i don't watch a lot of television nowadays, as sometimes i find starting and committing to a new series to be daunting. gokusen ii is the first new show i've watched in a while, actually, and that's only because i've been wanting to see it since i saw yabuki (<3), which is... over eight months. so, how about i break down all the shows i've loved before...?
1. regular show. this is a show i began to like more recently, because of how surreal and funny it could be. it's definitely a relic of 2010, in both good and bad ways. it's also good to have on in the background.
2. ninjago (original). i adored this show for years!!! i stopped watching after the fourth season because i felt as if it got too "big." it wasn't just the small group of ninjas fighting against the local world-destroying evil, there was so much more and i felt sorta overwhelmed. i tended to like shows that focus on one area, for some reason. my favorite ninja was zane, and he was probably my first crush ever? i was so small that i didn't realize it, but looking back i definitely related to and was endeared to him.
3. my babysitter's a vampire. this show was amazing, and i still hope it gets some sort of continuation. it's corny and fun, yet serious at the right times. i loved the various monsters that they faced against. the one i remember the most was probably that tree that came alive and began eating through machinery. sick.
4. star trek (tos). i mainly watch the original series. while i would love to get into the others, i just can't for some reason. there's something charming about the original (despite it being dated in some aspects) and how people back then thought the future would be like and how little sense it made at times. well, the original star trek series hasn't passed yet, but you get the gist. we're definitely nowhere near them. this is probably a super basic answer, but my favorite character is spock. i also love uhura; she's a boss and everyone knows it.
5. lab rats. oh my cod, i loved this show like i loved ninjago. my dad found it many years ago on netflix, and thought i'd like it. i absolutely did. it was such a... nerdy? show? all the tech in it was so cool, from the secret lab to their powers, and it was interesting to see what trouble they'd face each episode. i'm pretty sure the first episode i watched was either robo-perry or chip switch? every time i return to it, those are usually the episodes i start with. comfort episodes. however, i did enjoy the little arc about the triton virus and douglas. that was cool. my favorite character was chase.
6. wordgirl. i went crazy when i saw wordgirl clips trending on youtube a few years back. at first i was concerned, then pleasantly surprised they were just having fun with it. it was my top childhood show, i waited to watch it every afternoon and ate each episode up regardless of whether or not i watched it before. all the villains were so cool, with distinct personalities. and as a small, bookish kid who loved words, i saw myself in becky. she definitely helped push my love of words and literature as a little kid.
7. fetch with ruff ruffman. this is a show i miss way too much. i always wanted to be on it, until i rewatched it and realized just how scripted it was. but all of the missions were so cool, and i loved the secret clubhouse and the rewards the teams would get (if there were teams, depending on the episode). each of the challenges and puzzles were fun to follow along with, and obviously i was learning something so... double coolness points. ruff was a great host as well.
8. a series of unfortunate events. i feel as if this is obvious, given my love for the books as well. but the show was executed perfectly, in my opinion. it followed the books well, as well as the overall vibe of the story. beautiful adaptation.
9. what's new scooby doo. my favorite scooby doo series' are the original, and what's new, but i'm pretty sure that's just because they're the ones i grew up with on dvd. i loved following the spooky clues, the grand reveal, how unique every episode was in terms of monsters and setting. super cute. my favorite character was daphne.
10. mei's butler. this is also a super recent one, but definitely in my list of top favorite shows. the character development is pristine, and the humor is well-timed. i couldn't help but cheer mei on as she went through the school and helped everyone become their best selves by just being herself. i sort of wanted her to end up with takeru satoh's character, but honestly.............. he can be mine too-- (wait, but yabuki............. ummmmm!!!!! who will a potato choose?????)
11. k project. an interesting show, with beautiful art. the ost is still one i listen to while studying sometimes, and each of the characters are so well-defined and memorable (though, i didn't wish they turned the older girls into bait. gross). my favorite king is either munakata or suoh. i think i'd be in scepter 4, though. their vibe fits mine.
12. kuroko's basketball. i found this show during the winter of a sad year, so this definitely brought my spirits up. i loved following seirin through their journey to winning the championship, and cheering them on. the depth of the miracles' stories is also so beautiful, and it really makes you think about how one can be held to such high standards and forced to perform at them, and what they do in the face of actual challenge. my favorite gom has to be either midorima, akashi, or kuroko. i also found it sort of endearing how each of them seemed to want to impress kuroko? like, i know it was a matter of pride and ego, but... like... he did not care. at least, not to the extent they did. he just wanted to play, man!!!
okay. that's all the shows i can remember off the top of my head. i also tried watching various magical girl shows, but never fully committed to one. i also used to watch old hello kitty tapes my mom had from decades ago, but i definitely don't remember anything about them now. i also love cooking shows and baking shows, but they're not super notable enough to write here.
speaking of shows, i sorta wish idol groups didn't stop doing their own silly variety shows. you see them more in earlier gens, and while there are youtube channels nowadays for that sort of content, it felt different. maybe it's just nostalgia goggles, though.
