Tim Mcgrady
Cartoons are often thought of as lighthearted entertainment for kids, but sometimes they cross a line—even unintentionally. Over the years, several cartoon episodes have been banned, pulled from air, or heavily edited due to reasons that range from culturally insensitive content to utterly bizarre misunderstandings. In this article, we’re diving into ten cartoon episodes that were banned for the most INSANE reasons.
1. “Electric Soldier Porygon” – Pokémon
Reason Banned: Induced Seizures in Hundreds of Children
In 1997, the Pokémon episode “Electric Soldier Porygon” aired in Japan and quickly became infamous. A scene featuring flashing red and blue lights caused seizures in nearly 700 children, leading to mass hospitalizations. The incident, dubbed “Pokémon Shock,” made international news and prompted Pokémon producers to pull the episode permanently.
Insanely, the character Porygon wasn’t even responsible for the flashing lights—it was Pikachu. Yet Porygon has been almost completely removed from the franchise ever since.
2. “Buffalo Gals” – Cow and Chicken
Reason Banned: Lesbian Stereotyping
In this 1998 episode, a group of leather-clad biker women known as the “Buffalo Gals” break into homes to chew on carpet. While it might go over the heads of children, adults quickly caught on to the not-so-subtle innuendos. The episode was criticized for promoting lesbian stereotypes, particularly the joke about “carpet chewing,” which is a slang reference.
Cartoon Network pulled the episode after just one airing, and it was never shown again.
3. “One Beer” – Tiny Toon Adventures
Reason Banned: Underage Drinking and Death
In a bold and bizarre choice, this episode shows Buster, Plucky, and Hampton getting drunk on a single beer, stealing a car, and driving off a cliff—dying in a violent crash. Turns out, it was all just a morality tale about the dangers of alcohol… but maybe a bit too real for its target audience.
While the creators intended it to be a parody of “very special episodes,” the dark tone got the episode pulled from rotation immediately.
4. “Rude Removal” – Dexter’s Laboratory
Reason Banned: Excessive Cursing (Even if Censored)
This unreleased episode, created in the 1990s, features Dexter creating a machine that removes his and Dee Dee’s “rude” personalities. The result? Evil versions of themselves that speak almost entirely in bleeped-out profanity.
Although the curse words were censored, the sheer frequency of the bleeps and the implied language made it too risky for Cartoon Network to air at the time. The episode eventually aired during Adult Swim in 2013, but it was shelved for almost 20 years.
5. “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” – The Simpsons
Reason Banned: 9/11 Imagery
Originally aired in 1997, this Simpsons episode shows the World Trade Center towers heavily featured as part of a storyline in which Homer tries to retrieve his car, which is parked between the towers. After the September 11 attacks, the episode was pulled from syndication due to its prominent depiction of the buildings.
Although it was not offensive in itself, the post-9/11 context made it emotionally difficult for many viewers. The episode was quietly returned to syndication years later but remains a controversial moment in the show’s history.
6. “See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey” – Powerpuff Girls
Reason Banned: Communist Imagery and Religious Allegory
This musical episode, never aired in the United States, shows the Powerpuff Girls fighting a gnome who promises to end all evil. The world becomes peaceful but eerily totalitarian. Allegorical elements seemed to parallel communist propaganda, and religious overtones—including the gnome’s apparent crucifixion—sparked concern.
Though popular in other countries, the U.S. deemed it too politically and religiously charged for a children’s audience.
7. “Deadly Force” – Gargoyles
Reason Banned: Realistic Gun Violence
Gargoyles was one of the edgiest Disney cartoons ever made, and this episode pushed the limits. Broadway, one of the gargoyles, accidentally shoots Elisa (a human detective) with her own gun. The shooting is brutally realistic and results in a hospital stay, with blood and all.
Though it had a strong anti-gun message, the depiction of gun violence was considered too intense for children, and the episode was removed from Disney Channel rotations for years.
8. “Busted” – The Proud Family
Reason Banned: Parental Backlash Over Marijuana Themes
In this episode, Penny and her friends mistakenly believe their favorite rapper is promoting marijuana, only to learn he’s talking about his love of green vegetables. Still, the episode dives heavily into themes of drug use and misinterpretation, which didn’t sit well with many parents.
Even though it ultimately carried a positive message, the controversy led to it being pulled from reruns, especially during more conservative programming hours.
9. “Episode 35” – Peppa Pig (Australia)
Reason Banned: Dangerous Real-Life Implications
You wouldn’t expect Peppa Pig to be dangerous, but this episode, titled “Mister Skinny Legs,” encouraged children not to be afraid of spiders. In most countries, that’s fine. But in Australia, where spiders can literally kill you, that’s a terrible lesson.
The episode was pulled after complaints from parents and experts who feared it gave dangerously misleading advice to kids in a country teeming with deadly arachnids.
10. “Partial Terms of Endearment” – Family Guy
Reason Banned: Abortion
Even for a show known for pushing boundaries, Family Guy hit a wall with this 2009 episode. Lois agrees to become a surrogate mother, but when the couple dies in a car accident, she and Peter decide to have an abortion.
Fox refused to air the episode in the U.S., citing the sensitivity and divisiveness of the subject. It did eventually air in the U.K. and was released on DVD, but it remains one of the most controversial and outright banned episodes in American animation history.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings