More girly cartoons to scare you away :P

There's a lot of interesting things going on lately. First, there's the AX96 picture. I've been trying to contribute to that. However, I see a lot of familiar shows and casts, but can't remember the names of all of the characters. there are some I could tell you what show they're from, but I can only remember a few names. Perhaps I should check and see if I'm losing my memory.

There is a serious lack of magical girls on it. Only one 80's magical girl and no older ones. Don't get me wrong, I like the poster that's for sure. There are a lot of great shows included. It's not like I'm trying to sound like I know more than anyone either, I just have strange tastes in anime, so I'm looking for those.

Next in big news, Lun Lun is getting the dub treatment again. While I'd much rather have an uncut subtitled release I'll most likely purchase this one anyway. Why? Because it's Lun Lun and it's all we will get of her until somehow the current license holder realizes that there are fans out there who want the whole series uncut and subbed.

Finally, before we get to the main attraction, my gel mouse-pad has broken. You know, the translucent squishy kind. It's oozing and the stuff inside is sticky. I'm not sure whether to throw it away or not out of environmental concern. Is this stuff toxic? anyway..onto the topic.
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Disclaimer: After you read this, it's too late to turn back. Only girly cartoons await, at a power level beyond 9000. It may be too much for some. You will be going "Noooooo .... too ... much ... cuteness!"

Check it out! I have a Lady Lovely Locks avatar currently. This may have something to do with being in the mood for some old cartoons from back in the day.

Just lately I've been trying to change the way I approach the subject of animation. I still have the habit of calling all other animated shows cartoons and Japanese shows anime, when both words are synonymous. I'm trying to break that habit. Today I will be talking about non-Japanese shows.

I took the time to check out some cartoons that, of course I have or may have watched as a kid. I was looking for more shows in vein of Lady Lovely Locks, Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake (the original), etc.

I stumbled upon some amazing finds on Youtube.

I found the second special for Rose Petal Place. Now this show only had two specials made and this second one called Real Friends came out in 1985. Apparently near the time when the toy line it was based off was losing popularity, since it was the last.

For an idea of the general theme the story, it originated with a little girl's wish that her garden wouldn't die when she moved and her teardrop brought the flower themed heroines to life to protect the garden. I know it sounds sappy, but that's part of the charm.

Over all impression: If you like the previously mentioned titles, you'll like this one. It's well worth checking out. Definitely cute character designs for our heroines here.

Next I stumbled upon all 16 episodes of the 1986 series Moon Dreamers. I thought "I'll try this" just a bit int othe opening, I was going "Holy ****! I've seen this before!"

Apparently, Moon Dreamers was Hasbro's attempt at making a toy line to emulate the success of Rainbow Brite. Not only in the looks of the costumes worn by the characters, but in their very character designs. Similar facial features and everything. The show ran back to back with My Little Pony in the My Little Pony and Friends block, which was pretty much used by Hasbro to sell other toys as well.

This cartoon was actually quite imaginative, much like the show it tried to emulate. It's pretty much about this race of beings who beam dreams into people's brains. Kinda odd and very far out, but hey, unique imaginations working here. I give it props for originality in concept.

Last, but not least, is another contender for the Brite throne, P.J. Sparkles. Wow. did this show ever re-use concepts from Rainbow Brite. However, it is in the back story here and the nature of her powers that I think this show had great potential to be an even better show.

The basic idea of a heroine with powers to lighten up a dark, drab world and going up against a villian who tries to keep it that way...hmmm..what does that sound like?

However what makes P.J. Sparkles so special is her back story as an orphan who keeps losing her friends as they're adopted. She wishes to have someone to love and that brings her to this world. Now with a back story like that, they could have done a lot. Perhaps pointing the writers in the direction of Candy Candy would have helped. There is definitely potential here to create a very emotionally involving show.

Her powers are very empathic, based on love and friendship. The story could play heavily on how careful she must be with this kind of power. In the cartoon there was mention of this but they didn't go too deep into it. Playing up the moral reprecussions of what would happen if it were to be misused could create a great number of story ideas.

This show was only a one-shot and while it seemed like it was trying to be a Rainbow Brite clone, it had some true uniqueness to it and some concepts that if continued could create a truly amazing and unique show.

Overall these are excellent shows, each in their own way. Plenty of cute heroines and cute animal companions in sweet or imaginitive adventures for people who dig that kinda thing. I know I do.

If I knew it would be cool with the site, I'd put up Youtube links for these shows, so all of you can check them out if you wish. After all, they're just part of a growing list of classic cartoons no longer available for purchase. Never even released on DVD at that.

Perhaps it's up to the fans to preserve things after a certain point. It seems like once a show's marketability is gone, it's left to gather dust. Maybe it's reflectant of the mentality towards cartoons as being disposable.


Anyway, take care everyone.