A to Z of Animation Studios: C Is for Cartoon Network Studios
The studio that let creators be weird, and changed TV animation because of it.
C is for Cartoon Network Studios
The start: Cartoon Network launched as a TV channel in 1992, mostly airing old Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Then it started making its own shows. Its first big idea was called What a Cartoon! (1995): dozens of short films from different creators, with the best ones becoming full series.
That one choice, betting on creators instead of committees, launched a golden age.
Greatest hits
Dexter's Laboratory (1996). A boy genius with a secret lab and a big sister who keeps breaking in. He never invented a lock.
Johnny Bravo (1997). A muscle-bound guy with huge hair and zero luck, who is somehow still charming.
The Powerpuff Girls (1998). Three superpowered kindergartners made of sugar, spice and Chemical X, with fight scenes better than a lot of action movies.
Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999). Three kids, one cul-de-sac and endless schemes to afford jawbreakers.
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999). A scared little dog who protects his family anyway. Spooky, sweet and unforgettable.
Samurai Jack (2001). Almost wordless action, built on stunning backgrounds and timing.
Adventure Time (2010). Started silly and grew into one of the most emotional stories in TV animation.
Steven Universe (2013). Musical, gentle and full of heart.
The misses
The Problem Solverz (2011). Bright, flashing visuals that many viewers found hard to watch.
Mike, Lu & Og (1999). Remember it? Most people don't, and that's the review.
The Cartoon Network formula
Trust the creator. Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, Pendleton Ward and Rebecca Sugar each got to make their own vision.
Strong graphic style. You can recognize every show from a single frame.
Kids are smarter than you think. These shows trusted young viewers with big feelings and strange ideas.
Honorable mention: Cinar
A Canadian studio behind Arthur and Caillou. REAL: Caillou is bald because he was originally drawn as a baby, and the look stuck when he got older. Cinar later became part of what's now WildBrain.
The lesson
The What a Cartoon! model is the lesson: make lots of short ideas, see what works, and give the winners room to grow. That's how great studios find great shows.
Up next
D is for DiC Entertainment.
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