In Mexico, cartoons are not just child‘s play – they are an integral part of mainstream entertainment and pop culture. From locally produced classics to imported international hits, animated series have entertained generations of Mexican viewers. Let‘s take a deeper look at Mexico‘s enduring love affair with cartoons.
The Evolution of Mexican Animation
Animation found an early home in Mexico thanks to pioneering artists experimenting with the medium in the 1920s. Here are some key milestones in the history of Mexican animation over the decades:
1920s – The first experiments in animation began, led by animators like Silvio Zavala. He created the first Mexican animated film called "El Apetito" in 1924.
1930s – The first full-length animated movie made in Mexico, "El Gato Juancho", was released in 1931.
1940s – Iconic characters like Borreguita the lamb were created. Borreguita starred in comic strips by artist Gabriel Vargas.
1960s-1970s – Considered the Golden Age of Mexican animation, especially on TV. Series like "El Chapulín Colorado" and "El Chavo del Ocho" became wildly popular during this period.
1980s-1990s – Mexico‘s animation industry grew rapidly during these decades. Major studios like Ánima Estudios and Huevocartoon produced hit animated series and films.
2000s – Modern 3D and CGI animation became more prevalent in Mexican studios. Films like "Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos" put Mexican animation on the global stage.
Today – Streaming platforms drive demand for new Mexican animated content. Mexico continues to produce world-class cartoons as well as consume global hits.
Pioneers of Mexican Animation
Early innovators like Silvio Zavala, Juan Bustillo Oro and Gabriel Vargas laid the foundations for animation in Mexico.
Silvio Zavala (1901-1982) was a caricaturist and cartoonist who experimented with short animated films in the 1920s. He studied various animation techniques by mail, later making films like "El Apetito" and "Cuatitas". Zavala is considered the father of Mexican animation.
In the 1930s, Juan Bustillo Oro (1904-1989) directed what many consider Mexico‘s first animated movie, a black and white feature called "El Gato Juancho". It followed the fortunes of a cat named Juancho.
Gabriel Vargas (1896-1982) created one of Mexico‘s most iconic early cartoon characters, a cute lamb named Borreguita. The comic strips featuring Borreguita‘s wholesome adventures delighted readers from the late 1940s onwards.
These animation pioneers paved the way for the Golden Age of cartoons that Mexicans enjoyed on television in the decades that followed.
The Golden Age of Mexican Cartoons (1960s – 1970s)
The 1960s and 70s marked the true peak of Mexico‘s cartoon industry, when beloved shows captivated audiences nationwide. These series became cultural touchstones and symbols of quality Mexican animation.
El Chapulín Colorado (1970 – 1979)
This comedy series featured the misadventures of the superhero parody Chapulín, portrayed by Roberto Gómez Bolaños. Chapulín would enthusiastically attempt to help people in trouble, despite being incompetent and cowardly. With his silly gadgets and catchphrases like "¡No contaban con mi astucia!" (They didn‘t count on my cunning!), Chapulín Colorado became an iconic part of Mexican pop culture. At its peak, it drew over 350 million viewers across Latin America.
El Chavo del Ocho (1971 – 1980)
Another hugely popular creation from Roberto Gómez Bolaños, El Chavo followed the lives of characters in a neighborhood, especially the orphan child Chavo. Its physical humor and heartwarming themes made El Chavo a hit across generations. After its original run, the series has continued to air in syndication to the present day.
La Abeja Maya (1975 – present)
This delightful preschool series from Spain follows Maya, a honeybee, and her friends Willy and Buzz. As they explore nature and go on adventures, they learn about science concepts. La Abeja Maya first aired in Mexico in 1975, becoming an iconic show for several generations of children. It continues to air on channels like Disney Junior.
Animation Powerhouses of the 1980s-1990s
Starting in the 1980s, Mexico‘s animation industry rapidly expanded, with new studios producing more ambitious content for TV and film. By the 1990s, Mexican studios were considered major players internationally.
Ánima Estudios
Founded in 2002, Ánima Estudios has produced multiple hit CGI movies and series, including the Leyendas franchise based on Mexican folklore. Their 2009 film “El Agente 00-P2” was nominated at the Annie Awards alongside Pixar and DreamWorks releases. Ánima has also partnered with major brands like Mattel, and their shows air worldwide.
Huevocartoon
Another prolific Mexican studio, Huevocartoon was founded in 1991. They specialized in edgy adult comedy series like “Leslie Patiño Show”, “Atínale al Santo” and “Señorita Pólvora.” Huevocartoon has created content for major media brands like Televisa, Cartoon Network and Fox.
Thanks to studios like these, Mexico became globally competitive in producing high-quality animated content across genres in the 80s and 90s.
The Global Influence of International Cartoons in Mexico
Classic cartoons from the United States and Japan, dubbed into Spanish, have been embraced by Mexican audiences across generations and become pillars of mainstream culture.
The Simpsons
This satirical American series premiered in Mexico in 1990 and is still popular today. Around 9.4 million viewers tuned in weekly during its peak. Many experts feel The Simpsons‘ ironic humor resonates with Mexican sensibilities. Dubbed by local voice actors, The Simpsons family is well-known across Mexico. Phrases like “¡Ay, caramba!” even entered Mexican slang.
Dragon Ball
This influential Japanese anime franchise has amassed a devoted fanbase of millions across Mexico since the late 1980s. Fans eagerly follow the adventures of protagonist Goku and his friends. Dragon Ball themes like good vs evil, friendship, and overcoming challenges through hard work appeal across cultures. Over 3.3 million viewers watched Dragon Ball Super in Mexico when it aired in 2015.
Doraemon
The time-traveling robotic cat Doraemon has delighted Mexican children since the 1980s, becoming an iconic character. This long-running Japanese series follows Doraemon helping his friend Nobita through various adventures. The Mexican Spanish dub makes the show more accessible for local audiences. Doraemon‘s silliness and sci-fi gadgets are loved by generations.
International hits like these have become as familiar to Mexicans as local shows, demonstrating the cultural reach of quality animation.
The Continued Popularity of Cartoons in Mexico
Today, cartoons continue to be mainstream entertainment in Mexican homes. Data reveals their sustained popularity across demographics:
- In a 2017 survey by Statista, 67% of respondents said they watched cartoons and anime on TV regularly.
- Kid and family content makes up 16% of overall TV consumption in Mexico, according to a Nielsen report.
- In the SVOD sector, 50% of subscribers in Mexico streamed kids animation content in 2019.
- Anime also has a robust following, with Anime Expo in Mexico City attracting over 112,000 fans in 2022.
This data underscores how integral animated series remain in the lives of Mexicans today.
The Future of Mexican Animation
Where is Mexican animation headed next? Exciting developments promise an even brighter future.
- Streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max are commissioning original Mexican animated shows for global audiences.
- Mexican studios are breaking into new formats like virtual reality. Ánima Estudios recently produced VR animated projects.
- Films like Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos (2016) that grossed $9 million in the US prove Mexican animation can succeed worldwide.
- Events like Pixelatl and 3D Wire in Mexico foster homegrown talent and innovation in animation.
As technology opens new creative frontiers, Mexico‘s proud tradition of animation continues to evolve. The passion of Mexican animators will keep delighting audiences in Mexico and beyond for generations to come.
