"When I was your age..."

[Fantasy Dreamer]

There's this family at my church and they have five children (in order, oldest to youngest, girl, boy, boy, boy, girl). Yesterday, at church, their third child, second son, came up to me and asked me what kind of cartoons I used to watch when I was little. I was thinking "little" meant his age (he's about seven or eight), so I thought and replied, "Looney Tunes. Like Bugs Bunny and Daffy." He looked a little confused, and sat there thoughtfully. I figured, from the look on his face, I needed to inquire further about it and possibly clear something up. "Why do you ask?" I said. The kid looked at me and said, "Because my older sister (I'm not using their names...) watches a cartoon called Sailor Moon and she says you used to watch it."

Hearing this I couldn't help but grin, and it was all I could do not to laugh! I verified that yes, I did watch it when I was about 10, but when I was his age I watched Looney Tunes. He proceeded to ask me various questions about the characters and tell me which episodes and seasons they had seen. And as I sat there listening to this little boy, whom I have known since birth and even when his mother was pregnant with him, I started to feel old (even though I'm not that old). But just hearing him tell me about Sailor Moon, a show that had already been around a while when I started watching it and a show that I had enjoyed for many years in my youth, made me think, "Wow, these kids are old enough to watch Sailor Moon!"

And that, my friends, makes me feel old. Although, I never thought there would ever be anyone else in my church besides my brother and me who had an interest in anime. Though they may not know what to properly call Sailor Moon, these kids watching it is very exciting! Do I see future anime fans? Possibly. I'm excited about them watching it, however, I feel "old" because of it.

So, I was wondering, has anybody else had this experience? Have you ever had a kid you know come up to you and start telling/asking you about an anime you watched when you were their age or possibly even younger?

[ADXC]

Well, I shutter to think that this actually happens! I mean I grew up with Looney Toons, Scooby-doo, the flintstones, the jetsons, Tom and Jerry, Charlie Brown and many other different cartoons. Although I was born on in 1990, thats all that was really on except save for the simpsons, rugrats, garfield, and doug. Kids nowadays ought to see the good oldies that we all know and love. This is why the Boomerang channel was invented! Sorta like the TVland of cartoons you could say. I watch it occasionally because sometimes we all need to look back once in while!

[LadyRushia]

I find that kids tend to not know about the good old cartoons, which is sad, in my opinion, because I feel that most of the newer cartoons have almost no substance.

[ADXC]

Seriously, Rushia! Yeah, they are losing substance. Cartoons used to make you laugh, but now they seem just for entertainment which is sad. Remember when you were young and on saturday mornings you'd get up and watch some Looney Toons or other cartoons in that same time frame? Petridge Farms remembers, oh wait I mean I remember.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

Oh no! This thread isn't about 'old cartoons dieing' anyway. Those kids do watch the oldies, and they enjoy them... I love all the aformentioned cartoons and watched all those. Like I mentioned above, I really didn't get into anime until I was ten, and even then I only watched Sailor Moon. I didn't become a big fan until I was 14+. And I still love the old cartoons. The TV networks just don't show them anymore. But this isn't a 'sad' thing because they are watching anime. I'm asking if you've experienced anything like I did: a little kid talking to you about an anime that you used to watch long while ago and that making you feel old. Please stay on topic!

[ShiroiHikari]

My nephews watched a lot of old shows because of me. XD The oldest was born when I was 10, now he's 14! THAT makes me feel old.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I find that kids tend to not know about the good old cartoons, which is sad, in my opinion, because I feel that most of the newer cartoons have almost no substance.

I think every generation says the same thing. XD

[minakichan]

Haha, every day! I used to teach some 4th graders and we would all talk Pokemon and Yugioh and Naruto and trade Pokemon cards, and one on hand I'd be like "Wow, I can still connect to elementary schoolers?" and on the other hand few of them had ever seen the first season of Pokemon and some didn't know who Misty was. >_<

[EricTheFred]

Personally, I think the current American breed of new cartoon includes some really good work, especially in comparison to the stuff that was coming out in the late 60s, the earliest new stuff that I remember. Although, some of what is 'new' to me is 'old' to my kids (say, "Power Puff Girls" or "Johnny Bravo"). I do think it goes in cycles, and at the moment it's a little down. For a few years, ending about four or five years ago, there was an amazingly deluge of good new stuff coming out.

A number of titles developed in the early 70s that are 'classics' today, stuff like Scooby-doo and Hong Kong Phooey, but these are frankly weak compared to so many things done in the 2000s. Frankly, the only really high-quality show was Star Trek Animated, and that's practically forgotten today.

And compare today to the late 1980s. Until the Simpsons came out, there was essentially nothing of any original value, anywhere in American TV Animation. Saturday morning was nothing but a series of titles tied to various toys, interspersed with Looney Tunes, Nickelodeon was not really developing its own properties yet, and Cartoon Network didn't exist yet. The current situation is paradise in comparison.

[Tsukuyomi]

I would always get the,"Did you watch DBZ.. " It does kinda make me feel old.. as if I didn't already O__O

[EricTheFred]

My nephews watched a lot of old shows because of me. XD The oldest was born when I was 10, now he's 14! THAT makes me feel old.

It's when your nephews and nieces start having kids... that's when you really feel old!

[Mithrandir]

Saturday morning was nothing but a series of titles tied to various toys, interspersed with Looney Tunes, Nickelodeon was not really developing its own properties yet, and Cartoon Network didn't exist yet. The current situation is paradise in comparison.

Until a few months ago, I would have strongly voiced my opposition to this point. However, I got a hold of Mask (the cartoon) and watched a few of these cartoons - which I was enthralled with as a child - and couldn't force myself to watch more than a few minutes. Sadly, the theme song - which I still remembered all the words to - was the best part of the whole series.

However, I think the Gummi Bears cartoon might be an exception to your rule. If I think of any others, I'll let you know.

[Htom Sirveaux]

I think every generation says the same thing. XD

And the sad thing is, every generation is pretty much right.

[Alexander]

For me it goes in cycles. While many of my most cherished child-hood films are from the 80's and early 90's, a lot of stuff back then, and today, was usually terrible. XD

Yes, I watched everything from the Rugrats to Dexter's Laboratory, but honestly, those aren't in my "greatest animations of all time" list, or even my honorary mention. There are only around a dozen and a half cartoons from my childhood that I would still watch today and cherish as much as I did when I first saw them.

As for feeling old? Oh yes, when the Smash boards were going crazy because the Pokemon Lucario was announced for Brawl, and I was left asking, "Who is Lucario?"

Eesh, I'm lost beyond the original 151.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Anybody remember when there were only THREE Nicktoons? Life was a lot simpler back then!

[KeybladeWarrior]

I have seen kids who love Naruto and Pokemon. Though I dont think they have seen the first season like I did. I also knew younger classmates that watched Sailor Moon.

[Tsukuyomi]

[quote="Mithrandir (post: 1193868)"]Until a few months ago, I would have strongly voiced my opposition to this point. However, I got a hold of Mask (the cartoon) and watched a few of these cartoons - which I was enthralled with as a child - and couldn't force myself to watch more than a few minutes. Sadly, the theme song - which I still remembered all the words to - was the best part of the whole series.

However, I think the Gummi Bears cartoon might be an exception to your rule. If I think of any others, I'll let you know. ]
Me and my older sister used to watch the Gummy Bears when ever we got a free weekend of Disney Channel We didn't have it back then, but they would weekends where they promoted Disney Channel only for a weekend or so That really brought back the memories, Mith O_______O

I also remember little ones bringing up Sailor Moon,"Did you watch Sailor Moon when you were little?"

O_____O <- Is my straight face

[mitsuki lover]

Myself,I grew up on cartoons like Archie,Secret Squirrel,Might Mouse,
Josie And The Pussycats,Scooby Doo,Johnny Quest,The Flintstones,
The Jetsons,etc.I get kinda nostalgiac every time I see ads for Boomerang and they show clips from Top Cat.
I feel rather old now that they have a new verision of George of the Jungle on Cartoon Network.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

yeah, that makes me feel old too, Mith. And just mentioning "Boomerang" I feel old because I watched that stuff as a kid.

And since I watched 'traditional' American cartoons as a kid and didn't get into anime until I was older, hearing kids that I've seen grow up talk about anime... that REALLY makes me feel old. If you don't understand why, I can't explain it, and that probably means you've never experienced something that makes you feel old.

[Mithrandir]

I'm afraid I don't know what "boomerang" is, but I definitely find myself nodding to most of the older cartoons.

[ClosetOtaku]

OK, going back to the 60's here...

Astro Boy. Always liked the theme song to that one. Scary, though, when they popped open his chest...

Clutch Cargo. The lips moved, but the animation did not. Innovative in its day, I suppose. Now, just plain weird.

Rocky and Bullwinkle. Wasted on kids, too many adult "in the know" jokes.

Hoppity Hooper. Crusader Rabbit. Lariat Sam. Tennessee Tuxedo. Underdog.

Anybody remember Tom Terrific and Manfred the Wonder Dog? Only seen on Captain Kangaroo, in the Old Treasurehouse. The one with all the doors on the big door. Mr. Green Jeans.

Hercules. Wore that silly ring to bring him his powers. I made one out of paper and tape to imitate him. It didn't last long.

Saturday morning cartoons, when violence was the norm. Space Ghost. Fantastic Four.

Didja ever see "Fantastic Voyage"? Cartoon, not the movie, I mean. I don't think you can get it on DVD, it is so obscure. I remember the CMDF and the big clock (you stay miniaturized for 12 hours only, don't ask me what happens if you're in a confined space and run out of time, it could get messy). I drew quite a few copies of that clock. Ran through a lot of crayons.

[Mithrandir]

Anybody remember Tom Terrific and Manfred the Wonder Dog? Only seen on Captain Kangaroo, in the Old Treasurehouse. The one with all the doors on the big door. Mr. Green Jeans.

I actually do remember this. Whether that is from the same time as you, I don't know - but I think I remember something about Mr. Green Jeans.

[EricTheFred]

OK, going back to the 60's here...

Astro Boy. Always liked the theme song to that one. Scary, though, when they popped open his chest...

Clutch Cargo. The lips moved, but the animation did not. Innovative in its day, I suppose. Now, just plain weird.

Rocky and Bullwinkle. Wasted on kids, too many adult "in the know" jokes.

Hoppity Hooper. Crusader Rabbit. Lariat Sam. Tennessee Tuxedo. Underdog.

Anybody remember Tom Terrific and Manfred the Wonder Dog? Only seen on Captain Kangaroo, in the Old Treasurehouse. The one with all the doors on the big door. Mr. Green Jeans.

Hercules. Wore that silly ring to bring him his powers. I made one out of paper and tape to imitate him. It didn't last long.

Saturday morning cartoons, when violence was the norm. Space Ghost. Fantastic Four.

Didja ever see "Fantastic Voyage"? Cartoon, not the movie, I mean. I don't think you can get it on DVD, it is so obscure. I remember the CMDF and the big clock (you stay miniaturized for 12 hours only, don't ask me what happens if you're in a confined space and run out of time, it could get messy). I drew quite a few copies of that clock. Ran through a lot of crayons.

Absolutely, to all of them. But, a brief glance at our ages shows why.

The sad thing is, most of these were actually finished before we would remember. We were watching reruns. I think George of the Jungle was still doing new shows at the end of the 60s. All these titles are from the back end of the good old days, I guess you could call it.

From what I have read, Rocky and Bullwinkle was originally conceived for a full family audience (as were the olders Looney Tunes that were created for the movie theaters.) In the case of R&B, I think they either started out in prime-time, or were trying to. Hence all the jokes that went right over our heads when we were kids.

The genius of it was, so many of the jokes still worked for kids that it still was great. R&B is incredibly packed with good writing. George of the Jungle was kind of the same way (I think it came from the same creator.)

[mitsuki lover]

It was actually a belt that Hercules won in a contest.If memory serves me.
Does anyone else remember Go!Go!Gophers?It was a Western cartoon where all the characters were Gophers.

[Tsukuyomi]

I'm afraid I don't know what "boomerang" is, but I definitely find myself nodding to most of the older cartoons.

Boomerang is a spin off station of Cartoon Network dedicated to the older cartoons like the Jetsons and the Flinstones

[Fantasy Dreamer]

It was actually a belt that Hercules won in a contest.If memory serves me.
Does anyone else remember Go!Go!Gophers?It was a Western cartoon where all the characters were Gophers.

That reminds me. Remember Inspector Gaggit?

"Go, Go gaggit helicopter!"

[Tsukuyomi]

EEK, another cartoon I watched everyday \o.o/

Ooh, remember the Smurfs (sp) ^ ^

[mitsuki lover]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Don Adams the voice of Inspector Gadget?
He did the voice of another famous toon character:Tennesse Tuxedo.
Wally Cox was Shoeshine Boy/Underdog on Underdog.

[LadyRushia]

HA. Go go gadget arms! Go go gadget legs! Go go gadget spleen!--wait, XD. I still remember the theme song and now it's stuck in my head.

[Tsukuyomi]

OH NOEZ.. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, RUSHIA D:< It's now in my head XDD

My first cartoons I actually saw were anime \o.o/ I didn't know it back then though. All I knew is that I really liked the way it looked I think one of my first ones were "The Little Prince", "Brother Grimm Fairy Tales" and "Estaban and The Seven Cities of Gold*. Although, some say it was called "Estaban and The Mysterious Cities of Gold"