History YMMV / ThePowerpuffGirls

** Elmer Sglue from "Paste Makes Waste". While the other kids had no right to bully him, he rampages through the entire city after becoming a giant paste monster, even tearing up a few buildings and using them as bowling pins. It's not even a case of him going berserk -- he was in complete control of his actions the entire time and could have stopped whenever he felt like it. His attacking Miss Keane and trying to suffocate Blossom and Bubbles are particularly heinous acts since they had tried to stop the bullies from picking on him.

* WhatAnIdiot:
** Princess insulting Santa Claus in front of him in the Christmas Special.
** The Professor in "Town and Out", who took the girls and moved away from his comfortable, self-employed life in Townsville to live in a disgusting apartment in a city where neither he nor the girls would be remotely happy. Everyone in Citysville counts as well, purely for BullyingADragon reasons.
** [[MoralGuardians Stan and Sandra Practice]] in "Girls Gone Mild" are huge ones for threatening to sue the Professor if the girls use their powers, even though their very city comes under attack from supernatural threats very regularly, which actually comes to a head at the end of the episode when the city gets destroyed, and they refuse to relent until their ''own'' lives are in danger.

* TastesLikeDiabetes:
** "Love Makes the World Go Round" is a generally fine song, though the part sung by Blossom at the end is truly a triumphant example of saccharine lyrics.
--> '''Blossom:''' Puppy dogs, [[CuteKitten kitty cats]], swimming through love.
** The ShowWithinAShow "The Wonderful Whimsical World of Willy" in ''Neighbor Hood'' revolves around an absurdly cutesy and saccharine kids show that features horses with Happy meters, Maids making happy stew, talking squirrels, and all hosted by a clowny man who throws on happy and sad masks.

** Of the four seasons that were under Craig [=McCracken's=] supervision, season two is often regarded as the weakest. Although it does have some fan favorite episodes such as "Beat Your Greens", "The Powerpuff Girls' Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever", and "Speed Demon", several episodes of it often crossed the line into SadistShow territory and often relied on using an IdiotPlot more than anything else, the worst offenders being "A Very Special Blossom" and "Daylight Savings".
** Many fans thought seasons five and six marked a noticeable decline in quality, making the jokes much more cruder than in previous episodes and putting the characters through very noticeable {{Flanderization}}. This is because Craig and most of his crew left to work on ''Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends'', leaving the show to [[ProductionPosse the same showrunner and production team]] that worked on ''Dexter's Laboratory'' during SeasonalRot while Genndy Tartakovsky was working ''Samurai Jack''.

** The fact that Buttercup once got into a relationship with Ace in "Buttercrush" is pretty gross, especially since ''he's a teenager and she's only 5.'' Of course, [[spoiler:while he was revealed to only have been using her,]] it doesn't make it any less creepy.

-->"A wife can really cut her husband down to size by making fun of his what?" His manhood. (Which is the number 1 answer, labeled as ''Shrinky Dinky'') \\

** Mojo Jojo, though more of an AntiVillain, still counts for being such an epic BigBad, and HIM, who happens to be {{Satan}} and extra points for that the Girls are afraid of him. They are both so awesome in all their appearences as main antagonists, that they're the most recurring ones.

** In the episode "Bought and Scold", Princess Morbucks buys Townsville and declares that "crime is now Legal". In 2013, ''Film/ThePurge'' used this idea in a PlayedForDrama way. Additionally, Princess was HoistByHerOwnPetard when the Powerpuff Girls used her own law against her and rob her, which was similar to how [[spoiler:the New Founding Fathers of America were killed when they revoked a rule on Purge Night that protected themselves]] in the third ''The Purge'' movie, ''Film/ThePurgeElectionYear''.

** In the episode "Bought and Scold", Princess Morbucks buys Townsville and declares that "crime is now Legal". In 2013, ''Film/ThePurge'' used this idea in a PlayedForDrama way. Additionally, Princess was HoistByHerOwnPetard when the Powerpuff Girls used her own law against her and rob her, which was how the New Founding Fathers of America were killed when they revoked a rule on Purge Night that protected themselves in the third ''The Purge'' movie, ''Film/ThePurgeElectionYear''.

** At least a couple of references to ''{{Music/Gorillaz}}'' are hidden throughout the series, particularly on newspapers and in ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirlsMovie''. What was thought to be a ShoutOut years ago turned out to be a SharedUniverse when '''Ace''' of the Gangreen Gang temporarily took up Murdoc's role as the band's bassist in 2018. It also becomes funny when you remember that some people used to compare Murdoc to Ace, since they look similar.

** Princess Morebucks will mostly be remembered for starting Film/ThePurge. Even the girls brought THAT up in "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas".

** At the peak of popularity, most of the show's fans were boys... not that every guy would admit to watching it in public. Nowadays it seems fine to admit you watched this show. The show was intended for a unisex audience, though the merchandise was aimed at girls.

** In the episode "Bought and Scold", Princess Morbucks buys Townsville and declares that "crime is now Legal". In 2013, ''Film/ThePurge'' used this idea in a PlayedForDrama way. Additionally, Princess was HoistByHerOwnPetard when the Powerpuff Girls used her own law against her and rob her, which was how the New Founding Fathers of America were killed when they revoked a rule on Purge Night that protected themselves in the third ''Franchise/ThePurge'' movie, ''Film/ThePurgeElectionYear''.

--> "A wife can really cut her husband down to size by making fun of his what?" His manhood. (Which is the number 1 answer, labeled as ''Shrinky Dinky'') \\

** In the episode "Bought and Scold", Princess Morbucks buys Townsville and declares "Crime is now Legal". In 2013, [[Film/ThePurge this idea was]] PlayedForDrama. Additionally, Princess Morebucks was HoistByHisOwnPetard when the Powerpuff Girls used her own "Crime is now Legal" law against her and rob her. This was how [[spoiler:the New Founding Fathers of America were killed when they revoked a rule on Purge Night that protected themselves]] in Film/ThePurgeElectionYear.

** At least a couple of references to the ''[[{{Music/Gorillaz}} Gorillaz]]'' are hidden throughout the series, particularly on newspapers and in ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirlsMovie''. What was thought to be a ShoutOut years ago turn out to be a SharedUniverse when '''Ace''' of the Gangreen Gang temporarily took up Murdoc's role as the band's bassist in 2018. It also becomes funny when you remember that some people used to compare Murdoc to Ace, since they look similar.

* GirlShowGhetto: A lot of men mention that as boys they were embarrassed to be seen watching a "girl's show" like ''The Powerpuff Girls'' and treated it as a GuiltyPleasure. This is despite the fact that the cartoon wasn't female-aimed. It was a unisex cartoon that just happened to have a feminine aesthetic.

** Creator/JeffBennett, known for playing usually comical characters or villains, gets some major props for his terrifying performance as the [[CompleteMonster monstrously vile]] one-shot villain Dick Hardly, especially in his ''much more'' [[OneWingedAngel monstrous form]].

** Robin Snyder from "Superfriends". She only appeared as a major character in that one episode (but is a reoccuring background extra), but Robin is one of the most popular characters on the show because of how cute she is, also ''especially'' for her "I was an accident too" line.
** Dick Hardly, while he only appeared in one episode because he was KilledOffForReal, but is still among the show's most popular villains.

** The Rowdyruff Boys were intended to be one shot villains, but they garnered such huge fan support with tons of fan art to even a [[http://web.archive.org/web/20091231163325/http://www.rowdyruff.net/index1.shtml website built around them]] (which is unfortunately now disabled, the link is to an archive of the site) that the writers eventually caved and brought them back, redesigned and having more depth then just being evil counterparts to the girls.

** After their leader joined the Music/{{Gorillaz}}, the Gangreen Gang has since then enjoyed a ''huge'' surge in popularity, becoming one of the most beloved characters amongst fans for their distinct designs and personalities. [[TheDragon Snake]] seems to be developing a bigger following of his own too.

''For tropes pertaining to the reboot, go [[YMMV/ThePowerpuffGirls2016 here]].''

* AccidentalInnuendo: Mojo utters this little gem in ''Los Dos Mojos.''
--> "I'm wet! I'm naked! [[SexyShirtSwitch Your sister is wearing my clothes]]!"

* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs: According to Craig [=McCracken=], Chemical X is just a generic super substance and was only named such because they could no longer use the original extra ingredient: "A can of whoopass." However, a subset of the fan base insists that it's a metaphor for ecstasy and that the whole show is meant to seem like a drug trip as a result (the show was made at the height of rave culture, after all).

%%* Crazy Awesome:
%%** Mojo Jojo at the end of "Forced Kin".
%%** HIM in "Him Diddle Riddle".
%%** The Mayor in "Impeach Fuzz".
%%** Harold and Marianne Smith.

%%* CrazyAwesome:

* TheScrappy: Blossom, most likely due to her know-it-all tendencies, is rather disliked among fans. She was even voted as the least favorite Powerpuff Girl out of the trio.

** Blossom x [[WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory Dexter]].
** Bubbles x [[WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends Mac]] is also rather popular.

** Mojo utters this little gem in ''Los Dos Mojos.''

* AccidentalInnuendo:
** In "The Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever," Buttercup fights over her cue when playing the monster with, "Nobody tells ''me'' when to come! I'm a monster, I surpriiise!"
** From "Cover Up", a monster marches up to the helpless Buttercup, and the latter gives a LittleNo. Without context, it seems like [[RapeDiscretionShot the monster was about to screw her.]]

* MagnificentBastard: [[OurGnomesAreDifferent The Gnome]] from the season 5 episode "[[Recap/ThePowerpuffGirlsS6EP16SeeMeFeelMeGnomey See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey]]," sought to create a utopia revolving around himself. To this end, he manipulates the Powerpuff Girls into making a deal with him promising to get rid of the town's villains if they gave him their powers in return. Quickly asserting himself as the ruler of Townsville after vanquishing the other villains, the citizens of Townsville worship the Gnome and establish a cult dedicated to him. In his final moments, the Gnome [[HeelRealization realized the error of his ways]], and willed himself to die, concluding that he couldn't exist in his perfect utopia.

* AccidentalAesop: The episode ''Buttercrush'' can be taken as a G-Rated metaphor for child grooming. Buttercup develops a crush on the considerably older Ace and he lets her hang out with the Gangreen Gang, so that they can take advantage of her powers and destroy her sisters.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** "Girls Gone Mild", in which Standards and Practices[[labelnote:note]]''the bureau of a television network that dictates what is and isn't acceptable for broadcast, especially with regards to children's programming''[[/labelnote]] gives an editorial fiat on acceptable superheroic behavior, looks eerily prescient of the 2016 reboot, which, by editorial mandate, nerfs the girls' powers, cuts down the violence and cheeky sexual humor, and offers up obvious cookie-cutter morals the original show did much more subtly or mocked/subverted outright.
** The premise of "Speed Demon" [[labelnote:note]] The hero(es) end up fifty years into the future where their world is ruled by a tyrannic shape-shifting demon and get mentally '''destroyed''' with guilt complete with visuals of their loved ones accusing them of not fulfilling their duties in time.[[/labelnote]] becomes even creepier when you consider [[WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack another beloved older Cartoon Network hero would face the same trauma]]...
** In "Monkey See, Doggie Do" the Girls run into a man-turned-dog trapped inside his car, to which Buttercup comments that he's "[[IncrediblyLamePun one hot dog]]" before busting him out. Outside of the [[TransformationTrauma actual context]] of the scene, the recent rash of high-profile incidents regarding dogs or even babies being left unattended to inside hot cars and the debate over who has the right to free them from such danger certainly adds another disturbing layer to this scene.
** In "Uh-Oh, Dynamo" (which is already an insanely violent episode) the Giant Balloon-Fish Monster grabs a building and begins shaking it. You can see tiny people falling out of the building to their deaths. On 9/11 in real life, people jumped/fell to their deaths from the burning World Trade Center.
** The episode "The City of Clipsville" was going to have a scene where [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/powerpuff/images/c/c7/Ppg_storyboard_by_zombie2-d9ju2gq.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180731203051 the Powerpuffs become teen pop stars and twerk while smacking butts]], which never made it past the storyboard stages. Then comes the 2016 reboot episode "Painbow", which '''did''' have a scene where Blossom and Bubbles twerk (who are supposed to be '''''minors'''''). This is made even worse when [[https://twitter.com/pyramidserum/status/1167861424787341312 Julia Vickerman]], who co-wrote the episode "Painbow", was revealed to have made several pedophilic posts on her social media.

** Judging by its color scheme, Him's demon piñata in "Birthday Bash" might have been a [[VideoGame/VivaPinata sour]].

** The episode "See Me Feel Me Gnomey" was supposed to guest star Creator/JackBlack as the evil gnome. Then, in 2018, Ace made his first Gorillaz music video appearance in "Humility", which also guest stars Jack Black. Bonus points for Ace being in the episode "See Me Feel Me Gnomey".

** "Nobody tells ''me'' when to come! I'm a monster, I surpriiise!"