Adult Animation Revolution: Why We Need More Cartoons Like ‘Kim Possible’
by Tito W. James
It amazes me that many cartoon creators still have to fight for female protagonists despite plenty of successful series like The Owl House, Amphibia, and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. In honor of Women’s History Month, I wanted to highlight a show that was way ahead of its time and that has aged like wine — Kim Possible.
I came into the series late, having only seen a few of the movie specials in college and following the character designer, Stephen Silver ,on YouTube. Now that I’ve started watching the series from the beginning I can fully appreciate how brilliant it is!
Kim Possible is an athletic cheerleading captain who also goes on international spy missions with her pal Ron Stoppable and his pet naked mole rat, Rufus. Each episode perfectly balances teen drama with spy adventures. We see Kim and Ron go through the challenges of school life and fight a rogue’s gallery of colorful comic book-styled villains. Kim is the coolest character, always ready to throw down if it means sticking up for her friends.
The character designs, the fluidity of the animation, the background art, and the soundtrack work in tandem to give the show its own brand of spy fiction. The show embodies the boldness and forward-thinking optimism of the new millennium without feeling dated. It’s so refreshing to see an animated series capture teen life in way that’s emotionally true and timeless.
Kim Possible was many people’s first cartoon crush and her chemistry with her arch rival, Shego helped many girls discover that they liked girls. It’s nice to have a series where attraction exists but isn’t overdone. Kim and Shego are just as effortlessly sexy as Julie Newmar‘s Catwoman. Kim Possible isn’t just another cartoon sex symbol — she is the quintessential cartoon sex-positive symbol!
Kim Possible’s vivid art and design, organic inclusivity, fun characters, thrilling action, and sharp humor, dwarf many shows that have come since. The show challenged what a cartoon could be and garnered a passionate fanbase of girls and boys alike. They don’t make cartoons like Kim Possible anymore and we really should. Thankfully, there’s a whole generation of rising cartoon creators who have grown up on Kim Possible — and I eagerly anticipate how they will challenge the boundaries of the art form in the future!
