Okay I know this one sounds weird but hear me out. G1 Optimus Prime. As an example of why, a buddy of mine was only allowed to watch transformers back in the day because his grandmother (who was raising him) saw the character as a good role model, in so much is it cartoon character can be for a small child. Specifically, the character is honest, loyal, protects those unable to protect themselves, helps his friends… You can see where I’m going with this.
I know it may sound silly, but a lot of the time when you’re a kid, hell even sometimes is an adult, fictional characters can feel more real and be more meaningful than real people are.
Of course you should never forget that they are fictional characters, and then in real life almost nothing is ever clear or simple. Honestly that’s the point of a lot of fiction, especially when it includes some kind of moral component. That’s been true since the dawn of humanity; kids cartoons are just one iteration of that. But since kids spend a lot of their time paying attention to their favorite media, it’s pretty well known that it’s important as a parent to make sure you know what media they’re consuming and what it teaches them.
So yeah, Optimus Prime. He may be a big space robot that turns into a truck, but the characterization and the moral and ethical lessons it can impart in you without you even realizing it are the important part.
Okay I know this one sounds weird but hear me out. G1 Optimus Prime. As an example of why, a buddy of mine was only allowed to watch transformers back in the day because his grandmother (who was raising him) saw the character as a good role model, in so much is it cartoon character can be for a small child. Specifically, the character is honest, loyal, protects those unable to protect themselves, helps his friends… You can see where I’m going with this.
I know it may sound silly, but a lot of the time when you’re a kid, hell even sometimes is an adult, fictional characters can feel more real and be more meaningful than real people are.
Of course you should never forget that they are fictional characters, and then in real life almost nothing is ever clear or simple. Honestly that’s the point of a lot of fiction, especially when it includes some kind of moral component. That’s been true since the dawn of humanity; kids cartoons are just one iteration of that. But since kids spend a lot of their time paying attention to their favorite media, it’s pretty well known that it’s important as a parent to make sure you know what media they’re consuming and what it teaches them.
So yeah, Optimus Prime. He may be a big space robot that turns into a truck, but the characterization and the moral and ethical lessons it can impart in you without you even realizing it are the important part.