17 Cartoons With Plots That Were Weirdly Deep
These cartoons looked like simple fun on the surface but underneath, they tackled heavy, often emotional themes we didn’t see coming.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Cartoons weren’t always just about slapstick and silly voices. Some hit surprisingly deep. These animated series explored trauma, identity, loss, and existential questions. These 17 shows weren’t just for kids. They made you think, long after the credits rolled.
1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Net Sama on Flickr
What started as a fun fantasy adventure turned into a layered story of war, redemption, and balance. It tackled themes like genocide, grief, and inner peace.
2. BoJack Horseman
Lisa from Pexels on Pexels
Disguised as a dark comedy with talking animals, this show dove into addiction, depression, and self-sabotage. It held nothing back emotionally.
3. Steven Universe
Wikimedia Commons
Crystals, gems, and aliens? Sure. At its core, this was about trauma, identity, and emotional healing. The show taught kids and adults about empathy and acceptance.
4. Adventure Time
Nake23 on Wikimedia Commons
A magical world with candy people and goofy songs turned out to have a post-apocalyptic backstory. Themes of loneliness, mental health, and aging were woven in.
5. Batman: The Animated Series
Wikimedia Commons
Dark, brooding, and way more mature than expected. It dealt with mental illness, justice, and morality in a noir-style world. Villains had real motivations, and consequences mattered.
6. Rugrats
OEVB on Flickr
Baby adventures seemed simple until you looked closer. It subtly explored anxiety, imagination as coping, and even loss. The adults’ lives were often sadder than the kids’.
7. Hey Arnold!
Gerardo Espíndola on Flickr
Urban life, broken homes, and philosophical questions from a football-headed kid. The show never shied away from tough topics like poverty, bullying, and immigration.
8. The Legend of Korra
Rashi Kalra on Flickr
The sequel to Avatar went even deeper, touching on PTSD, spiritual crises, and political corruption. Korra’s emotional journey was anything but light. It was bold in ways few cartoons dare to be.
9. Courage the Cowardly Dog
superawesomevectors on DeviantArt
What looked like horror-comedy was actually a meditation on fear and isolation. Courage’s loyalty and bravery masked real emotional depth.
10. Over the Garden Wall
Tim White on Flickr
This miniseries felt like a folk tale dipped in melancholy. It explored themes of death, redemption, and the unknown. Haunting visuals mixed with dark storytelling.
11. The Owl House
Tim White on Flickr
Magic school meets deep emotional introspection. It deals with identity, belonging, and breaking generational cycles.
12. Gravity Falls
Loren Javier on Flickr
A mystery-comedy wrapped in family drama and emotional scars. Behind the weirdness was a show about growing up, sibling bonds, and trust.
13. Samurai Jack
AntMan3001 on Flickr
A lone warrior displaced in time, haunted by his past and fighting despair. The art was minimal, but the emotions were heavy.
14. Beast Wars: Transformers
Matty C. on Flickr
It was not just robot battles. This series tackled betrayal, destiny, and sacrifice. Characters had full arcs and internal conflict. It was way deeper than its toy-based roots.
15. Recess
Diana-Rose on Flickr
Looked like fun on the playground, but it was a microcosm of society. It tackled power dynamics, rebellion, and social rules. It was Lord of the Flies with juice boxes.
16. Teen Titans
Hina Ichigo on Flickr
They were superheroes with teen drama and psychological baggage. Each character battled inner demons, not just villains. Storylines about identity, trust, and loss made it unforgettable.
17. Wolverine and the X-Men
MrDetectiveArt on DeviantArt
This was a surprisingly emotional take on mutants struggling to survive a broken world. It showed loss, dystopia, and the burden of leadership.