The 80s cartoons were the basis for many children to grow up, respecting show days and times, believe me. These cartoons have already had their space on TV, and today they are followed on the small screen by those who like nostalgia.
In this article, we bring you the best designs in the opinion of the pavirada.com team.
Viewers' expectations
Cartoons from the 80s were adaptations of very popular stories that inspired children. Viewers wanted to watch cartoons with themes that covered subjects such as emotions, fun, friendship, relationships between characters, magic and adventures.
They had to wait for the days and times of the week when each one would be shown. Whether watching “Xou da Xuxa”, Mara Maravilha or Angélica, among other attractions that featured the beloved cartoons of the 80s.
80s Cartoon Characters
The characters in these drawings were what caught the most attention. They had different formats, stories and motivations, and were endowed with very peculiar personalities. Highlighting different professions, generation of heroes, smart children and young people, warriors and great guardians.
In some cartoons there was a journey in which the character explored the world, met new creatures and learned new lessons. These journeys allowed characters to grow and learn new skills, developing throughout the story.
Check out our team's selection of the best cartoons from the 80s here!
- “Knights of the Zodiac”
- “Dragon’s Cave”
- “He-Man”
- “The Smurfs”
- “Scooby-Doo”
- “Super Friends”
- “Thunder Cats”
- “The Flintistones”
- “The Jetsons”
1. “Knights of the Zodiac” – The bravest knights in cartoons
Knights of the Zodiac had its origins in Manga and was adapted into Anime, one of the first most famous around here. There are 11 mystical warriors, whose mission is to fight to defend the Goddess Athena – the Goddess of war and wisdom.
The cartoon was not stuck in time. Among other productions, there was a two-season series on Netflix that debuted in 2019 and a live action version that debuted in 2023 first in Japan.
The best known knights are the bronze knights, but there were other ranks of silver and gold. Between passages and fights they eventually achieved evolution. The knights were holders of mystical powers originating from the Cosmos, reaching the Seventh Sense and capable of fighting without weapons, using superpowers in their bodies, which also evolved according to their rank.
2. “Dragon’s Cave” – Boldness and joy of cartoons!
The group of teenagers who are lost from their homeland, which has an amusement park as its portal, cross into another dimension with monsters and magical beings.
They fight, overcoming various challenges and enigmas in search of returning home.
The villain of the cartoon is the Avenger, and his ally Master of the Magicians, the cartoon stopped being shown without the outcome of the boys' return home, to the question of fans to this day.
3. “He-Man” – Most famous cartoon soundtrack
The story takes place on the planet Eternia, where the castle of Grauskull is located with its prince Adam and his pet lion Pacato.
They have powers to protect the secrets of Grauskull. Then they transform into superheroes Adam becomes He-Man in possession of his sword with the famous “I have the strength” and Pacato the Warrior Cat and fight against the evil forces of the villain Skeletor, Maligna and her subjects.
Always counting on the help of the Sorceress, they are always ready together with their ally Mentor, their daughter Teela and Gorpo, a friendly ghost, to protect the lives of the entire planet.
At the end of each episode a character always appeared to demonstrate the teachings passed during the story.
4. “The Smurfs” – The little blue ones
The always active and happy little blue creatures are mushroom-dwelling boys, led by the wise and magical elder Papa Smurf.
Each one with their own way and special gift lives in harmony, and with only one special girl Smurfette who was created in a laboratory by the villain Gargamel, among so many attempts to end the village.
The cartoon also had 3 cinema versions, with great success since 2011.
5. “Scooby-Doo” – The favorite cartoon dog
The most mysterious cartoon, features teenage characters who together form mystery hunters. Excellent detectives, each with their own special ability, they go through several troubles between monsters and ghosts, which are always disguises for some revenge plan between people.
Always fun and clumsy Scooby-Doo, the team's talking dog mascot, is fearful, but fundamental. Always agitated and in a hurry, they look for unusual places with the Mystery Machine van. “Scooby, doby-Doo”
6. “Super Friends” – The union of superheroes
The most famous squad of superheroes among 80s cartoons, made up of the most powerful in the Universe, come together to fight crime.
- Superman – the man of steel;
- Wonder Woman – the most beautiful and powerful woman in the world, with her lasso of truth;
- Aquaman – the legend of the seas;
- Batman and Robin – the dynamic duo;
- Super Gemini- the brothers who transform – Jayna turns into any animal and Zan into anything made of water;
- Apache Chief – the strong leader;
- Flash – the fastest;
- Green Lantern the protector of the planet, among others.
“Meanwhile in the courtroom…“ those who understand will understand!!!
7. “Thunder Cats” – The mutant feline heroes
The group of feline teenagers and their mentor Jaga from the world of Thundera, which was destroyed, and they manage to escape in a capsule, which lands in the third world. That leaves only the Eyed Sword of Thundera, which provides the “Give me Sight beyond Reach” source of all power.
The capsule also protected them from aging. Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit, WilyKat and Snarf. The alien invasion draws the attention of the villain from the Mummy cartoon, Mumm-Ra “Evil Spirits transform this tired and decaying body into Mumm Ra” who has the power to rejuvenate and become very powerful.< /p>
And so they form “Thunder, thunder, thunder cats, oooooohhh!”
8. “The Flintstones” – A description of the Stone Age
A delicious story that brought together 2 friendly and neighboring families in the Stone Age in the city of Bedrock. They portray routine and everyday life with humor, transforming the comfort of modern life and what it would be like back then.
Fred's family, Wylma and her Pedrita with their pet Dino. And Barney's family, Betty and her son BamBam. They enjoy dinners, bowling, parties and a work routine with their boss, Mr Pedregulho.
“Yabadabadoo” is one of the best-known catchphrases among 80s cartoons.
9. “The Jetsons” – Adventures in the future
The story that envisioned what the future would be like also brings the daily routine of a family experiencing all the technology and modernity that would be used in the 2000s.
In the routine between home and work, you wouldn't believe if you actually lived in the 80s, such assertiveness that drawing brought, they were daydreams at that time.
But see what was already there:
- Smartwatch
- Video calls
- Giant flat screen TVs,
- Tablet with interactive screen for reading newspapers.
- Conveyor belts
- Artificial tanning done in chambers.
- Personal assistant like Siri
- Robot that cleans the house.
- The cars were like flying drones
80s Cartoons- Conclusion
Cartoons from the 80s are fun, nostalgia and inspiration for many people. At the same time they entertained, taught and inspired children, they were there to tell stories that we all know and We like to remember.
So, did you enjoy and remember some of the great stories from cartoons from the 80s?
