Dark conspiracy about cartoons

**NARRATOR:** Does anything scream childhood like Saturday morning cartoons? Nothing’s more innocent than sitting down with a bowl of cereal and enjoying some animated classics… until you grow up and realize your childhood favorites are packed full of strange implications, uncertainty, and — worst of all — subtext! So, buckle up because we’re about to explore some dark cartoon theories that might just ruin your childhood. [Roll intro]

**Aladdin Danger**

We all know the Disney adaptation of the Middle-Eastern folktale *Aladdin*: a street punk in Agrabah discovers a magic lamp, wishes to be a prince, gets found out, saves the day, marries a princess, and lives happily ever after. But there’s a weird plot hole that always stood out: Aladdin is afraid everyone will find out he’s only a commoner who wished to become a prince. Jafar later exposes him, revealing him as a "common street rat."

Here’s the twist: when Aladdin wished to become a prince, what did the Genie actually do? Aladdin didn’t wish for people to think he’s a prince — he wished to be a prince. If the Genie had granted this wish, Aladdin would have been a genuine member of a royal family. Instead, the Genie only provided him with new clothes and an entourage.

One theory suggests that the entire movie’s plot is just the Genie fulfilling Aladdin’s first wish. At the end of the film, Aladdin saves the day and marries Princess Jasmine, which ultimately makes him a prince. The whole adventure, including the fake prince stuff, was a means for the Genie to fulfill Aladdin’s wish. If the Genie happens to gain his freedom in the process, it’s just a bonus. This interpretation casts the Genie as more manipulative than initially thought, making the romantic aspect of the story a bit creepier.

**Under the Sponge**

For the longest time, I was convinced SpongeBob was a piece of cheese. I knew his name contained “sponge” and that he lives in the ocean, but my understanding was… flawed. Another strange interpretation of SpongeBob’s anatomy is known as skin theory. This theory is based on the observation that many jokes revolve around characters treating their skin like clothes or removing it easily.

In the episode *MuscleBob BuffPants*, SpongeBob orders a new pair of arms, and characters react relatively casually. This suggests that residents of Bikini Bottom might be wearing extra layers of skin or body suits. An explanation is that these second skins are normal in Bikini Bottom, akin to changing one’s wardrobe. This might explain why SpongeBob feels insecure and orders replacement arms — a relatable human feeling.

**One is a Genius…**

In *Pinky and the Brain*, the smart mouse, Brain, tries to take over the world but is consistently foiled by his assistant, Pinky. The theme song says, “One is a genius, the other’s insane,” but it doesn’t specify which one is the genius. Some theorize that Pinky is actually the mastermind. Brain is a megalomaniac with convoluted plans, while Pinky’s apparent incompetence might be an act to keep an eye on Brain and thwart his schemes. This theory suggests that Pinky is trying to prevent Brain from achieving world domination.

**My Secret Joy**

As a kid, my favorite Pokémon character was Nurse Joy. In the Pokémon world, there are many identical Nurse Joys across different regions. The theory here is that Nurse Joy might actually be a Pokémon. This would explain the identical appearances and shared name. Nurse Joy could be an evolution of Chansey or another Pokémon drawn to hospitals due to its nature. While this might sound far-fetched, it fits into the magical world of Pokémon where oddities are common.

**Thomas the Terror Engine**

Thomas the Tank Engine’s design has always struck me as unsettling. Beyond this, there’s a disturbing aspect: the living trains lose their faces when they leave Sodor, suggesting they become blind and mute. They also seem to be forced into labor by Sir Topham Hat, who exerts control over them in a way reminiscent of imperialist exploitation. This view casts a grim light on the trains' existence and the nature of their labor.

**Homer’s Odyssey**

*The Simpsons* has been on for over 35 seasons, and while the show has a floating timeline where characters don’t age but time moves forward, some fans speculate that Homer might be aware of this. The theory suggests that Homer’s change in personality from early to late seasons could be a result of his awareness of the floating timeline, leading him to adopt a more nihilistic and self-centered approach to life.

**Peculiar Peppa**

Peppa Pig’s art style is simple and crude, and when viewed from a different angle, she looks unsettling. One theory posits that the Peppa Pig world takes place in a post-human society where animals have evolved to take over after humans went extinct. This theory is supported by the show’s depiction of buildings on hills, suggesting they were built to withstand environmental disasters.

**Parasitic Pokémon**

Wobbuffet from Pokémon has a design that suggests it might be a small, black tail with googly eyes and an inflated organ as its body. This has led to the ‘Missing Pokémon Theory,’ proposing that many Pokémon with similar designs might trace their lineage back to a single undiscovered Pokémon. This theory explains why certain Pokémon have similar characteristics and evolutionary stages.

**The Car-tholic Church**

In Pixar’s *Cars* franchise, the world’s structure implies a history of war and politics, with cars replacing humans. This includes disturbing implications such as the existence of a Car Pope and the possibility of Car Jesus. The worldbuilding in *Cars* raises questions about the history and societal structure of this universe, with unsettling connections to real-world events.

**The Muntz Bunch**

In *The Simpsons*, there’s an old theory that Barney Gumble might be Nelson Muntz’s father. Both characters share physical similarities and have similar traits, which has led some fans to believe that Barney and Nelson are related. This theory suggests a deeper connection between these characters beyond their appearances.

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