No one wants to see a tv show bit the dust, much less a beloved animated series that they grew up with. However, cancelations of animated shows are far more frequent than many believe and as such, happen for rather obvious reasons, like low ratings or toy sales.
That being said, there are the occasional times when an animated show is canceled for strange reasoning. For many audiences, these reasons remain a mystery, with the series simply vanishing off the face of the earth. Yet, when some truth is brought to light, it can be a mindboggling and bizarre explanation.
Family Guy (1999) … Kind Of
While most of the shows on this list have long since departed, it is worth noting and mentioning one rather strange cancelation. Family Guy, an irreverent yet enjoyable show, was canceled after its second season, a season containing some of the series best… only to be renewed for a 13 episode third season.
Audiences are still scratching their heads as to the reasoning behind the sudden cancelation and then renewal of Family Guy. Still, perhaps the series should’ve been canceled all those years ago as it’s on its nineteenth season with no signs of slowing down.
Kim Possible (2002)
Viewers remember that familiar ringtone, an opening theme song to the series about a teen spy, her sidekick, and their talking mole-rat that captivated many. Kim Possible was a Disney sensation compared to the likes of Avatar: The Last Airbender, a show just as good, for years before the beeping came to a stop all because of a number.
For one reason or another, Disney had it set where, no matter a series performance, the show would come to an end after sixty-five episodes. Even though Kim Possible had an avid fan base, the show still had to go due to that ridiculous number.
Futurama (1999)
It’s a sad day when the studio working on a tv series just doesn’t seem to care about the direction of the show or where it’s headed. Futurama, the incredibly enjoyable series that many adult fans loved, was one such series to fall victim to such a studio.
Time again, Futurama was dealt the bad end of a deal just because their studio didn’t know what to do with them and didn’t or wouldn’t put in the time to care. As such, despite the classic series getting seven seasons, it was always an uphill battle.
Ben 10 (2005)
There’s always a moment when studios say one thing, and then go back on their word with something new and oftentimes unsettling. When Ben 10, the classic sci-fi show and one of the best series from the 2010s about a boy with the power to change into aliens was canceled, fans hoped it would stay that way.
This was due to the studio stating that the production of the show cost too much. However, this may have been a false truth given that a few years later, a reboot and an atrocious one at that, came into existence.
Green Lantern The Animated Series (2012)
Does anyone remember back in 2011 when Ryan Reynolds attempted to break ground with Green Lantern? For that matter, do audiences recall the one-season animated Green Lantern show that accompanied the film?
While fans all know the sad fate of Reynolds’s film, the fate of the surprisingly well-done series is a bit more mysterious. The show was canceled not because of production or poor ratings but because the movie hadn’t done well, not the show itself. A strange reason for canceling the better half of the Green Lantern universe.
Sym-Bionic Titan (2010)
Oftentimes, the series that only make it one season are the ones with the most potential. Of course, there are some exceptions but the likes of Sym-Bionic Titan are no such series. Created by animation mastermind Genndy Tarkovsky and considered to be one of his top projects, the show had fantastic potential.
So of course, the studios decided that the series wasn’t for them because even though the story was unique, the animation was beautiful, the toy sales were down. Ah, well. Probably for the best that they canceled that and not something like Teen Titans Go!
Samurai Jack (2001)
Animated shows are always an odd case. Typically, audiences assume that it’s intended for the younger viewers and as such, won’t be as violent or insane as a live-action series, something the likes of Samurai Jack proved completely wrong and led audiences to so many other similar shows.
Following a lone samurai teleported to the future, studios thought that the series was too violent for the audiences and canceled it after only a few seasons. Luckily, years later, their minds were changed and a hyper-violent fifth season was brought the saga to a close in the best way.
Young Justice (2010)
Series should never be primed or made for one specific audience. They should always prepare for other audiences to become interested and intrigued by a series. So when the target audience of boys was overwhelmed by girls for Young Justice, studios saw it as a problem.
Partly due to ratings and partly due to toy sales, the DCcentric series was canceled after only two seasons due to the studio’s shortsightedness. Thankfully, like Samurai Jack, Young Justice found the third season it deserved with a fourth on the way soon.
Animaniacs (1993)
Everyone knows the term Saturday morning cartoons, that little period of time when viewers of all ages had a chance to check out a series. Animaniacs, a rather unique and interesting show that constantly and hilariously broke the fourth wall and was full of references audiences didn’t get as a kid was one of many that populated Saturday mornings.
Unfortunately, Animaniacs suffered from being in a poor time slot. What’s strange is that the series lasted a number of seasons before it was canceled. Like the other’s before though, Animaniacs has found new life with an upcoming revival premiering in only a few short weeks.
Spectacular Spider-Man (2008)
In recent years, audiences have come to see the MCU as a prominent source for comic-book entertainment. Yet, years before, the now-classic series Spectacular Spider-Man brought iconic characters and stories to life in new and exciting ways.
Then, Disney bought Marvel. And by buying Marvel, the rights for TV reverted back to Sony. Since then, several shows have tried to recapture the magic of Spectacular Spider-Man only to fall incredibly short of the mark. Hopefully, in the coming years, a new series can bring Spidey back to his animated glory.
