Highlights
- Ben 10 offers a refreshing take on superheroes with a young boy turning into alien creatures to defend Earth.
- The Tick parodies superhero tropes with a dim hero and an accountant sidekick in a crime-filled city.
- My Hero Academia stands out with a normal boy in a world of superpowers, focusing on true heroism and Quirks.
The superhero genre has gained popularity at an impressive rate in the last couple of decades, especially when considering how accessible Marvel and DC content has become. However, with an oversaturation of the market, there has been what some might call “superhero fatigue” in recent years, causing some great adaptations to flop.
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Despite being responsible for a big chunk of the genre’s growth, Marvel and DC are definitely not the only superhero titles worth watching. When it comes to animated shows, there is an abundance of animated series that do not receive their fair share of love, especially when considering how some provide a different superhero experience than that of the big two. Such animated shows can be seen as a staple for the genre, following the classic format or innovating beyond the genre’s boundaries.
10 Ben 10 (2005 – 2008)
A Young Kid Turns Into A Superhero During Summer Vacation
- Released: December 27, 2005
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
- Creators: Joe Casey, Joe Kelly
- Seasons: 4
Ben 10 is the story of a young boy who finds a watch that allows him to transform into 10 different alien creatures, each with specific abilities and characteristics. With such a powerful gadget, this young boy is Earth’s biggest defense against powerful aliens.
Sharing some of the traits with some of the most powerful fictional children, Ben 10 is an admirable hero, even if, at times, he can be a tad immature. Thankfully, his clever cousin and wise grandfather help him become the superhero he is destined to be.
9 The Tick (1994 – 1997)
A Parody With A Not-So-Bright Superhero And An Accountant Sidekick
- Released: September 10, 1994
- Genres: Comedy, Satire
- Creator: Ben Edlund
- Seasons: 3
The Tick came as a satire on superhero titles with its comedic villains, dim-witted superheroes, and stereotypical crime-filled city called The City. After going to superhero school, The Tick is assigned to protect The City with his sidekick, Arthur, an accountant.
With comic book elements and comical aspects, The Tick plays on multiple superhero tropes that make it a humorous yet interesting watch. The parody’s popularity only grew with it later getting a live-action adaption that continued the legacy of the beloved yet brainless hero.
8 The Powerpuff Girls (1998 – 2005)
A Powerful Superhero Trio Made Up OF Children
- Released: November 18, 1998
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Creator: Craig McCracken
- Seasons: 6
The Powerpuff Girls follows three crime-fighting superheroines, each with a unique set of abilities and personalities that combine to make for a great viewer experience. With witty foes, comedic episodes, nostalgic factors, and strong characters, The Powerpuff Girls is an enjoyable watch for all ages.
Created in a lab, these three sisters have strength, speed, and endurance, yet they need to figure out how to work together and live as siblings. Showing relatable personal dilemmas, this virtually indestructible trio brings normalcy and uniqueness to the genre.
7 The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022)
A Dystopian Superhero Satire In A Spin-off Adult Animated Series
- Released: March 4, 2022
- Genre: Action, Dark Comedy
- Creator: Eric Kripke
- Seasons: 1
Serving as a spin-off to the brutal live-action television show, The Boys, this animated series is constituted of short stories weaved into an adult animated show. Despite being a classic superhero narrative on the surface, The Boys Presents: Diabolical is a satire of the genre and the society that praises commercial symbols of hope.
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Just as sadistic and mature as the original show, the animated series is set in the same universe but has a different focus, still showcasing examples of the dystopian society that comes with powered people. This is especially evident if such influential personas are also horrible human beings who live their lives unchecked.
6 My Hero Academia (2016 – Present)
In a world where superpowers are more common than not, a boy with no particular gift dreams of being the Number One Hero. Yet, when he enrolls in a hero academy, he has to find out what makes a true hero, regardless of one’s power or natural abilities.
My Hero Academia is one of the best superhero anime out there. It focuses on a reverse origin story, following a boy who is normal in a world where everyone is special. This title comes with a great underdog story, original powers (called Quirks), complex yet dark villains, and gray superheroes.
5 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir (2015 – Present)
A Superhero Adventure For Children, Adults, And Everyone In Between
- Released: October 19, 2015
- Genre: Magical Girl
- Creator: Thomas Astruc
- Seasons: 5
On the outside, what can look like a children’s animated series is actually an entertaining superhero story filled with action, superpowers, reasonable antagonists, and romance, all wrapped in a fresh setting. Set in Paris, Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir follows two teenagers with secret identities who are responsible for protecting magical jewels, known as Miraculous.
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As the evil mastermind transforms people into villains to try to get the Miraculous, the clumsy Marinette and the confident Adrien need to transform into superheroes. Hiding their identity from each other and everyone else, these classmates fight crime in a cartoon filled with engaging storylines for everyone to enjoy.
4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 – 2009)
Traditional Superhero Core With A Distinct Surface
- Released: February 8, 2003
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
- Creators: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
- Seasons: 7
Although it might not have the most common premise — crime-fighting mutant turtle brothers trained as ninjas — this franchise has all the elements of a great superhero cartoon. With a unique origin story, a rat for a mentor, ninja weapons, and a love for pizza, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a must-watch for fans of the superhero genre.
Particularly, the 2003 iteration has so many aspects that give it an edge among superhero shows, including dangerous gangs, rough neighborhoods, underground matches, deep lore, and interesting characters.
3 Spawn (1997-1999)
Dark And Gritty Tones Make For A Great Superhero Story
- Released: May 16, 1997
- Genre: Action, Crime
- Creator: Todd McFarlane
- Seasons: 3
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn tiptoes around the genre with a darker take on the classic superhero origin story, as a dead CIA assassin returns to life as a powerful Hellspawn. Not only does the show set forth an original, gritty narrative, but it also has a great voice cast, unique premise, and horror elements.
As bloody and violent as it is, this 90s animated show prioritizes its unpredictable plot, character development, and deep lore. Yet, the Hellspawn story expanded beyond an animated show, gaining more popularity and depth with movie and subsequent video game adaptations.
2 She-Ra And The Princess Of Power (2018-2020)
A Princess Turns Into A Hero In A Complex, Inclusive, And Funny Series
- Released: November 13, 2018
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
- Creator: ND Stevenson
- Seasons: 5
As both a spin-off and a reboot, She-Ra and the Princess of Power follows Adora, a woman who can transform into a powerful warrior, She-Ra, and leads Etheria against Lord Hordak. Besides having everything that a superhero show needs, the series comes with a unique art style, great humor, heartwarming scenes, and epic fights that make it an amazing animated watch.
She-Ra and the Princess of Power managed to create a superhero story that combines complex relationships, inclusivity, and conventional superhero aspects. With elements of the original 1985 show and references to the original He-Man, this animated series certainly deserves more recognition.
1 Invincible (2021-Present)
Presents Superhero Tropes With Innovative Brutality And Refreshing Realism
Invincible
- Release Date
- March 25, 2021
- Creator
- Robert Kirkman
- Seasons
- 2
While it might stick to some traditional superhero story beats, Invincible revolutionizes the genre by bringing a layer of innovation that makes the title stand out among other entries in the genre. Mark Grayson is the classic teenager who wants to be a hero, especially since his dad is the ‘Superman’ equivalent in his world.
With a league of superheroes, small-scale and grand-scale villains, origin stories, and spandex suits, Invincible constantly makes the mold to then break it. With some funny and brutal episodes, this show does not shy away from the violence, responsibility, and reality that comes with the job of a caped crusader.
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