Classic Cartoons VS Modern Cartoons: Which Are Better?
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Aidan Johnson
Get ready for an epic animation showdown! We're diving deep into the world of cartoons, comparing classic hand-drawn animations with modern digital techniques. From stop-motion to 3D, we'll break down how cartoon styles have evolved and determine which era truly reigns supreme! Our analysis covers everything from production techniques and animation styles to character development and writing quality, exploring iconic shows like SpongeBob, Gumby, Adventure Time, and more!
Classic Cartoons vs Modern Cartoons
Welcome to MsMojo, and in this installment of Versus we’re going to determine whether classic cartoons are better than modern cartoons. We’re considering classic cartoons to be anything predating the dominance of 3D animation, so roughly the early to mid-2000s.
Round #1: Stop-Motion
Stop-motion is one of the most time-consuming animation techniques, but arguably the most rewarding. Tons of classic cartoons utilized stop-motion, with “Gumby” being one of the earliest examples, originally released in 1953. Other popular examples include “Pingu” (1990-2000; 2003-06; 2024-), “Paddington” (1976-80), and “Postman Pat” (1981-2017). These were all generally aimed at children, with lighthearted stories and often minimal dialogue. Experimentation was also common, with animators playing around with clay, puppets, and a whole variety of models. While it was more frequently done, it was never a mainstream staple and only a few cartoons were made using the technique.
In the modern day, stop-motion is still common, and digital technology has transformed the process. Animators now have access to high-resolution cameras, 3D printing, and digital compositing software, making stop-motion has never been easier. Modern shows made with stop-motion include “Shaun the Sheep” (2007-), “Pui Pui Molcar” (2021-22), and the adult-targeted “Robot Chicken” (2005-). Hybrid techniques have also begun to evolve, combining stop-motion with other styles, which is regularly employed in “The Amazing World of Gumball” (2011-). It’s still not a common animation technique and is usually reserved for high-budget cinema, rather than cartoons.
We’re going to give this point to classic cartoons, since stop-motion used to be so much more common, warmer, and required a lot more effort.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 1 / Modern Cartoons 0
Round #2: 2D Animation Style
For decades, the vast majority of animation was 2D. It was the primary way to animate, giving rise to some beautiful and creative shows. “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) is a perfect example of this. The technology used is now outdated, but the creativity of its style is timeless, making it look better than most modern cartoons, including its newer seasons. A lot of old cartoons were meticulously hand-drawn, making them appear incredibly detailed. Color palettes were much less varied though, limited by what materials they had access to.
Now, 2D animation is way easier to produce. Digital tools allow for vivid colors, intricate texturing, and shading not possible in traditional animation. This also means hybrid styles, which combine 2D with CGI techniques, are more common. “BoJack Horseman” (2014-20) is a creative modern 2D show, which often shakes up its style. On the other hand, both “Rick and Morty” (2013-) and “Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-) inspired a whole genre of cartoons lazily copying their now generic style. “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) is a useful example, with its newer, modern episodes, struggling to capture the imagination of its early art style.
This point goes to classic cartoons, for the countless hours spent hand painting cels.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 0
Round #3: Anime
We’re considering anime its own category since it’s distinct enough to be set apart from Western animation. Classic anime was barely animated. Instead, it felt more like a slideshow with dialogue. This was due to economic constraints and different production techniques. They often tried to produce vast quantities of episodes for relatively cheap, since they were usually adapting large mangas. This gave it a distinctive look and feel, but always appeared more static than Western cartoons. Movies were a different ballpark entirely, with “Akira” (1988) looking better than the vast majority of modern animations, but we’re only considering television cartoons here.
In the modern era, this is rarely the case. “One Piece” (1999-) perfectly shows this fact. It originally started in 1999, and most of the fights had barely any animation. Now, it features some of the best animation in TV history, with stunning levels of complexity and detail. Such levels of detail have become way more normal in anime. A big reason is that it’s more popular globally than ever before. Hence, there’s way more money given to the art form, and it sure does show.
It’s easy to see who wins this round, it’s modern.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 1
Round #4: 3D Animation Style
Classic cartoons rarely featured truly 3D animation, barring stop-motion. Rotoscoping could help achieve this appearance, but it always appeared somewhat 2D. Early fully 3D, digitally animated, cartoons were “ReBoot” (1994-2001) and “VeggieTales” (1993-2015). They might have looked good at the time, but looking back, they just don’t hold up. One of the earliest popular 3D TV shows has to be “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius” (2002-06). It definitely looked better than earlier shows, but it still has a weird, uncanny aesthetic, and all the characters have an uncomfortable style of moving.
Now we have the opposite issue, where it’s used way too much. It’s cheap and easy to produce, requiring at a basic level just models and keyframes. It’s completely oversaturated the market, and most of them don’t even look that good. Of course, if effort is put in, it can look impressive. It’s combined with 2D more frequently than ever. “Arcane” (2021-24) is a perfect example of this, blending both together to create a wonderfully unique art style. Naturally, pure 3D shows look generally better than their classic counterparts, with “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-20) being a perfect example, but with advancements in technology, we wouldn’t expect otherwise.
Modern 3D cartoons have wildly varying qualities, but it’s a big step up from classic 3D cartoons, which were few and far between. That’s why this round goes to modern cartoons.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 2
Round #5: Production Process
Classic cartoons were so much more labor intensive, and corners could rarely be cut. As mentioned earlier, a lot of them were hand-painted onto transparent cels. Detailed backgrounds were painstakingly painted, and hundreds of character cels were placed on top. Rotoscoping was also done, which involved tracing over live-action footage, but this was also intense. Lip-syncing would be a serious challenge, and special effects were beyond complicated. The upside is it gave them a distinctive look, which few modern cartoons can replicate. Unfortunately, it was way less accessible, and much more difficult to become an animator, whereas now everyone can pick it up at home.
Now, everything is digital, anyone can make complex animations if they have the time. As opposed to before, when you could barely get by without a team. Higher-quality animations can be made with much less effort, but as the saying goes, limitations foster creativity. Digital advancements allow for a broad range of styles and experimentation, but it’s not as common as we’d hope. The modern cartoon market is flooded with lazy cartoons, many looking like “Rick and Morty” (2013-) copycats. Although if we head to the internet, you can find countless different types of animation, by independent creators, which have been blossoming on the web for over a decade.
That’s why this round goes to classic cartoons, for the remarkable effort put into producing them.
WINNER: Classic cartoons 3 / Modern cartoons 2
Round #6: Writing Quality
Older cartoons were simpler and episodic, with few overarching plotlines, and were mainly made for children. They also relied heavily on slapstick humor, as was the case for the Looney Tunes. Visual comedy was the main way to tell jokes since the medium allows for so much creative imagery. Themes covered were usually light-hearted, clear-cut conflicts, like a chase or a competition, with a simple resolution. It seems it took a long time for cartoons to switch focus from easy-to-digest entertainment, to deep storytelling, and addressing complex themes.
Now, some of the best-written shows are animated. Take “Adventure Time” (2010-18) or “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08), both these shows cover complex themes with phenomenally well-done overarching plotlines. The humor has evolved massively too, straying from simple slapstick jokes to more creative styles of humor. Wordplay has become sharper, quicker, and more reflective of adult sensibilities. It’s not always about laughs. Adult cartoons also explore dark humor, and discuss more serious themes and issues. Dialogue that appeals to both children and adults is more regularly found too, with writers trying to make children’s cartoons entertaining for all ages.
In the modern era, cartoons are much more than just children’s entertainment, they’ve been embraced for the wonderfully creative art form that they are.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 3 / Modern Cartoons 3
Round #7: Characters
Characters used to be one-dimensional, simple archetypes, with clear and easily recognizable traits. For instance, you’d usually have the hero, the villain, the sidekick, etc. Growth was rarely found, especially in shows like “Tom & Jerry” (1940-67). Deep narratives and personal growth just weren’t a focus, not that these characters weren’t loveable, they just weren’t complex. Instead, they were idealized to fit the narrative, and to an extent harder to connect with. Scooby-Doo had a handful of core characters, and most people could relate to at least one of them. They all had defined personalities, but would never evolve, being pretty much the same character for years on end.
Modern cartoons have changed focus entirely, and multi-dimensional, evolving characters are way more commonly found. “BoJack Horseman” (2014-20) for instance has some of the most complex, and human characters in television history, despite most being animals. They’re also much more diverse, representing a plethora of different identities and issues. “Steven Universe” (2013-19) focuses on Steven, a young boy learning about his identity, and features emotional arcs, centered around family dynamics and gender identity. In the past, these ideas would be considered too adult for children’s cartoons, but in the modern day, children are becoming increasingly exposed to such struggles. That’s definitely a good thing since excluding them from the media doesn’t remove them from reality.
No prizes for guessing this round. It’s modern cartoons for the win overall!
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 3 / Modern Cartoons 4
Do you agree with the result, or do you think classic cartoons should have won? Let us know what you think and why in the comments section!
Welcome to MsMojo, and in this installment of Versus we’re going to determine whether classic cartoons are better than modern cartoons. We’re considering classic cartoons to be anything predating the dominance of 3D animation, so roughly the early to mid-2000s.
Round #1: Stop-Motion
Stop-motion is one of the most time-consuming animation techniques, but arguably the most rewarding. Tons of classic cartoons utilized stop-motion, with “Gumby” being one of the earliest examples, originally released in 1953. Other popular examples include “Pingu” (1990-2000; 2003-06; 2024-), “Paddington” (1976-80), and “Postman Pat” (1981-2017). These were all generally aimed at children, with lighthearted stories and often minimal dialogue. Experimentation was also common, with animators playing around with clay, puppets, and a whole variety of models. While it was more frequently done, it was never a mainstream staple and only a few cartoons were made using the technique.
In the modern day, stop-motion is still common, and digital technology has transformed the process. Animators now have access to high-resolution cameras, 3D printing, and digital compositing software, making stop-motion has never been easier. Modern shows made with stop-motion include “Shaun the Sheep” (2007-), “Pui Pui Molcar” (2021-22), and the adult-targeted “Robot Chicken” (2005-). Hybrid techniques have also begun to evolve, combining stop-motion with other styles, which is regularly employed in “The Amazing World of Gumball” (2011-). It’s still not a common animation technique and is usually reserved for high-budget cinema, rather than cartoons.
We’re going to give this point to classic cartoons, since stop-motion used to be so much more common, warmer, and required a lot more effort.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 1 / Modern Cartoons 0
Round #2: 2D Animation Style
For decades, the vast majority of animation was 2D. It was the primary way to animate, giving rise to some beautiful and creative shows. “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) is a perfect example of this. The technology used is now outdated, but the creativity of its style is timeless, making it look better than most modern cartoons, including its newer seasons. A lot of old cartoons were meticulously hand-drawn, making them appear incredibly detailed. Color palettes were much less varied though, limited by what materials they had access to.
Now, 2D animation is way easier to produce. Digital tools allow for vivid colors, intricate texturing, and shading not possible in traditional animation. This also means hybrid styles, which combine 2D with CGI techniques, are more common. “BoJack Horseman” (2014-20) is a creative modern 2D show, which often shakes up its style. On the other hand, both “Rick and Morty” (2013-) and “Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-) inspired a whole genre of cartoons lazily copying their now generic style. “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) is a useful example, with its newer, modern episodes, struggling to capture the imagination of its early art style.
This point goes to classic cartoons, for the countless hours spent hand painting cels.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 0
Round #3: Anime
We’re considering anime its own category since it’s distinct enough to be set apart from Western animation. Classic anime was barely animated. Instead, it felt more like a slideshow with dialogue. This was due to economic constraints and different production techniques. They often tried to produce vast quantities of episodes for relatively cheap, since they were usually adapting large mangas. This gave it a distinctive look and feel, but always appeared more static than Western cartoons. Movies were a different ballpark entirely, with “Akira” (1988) looking better than the vast majority of modern animations, but we’re only considering television cartoons here.
In the modern era, this is rarely the case. “One Piece” (1999-) perfectly shows this fact. It originally started in 1999, and most of the fights had barely any animation. Now, it features some of the best animation in TV history, with stunning levels of complexity and detail. Such levels of detail have become way more normal in anime. A big reason is that it’s more popular globally than ever before. Hence, there’s way more money given to the art form, and it sure does show.
It’s easy to see who wins this round, it’s modern.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 1
Round #4: 3D Animation Style
Classic cartoons rarely featured truly 3D animation, barring stop-motion. Rotoscoping could help achieve this appearance, but it always appeared somewhat 2D. Early fully 3D, digitally animated, cartoons were “ReBoot” (1994-2001) and “VeggieTales” (1993-2015). They might have looked good at the time, but looking back, they just don’t hold up. One of the earliest popular 3D TV shows has to be “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius” (2002-06). It definitely looked better than earlier shows, but it still has a weird, uncanny aesthetic, and all the characters have an uncomfortable style of moving.
Now we have the opposite issue, where it’s used way too much. It’s cheap and easy to produce, requiring at a basic level just models and keyframes. It’s completely oversaturated the market, and most of them don’t even look that good. Of course, if effort is put in, it can look impressive. It’s combined with 2D more frequently than ever. “Arcane” (2021-24) is a perfect example of this, blending both together to create a wonderfully unique art style. Naturally, pure 3D shows look generally better than their classic counterparts, with “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-20) being a perfect example, but with advancements in technology, we wouldn’t expect otherwise.
Modern 3D cartoons have wildly varying qualities, but it’s a big step up from classic 3D cartoons, which were few and far between. That’s why this round goes to modern cartoons.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 2 / Modern Cartoons 2
Round #5: Production Process
Classic cartoons were so much more labor intensive, and corners could rarely be cut. As mentioned earlier, a lot of them were hand-painted onto transparent cels. Detailed backgrounds were painstakingly painted, and hundreds of character cels were placed on top. Rotoscoping was also done, which involved tracing over live-action footage, but this was also intense. Lip-syncing would be a serious challenge, and special effects were beyond complicated. The upside is it gave them a distinctive look, which few modern cartoons can replicate. Unfortunately, it was way less accessible, and much more difficult to become an animator, whereas now everyone can pick it up at home.
Now, everything is digital, anyone can make complex animations if they have the time. As opposed to before, when you could barely get by without a team. Higher-quality animations can be made with much less effort, but as the saying goes, limitations foster creativity. Digital advancements allow for a broad range of styles and experimentation, but it’s not as common as we’d hope. The modern cartoon market is flooded with lazy cartoons, many looking like “Rick and Morty” (2013-) copycats. Although if we head to the internet, you can find countless different types of animation, by independent creators, which have been blossoming on the web for over a decade.
That’s why this round goes to classic cartoons, for the remarkable effort put into producing them.
WINNER: Classic cartoons 3 / Modern cartoons 2
Round #6: Writing Quality
Older cartoons were simpler and episodic, with few overarching plotlines, and were mainly made for children. They also relied heavily on slapstick humor, as was the case for the Looney Tunes. Visual comedy was the main way to tell jokes since the medium allows for so much creative imagery. Themes covered were usually light-hearted, clear-cut conflicts, like a chase or a competition, with a simple resolution. It seems it took a long time for cartoons to switch focus from easy-to-digest entertainment, to deep storytelling, and addressing complex themes.
Now, some of the best-written shows are animated. Take “Adventure Time” (2010-18) or “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08), both these shows cover complex themes with phenomenally well-done overarching plotlines. The humor has evolved massively too, straying from simple slapstick jokes to more creative styles of humor. Wordplay has become sharper, quicker, and more reflective of adult sensibilities. It’s not always about laughs. Adult cartoons also explore dark humor, and discuss more serious themes and issues. Dialogue that appeals to both children and adults is more regularly found too, with writers trying to make children’s cartoons entertaining for all ages.
In the modern era, cartoons are much more than just children’s entertainment, they’ve been embraced for the wonderfully creative art form that they are.
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 3 / Modern Cartoons 3
Round #7: Characters
Characters used to be one-dimensional, simple archetypes, with clear and easily recognizable traits. For instance, you’d usually have the hero, the villain, the sidekick, etc. Growth was rarely found, especially in shows like “Tom & Jerry” (1940-67). Deep narratives and personal growth just weren’t a focus, not that these characters weren’t loveable, they just weren’t complex. Instead, they were idealized to fit the narrative, and to an extent harder to connect with. Scooby-Doo had a handful of core characters, and most people could relate to at least one of them. They all had defined personalities, but would never evolve, being pretty much the same character for years on end.
Modern cartoons have changed focus entirely, and multi-dimensional, evolving characters are way more commonly found. “BoJack Horseman” (2014-20) for instance has some of the most complex, and human characters in television history, despite most being animals. They’re also much more diverse, representing a plethora of different identities and issues. “Steven Universe” (2013-19) focuses on Steven, a young boy learning about his identity, and features emotional arcs, centered around family dynamics and gender identity. In the past, these ideas would be considered too adult for children’s cartoons, but in the modern day, children are becoming increasingly exposed to such struggles. That’s definitely a good thing since excluding them from the media doesn’t remove them from reality.
No prizes for guessing this round. It’s modern cartoons for the win overall!
WINNER: Classic Cartoons 3 / Modern Cartoons 4
Do you agree with the result, or do you think classic cartoons should have won? Let us know what you think and why in the comments section!
