Shows to binge for your holiday break!

Bored and don't know what to do for your holiday break? Liv has some cartoon recommendations so that you can relive your Sunday Morning cartoon days while snuggled up with a cup of cocoa!

holiday break Cartoons to binge!

By Liv Akers

Adventure Time

Where to Watch: Cartoon Network, HBO Max, HULU, YouTube TV

Rating: 9.5/10

Synopsis: Adventure Time takes place in the post-apocalyptic Land of Oo, where the world is divided into kingdoms ruled by princesses, and is full of strange occurrences and fantastical creatures. Our protagonist, Finn--thought to be the last of the humans--and his best friend, Jake the dog, are heroes working for Princess Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom, and adventure all over Oo fighting evil and saving the day.

Liv’s Thoughts: Adventure Time is one of my favorite shows of all time. The beginning is easy to get into because each episode has its own distinct plot but, as more characters are introduced and more backstories are revealed, it becomes more complex. Even though the show is meant for child audiences, it has enough complexity and universal humor to be enjoyed by older age groups, as well. The characters are incredibly loveable, and I became emotionally attached to them pretty quickly. The series is a bit hefty, with ten seasons, each season having between 20 and 50 or so episodes, but if you need something that will last you a while to get through, I would definitely recommend it.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime

Rating: 10/10

Synopsis: The world is split into four nations, each themed around one of the main earthly elements (fire, water, earth, and air). As a 100-year war provoked by the Fire Nation rages on, Water Tribe siblings Sokka and Katara discover the Avatar, the last of the Air Nomads and the only person alive who can control all four of the elements, and together they set out to end the war and restore balance and harmony to the world.

Liv’s Thoughts: Easily one of the most beautifully crafted stories I’ve encountered. It touches on the heavy topics of war, love, and morality (amongst many others) in a way that is enjoyable for any age group. My favorite thing about the show is the character development that almost every character goes through, the most drastic being that of Zuko, the Fire Nation prince. It has three seasons, but I blew through them pretty quickly in some longer binge sessions. If you’re looking for something that you’ll love for the rest of your life, The Last Airbender is probably the show for you.

Over the Garden Wall

Where to Watch: HBO Max, Apple Movies

Rating: 7/10

Synopsis: Two brothers, Greg and Wirt, wind up lost in a forest called the Unknown, and are trying to make their way home. They quickly learn that the Unknown is unlike any place they’ve ever seen, and need to learn how to navigate this strange new land, all while avoiding the mysterious Beast that every character they meet seems to be worried about.

Liv’s Thoughts: This show upset me because it tricked me. Around episode seven or so, I had to pause and stare at a blank screen in anger because I felt so betrayed. The thing to note going into it is that the beginning is vague, and provides very little context as to how the characters got stuck in the woods, where “home” is, etc., but you kind of just get used to it and move on. The first few episodes are a little confusing because of the lack of context, but then they finally explain everything in the last few episodes and it becomes clear why they explained so little before. Basically, as soon as you start to make sense of it, everything is changed and your whole perspective of the show is shifted. In a nutshell, it is a little difficult to get into, but the pure rage it invoked within me is unmatched. The nice thing about the show is that it is only one ten-episode season, so you can binge it in a two-hour sitting.

Steven Universe

Where to Watch: HULU, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Cartoon Network

Rating: 11/10

Synopsis: The Gems are people from a planet called Homeworld where every person has a gem of some kind implanted in their body that grants them special abilities. Steven Universe is the son of a human and Rose Quartz, a Gem that had to die for him to be born and passed her gem onto him. He is raised by his father and his late mother’s best friends, the Crystal Gems (Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl) who fight to protect Earth from the Gems back on Homeworld.

Liv’s Thoughts: I’m gonna be honest, I love every single aspect of this show. The animation is beautiful, the soundtrack is memorable, and the storyline is well-written and heavy enough to be loved by older age groups, despite the goofy style and presentation. My absolute favorite thing about this show is the representation. Most of the main characters are women, many are people of color, and the LGBTQ+ representation is unlike any other show I’ve seen. I will admit that I cried several times throughout the five seasons, movie, and single-season sequel show. I would recommend it to anyone who can appreciate the sillier aspects while still enjoying the more mature topics.

Gravity Falls

Where to Watch: Disney+, HULU

Rating: 8/10

Synopsis: Twins Mabel and Dipper Pines spend a summer in the fictitious Oregon town of Gravity Falls to stay with their great-uncle Stan in the Mystery Shack, the tourist trap he owns. They quickly learn that the town is anything other than ordinary and is crawling with strange occurrences, and set out to crack the secret behind the weirdness of the town.

Liv’s Thoughts: Gravity Falls is one of those shows that I remember from when I was a kid. I just wasn’t cool enough to actually watch it. Now that I’m older, I definitely see what all the hype is about. It fluctuates between spooky and silly, and the unique depiction of the Pacific Northwest was fun to see. It is only two seasons long, but managed to fit a lot into a relatively shorter space. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something fun and relatable!

Since quarantine started, I have had way too much time on my hands, and with the recent shutdown taking place, I know I can’t be the only one. In my boredom, I discovered an obsession with cartoons that has just about taken over my life, and for those of you looking for something to do while stuck at home, I come bearing suggestions! These are all shows that I’ve seen within the last few months, and I included some platforms where the show is free to watch (some of them are with subscription). I hope some of these caught your interest.

Happy binging!

Photo Credit: All photos were drawn by the cartoon show's respective artists.

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