Sabrina

As a devoted rec.arts.animation reader, I don't believe I've ever read a single positive comment about "Sabrina: The Animated Series". Although being 21 and watching a series about a junior high schooler with magic powers is a bit embarassing to admit, "Sabrina" is one of the few animated series I watch regularly and the only series that doesn't center around action/adventure. Despite a tremendous number of episodes that have been written -- 65 episodes as I write this, and presumably still more are in production -- the show is and consistent in quality and avoids being overly repetitive, despite somewhat frequent recycling of plots. It's one of just a few cartoons that has made me laugh out loud. Although the animation is a little on the simple side, the style reflects the light, fun energy of the writing. I would hardly consider it to be the best animated series currently on the air, but I find "Sabrina" to be quite entertaining. It clearly seems to be geared towards upper elementary/early junior high students. Younger children probably won't find it very appealing, but aside from the junior set, "Sabrina" comes recommended.

The original 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' show was a favourite as a child and, despite a couple of issues with the college seasons, still is a lot of immensely likable fun with memorable characters and its fair share of wit, charm and magic.

'Sabrina: The Animated Series' is a prequel show, with the characters as their younger selves, but animated in alternative to live-action and in sitcom format like 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'. Of the two shows, to me there is no doubt as to which is the better one but there are other near-widely disliked shows like 'Trollz, 'Bratz' and the worst of Cartoon Network ('Johnny Test', 'Problem Solverz' and 'Uncle Grandpa') and Nickelodeon ('Chalkzone', 'Fanboy and Chum Chum' and 'Breadwinners') that deserve that distinction far more.

Yes, 'Sabrina: The Animated Series' could have been better. 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' does have much more wit and magic, while the stories and writing could have done with more variety and imagination (there's magic here but rarely done in an extraordinary way), tending to be somewhat on the basic, safe and formulaic side.

Likewise, some of the side characters could have been developed more than just typical archetypes, particularly bland and slightly dumb Harvey and even worse Gem who is an obnoxious brat and snob, both done to overkill effect. Some of the character designs lack finesse a little.

However, 'Sabrina: The Animated Series' mostly looks bright and colourful while having some nice detail. It's not the most refined of animation, but there are a huge amount of films and shows that are animated far worse. The music is dynamic and catchy, not as generic sounding as it could have been.

Despite the lack of originality and variety, and not being as witty and magical as before, the writing has fun, charm and heart with some nice humour and amiability, with the stories being neat, cohesive and lively in pace. It also does a much better job than 'Trollz' and 'Bratz' at incorporating values, even though familiar they make their mark without beating the viewer around the head and are easy to identify with, and relevant everyday topics, also familiar but done with a lot more upbeat positivity and in a way that is cute without being sugar-coated.

While not all the characters work, others do and what clichés/archetypes there are are actually done in an honest and positive way, where one won't question or be offended by what the episodes are trying to say, no dubious messaging here. Sabrina has her faults, which stops her from being a too perfect character, but is a likable enough lead character and a far healthier role model than any of the characters from 'Bratz' for example. Of the other characters, the best is Salem, the funniest, wisest, most endearing and most interesting, with cool Aunt Zelda and amusing Uncle Quigley close behind. The voice acting is pretty good, Emily Hart does as good a job as her sister Melissa while the best voiced character overall is Salem.

Overall, nowhere near as good as 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' but to me it's better than given credit for. 6/10 Bethany Cox

It is based on the actual comic book. Considering the fact that the tv show is NOTHING like the comic, I like the cartoon much better.

I know this is short but the main reason I wrote it was to say that I really like this show and to point out the irony of a person calling the characters imbeciles while being unable to spell it

I was able to watch all 65 episodes of this show as an adult. I remember when this was on back in 1999-2000 and it was a very cute show. I was somewhat a fan of the sitcom but since I was a kid animation was what I was most drawn towards.

Reviewing the show today I would say that this was amazing for its time. I love the graphics for today but I do have a few things that wasn't clarified in the show exactly. I will start with Aunt Hilda and Aunt Zelda. Hilda and Zelda's character names could've been switched around it would have been a better fit. I did not like the character voice for Hilda..just did not care for the accent. I did not like the choice in style of clothing for Zelda. Hilda's clothing resembled the outfit of the time. For the aunt's to be 16 in mortal world as referred to on the show, Aunt Hilda looked 25-30 and Zelda looked 35-40 even though as witches they are 600 years old.

The slight mystery behind her parents were covered decently. We did get to see what her mother looked like since she is mortal and her father is the one who is the warlock. Not making the mother a witch was actually a good thing but I am not clear on why her father wasn't around much. Uncle Quigley is another person in question. Is he just Sabrina's uncle because he possesses no magical abilities whatsoever. Now on to Salem the Cat, his sarcasm and loyalty to Sabrina is something that adds to the show he brings comedy to each episode. The mystery in hiding what he looked like before being turned into a cat.... I guess keeps the mystery of what the show is really about. The side characters were the typical grade school type with the Harvey, Pi, Slugloaf, best friend Chloe and Gemini "Gem" Stone and her cheerleader lackeys. Gem's character never really transitioned well no one's character truly made a shift from worst to better or vice versa.

The show's overall layout was very fitting, most of the episodes centered around a Friday evening or the weekend. We did see them at school often but all the scenarios were interesting and fun between the mortal world and the netherworld. It was a cool idea to have her bff Chloe go around on adventures with her and she did not have to hide being a half-witch from everyone in her life except Harvey and the few other kids around her. The show was a nice show and it makes a good binge-able cartoon to watch and have that Saturday morning feel.

I've seen that some people complained about the 'reality' of the show as compared to the series, but you really can't compare them. This version shows a younger Sabrina (voiced by Melissa Joan Hart's sister), 2 younger/sexier versions of her aunts (both voiced by Melissa Joan Hart), and an Uncle Quigley. Of course Salem is there, but now he's more hip and can use his magic powers. In this version, we see a younger more carefree Sabrina, in early highschool, which is geared towards a younger Disney audience. Even the 'villain' has changed. Where 'real' Sabrina fights with Libby, 'cartoon' Sabrina tussles with Gem Stone (wealthy, snobby, obnoxious). This animated series is hysterical... Salem is just as funny as the series, Sabrina gets into an all new kind of trouble, and the younger aunts are sexier and also getting into trouble. Uncle Quigley adds to the fun by trying to control the unruly witches as well. Also included, for the benefit of the younger audience, is Sabrina's friend Chloe who also knows that shes a witch... I mean, HEY, what little girl can keep a secret ?! LOL