Showing posts with label Cartoon Network. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cartoon Network. Show all posts

Monday, March 3, 2014

Taboo Television: Cartoons With Banned Episodes That Might Surprise You

Now that Pokémon is on Netflix, I was curious to see if any of the banned episodes made the cut.  There are a total of five Pokémon episodes from the Indigo League that, at one point, have been banned from airing in the United States.  Some where permanent bans, other temporarily.  There are a surprising number of banned cartoons for even more surprising reasons.  Here is a list of a few.  Have one I missed?  Please let me know!

Pokémon: Indigo League

Electric Soldier Porygon

The 38th episode in the original Pokémon series was banned from broadcasting in Japan, and subsequently prevented from ever airing in any other country.  There is apparently a scene where Pikachu thunderbolts some missiles, resulting in some very intense flashing blue and red lights.  The episode caused headaches, seizures, nausea, and numerous other ailments.  According to the voice of Meowth in the American dubbed version, there was an American version created, but after Japan banned the episode, it too was banned.

 Warning, the below video is known to cause seizures.
 

Beauty and the Beach

The 18th episode in the series was removed from airing in the United States initially, and re one time as a "lost episode special".  In this episode, a few female characters enter a beauty pageant.  James, of Team Rocket, wears a suit with inflatable breasts.  James tell Misty maybe someday she will have a chest like his!  There is also a scene where an old man is attracted to Misty in her bikini.



The Legend of Dratini

The 35th episode of the series was also banned from playing in the United States.  In this episode,  a character kind of jokingly aims a gun at Ash.  It has been banned in every country but Japan.



Tentacool and Tentacruel


 After 9/11 a couple different TV series had to change their rotations. In this episode, there is a character that uses military weapons as Tentacruel attacks a city.  There's a shot of Tentracruel attacking a building, which is probably the real reason this episode was banned, yet there is a clip of this episode in the opening that still remains.  This episode was banned again after Hurricane Katrina.



The Tower of Terror

This one just seem silly, but I guess they all do.  The 23rd episode in the series was temporarily removed around 9/11 because it features some ghost Pokemon scaring people in a tower...


Talespin

The final episode, number 65, of Talespin was for having terrorists in it.  The main character, Baloo, is tasked with delivery a package to some government official, but the package is actually a bomb.


I tried to upload the episode, but it was removed before I could even copy and paste the link here.  Disney doesn't want it going out.

Gargoyles

In the eighth episodes of Gargoyles, one of the Gargoyles, Broadway, is playing around with their cop buddy's (Elisa) gun and accidentally shoots her.



Ren and Stimpy

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Justice League, Batman Beyond, Adult Swim and more Cartoon Network now on Netflix!

Netflix has just added a plethora of wonderful Cartoon Network shows!  Most of these seem to be from early 2000s, but there is some newer stuff here too.  Definitely something for everyone! 

Justice League (2 Seasons)

This show ran from 2001 until 2004 and is considered one of the greatest super hero cartoons in existence.  Personally, I've always preferred Marvel cartoons, but this show really does shine.  It's no Batman the Animated Series, but it sure is good.  Netflix has both seasons for a total of 52 episodes.  I know it is coincidence, but DC sure does like the number 52!
Justice League on Netflix

Justice League Unlimited (2 Seasons)

To me, this always seemed like a bit of a forced sequel to Justice League.  I don't mean that in a negative way though.  Justice League Unlimited picked up in 2004 where Justice League left off.  It features a huge cast of Justice Leaguers, and is really worth watching, but watch Justice League first.  Netflix has them both, no need to watch them out of order!  The last episode aired in 2006.

Batman Beyond (3 Seasons)

From Paul Dini, Batman Beyond is a kind of continuation of Batman the Animated Series.  You don't necessarily have to have seen Batman the Animated Series to understand this, it's kind of it's own thing.  The story follows Bruce Wayne as a senior citizen, still trying to fight crime, but beginning to realize he is getting too old.  A kid named Terry proves himself and Bruce eventually begins training him as a new Batman.  It's not as good as Batman, but it's certainly good.


Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2 Seasons)

This show is essentially DC Team Up.  Each episode features Batman teaming up with somebody in the universe to stop somebody else.  The show can be hit and miss, but overall I would give in a whopping "okay".  Maybe Batman the Animated Series has raised my expectations so high I'll never enjoy another Batman cartoon.