Phantom Spirits

Phantom Spirits (Esprits Fantomes in French and also known as Spirits-Ghosts in Quebec, Canada) is a 2002 French, animated, television series. It was co-created by Didier Julia and Valerie Hadida with production by Gulli.

Plot
The lives of a medium named Agatha and her wacky, inventor husband, Hercules, change when they move into a mansion. There, they find three good-natured ghosts named Toby, Knock-Knock, and Disaster. They become like the children Agatha never had to her. The couple are joined by Agatha's witch friend, Alice, their police detective grandson, Jaz, and his photojournalist girlfriend, Lucy. Together, they investigate what's been causing the various goings-on, which is often by the paranormal, usually in their city and solve them.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) The art style has a nice mix of stylization and art deco, the animation has plenty of smoothness to it, so even though the art is stylized, the animation isn't limited. CG versions of the ghostly trio in the intro look fair enough. Little animation errors.
 * 2) The writing of the episodes' stories are very good and interesting enough to keep one in suspense as to what will happen next.
 * 3) Both the heroes, villains, and other characters are great, and likable, in one way or another. Lesser characters introduced in each episode are intriguing.
 * 4) The character designs are fine abundantly, again, with the combination of the art deco and stylization look.
 * 5) The instrumental theme song is foreboding to go along with the eerie, nocturnal atmosphere.
 * 6) Voice portrayals of the English dub are nothing to complain about at all.
 * 7) Pop culture references are rarely stated. One episode mentioned The Beatles when the main characters come across a yellow submarine.
 * 8) The backgrounds and scenes at night give them a gothic look and feel.
 * 9) Backstories behind the myths, legends, mysteries, and certain characters presented have a lot of twists and turns.
 * 10) Decently written and delivered dialogue.
 * 11) Funny moments with visual puns, often from Knock-Knock.

The Only Bad Quality

 * 1) Knock-Knock may bug some viewers with his simplemindedness at times, but he's had his moments of proving he's brighter than what he appears to be at first glance.