Star Trek: The Animated Series — The Forgotten Frontier

Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS), which aired from 1973 to 1974, is one of the most overlooked entries in the Star Trek franchise. Created by Filmation and produced with the original cast reprising their roles, this Saturday morning cartoon extended the voyages of the original Enterprise after the original series was cancelled. Though brief, TAS carried the spirit of The Original Series forward with stories that embraced high-concept science fiction, moral dilemmas, and strange new worlds.

The animation format allowed the writers to imagine more alien landscapes, creatures, and science fiction concepts than live-action budgets had ever permitted. Episodes featured things like gigantic time portals, intelligent plants, and zero-gravity starship corridors. Writers from the original series, such as D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold, returned to pen new adventures, treating the cartoon with the same seriousness as its live-action predecessor.

TAS was notable for giving more screen time and character development to Uhura and Sulu—something fans had wanted during the original series. It also introduced characters and lore that would later become canon, such as Spock’s childhood in “Yesteryear,” the holodeck prototype (“The Practical Joker”), and the three-armed, three-legged bridge officer Arex.

At the time, many fans and critics dismissed TAS as "non-canon," primarily because of its format and tone. However, over time, Star Trek producers—including Gene Roddenberry himself—acknowledged its importance, and select elements have been re-canonized in later series such as Lower Decks, Discovery, and Strange New Worlds.

Though its animation is dated and simplistic, TAS remains an essential bridge between The Original Series and the cinematic revival of Star Trek in 1979. It's a fascinating artifact that reflects both the imagination of its creators and the commitment of its fans who refused to let Star Trek die.

Canonical Appearances in Star Trek:

Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973–1974)

Referenced in later series such as Lower Decks, Star Trek: Discovery, and Star Trek: Prodigy


Sources:

Nemecek, Larry. Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion. Pocket Books, 2003.

Gerrold, David. The World of Star Trek. Bluejay Books, 1984.

StarTrek.com. “The Legacy of The Animated Series.” Accessed July 2025.

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