Top 10 Darkest Cartoon Network Episodes

[@1805movie]

"If you don't show the darkness, you won't appreciate the light." *-Don Bluth*

[@erickmartinez5631]

Ryan Hartwell That also works backwards, you won't apreciate dark with some light on it

[@UnluckyRodreas]

Caugh caugh peace maker caugh caugh

[@kylecrofts3481]

Don Bluth is working on a film version of Dragon's Lair.

[@lucitum.world1998]

Don Bluth is a GENIOUS!

[@bebophakusho8581]

"I will depict animosity but that is in order to show the fact that there is something more precious. I will depict the bondage of a curse in order to show the joy of liberation." Hayao Miyazaki

[@PartyPlannerPreston]

Oh this is definitely serious and dark, he didn’t start the video with his traditional “howdy”

[@missyyolo2362]

You know it’s dark when- Dang it you beat me to it.

[@PartyPlannerPreston]

Missy Yolo But hey, at least we had the same idea

[@missyyolo2362]

Party Planner Preston: Yeah

[@bangaliekanu5852]

He did in the description. 😂

[@PartyPlannerPreston]

Bangalie Kanu You’re right 😂😂😂

[@julioi.3166]

I feel like the whole concept of Simon in Adventure Time was extremely dark for me. I got sad whenever I thought about it, it's similar to watching someone deal with a family member that has dementia. The thought of memory being stripped away is bad enough, but seeing the reaction in Marceline as she grips to the person he used to be was what made it even darker.

[@phantomstrider]

I agree 100%. It's an absolutely tragic concept to deal with and I am frustrated to see so much of my community, friends and loved ones having to deal with this horrible disease.

[@ne0njuice782]

Julio I. my Great-Grandmother (yes, she’s alive.) has dementia and that episode honestly makes me cry. I see myself as marceline trying to get her back to normal, anything dementia/Alzheimer’s makes me emotional. So that episode hurt me in a different way tho.

[@reimanaashford8604]

Ok

[@elechronic]

I think it was kinda the point eventually

[@MrNightshade2010]

the even stranger thing is it was a riff on a pc/console survival gaming trope ie last of us and season one of the walking dead....

[@thedorkknight9684]

"Haunted" is straight up a masterpeice. Robin facing his inner paranoia and fully trusting his team, fully exploring the trauma Slade put him through, and showing him finally succeeding in vanquishing his demons. It may not be the darkest episode of a Superhero cartoon, but it accomplished so much.

[@HandmadeGoose97]

I always knew HIM was the most competent villain in the Power Puff universe, Mojo JoJo is the best villain but HIM actually has the ability to take over the world

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

Him and that Princess girl.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

HIM is Satan

[@mushyplushii]

@@Joseph_Drew_III Dont u dare fkin talk about the blue girl

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

@Backpack Ralsei What? No. The rich brat.

[@mushyplushii]

Oooooh... NANI!?

[@jacobtheorangeyoshi8710]

The Lich in my opinion is definitely darker than the last episode. His entire existence is boggling to any mortal being that comes in contact with him. He also can literally kill people by breathing on them. It’s much more interesting than a generic villain (evil overlord who is evil and can do evil). The finale wasn’t that great because all of the build up was wasted, like Gumbald literally just lost anticlimactically. The Lich had tons of build up, literally being defined as the ultimate evil. He forced Finn to kill Bubblegum and possessed his childhood hero. So much more impactful than a villain that appears in one episode and doesn’t even fight the heroes!

[@caderen5624]

The lich is the scariest fictional character for me he litteraly appears in ever single nightmare i have ever since the mortal folly came out no kidding

[@ajanthony1356]

Yeah thier were so much more than creepy episodes in adventure time. Examples are the two lich episodes, the blank eyed girls, the one with the deer and murder mystery episode. Sometimes I wonder if phantomstrider even watches certain series because he always recycles episodes from previous vids and he only talks about the popular episodes

[@BiGSmoke-.-]

@@caderen5624 Then u haven't seen a lot of cartoons kid....try Gravity Falls, Over the garden wall

[@dontmindme5189]

@@ajanthony1356 he obviously hasn't because he called a multi-verse deity from puhoy Satan and the rapture.

[@AbdefFable1]

And they defeat the series last villain with music. . .nuff said

[@phantomstrider]

Howdy! Been looking forward to checking out Cartoon Network's darker episodes. Feel free to leave your own suggestions for videos if you'd like. Either way, thanks for dropping by :)

[@andykeitz110]

Eyy

[@xenobestx8423]

Howdy.

[@peachiifruiit8120]

Howdy Strider! (Happy Late Birthday)

[@evanshakib2493]

PhantomStrider you do know that Change Your Mind is not the finale of Steven Universe

[@suesutherland4116]

Are you going to be making a Top 10 OTP list for Valentine's Day? Please! ❤

[@CoolGuy-te1pt]

I’d actually replace either Steven universe episode with “cat fingers”

[@TheFrankman]

Seriously. The body horror aspect and the tone are horrific. You can add "Frybo" to that also.

[@skeyturr]

oh fuck that was scary as hell

[@ubern00bkye]

Roses room

[@pinkbutterflygacha8021]

Top 3 scariest episodes 1.Cat Fingers 2.Change your mind 3.Frybo (cuz the moving clothe XD)

[@sandycheese6414]

Frybo scared me

[@Moon_Jam08]

The hospital scene on Steven Universe actually looked like Silent Hills

[@ysabelledelacuesta7533]

Aldrich Luna it also kinda looks like outlast

[@R0seshad0w]

There is a specific reason for that, Connies mother is voiced by "Mary Elizabeth McGlynn". Most of the female vocal tracks from silent hill games are her.

[@suckypuckle9292]

Honestly, Change Your Mind was a dumb pick for this. It's a moment, not an episode. The hospital one or the one where Peridot's initially shows up are both far darker overall.

[@carmena.gonzalezrios8372]

@@R0seshad0w I didn't know that, that's awsome!

[@dawsyncanipe7947]

Nightmare Hospital was also meant for mothers day....i guess nothing says i love you then two gem mutants that wanna kill you.

[@ivobyrt]

"Come Along With Me" was not the darkest episode of Adventure Time. It is the saddest because it's the show's finale.

[@nickhipsh8550]

It was the most emotionally unbalanced of all the episodes with the death and destruction and happynessnof the end, although it was my favorite episode, I consider it to be the most crazy episode(not to mention I cried from the episode)

[@nickhipsh8550]

@@c-1525 same

[@vladtheimpaler6344]

It's both sad and dark because after the war is done, we know the story doesn't end well with the characters of Adventure Time.

[@Smolscream]

Agreed.

[@seliphsnom2596]

Agreed

[@frerinyth9050]

3:31 Steven:What have you done to them their ? White diamond:shhh i made them T posers

[@epicgaming7813]

Frerinyth 158 XD

[@aleixiaprof7155]

They're just asserting their dominance, yeesh

[@thecoolkid2983]

Pearls just 360 no scopeing

[@selena5744]

This made my day

[@stevenuniverse960]

HEY! THOSE ARE MY FRIENDS!!!

[@ConradTheLonelyStump]

Thank you for putting "Haunted" at number 1. I feel like Teen Titans flies under the radar of a lot of "most disturbing/darkest cartoon episodes" videos for whatever reason, and it's good to see someone include this episode in particular in a video.

[@moonkingdomify]

So what you're telling me is that Adventure Time ends with the entire cast fighting what's effectively an elder god until one of them bites the bullet and becomes the new embodiment of death to basically hit the snooze button on the apocalypse for another hundred thousand or so years.

[@meltingstream3385]

Mytru Mara :O

[@juanaldana2315]

Mostly. But, I don’t think it’s the snooze button. Betty wished to protect the Simon so if fused her with Golb so she had the consciousness to leave. I went away from the episode believing that Golb won’t be coming back because Betty is in control. At least that’s what I tell myself....

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

Tragic and fantastic, and I loved it, but yeah.

[@fluffyplayery3017]

Yes

[@Silentgrace11]

I mean, he was only unleashed the first time because a handful of them had the bright idea to unleash Golb as a weapon of war, so I think they’ll be good if they don’t try that again ^^”

[@skyrocketxv]

#5: We interrupt Steven universe to bring you resident evil

[@level35boss17]

Shut up

[@KillertoxinVA]

that is so true 🤣

[@Am_Bush96TV]

Reminded me more of Silent Hill 2. The hospital setting and even the creatures with legs for heads, it's uncanny. Even the camera shots, the way the creature bangs against the wall. I've never actually seen Steven Universe beyond what was repeated on CN, I saw that scene and I thought..... "Yes."

[@RandomiMies4444]

Skyrocket xv I was thinking the same

[@aspen1606]

Change your mind isn’t the series finale. It does feel like one though and it would be satisfying as a series finale but there’s a sixth season and a movie coming. It may only be a season finale but it would be good as a series finale.

[@whoopingmuffin9700]

Similar to how american dads the 200 would have been a great finale for it

[@cinnamindcontrolled5152]

Also similar to the 200th episode of Teen Titans Go

[@whoopingmuffin9700]

@Juno Keira Page how does that work for a character that is immortal. (steven can control his age).

[@Killermudkip1]

It was meant to act as a series finale because they didn’t know if the show would continue into season 6. They didn’t get told whether or not they were getting renewed until either right before or right after change your mind aired.

[@bigbangpegasusmaster]

killermudkip1 they were already making new episodes between CYM aired though, it seems more like it'll be like, say, naruto becoming naruto shippuden or dragonball becoming dragonball z

[@xthrax]

(14:31) "Golb, adventure time's equivalent to Satan" that's actually pretty inaccurate. Satan is an entity that represents the embodiment of evil, Golb on the other hand is a representation of chaos, entropy, and nihilism this is a major difference due to the fact that Satan is not benevolent, Golb however IS benevolent in that he does not actually care as to what happens around him. In summary Golb could be compared more to a Lovecraftian entity such as Azathoth or Yog-sothoth, but Satan is a stretch.

[@presentbongo4932]

Your not wrong I just think your nitpicking a tad bit. *no hate though

[@xthrax]

@@presentbongo4932 I hear ya, I just feel its important to distinguish the two, and that there is a major difference between a god of nihilistic intent vs a god of evil intent

[@LilacShowers]

How is indifference benevolent?

[@xthrax]

@@LilacShowers forgive me I meant something else more like apathetic or neutral

[@GoronTico]

Satan might be one of golb's scholars

[@runeokami6451]

I agree with #1. Sometimes the most realistic episodes can be the most darkest. Most people think dark means death or horror. But relatable situations are even darker. Life is dark. But humanity can bring light to their lives if they allow it. We are our only fear because we let ourselves hide or hesitate.

[@majormonkles9756]

Agreed.

[@shadowgirl1615]

Especially the fact about how Slade influences Robin so much to the point of insanity

[@Reckno64]

I had a feeling Steven Universe would be here. There are several other dark Steven Universe episodes but Change your mind had me on edge and is currently my favorite episode! And it's definitely not the series finale. It might've been a fitting finale but there's a movie and confirmed season 6 I believe.

[@Domeju]

I’ve really missed these top 10s. Good to see another one. Btw you should do a Nickelodeon version of this list!

[@audreym3908]

I think most of that list would be ATLA/TLOK, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, the Monsters, Ren and Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, CatDog... basically any (good) shows from the 90s to 2000s.

[@crystalchan7547]

Maybe My Life as a Teenage Gary from SpongeBob? Or a One Flu Over the Loud House from Loud House?

[@shotgunfrenzy1225]

Danny phantom maybe?

[@slugpastetm7442]

All episodes of Invader Zim lol

[@pyraffin]

Ooooo, there's gonna be some Avatar/Korra episodes in that list. Definately the blood benders.

[@nicoanims3379]

Him: it's a hugging virus People in 2020: we already have that

[@professionalidiot1156]

its a anti hugging virus

[@nicoanims3379]

@@professionalidiot1156 no it's a hugging virus.

[@nicoanims3379]

@@professionalidiot1156 If you hug you get the virus, hugging virus.

[@0MN1AC3JESS]

Its a you need a hug virus

[@Stargazer_Ley]

This quote ((Slade: I am the thing that keeps you up at night, the evil that haunts every dark corner of your mind. I will never rest, and neither will you. )) is so chilling.

[@zencyn4682]

It was chilling then, but now it makes me imagine Slade saying "I am the terror that flaps in the night"

[@jeremyriley1238]

AKILEY Williams True. What makes this even creepier is that the end, where the eye on Slade's mask glows red, would end up forshadowing his return in the next season.

[@nathancaldwell5443]

Amethyst is like a big sister as opposed to a mother.

[@nathancaldwell5443]

@Raul I Garcia Mother figure, Amethyst is not very motherly with Steven unlike Pearl and Garnet.

[@prosack2585]

Courage is probably one of the few shows to scare me from the disturbing characters like the giant cockroach, make me cry a little when I watched the episode of courage losing his real parents, and make me laugh at the stupid or goofy moments.

[@mmog1641]

That cockroach episode scared the hell out of me everytime growing up, id always forget about Claymation violinist girl and rewatch to a shiver even today.

[@DareMurdok]

The Great Fusili is the creepiest episode imo

[@Hambolove16]

Three words..... Return the Slab

[@poggers4392]

i watched and played resident evil when i was 6 so courage didnt bother me that much. Also strange enough, i am quite attracted to tragedy cause i like comparing the sadness and insanity of other fictional characters to see who had the worst life.

[@medicmain68]

Most of these episodes are scary, but if you've watched total drama world tour, id say it's a bit disturbing with the feral Zeke story. I would love it if strider mentioned it

[@redbepis4600]

"Steven univese finale" *laughs in SU future*

[@NoodlesTheSquishy]

Oh look commie doggo cute *Commie doggo is best doggo*

[@trixxartarchive7705]

Steven Universe future is more of a spin but I don't know as I lossed any intrest in the series when white diamond was redeemed because I know Strider loves bad guys coming good but you've got to agree that this was going too far.

[@HustlingCentral]

_Laughs in steven universe: the movie_

[@davithepaninigod9142]

*laughs in SU future* *laughs in cried at night watching the finale of SU future*

[@yournamegoeshere7584]

I like to act like that doesn't exist

[@alizacelemcentauri986]

I think the episode "the dreams" from "The Amazing World of Gumball" deserved a spot on this list. Basically, as you can tell by the title, it's an episode where you can see of what different characters of the series dream at night. We already get Larry's, Allan's and mr. Small's dreams, which are quite disturbing, but none of them were terrifying like what is first presented as Anais's dream. You REALLY have to see it to believe it.

[@legendarywolvesofmoorwynne4708]

Yeah, whenever my brother would see the anais dream, he would run and beg for me to turn on a different show.

[@connorcoker5112]

But it wasn't her dream...

[@thatrandomquestion2584]

@Connor Coker That's the creepy part

[@connorcoker5112]

@@thatrandomquestion2584 I know...

[@thefeintnetwork5429]

What season is this episode in

[@RobertB1St]

*every flapjack’s episode*

[@longlonglonglonglonglonglo9436]

true

[@porcupiney]

thank you for saying it, i watched this video specifically to see if a flapjack episode was on the list

[@jimmyj6209]

@@porcupiney Mermaid: YES

[@rohansampat1995]

Flapjack episodes were not disturbing they were just weird, and dumb and stupid, i really hate that show, it was the first of the crap in cartoon network

[@fv8399]

@@rohansampat1995 🗿

[@joe_krogan]

That courage episode really got to me as a kid, because my family life wasn't much different. And as strange as it may sound, it helped me come to grips with the fact that it isn't normal, and how fucked up my family actually is.

[@chargirl7677]

“All three of his mothers” Ok I get pearl and Garnet but like... ...amethyst?...

[@LandBoundFish]

Chargirl amythest was dubbed as a sibling to Steven by the creators of the show.

[@christiemarie8748]

Teen sis bro

[@estrella-uf5td]

Bo its rose quarts

[@blaqsinasta]

Joselito Nicolas yeah but he never got to meet her and along with greg they raise him

[@igluedmyfingertomyhead9894]

Chargirl NO HIS MOTHER AND ONLY MOTHER IS ROSE QUARTZ

[@NRF-zf7qt]

As a sufferer of schizophrenia, I relate to Robin's suffering a bit. And also Squidward when he has his panic attacks or paranoia. Haunted is one of the best teen titans episodes. Steven Universe and Teen Titans remain my favorite Cartoon Network shows.

[@sumdude9836]

What about regular show or adventure time?

[@KazuhaEien]

Same I love both

[@jamrockk331]

They ight

[@continuousvariable1220]

I'm not gonna like because 69 *N I C E*

[@xenobestx8423]

We at 69 likes.

[@cobraeels735]

Just so you know steven universe isnt over yet. To this day they're still having recording sessions. Were just waiting on a verification

[@aaa1883]

@@theletsplayer4921 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ7Pk5mvpdl_ha8

[@revirtual1532]

@@theletsplayer4921 no u

[@wetfart9813]

@@theletsplayer4921 who hurt you?

[@realdolltv9601]

AAA 😭👌🏽😂 I can’t breathe, that was the best response to a troll I’ve ever witnessed!

[@thezonienthusiast473]

Change Your Mind isn't the series finale of Steven Universe. Season 6 and a TV movie have been confirmed by the show's writers.

[@skydragonslayer9820]

I was gonna say the same thing

[@astrariverpostmemesandstan9886]

It's the end of the original story made by Rebecca Sugar

[@skydragonslayer9820]

@@astrariverpostmemesandstan9886 yes but not the end of the series

[@SarosLuminosaSol]

@@astrariverpostmemesandstan9886 Wait, its gonna be a new story? Oooo I wonder if its all of them before--

[@SmashLiXs]

season 5 was originally planned as the last season but cn wanted more. i'm surprised about that actually

[@Sonic-fk6uz]

Yeah Haunted from TT (Teen titans) was a REALLY dark episode when it comes to CN and I like your choice for pick for it to be #1!

[@Sonic-fk6uz]

And also... , I T ' S A T R A P!!!!!!!!!!

[@theojaggi3963]

But there is a problem. HE. DID. NOT. MENTION. THE. ENDING!

[@BlackMambaThaGoat]

Haunted can be disturbing to watch.

[@Sonic-fk6uz]

@LUCAS GORDON What? :|

[@Sonic-fk6uz]

@LUCAS GORDON Thx. Wait. are you calling me dark? :|

[@KingsNerdCave]

I think the Lich, and Fear Itself should have gotten honorable mentions at least.

[@star_skaterr8401]

Lich: *Fall.* Finn and Jake: *LITERALLY ALMOST DIE*

[@psychonautmaddy7409]

And 'No one can hear you'.

[@thatrandomquestion2584]

"I'm the thing that keeps you up at night. The evil that haunts every dark corner of your mind."

[@Michael-590]

Nightmares about assignments and exams? Now there’s a fear that deserves a full-length episode in some show! 😱

[@troin3925]

That Random Question So... nearly... free...

[@Arteksoff]

You know...steven universe "change your mind" isn't series finale but just season finale, there are more episodes to come...

[@riclate2013]

...1000 years later

[@UnkwnUser.V]

@@riclate2013 *this fall*

[@wandabaird8373]

Samurai Jack is on adult swim, so it makes sense that it has a dark episode.

[@WindowWatcher]

Dude, samurai Jack is a great show

[@MrNightshade2010]

it wasnt originally tho

[@Cupcake_Royale]

But not in earlier seasons

[@bubblefrombfb7473]

Yeah the newer seasons of Samurai Jack feel like hell

[@cliptic2222]

The coffee episode from we bare bears was darker than tore life because it was just creepy in general. The upside down head turning and red eyes of the result of Ice Bear’s sleep deprivation was very freaky and uncomfortable...

[@stupiidbee]

That episode gave me nightmares...

[@kaingamer11]

I agree and i waa diaturbed by this episode🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@TheRealIHP]

What about Chloe downloading the virus.

[@tomjackson1370]

This episode and The Neighbors

[@minarai313]

There was also a camping episode or whatever, so Grizzly goes to get some food at a campfire, while Ice and Panda hallucinate the trees being a Froyo stand. They start fighting eachother and growling, wherever they go. Grizzly tries to stop his brothers, but nothing works. They keep hallucinating about food, and Grizzly chases them down to try and help them with their hallucinations. They eventually stop seeing this Froyo stand, but they are still growling in an angry, kinda disturbing manner. The entire time I was watching I was wondering what was happening. Was it really there or were they just imagining? What caused this? Are they addicted to food? Is this really happening? It's pretty creepy, see it for yourself. I forgot what it was called. If you can find it, good luck sleeping.

[@Raph___A]

Oh,man!I remember no.1!I always thought this was dark!Also,that Courage episode always scared me as a child!That mask!That MASK!

[@theresa1219]

Am i the only one who thought that there was an even creepier episode of gumball? The Joy Seriously i mean just watch it if you haven’t

[@thatrenarouge2353]

@@theresa1219you're right it talks about war, violence, and more problems in the world.

[@cdex9288]

Tbh I found the one where raven was imagining things to be dark aswell but I haven't watched no1 so

[@milklover0110]

@@theresa1219 ya totally

[@Addictedcoolmos]

it was just a cat

[@clayxros576]

I am still not sure it is pure delusion in #1. A lot of the injuries and impacts that Robin takes during the encounter with the shadow Slade couldn't just come about from shadow boxing, he very clearly gets thrown around by an unseen force. Heck when we see the battle through Cyborg's eyes we see a pretty brutal hit to Robin's diaphram that bends his back in a way that muscles really can't do. It is shown later on that Slade is quite literally in hell to an extent, so perhaps it is possible contact with his ashes imparted some kind of curse that, while weak and easy to dispell, allowed him to physically attack Robin until Raven's intervention enabled Robin to break it. That is just my take on it though. DC, even the Teen Titans universe, is shown to have magic and demons so I figure it is possible Slade could have pulled that off. He is evil Batman after all.

[@juanalos3049]

maybe he was using that paranoid state of robin to atack him and when robin surpased that the curse went broken

[@CamilleHanda]

that teen titans episode gets me crying every single time because it's so scary ngl

[@That1Legendlol]

“The joy” is what scared me

[@thecheck968]

It’s not really dark, but still handles mature themes: Mindful Education from Steven Universe. I have never watched a show handle the issue of anxiety so well, animated or not. Maybe I’m just biased and over-emotional, but I really think that that episode is something special.

[@amirgarcia547]

TheCheck7 Yeah, it’s why that episode is one of my favorites. That and the song “Here Comes a Thought” is gorgeous!

[@phantomstrider]

It's a phenomenal episode. The only other cartoon I've seen handle acceptance commitment therapy even remotely like that episode was season 4 of legend of korra when Korra is overcoming her death anxiety

[@kieranstark7213]

We're sure that PhantomStrider is completely positively biased towards the Avatar animated series and Revecca Sugar shows. And he has amazing reasons to, but with The Legend of Korra, maybe books 3-4 are actually a massive step-up from the first half of Books of that TV series, but outside of that, PhantomStrider was probably just trying too hard to make The Legend of Korra sound like it's above almost everything else in the world. This is where I have to side with Lily Orchard since it's debatable if he has a conflicting relationship with PhantomStrider.

[@prototypeone7534]

I remember watching Haunted for the first time. It was one of the only episodes of a cartoon (that wasn't a finale) that left me absolutely speechless.

[@KievanGoose]

An episode I thought was super dark, was the Justice League episode were Superman was in a comma where he lives in his perfect world. It just seemed really harsh, dark and just sad.

[@garylyon8581]

That falls into the saddest episodes category.

[@rudevoices9204]

Unlimited: For the Man Who Has Everything. That was actually a comic adaptation

[@Ratchet2431]

It could not be otherwise. It's an adaptation of a comic by Alan Moore.

[@Fritter_Films]

Ah, yes. My favorite show: Cartoon Network.

[@originaluseername]

YOU COULDN'T BE MORE UNORIGINAL IF YOU TRIED

[@Fritter_Films]

KATELYN SHELLOS You couldn’t be more calm if you tried. Also, I saw no comments that said the same thing as mine. Apparently I’m being unoriginal by saying the same thing as someone, but I didn’t know they said that.

[@dariuspeters5952]

Cartoon network is a classic cartoon on cartoon network

[@quickhatch8160]

I see a person of culture

[@originaluseername]

same shit different toilet

[@Twigs_20]

Lets get em boo!

[@acat5659]

Ha ha ha

[@carmena.gonzalezrios8372]

I like your profile fic! Where did you get it?

[@acat5659]

carmen a. gonzalez rios Twitter plan and simple

[@LovelyTekki]

Let's not be skeletons from OK KO is one of the darkest episodes I can think of. While it is somewhat controversial as there is a debate as to how well it gets it's message across, the imagery and ideas are what makes it dark for me. KO gradually loses his friends and even his mom to violence, and the only remaining trusted authority figure turns against him. He shows some symptoms of PTSD in the scene where Carol is shot in front of him. The climax shows KO essentially shooting Gar in self defense, being forced to use the weapons he was against. Love it or hate it, I personally think it's one of the darkest episodes ever to come from CN. Your reality is an illusion is another somewhat dark episode as it tackles the idea of reality being subjective, although the ending of the episode has a somewhat optimistic approach to the idea. Also it is kept from being too dark by the way it parodies gags within cartoons, like KO struggling to pick up a rock that's a part of the background. Still, even after the problem is resolved, it seems like KO still has a little bit of existential dread as he looks terrified when his mom sings the show's theme song to comfort him. Plaza alone was another strangely dark episode. Basically KO starts to feel lonely and starts hallucinating a bunch of weird stuff out of sheer loneliness, such as killing his friend and a lot of nightmarish visuals involving horses. O.O Anyways, great video as always Strider!

[@AarenYASS]

the thing is its kind of played off for laughs/comedic and it's not very well executed. It COULD have been dark but ya know, they had something going there. -

[@Daviticus042]

OK KO is a great show. Frankly it's odd to me that Strider never seems to mention it. Maybe it doesn't air in Australia? If not, why not??

[@legogodzilla7]

3:00 *Season finale the show isn't over

[@buckk0099]

Legogodzilla w

[@bettercetacean]

I hope...

[@wildrage1384]

Yeah its confirmed not finale

[@derppan9215]

The video was made before it was confirmed that it wasn't a series finale

[@hp640.]

There will be a season 6. and youc an watch the movie on Videa

[@chargirl7677]

“Steven Universe Finale” Steven Universe The Movie: Oh sweetie we ain’t done yet

[@ChalkMuncher]

There's at least one more season of the show maybe it'll work like how power rangers works and come back as a second series?

[@J.E_Rust]

Steven universe Future!

[@kirbo4437]

@@ChalkMuncher I dont think theres another season because steven solved every problem like it will be dumb to make up a another villain then start all over its better leaving a good series behind then start again and again just like boruto it will suck edit: oh wait theirs steven universe future great whats more

[@kirbo4437]

@@J.E_Rust your actually right wow

[@ChalkMuncher]

@@kirbo4437 Future is all about Steven… or whelp mostly about him he's solved everyone's problems but his and to also tie up loose ends, but of Corse there will be action and villain's while not their main focus

[@Cure_Hana]

I’m surprised there wasn’t a single episode of Regular Show or Flapjack on here. Whatever your opinions are of them, you have to admit that those shows could be pretty f***ed up sometimes.

[@SmashLiXs]

i'm surprised he didn't bring up the terror tales at the park episodes until i remembered that he doesn't like regular show

[@ChaosXTheProject]

The thing is, the horror in those shows is played for comedy, not for actual tension.

[@greenekj6]

@@ChaosXTheProject There are still some darker episodes of Regular Show, like Over the Top.

[@backthefuckupoffme9767]

Cure Hana The problem is I don't think Strider has really watched enough episodes of Regular Show. You'll know when you watch "Top 5 Cartoons I Hate that Everyone Else Likes".

[@aidanbarnes4290]

he doesn't like Regular show or Flapjack

[@socialistcroceater5815]

You deserve way more subscribers phantomstrider!

[@phantomstrider]

Hey thanks Barrett :) I try my best

[@victorygamer713]

@@phantomstrider agreed

[@Corvin_Ito]

@@lucaspospeshil4519 Hey i think we both read that as "You deserve way more subscribers THAN phantomstrider! " but in reality there was no Than and Barrett put "phantomstrider" to refer to Phantom directly

[@danishdanial5596]

@@lucaspospeshil4519 read the sentence correctly before calling someone an idiot.

[@StalxD]

He has 419k subs dude :D

[@CMinionTV]

You should do top 10 best spongebob episodes in honor of Stephen Hillenburg

[@kieranstark7213]

*everyone prays for PhantomStrider to make that list by giving him a Patreon request to, but also making the choices of Seasons 1-3/9-10 episodes to be on this list unpredictable*

[@CMinionTV]

Holy cow I got hearted a KZbinr I luv!😱

[@MrOrcshaman]

"And now that I'm a doctor, I think I'll perform some surgery" Still gives me chills

[@tootdoesstuff772]

It's actually the season finale not the series finale because they confirmed it's going to have another season. Just trying not to have people get confused

[@Nutpost]

you forgot to specify that its steven universe

[@TheAndromedaGalaxi]

THANK YOU

[@KraziShadowbear]

WOW.... That was SERIOUSLY dark.... And heartwarming in a way... :') Well handled, Strider.... And well done..... :D

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

While I don't necessarily think it's the darkest episode ever aired on Cartoon Network, I do feel the need to mention a recent Ninjago Episode tilted "Game of Masks". This is Season 8 Episode 7 and the reason I mention it is because of how it portrays mature themes of violence, death, and romance. This episode opens with a flashback to the main villain's childhood, where you learn that her parents died in an attack from a mythical snake monster. They don't show the exact way they die but it's either from being eaten by the monster or from being crashed by a collapsing building. This leaves the main villain orphaned as a little girl who blames the main characters for failing to protect her home and her family. We even see the poor little girl in shock as social workers try to figure out where her parents are and who she is. And that was just the flashback in the cold open. Later in the episode in the current day, we see the villain attempt to kill the main character. Up until this point she has been hiding her true identity and intentions. She has successfully manipulated the main character into thinking she is a harmless girl and even seduced him to a degree. But then the main character figures it out. The villain slips up and accidentally says too much. She tries to play it off but the main character is too smart and pieces her true identity together from other hints seen in prior episodes. He feels broken hearted and betrayed and honestly, we as the audience do as well. No longer needing to hide her true identity, the villain explained her plot and thoughts. She wants to make the main character suffer as much as possible, to have him lose everything just as she did so long ago. She's driven completely by revenge and she hates the main character. You see the level of her insanity as she takes out a knife and straight up tries to murder the main character while simultaneously trying to distract him with seduction. Even the main character is shocked by the lengths she goes to. He realizes that this villain has killed, stolen, kidnapped, plotted, and lied to get where she is. Her victims even include her own adoptive parents who raised her after she was orphaned. I feel the need to mention this episode because the darkness in it is so realistic. You see the trauma of an orphan, the rage of vengeance, the violence of a terrorist, and the crazy girl who will try to seduce you in order to hurt you. These feel like real problems that many in the real world deal with to varying degrees. The scenes where the villain was orphaned even felt like seeing the aftermath of a terrorist attack or a school shooting. It was intense, it was dark, and the thing that scared you the most was how real it felt. You had to take a step and remember that you were watching a show about Lego people. The genius writers really went above and beyond, somehow putting so much emotion and realism in plastic figures. That truly is a spectacular achievement.

[@1ceapaire990]

Hey, thanks for recognizing Ninjago, Obi-Wan

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

@@1ceapaire990 I do what I can to promote a great show! I only hope Ninjago gets more well deserved attention from mainstream animation channels. That's really what the show needs!

[@NINE-UP]

In LEGO.... dang

[@rougeninja3412]

I LOVE NINJAGO

[@frostedwheat8317]

Wait.. lego ninjago is still on?

[@zerostudios4050]

No lie the rival from amazing world of gumball was funny as hell

[@LumiNyte]

aaa

[@farahala1250]

LumiNyte what’s wrong? Why did you comment “aaa”?

[@LumiNyte]

@@farahala1250 I used to say aaa a lot but it's hard to explain it's meaning

[@santicheeks1106]

It made me hate the sister more

[@fantasticgood5403]

i personally dont find it dark its just a MAJOR lesson in sibling rivalry

[@KazuhaEien]

Change Your Mind does creep me out tho... I was freaked out by White Diamond possessing the gems and taking Steven's gem out. I loved that James Baxter scene though! (Edited this comment because Change Your Mind is actually the finale of the OG series)

[@JustinY.]

How could you forget Bible Black?

[@deconstruction.]

DUDE!!!

[@zazamccormack]

How

[@yaeger9466]

How are you here already, it was just uploaded 5 minutes ago!

[@autistickid8905]

Justin Y. Oh hey justin

[@HandmadeGoose97]

@@yaeger9466 his KZbin notifications must be working overtime

[@wein9791]

OMG! He called Garnet, Amethyst, and pearl mothers!! XD

[@memesy8622]

Well, they sorta act like mothers- well, Pearl mostly does in my opinion.

[@ArtByZac]

Amethyst is more of a wine aunt 😂😂

[@Darkcyndermaya]

Well that's sort of what they are in a way.

[@idkwhatimdoing5268]

Well... They pretty much are, sooo

[@mikethewordsmith4263]

Anyone else think of DBZA Cell? "Thanks Dads."

[@СветозараМихайлова]

I remember that Samurai Jack episode! The thing that still sticks to me is that when I was little and watched it, first it was late in the evening, second the black and white/traditional art style alone made me feel physically and psychologically afraid, sick and...unsafe and I couldn't bring myself to watch it till the end and had to switch the channels.

[@digunder14]

just to point out also when his gem is removed, steven's human half is literally SLOWLY DIEING!

[@undeadinside3571]

So the show ends with him dying then? Kinda?

[@brycevo]

Hello Darkness my old Friend

[@brycevo]

Thank you for the ♥️

[@Quartzer.]

I hope to talk with you again

[@archaeldiaz275]

hi again

[@igotmyaccountbackbozos593]

I agree with you for the rival. That episode was dark as hell

[@101jir]

Honestly, I thought The Flower was darker. Although I hate Leslie so I took a certain sadistic pleasure out of that one. He's so whiney!

[@LInkinPark4life]

Arent you supposed to be in this list, GET BACK IN! GET IN RIGHT NOW!

[@frenchy6087]

The gem creatures look a lot like the cannibals in the game “The Forest”

[@MonkBeatbox]

BRO AS SOON AS YOU SAID "dog meat" MY DOG CAME IN BRO!

[@Futuremotions_112]

Lol me too

[@zooooooooom]

10: The Haunted House (Samurai Jack) 9: Change Your Mind (Steven Universe) 8: Twisted Sister/Speed Demon/Tough Love (The PowerPuff Girls) 7: The Rival (The Amazing World of Gumball) 6: Tote Life (We Bare Bears) 5: Nightmare Hospital (Steven Universe) 4: Come Along with Me (Adventure Time) 3: The Mask (Courage the Cowardly Dog) 2: Only a Dream (Justice League) 1: Haunted (Teen Titans) *You're Welcome*

[@alphaodyssey17]

Thanks

[@BlackDiamond2718]

thx

[@someonebackslashevry]

Personally, I think "Finn the human" is the darkest episode of adventure time. idk

[@copernicusepoch]

I've never seen it, what's it about?

[@ramseswhat5486]

Or the one with princess bb is bald and the nut king ior something its freaky

[@teodortodorov4712]

when i was little i was Skaried from LICHT - And the eppisode whit BB that ICeking drop here at the EVIL LAKE

[@aminaj.7032]

@@ramseswhat5486 Or the one where Finn is trapped inside that lamb thing and can't get out of it,and everyone treats it like a normal thing. Also,"Another Way." (Bc of the creepy clown nurses)

[@Free_Flowing_Anxiety]

3:20 Steven Universe “Change Your Mind” was only the season finally, not series.

[@greenstarlover1]

Finale not finally

[@pen_cap4967]

@@greenstarlover1 5:25 He said finally for the series

[@TheConpletionist]

Anything Courage is almost a big nope everytime lol :p

[@undercoverg.o.d.]

What about Fear Itself from Teen Titans or that episode from Young Justice where everyone straight up dies?

[@SamaritanPrime]

Failsafe was a heck of an episode. Thing is, there's a tell that something isn't right: Wally's reaction to Artemis' death. These two snipe back and forth at each other before (and after) this episode, so Wally threatening to avenge her death is out of character for him- or is it? But then, that's followed up by the next episode, where everyone goes to therapy over the whole experience.

[@ichheieelsenorandorayashi4824]

@@SamaritanPrime Haunted, Slade "I am the thing that keeps you up at night I am the evil that haunts every dark corner of your mind I will never rest and neither will you". Darkness is powerful and human

[@ctzaffino]

I’m actually quite surprised that there was no Ben 10 episodes on here. I still remember the arc were Ben felt he was ready to kill one of his closest allies and how much drama and emotion came from that story. The show does a great job at representing what power can do to people.

[@nimnim3153]

Justice League Just a Dream scared the everliving hell out of me as a child. Good choice. Btw you should cover dark Justice League episodes because there were a LOT

[@Anophis]

The eps with Lapis and Jasper in SU are great for the depiction of an abusive relationship and how it's not always one sided - Both people end up becoming toxic and doing horrible things. It's hard to break out of the cycle. Very dark, but I related too much I was practically hundred-yard staring the whole scenes with them.

[@sanchisan6997]

Yesss, I really needed this! Just binged and rewatched your previous vids a few days ago.

[@AlibiBlu]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Pink Steven in this. There was something so genuinely unsettling about what happened after Steven’s gem was removed.

[@mudkipforever6754]

My boi Courage, always taking one for the team

[@DrawnbyaDog]

Bunny > bliss She is the original purple powerpuff

[@arielruh7773]

Bliss no Bunny Bunny Bunny

[@CMGThePerson]

I like those Ninjago episodes where the main villain, who is a genie, subverts the 3 wishes trope by turning the ninja's desires against them to psychologically torture them and pick them off one by one. Not really an episode as much as a series of scenes spread around season 6 but they're a dark concept and are very creative. And I like them.

[@deadakus]

23:24 I love the detail how Slade (as a figment of Robins imagination) doesn't affect the tree branch, but Robin does.

[@The99Mustin]

Any courage the cowardly dog episodes on here?

[@leephillips4402]

Compa Yoshi the mask good choice i think I'd have put that first too it was just so real

[@RonaldPoe]

@@leephillips4402 I would've put perfect on the list myself. In addition to the first nightmare, it's a very serious deconstruction of perfectionism and self-esteem issues. It's also the finale so ...

[@2TU74]

yep. the mask

[@christlawillis967]

@@RonaldPoe yeah that's my least favorite video. The blue guy is the only thing in this world that I fear

[@Torivic]

I think Ball of Revenge deserves to be there, like Eustace is convicing older villains to take a revenge on poor Courage together. And Eustace even allowed them to kidnap his wife Murriel to lure Courage to just get rid of dog that saved them alot of lives in varrious situations, and then Courage is getting hurt a lot, and then , he is releasing his ultimate scream that makes villains fall down the ground.

[@oven5874]

I flipping balled my eyes out during come along with me, Adventure time was very important to my life, as I grew up with the show, as when I a young kid who had a simple mind adventure time was meaninglessness fun, but as I grew up and matured, so did the show and it’s characters. Sometimes shows can be more than a show, and have much deeper meanings to some people.

[@arielruh7773]

Me too

[@cristofeltimotius4806]

My favorite slade wilson (deathstroke) quote in teen titans is "on a contrary". It's like everytime he said that, he has a back up plan

[@Brando216]

Remember when teen titans use to be good

[@cristofeltimotius4806]

@@Brando216 yeah, it was good times, the actual golden age for teen titans

[@bonzey9895]

For me,one of the darkest CN episode is a We Bear Bears episode where Grizz got a giant burrito and he became obsessed with it. He takes that burrito EVERYWHERE. From cinema to roller coasters,hell he even talks to it like it's his best friend. Yeah i know it's quite similar to "Toat Life",but i think this episode is darker,because.....Well,at least "Toat Life" has some light hearted We Bear Bears charm to it and has a good message at the end,while this episode is a lot more uncomfortable. And the reason why Grizz is quite obsessed with that burrito is quite powerful. I'm not gonna spoil why he is,if you haven't watched that episode,go and watch it.

[@yuzhongthefierceblackdrago4695]

Nahh I watched it a lot so it's not dark anymore

[@bonzey9895]

@@yuzhongthefierceblackdrago4695 that's a 100% fine. Even if it's not dark to you, we can both agree that it's a great episode. Right?

[@yuzhongthefierceblackdrago4695]

@@bonzey9895 yeah of course

[@That1Legendlol]

I was scared of “the joy” in gumball

[@bonzey9895]

@@That1Legendlol same when i saw it for the first time. Not gonna lie, i hated it when i watched it for the first time. Now days, i quite like it.

[@lubernutstudios2852]

Great video keep up the good work!(happy early Valentine’s Day)

[@snowy.skulll]

Just in time for Valentine's Day

[@mackenziewilmoth]

I’m honestly surprised that Over The Garden Wall didn’t even get a mention. The last episode of the series “The Unknown” was especially dark. Still enjoyed the list! Also, Top Ten Worst Animated Knockoffs Part 2???

[@milktea543]

Mackenzie Wilmoth Was it actually ever on Cartoon Network? I can’t recall.

[@amirgarcia547]

Milk Tea Yes, I specifically remember it airing, and quite enjoying it.

[@mackenziewilmoth]

Milk Tea yes; it aired as a Ten Episode mini series during the Halloween season of 2014 I believe.

[@eaglefan2569]

Especially that flash of what The Beast actually looked like for about a frame. Eugh, just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

[@ZenNeonRazor]

Only Batman would overcome his own Fear easily lol

[@lucyceoofhell2007]

How about these two? Clarence: Little Buddy Steven Universe: Fries boy

[@TH1515FAK3]

Iljam Exposed Little Buddy could be on the list.

[@justin5864]

Omg fries boy was actually terrifying to me

[@RandomPerson-vn6sc]

Personally, I thought the We Bare Bears episode "Neighbors" was dark. It's basically about a couple becomes neighbors with the bears, but grizz thinks there's something off with them. Grizz thinks they're hunters that want to hunt the bears and goes crazy!

[@Nutpost]

yeah that has been on a lot of top 10s

[@mollymcmurtrie3586]

I am shocked that Teen Titans Birthmark wasn't on the list. It should be because it was dark.

[@adypods]

No one: PhantomStrider pronouncing Anais: *_UN-ICE_*

[@cursorygosling2846]

Um change your mind isn’t the finale. Season finale yes. Not series finale

[@nickjames8377]

Period

[@TheMegaman0]

It fits what is one but yeah you are correct it isn't the series finale

[@Sky-ip4xy]

I freaked out when he said “Finale”

[@HardManDan]

Thatguywiththestuffies KZbin page. You’re wrong but okay

[@firewisplet8275]

@Thatguywiththestuffies KZbin page. still wrong but ok

[@crashed_86]

I think "The Creeps" from Adventure Time is worthy of at least an honorable mention.

[@iemier]

Pretty bummed that Over The Garden Wall didn't even get an honorable mention.

[@animeisdead]

True

[@william_the_demon6193]

Yeah

[@BrotherMalMusic]

Could someone drop the name of the actual show that title is from, so maybe uninformed people could check it out?

[@leaffen9616]

@@BrotherMalMusic ...Over the Garden Wall?

[@BrotherMalMusic]

@Leaffen ...In that case what episode then? My point is the comment wasn't specific. _Over the Garden Wall_ could be anything to someone who doesn't know.

[@pivot892]

There’s literally an episode both in “My Gym Partner’s a Monkey” and “Camp Lazlo” where the implication is that everyone in the show has been killed and replaced by some evil entity.

[@thekitty-o-kat]

"kitty's dear friend bunny" yeah... friend...

[@ronswanson7371]

Kit Valdez 👩‍❤️‍👩

[@RealCryptoTest]

Thought he said deer friend and I was confused as to why a deer would be called Bunny

[@MrNightshade2010]

when we first saw that episode we were like "that was about as subtle as a brick " and did courage just rescue a lesbian from a pimp for her girlfriend?

[@5H4NKTH35HARK]

"They were very close friends" - Historians

[@eddyneedssleep]

Every episode of courage the cowardly dog. That show is the source of all my fears.

[@tony_______]

I didn’t hear a howdy my day is sad

[@phantomstrider]

Howdy drippgod :)

[@tony_______]

PhantomStrider thanks my day is better

[@NosInsidious]

Both Adventure Time and Steven Universe’s finales had me emotional

[@smileyfrog0671]

Steven universe change your mind wasn't the series finale it was just the last episode of this season The crewniverse is already halfway through the audio for the next season

[@animeking8313]

Smileystar 06 and the movie as well