Nostoons

Nostoons are a fictional multimedia franchise featuring a family of anthropomorphic cartoon characters designed to teach and model pro-social behavior for children. The name blends nostalgia with cartoons, signaling a soft, familiar aesthetic paired with contemporary themes. The concept originated in a collaborative project by Crescentia Media and independent creators, debuting in an online short series in 2012 and expanding to other media thereafter.

Nostoons characters are characterized by rounded, approachable shapes, large expressive eyes, and pastel color palettes. They inhabit Noonvale, a hybrid city and forest setting that emphasizes cooperation, curiosity, and resilience. Each character embodies a core trait—such as curiosity, compassion, or problem-solving—that informs its adventures and moral lessons.

The franchise spans animated shorts, a streaming series, interactive apps for children, and printed storybooks. Narratives emphasize teamwork and learning from mistakes, with episodes often centering on everyday challenges, such as making friends, sharing resources, or solving simple problems through collaboration.

Reception has been mixed but generally favorable for accessibility and educational potential. Critics praise the warm visuals and clear messaging, while some observers caution against over-commercialization and call for broader representation and careful pacing across platforms.

Selected entries include Sunbeam Adventures, Echoes of Noon, and Midnight Market, which illustrate the range of settings and social-emotional themes explored in the Nostoons universe.