Synopsis: There was a time when joy meant reaching home before 5 PM, grabbing a glass of milk, and turning on the TV without even taking off your shoes. Cartoons werenât just a source of entertainmentâthey were a part of our daily routine. We didnât watch them to pass the time. We watched them to feel somethingâcomfort, laughter, adventure, and sometimes even sadness.
These characters were companions we grew up with, who taught us lessons without preaching and filled our living rooms with a kind of magic that never really left.
Doraemon: The Friend Who Always Had a Solution
Doraemon wasnât just Nobitaâs savior. He was ours too. Every gadget he pulled from his pocket felt like it solved a real-life problemâcheating in class, fixing a fight, escaping chores. But the real win was their friendship. Nobita mightâve been the laziest kid ever, but his friendship with Doraemon was something truly special. Those gadgets sparked our imagination, but it was their bond that stayed with us.
Ben 10: One Watch, Endless Imagination
Ben 10 wasnât just another superhero show. It was a fantasy playground. The idea of a kid turning into ten (later hundreds of) aliens using a mysterious watch? Mind-blowing. We all imagined having our own Omnitrix, transforming into Heatblast to avoid homework or Four Arms to win a fight. Benâs adventures made us believe that bravery could come in any form, even if you were just a 10-year-old boy.
Power Rangers
If you didnât shout âSPD EMERGENCY!â at least once in your childhood, did you even grow up in the 2000s?
Power Rangers was everythingâaction, teamwork, transformation. Each one brought something new:
- SPD made us dream of being intergalactic cops
- Ninja Storm turned us into stealth warriors in our minds
- Jungle Fury taught us to fight with heart
The costumes, the Zords, the explosionsâthey were loud, over-the-top, and absolutely perfect.
Tom and Jerry: The Classic That Needed No Words
No cartoon had the staying power of Tom and Jerry. No matter how many times Tom got hit, squashed, or flung out of a house, we came back for more. Their never-ending cat-and-mouse chase was comedy gold. And despite all the chaos, there were momentsâbrief, silent onesâthat showed they cared. Kind of like all the best relationships.
Phineas and Ferb: 104 Days of Pure Genius
Somehow, Phineas and Ferb made summer vacation feel like a mission. From building rollercoasters to traveling through time, the duo made âdoing somethingâ cooler than ever. And while Candace tried (and failed) to bust them, Perry the Platypus had his own secret agent storyline that was just as iconic. It wasnât just funnyâit made being a nerd look epic.
Pokémon: More Than Just a Game
PokĂ©mon taught us about loyalty, determination, and sometimes, heartbreak. Ash and Pikachu werenât just partnersâthey were best friends. From chasing badges to letting Butterfree go, we followed every step. And yes, we cried when Pikachu almost left. You can still hear the theme song and instantly be transported to that simpler time when your biggest worry was which PokĂ©mon would evolve next.
Shinchan: The Brat Who Was Too Real
Shinchan was banned in a few householdsâand thatâs exactly why we loved him. He was rude, cheeky, and wildly inappropriate. But underneath all that mischief was a big heart. He embarrassed his mom every chance he got, but also showed how strong their bond was. And letâs face it, we all had a bit of Shinchan in us.
Ninja Hattori: The Stealthy Guardian We All Wanted
Before we even knew what discipline meant, Ninja Hattori was teaching us. He wasnât flashy. He wasnât loud. But he was always there for Kenichiâsaving him from bullies, bad grades, and lifeâs mess. He was the kind of friend every kid wished they hadâa silent protector in a blue outfit. And of course, the classic Ding ding ding ding has become so popular that it is often used when people are having their nostalgic moments.
Scooby-Doo: Predictable Plot, Unmatched Charm
Yes, every episode followed the same structure. Yes, we knew who the villain would be by the halfway mark. But Scooby-Doo never got old. It was the gangâs chemistry, the spooky settings, and Scooby and Shaggyâs bottomless appetite that made it timeless. It made mystery fun and fear funny.
Dexterâs Lab and the Science of Sibling Chaos
Dexterâs Lab gave us more than just laughsâit gave every 8-year-old the dream of a hidden lab under their bedroom. While Dexter tried to save the world, Dee Dee taught us how unpredictable siblings can be. The show mixed science fiction with family drama in the most hilarious wayâand for kids like me, it was pure magic.
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Final Frame
We may be older now. The world might expect me to âgrow out of cartoons.â But we wonât. Because every time we hear that old theme song or watch a rerun, I donât just see animationâI feel at home. And honestly? That feeling is worth holding on to.
Writer – Subham Choudhary