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From Batman – The Animated Series to Biker Mice from Mars and Dinosaurs: my favourite 90s kids’ TV shows (part 2)
by Kim Muntinga
From Darkwing Duck to Adventures of the Gummi Bears: my favourite 90s kids’ TV shows (part 1)
9.10.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
As a child of the 90s, I’m fond of reminiscing about the cartoons popular during that era. In the first of a two-part series of articles, I’ll introduce you to seven shows I still enjoy watching today.
To get around this, I’ll occasionally watch an old episode or enjoy one of the brilliant intros from the original series.
Below, I’ll introduce you to seven TV shows I absolutely loved as a kid. All of them bar one are Disney productions.
Ducktales (1987 – 1990)
TaleSpin (1990 – 1991)
Who doesn’t remember Disney’s absolute banger of a film, The Jungle Book? In my eyes, Baloo the Bear was evidently the secret star of the film. Friendly and easy-going, Baloo captured the hearts of many viewers, myself included. At the same time, the song The Bare Necessities became an anthem. This considered, it was only right that Disney would adapt Baloo and other prominent characters from the film for a TV show.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989 – 1990)
Chip and Dale were two of my absolute favourite childhood heroes. With a little help from their friends Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack and Zipper, the witty and charming chipmunk duo solve tricky cases over the course of 65 episodes. The five-strong rescue squad always stands up for what’s right, fighting against all manner of crimes. Their arch enemies are the mad scientist Professor Norton Nimnul and gangster boss Fat Cat.
Last year, a live-action movie appeared on Disney+ as a sequel to the series.
Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985 – 1991)
I’d guess just about everyone knows the Gummi Bear Gang’s theme song – at least everyone my age (36). The six valiant gummi bears (seven when Gusto joins the crew later) live in Gummi Glen, a secret, underground settlement in the forest of the fictional medieval kingdom of Dunwyn. The gang owe their name and powers to a magic potion (Gummiberry Juice) that gives them the ability to bounce like a rubber ball.
As for how Gummiberry Juice is made, that’s an ancient, and above-all, closely guarded secret. It’s only ever passed on from the guardian to her successor, which is also why the recipe isn’t written down anywhere. In the series, Grammi, the mother of the house and second oldest of the Gummi Bears, is responsible for brewing the magic potion.
The Gummi Bears’ adversary is the hot-tempered, power-hungry Duke Igthorn, who rules over Drekmore. He’s assisted by a squat little monster named Toadwart, as well as a bunch of clumsy yet strong ogres. Igthorn isn’t just out to get the Gummyberry Juice and its recipe. His main ambition is to conquer the kingdom of Dunwyn.
However, the Gummi Bears also make their fair share of friends over the course of the series. Prime examples include young Cavin, squire to Sir Tuxford, the highest-ranking knight at the castle, and Princess Calla, daughter of King Gregory. Together they protect the kingdom from the evil Igthorn and other dangers – often in secret.
Darkwing Duck (1991 – 1992)
At the beginning of the series, Darkwing Duck forms a small team. In the pilot episode, he takes in Gosalyn Mallard after her grandfather is murdered by Taurus Bulba’s underlings, and becomes her adoptive father. He also gets support from Launchpad McQuack, who’d previously made a name for himself in Ducktales. Even the timid boy next door, Honker Muddlefoot, who’s also Gosalyn’s best friend, often helps in the fight against evil.
The Darkwing Duck stories were also adapted into a comic strip as part of a special edition of «Lustige Taschenbücher».
Pinky and the Brain (1995 – 1998)
«Gee, Brain. What do you wanna do tonight?» – «The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world.» Never could a quote describe a series so perfectly. In each episode, the two talking lab mice try to put the genius yet nutty, egomaniacal Brain’s absurd plans for world domination into action. At the same time, the series often references and parodies well-known scenarios and stories from film, literature and society.
While Brain is highly intelligent, Pinky is very simple-minded. Even the series theme tune calls him «insane». He’s the exact opposite of Brain: childlike, absent-minded, dreamy, self-indulgent, playful and hyperactive. Not only that, but he has several verbal tics, often adding meaningless words such as «narf!» and «zort!» to the end of his sentences.
I find the story of these two polar-opposite lab mice amusingly entertaining, with the clever references in Brain’s world conquest scenarios proving particularly enjoyable. While the amount of comic relief might be off-putting to some adults, it definitely holds a certain charm for kids.
Gargoyles (1993 – 1997)
As a kid, I had an uncanny fascination for the gargoyles. Not just for the fabled creatures themselves, but for the dark feel of the series. Significantly more action-packed than many other animated series, it had me glued to the TV screen.
The gargoyles are mythical creatures, reminiscent of the statues you’d find on Gothic buildings. In the series, which is named after the creatures it revolves around, a group of Scottish gargoyles come back to life in modern-day New York City after a 1,000-year sleep. Their claim to fame? The creatures turn to stone during the day, springing into action at night.
Though usually nameless, the show’s creatures give themselves their own names so that people can tell them apart. The gargoyles clan consists of its leader Goliath, Hudson, Broadway, Lexington, Brooklyn, a dog-like creature named Bronx, Angela and Demona, who goes on to become their adversary.
In my follow-up article, you can expect a few more series, including Dinosaurs and The Animals of Farthing Wood. Just wait and see what’s in store for you. In the meantime, why not share your favourite cartoons from your childhood in the comments? Do you watch them with your own kids today?
More importantly, did you spot which non-Disney TV show snuck its way into this list? Let me know in the comments.
Header image: Disney
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.
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