If you thought last week's lineup of 1984 cartoons was awesome, wait until you head down memory lane of 1985. There's no need to delay, let's get going!
Air Date: September - December 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Thirteen
DVD Release: Yes
Though it wasn't my favorite iteration of Scooby-Doo, it was the last I watched as a kid. I remember that little kid in it always being really annoying. It's as if Hanna-Barbera were trying to out do the annoying factor of Scrappy in an all new character.
Because the show was cancelled suddenly, the story went unresolved for quite some time, with only twelve of the thirteen ghosts being returned to the chest of demons. However, in 2019, a direct to DVD film entitled, Scooby-Doo And The Curse Of The 13th Ghost concluded the series.
The series is currently on DVD, but for thirteen episodes, thirty bucks is pretty pricey.
Air Date: September 1985 - September 1987
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Fifty-Two
DVD Release: Cannot confirm
Was there anyone who didn't at least read a Berenstain Bears book growing up? Much like the written stories, the episodes were wholesome, and geared more towards education.
Seriously, what child of the 80's didn't either watch this show or at least read a book or two staring this family of bears? These were standard issue to kids of my day.
Though I've seen several DVD's for The Bernstean Bears, I can't honestly say if any of them are related to this show. I'm still trying to figure that one out, so if you have info, please share.
Air Date: September 1985 - November 1985 (or November 1988)
Seasons: One (or Four)
Episodes: Eleven (or sixty)
DVD Release: Yes
I only had one Care Bear growing up. Grumpy. Or whatever his name was. The blue one with the rain cloud on his stomach. I never watched the show, and I think my mom just got it because of my personality as a child.
While the 1985 series only had one season, many people remember it more for the syndicated Care Bears Family, which was the show that began airing in 1986, and ran through 1988 for three seasons. Thus the additional information above in parentheses.
I've started my introduction the the cuddly bears with the movies, and I'm digging it enough that I'm thinking I want to check out this series. Good thing it's available on DVD, not only as the 1985 series, but the entire run through 1988.
Air Date: March 1985 - January 1989
Seasons: Three
Episodes: Twenty-Six
DVD Release: No
CBS Storybreak was a unique show for its time. It wasn't on the television to sell you toys. Rather, it wanted to get you to read books. Each animated episode was based on a famous book of the time, such as How To Eat Fried Worms, Dragon Blood, and more. With each show only being thirty minutes long, obviously there were a lot of edits to get from start to finish within the limited time block.
While a few of the episodes were released back in the day on VHS, you won't find many of them. Nor will you find a full release on DVD.
Air Date: September 1985 - February 1991
Seasons: Six
Episodes: Sixty-Five
DVD Release: Partially
One of my favorites as a child and adult, I've more so enjoyed watching the entire series via Disney Plus these days. This is mainly because Disney has only bothered to release seasons one through three on DVD.
I've always been a fan of fantasy type cartoons such as this that feature family friendly stories with lovable characters, and it's really great that this one not only served to get me through my younger years, but also stands the test of time to be just as enjoyable now as an adult.
Air Date: 1985 - 1994
Seasons: Unknown
Episodes: Unknown
DVD Release: No
Like segments featuring Smurfs, Richie Rich, Scooby-Doo, Snorks, and more? Well, that's essentially what The Funtastic World Of Hanna-Barbera served to deliver. Blocks of animated segments featuring your favorite old and new Hanna-Barbera characters under one roof.
Because this was essentially a show comprised of segments from preexisting shows, no DVD has, or probably ever will be released specifically for this series. However, you can obviously get several of them under their own respective titles.
Air Date: September 1985 - November 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Ninety-Five
DVD Release: Yes
I say it a lot, but this one actually gets the number one spot. G.I. Joe is my all time favorite cartoon. I enjoy it so much that it's actually playing in the background as I type this particular post. Iconic characters, action packed episodes and action figures that set my mind in overdrive as I played out all my own action plots.
Though the initial series ended with season two, following the movie, it returned for an all new show. Though many claim it to be silly and some of the worst episodes about the Joes, it still managed to air for two seasons during its initial run.
Both series, featuring all the seasons, as well as the movie have been released several times on DVD. It's really just a matter of which one you want, and what price you want to pay.
Air Date: September 1985 - October 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Twenty-Six
DVD Release: No
Despite being WWF fans in the 80's, neither my brother nor I watched much of this show. Considering it featured all of our favorites, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Andre The Giant, etc., in retrospect, it's kind of odd that we didn't have this one in our rotation of Saturday morning cartoons.
It's never been released on DVD, which is odd considering it's from the WWF. We're talking about an organization that puts everything and anything on home video. I mean, come on. There's a Jimmy Hart DVD, but we can't get one of this entire show?
Air Date: September 1985 - August 1986
Seasons: One
Episodes: Sixty-Five
DVD Release: Yes
Would you believe me if I said I had never heard of this show until I started buying 80's cartoons on DVD? Yeah, it's true.
Jayce And The Wheeled Warriors followed a common thread of storytelling, focusing on environments subject matters which left a world desolate and doomed. Through adult eyes, it's pretty entertaining. I've been working my way through the complete series DVD set as of late, and it's holding my attention. Sadly, I hear it's one of the few cartoons from back in the day that never got a true finale. Apparently, a film was intended to wrap everything up, but never got put into production. Downer.
Air Date: October 1985 - May 1988
Seasons: Three
Episodes: Sixty-Five
DVD Release: Yes
Here is yet another perfect example that 80's cartoons weren't just for boys or girls. Kids of both genders who watch He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe were also just as content to watch Jem And The Holograms. Why? Because it was good.
Though I remembered it as that show that featured the band of the same name, and the various songs they sang which battling it out on stage with The Misifts, in retrospect, this was a very violent show. As I watched the mini-series and part of season one, I was floored at all the attempted murder, kidnapping and fights which encompassed many of the episodes.
The entire series is available on DVD, and this is one that I'm personally making a priority to see from start to finish.
Air Date: September 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Thirteen
DVD Release: No
Despite having a full season of thirteen episodes, on three ever aired back in 1985. This was a result of Marvel Productions failing to deliver the episodes in time for airing. Ultimately, due to the popularity of Muppet Babies, CBS opted to not bother with the Monsters show.
The series has never been released on DVD, and quite honestly, I didn't even know what it was until researching it for this post.
Air Date: September 1985 - November 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Seventy-Five
DVD Release: Yes
My brother loved him some MASK back in the day. So much so that he had a ton of the toys. As I sit here and think about it, other than Lego, I don't honestly know of any other toys he had except these.
Though the show ran for two seasons, by the second one, the entire premise was revamped, shifting from an action of MASK vs. Venom in combat to a racing show. Both seasons were released on DVD in region two areas. However, you can only find the first season of sixty-five episodes on region one discs. That's a real bummer considering the region one set touts it as "The Complete Series".
I tried watching this one recently, and boy is the voice acting terrible. This one has not stood well against the test of time.
Air Date: September 1985 - December 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Twenty-Six
DVD Release: Yes
I never got into Punky Brewster. The live action sitcom or the cartoon. It was never my thing. So much so that I don't even know the premise of either show beyond Punky running around with a magical creature named Gomer.
While there hasn't been a DVD release of It's Punky Brewster on its on, you can get all the episodes by buying the four season DVD's for the live action show, which have the episodes included as bonus features. I suppose if you're a fan of Punky Brewster that this is a win / win to get them both in one complete package...Well, in four individual season sets.
Air Date: March - June 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Eighty-Five
DVD Release: Yes
Giant gundams were nothing new at the time Robotech was imported from Japanese television to US shores. However, the shows were heavily edited to make them more cohesive to Western culture, and dubbed by English voice actors.
Though the original series was eighty five episodes, this was actually cobbled together from three different shows into three parts titled The Macross Saga, The Masters and The New Generation. The finished product is very different from its original iterations.
Despite this, fans love it, and continue to love it on DVD. It's been released several times as individual and combined boxed sets, with the most popular being the massive tome known as Robotech: Protoculture Collection.
Air Date: 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Five
DVD Release: No
Sectaurs was a mini-series, intended to evolve into a television series, but which failed to do so. As such, it only aired for a five part mini-series before disappearing. What's interesting about this is that it still went on to become a popular action figure line, one which remains highly sought after to these days.
Also sought after is a DVD home video release of the series, which to date has not occurred.
Title: She-Ra: Princess Of Power
Air Date: September 1985 - December 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Ninety-Three
DVD Release: Yes
I never watched She-Ra as a kid, and even as an adult I find it difficult to get into. I think for me, because I didn't make this a part of my usual cartoon rotations, I see the cheesiness in how poorly it has aged. I'm sure I would feel the same way about He-Man if I didn't watch that has a kid.
I keep telling myself that one day I'll get around to actually watching the series. However, much like Transformers, I've started and stopped it so many times that I keep forgetting where I left off. This results in me watching the same episodes over and over again.
With that said, obviously it's been released on DVD. In fact, it's been released a couple times, and remains readily in print.
Title: Star Wars: Droids
Air Date: September 1985 - June 1986
Seasons: One
Episodes: Thirteen
DVD Release: No
For as big as I was into Star Wars, Droids was never in my main rotation of cartoons as a kid. I may have caught an episode here or there, but I think I, like many kids, were more so confused as to why R2-D2 and C-3PO were in the hands of new masters. Even in my young mind, it just wasn't good.
To this day, I don't think I've seen every episode. This could be attributed to the series not being available on DVD (in its entirety), which in and of itself baffles me. For as much as fans say they want this, when single discs containing a few episodes were released in 2004, they were received with little to no fanfare. Either people really didn't want them as much as they said, or they snubbed these releases for the minimal episodes being released. Something tells me it was the latter. Ultimately, I just don't get why Lucasfilm (at the time) or Disney (now), simply don't just release the complete series.
Title: Star Wars: Ewoks
Air Date: September 1985 - December 1986
Seasons: Two
Episodes: Twenty-Six
DVD Release:No
Take everything I said above, and apply it to the Ewoks show. I really think this was nothing more than a way for Kenner to justify continuing to make toys. Unfortunately, most kids had moved on from Star Wars in 1985 in favor of, well, dare I say it, better cartoon shows.
With that said, I would be lying if I said this wouldn't be a day one purchase if it was ever released in its entirety on DVD. Same goes for Droids. Maybe one day.
Title: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
Air Date: September 1985 - October 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Eight
DVD Release: Yes
Technically, this is season nine of the Super Friends, and the last in the show's entire run. Ironically, I have season three playing in the background as I type this post.
Since I haven't made it this far into the series yet, I can't really say much about it. Suffice to say, nothing could be as bad as the first season.
The entire series of Super Friends is available on DVD, including the lost seventh season. However, due to varying title releases that don't coincide with their order, this is a messy set to collect. In addition, many of the discs are prone to not work properly because they're missing episodes, or simply malfunction. This is a common problem with Warner Brothers compilation discs released in this time frame, and really disappointing for cartoon fans.
Title: Super Sunday
Air Date: October 1985 - October 1986
Seasons: One
Episodes: Unknown
DVD Release: No
Super Sunday was big for being the first place to see Jem and the Holograms for the first time. It essentially took the first mini-series, and cut it up into segments which were interwoven with episodes of Inhumanoids, Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines and Robotix. While all of these were great cartoons, Jem and Inhumanoids were the only ones to be picked up for syndication.
Both Jem and Inhumanoids have been released on DVD. However, the latter wasn't in its entirety, featuring only nine of the thirteen episodes. To make matters worse, the episodes that were released are spread across two out of print discs that can cost upwards of fifty dollars each. Sadly, Bigfoot and Robotix seem to have fallen into 80's obscurity.
Title: ThunderCats
Air Date: September 1985 - September 1989
Seasons: Four
Episodes: One Hundred Thirty
DVD Release: Yes
Despite tuning in to ThunderCats a lot as a kid, I never had too many of the toys. Well, let me rephrase that. Somehow I had all of the first wave of ThunderCats, but only Mumm-Ra, both in his mummy and larger form. This made playtime rather bland and boring, so I never really messed with them all that much.
Though the show was ultimately four seasons, oddly, the DVD releases only denote them as season one and two. All the episodes are present. They just refuse to acknowledge that there was a third and fourth season.
Title: Wuzzles
Air Date: September - December 1985
Seasons: One
Episodes: Thirteen
DVD Release: No
I don't know what a Wuzzle is, but learned it was essentially two parts of an animal combined to make one. It's an interesting concept, and I imagine the series itself must have been very kid friendly. I'd check it out if I ever got the chance.
Sadly, this won't be on DVD, because the series was never released. For as much as Disney likes money, they sure do pass on a lot of opportunities to make it.
But, with that, that wraps up 1985. An epic year in the world of cartoons, if I do say so myself. I'm going to keep on going, so tune in next Monday for 1986.
This series of posts encompasses the following:
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
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Other than Scooby Doo and GI Joe, I didn't watch any of these. Was starting high school. No time. Sectaurs is probably something I should watch now. A Kickstarter campaign released new Sectaurs figures, at 1:18 scale. One of these days, I'll watch Robotech as well.
ReplyDeleteI need to do the same. Have not started watching the series yet, even though I recently picked it up on DVD. I have a major backlog currently.
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