The Power and Popularity of Animated TV Shows: Myths and Reality

Is it true that animated TV shows are always underrated and not as successful as live action shows? The idea is often perpetuated, but upon closer inspection, this notion quickly unravels. In reality, animated series have long been a dominant force in the entertainment industry, and their success is measured not just by opposition to live-action shows, but by their own merit and longevity.

Why Animated Shows are Often Considered Underrated

One common misconception is that animated TV shows are undervalued and not successful. According to popular opinion, the most highly rated series on IMDb, such as 'Big Mouth', 'Bob's Burgers', and 'SpongeBob SquarePants', are often described as underappreciated. However, by examining the ratings and longevity of these shows, it becomes evident that the categorization of 'underrated' is misleading.

Top Animated Series with Record Ratings

There are numerous animated series with record-breaking ratings and ratings on IMDb:

Big Mouth - 296 Bob's Burgers - 287 SpongeBob SquarePants - 238 Adventure Time - 233 Batman the Animated Series - 222 Star Wars: The Clone Wars - 215 American Dad - 192 Avatar: The Last Airbender - 185 Gravity Falls - 181 What If... - 172 Archer - 143 BoJack Horseman - 118 Love, Death Robots - 115 Invincible - 108 Futurama - 80 Arcane - 73 Family Guy - 49 Avatar: The Last Airbender - 45 South Park - 42 The Simpsons - 37 Rick and Morty - 16

Contrary to the popular belief, several animated shows have impressive ratings that rival those of live-action series, and often surpass them in terms of longevity and influence.

Animated Shows: A Balanced Category in Quality

Another misconception is that animated shows are lower in quality than live action shows. This is simply not the case. The success of animated shows is a testament to their ability to offer high-quality storytelling, creativity, and emotional depth. For instance, the long-running The Simpsons (1989-2023) has been a staple of popular culture for over 34 years, with no signs of slowing down. Similarly, South Park (1997-Present) and Family Guy (1999-Present) continue to captivate audiences more than two decades after their inception.

Unlocking the Value of Animation

Despite these successes, many still view animation as a medium suitable only for younger audiences. However, modern animated series have broken this barrier, proving that animated shows can offer complex themes, nuanced storytelling, and mainstream appeal.

Why Animated Shows Are Underrated: Myths and Reality

The term 'underrated' often means that a show is underappreciated compared to its success, but in the context of animated shows, this term is misleading. Consider the following longitudinal data:

The Simpsons: 1989-2023 (34 years) South Park: 1997-Present (26 years) Family Guy: 1999-Present (24 years) Star Wars: The Clone Wars: 2008-2020 (12 years) Bob’s Burgers: 2011-Present Futurama: 1999-2023 (24 years) American Dad: 2005-Present (18 years) Rick and Morty: 2013-Present (10 years) Archer: 2009-2023 (14 years) King of the Hill: 1997-2010 (13 years)

The data clearly shows that four of the top ten longest-running TV shows are animated, and none of the live-action shows come close to the longevity of The Simpsons. This longevity is not a fluke; it is a reflection of the enduring appeal and creativity of animation.

Conclusion

The success of animated TV shows is not a matter of being underrated or less successful than live action shows. Rather, it is a testament to the power of animation in storytelling and the enduring appeal of creative, engaging content. Animated shows have proven time and again that they can captivate audiences and offer storytelling at the highest levels, making them a significant and celebrated part of the entertainment industry.