As kids in the Middle East, we watched cartoons religiously and didn’t question anything we saw on these mostly Japanese-made shows. But as we grew up, we started noticing that some things didn’t really make any sense and didn’t add up!
Here’s what I’m talking about:
1. How Captain Majed ran for days and days without reaching the end of the football pitch
Not to mention when he tore up the goal net or when he made a hole in the wall with his magnificent kick!
2. Seeing cartoon people eating rice with two sticks
It took me years to understand that these sticks are actually called, “chopsticks,” and that these characters like Sasooki and Moroco were Japanese and not spoon-using Arabs like us. Talk about a cultural shock!
3. How the moon doubled as Sinan’s mother
Sinan the little yellow squirrel used to look at the moon and see his mother’s face on it. To me that was just silly! But I still tried staring at the moon to see if I can spot anyone’s face printed on it, but I failed every single time. Sinan, you are such a phoney!
4. How Aabsi (in Adnan wa Lina) managed to do everything with his feet
Saving Lina’s life with his toes? Check. Pulling a tree with his toes? Check. Dangling from a tree using his big toes? Check. Absi my friend… you are my HERO!
5. Who or what exactly was Lady Oscar?!
It still remains one of my childhood’s greatest mysteries! Was the beautiful Oscar with the flowing golden hair a soldier or a princess? A man or a woman? In love with Andre or Marie Antoinette? In short, was she gay or not? Princess Yaqoot made us ask the same questions as well.
6. Why couldn’t Malsoon fly?
Do you remember the little yellow bird Malsoon in Eftah Ya Simsim? Did you ever see him flying? Yeah, me neither. If he’s a bird then WHY CAN’T HE FREAKING FLY! I want to see some wing-flapping right now!
7. Why did Sandybell have the same hairstyle?
From childhood to the teenage years, everyone’s favorite Sandybell stayed loyal to her beloved hairstyle, which is 2 side ponytails. This hairstyle even became known in the Arab world as the Sandybell. But come on Sandybell, haven’t you heard of the wavy, the chingion, the half up half down or even The Rachel?!
8. How come your mum is the SUN?!
In case you didn’t know, Esteban’s mother in "Al Ahlam Al Dahabiyah" (Golden Dreams) is none other than the sun… THE FREAKING SUN! Now how did that happen… only the maker of this show knows.
9. What the hell was Labiba?!
Labiba made me ask so many questions as a child! What exactly was she (or it)? She had her hair as her arms, and they were connected to her head! She was a genius who knew the answer to all questions (but not mine) and she even had a computer before any child in the Arab world even dared to dream about having one!
10. Why didn’t I have my own planet?
Just like "Al Rahala Al Saghir" (The Little Traveler) who lived on his own planet – B612 – with his only friend – a half flower/half girl creature that looked gorgeous. I wished I looked more like her...