With that in mind, here are the picks for the top ten action cartoons of all-time. Comedy cartoons are more popular but good action cartoons follow long-running, interesting plots that keep TV viewers coming back for more.
Top Ten Action Cartoons of All-Time
Anime is included but not well-represented on this list. Most of the emphasis for the list is on American cartoons, however.
1. Transformers
The animation for this show was ahead of its time, the concept of transforming vehicles was amazing, the music was incredible, and the characters (Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz, Bumblebee etc.) were incredible.
Many kids rented the tapes at the video store on a daily basis and tons of off-shot series and even a phenomenally successful Hollywood movie were based off of this series.
Toy sales were also through the roof for the Transformers vehicles and characters making this the best and perhaps most influential action cartoon of all-time.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
This cartoon could be classified as either action or comedy but it combined both elements so well (despite being a bit cheesy in the humor department, but that was actually a strength in a way) that it deserves a high spot on both top ten lists.
There was nothing better for many kids than watching their favorite turtle beat down a few foot soldiers or robots while making wisecracks and this show was a phenomenon that also sold plenty of toys and spawned good movies.
3. Dragon Ball Z
The show that brought anime to the American mainstream, Dragon Ball Z was like a soap opera for teenage male fans of violence.
Each battle took forever to finish but the characters exuded cool and the show had a good sense of humor about it as well. The characters' quest for power and the wish-granting dragon balls was fascinating and kept viewers coming back each week.
4. X-Men
Speaking of memorable characters, the X-Men are permanently ingrained in most action cartoon fans' brains for life. From Wolverine to Cyclops and Storm, the personalities of the characters in this show are larger than life and the duels between them and the bad guys are certified epic. This show never got old.
5. Spider Man
Another comic-book inspired action cartoon, this one was almost as good as the movies in terms of plot, scope, character development, etc. All of the well-known characters and villains like Spider Man and Venom are present in this one.
6. Ghostbusters
Based off the popular 80's movies, this show featured some wackiness and some great action as well with the main Ghostbusters characters and their ghost sidekick Slimer. It even led to the popular Hi-C drink, the "Ecto Cooler."
7. Batman: The Animated Series
This Emmy-winning TV series staring the ever-popular "caped crusader" took a while for some fans to warm up to due to its somewhat anime-looking animation style with characters that had square chins and looked radically different from older action cartoons, but the writing and style overtook those concerns making it one of the best action cartoons ever.
8. Dragon Ball
Another anime show, this one featured "super-deformed" characters from Dragon Ball Z's universe and gives fans of that show a good glimpse into the history behind the show. This one features more humor and less-powerful fighters.
9. Voltron
An old cult classic that introduced many American TV viewers to the whole "giant robot" genre, if you want to call it that, of action cartoons.
10. Gundam Wing
This is the anime show that took what Voltron did and spruced it up with amazing animation and colors as well as a fantastic, dramatic plot.
