Top 10 Banned or Censored Episodes of Children's Cartoons
By Shantleen Dhanoa
The title antagonist of The Mad Doctor (1933, Mickey Mouse), one of the first episodes of a children's cartoon series to get banned.
Children's television is like children's literature, it's not always tame or safe or even educational! And sometimes when a children's television program creeps into darker territory or tackles controversial issues, it can cause a public outcry that leads to the episode getting banned for what feels like an eternity! Either that, or it is censored to appeal to the predominantly conservative market.
Here are just 10 of these episodes, which are ranked from #10 (didn't deserve it) to #1 (deserved it)...
10) Stark Raving Dad (1991, The Simpsons)
This episode of the animated family comedy follows Bart trying to get a suitable 8th-birthday present for his sister Lisa, while their father Homer is forced to wear a pink shirt to work after Bart mixed his red cap with the white laundry. Homer is sent home by Mr. Burns, who claims that Homer's attire reveals that he's a "free-thinking anarchist." After Bart "helps" Homer complete a psychiatric quiz by ticking "YES" to all of the questions (which ask if Homer hears imaginary voices, is short-tempered and wets his pants), Homer is sent to a mental institution. There he meets a white man who claims that he's Michael Jackson, a singer Homer is unfamiliar with. When both Homer and the man are finally let out, Bart tricks the entire town into thinking that the real Michael Jackson is living with the Simpsons. The other residents soon realize that the mystery man is actually a Michael Jackson impersonator and angrily leave. Bart almost forgets about Lisa's birthday until he and the mysterious Michael Jackson soundalike write and perform a special birthday song Happy Birthday Lisa for Lisa. Then the man reveals that he's actually a bricklayer from New Jersey named Leon, who mimics Jackson's voice to make himself and others happy. The episode ends with Leon bidding farewell to the Simpsons and singing Happy Birthday Lisa in his natural voice.
Why Was It Banned?
Michael Jackson was involved in a series of child abuse allegations during the 1990's and 2000's. They were brought up again in 2019, causing several media involving Jackson (including this episode) to get pulled from rotation. The ban applied to Disney+ as well and Stark Raving Dad remains the only episode missing from all versions of the streaming service. Of course, like the Hillsong sexual abuse allegations, it's too divisive to write about in more detail, but in my opinion, this is very undeserving for Jackson's legacy.
Did It Deserve It?
No, I don't think so.
9) Deadly Force (1994, Gargoyles)
Deadly Force is the 8th episode of Gargoyles, a television series that aired on the Disney Afternoon (a children's programming block that was active from 1990 to 1997). In the episode, the gargoyle Broadway (voiced by William "Bill" Fagerbakke, who would later voice Patrick Star in Spongebob Squarepants) accidentally shoots Detective Eliza Maza. Rather than take responsibility for the accident, he lies that the mob leader Anthony Dracon (whose gang has just stolen a hoard of laser guns) was responsible for shooting Eliza. However, the episode has a happy ending where Eliza recovers, and the gang's plans are foiled by the heroes.
Why Was It Banned?
Deadly Force was banned and later censored due to a particularly distressing scene where Broadway accidentally shoots Eliza, causing the latter to lie on the floor bleeding! This is the most infamous (yet ironically also the most memorable) scene in the entire episode.
Did It Deserve It?
No, because teaching children about irresponsible gun use is very important, especially in the United States where gun violence is very, very common. Not to mention that there have been cases where children have died or killed others because they understood guns to be toys. Broadway's reaction to his mistake taps into the experience of many real-life children who have been involved in accidents involving guns.
8) The Legend of Miniryu (1997, Pokémon)
Translation Note: "Miniryu" is what Dratini is known as in Japanese. But for this episode's summary (along with the other banned Pokémon episode on this list) the English names will be used.
The 35th episode of the popular anime series based on the Pokémon video games was the first to be cut from the English dub by 4Kids. The episode is about Ash, Misty and Brock visiting the Kanto Safari Zone, where they are greeted by the Safari Warden, who points a gun at Ash and asks him if he wants to get shot. The Warden threatens the protagonists with guns again by warning them that if they break the rules, he will shoot them. He threatens them a third time when the protagonists begin talking about rumours of a Dratini living in the Safari Zone! Professor Oak tells Ash that 30 years ago, the Warden found a Dratini, but other Trainers wanted it so much that the Dratini fled and was never heard from again. And that's just the start of the episode, you can probably see why The Legend Of Miniryu (Dratini)was never shown outside of Asia.
Why Was It Banned?
The first reason why this episode was never dubbed into English is because of the excessive use of gun violence throughout the episode! Not only did the Warden point his gun at Ash and his friends 3 times (and fired at Team Rocket), but Team Rocket also kept pointing guns at the Warden and used bombs to fish out Dratini. The second reason for this episode's banning was because Meowth dresses up as Adolf Hitler! Or maybe that was just a coincidence, since he's wearing overalls and a toothbrush moustache... HEIL!!!
Did It Deserve It?
Mostly no, as this is the significant episode in which Ash catches all of his 30 Tauros, but why is there excessive gun violence in this episode?!! No wonder 4Kids decided to skip it!
7) One Beer (1991, Tiny Toon Adventures)
One Beer is the third and final segment of the episode Elephant Tissues, which was one of only two full episodes of Tiny Toon Adventures to be banned by Fox Kids (the channel/programming block this show originally aired on). Featuring wraparounds hosted by Gogo Dodo, this segment opens with Buster, Plucky and Hamton (who are between the ages of 12-14) taking a beer bottle out of a fridge and drinking from it in the park after evading a cop. The next day, they turn up at school dressed in dirty rags, act insensitive to their female classmates, steal a police car and drive it off a cliff, before revealing that it was all an act!
Why Was It Banned?
Despite having an obvious anti-drinking message, One Beer was banned for its graphic depiction of underaged drinking. Seeing the Tiny Toons drinking is certainly more concerning than their mentors the Looney Tunes getting drunk because the Tiny Toons are children aged around 12-14 years, while the Looney Tunes are supposed to be in their 20s-30s and jokes revolving around them getting drunk is pretty much the norm for them, especially in the original shorts. Most airings of Elephant Issues (after its premiere, but before The Hub's rerun in 2013) left this segment out until The Hub aired a remastered version of the episode with the third segment, intact, in 2013. This version of Elephant Issues is also featured on the DVD Crazy Crew Rescues (2013).
Did It Deserve It?
Mostly no, but One Beer portrays underaged drinking and drink driving in a comedic light and (until the end of the episode) doesn't even take its message that seriously, due to the episode being a blatant parody of "very special episodes" and "public information films". But One Beer is at least correct about getting drunk and drink driving being dangerous and I do recommend watching it because of how over-the-top it is.
6) The Mad Doctor (1933, Mickey Mouse)
This creepy Mickey Mouse short is one of the first banned cartoon episodes, ever! Because unlike most cartoons from the Golden Age of American Animation (1928-1972), The Mad Doctor was banned almost instantly, rather than being deemed offensive within a few decades. The episode is about Mickey trying to rescue his dog Pluto from a mad scientist who plans on cutting off Pluto's head and putting it on a chicken's body to see if he can hatch a puppy from an egg.
Why Was It Banned?
Not only did some American theatres refuse to play this cartoon, but The Mad Doctor was outright banned in Britain and Germany because of its horror premise. Their reason for its banning? Because of their concern that The Mad Doctor will frighten children, who are the target audience of these cartoons! For this reason, it was never reissued and lapsed into the public domain.
Did It Deserve It?
From a 1930's perspective, yes, because The Mad Doctor is considered one of the scariest Mickey Mouse cartoons ever made! Not only that, but this cartoon revolves around dissection, no wonder this cartoon got banned!
5) Big Brother Calliou (2000, Calliou)
Big Brother Caillou follows the popular children's cartoon cliché of the child protagonist dealing with the arrival of a new sibling. In this case it's Caillou getting jealous of his new born sister and learning to cope with the new changes she brings with her. Yet sadly, the morals this episode tries to send to its preschool audience are ruined by the most controversial moment in Caillou!
Why Was It Banned?
This episode was banned and later censored in the United States due to a scene where Caillou pinches Rosie, causing Rosie to cry.
Did It Deserve It?
Yes, because not only is this scene terrifying (mainly because of Rosie's screaming), it also (ironically) encourages toddlers to physically abuse their younger siblings! Seriously, this episode should be rated PG for the pinching and diaper changing scenes!
4) Little Accidents (1990, Pingu)
Also known as Pingu's Lavatory Story, this infamous episode opens with Pingu and Pinga have a drinking contest at a bar. But when Pinga wets herself in public, Pingu rushes her to the potty. Then Pingu realizes that he needs to pee too! After tricking his father into coming out of the toilet, Pingu tries to sit on the bowl, but pees all over the floor. Pingu's father scolds him for peeing on the floor and forces Pingu to wipe up his pee. When he is done, Pingu tries to use the toilet on stilts. His mother catches him and tells him not to, but Pingu explains that he is doing it so that he can reach the toilet bowl. So, they both build some steps for Pingu out of snow and Pingu is finally able to pee in peace.
Why Was It Banned?
This episode was banned in several countries for one, painfully obvious reason: It's an episode that revolves around urine!
Did It Deserve It?
Yes, because it's a urine fetish episode!!!
3) Croissant (2015, Teen Titans Go!)
This episode actually has nothing to do with croissants, instead it's about Robin teaching the rest of the Titans that looks don't define who you are, which is followed by him going against what he just said by putting a paper bag over Starfire's face and yelling at her because of how ugly she is, especially when she applies makeup. So, the Titans decide to contradict Robin's moral by saying that their appearances should be valued, and Beast Boy announces that he's going into metamorphosis. The next day, the Titans notice that a cocoon resembling a croissant has suddenly appeared in the living room. It hatches into an insect which they believe is Beast Boy.
Why Was It Censored?
In Southeast Asia, the scenes showing characters vomiting, Raven taking out Beast Boy's organs, Raven's fantasy and Robin using a flamethrower to burn the cocoon were all cut during broadcasts due to inappropriate content.
Did It Deserve It?
Yes, because it is considered one of the most disgusting episodes, and also one of the worst episodes by audiences.
2) Cyber Soldier Polygon (1997, Pokémon)
This is probably the most controversial episode of Pokémon ever made and while Cyber Soldier Polygon is just a typical episode featuring Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Team Rocket (with the Pokémon Polygon as a guest character), this episode is controversial because of its visuals. Cyber Soldier Polygon (which is the 38th episode of the series) is about Ash, Misty and Brock visiting a Pokémon Center with a malfunctioning Poké Ball transmitting device. They learn from the scientist who invented the Poké Ball transfer system that Team Rocket stole another one of his inventions, Polygon, a man-made Pokémon that can exist in cyberspace, to steal trainers' Pokémon from inside the computer system (computer piracy I guess?). So it is up to Ash, Pikachu, a duplicate Polygon and Company to go inside the scientist's Dimension Transporter and enter the computer system to stop Team Rocket from committing Pokémon Internet piracy? Read on to find out why this episode got banned after only one airing in its native Japan.
Why Was It Banned?
This episode became infamous for its usage of strobe lights, which led to 685 children: 310 boys and 375 girls, being taken to hospital by ambulances.
Did It Deserve It?
Yes, because not only are seizures very dangerous, but the strobe light effects are painful to sit through without having to turn down your screen's brightness level.
1) Hot Salad Water (2017, Teen Titans Go!)
Not only is this episode considered one of the worst episodes of Teen Titans Go!, but it was also banned in many countries for its offensive portrayal of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Great Britain's longest ruling monarch. Because of its offensive depiction of British (or more specifically English) culture, Hot Salad Water did not premiere in the United Kingdom until 2018, when it aired on Cartoon Network completely uncut and uncensored! The episode is about Robin warning his peers that drinking tea robs them of their American-ness. Robin recites a very historically inaccurate version of the American Revolution and sings a song about how the United States is better than the United Kingdom. But the Titans continue to disobey him and drink brainwashing tea delivered in a crate, forcing Robin to travel to England and rescue his peers from the Queen, who plans on recolonizing the United States.
Why Was It Banned?
This episode was banned in many countries for its insulting portrayal of English culture and the British monarchy.
Did It Deserve It?
Yes, because not only is the episode disrespectful and unfunny, it encourages xenophobia and one-sided retellings of history.