History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / WesternAnimation

* ‘’WesternAnimation/SmilingFriends’’ is in the middle, which is fairly idealistic for an Creator/AdultSwim cartoon. The Smiling Friends organization is genuinely interested in making people happy despite the Boss’s creepy moments, but run into difficulties due to the [[SurrealHumor bizarre]] and occasionally [[SurrealHorror horrifying]] nature of the world they live in. The protagonist Pim and Charlie represent two opposing sides, with Pim often being too idealistic for his own good while Charlie is often cynical in a defeatist fashion. Despite their difficulties, they always do manage to reach their assigned goal, but generally in a strange, darkly humorous or accidental fashion.

* All of Creator/{{Pixar}}'s films are incredibly optimistic. They are about real characters dealing with problems anyone can relate to and are full of heart, humor, and emotion.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' is definitely an interesting example. Although its [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic setting]], [[BackstoryHorror backstory]] [[CerebusRetcon horror]] [[LossOfIdentity elements,]] general moral grayness, and tendency to show [[DownerEnding dark futures]] (such as the end of [[spoiler:Lemonhope Story Part II]]) may seem like they would land the show near the cynical side the show has always been very optimistic, with a [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy end for most of the characters involved.]] The series runs on the strategy of presenting that there will always be hope even into immensely dark situations like the afterlife and the aftermath nuclear war, and that even though change is scary and inevitable everything will be okay.

* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'' is very much on the cynical side. While not as cynical as [[WesternAnimation/CatDog a few]] [[WesternAnimation/InvaderZim other cartoons]] in this era, the characters are mean spirited, the ones who put others through hell often [[KarmaHoudini get away]], [[SadistShow five seconds of the show revolves around pain]]...it can be a mess. [[spoiler:Until [[WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddyBigPictureShow the movie]], where things get better for the Eds, who were accepted by the kids]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' is definitely an interesting example. Although its [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic setting]], [[BackstoryHorror backstory]] [[CerebusRetcon horror]] [[LossOfIdentity elements,]] general moral grayness, and tendency to show [[DownerEnding dark futures]] (such as the end of [[spoiler:Lemonhope Story Part II]]) may seem like they would land the show near the cynical side, in the end, the show turns out very idealistic, with a [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy end for most of the characters involved.]] Even with its darker tone, Adventure Time carries a lot of hope for the characters, and that everything will be okay.

%%* Both the 80's ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' and [[WesternAnimation/Ducktales2017 its 2017 reboot]] are heavily on the idealistic end of the scale.

* This once again applies to Groening's ''{{WesternAnimation/Disenchantment}}'' where it is set in the Dark Ages and has a cynical sense of humor but has a fair amount of genuine heart.

* Creator/MattGroening's other show ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is also down the middle. The jokes tend to run on cynical, pointed [[TakeThat Take Thats]] at society and popular culture, but the plots and characters themselves tend to to be idealistic and with a lot of sincere heart. There are some meaningful episodes which shows the bonds of the dysfunctional family and how despite how bad Homer's life is, he will never truly betray Marge and their marriage.
* In spite of being DarkerAndEdgier than its predecessor, ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' manages to still be idealistic. Sure, it's not always easy, but its main themes are ThePowerOfFriendship and [[RousseauWasRight how anybody could be a better person if they wanted to]]. This is evidenced by the numerous villains who perform a HeelFaceTurn or get some form of redemption by the series end.

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' is quite far down on the cynical side of the scale, taking place in a small town hell where everyone is corrupt or idiotic, horror abounds and has enough squick and offensive humor that no one is innocent or spared. And it gets more cynical once social satire replaces the funny side of everyday life. It's worth noting that while the show is very cynical in general, there are several instances that shed some idealism in the world. The Movie, "Stick of Truth" video game, "You Have 0 Friends", "Crack Baby Athletic Association", and a few other examples all contain a happy ending showing that while the show is raunchy, dark and vulgar there does lie a number of instances that are heartwarming.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' is very much on the idealistic end of the scale, reflecting the protagonist's AllLovingHero personality. As revelations are made as to where [[HumanOutsideAlienInside the Gems]] come from and [[ScaryDogmaticAliens why they came to Earth]] come to light, it quickly becomes apparent that the Crystal Gems defected from the Homeworld Gems to protect the planet, and [[spoiler:that the Homeworld Gems are intending to return and suck its resources dry]]. What's more, the caretakers he's always looked up to have very real flaws with psychological hangups they've not gotten over. Despite the narrative's continually darkening plot, the show remains steadfastly idealistic with many lessons the characters learn about trust and enduring relationships together, and even most of the jerks and villains have sympathetic sides to them. In short, despite the innocent surface being revealed as a complex and tragic event, the characters keep their good hearts, with sobering reminders of how cynical the world can be but being a better experience because of it.

** It usually falls on the cynical side of the spectrum when it comes to the {{big bad}}s. Out of the six of these over five seasons, only Nightmare Moon, Discord (via Fluttershy in Season 3), and [[spoiler: Starlight Glimmer in Season 5]] have proven redeemable by ThePowerOfFriendship. The others have been either destroyed, banished, or escape punishment. Smaller, one-episode bullies usually just take off without learning a lesson, with The Great and Powerful Trixie and Gilda as the only ones to turn up again and undergo some character development thus far.

* Two of Creator/CartoonNetwork's shows from 2008 to 2010, ''WesternAnimation/{{Chowder}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelousMisadventuresOfFlapjack'', show an interesting contrast. They both have the same core idea: "Main character is a naive kid who drags the older main characters into situations based off his naïveté/stupidity." The contrast comes from the fact that the two shows are on the opposite sides of the scale.
** ''Chowder'' is an idealistic series. A bright and colorful world where people generally get along happily and the biggest problem is the next food order.
** ''Flapjack'', on the other hand, is very cynical. It takes place in a CrapsackWorld where pretty much everyone is bitter, abusive, and [[GrotesqueGallery ugly]], with NightmareFuel abound. The only optimist in the show, the titular character, is completely oblivious and naive to the world around him.

** [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender The original series]] flip-flops on the scale madly... the mostly upbeat Season 1 gives way to the DarkerAndEdgier Season 2, with everything up in the [[{{Pun}} air]] for the majority of Season 3 and the scale sliding like mad between idealism and cynicism. Finally, though, it lands ''hard'' on the Idealistic Side for the GrandFinale.

** The sixth and final season zigzags with idealism vs. cynicism even more than the previous seasons. Season 6 Episode 7, "The Face of Depression," the penultimate episode of the first half of Season 6, ends in such a manner that would easily be an optimistic, tears-of-joy ending... if it wasn't immediately followed by an episode that sets up Hollyhock learning about some of the worst things Bojack has done and news reporters preparing to reveal some of the other worst things he's done. The second half of the season is much more on the cynical end, with Bojack finally being properly taken to task for his harmful behavior, especially in regards to the various incidents in which a younger woman he had a stronger power dynamic over and had the quality of their life seriously lowered because of having known him, and having his reputation seriously damaged as a result. Such karmic justice isn't as cathartic as it might be if Bojack weren't the main character we've gotten to understand the mind of regardless of whether or not we actually like him, thus guaranteeing the last few episodes of the season stay pretty far on the cynical end. The penultimate episode of the series turns out to be the DyingDream of Bojack as he's DrivenToSuicide and begins to attempt to overdose on drugs and drown himself in the pool on his old house's back porch, which would make for the biggest DownerEnding in the entire show's run, which is saying something, given the kind of show this is. The series finale has a more bittersweet feel overall, with Bojack affirming where he stands with Mr. Peanutbutter, Todd, and Princess Carolyn, all of whom Bojack accepts for who they are, and all of whom accept Bojack for who he is, albeit mainly because none of them can truly claim to be better than him at the end of the day. Bojack's final conversation with Diane is less sweet, as Diane acknowledges that, as close as they are due to their mutual understanding of one another more than anyone else, Bojack kept putting her in the unenviable position of always being the one to save him from himself, keeping either of them from ever truly growing, and that after this last conversation with him, Diane will never see Bojack again. Even still, Diane acknowledges that she owes many of her professional successes in the past few years to knowing Bojack, and Bojack acknowledges that he may never have made what personal improvements he did without having known Diane, and the show ends with the two of them looking at the sky in silence. The last season is structured this way to show how life doesn't have neat and tidy happy endings, as there's always "the day after the happy ending," and how, despite Bojack seemingly having gotten sober at the end of the series, he could just as easily relapse at any point after that. The show ultimately ends in the dead middle of the idealism vs. cynicism scale, as a show with a main character like Bojack ultimately can't have a really happy ending. As Diane says at the end of the series finale, "Life's a bitch, and then you keep living," which makes it all the more important to appreciate the good moments as they come, and enjoy the peaceful nights that you do get.

-->'''[[{{Deuteragonist}} Zuko]]:''' [[SarcasmMode ...Maybe you could show [Fire Lord Ozai] his baby pictures and all those happy memories will make him good again.]]
-->'''[[TheHero Aang]]:''' Do you really think that would work?
-->'''Zuko:''' NO!

* Despite the surface becoming a DeathWorld, ''WesternAnimation/KipoAndTheAgeOfWonderbeasts'' not only sides of idealism but shows cynicism to be dangerous. Kipo's willingness to make friends, even with enemies, is a major contributor to her group's success as it opens up seemingly impossible opportunities. Meanwhile, many of the problems in the series also stem from people making decisions stemming from a cynical mindset, as it not only allows the CycleOfHatred to continue, but all the evils the protagonists face stem from [[spoiler:Dr. Emilia not only rejecting her brother Liam's proposal for humans and Mutes to get along, but killing him so she could use Liam as martyr to her father's desire to reclaim the surface for humanity.]]

* Despite the surface becoming a DeathWorld, ''WesternAnimation/KipoAndTheAgeOfWonderbeasts'' not only sides of idealism but shows cynicism to be dangerous. Kipo's willingness to make friends, even with enemies, is a major contributor to her group's success as it opens up seemingly impossible opportunities. Meanwhile, many of the problems in the series also stem from people making decisions stemming from a pessimistic mindset, as it not only allows the CycleOfHatred to continue, but all the evils the protagonists face stem from [[spoiler:Dr. Emilia not only rejecting her brother Liam's proposal for humans and Mutes to get along, but killing him so she could use Liam as martyr to her father's desire to reclaim the surface for humanity.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' is, believe it or not, quite far down on the idealistic side of the scale, Despite it’s moments of darkness, it's worth noting that there are several instances that shed optimism and hope in the world. The Movie, "Stick of Truth" video game, "You Have 0 Friends", "Crack Baby Athletic Association", and a few other examples all contain a happy ending showing that while the show is raunchy, dark and vulgar there does lie a number of instances that are heartwarming. The creators themselves have stated that the show isn’t cynical and that they do believe in the goodness of people.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' is definitely an interesting example. Although its [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic setting]], [[BackstoryHorror backstory]] [[CerebusRetcon horror]] [[LossOfIdentity elements,]] general moral grayness, and tendency to show [[DownerEnding dark futures]] (such as the end of [[spoiler:Lemonhope Story Part II)]] may seem like they would land the show near the cynical side, in the end, the show turns out very idealistic, with a [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy end for most of the characters involved.]] Even with its darker tone, Adventure Time carries a lot of hope for the characters, and that everything will be okay.

%%* The scale in WesternAnimation/AdventureTime differs depending on a particular arc or storyline but in the end will still lie heavily on the idealistic end of the scale.

* WesternAnimation/AdventureTime is definitely an interesting example. Although its [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic setting]], [[BackstoryHorror backstory]] [[CerebusRetcon horror]] [[LossOfIdentity elements,]] general moral grayness, and tendency to show [[DownerEnding dark futures]] (such as the end of [[spoiler:Lemonhope Story Part II)]] may seem like they would land the show near the cynical side, in the end, the show turns out very idealistic, with a [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy end for most of the characters involved.]] Even with its darker tone, Adventure Time carries a lot of hope for the characters, and that everything will be okay.

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' is DarkerAndEdgier than anything else on Creator/DisneyChannel[=/=]Creator/DisneyXD, but usually leans towards the idealistic side of the scale. Yes, the show borrows from GothicHorror and is not afraid to shy away from the harshness of reality (especially when it comes to growing up), but the show teaches that good things can come out of bad moments. Dipper and Mabel face challenges, but their strong relationship is a testament to the show's idealism. [[spoiler: Grunkle Stan and Great-Uncle Ford even manage to patch up their broken relationship]] in the SeriesFinale.

** The SeriesFinale turns this trope on its head: [[spoiler: After their plans to TakeOverTheWorld have failed (again), Grogar's LegionOfDoom (consisting of previous baddies [[InsectQueen Chrysalis]], [[SatanicArchetype Lord Tirek]] and [[EnfantTerrible Cozy Glow]]) are not given another chance for redemption, especially after they have previously [[RedemptionRejection rejected]] their second chances and [[DefiantToTheEnd refuse to change]] their evil ways. They are officially [[BeyondRedemption declared]] ''irredeemable'', and are [[TakenForGranite turned to stone]] [[CharacterDeath for eternity]] for their crimes.]] Showing that even the ''extremely'' idealistic world of Equestria has their limits on what they will tolerate.

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' is quite far down on the cynical side of the scale, taking place in a small town hell where everyone is corrupt or idiotic, horror abounds and has enough squick and offensive humor that no one is innocent or spared. And it gets more cynical once social satire replaces the funny side of everyday life. It's worth noting that while the show is very cynical in general, there are several instances that shed some idealism in the world. The Movie, "Stick of Truth" video game, "You Have 0 Friends", "Crack Baby Athletic Association", and a few other examples all contain a happy ending showing that while the show is raunchy, dark and vulgar there does lie a number of instances that are heartwarming.

* Even before the massive CerebusSyndrome, ''WesternAnimation/MoralOrel'' is pretty firmly planted on the cynical side, playing both [[PlayedForLaughs for laughs]] and [[PlayedForDrama for drama]] the StepfordSuburbia of Moralton and the [[InVinoVeritas dysfunctional]] [[HappyMarriageCharade and]] [[BreakTheCutie depressing]] lives of its residents. Despite this, the show keeps a few [[HopeSpot hope spots]] [[spoiler: most notably in the episodes "Dumb" and "Closeface," as well as the [[EarnYourHappyEnding ending]]]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' falls somewhere in the middle of the scale. Much of the show revolves around protagonist Lincoln Loud being at odds with his 10 sisters, and there’s some rather cynical humor at times, but they ultimately all love each other and everything (more or less) works out in the end.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/ItsSuchABeautifulDay]]'' is a BlackComedy about a simplistically-drawn man dying of terminal brain cancer, but surprisingly winds up in the middle of the scale by the end, probably closer to optimistic.