Although the genre would explode in the next decade, 70s girl cartoons still offered up plenty of fodder for young women to sink their teeth into on a Saturday morning … or any time they could find reruns. Here are some of the classics that still roll through our memory banks all these years later.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
The original Sabrina series, this animated classic was about a teenage witch-to-be who learns her craft from her aunt and has to deal with all sorts of school incidents, peer pressure, and the usual teen angst that comes along for the ride.
Sabrina Spellman was voiced by Jane Webb
The 70s incarnation of Sabrina was more about teaching kids that being a witch is cool than it was a goofy housewife sitcom, and three new episodes were produced for syndication after its original cancellation.
It only ran from 1970 to 1974, but has gone down as one of those unforgettable shows most people watched at some point during their childhoods.
The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty
In this 70s cartoon about a cat’s secret life, Waldo Kitty is constantly saving people from danger.
The show was created by Filmation, and only 12 episodes were ever produced for air before it ended its run on January 27th 1975.
Jana of the Jungle
This 70-something cartoon followed the adventures of a small, blonde girl named Jana who is raised by animals in an African jungle.
It was created for CBS and aired from 1974 to 1976 with a total of 52 episodes produced.
Jeannie
In this 70s cartoon about the genie Jeannie, she shows her master and his family around a world in which they are living.
The show aired on NBC from September 12th 1970 to December 27th 1973 with 78 episodes produced.
Spider-Woman
A Spider-Man spinoff, Spider-Woman followed the adventures of high school student Jessica Drew, who is bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes a hero.
The show aired on CBS from September 18th 1973 to December 24th 1974 with 26 episodes produced.
The Osmonds
In this 70s cartoon about the Osmonds, they go on a worldwide tour and showcase their talents. The cartoon aired during the fall of 1972 in first-run form. The series was done before young Marie made her stage debut, but the actual Osmond brothers voiced their “characters” in the cartoon.
Casper and the Angels
Casper and the Angels is an animated series that aired in 70s, created by Joe Oriolo.
The show followed Casper and his two sisters Wendy and Jetta who live on “Witch Mountain” with their guardian Madame Wanda as they learn about life from her wise teachings.
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
The Perils of Penelope Pitstop followed the adventures of teenage driver who must race to save her grandfathers business from the evil Barnabas B. Badguy and his henchmen Digit and Dinky Doodle
Josie and the Pussycats
This 70s Josie and the Pussycats animated series was about a rock band of three female, proto-feminist musicians who travel around their world in search of fame.
Their adventures usually involved someone trying to sabotage or undermine them because they were women who wanted more than just being wives and mothers – which is how most girls on TV at the time were portrayed.
It only ran for one season with 26 episodes from 1970 to 1971, but it has become an iconic cartoon for feminists young and old across the globe.
Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space
In the 70s, Josie and The Pussycats followed three teenage friends who aspired to be superstars. Their adventures took them through outer space where they were often pursued by Doctor Danner’s henchmen Neptuny Jones, Mr. Bigglesworth, or Professor Norton Nimnul – a brilliant but bumbling scientist who wanted to steal their music so he could take over the world.
(Like 70s Girl Cartoons? Then you might like our article on 80s Girl Cartoons, click here. Or how about Female Cartoon Characters from the 1980s, click here.)
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