. . "2015-04-27T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "It's been a few years since I reviewed the ToonSeum, and since then I've come to love and appreciate the place much more than I did at first. I honestly felt bad giving them 3 stars last time because I knew even then that they put a lot of work into their museum - something just wasn't clicking for me back then, though. But now, after a few years and several more visits, I figured it was time to upgrade my opinion in writing.\n\nThough they're still one of the smallest museums in the city - this will never change - since my first visit I've seen the ToonSeum take full advantage of their space several times over. The trick as a visitor, I've learned, is to drop in at a time when you'll get the most out of your visit. Since the ToonSeum is a small museum, and since animation is a broad topic, it's honestly easy to feel like you wasted time and money if you don't care for their current exhibits. And this is totally not the museum's fault at all! I actually commend them for trying to include a real variety of pieces and not limiting their displays to just one type of cartoon; it really gives people a chance to explore the many different types and styles of animation out there. That said, I, like most people, admittedly have some favorite types and subjects in the genre. I love anime, I love superheros, and I have a sense of nostalgia for the cartoons I grew up. Ultimately those three varieties are what really catch my attention. So it should surprise no one that the biggest recent highlights for me here were the ToonSeum's superhero and Ninja Turtle shows. \n\nThe superhero show in particular highlighted how great a show here can be, as the ToonSeum set up a DC vs Marvel character exhibit in the main area (basically a collection of \"who would win this match?\" showdown pairings) along with a secondary exhibit in their second room that explored the science behind the powers of many different superheroes. This combination really worked well together and it definitely helped to open my mind to what the ToonSeum was capable of. THIS type of show was what I'd wanted from the ToonSeum all along, I realized, and they did a great job with it. Most recently, they've put together a very well thought out Ninja Turtle exhibit, complete with old comics and movie props that highlight the evolution of the franchise. I definitely had a great time exploring these pieces with friends and seeing the evolution of this silly but popular cartoon. As a bonus, the ToonSeum even has an old school animation camera and even an old animation desk from Disney studios right now - these are definitely must-sees for any animation fans.\n\nI admit that every once in a while I'll still spot a little area that could use a touch of improvement. For example, the occasional art display could use a little more explanation (rather than simply being put up as a singular, static display). But overall, the ToonSeum has really won me over with its recent lineup of colorful exhibits. They've learned a lot about putting a gallery together over the years, and it really shows. It certainly won't hurt to check their website and to confirm that you really want to see their show lineup before visiting, but if you come with an open mind you'll likely learn some neat little animation trivia facts and see a few interesting displays during any given visit. Don't forget to explore their little gift shop on your way out - you never know what little trinket or comic book you'll find there!"^^ . "1"^^ . . "2"^^ . "4"^^ .