overhyped cartoon, in my opinion.
G.I. Joe
Not much to say. Never liked it.
All the DC and Marvel animated series
Choose one: Batman, Iron Man, X-Men, Spiderman, etc.
BaBar
The well-known elephant.
Woody Woodpecker
The crazy woodpecker.
Count Duckula
A mix of Dracula with Duffy Duck.
Papyrus
The journey of a young boy in ancient Egypt.
The Jetstones
Can you imagine the Flintstones in the future? The result is the Jetstones.
The Flintstones
An extremely popular series that had a film adaptation as well.
The Little Lulu Show
The adventures of Lulu.
Thundersub
Ready for submarine adventures?
GhostBusters
The animated series.
All the Classic Warner Bros cartoons
Looney Tunes, etc.
Scooby-Doo
The infamous detective dog.
Recess
A somewhat boring show.
Conan, the adventurer
Conan the Barbarian had its own animated series adaptation.
UFO Robot Grendizer
Also known as Flint: The Prince of Outer-Space.
M.A.S.K.
The masked avengers.
Jura-Tripper
A group of teenagers and young children met a strange storm, and they woke up in an unknown land and era. It includes dinosaurs, what’s more to say?
He-Man and the masters of the universe
By the power of Gray Skull… Also, Skeletor.
She-Ra
He-Man’s sister. Some of us were in love with her. Some of us, not me…
Potato Head Kids
I never liked this series.
Police Academy, the animated series
The most famous police academy had its own animated series.
Disney Gargoyles
Only by the main theme, you know it’s epic.
Pinky and the Brain
Before experiments were cool.
Macron 1
Voltron-like series.
The Mask, the animated series
Based on The Mask (Jim Carrey).
Mighty Mouse
If Superman were a mouse.
Sport Billy
Wish I had his suitcase.
Perro, Around the World in 80 Days
Perro was a cat who befriended mice, and the other cats hated him for this (traitor). Based on the Jules Verne book.
Mighty Max
I don’t remember much of this series, but I liked it when I was little.
The Secret Life of Waldo’s kitty
The adventures of Waldo.
Tin-Tin
The most famous detective.
Robocop, the animated series
The title says it all.
Rambo, the animated series
The title speaks for itself.
Samurai Pizza Cats
Cats who knew jiu-jitsu and loved pizza. Yes, what?
Time Bokan
Chronoship was invented.
The Bible Time Machine (???)
I don’t remember the actual title. It was about two siblings whose father invented a time machine, and they travelled back to Biblical times.
Karate Kat
An anthropomorphic cat who knew karate and lived in Catmandu. Anything else to say?
Sailor Moon
A popular anime for a girl and her friends, the Star Sailors.
Maggy Doo, Boy Fox
The cool fox.
The Ultra Man
Not the best.
The Malicious Dennis (Dennis I La Malice)
A good-hearted little boy who always sought trouble and made Mr Wilson’s life messy.
Milton the Monster
Not even a monster.
Archie and Sabrina
A very old classic.
Candy-Candy
I watched too little of this anime, but I remember the one who loved her treated her somewhat unfairly.
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (Nils Holgersson)
A popular Swedish book had its own animated series.
D’Artacan y los tres Mosqueperros
Based on Alexander Duma’s book, but with dogs. Greeks should remember GavDanian (ΓαβΝτανιαν).
Bolek e Lolek
A Polish cartoon that I never liked.
Reksio
The dog of Bolek and Lolek had its own adventures.
Once upon a time, there was a human
I couldn’t find its English title, so I freestyled from the Greek title. Animated series about the human body and anatomy.
Glo Friends
In Greek, they were known as “Fotinoulides” (those who glow).
The Pink Panther, the animated series
I really miss this cartoon.
Inspectah Gadget
Here goes my little board.
Maya the Bee
I never liked it, but it was popular.
Heidi, the anime
The popular book had a freestyle anime version.
Care Bears
Lately, they have been rediscovered as merchandise, never liked it.
Nippon Mukashi Banashi
Also known as Old Japanese Fables.
Battle of the Planets (G-Team)
I could provide more info, but I don’t remember it well.
Abbott and Costello
It was extremely popular. Charlie Chaplin-like.
Voltron
Partially Power Rangers (before it even became a concept), partially Voltus V.
Nu, pogodi
A wolf that tries to catch a sly rabbit. Childhood memories?
Droopie
An intelligent anthropomorphic dog that was Super-Droopie as well.
Barba Rouge
Animated series with pirates and Red Beard as the main character.
Max Steel
Power to max, Max Steel.
Smurfs
Not my favorite.
My Little Pony
Popular animated series that I never liked.
Popeye
Spinach was never enough.
Action Man
A popular series with a wide variety of toy merchandise.
Powerpuff Girls
Never liked it.
Goal (Veniamin)
Soccer-based animated series.
Max Bara
In Greek TV, it was part of the advertisement routine.
Fido Dido
Same case as Max Bara, but with the popular 7-Up mascot.
The Raccoons (1985)
When raccoons were racCools.
Rugrats
When babies had something to say, I guess.
Iznogoud
I want to be a Sultan.
Titeuf
Not my favorite.
Extreme Dinosaurs
You might not even know it.
The Simpsons
Most of you adore it, but I was never a fan.
CatDog
You will either love it or hate it.
Area 88
Do you know of Area 51? Area 88 is one step further.
The Atom Ant
When ants were cool.
Moon Dreamers
A quite boring Show.
Bob the Builder
Never liked it.
Toxic Crusaders (Freestyle translation from the Greek name)
In the Greek audience, they were known as Τοξικοί Σταυροφόροι.
Digimon
The wannabe Pokémon.
Pokémon
The original.
YuGi-Oh
Go, Yugi, go.
A ’90s cartoon with little dragons who lived in a castle (???)
What the title says, I don’t remember the title.
All Swiss stop-motion series
Pingu might have been the most decent—cringe series.
Epilogue
I hope you enjoyed this little ride with me in your childhood memories. You should have enjoyed it. If a Zoomer tells you about their animated-series era, remember how it was yours (good or bad). Vast variety, controversial by today’s standards, but still had something to offer. It was our era, after all.
