The Ultimate He-Man TV Series Ranked: Unveiling the Best of the Best!
The five He-Man TV shows present a range of experiences, with each offering its own unique take on the iconic character From the classic 1983-1985 series to the recent 2021 revival, discover the evolution and diversity of He-Man's adventures through the years
Summary
All five He-Man shows have their good and bad points, with some being more enjoyable than others.
The New Adventures of He-Man
is the weakest in the franchise.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
is a modern reinterpretation aimed at new audiences, so it may disappoint nostalgic adult fans.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation
is a brilliant series that maintains the quirks that made the original series great, but it received criticism for sidelining the main characters.
The Masters of the Universe franchise consists of five animated television series that have been running for a long time. The first series aired in the early 1980s, with two more recent series premiering in the 2020s. While the animation, voice cast, and characters change throughout the franchise, the overarching theme of good versus evil remains the same.
At the center of the franchise is He-Man, a heroic warrior known for his incredible physical strength and his use of the powerful Sword of Grayskull. Together with his loyal allies, He-Man battles against the villainous Skeletor's attempts to conquer the universe. Over the years, the franchise has captivated multiple generations of fantasy fans and shows no signs of stopping. Each of the five He-Man shows has its strengths and weaknesses, making some more enjoyable to watch than others.
5 The New Adventures Of He-Man (1990)
The New Adventures of He-Man was initially intended as a direct continuation of the 1983 series. However, due to the shutdown of Westinghouse Broadcasting, the original production company of Filmation, these plans were disrupted. Despite being set in the same continuity as the original, this series diverges significantly with a completely different storyline, new Canadian voice actors, the introduction of new supporting characters, and significant changes to the appearance of the lead characters compared to the 80s show.
The plot revolves around the summoning of He-Man to the futuristic planet of Primus where he must save it from an army of evil mutants originating from the nearby world of Denebria. Unfortunately, Skeletor, the antagonist, follows He-Man and allies with the mutants to further their villainous endeavors. While the animation quality is satisfactory, the character designs are notably dull and lack creativity. Additionally, the drastic shift in tone from the original series is jarring and undermines the intended continuity of The New Adventures of He-Man. Overall, it is widely considered the weakest installment in the Masters of the Universe cartoon franchise.
4 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (2021-2022)
The 2021 adaptation of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is the only computer-animated series of its kind. It offers a fresh take on the original show, introducing Prince Adam as a member of a forest tribe suffering from amnesia. After being betrayed by his uncle Keldor and separated from his family, Prince Adam stumbles upon the Sword of Power which transforms him into the legendary hero, He-Man.
While He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an enjoyable series, it primarily targets modern audiences who may not be familiar with the original version. Those hoping for a nostalgic trip back to the Masters of the Universe franchise may find themselves disappointed. However, the series boasts sleek animation, clever dialogue, and delivers positive messages about teamwork, family, and good behavior. Despite not capturing the essence of the classic Masters of the Universe, it remains one of the top cartoons available on Netflix. Regrettably, the extensive changes give it the feel of an entirely different franchise featuring characters with the same names as those in He-Man's world.
3 Masters Of The Universe: Revelation (2021)
Kevin Smith's Masters of the Universe: Revelation is a sequel to the original series that disregards The New Adventures of He-Man. It kicks off with an assault on Castle Grayskull, resulting in a lethal clash between He-Man and Skeletor. The storyline then centers around Teela, who must uncover the secrets of the Sword of Power to prevent the annihilation of reality. Naturally, He-Man and Skeletor make a triumphant return, reigniting their rivalry with even greater intensity.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation boasts an exceptional voice cast, including Mark Hamill, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Lena Headey, Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Root, and Tony Todd. It remains both intellectually stimulating and innovative while staying true to the distinctive qualities that made the original series so beloved. Targeting an adult audience, the show features intense battles between He-Man and Skeletor throughout its duration. Its primary critique lies in the fact that He-Man and Skeletor are somewhat sidelined in the first season, but this allows other characters to take the spotlight, which can be viewed as a positive aspect.
2 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (2002-2004)
This version of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a reboot of the 1980s series developed by Michael Halperin, the creator of the original. It closely follows the same plot as its source material, focusing on Prince Adam, who discovers his destiny as the powerful hero He-Man. His mission is to protect Eternia and Castle Grayskull from the malevolent Skeletor.
In the early 2000s, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe coincided with Mattel's revival of the franchise, appealing to both fans of the original series and new audiences. The characters received updated designs to engage new viewers, while the storylines remained faithful as the original writers returned. Additionally, the show introduced beloved characters from the original toy line, delighting nostalgic '80s kids. The animation is of high quality and the voice cast delivers exceptional performances. Unlike other shows, this rendition provides well-developed character backstories.
1 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (1983-1985)
When it comes to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, the original series is often hailed as the best. Created in 1982 by Mattel, this classic Filmation series captures the adventures of Prince Adam, his powerful alter-ego He-Man, and their courageous allies as they combat Skeletor and his army of wicked warriors on the planet Eternia. Despite some criticism due to its association with toy sales, the original series remains remarkable.
Taking inspiration from various fictional sources, the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe presents a diverse array of fascinating characters. The show features humans, aliens, monsters, robots, giants, and countless other creatures that fiction has imagined. With its vibrant visuals, captivating storylines, and moral messages in every episode, the series stands as Filmation's most successful and one of the top children's cartoons of the 1980s. Its status as an iconic animated series further cements its influence, and it continues to be a cultural touchstone even today.
