There is absolutely no denying to the fact that watching popular cartoon shows comes with no age barriers. In fact, a recent survey has revealed that a majority of viewership of cartoon shows in India comes from people aged between 13 to 30 years! The 90s in India especially, were a time when the cartoon channel networks delivered the best shows of all times.
After-school evenings back then, were a set time when kids finished their homework eagerly so as to sit in front of the television in order to watch their favourite cartoon shows.
Some of these popular cartoon shows have till today retained their evergreen status and continue to attract children and adults alike. Filled with action, morals, magic and most of all with fun, these cartoon shows have had a lasting impression on all of us.
To reignite the joy of watching cartoons, check out this list of some of the best cartoon shows in India, that would undoubtedly incite you to watch them all once again.
Here is the List of 15 Most Watched Cartoon Shows of All Time In India:
Tom and Jerry
- TV Channel: Cartoon Network
A classic cartoon show that has managed to stay alive with audiences of all age groups, Tom and Jerry is one of the most watched cartoon shows in India.
The simplistic plot line follows a repeated motif: Tom, a large and grey mischievous house cat, embarks on his adventure of persistently pursuing his never ending quest of catching a notorious, little brown mouse, Jerry.
During this, they take us through a series of comical fights, humorous mayhem and the hilarious destruction that follows. The best part however, is that despite being adversaries, they have saved each other during times of real danger and this is what reveals their true sense of friendship.
The dialogue, which is miniscule if any, is replaced by amazing sound effects and background scores that make watching this cartoon show a fun-filled experience overall.
In fact, this show gained so much popularity among audiences that the producers made it into a film as well and even after decades of the show’s launch, it continues to be a favourite among the cartoon shows in India.
Doraemon
- TV Channel: Disney
Originally a series of Japanese origin, Doraemon is one of the most favourite cartoon shows in India for kids.
The story revolves around a techno-cat or robot, Doraemon who has a storehouse full of gadgets from the 22nd century and travels back to the present to help Nobita through his humorous misfortunes including his poor grades and frequent bullying by the notorious boys, Gian and Suneo.
Doraemon is there to rescue Nobita with his amazing magical gadgets such as a Bamboo Copter, which can be put on the head to fly at any time or an Anywhere Door that will take you anywhere as per your thoughts, a Time machine which can go to the past and to the future and what not! The Doraemon series has also been adapted into an anime series and into a media franchise and has also won several awards for being the ‘cultural icon’ of Japan.
Chhota Bheem
- TV Channel: POGO
This Indian television animated cartoon series features a young, powerful, brave and intelligent village boy of Dholakpur, adorning an orange dhoti, who manages to come to the rescue of his townsfolk through conspiracies, robberies and other suspicious happenings of the village.
It first premiered on television in 2008 and since then, it has acclaimed a lot of popularity and fame among kids. Bheem’s adversary is Kalia, who is envious of his popularity.
Kalia, along with his side-kicks and twin brothers Dholu and Bholu, always plots to embarrass and defeat Bheem, but never succeeds. Bheem’s friends are Chutki, Raju and Jaggu and collectively, they solve various problems affecting the village by unravelling mysteries and fighting evils that seek to harm Dholakpur or its inhabitants.
And often, their antics land them into trouble, which they eventually overcome. Bheem and his insatiable appetite for laddus, which is in fact, his energy booster food make him stronger and more intelligent for his ventures. The story has also been adapted into several short films for television.
Oggy and The Cockroaches
Watch Oggy and The Cockroaches Trailer
- TV Channel: Cartoon Network, Sonic
This is one of the most watched cartoon shows in India. It is originally a French comedy animated series for children. The story is about titular characters Oggy, a lazy human cat who prefers watching TV and eating all day and the three mischievous cockroaches Joey, Dee Dee and Marky whose slapstick banter and mischiefs are a ground for laughter.
Together, the cockroaches plunder Oggy’s refrigerator when she is not around and then follows the mayhem and chase – a typical motif in many cartoon shows.
The show was also adapted into a movie by the same name in 2013 and was a big hit in the audiences. Other adaptations include video games, digital short films, magazines etc..
Mr. Bean
- TV Channel: POGO
Perhaps no human being, young or old, is unawares regarding this hilarious British animated TV series that hit the television channels in 2002. It has been adapted from a sitcom by the same name created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis and starring Rowan Atkinson.
The titular protagonist, Mr. Bean is a fastidious bachelor who lives with his stuffed brown bear, Teddy. The story follows as Mr. Bean continually lands into trouble by his promptness to keep everything around him in neat order.
To do so, he mingles simple tasks with complex ways of resolving them. He must also outwit his evil landlady Mrs. Wicket, who is in most episodes, his main antagonist. and her frightful one-eyed cat, Scraper.
There is also a girlfriend to Mr. Bean by the name of Irma Gobb, for whom he more often than not, causes problems. The show has been adapted to video games and short films and has gained much applause among critics.
Shin – Chan
- TV Channel: Hungama
Undoubtedly the most comical cartoon shows in India and other parts of the world, of all times, Shin Chan has made kids from around the world laugh at his mischiefs, gags and playful tricks and banter.
Originally a Japanese Manga series, the anime series was first telecast on the television in 1992 and continues till day, to run on many cartoon channel networks.
Many of the jokes in the series arise when Shin Chan’s weird, unnatural and inappropriate use of language, creates hilarious punning as well as from his mischievous behaviour.
One of repeated gags involve Shin Chan confounding his parents by using the wrong phrase for coming home by saying ‘Welcome back’ instead of using ‘I am home’ when he comes home.
Also a cause of fun and laughter is Shin Chan’s childish wooing of pretty female characters who are much older than him. The cartoon show has been adapted into short movies worldwide and remains to be one of the best cartoon shows in India, for adults as well!
Ninja Hattori
Watch Ninja Hattori Theme Song
- TV Channel: Sonic, Nickelodeon
This cartoon show was also a Japanese Manga series originally and had been adapted into anime series for television in 1981 and later, into a video game and a live action movie as well.
The plot is basically centred on an eleven year old boy Kenichi Mitsuba and his friend, Hattori who is a little Ninja along with his ninja dog Shishimanu. While the former is a stubborn and lazy kid and therefore frequently lands in problems, Ninja Hattori is there to his rescue.
Hattori helps Kenichi with his problems and constantly keeps a check on him as a good friend. Kenichi’s love interest is Yumeko and their main antagonist is Kemumaki, a Koga Ninja and his ninja cat Kagechiyo.
In 2016, it was also launched on Amazon prime Video in many Indian languages. Also, the kids can buy Ninja Hattori merchandise that is available in many of the toy stores these days.
Phineas and Ferb
Watch Phineas and Ferb Trailer
- TV Channel: Disney
It is an American animated children’s television cartoon series and musical comedy, which was first produced by Disney Television Animation.
The show revolves around two main characters Phineas Flynn and his step brother, Ferb Fletcher living in the fictional town of Danville, as they undertake unrealistic, grand projects to utilize their time during the summer vacation.
These undertakings almost always annoy their sister, Candace. The show also features their pet, Perry The Platypus in all episodes, who is also a secret agent for an all animal organization.
One of the unique features of this cartoon show is its background music and songs, which are in fact, some of the most memorable music of all times. And not to forget, the magic realism of the show! Quite at par with its status, it has won several awards including Kids’ Choice and Daytime Emmy Awards for many consequent years.
Oswald
- TV Channel: Nickelodeon
This cartoon show is originally an American animated children’s cartoon series that first aired in 2001 in the United States.
Set in a fictional city named the Big City, the show features several human animals including Oswald, the octopus, his pet dog, Weenie, Henry, the penguin, Daisy, the tall yellow and green flower, Madame Butterfly and her baby caterpillar, Caterina. Each day, Oswald embarks on a new experience with his pet dog and often the episodes revolve around a classic pattern of problem and solution.
Against a classic, calm background music, the optimistic and cheerful Oswald and his acquaintances run and stroll throughout the city on a different venture in every episode. This makes it a light hearted and delightful cartoon show that even adults like to watch.
Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs
Watch Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs Trailer
- TV Channel: Cartoon Network
This animated cartoon series has been adapted from children’s books, written and drawn by Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds and was first premiered in the USA and UK before being launched worldwide.
This cartoon series features a young boy named Harry as the protagonist, who has a bucket of toy dinosaurs. In each episode, a mysterious event prompts Harry and his sister, Sam to go to the fictional Dino World by jumping into a bucket and reciting a magical chant.
Once in the Dino World, the toy dinosaurs turn life size while Harry and his sister retain their actual size. What follows is their interesting series of adventures and misadventure that entail a moral learning for them as well for the kids watching the show.
Roll No. 21
- TV Channel: Cartoon Network
A Cartoon Network original animated series for children, Roll No. 21 is one of the most popular cartoon shows in India. It is a modern present day interpretation of the mythological rivalry between Lord Krishna and Kansa.
Kansa has reappeared on Earth in the form of the character Kanishk, the smooth talker and the principal of Mathura Anath Ashram. He tries to win complete obedience of his school kids before conquering the world.
However, Kris, who is the reincarnation of Lord Krishna, makes it difficult for Kanishk by keeping the goodness in all the kids alive. In order to get rid of Kris, Kanishk summons various monsters and demons from the Paataal Lok to fight Kris.
But using his wit and mystical powers, Kris keeps on defeating all the demons successfully. All of Kanishk’s attempts fail as Kris along with his friends, overcomes all the obstacles which Kanishk creates for them. The show has been adapted into many short films for television and continues to attract audiences throughout the country.
The Power Puff Girls
Watch The Power Puff Girls Theme Song
- TV Channel: Cartoon Network
One of the most watched cartoon shows in India, this show of American origin is one for and about the superhero girls.
The scientist, Professor Utonium accidentally creates three kindergarten girls with magical powers namely Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, when he tries to create one perfect little girl with super powers.
The story usually follows as the three girls use their powers to defend their town from villains and giant monsters. In addition, the girls also have to deal with the normal issues that young children usually face such as, sibling rivalries, losing teeth, personal hygiene, going to school, wetting the bed or dependence on a security blanket.
The show has hinted references to the pop culture and is one of the first cartoon shows with female superheroes, making it one of the most preferred cartoon shows in India.
Pokemon
- TV Channel: Disney
It is an anime series of Japanese origin, which premiered on television in 1997 in Japan. Ash Ketchum, after he turns eleven years old, begins his journey around the world to become the Pokemon master, along with his small group of friends.
To entrust him in his task, Professor Oak has given him the pokémon named Pikachu and together, they embark the road to Ash’s goal. The show follows a series such as Gold and Silver, Ruby and Sapphire etc.. as they journey forward.
This cartoon show became so immensely popular that it has today become an individual media franchise, with their own video games, merchandise and film copyrights. Moreover, its popularity among kids has also led them to launch a parallel series with a different storyline.
Motu Patlu
- TV Channel: Nickelodeon
It is an Indian animated series for children, written by Niraj Vikram for Nickelodeon. It has been adapted from the comic strip on Lotpot and premiered on television in 2012.
Two best friends Motu and Patlu live in the fictional town of Furfuri Nagar and always fall into some trouble. To resolve these problems, which often occur due to Motu’s clumsy actions, they eventually get help from their friends. Patlu is the smarter one of the two and usually finds a way to get out of the problem created more often than not by Motu.
Their main antagonist is a criminal named John – the Don who is always accompanied by his two big, but weak and dumb henchmen named, Number One and Number Two. Like others, this show has also been turned into short films for television.
Noddy
- TV Channel: POGO
Noddy, a fictional character, was first constituted by Enid Blyton in his children’s book and it was adapted into an animated series for television which has continued to run since 1955 to the present day, attracting the same enthusiasm among kids and adults alike.
His name comes from the way he nods his head often. He is an imaginative and young wooden boy who lives in Toyland. Although characterized as a kid with a kid’s imagination and fears, he is also the main taxi driver of Toyland, the fictional city that he lives in.
He often finds himself in difficult situations due to his child like curiosity, impulsiveness and energy, but his friends always help him set things right and save the Toy Town from the Goblins that invade their town. The show opens with a sing along cheerful song that is equally popular among children.
Conclusion
So, re-visit the colourful world of your favourite cartoon shows and experience yet again, the magical and comical world of its characters. Be it your daily dose of laughter or a step away from the monotonous routine, these cartoon shows have come to your rescue.
They would take you to adventures unknown and magical experiences to rekindle your hope that anything is indeed possible.
