He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

On the planet Eternia, Prince Adam keeps a secret: by raising his enchanted sword he becomes He-Man, a hero with unmatched strength who protects the realm. With allies like Teela, Man-at-Arms and the oddball magician Orko, He-Man fights Skeletor and a rotating cast of villains who want Castle Grayskull's secrets. Episodes mix action set pieces, simple moral lessons and character moments as Adam balances princely duties with a double life. The show focuses on clear good versus evil conflicts and avoids twisting its core premise, so viewers get straightforward adventure without spoiler-heavy surprises.

First broadcast in 1983, the series was created by Roger Sweet and Brynne Stephens, and developed from Mattel's Masters of the Universe toy line into an animated TV show aimed at children and families.

The original run did not win major industry awards, and it wasn’t widely decorated by critics, but it remained a durable part of 1980s animation schedules and syndicated programming for years afterward.

The show left a big mark on popular culture, thanks to the battle cries, He-Man's iconic pose and the catchphrase "By the power of Grayskull!" Character designs and toy tie-ins became instantly recognizable, influencing later cartoons, comic adaptations, parodies and references across media.

Audience reaction remains favorable, with a user score around 7.3/10 from viewers who remember it fondly. Fans and some reviewers highlight the energetic action, catchy character designs and clear moral messages aimed at kids, while also noting repetitive plots and limited animation compared with later shows. Overall it endures as a nostalgic, influential series that shaped how toy-driven cartoons were made and remembered.