Cartoons

[Robotboy]

I've been out of touch of cartoons for a while. What are some good cartoons that are both child appropriate yet enjoyable to adults? Any recommendations?

Basically I'll looking to hit all 3 categories:
1. Animated. Doesn't really matter the style. But it needs to be animated.
2. Kid appropriate. Pretty much PG-13 at the highest.
3. Enjoyable to adults. This is really important. Many cartoons just feel stupid. There's certainly some awesome ones though. 

[cwcwcw]

Judging from your question, I'd guess anime is ok as well?

Anyway, here are my suggestions:

Ducktales (2017 reboot) - Fun, nostalgia factor. Also sometimes delves into serious situations.

Dr. Stone - Educational anime with lots of humor in it.

Super Mario Bros Z - Not a cartoon or anime, but a great animation series which was rebooted recently. Both the original and reboot are great. Found on Youtube.

[Robotboy]

Judging from your question, I'd guess anime is ok as well?

Anime is totally ok

[on the rocks]

I hear good things about Steven Universe in terms of striking a good balance between tweenage sensibilities and also rewarding adult viewers with more cerebral stuff.

I think its run is complete but I know Gravity Falls is another show that falls into this category and has the gravitas of some Simpsons alumni behind it.

The latest crop of primetime animation from Fox is mediocre to bad so I'm not in a hurry to recommend any of them.  Ducanville has potential, but I lost track of it once Fox moved it to Mondays and haven't bothered to try and stream it.  One adorable aspect of that show is the kindergarten-aged girl who has a crush on her teenage brother.

[Midamoto]

I don't know much about you, but I'll throw some guesses and you see what sticks out.

• Gravity Falls, as otr said. Amazing show. Good for kids, very sweet, and full of mystery and adventure.
• Hilda - just incredibly sweet, a little adventurous too, full of wonder and contemplative.
• Dr. Stone, as recommended by cwcwcw - the anime/manga that makes science cool. I'm sure teachers will show it to kids in ten years, so watch it quickly before it becomes uncool.
• Made in Abyss - maybe too violent for your needs, but I can't not recommend it because it knocked my socks off with wonder and adventure. I definitely recommend you watch it.
• Avatar, the last Airbender - this one is old, and maybe you know it already. But it's absolutely fantastic. It's amassed an excellent reputation, good lore, breathtaking story and pacing, and overall just very enjoyable.

I just realized all of the shows I listed are completed (by the way, so is Steven Universe, and its ending is part of the reason I didn't put it in my list ). But I just don't know of any shows currently airing that are any good and that satisfy your criteria, even from Japan.

[Robotboy]

I don't know much about you, but I'll throw some guesses and you see what sticks out.

• Avatar, the last Airbender - this one is old, and maybe you know it already. But it's absolutely fantastic. It's amassed an excellent reputation, good lore, breathtaking story and pacing, and overall just very enjoyable.

Of everything mentioned before I've only watched Avatar. And this is the exact type of show I'd be looking for. I can't speak for the other shows as I haven't seen them. But Avatar is amazing. Action, plot, comedy, emotional, intellectual.

Shows like Avatar are great but hard to come by so I don't expect anything to be on par with that. But I would say a show like Teen Titans would be good but a show like Teen Titans Go is not good. Not sure if that helps anyone.

And to everyone who's given some recommendations so far. Thank you.

[Midamoto]

I don't know much about you, but I'll throw some guesses and you see what sticks out.

• Avatar, the last Airbender - this one is old, and maybe you know it already. But it's absolutely fantastic. It's amassed an excellent reputation, good lore, breathtaking story and pacing, and overall just very enjoyable.

Of everything mentioned before I've only watched Avatar. And this is the exact type of show I'd be looking for. I can't speak for the other shows as I haven't seen them. But Avatar is amazing. Action, plot, comedy, emotional, intellectual.

Shows like Avatar are great but hard to come by so I don't expect anything to be on par with that. But I would say a show like Teen Titans would be good but a show like Teen Titans Go is not good. Not sure if that helps anyone.

And to everyone who's given some recommendations so far. Thank you.

I completely echo your thoughts, so I think our tastes are at least somewhat aligned. There's nothing out there quite like Avatar, I agree. Glad I could be of help!

[geekboy]

Avatar is arguably a perfect show in terms of storytelling, worldbuilding, character development etc. And also Aang is SO cute.

I agree with some others that were posted:
- Hilda: I recommended this for the GL's out there but I think it's really well produced and has some great storytelling and beautiful animation
- Steven Universe: Another amazing show with very smart storytelling and probably one of the best animated shows that do a great job of introducing gender roles and gender identity
- Star Wars Clone Wars & Rebels: if you're looking for great scifi animation and story, look no further. These are both amazing (Rebels is great with some good boy centered storylines)
- Adventure Time: totally off the wall crazy stuff, but some great story arcs. There's a lot to watch and catch up on if you never watched it though
- Gravity Falls: definitely some great stories, art and characters
- Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts: Great animation and fun stories. The characters are young teens and I was surprised that they took the bold step of making the boy character gay (and he outright says it in one of the episodes. AND finds a boyfriend).

That's just a short list but I hope it helps.

[Midamoto]

- Adventure Time: totally off the wall crazy stuff, but some great story arcs. There's a lot to watch and catch up on if you never watched it though

Incidentally the best animated show of all times, just saying.

[ijp]

I'll toss a couple that aren't nearly as good as the others, but that anecdotally every kid I know has seen:

• The Loud House
  
• Miraculous

[on the rocks]

Is it bad that I only know most of these titles from Rule 34 artwork?

[Robotboy]

- Adventure Time: totally off the wall crazy stuff, but some great story arcs. There's a lot to watch and catch up on if you never watched it though

Incidentally the best animated show of all times, just saying.

Since I know you liked Avatar, that's huge praise.

[ijp]

Is it bad that I only know most of these titles from Rule 34 artwork?

I've been in the same boat, and it's a very odd sort of shame to know a series only through porn, then to go to a household with kids watching it. It's like you either expect it to devolve into what you know it as, or like you know some dark secret of the characters Sometimes it's more enjoyable though, I was a lot more engaged seeing The Loud House than I would have normally having spent a month watching Lincoln rail every one of his sisters

[Robotboy]

Is it bad that I only know most of these titles from Rule 34 artwork?

I've been in the same boat, and it's a very odd sort of shame to know a series only through porn, then to go to a household with kids watching it. It's like you either expect it to devolve into what you know it as, or like you know some dark secret of the characters Sometimes it's more enjoyable though, I was a lot more engaged seeing The Loud House than I would have normally having spent a month watching Lincoln rail every one of his sisters

This made me find out about Rule 34 artwork. I really don't know how to feel now.

[Midamoto]

Is it bad that I only know most of these titles from Rule 34 artwork?

I've been in the same boat, and it's a very odd sort of shame to know a series only through porn, then to go to a household with kids watching it. It's like you either expect it to devolve into what you know it as, or like you know some dark secret of the characters Sometimes it's more enjoyable though, I was a lot more engaged seeing The Loud House than I would have normally having spent a month watching Lincoln rail every one of his sisters

Same. I only know the Loud House through porn. As well as Ben 10 (is that how it's called? I know it under the name of "Sultry Summer" ).