What type of drama features exciting events and cartoonish characters?

Melodrama is a type of drama characterized by its emphasis on sensational events and exaggerated characters. These stories often involve clear distinctions between good and evil, heightened emotional situations, and dramatic plot twists designed to evoke strong reactions from the audience. The characters in melodramas are frequently portrayed in a larger-than-life manner, similar to cartoonish figures, which enhances the overall excitement and emotional charge of the narrative.

While other options, like tragicomedy, involve a blend of serious and humorous elements, and satire uses wit to critique societal issues, they do not emphasize the same level of excitement and cartoon-like characters found in melodrama. Commedia dell'arte features stock characters and improvised performances, often incorporating humor, but melodrama is specifically defined by its dramatic storytelling and emotional engagement. Therefore, melodrama is the most suitable choice for describing a drama that includes thrilling events and cartoonish characters.