Howdy! This is Phantom Strider!
Here in modern day, with animation budgets now through the roof...
Familiarity can be a safer bet for shareholders.
As a result, we've gotten our fair share of reboots. Both on cinema, and on TV.
But fortunately, amongst all these reboots --
Have come some inspirational reimaginings of already time-honoured cartoons!
As well as some reboots that are so...
*Puzzlingly bizarre* that they seem to more closely resemble a nightmarish string of subconscious thought!
So let's check out some blasts from the present and the past...
As we check out the "Top 3 Weirdest & Best Cartoon Reboots!"
The third weirdest cartoon reboot is...
"Powerpuff Girls Z!" [2006-2006 anime]
Japan has that innate power to make *anything* strange.
So Cartoon Network Japan got hold of...
"Powerpuff Girls" ...
An already pretty weird show.
And they of course said "Oh! We've got to make it even weirder!"
A curiously freaky, slightly perverted version of the show soon followed.
"Powerpuff Girls Z" is one of those shows where people will often say to me:
"Wait, that cartoon actually exists!?
I thought I just imagined that during a weird hallucinogenic daydream in math class!"
But the show isn't nearly as cool as you might have daydreamed it to be.
It's more like a ho-hum "Sailor Moon" parody.
Brought to us ironically by one of the original directors of "Sailor Moon."
Interestingly, the Powerpuf Girls are teenagers in this version.
The characters just *make no sense!*
Mojo [Jojo] is just a randomly yelling, overly-simplified parody of himself.
Lacking any of the tact or charm of the original.
And the Powerpuff Girls' dialogue also makes zero sense.
Blossom Z: Say hello to Mr. Yo!
Bubbles Z: Bursting BUBBLES!
Buttercup Z: I'll hit a homer!
Strider: In fact...
the entire 1st episode mostly consists of Mojo, Blossom, & Bubbles floating around the screen like...
Broken screensavers!
Continually yelling in this dull, yet melodramatic tone.
Bubbles Z: You're washed up Mojo!
Buttercup Z: Batter up!
Strider: Basically, picture all the stupid, annoying parts of the original "Sailor Moon" series.
Without any of that charm or emotional development.
Or style for that matter.
Here in uh... Anime Townsville...
Blossom gives us the *amazing* power of--uh...
Yo-yo.
Bubbles of course gives us the power of...
Bubbles [as in from a wand]...
And Buttercup gets a hammer! Because I guess that's very relevant to Buttercups character?
This is weird.
The saddest part is when you put the idea of "Powerpuff Girls Z" on paper, it sounds amazing!
And even more fast-paced, action-packed, anime "DBZ" version of "Powerpuff Girls!?" Sign me up!
Yet when I saw it, I ended up thinking "What have I wished upon the world?
My enthusiasm just kind of fizzled out as I realized: This show kinda sucks.
It feels more like a wild, nonsensical combination of anime cliches that --
happen to have characters that look like the Powerpuff Girls!
I still find it more interesting than "Powerpuff Girls 2016"...
But I find moldy tofu more interesting than "Powerpuff Girls 2016" so it's not exactly high praise.
And the third *best* cartoon reboot is...
"Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated" [2010-2013 "Scooby-Doo" series]
As much as I hate to admit it, I was completely blown away by this show!
It breathes a new freshness of life into the series that I simply haven't seen in the last...
FORTY YEARS of the franchise!
While still maintaining enough of the original "Scooby-Doo" roots to keep the old-time friends happy.
Frankly, after watching this...
I apologize for even mentioning "Mystery Incorporated" in my "Worst Cartoon Remakes" list.
While I stand by my thoughts on the "Scooby-Doo" franchise as a whole...
I admit, I was very wrong about this particular cartoon.
Now that I've seen it, I can tell it's a *vastly* different standard to the other "Scooby-Doo" shows I've seen.
There's a real spooky atmosphere built from the get-go in "Mystery Incorporated" ...
Giving us the sense of an unsettling thriller...
Instead of the never-changing, 80's hoagie-sense we've been used to for the last 40 years.
For example, look at the green, low-lighting, eerie colour scheme.
It gives the whole series the air of a spooky, grimy detective drama.
The animations not just about looking clean and crisp --
It's about having its own sense of style --
It's not afraid to be a bit more gruesome either!
It seems to aim more at the teenage demographic in general.
This "Scooby-Doo" reboot actually realizes we're in post-2015.
A time where we can appreciate a sense of cynicism and self-awareness to our cartoons.
Daphne: Wouldn't it have been easier, and more legal, to sue him?
Bud Shelton: Are you kidding? Lawyers take forever!
Strider: Mystery Incorporated builds its own sense of style on these characters --
Completely re-writing them for the modern day
While still sustaining the original essence of charm the original characters had.
For example, Fred, the most *boring* 80's cliche in the world --
Has become much more of an intriguing, emotionally driven, 3-dimensional character.
Fred: Just yesterday, I entered one of my traps in the district science fair!
It was rejected for not having anything to do with science.
Strider: In "Mystery Incorporated" --
It's like they actually tried to make each character a complex, intricate, real person!
Driven by motivations beyond being hungry, scared, smart, *or a dog!*
Well, Shaggy & Scooby still haven't evolved as much as I'd like.
But fortunately, the characters around them help colour the world like never before.
"Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated" is exceptional amalgamation of modern day writing and retro --
All brought together with a style of spookiness, and darkness!
This series honestly shows more effort than the franchise has *ever* shown to its audience in the past...
Forty years!
As much as I'm not a fan of "Scooby-Doo" in general, I can heartily recommend "Mystery Incorporated."
And the second weirdest cartoon reboot is...
"Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" [1993 comedy series, **NOT* "Sat AM"]
Try and picture something for me.
Imagine if the "Road Runner" cartoon is the equivalent to a well-cemented wall of bricks.
Now imagine the "Sonic" cartoon being the equivalent to that --
Except the builders were trained monkeys who just-- (Monkey begins shouting)
(Monkey screeches and something crashed threw the bricks into a crumpled pile --
And slathered cement over the top, hoping for the best.
I know I've discussed it before but I just simply can't say enough about this truly fascinating trainwreck!
I just get such genuine enjoyment from how hilariously stupid, ill-conceived, insane, and bizarre this series is!
I think what makes "Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" so fascinating is...
Episode to episode, I never have any idea where each episode is going to go, *ever*!
While "Sonic Boom" also tries to keep its viewers guessing, it's actually constrained by its good writing!
"Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" has no such constraints!
Its abysmal writing and animation are able to go on random tangents --
Writing and animating whatever the creators felt like in the moment!
Sonic might go into space...
Back in time...
Join the Olympics...
Go to fricken Fairy Tale Land!
Hell, he might just marry Robotnik in an episode!
I'm sorry, I'll just never get over that part.
This cartoon's a fascinating *disaster* of animation, and writing!
All mixed with the charm of Jaleel White's 90's happy-go-lucky tone!
Tails: Fast work.
Sonic: Yeah! The superintendant was even faster with his permission!
Strider: Sonic and Tails spend most of the cartoon wandering and running around --
In the *horrendously* animated world of Mobius.
Interacting with even more appallingly drawn monstrosities!
"Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" was loud!
It had no substance, no effort, no high-brow humor what-so-ever!
Yet, despite all of this --
There are very few cartoons I can claim that have given me so many laughs over so many years!
And the second best cartoon reboot is...
"Voltron: Legendary Defender" [2016 -2018 Netflix cartoon]
This time, picture Power Rangers done to an epic scale by the creators of "Avatar the Last Airbender" --
With a sense of military finesse backing it up.
Rebooting into something *amazing* ...
What was originally, to me, just an okay cheesy Mecha-Space-Cartoon.
What's neat is when you compare them --
You can see the original faces carefully remade in the modern form from the original cartoon.
Hunk: Well if this thing's the weapon they're coming for, why don't we just, I dunno, give it to them?
Maybe they'll leave us alone.
Sorry, Lion, nothing personal.
Strider: You can tell this is a work of love trying to sustain roots of the original --
While adapting "Voltron" to modern culture.
I even felt hints of that mysticism "Avatar" and "Korra" so artfully built.
What I enjoy most about "Voltron" is that sense of scale
And that emotional yet high intensity music that takes me right back to Korra fighting the Colossus.
While I'd normally consider 5 characters a crowd, "Voltron" manages to balance their screen-time well.
Shiro, Kieth, Pidge, Lance, and Hunk never get too over-bearing.
And I found myself able to picture their challenging military space lifestyle --
While they try to master piloting Voltron in order to avoid becoming space dust in the Galran War.
Like "Avatar" and "Legend of Korra," "Voltron" obviously draws a lot of inspiration from anime.
But even more than "Teen Titans."
I feel that mixture of Japanese and Western animation is perfectly realized here.
A perfect balance found in a generation that grew up apreciating both of them.
If you're a fan of Mecha-genre, chances are you'll get a kick out of [this reboot of "Voltron"].
If you'd like to give it a look for yourself, it's available on Netflix.
And before we get to number 1, let's go through some quick Honorable Mentions.
"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" [2010 series]
I think many would agree --
this is among the most polished, sophisticated cartoon remakes we've ever gotten on [TV] or the Web!
But I've talked about "Friendship is Magic" a few times, so I decided to give it a skip for this list.
At this point, most people know "Friendship is Magic" exists and they know if it's their cup of tea or not.
"Thundercats" 2011
While I've never seen the original show, I never felt like I needed to after seeing this one.
The Kingdom of Thundara is massacred by the Lizards commanded by the ancient...
(Disappointed) Mumra.
So the prince Lion-O must seek out the Book of Omens which apparently might have the power to defeat...
(Still disappointed with the name) Mumra.
I'm sorry, that's a really weird name.
It's another animation that was heavily anime inspired, with a nice refreshing batch of grit and action.
It's a shame it was cancelled after 1 season, despite positive reviews.
Anyway, onto the Number 1's!
And the NUMBER ONE, *Weirdest* cartoon reboot is...
"The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat" [1995-1997]
Oh, I'll give you a reboot, alright!
How about a reboot of one of the oldest cartoons in the world!?
Like, it makes Mickey Mouse look positively young!
This remains, hands down, the *weirdest* cartoon I've ever seen!
You remember "Rocko's Modern Life?"
Well try to picture something 5 times more creepy, nonsensical, and slightly David Lynch.
You now have something *half as weird* as "Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat"!
Like just.. What is this?
What. Is. *THIS*?
Like I mentioned in "Forgotten Cartoons" --
"Felix" can only be described as your grandfather's psychadelic Cold War nightmare --
Mixed with "South Park," "Simpsons" and [Dr. Sigmund] Freud --
Bouncing around the censors with even more *sly* disregard than "Animaniacs!"
Let me run you through a *normal* day for Modern Felix.
He realizes there's no more milk, and due to a *slightly* Freudian obsession with milk...
He gets to meet his..
(Disbelief) Dairy Godmother.
So she sends him to the Milky Way, of course, to find a planet of milk...
How about the [episode with the Sludge King]?
Hell, he might twist Time and Space itself by turning time back with a TV remote randomly.
Completely ignoring any 4th Wall that might have existed!
Just the titles alone of this show are mind boggling!
"Felix in Psychadelic Land"
"Petrified Cheese"
And more...
Milk-related titles...
Felix: (Panting) Milk! Milk...
Zombie-toned people: Miilk... Mii~ilk...
Questionable Doctor: Here's more milk!
Strider: It''slike Frued somehow survived the last *eighty years*!
Became ever more crazy-ape insane than he was before!
And decided to team up with "The Simpsons" creators to make his own cartoon!
Lawyer-like Character: Your honor, we plead...
INSANITY!
Strider: Honestly though, I really enjoy this cartoon!
Like many cartoons back then, the original "Felix" was actually quite creepy and dark.
And this Felix captures the unbridled insanity, and creepy essence of the original 1919 "Felix the Cat!"
And somehow *molds it* to fit modern society!
"The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat" remains not only the weirdest cartoon reboot...
But the weirdest cartoon I've ever seen!
And easily, the number one, *BEST* Cartoon reboot is...
"Duck Tales" 2017
The original "Duck Tales" holds a special place in my heart, and I think many others.
There was something about it that just captured that sense of swashbucking, high-flying adventure --
That we sometimes feel in Fantasy.
No matter how old it gets, seeing it again just always feels very welcoming, and pleasant!
And let's face it, that intro is like Herpes!
It's not disappearing from our society for another 50 years at least!
Possibly *ever*!
So 30 years later...
How are they going to remake such a classic masterpiece?
By appealing to both kids and adults in the most polished...
Likable --
Charming --
Stylized cartoon remake I've ever seen!
I've seen this new intro probably 200 times?
And somehow, it *still* gives me goosebumps!
Both the intro, & every other new element of the new "Duck Tales" --
Perfectly rekindles that sense of childhood, adventure, mystery, and excitement --
In a form that both the young, and older viewers can enjoy!
This is one the few cartoons I can think of where *EVERY* single character in the cartoon --
Is 100% likable to me!
Scrooge McDuck: (Laughing heartily) That was incredible!
Strider: Webby is probably my favorite character; I just smile whenever she comes on screen!
Webby has been transformed from that cutesy, 60's, Disney stereotype --
To a wild, socially awkward, and sometimes dark & unpredictable, but very endearing character.
Donald's his traditional wild, easily tempered self.
But still a well-meaning, caring uncle to his nephews.
Donald: (Sigh) I miss them so much.
But we need this job!
Strider: What I liked particularly about Donald in this one is that he's given more of a starring role, as you'd want.
He often now participates in the adventures.
Launch Pad still retains his positive, old, happy-go-lucky nature with his usual talent, lack-thereof --
For piloting giant, dangerous aircrafts.
Scrooge McDuck: Since when is Launch Pad a pilot?
Strider: And Scrooge is, well, Scrooge!
His usual, crotchety, ambitious, gold-loving self!
He's a millionaire, yet he's so frugal he hesitates to spare a buck!
And mixes up his nephews in all sorts of crazy adventures!
Huey [wearing Red], Dewey [wearing Blue], and Louie [wearing Green] originally were fairly interchangeable --
But here, each of the boys stand out on their own as separate people --
By their own demeanor and personalities -
Webby: Who's the evil triplet?
Huey & Dewey: Louie.
(Louie vocalizes apathy)
Strider: - not just the colours of their shirts.
"Duck Tales" 2017 is such a high quality reboot that you could actually compare it to "Gravity Falls."
It's got that similar crisp animation, well-developed characters with distinct identities.
And that sense of mystery unfolds as the show progresses.
Leaving me often itching to see more of that mystery in the next episode.
There's a ton of commentary on modern culture too.
There's just a whole new layer of depth and dimension to the show that I can't wait to see more of!
And while I miss Alan Young as Scrooge, I think the iconic David Tennant, a.k.a. The Doctor-
David Tennant as Tenth Doctor: Correctamundo!
A word I have never used before and hopefully never will again.
Strider: -Acts as an exceptional replacement!
And I'm a big fan of Abed from "Community"-
Abed: I didn't come downtown for burgers.
Strider: -So my face lights up every time I hear his voice from Huey.
Huey: The plan is I solve the mystery and rescue Scrooge, he'll love the party, and he'll be forced to admit--
*I* did a better job than Duckworth!
And then he'll let us throw him parties all the time!
The comic book animation style's a pleasure to behold!
Every tiny detail I had complaints about from the original has been fixed!
And it's all accompanied by a good sense of cheer and warmth.
This is the most affectionate, thoughtfully made cartoon reboot I've ever seen!
"Duck Tales" 2017 isn't just what I consider the best cartoon reboot...
It's also with my top ten favorite modern cartoons!
Most of these reboots remind me that the old saying that "Everything is better as a child" is honestly --
*GARBAGE!*
When I see these reboots, I can appreciate these experiences not just as I would as a child --
But with a second, deeper appreciation as an adult.
Small details I couldn't even process or notice as a kid, become beautiful additions I can really enjoy now.
The future may have challenges ahead from a faster-paced, maybe less forgiving world...
But young or old, we have a lot to look forward to.
And if you've got your own cartoon reboot that you like that you thought was particularly weird --
Or particularly awesome, feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments below.
And as always, thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time!
Subtitled by (someone with a weirder name than Mumra,) Jadrek Myers. Comissioned by Phantom Strider