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New Jersey Cartoons and Inspiration from the 90s

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Ever wonder which 90s cartoons were inspired by New Jersey? Well hey, hi there, fellow 90s kids! Remember those Saturday mornings, cereal in hand, glued to the TV watching our favorite cartoons? Yeah, me too. But did you know some of those rad shows we loved have ties to the good ol’ Garden State? Buckle up, because we’re taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a Jersey twist!

90s Cartoons with a New Jersey Vibe?

An animated scene featuring characters from the show 'Doug.' From left to right, the characters are Doug Funnie, who stands with arms crossed, wearing a green sweater vest, white shirt, and brown shorts; Patti Mayonnaise, with blond hair, wearing a blue dress with pink polka dots; Skeeter Valentine, with blue skin and a red shirt with a yellow lightning bolt; and Roger Klotz, with green skin, red hair, and a black leather jacket. Doug's dog, Porkchop, is also present, standing on a skateboard. The background is a light blue outline of a room with various details.

1. Doug

Our buddy Doug Funnie, with his journal and quirky pals, might seem like he’s from the fictional town of Bluffington, but Doug’s creator, Jim Jinkins, is a Jersey boy! He grew up in Richmond, Virginia, but moved to New Jersey to attend college. It’s said that some of the suburban vibes of Bluffington are inspired by his time here. How’s that for a slice of Jersey life?

An animated scene featuring Courage from 'Courage the Cowardly Dog.' Courage, a pink dog, has a frightened expression with wide eyes, clenched teeth, and paws held close to his mouth. He is sitting on a chair in front of a glowing computer screen. The background shows a wooden wall typical of his farmhouse setting.

2. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Courage might be from Nowhere, but the genius behind his creepy adventures, John R. Dilworth, was born in New York City and spent some time in NJ. Dilworth’s unique style was shaped by the eclectic mix of the NYC and NJ vibe. That eerie, yet somehow comforting feeling of Courage’s world? Thank the East Coast for that one!

An animated scene featuring Rocko from 'Rocko's Modern Life.' Rocko, a wallaby, has a shocked and stressed expression with bloodshot eyes. He is wearing his signature blue shirt with purple triangles. Behind him is the Conglom-O Corporation building with its name visible in large yellow letters. Part of a 'R. SOKER' sign is also visible to the left of Rocko.

3. Rocko’s Modern Life

Joe Murray, the creator of Rocko and his zany cartoon crew, has ties to New Jersey through various production elements and inspirations drawn from his time spent in the state. The suburban sprawl and offbeat characters? Yup, you can thank New Jersey’s diverse and lively suburbs for a bit of that magic.

An animated scene featuring Daria Morgendorffer, the main character from the show 'Daria.' She is depicted with her characteristic deadpan expression, wearing a green jacket and glasses. On her left shoulder sits a miniature version of herself dressed as a devil with a red pitchfork, while on her right shoulder is another miniature version of herself dressed as an angel with wings and a halo. The background shows a school setting with a partially visible sign that reads 'PRINCIPAL.

4. Daria

Now, Daria Morgendorffer might be the queen of sarcasm, but did you know that the show’s co-creator, Glenn Eichler, is a Jersey native? Yep, he grew up in Bergen County, and you can see hints of that suburban high school life in Lawndale. The wit, the dry humor – classic NJ right there.

An animated scene featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles standing together on a rooftop at night with a city skyline in the background. From left to right, Donatello (wearing a purple mask and holding a bo staff), Michelangelo (wearing an orange mask and holding nunchaku), Leonardo (wearing a blue mask and holding katanas), and Raphael (wearing a red mask and holding sai) are all in action-ready poses. The scene is lit with a moody, bluish hue, adding to the nighttime atmosphere.

5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Cowabunga, dudes! The Turtles’ connection to NJ? While they call the sewers of NYC their home, Kevin Eastman, one of the co-creators, has spoken about how the gritty, real-life vibe of places like Hoboken helped inspire the urban jungle feel of the TMNT universe. Plus, Jersey’s love for pizza? Totally Michelangelo-approved.

An animated scene featuring Ms. Frizzle, the red-haired teacher from 'The Magic School Bus,' joyfully posing in her colorful dress adorned with science-themed patterns. Surrounding her are four students with varied expressions, including a girl in a purple hoodie, a girl in a yellow shirt and red dress, a boy with glasses in a yellow striped shirt, and a girl in a pink and blue sweater holding a jar with a specimen. A green lizard is on the floor near Ms. Frizzle. They are inside a classroom with shelves and jars visible in the background.

6. The Magic School Bus

Ms. Frizzle and her class might have gone on some wild rides, but Joanna Cole, the author of the original book series which inspired the cartoon, was born in Newark, New Jersey. Her imaginative tales and educational adventures were no doubt fueled by the rich, diverse experiences from her Jersey roots.

An animated scene from 'Hey Arnold!' featuring three characters—Helga, Arnold, and Gerald—standing side by side with their arms extended outward. Helga, on the left, wears a pink dress and a large pink bow, with a determined expression and gritted teeth. Arnold, in the middle, wears his signature blue cap and white shirt with a black tie, also with a determined expression. Gerald, on the right, has his distinctive tall, flat-top hairstyle and is dressed similarly in a white shirt and black tie. The background appears to be an interior setting with wooden walls and a staircase.

7. Hey Arnold!

Craig Bartlett, the creator of Hey Arnold!, spent some time on the East Coast, absorbing the urban life that would inspire the bustling city setting of Hillwood. While it’s not explicitly New Jersey the blend of urban and suburban elements to the cartoon feels like a nod to places like Jersey City and Hoboken.

What are your favorite New Jersey inspired cartoons?

There you have it, folks! Our beloved 90s cartoons and their Jersey connections. It’s awesome to think that our little state had a hand in shaping these iconic shows. So next time you’re rewatching these classics, remember – NJ’s got a piece of that cartoon magic.

Stay rad, stay geeky, support cartoons and New Jersey and remember, “Life’s a trip – plan your route!” – The Magic School Bus.

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