Top 10 Best Cartoon Network Shows No One Talks About

Cartoon Network decided to combine live-action and animation in their 2006 TV movie, “Re-Animated.” It proved popular enough to warrant a spin-off the following year, continuing the story of Jimmy, the teenager who, following a brain transplant, can see animated characters all around him. Predictably, these 2D critters cause him lots of trouble, not to mention the people after him who want his special brain for themselves. Out Of Jimmy’s Head was… not well-received to say the least, with its twenty episodes generally considered to be one of the biggest blunders in Cartoon Network history.

Despite still being a Cartoon Network production, this is the only show on the list that was primarily produced in Europe. Premiering at the end of 2005, “Robotboy” bears many similarities to Nickelodeon’s “My Life as a Teenage Robot,” in that it focuses on a young, blue robot trying to fit in with the human world. There’s even a little Mega Man DNA in there, as Robotboy was sheltered in the human world by his creator to save him from another evil scientist. Disappointingly, there’s no Robot Masters for him to fight, but the show did feature a neat mix of everyday drama and cool action through its two-season run.

Here’s a title that speaks for itself. Originally losing to “Grim & Evil” in a viewer contest to pick the next Cartoon Cartoon, “Robot Jones” eventually got his own series in 2002. Similar to “Robotboy,” but with less action, this 80s set show centered around the awkward, cybernetic creation trying to fit in with his human classmates in middle school. Unfortunately, executive meddling resulted in changes throughout the shows short run, such as Robot Jones’ voice being changed from a robotic text-to-speech generator in Season 1, to a more childlike (but still robotic) voice in Season 2. Ultimately, Robot Jones ended up cancelled in late 2003.

Created by former “Real World” contestant Judd Winick, this show focuses on Juniper Lee, just a normal middle schooler in San Francisco, who also happens to be the guardian of both the human and magical worlds. The show consists of Juniper trying to balance her dual roles, fighting demons and gods one moment, and trying to manage her social life the next. Winick claims he drew inspiration from shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it was unique for its young, female Asian protagonist and Eastern inspired concepts. Sadly, Juniper Lee’s life and times fell by the wayside after three seasons, ending in 2007.

Remember that weird couple of months in 2009 when Cartoon Network started airing a ton of live-action shows? Well, they’d sure like you to forget about it. Despite a couple shows from the CN Real block attaining moderate success, we’re pretty sure no one remembers this paranormal themed series that only ran for six months. It was basically “Ghost Hunters” with teenagers, where the crew investigated potentially haunted sites such as cemeteries, old movie sets, and even Alcatraz. While it actually lasted a little longer than some of its CN Real companions, “The Othersiders” pretty much disappeared into the spirit world of obscurity after it was cancelled.

1953’s “Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century” is one of the most beloved “Looney Tunes” shorts of all time, and in 2003, Cartoon Network turned it into a full-fledged series. Adorned with a theme song sung by Tom Jones, the show stars Daffy Duck as Dodgers, Porky Pig as the Eager, Young Space Cadet, and Marvin the Martian as Martian Commander X-2. Dodgers and his Cadet navigate through the cosmos encountering sci-fi versions of fellow “Looney Tunes” characters, as well as epic and hilarious action and comedy. “Dodgers” ran for three seasons, but isn’t a huge part of the “Looney Tunes” canon anymore, despite its quality.

Here’s another show that got picked as a result of a viewer voting contest, and the only entry on the list that regularly aired during Toonami. After main characters Coop and Jamie find the futuristic MEGAS, an acronym for “Mechanized Earth Guard Attack System,” they team up with original MEGAS pilot Kiva to fend off the Glorft, an alien menace from the 31st Century. A fantastical story, awesome action, and homages to classic Japanese animation tropes made “Megas” a favorite among the Toonami faithful. Even though it was cancelled after two seasons due to poor ratings, its fanbase begged CN to bring it back, though their efforts never succeeded.

Has there been a giant Outkast shaped hole in your heart for a number of years? Well, this show might not fill it, but it will give you a ton of André 3000 material you probably never knew existed. The rapper lent his voice and creative talent to this show, where he played Sunny Bridges, a music star who becomes a music teacher to a group of kids in Atlanta. The show featured characters from many different backgrounds and ethnicities, and of course, a ton of funky music that would make the people of Stankonia proud. Despite positive reception from critics, “Class of 3000” ended after only two seasons, and isn’t brought up much anymore.

Before the 2008 series told us about the battles of the Jedi and the Clone Army, we had this traditionally animated microseries that bridged the gap between Episodes II and III. Helmed by “Dexter’s Lab” and “Samurai Jack” creator Genndy Tartakovsky, “Clone Wars” aired for three seasons, comprising of 25 two to fifteen minute episodes. The series gave us memorable moments like Obi-Wan’s battle against Durge and Kit Fisto’s defense of Mon Calamari, as well as introducing future “Star Wars” icons like Asajj Ventress. Despite being partially overshadowed by its CG follow-up, “Clone Wars” remains essential viewing for “Star Wars” fans.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a couple honorable mentions:

“Mike, Lu & Og” (1999-2001)

“Squirrel Boy” (2006-07)

“Sheep in the Big City” (2000-02)

"Time Squad" (2001-03)

"Robotomy" (2010-11)

You may recognize Japanese rockers Puffy AmiYumi from the theme song they did for another Cartoon Network show, “Teen Titans.” The following year, they got their own show on the CN, featuring chibi versions of themselves in a hyperactive, J-Pop influenced world, and with the voice talents of Grey DeLisle as Yumi and Janice Kawaye as Ami. Despite a strong premiere in November of ‘04, and even spawning some soundtrack albums and video games, the adventures of Ami and Yumi ended after three seasons in summer 2006. The network even ended the show with five full episodes remaining unaired in the United States.