Television series
Xyber 9: New Dawn
A late-90s CGI-animated action series about a kid who bonds with an AI to fight an evil overlord across dystopian worlds. Fast-paced and colourful, it's pure Saturday-morning adventure—earnest, goofy, and unapologetically designed to sell toys. For anyone who loved that era's sci-fi cartoons or wants to revisit what made that format sing.
If you liked this
Batman Beyond1999
A teenager inherits a Batman suit and fights crime in a cyberpunk future. It's got the same energy—young protagonist, sleek dystopia, mentor figure—but with superior writing and animation that holds up beautifully.
But Darker and more psychologically complex; if you want pure fun over substance, it might feel heavy.
ReBoot1994
A man and his guardian are trapped inside a mainframe fighting viruses and rogue programs. Same CGI era, same earnest tone, same sense that anything could happen in the next five minutes. Genuinely imaginative worldbuilding.
But Very much a product of the 90s—occasionally clunky animation and dialogue that feels dated now.
Beast Wars: Transformers1996
Transformers stranded on a prehistoric planet in early CGI. It's silly, smart, and genuinely fun. The show finds its footing quickly and delivers adventure that respects its audience without talking down to them.
But The first season's animation is rough; it improves dramatically but takes patience.
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Something you would not have found on your own.
TRON: Legacy2010
Both feature a young protagonist empowered by bonding with an advanced AI to navigate hostile digital/futuristic realms where they're outmatched but determined.
A son enters a digital world to rescue his father from a tyrannical program. Same core premise as Xyber 9—kid bonding with AI intelligence to defeat evil in a computer-generated landscape—but rendered with movie budgets and genuine visual wonder.
But Slow first half; Garrett Hedlund's performance is intentionally flat in a way some find frustrating. Plot is thinner than the visuals suggest.
More like this (7)
Exosquad1993
Militaristic sci-fi about humans fighting robotic invaders. More serialized and epic in scope than most cartoons of the time, with genuine character arcs and consequences that accumulate across episodes.
But Runs five seasons; commitment required. Animation quality is inconsistent and sometimes distracting.
The Zeta Project2001
An Android escapes captivity and teams up with a teenage girl. Lighter and more optimistic than its parent show (Batman Beyond), but with real emotional stakes and great character chemistry.
But Cancelled after two seasons; you'll want more. Some episodes feel like filler in the first season.
Cyber City Oedo 8081990
Japanese OVA about cyborg cops in a neon future. Stylish, kinetic, and weird—every episode is visually distinct. Short and punchy; three episodes that stick with you.
But Cyberpunk aesthetic can feel impenetrable; subtitled for English viewers. Violence is edgier than American Saturday cartoons.
Max Steel2000
A teenager bonded to a nano-tech AI fights corporate villains and alien threats. Brisk episodes, decent action choreography, and genuine fun without pretension. The chemistry between boy and machine is solid.
But Very much a toy commercial; if you're sensitive to that, it's unavoidable and constant.
War Planets: Shadow Raiders1998
Four alien warriors defend their homeworld against an ancient evil. Colourful, modular design; each protagonist has distinct abilities and personality. Fast-moving and visually inventive.
But Less emotionally developed than the best action cartoons. Plot can feel repetitive—alien of the week, rinse, repeat.
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs1987
Space cowboys fight alien invaders with mecha and attitude. Gloriously absurd, campy, and committed to its own ridiculousness. Pure 80s charm and genuine action sequences that still entertain.
But Dated in ways that can't be fixed; some episodes are genuinely sluggish.
Akira1988
Both use cyberpunk aesthetics and technology-enhanced protagonists, but Akira is the art-film version: meditative where Xyber 9 is kinetic, asking questions instead of providing answers.
A motorcycle gang member discovers psychic powers in a neon-drenched dystopia. Utterly different in tone—dark, philosophical, visually dense—but the same love of speed, the same sprawling future cities, same sense that technology is dangerous and beautiful.
But Famously difficult to parse on first viewing; deliberately oblique storytelling. Violence is brutal; it's not a cartoon for kids.
