21 Parts of Kids’ Media That Were Really Dark When You Think About It
The world of cartoons is a magical place where physics, biology and most other sciences don’t apply. Characters can run off cliffs, get crushed by anvils and even shoot each other and be totally fine (you know, as long as they stay out of The Dip). Even non-animated characters can withstand supernatural levels of physical and emotional damage without consequence.
That makes it even more jarring when the consequences are implied, but in a fun, cartoony way. For example, user CreeperAshe07 told r/AskReddit that “one of the things they were thinking about” was the Gravity Falls character Big Henry, who dies in a mining accident/mini golf game. “Like, damn, they weren’t even subtle about it.”
They then asked, “What are some really dark concepts in kids’ shows that were presented as light and trivial?” and their fellow Redditors quickly shaded the proceedings with some serious darkness.
Hey Arnold!
Ed, Edd n Eddy
Gravity Falls
Adventure Time
Rocko’s Modern Life
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Kung Fu Panda 2
The Land Before Time
Thomas & Friends
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Muppet Babies
SpongeBob SquarePants
Fraggle Rock
The Magic School Bus
Shark Tale
Finding Nemo
Finding Dory
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Stickin’ Around
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
