The History of The Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon: Too Violent for Saturday Mornings?

Join us on a journey through the history of the classic Dungeons and Dragons cartoon!
From its humble beginnings as an animated show on Saturday mornings in the 80s, to its controversial ending and enduring legacy, this series has captured the hearts of generations of fans.
Follow the adventures of the brave heroes as they battle against the forces of evil, led by the fearsome Venger and Warduke.
But was the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon really too violent for Saturday mornings? Dive into the history and find out for yourself!
Whether you're a fan of 80s cartoons, the Dungeons and Dragons animated series, or just a good old-fashioned animated adventure, don't miss this look at the history of the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon.
Help the channel continue to grow by checking out our Patreon: / toygalaxy
Follow Dan on Instagram:
/ toygalaxy
Toy Galaxy
P.O. box 3976
Manchester, NH 03105-3976
Business Inquiries:
[e-mail]
/ toygalaxytv
/ toygalaxytv
www.teepublic.com/user/toygal...

[@AmosTheTalented]

Now that Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has hit theaters, a particular cameo has brought this series back into the spotlight.

[@iwasanangryyoungman]

Yeah you bet...I do recognize Bobby, Sheila and Presto in the High Games maze sequence

[@NickBartolo]

This show was my everything on Saturday mornings in those days.

[@quinnsatterfield325]

that and Thundarr the Barbarian

[@w.t.f.4989]

DnD, Thundar and spider man were my favorites of all time too.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

This show is pretty much still my everything.

[@celeste1324]

indeed....an intriguing,mysterious,and atmosphericly dense adventure

[@nullterm]

I always love the “too violent for kids?” question given Robotech depicted the genocide of humanity no less than three times, plus repeated numerous on screen deaths and killings. Man the 80s was a trip.

[@funkyweapon1981]

But that was anime, or Japanimation as it was called back then.

[@tnlwithtrixiekat478]

Macross... -.- jk jk you can call it Robotech.

[@nullterm]

TriXie Kat I grew on on Robotech, I didn’t see Japanese Macross til I was an adult.

[@altarush]

They didn't see the transformers.

[@danielpicciotti2473]

Robotech was under more scrutiny for being gay.

[@chriss1757]

One of the most remarkable aspects of the show was the inclusion of Diana in the show. It's not that African Americans were absent from Saturday morning cartoons, Fat Albert came way before D&D. But its the fact that in 1983, Diana is part of the group and her race pretty much never comes up! She's just another friend and companion. She also isn't played as "black". Other than her appearance, you wouldn't be able to distinguish her from any of the other characters. She is just another teenager trapped in the Realm. It was a masterful job of inclusion done right.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Exactly. Too bad the people who push inclusion today don't know that.

[@bigunclegskunkxxl9173]

Chris S she was my favourite.

[@veng3r663]

Too bad she spent most of her time 'RAGGING' on Eric for that entire series... >:(

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

@@veng3r663 You know that was just because she was attracted to him but did't know how to act on it. Trust me, at some point they hooked up.

[@countofdownable]

@@veng3r663 He had it coming.

[@tywebb6561]

Peter Cullen’s Venger is about as good as it gets for voicing a villain.

[@freddyvidz]

There is nothing like it.

[@sgzartan]

Peter Cullen as Venger is the best voiced villain animated or not.

[@AndrewHalliwell]

I can think of one villain with a better voice. Megabyte from Reboot. Tony Jay

[@pious83]

To me, better than his Optimus Prime.

[@CapitanJusticia]

@@pious83 Whoa....that's sacrilege!

[@bigmclargehuge4767]

Speaking as a conservative Christian who grew up in a Christian household, I absolutely loved this show as a kid. My Mom bought me lots of the toys, most of which I still have (WARDUKE!!!). It's a well-written show that has aged very well and I've been sharing it with my own kids (who love it, too). Great character interactions, and they're fighting evil! My Pastor loved this show, too, and is part of our regular D&D group.

[@johnhareiel5118]

Yall listen to Ozzy while playing D&D? Just kidding. That's actually really cool- progressive thinking

[@DOU6LEJAY]

This world needs more people like you. We need more reunion and less discrimination. That is how we evolutionize.

[@anti-sjwandsjwannoysme6603]

Dont worry. D&D doesnt terrify conservatives anymore. Gayness and female equality does.

[@joshuapeterson8575]

The thing that has always made me roll my eyes at the inclusion of this game in the “satanic panic” was the fact that the two creators, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, were Christians. There’s nothing evil about D&D, any more than there is in the works of Tolkien. It’s fantasy, pure and simple.

[@willwidrick8039]

I absolutely loved this show as a kid, and it still holds up today

[@manofaction1807]

Only took one episode to know that the cartoon was bigger then anyone could have ever expected. One of the greatest cartoon series in history. I wish they could have hit up another three or four seasons, or added new kids to the team, as old ones got home.

[@namelessjedi2242]

The Michael Reaves written episodes are excellent. He really wrote about the kids as characters, explored their interactions, and pushed the boundaries of what they were allowed to do at that time for a kids cartoon also.

[@paristhalheimer]

I played the Basic game and religiously watched the cartoon thinking, "Yes! Finally, D&D is main stream and I don't have to hide in the shadows anymore. Sadly, the shpw ended and I went back onto secret passage of my imagination. Now, I run a Basic D&D group at my school for children with Autism and ADHD. It teaches team work, interpersonal relationships, problem solving executive function skills.

[@funkyweapon1981]

Time to go back to the steam tunnels, huh?

[@n.d.m.515]

Truth be told, this game should be hidden in the shadows and not become popular. It is not a game for casual players. For me one of the best things about this game besides imagination is the secret world of "geeks" and "outcasts" that it brings together with little to no interference from others who wouldn't dare get involved.

[@mmq9886]

Sorry to break the news to you but it’s been mainstream now for a few years. Check out Critical Role or The Adventure zone. I grew up playing DnD now my kids are and loving every campaign I throw at them.

[@n.d.m.515]

@@mmq9886 well known and mainstream are not the same thing. There is still a loser geek culture attached to it, although today it's not polite to point that out - other than in a comedic way. Also, careful not to mix up comics and video gaming with roll playing. They may overlap in demographics, but not the number of actual table top enthusiasts.

[@kestrel1234]

Different groups playing means less BO awkward 30/40ish players I have to deal with at the table.

[@chaseroush6503]

Another negative feature of the writing process was that, according to the writers, they were instructed by whatever supervisory/final approval body (no doubt influenced by parents' groups) to reinforce the aspect of "the group is always right". Thusly, no matter how hard Eric (the Cavalier) complained, he would always be voted down by the rest of the group, even if, in the end, he was right and their decisions led to bad results.

[@krystalskye949]

That was probably intentional- The group is NOT always the best decision maker (replicating the groups that were trying to destroy the games, music, and other things every living person has a right to choose on her/his own).

[@Lordmij]

Give me a few good examples

[@thingfish000]

The philosophy of collectivism is toxic and antithetical to individualism, which is very American. Groups of people act irrationally. They loot, lynch, and riot.

[@arielb5317]

How I miss the imagination that was exercised in the late 70s and throughout the 80s on cartoons and toys. I would never have known anything about D&D had it not been for the cartoon! It was a favorite of mine as a kid!!

[@chipperwilliams7854]

This show was so awesome. Venger was such a great villain.

[@jimmyj5035]

With Optimus Prime's Voice! Optimus Prime as "the Villain!" I Loved it Too!

[@michaelrisner5540]

Jimmy J Yea Venger was the coolest cartoon villians

[@jimmyj5035]

@@michaelrisner5540 Venger and Mum Ra were the Best because they were straight up Scary!

[@smsbackupcarlos]

I remember when I found out that venger was the son of the dungeon master, I was like waaaaa?

[@freddyvidz]

Vengar was the best

[@KevinVideo]

"Requiem" was also bought by Marvel and released as a single issue comic book. When the DVD collection of the animated series came out, the script was recorded as a radio play, and released as an extra feature on the collection. It has since been animated by fans, and the episode can be seen on KZbin. The show still has quite the popularity, as there is a car commercial, with the kids returning home. As for toy line, I would have like to have seen Mattel take it on.

[@brycevo]

This is either the Nicest or Meanest DM. He gives them free hints and key items, but puts them up against Tiamat. *Tiamat*

[@funkyweapon1981]

What's next? The Tarrasque?

[@Hektols]

To the DM's defense, Tiamat was just already there when they arrived and the Tiamat of the cartoon is not like her game counterpart this Tiamat is 'just' a huge size red dragon with extra heads of different dragon types, not a colosal size dragon goddess.

[@GeoAbraxas]

Tiamat is also just on the encounter tables in OG D&D. Pretty sure she's in the swamp table for a 100 roll but it's been awhile.

[@thegayghost872]

At least it wasn't the Tarrasque

[@hrtreaper72]

D.M. never pitted the children against Tiamat,D.M. would find different adventures in order to get them home and due to the weapons being sought by Venger in order to be powerful enough to defeat Tiamat!

[@jlajr1974]

I found this dvd in a Walmart bin a few years ago that has a dozen episodes of this fantastic show for my daughter. She got hooked. I grew up with this show and played d&d for years. Now she makes me DM 5e for her and friends. Good times.

[@hindsightpov4218]

As a kid I wanted that magic bow that shot energy arrows. Imagine never having to worry about running out. So cool.

[@KD-fv8mp]

That bow has made an appearance in every one of my campaign worlds that I have run since that time....now going on some thirty plus years. So iconic.

[@djay6651]

I'm pretty sure there was a similar bow in the AD&D treasure tables, but it's been many years since I've perused the 1st Edition DM's Guide

[@morganb6717]

i'm still waiting for a time when i can casually reference THAC0 in an everyday conversation.

[@ricosuave6898]

You must be old, like me. Don't hold your breath, the kids today don't use THACO anymore; they'll just laugh at you.

[@TraceyAllen]

It's all backwards now.

[@davidmorris8511]

If it ain't THACO, send it back-0? I got nuthin.

[@peterlarson4958]

Ah the old To Hit Armor Class Zero...😍

[@morganb6717]

@@ricosuave6898 i was born in the early 70's; this channel speaks to so much of my childhood.

[@OldManTheseDays]

Definitely part of my Saturday morning lineup. Felt so much more "mature" than a lot of other shows. Even considering Uni.

[@thedanksavatron7782]

This & Thundar the Barbarian were my all time favorite Saturday morning cartoons on as a kid...

[@jfridy]

Loved that show. When they put out a boxed DVD set of it, it came in the "Red Box" just like classic D&D in the 80s, and it even had a booklet with stat blocks for the characters in the 3rd Edition rules.

[@Kenny-wr3ky]

nice

[@backlogrick]

The box set also had the script for the final episode if i'm remembering correctly

[@scottwaite5214]

Crimson Knight, you are correct. I have the "Red Box" set. It provided the closure that was a long time coming.

[@mrf19741]

Got mine!

[@kingjshgrumpy5481]

Yep

[@maxordman4100]

Man this cartoon was so much fun! It was a true stand out series and I loved it! Diana was one of my earliest screen crushes! I also really loved Hank and Presto! These characters were all fantastic! This series was a very special part of my childhood!

[@dylanlewis3038]

I watched the cartoon on a VHS tape that my dad recorded. It was my introduction to Dungeons and Dragons. I was 5. I only started playing the tabletop game recently. I was just turned off by the math and dice when I was younger. I’m 20 now, and really enjoying it. So far, I’ve played a Ranger and a Fighter, and really like both. I play the Ranger as a quieter, more observant tactician, taking advantage of the environment, while the Fighter is a loud, boisterous combatant that runs in and gets the enemy’s attention. He’s big, tough, and kinda stupid. His battle cry is “SPOON”!

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

The Fighter is the Tick, isn't he?

[@skyebonaventure]

1975-1985: The Golden Age of super-heroes, science fiction and fantasy!!! :)

[@geoffreyherrick298]

Truly, the greatest generation(to be a kid anyway)!

[@celeste1324]

.....the best cartoons..toys...cereals...videogames...we had it all

[@RTPJu]

Thank you, Renaut Brasil, for giving us some closure about this cartoon series

[@TVsMrNeil]

Ironically, it was CBS that aired Mazes & Monsters, the same network that would run the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon series less than year later.

[@thegreendank1]

Well to be fair there was only like 6 channels, unless you switched over to uhf

[@arfived4]

I swore that I could remember the watching the last episode of D&D as a kid, which ended with Venger getting redeemed and the kids going home. Then it turned out that it didn't exist. Then it turned out that the unproduced script had pretty much the same plot.

[@stevenhenry5267]

It's on KZbin

[@HighFalutinTootin]

It's a very good fan made production that closely follows the unproduced final script. I watched it recently

[@arfived4]

@@HighFalutinTootin Given that I can (it seems falsely) remember watching it on broadcast TV in the 1980s, I doubt it's the same thing.

[@HighFalutinTootin]

@@arfived4 Mandela effect or alternate timeline memory invading your subconscious or maybe you dreamed it.🤷‍♂️

[@arfived4]

@@HighFalutinTootin I *think* I may have read the script online in about 1995, but I'm now not sure of that either...

[@institutokleos]

Hey Dan, I didn't know the figurines were from Spain, I have always thought they were from Portugal. I remember seeing them for sale in coffee shops when I was a 9-yr old. Can you imagine how much I regret not buying them? This cartoon is extremely popular here in Brazil, it's considered a cult classic. Congrats on your channel, I have been doing a lot of toygalaxython lately!

[@rayneoftera]

One of my absolute all time favourites. The ending credits theme song almost always nearly brings a tear to my eye as it brings back so many memories. Even have it on my phone! One of my favorite episodes is the stargazer one. Where Diana meets and falls in love with the stargazer. Don't know why this particular episode really resonates me with though. I love this cartoon. Legendary unsung hero of 80's cartoons.

[@vernskid]

rayneoftera I say the same thing about that song. Always makes me think about my grandma. I miss these kind of cartoons they truly were a golden age.

[@Inkkink]

Absolutely love Child of the Stargazer. It's just brilliant. It's the episode after The Dragon's Graveyard and I think they are two of the best episodes of a cartoon from the 80's that you can find...

[@crisc0chromex]

Best ending theme song on Saturday morning

[@pferreira1983]

It really hurt the show not having show specific merchandise. What I do wonder is why more episodes for those seasons weren't made? It's such a small amount and not less each year.

[@ZZtheDark]

The theme song at the ending was one of those that has a power. The spiritual sequel in my eyes to this series will always be Magic Knight Rayearth. Sure its a different story and it was 90's anime but it felt like the ultimate reboot to Dungeons and Dragons. Albeit with 3 girls and 3 robots. I really hope Netflix can dig this show up back.

[@serbowdster2311]

Dam I miss the cartoons of my youth. Why oh why did I have to get Older.

[@loon0493]

I loved that show as a kid growing up in the 80's. What I remember the most was the soundtrack. It was so intense and grew you into the drama. You could feel their fear and courage in ways that were not common in regular cartoon shows. I like to believe that because of the chances they took with the show that it led the way to more mature action oriented cartoon television.

[@CoinOpTV]

used to watch this cartoon!

[@DasKame]

And it was really scary sometimes. I rememberd they discover an "angry Place" and get all agressive to each other (includes a dead army of all the same Banner)

[@SwordInTheStorm]

Anyone else really gutted when they announced a D&D movie hoping to see the kids fighting Venger on the big screen and then we got......well the less said about that the better.

[@efxnews4776]

The movie is crap, but there's the Brazilian car comercial from Renault.

They really should have went with the D&D cartoon, I think they would have made money

[@garymichael6899]

There was a movie??

[@homelessjesse9453]

@@garymichael6899 Like 20 years ago. But it was nothing like the cartoons. Unfortunately.

[@ShinobiKush]

I was wondering if anyone was going to mention the movie. Maybe bc of possible copyright issues? The movie....well, let's just say it had people in it that played characters...yeah, the people said words and dressed up....the name of the movie was Dungeon and Dragons... that's about all it had in common with the animated series. Although I did enjoy it, like how I enjoy Roger Corman movies...not great, but a great way to pass time while you breathe....herb smoke

[@kevinthomas4239]

I remember watching reruns in the 90s or early 00's. One of my favorites from the decade along with Thundercats.

[@jayvbspdx]

HIS NAME WAS ALBERT???? I wondered why everyone had a real name except for “Presto”.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

I think I remember it being mentioned once or twice, it just didn't come up very often. I guess when your name is Albert you will take Presto as an alternative. :)

[@kedabro1957]

... as in Albert Einstein. The perfect name for a nerd.

[@alexferrana3979]

Yeah, that's it.

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

It's cuz in the real world Presto was already his nick-name as the character was a wannabe amateur magician, thats why he was called it by the others and not his real name. :-)

[@rodrigonobrega7777]

Yes, it's explained in the series' Bible. Another called only by the nickname is Robert (Bobby).

[@lt.creggar5903]

Warduke was my favorite. He was, to me, the equivalent of Boba Fett. I really need to add him back into my collection.

[@Huw_Morgan]

Thanks Toy Galaxy, I loved this show and 'Dragons Graveyard' stuck with me as an example of the characters getting genre-savvy before I even knew what that was. The kids are now watching the DVD releases, and they're spellbound (although I'm not letting them see the one where the monster hand comes out from under the child's bed - I'd never get them to sleep again!)

[@tomgibbs3223]

That episode scared the crap out of me back then!! lol Good call!

[@sbyrstall]

You better not be watching anime. This is tame compared to many of the mainstream titles.

[@theodorecarter6601]

@@sbyrstall funny you say that, since Dungeons and Dragons was animated at Toei Animation in Japan.

[@Renegadegamer2001]

I remember my dad giving me the D&D cartoon complete series. I really enjoy. Thank you Dan for this video. Keep up the good work.

[@AaronLitz]

I've always wanted a Force Bow like Hank's. I always figured the magic items Dungeon Master gave the kids must actually be powerful artifacts... did they ever spell that out clearly? I assumed that was why Venger was after them. I'm planning a Greyhawk campaign with Venger as a major villain, making him something like a high level Sorcerer/Warlock, having made a Pact with a Devil and that's what gave him his wings and horn. And having Dungeon Master actually be Xagyg, the former archmage Zagyg Yragerne who rose to become Oerth's god of magic, humor, and eccentricity. Xagyg was pretty much Gary Gygax's avatar, so I thought having Gygax be Dungeon Master would pretty fitting. Venger would be Zagyg's son from before his apotheosis, who fell to Evil. I just have to come up with some reason for Venger's rivalry with/fear of Tiamat. His Patron will probably be a Duke of Hell who has a big rivalry with her.

[@berzerkbankie1342]

I only watch the videos you make that are about toys and cartoons that I played with and watched (I currently play D&D) but I love every single one I watch. One of the best, most accurate, articulate, well researched and produced products on KZbin. Thank you Toy Galaxy team.

[@3rottenkids43]

Two recent Pole Position references…cherished but dormant childhood memory unlocked. Thanks guys

[@yellowgut]

Warduke! Evil paladin? Soooooo cool. Proud owner of that figure in a campaign I played long ago in a strange world called the eighties!!.

[@Carandini]

WOC did a plastic miniature of Warduke a few years back. Pretty cool, though it is pre-painted so you always get the risk of a sloppy paint job. I'm surprised they didn't do a Strongheart to go with/against him.

[@yellowgut]

Carandini I’d like hasbro marvel legends or sw black series to make a D&D or GI joe line for collectors!!

[@AaronLitz]

Around 2005 or so Dragon Magazine added Warduke to the Greyhawk setting, making him one of the mysterious Hierarchs of the Horned Society, a realm of monsters and Devil worshipers. He's just a Fighter, but a damn powerful one.

[@bskec2177]

@@AaronLitz If you want a more accurate transition, if you can find a copy of "The Shady Dragon Inn", I remember it having stats for him. It was an accessory for Basic, that was mostly just a mass of fleshed out NPC's of every race and class that could be added to a game. It included stats for most of the D&D figure line, including Strongheart, and Ringlerun. When the Gazetteer series came out, Strongheart was a elder, retired adventurer, and sitting King of Irendi, a non-hereditary monarchy. Basic Included Lawful Paladins, and their evil counter-part, Avengers - of which Warduke was one.

[@Desstrik]

52yrold here. It was one of the best Sat morn cartoons ever. And we had MANY great ones! Too bad kids born after, say.. the mid 80s, will nvr know how good and awesome Life was asa kid, and in general, pre-Y2K.

[@KeithAndersch]

Surely someone in here commented about that car commercial from Brazil for the Renault Kwid Outsider. They nailed the likeness in that commercial.

[@dirus3142]

The cartoon was canceled before the characters could ever return home. Put that in D&D gamer speak. The D&D campaign fell apart before it was concluded. Just like the majority of D&D games, life got in the way and the D&D game ended.

[@hobbyshopofelyria8923]

they did a radio show for last episode ,read by original cast

[@diablohashcraft8040]

Dirus Nigh Check out the Image comic, Die! A non canon continuation of the D&D animation. It takes the property in creepy directions yet remains faithful to the series.

[@christopherdavid2363]

The Game never ends, mate.

[@REPVILE]

I had hoped they would be like, nah, this shiz is way better than home.

[@unlimitedrabbit]

That car commercial wasn't a half bad substitute.

[@leyenda6149]

Pole Position! I always wanted a Roadie & Wheels car set. And the transforming Gadget Car/Van

[@timothylewis2527]

And a pet Kuma!

[@LordFluffy71]

I still think it had one of the best theme songs of any cartoon in history.

[@leyenda6149]

@@LordFluffy71 Now i wanna go watch Galaxy High. That woulda been a great follow up to the movie Sky High.

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

Damn I wish there was a Venger figure made in the same scale as Masters of the universe

[@dougbrownell2075]

Thank you for doing this story about d&d the animated series. I was a DM in my ad&d role-playing game group

[@justGSquared]

Evil can’t survive both shrinking & dinking

[@darthhonky88]

Challenge accepted

[@toob1979]

DM: Roll d20 to avoid shrinkage. Player: Yes! Now I -- DM: Roll d20 to avoid dinkage. Player: What's... dinkage? DM: You just rolled a 2. You're about to find out. _DM cackles like Mark Hamill's Joker._

[@Cacti88]

i friggin loved this cartoon.

[@bartistclord1916]

The episodes are on KZbin Channel kzbin.info/door/pKaCg153iCvngJ3IOuBh2w Playlist kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHPKZp9sjd90sNE

[@brianng3414]

Thanks for this episode. I did not expect a discussion of a TV show from this channel. But I love this series when it was originally on TV. I have the box set when it was finally released on TV with the character and storyline booklet. I still watch them now over 30 years later. The show is smartly written, and the characters deal with serious emotions in a mature and sophisticated way.

[@bruh_hahaha]

As a kid, this show was the reason I got out of bed every Saturday morning.

[@cody3476]

Excellent show review thank you I truly do miss that cartoon. I knew Saturday morning cartoons were almost over for the day when Dungeons and Dragons was on I knew one more cartoon for the day and that was The Mighty Orbots. Thank you again Dan for that awesome trip down memory lane.

[@geoffreyherrick298]

I remember them! My father called them The Mighty Sorebutts!

[@Wyrmshadow]

on my wall was a massive poster of the AD&D Player's Handbook. It was great.

[@Darbobski]

Why did I only just realize that Eric is actually Ross from Friends?

[@brettpiggott2664]

Darin Preston And the pretty much blue lion pilot in the Netflix Voltron reboot.

[@torpedoboy4]

I always thought Adam Sandler should play him live action.

[@davidkelly5459]

Don Most voiced Eric. Are you making an observation on HOW he was in the cartoon?

[@Darbobski]

@@davidkelly5459 How he looked and acted..yes...lol.

[@extt2005]

I loved growing up to this cartoon! Warduke is my spirit animal!

[@Kenny-wr3ky]

Hasbro should make minis based the animated series paired with a blu ray release of the series and a stats on all the charters.

[@lasarith2]

Thanks a lot 😁 just watched the last episode (script) now I finally know the ending.

[@xqzme7654]

I remember watching this every Sunday morning on CBS storybreak I loved it then and I still love it to this day

[@edwardjacobs4042]

I started playing Dungeons & Dragons at age 5 in 1978 and I love the cartoon. The animation was amazing. Thanks for sharing and yes I still watch it and play the game.

[@kumachan9311]

"We can't leave Uni behind !!!"

[@JacobraTheGreat]

I loved this show when it was on, though I admit I forgot about it as I got older. Years later, while rummaging through the adventurer's shop in Baldur's Gate 2, I noticed some strange murals on the walls. I was surprised and amused to see it was a depiction of the events from the show! Such an awesome touch from Black Isle.

[@gamingandnerdy2009]

I got into D&D when I was about 8 years old. This cartoon came out when I was 10. As much as I loved the cartoon (and I LOVED it) - it couldn’t hold a candle to what my imagination did when actually playing the game. Great video.

[@johnnyfountainS]

I never played dnd with people. I would watch dnd before thundercats. In the 80s I owned lots of Transformers, 3 Go Lions and Lynn Minmay from Macross.

[@dimitreze]

best cartoon ever very popular here in Brazil we never had a closure with the characters returning home

[@Dunston205]

I Loved the show. I have the entire series on DVD.

[@alanguages]

I wish they would have done a final animated episode, instead of the radio play. It is still nice there was a conclusion.

[@jeanemlicar]

Me too.

[@donaldfontes1437]

The show is very awesome I have the complete DVD set.

[@Zenas521]

@@alanguages Try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmW6d4uNYqeths0

[@alanguages]

@@Zenas521 I Already saw it three months back. Thanks anyway. It was great for fans of the show to give a proper finale, since the studio did not.

[@JohnSmith-ns8si]

Really sad they never got to make a final episode.

[@TalkingAboutGames]

Yes, but at least you can listen to it in radio show format, it's decent in my opinion.

[@JohnSmith-ns8si]

There's a comic too, the radio drama and the comic match almost word for word.

[@pious83]

It's not great. You're not missing much...

[@geoffreyherrick298]

To this day I still wonder what happened to them.

[@beatrixthegreat1138]

That was one of my favorite shows.

[@Summertimeblues28]

One of my fave cartoons of the 80’s & one of my all time favourite toy lines from LJN. Very insightful video. Great work guys! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@neopada9091]

Imagine if Mattel got the license in current age and make the dragons figures as good as the Jurassic Park's dinosaurs. Well I can only dream.

[@vladyvhv9579]

I always liked the fact that while Tiamat was occasionally a threat, She sometimes actually ends up helping the kids because she really hates Venger. And yeah, Venger really was bringing the episode Dragon's Graveyard on himself, as well as shooting himself in the foot a lot of the time. All he really had to do to win would've been to let the kids go home...

[@GamersOnGames]

The final episode script is available in the Red-Box DVD release

[@chaddixon3973]

Love it when i was 6, even more at 38. Good memories of this show. It fueled my imagination.

[@jamesroseii]

My mother (whom is brilliant and educated) forbade me from playing D&D as a kid. I was only about 5 or 6 and had never heard of it. Lol! This cartoon came out, and I knew it was taboo, but I would sneak every Saturday to watch this show. Volume low...on alert for footfalls coming up the hall...as paranoid as a pot smoker. It was my favorite cartoon, and I own the entire series today! Thanks, Mom!

[@sXeblues]

I have fond, albeit vague, memories of this show... I remember thinking Diana was Cheetara level hot.

[@olyrhys8724]

Hey, Cheetara was my middle school crush that gave me feelings in my tummy that I wasn’t prepared to deal with! 😏

[@MindTrickedX24]

@@olyrhys8724 You and I both.

[@bartistclord1916]

The episodes are on KZbin Channel kzbin.info/door/pKaCg153iCvngJ3IOuBh2w Playlist kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHPKZp9sjd90sNE

[@johnnyfountainS]

I prefer Sheila.

[@johnnyfountainS]

I prefer The Baroness to cheetara.

[@christographerx64]

This came across my feed last night. Just subbed. The flood of memories that washed over me as you explained all of the details I never cared about as a kid was overwhelming. Of all the 80s toons I loved (and own today) this one was on of my favorites (up there with Robotech, GI Joe, and Transformers). Tiamat being my favorite character. So much lore. Wished it continued.

[@efxnews4776]

This cartoon was a Brazilian passion, kids from the 80's up to 2000 grow watching this cartoon. This cartoon was so beloved here, that it become a car comercial. You should watch type Brazilian Renault D&D car comercial...

[@DannyBoy-gw4rs]

its sooo amazing and done so well! they nailed the look of all the characters, i want 12 episodes on netflix!!

[@4mobius280]

It would be interesting seeing a modern take on this.

[@ooommm4024]

🎲🎲Roll initiative! 😆 Looks like your attempt to cast Gaea's Quest may have yet to bring a modern retake of this awesome cartoon, but the game has had various rules changes from 3rd-5th edition that make them uniquely fun!

[@mattropolis7857]

They would likely ruin it with the same ham-fisted alternate reality/time travel reboot with a healthy dose of woke-ism and gender theory preaching that would put a baptist revival to shame.

[@4mobius280]

@@mattropolis7857 Ah yes. The usual cry of the pathetic person who doesn’t like the idea of any form of equality. How dare people other than white heterosexual people exist

[@NTJedi]

@@ooommm4024 There's a couple minutes where these D&D characters appear in the new D&D movie.

[@TV-Tony]

@@NTJedi I'll have to check that out then.

[@wk3820]

I've been rewatching these episodes with my 12-year old as part of my quest to show him that cartoons weren't always as mindnumbingly bad as the ones one Disney XD and CN. I was surprised at how well the episodes hold up even today. What a masterpiece. I liked that the kids had real emotion. There's an episode where the kids almost make it home, but they fail. Afterwards, they're all upset and sniping at one another, and Bobby just hides his face and cries. You never see kids that real even in live-action TV these days.

[@ray53208]

I remember reading something years ago by one of the writers of the show. He said that these "parents" groups would pressure the networks. That they were opposed to the questioning of groupthink represented as a positive in children's TV.

[@kingsofcobra]

One of my favorite memories was watching this cartoon on Saturday morning. I have it both boxset collections, still brings back memories and is a very good cartoon! All Hail the 80's

[@gyrick1]

The Tower of Doom arcade game is still one of my all-time faves.

[@willw2127]

it's bundled with mystra on steam

[@gyrick1]

I actually have them both on my Xbox, I still love going to a Nickle arcade and playing i on the cabinet

[@qwed2000]

I have a dream of one day making a live action reboot of this series

[@banredassaultsuvs361]

Theres always that horrible DnD movie with ...LULZ... a Wayans brother

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

@@banredassaultsuvs361 Some of the later ones were a bit better. No great or anything but better. I would love to see one that is actually great but we're still waiting.

[@qwed2000]

I know they made live action movies but what I mean to say is making this cartoon version of dungeons and dragons in to a live action show I felt there was so much to this show if only it wasn't limited to being a kids show that one episode where the unicorn got hurt showed so much potential

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

@@qwed2000 You would probably be more likely to see a modern, more mature, animated series than anything else. The only thing I would be worried about would it being like the current crop of reboots of 80's animated series instead ("She-Ra", "Thundercats Roar", etc....)

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

@@qwed2000 Wish somebody would make a Fan Film based on the Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon. That would be a lot of fun.

[@floworcrash]

I had such a great time playing AD&D as a kid. Forgotten Realms baby!

[@libratigerpictures]

When I was in elementary school, I played Dungeons & Dragons once. Once. It went almost exactly like this: "Okay, you go around a corner. There's a wolf. Roll the dice. The wolf kills you." I never played again. But I fucking LOVED THIS SHOW!

[@SimonAshworthWood]

I suggest you give the D&D game another try. It can be plenty of fun! 🤗

[@Pegwarmers]

I played a lot of D&D as a kid and I enjoyed the cartoon. Great episode guys!

[@IdiotinGlans]

You forgot to mention a refference to the show in Baldur's Gate II, which implies entire cast got eaten by Tiamat.

[@MrStabby19812]

Yeah was a nice surprise finding the paintings of them in the tent.

[@Milliardo5]

Wish they could bring this series back with updated animation. Still would be epic now.

[@Vengerin]

D&D is my favorite cartoon when I was a little girl and today Venger is still my favorite character. I learned how to use the vhs to record the show being 4 years old and the cartoon made me curious for the tabletop game. Today I'm being playing D&D since I was nine years old and I DM for friends half of those years, it's my favorite hobby in fact. I love this cartoon, I have very fond memories of it.

[@cinemakid]

That's an awesome story!

[@johnnyfountainS]

I prefer Sheila and Starscream and Hot Rod.

[@RobBluth]

I never actually got to see the show as a kid--it would advertise as coming up next but then the channel would broadcast a local cooking show instead. I waited every Saturday to see if the channel would make a mistake and accidentally air D&D but they never did

[@TF80s]

That's such a sad story ;)

[@jerartist127]

man I loved this show and pole position afterwards plus mr.t and spidey and his amazing friends and the incredible hulk

[@mlang28]

Man! That was some good times..

[@pat8593]

80s kid. grew up with dnd. wed skip the last day of school and play on the roof in the town center. beautiful days and great times. i dont think kids today will ever know how fun that time was.

[@ronfoley5683]

One of the reasons I woke up early on Saturday morning. 😊

[@user-su9xc2ff4o]

One of the best 80s cartoons.

[@greenlanternhg5141]

Am I the only one who wants a remake of the toy line? I miss that cartoon...I often wonder what happened to those kids 🤔 Hey! I had Poll Position before D & D 🤨...that’s why I didn’t see lots of the episodes...didn’t wake up on time 😁 Great video Mr Larson, Producer Greg 👍🏽✌🏽

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Not really a remake but I would love to see a continuation with them all grown up and seasoned adventures maybe meeting a new set of kids who just got sucked in. Just please, don't do the same kind of crap animation everyone is using today and leave the far left SJW bull crap out of it.

[@maireadralph6934]

Fantastic video! I’ve come across your channel before so I was super excited when this video was shared to a Dungeons and Dragon cartoon group on Facebook. I only recently watched the show a few months ago and it’s still great to this day! You’ve done a great job being both informative and entertaining at the same time! 💕

[@roderickcortez138]

Love this show as a kid. I remember watching it with my cousin on Saturday mornings. I miss the 80's!

[@p.j.w7564]

My all time favorite cartoon of the 80's along with ullesses 31! 😎

[@Bayan1905]

I was around 8-9 years old when the show came out, and growing up in a strict Catholic family, I remember my Mom the first time she saw me watching it, and she promptly went ape sh**. I never got to see all the episodes, and most times I had to sneak watching episodes with the sound turned down as low as I could so she didn't hear it. It was a great show, and I can tell you I remember her flipping out and yelling about "suicide & satanic rituals" and all that crap. It was great, and yet she let my sisters listen to Madonna and watch MTV whenever they wanted. I guarantee there was worse there. Oh well, after D & D the overzealous parents moved on, to kids playing their records backward; but that my friends......is another story.

[@steveconner6126]

Loved this show as a kid. Bought the DVDs and shared them with my own kids. Great show guys and great info.

[@Darthyen]

Loved the cartoon as a kid and former DnD player. My wife who knows nothing of DnD was able to find a box set of the cartoon and surprise me with it a number of Christmases ago...and I love it.