The 1980s were a significant time for both cartoons and science fiction tales,with the decade producing some truly incredible animated sci-fi series that hold up today. Though the sci-fi genre has evolved, both narratively and visually, throughout the years, such series from the ’80s contain timeless, familiar traits of the genre that are just as great with a modern viewing.
Underrated gems from the era such asBraveStarrandCenturionscan also be considered as awesome and entertaining as they once were many years ago.
These series are marked by their memorable groups of heroes, action-packed battles, and good versus evil narratives. The legacy of certain shows likeThunderCatsandTransformershas only gotten stronger as the years have passed, making their enduring brilliance a bit more obvious. However, underrated gems from the era such asBraveStarrandCenturionscan also be considered as awesome and entertaining as they once were many years ago.
Silverhawks - Season 1
A year intoThunderCats' run, Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment produced another sci-fi cartoon with a similar premise,SilverHawks.The two series feature many of the same voice actors, but the latter instead follows the events after the villainous MonStar escapes lockup and recruits a number of convicts to help him achieve his evil plan. Attempting to stop MonStar are the SilverHawks.
Silverhawks Revival In The Works
Silverhawks, an animated action-comedy from the ’80s, is returning to the screen. The original is analogous to the classic series Thundercats.
Led by Commander Stargazer, the SilverHawks are metal-wearing heroes equipped with bionic abilities and various weapons that prove to be useful in their fight against evil.LikeThunderCats,SilverHawkstoo received a comic book series based on its sci-fi adventures.Certainly too indistinguishable fromThunderCatsfor its own good at times,SilverHawksis still a worthy addition to ’80s sci-fi cartoons and has just enough originality to make an impression.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Cast
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is the first show in the long-running Voltron franchise. The animated series began in 1984 and lasted for a total of three seasons on syndication. The TV show focuses on a group of lion robots who fight back against the evil King Zarkon and Prince Lotor.
Adapting two separate Japanese mecha anime,Beast King Go-LionandArmored Fleet Dairugger XV,is the seriesVoltron: Defender of the Universe. Premiering in 1984, the first season of the animated series is remembered more fondly as it follows a group of five pilots, who each control a robot lion which combines to create the powerful Voltron.
Throughout the season, audiences see the pilots work to protect the planet of Arus from the schemes of the villainous King Zarkon. Though its premise is simple, and its second season isn’t as highly regarded,Voltronstill boasts some stunning animation and likable characters and is easy to rewatch years later. The characters in the action-packed series are also voiced by notable voice actors, including Neil Ross, Tress MacNeille, and Peter Cullen.
BraveStarr
BraveStarr is an American Space Western animated television series that aired from September 1987 to February 1988. Created alongside a line of action figures, it was the final animated series produced by Filmation and Group W Productions before the studio closed. Reruns have aired on various networks.
Compared to a handful of the other sci-fi cartoons mentioned,BraveStarrhas somewhat become a forgotten gem.The Western sci-fi cartoon is set on the planet of New Texas, where galactic Marshal BraveStarr calls upon spirit animals to aid him in fights against a series of criminals.
These animals grant him superhuman abilities, such as enhanced vision and immense strength.
BraveStarr, who is voiced byTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesvoice actor Pat Fraley, is an entertaining protagonist equipped with a number of weapons and is supported by a range of eccentric characters, like Deputies Thirty/Thirty and Fuzz.Additionally, every great lawman needs a fiery opponent and Tex Hex is just the guy.As one ofthe creepiest villains from ’80s cartoons, Tex Hex’s magical powers allow him to give others a hard time and quite the scare.
Inspector Gadget
Inspector Gadget (1983) follows the clumsy yet well-meaning detective equipped with an array of gadgets embedded in his body. Supported by his intelligent niece Penny and her dog Brain, Inspector Gadget combats the evil schemes of the nefarious Dr. Claw and his organization M.A.D., often unwittingly stumbling upon the solutions to complex mysteries.
The success of 1983’sInspector Gadgetseries led to a franchise with live-action films and animated spin-off series, few of which surpass the original.The ’80s cartoon is centered around the titular character who has an assortment of bionic gadgets built into his body, each of which comes in handy when he’s forced to confront his nemesis, Dr. Claw.
Gadget has all the equipment he needs to be a successful inspector, but his ineptitude and clumsiness often get in the way.Therefore, he is unknowingly assisted by his niece Penny and the dog Brain, who take on the investigative work for him.Inspector Gadget’s fun concept and lovable protagonist have allowed the legacy of the series to endure many years after its original premiere.
G-Force: Guardians of Space
G-Force: Guardians of Space is a 1986 American animated adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment and Turner Broadcasting, it offers a more faithful translation than its predecessor, Battle of the Planets, utilizing the relaxed television standards of the 1980s.
With nearly a decade having passed since the first adaptation ofScience Ninja Team Gatchaman, a Japanese anime series,G-Force: Guardians of Spacewas the new and improved second adaptation. Television standards had evolved by the 1980s, which allowed for the darker elements of the original series to be continued in the American version. The animated series follows a group of five teenage superheroes who battle the aliens Galactor and Computor in an attempt to protect Earth.
While its characters and plot are greatly similar to that ofBattle of the Planets,G-Force: Guardians of Spacestands out thanks to its intense action.
The superhero team is bird-themed and is made up of distinct personalities that are easy for audiences to connect with.While its characters and plot are greatly similar to that ofBattle of the Planets,G-Force: Guardians of Spacestands out thanks to its intense action. Names and the characterization of a few heroes and villains were Americanized, but most of the original series' quintessential violence and death were kept in.
Centurions
Centurions is a science fiction animated television series produced by Ruby-Spears, first aired in 1986. The series, animated by Japan’s Sunrise, showcases designs and concepts by comic book legends Jack Kirby and Gil Kane, emphasizing futuristic technology and action-adventure themes.
Just as many sci-fi films and TV shows do,Centurionsexplores the relationship between humans and technology. The series gets its name from its main group of heroes who don colorful exo-frames that allow them to fuse with various weapons. The Centurions' goal is to stop mad scientist Doc Terror and his cyborgs from taking over the world and turning people into robot slaves.
The titular group of heroes is unique thanks to their range of colored suits and distinct weapon specialties.Team leader Max Ray, for example, is best suited for underwater missions, while Ace McCloud specializes in aerial missions. When looking back at great ’80s cartoons,Centurionsisn’t brought up nearly as much as it should be. Still, the superhero show has great animation and is a series audiences can always count on for a fun time.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an animated series that was a result of Mattel’s popular toy line of 5.5-inch action figures. The series helped the Masters of the Universe franchise expand in popularity and ran for a total of two seasons between 1983 and 1985. The TV show was followed by She-Ra: Princess of Power in 1985.
The fictional world inHe-Man and the Masters of the Universecombines science fiction with fantasy to create a memorable series that continues to be seen as one of the best of the decade. Set on the magical planet of Eternia, the animated series follows Prince Adam and his pursuit of the evil Skeletor, who’s hungry for power and control over the planet. With his Sword of Power, Adam transforms into He-Man, the strongest man in the universe.
The series' world-building is imaginative and has continued to be built upon in the numerous films and animated series that have since been released.He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’s success can be attributed to its engaging storylines,the famous rivalry between He-Man and Skeletor, and its ability to create a profitable toy line inspired by the series' characters.
Thundarr The Barbarian
Thundarr the Barbarian is an animated television series set in a post-apocalyptic future, following the adventures of Thundarr, a barbarian warrior, Princess Ariel, a sorceress, and Ookla the Mok, a lion-like creature, as they fight evil wizards and mutants to restore order to Earth.
AsThundarr the Barbarian’s opening narrative describes, a runaway planet moving between Earth and the Moon had a drastic effect on Earth’s climate and geography.Earth is now divided into territories ruled by powerful wizards, and it’s the hero Thundarr who makes it his mission to travel the world and stop evil figures from wreaking havoc. The animated series only lasted for two seasons before being canceled, but it made quite an impression.
Decades later,Thundarr the Barbarian’s striking blend of fantasy and sci-fi remains just as impressive and entertaining. Thundarr, too, and his evil-combating companions are exciting.Though their backstories aren’t explored as much as those in other sci-fi cartoons, audiences still have a fun time watching them battle against a variety of opponents, including evil wizards and inspired mutant creatures.
ThunderCats
ThunderCats is an animated television series that premiered in 1985 and follows a group of cat-like humanoid aliens from the planet Thundera. They seek safety on Third Earth after their home is destroyed. Led by the young Lord Lion-O, the ThunderCats must defend themselves from various villains, especially the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra, while striving to uphold justice and honor in their new world.
Regarded as one ofthe best animated series of the 1980s,ThunderCatsis just as awesome today as it was during its mid-80s premiere. The cartoon blends fantasy with science fiction and revolves around the eponymous group of feline-like humanoids who are forced to leave their dying home planet of Thundera before crash-landing on Third Earth. The team is led by Lion-O in their fight against the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra and the mutants he recruits.
ThunderCatshas been rebooted twicein recent years, but neither the 2011 nor the 2020 TV series have surpassed the original in quality or memorability.What’s allowed the original cartoon’s legacy to endure for many decades is its mix of powerful action and emotional depth, which wonderfully complement the series' well-developed plots and characters.
The Transformers
The Transformers is an animated TV series that follows the battle between the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons, led by Megatron, on Earth and Cybertron. Debuting in 1984, the show blends science fiction and action as both factions of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron vie for supremacy and the future of humankind. It spawned a massive franchise including toys, comics, and movies.
Accompanied by a beloved toy line,The Transformerskickstarted what would eventually become a massive media franchise comprised of both animated and live-action films, and countless series. Few suspected the original sci-fi cartoon would produce such great success, but revisiting the series, it’s easy to point out all that remains every bit as awesome.
The ’80s cartoon has a familiar good versus evil narrative and sees opposing groups of giant robots, Autobots and Decepticons, battle it out after crash landing on Earth.The Transformersintroduced characters that would soon become iconic figures in pop culture, includingPeter Cullen’s Optimus Prime. Like Optimus Prime, the cartoon’s other characters' personalities and designs have favorably evolved throughout the years, but are just as compelling in the original series. With thrilling action and engaging plots, the greatness ofThe Transformerscarries on to this day.
