Cartoons have often been branded as a medium exclusively for children, dismissed by many adults who do not understand that animation is for everyone. To this end, some parents often turn on any random cartoon for kids to keep them entertained. They often don’t realize that the creators of many animated series have managed to sneak into adult humor.
This type of humor, while running through the heads of most children, clearly has an impact on both the adults who can tune in and the kids who have grown up and revisit them. While these little touches are far from overt, they reinvent many moments and make them even funnier.
‘Sponge Bob Square Pants’
A small sea sponge that lives in a pineapple underwater is known for its carefree fun. But he is not alien to humor, bordering on risky. In the episode “My Sweet Seahorse”, SpongeBob ties up his adopted seahorse, Tyne, outside the Krusty Krab while he works.
The two fish find Mystery, mistake her for a baby walk, and try her out. But when one of them appears to find his “coin slot”, the camera cuts out and viewers hear a scream of pain, a kick, and a fish flying through the air.
“Ed, Edd, N Eddy”
This Cartoon Network icon is about boys with the same name living in a cul-de-sac neighborhood. The series was somewhat crude in style and humor, which extended to the behavior of the characters. In the episode “Ed’s Luck”, Double D and Eddie go under the latter’s bed to see some of his things.
Under the bed are soda cans, a magazine called “Jiggy Jiggy” and a full box of tissues. As for the magazines, it’s a gift from Eddie’s older brother, who was confirmed in the series finale to be a bad influence on him.
“Animaniacs”
The Warner brothers (and Warner sister, Dot) entertain with humor that even the characters knew flew over the heads of viewers. Perhaps a more infamous example was not seen in the Hercule Yakko short, where Yakko takes on the role of a detective investigating a stolen necklace on a cruise ship.
As this continues, Yakko asks Dot to go look for prints. She’s back with a musical superstar prince in her hands. When Yakko explains that he needs fingerprints, the Prince looks at Dot with a smile, perhaps too impatient. Dot just chuckles and replies, “I don’t think so.”
‘Justice League’
Favored by many viewers for its sophisticated storytelling and mature take on the characters, Justice League was no more than casual innuendo. The Flash was a frequent example, flaunting his success with the ladies.
Sure enough, this led to one of the most brutal fried cards in cartoon history in the episode “Injustice for All”. When he mentions that he is the fastest person alive, Hawkgirl quipped, “Maybe that’s why you can’t find a date.” The Flash objects before Batman interrupts him to continue the story.
‘Dexter’s Laboratory’
Another Cartoon Network classic about a young genius who tries to create great inventions but often falls prey to the antics of his oblivious older sister Dee Dee. In the episode “Dee Dee and the Man”, he finally gets fed up with her behavior and fires her.
He then looks for a replacement, choosing a beautiful woman with a rather curvaceous figure named Kandy. To fill the void left by Dee Dee, Dexter asks Candy to dance, to which she replies, “OK, but it’ll be 50 bucks more.” Dexter just wanted a new lab assistant, but it’s clear that this woman is more used to a more mature job.
“Cool girls”
The three girls were created from a failed lab experiment and became Townsville’s favorite superheroes. Cool girls. This series is loved by many who grew up on it, even if some moments flew past their heads. The episode “Superfriends” revolves around girls trying to juggle crime fighting and a new friendship with a girl named Robin.
While talking to their father figure, Professor Utonium, Bubbles tells her how she and her sisters were created by accident, to which Robin replies, “It’s okay Professor, I was an accident too.” The professor is understandably shocked that this little girl casually reveals that she has an unwanted pregnancy.
“Rocko’s Modern Life”
This Nickelodeon mainstay may have managed to hide (and sometimes overlook) more adult jokes than any other show on the network. When Rocko was stuck looking for a job in the episode “Canned Food”, he found a service that a newspaper ad describes as a “specialized telephone operator”.
He seems to be unaware of the work he is doing, embarrassingly saying “Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby” as the rather blunt descriptions hanging on the wall next to him make it clear that this is a different kind of hotline. Things go even further when it turns out that his client on the other end of the line is Mrs. Bighead.
“Superman: The Animated Series”
One of the most risqué jokes from the DC Animated Universe was seen in the third episode of Superman’s opening story arc “Last Son of Krypton”. When viewing the captured images of Superman for the first time, the Daily Planet staff stares at them in fascination.
In a moment that highlights her urban nature in comparison to Clark Kent, Lois Lane makes a scathing comment, remarking, “Good C.” It can be assumed that she is simply referring to the S on his suit. However, those who follow the line of her eyes can understand that she notices a certain area of his anatomy.
“Teen Titans”
Teen Titans faced many enemies who played on their weaknesses and teenage insecurities. But sometimes they can read too much into them. In the episode “Switched”, the Titans receive a package delivered to them by an (anonymously) villain called the “Puppet King”.
Inside are several wooden puppet copies of the group. Robin and Beast Boy look at their puppets, and Robin remarks on how accurate the toys are. Beast Boy then pulls up his toy’s pants, looks down, and simply replies, “Speak for yourself.”
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
It was a hilarious moment in the serious episode “Southern Raiders” in which Zuko travels with Katara to get revenge on her mother’s killer. Zuko goes to Sokka’s tent to try and talk to her. He bumps into Sookie, who quickly runs away.
Zuko opens the tent to find it lined with candles and Sokka lying with his legs bent and a rose in his mouth. Sokka quickly eats the rose and then, after an emotional scene in which he reveals the truth about Katara’s mother, is too eager to get Zuko out so that he and Sukki can have some… alone time.
Source: Collider
