Are today's cartoons more adult-driven ?

We know that cartoons are not just for children, but do you think that cartoons today (in terms of character design, narratives, dialogues, etc.) are much more designed for an adult audience than a young one ?

Are today's cartoons more adult-driven ?
Yes, more than half of the jokes in cartoons could never be understood by kids let alone enjoyed. But hey.... kids are amused by fart jokes, bright flashing colours, and people falling over, so if the dialouge over the top amuses adults who cares?
Reply:I think the view of cartoons in the west has severely limited the medium. Japan uses the medium well. They reach all audiences with their stories. Some are suited for children, many for teenagers, while others are completely adult in nature.





Grave of the Fireflies I think is a truly fascinating movie. Being a cartoon with simple drawings, it has a very childlike nature.


It is story about 2 children who struggle in a very harsh environment that is anything but childlike. It is one of the saddest and most moving films I have ever seen and displays this child/adult rift in the cartoon medium well.
Reply:yes, definitely.





when i was younger, you'd be hard pressed to find any cartoons on any channel at any time of night that had adult themes. Today that is something you find every single night in either prime time or late night. Also, the design, as you say, is way more experimental now, a lot more adult themes involved too, and requires a lot more thought to appreciate, etc. As well as the dialogue, as you say as well. Today, even in kids cartoons, the dialogue is more complex, requires a little more concentration, age, and experience to appreciate. There's a lot more satire and sarcasm.





Back in the 80s or older, there was this group that very closely watched over what cartoons were allowed to say and do. I think it was called 'act' or something. Anyway, they had stringent rules. Lots of cartoons required education messages, anti-drug themes, etc. That group isn't around anymore, dissolved in early 90s And if you notice, as soon as that group stopped watching content, suddenly the quality of cartoons went up and they started getting more 'adult'. Not really in sex or violence, but in complexity, humor, and design.





Also, the success of the simpsons back in the late 80s really boosted the whole adult cartoon market as actually legitimate, at least in prime time. I'm glad they kept that open because now we do have more adult cartoons and they are taken more seriously as entertainment.





Of course, the original looney tunes were made for adults as much as kids, but those were shown in the theater.
Reply:If your talking about daytime aired cartoons (not Adult Swim/Anime Channel) Yes I feel they have become more adult oriented. When person has a young child in the house, then that household’s TV will be on cartoons, which the parent has to endure. The believe the writers now-a-days recognize this problem and are writing scripts that will be more amusing to the parents of these small children, with out crossing the line of graphic nature.
Reply:I think most "comedy" cartoons have two levels... one that appeals to children and one that appeals to adults.





I enjoy toons such as The Grim Adventures of Billy %26amp; Mandy and The Fairly Odd Parents. It might just be that I'm a little easy to amuse, but I think it is the sureal nature of the plots that appeal. Comedy cartoons when I was growing up were re-runs of The Flinstones and Jetsons and early Rugrats along with Loony Tunes (which I still like), but they didn't have the same style of humor that cartoons do now.





I think the semi-serious shows aren't as appealling... I can still enjoy some of them to a point though as I'm a fan of comic books so watch the Batman and Fanastic Four cartoons. They appeal to children as they appeal to me - moving versions of comic book characters. Sure the plots might not be as good, but...





I also like stuff like Samurai Jack and Kim Possible. With Kim Possible I'm sometimes surprised by the some of the "teen" issues dealt with in the stories.
Reply:Depends on the cartoon, they cater for all ages these days. For instance Family Guy is based on the more adult side of humour, South Park is for the late teens and Sponge Bob is for the much younger ages.


Personally I think its based on what we enjoy in our inner selves as my grandfather loved all the Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.
Reply:i think the writers today are more savvy to adults watching cartoons than previously. ie if a show has univesal appeal then sales of merchandising can be doubled. subliminal jokes of a more adult variety are probably worked in. it's all a marketing scam though really.
Reply:Definately. I cringe when my step daughter watches saturday a.m cartoons and the characters are talking about boyfriends and 'special nights'. She's only seven. Cartoons weren't like that when I was seven, I had care bears and rainbow brite! No wonder kids grow up too fast.
Reply:I think there are a lot of jokes made on childrens programmes that kids dont get, but i think it was the same when we were younger.....and we didnt get it when the adults were laughing!. No way of really knowing i suppose but i do notice that its a bit close to the bone at times!.
Reply:no. its just children are being subjected to more violence, suffering, 'real life' issues etc. in todays society, so the cartoons are adapting to fit these changes.
Reply:I don't think that carttons meant for children are more adult driven these days.


I don't find anything adult about the cartoons on Cartoon network or Nickelodeon.
Reply:I think some of them are made more for adult they have some innuendo's in them that adults can understand but children won't until they are a bit older. There again i think cartoon's are for all ages.
Reply:not exactly, i think that more adults are becoming aware of "cartoons" that are not aimed at children.
Reply:Not really, i mean, just look at the latest cartoon shows. The characters are mostly for things like, burping and that


Too stupid for adults.
Reply:well i guess yes.. with the way they draw the characters... just look at the female character.. fuhh!! hot babe hot!
Reply:I think its more like there are more cartoons today that are adult driven than in the past. They are more popular because they have deeper plots... etc.)
Reply:not reallly coz i watch thounsands of cartoons and they all seem kiddy but some anime is more adult-orientated
Reply:defo,between inuendo,dress sense and jokes,its not for kids anymore
Reply:Yes, I believe they are more adult-driven. They assume adults like to watch cartoons.
Reply:the late night cartoons. yes.
Reply:well both..





can say or cannot say..
Reply:in alot of cases, yes