Continuous Cartoons With Deep Storylines
by SleepyMaya | created - 30 Sep 2022 | updated - 3 weeks ago | PublicCartoons with deep ongoing storylines that could be interesting for adults too. It's a list for me to keep track so at the moment I'm only putting things I've watched myself, but also made it a public list in case anyone needs recommendations. Will keep updating in the future as I find more things.
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1. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
TV-Y7-FV | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a war-torn world of elemental powers, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Stars: Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena
Votes: 372,894
2. Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
TV-Y7 | 23 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines spend the summer at their great-uncle's tourist trap in the enigmatic Gravity Falls, Oregon.
Stars: Jason Ritter, Alex Hirsch, Kristen Schaal, Linda Cardellini
Votes: 135,381
3. The Owl House (2020–2023)
TV-Y7-FV | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Accidentally sent to the world of the Boiling Isles before a trip to summer camp, a teenage human named Luz longs to become a witch and is aided by rebellious Eda and pint-sized demon King.
Stars: Sarah-Nicole Robles, Alex Hirsch, Wendie Malick, Tati Gabrielle
Votes: 19,300
4. Hilda (2018–2023)
TV-Y7 | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A fearless blue-haired girl named Hilda leaves the forest to go to town and find new friends, great adventures, magic and mysterious creatures who might be dangerous.
Stars: Bella Ramsey, Ameerah Falzon, Oliver Nelson, Daisy Haggard
Votes: 13,830
One of the most unique cartoons I've ever seen.
5. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (2020)
TV-Y7 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A girl explores the possibilities in a post-apocalyptic world.
Stars: Karen Fukuhara, Sydney Mikayla, Dee Bradley Baker, Deon Cole
Votes: 7,215
6. Amphibia (2019–2022)
TV-Y7 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Ordinary Anne Boonchuy, 13, finds a music box that sends her to Amphibia, a world full of frogs, toads, and giant insects. With help from Sprig, she must adjust to life in Amphibia and discover the first true friendship in her life.
Stars: Brenda Song, Justin Felbinger, Bill Farmer, Amanda Leighton
Votes: 9,005
Shares many story points similar to The Owl House, but do note there are A LOT of filler episodes in this one so the story does progress very slowly. Does move slightly faster from the middle of season 2 but still a lot of fillers.
7. Infinity Train (I) (2019–2021)
TV-PG | 11 min | Animation, Short, Action
Various people get trapped on a mysterious train with an endless number of cars, each one being its own universe, and they must resolve their psychological trauma and emotional issues in order to get home in this animated anthology series.
Stars: Ashley Johnson, Owen Dennis, Jeremy Crutchley, Kirby
Votes: 9,639
8. Over the Garden Wall (2014)
TV-PG | 11 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Two brothers find themselves lost in a mysterious land and try to find their way home.
Stars: Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd
Votes: 70,417
Ending is a little flat but the overall series is pretty unique.
9. Disenchantment (2018–2023)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Princess Tiabeanie, 'Bean', is annoyed at her imminent arranged marriage to Prince Merkimer. Then she meets Luci, a demon, and Elfo, an elf, and things get rather exciting, and dangerous.
Stars: Abbi Jacobson, Eric André, Nat Faxon, John DiMaggio
Votes: 72,869
For adults, not so much for children, but the story style still fits the list.
10. Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2012–2019)
TV-Y7 | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Star Butterfly arrives on Earth to live with the Diazes, a Mexican-American family. She continues to battle villains throughout the universe and high school, mainly to protect her extremely powerful wand, an object that still confuses her.
Stars: Eden Sher, Adam McArthur, Grey Griffin, Daron Nefcy
Votes: 18,565
First season is a little boring but it starts to get better about halfway through the second season and keeps getting better with every season after that.
11. Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022)
TV-Y7 | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Two teens and a talking pug team up to battle demons at a haunted theme park and maybe even save the world from a supernatural apocalypse.
Stars: Kody Kavitha, Zach Barack, Emily Osment, Alex Brightman
Votes: 3,085
Not very deep at first but gets better in the second season.
12. The Legend of Korra (2012–2014)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Avatar Korra fights to keep Republic City safe from the evil forces of both the physical and spiritual worlds.
Stars: Janet Varney, P.J. Byrne, David Faustino, J.K. Simmons
Votes: 137,951
13. Steven Universe (2013–2019)
TV-PG | 11 min | Animation, Short, Action
A team of intergalactic warriors fights to protect the Earth, but the combination of three highly trained beings and one quirky young boy leaves the team struggling to overcome the dangerous scenarios that are put in front of them.
Stars: Zach Callison, Deedee Magno, Michaela Dietz, Estelle
Votes: 39,695
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