They’re just for kids, people say. Why waste time watching a cartoon? Well to me, they’re a way to de-stress and step back from reality. The cartoons and shows I watched as a kid influenced what I said and how I acted, even a bit still today. Not only that, shows can help teach people about the world and the way society works. 

     For instance, the dystopian trope comes from how society could fall apart. Humans almost always mess something up, leaving some group of kids in the aftermath of a war or disaster. The kids survive from whatever biologically mutated beings remain on the surface and make friends during their adventures. But then here comes the Big Bad, maybe believing that humans are the dominant species on the surface, not these other creatures, even though they’re sentient and can communicate. No, they’re still different, so they must be reverted back to their mindless state. This causes the kids to band together to end a battle, or start a new age.

     While a cartoon about colorfully magical talking ponies doesn’t seem like it could reflect anything on Earth, it still held value. I still pushed myself to memorize the Elements of Harmony when I was younger because they represented what a good friend is, and it seemed like friendship could get you through tough times. I wanted to be a good person, remembering how Finn the Human helped people because he wanted to be a hero. One has to be brave and friendly, only occasionally punch a wizard in the face if they’re being mean, and be a good bro to your sibling.

     I’m in a fandom mostly composed of older teenagers and young adults. We all share excitement in art, episodes, and characters, and it’s nice to have a way to connect with people. Yeah, the show’s for younger kids, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take away from whatever message the creators are trying to tell. Don’t cut someone down for being passionate about something just because you might think it’s stupid or strange. Luz Noceda from The Owl House says that “weirdos have to stick together”, especially against a society full of haters. If the bond is in the form of a cartoon, then so be it.