‘The Powerpuff Girls’ Turns 20

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Image for article titled ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ Turns 20

Nov. 18 marks 20 years since the debut of The Powerpuff Girls, the Craig McCracken–created cartoon that follows three kindergarten-aged girls with superpowers. The Onion looks back at the beloved show on its 20th anniversary.


1944:

Robert Oppenheimer creates the Powerpuff catalyst agent, Chemical X.


1998:

Parents across nation ask “What the heck are you watching?”


1999:

The show’s popularity spurs an alarming trend of surgical procedures to make children’s eyes the size of their entire face.

Advertisement

2000:

The name “Mojo Jojo” sees an enormous spike in popularity for newborn boys.


2001:

Special 9/11 tribute episode features the girls beating the crap out of Osama bin Laden.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2002:

Second-grader Mariah Michael is informed by her older sister that there can’t be two Bubbles so she has to be Buttercup.

Advertisement

2003:

Celebrating the show’s overwhelming success, producers generously give the South Korean animation team a full hour off.

Advertisement

2005:

Final episode shows all the bad guys grappling with the fact that they’re trying to beat the shit out of children.

Advertisement

2008:

Eleven-year-old Jimmy Curtis insists he’s only watching a three-hour marathon of the show to make fun of it.

Advertisement

2016:

Cartoon Network reboots the series on the off chance that people will enjoy watching a slightly different version of something that was previously popular.