Some of you are probably sick of me writing about the soul-less characteristics of modern popular animation. I do give kudos for technical prowess, but animated characters are becoming increasingly homogenized. My fellow children of the 80’s may be disappointed to see how our classic cartoons have been made over recently.

Take Strawberry Shortcake, for example. It appears she has lost weight, and lost her signature curls, freckles and bloomers:

Rainbow Brite is another example, seen here sporting a more slender sophisticated look:

Oh Hello, Dora the Explorer. I know nothing about you since you were not part of my childhood, but at least you look just like everyone else (save for the slightly darker skin tone):

Even TROLL DOLLS, the epitome of ugly, follow the formula.

Then:

Now:

Haven’t had enough? How about a dose of sex appeal in your raisins? Check out the progression of the Sun-Maid Raisin Girl over the years:

So it appears that there is only one look for females in popular culture nowadays: very thin, huge eyes, small nose, lustrous straight hair, clear skin, large breasts, narrow waist…and no discernible personal characteristics. I hate to think of the message this is sending to young girls. In my opinion, uniqueness should be celebrated, not systematically erased from popular culture.

I miss the days when characters had…character.