Adult Animation: The Top Animated Shows for Grown-Ups

Since its conception, animation has been widely marketed toward children as networks and film companies wanted to appeal to a younger audience; however, the introduction of shows such as Family Guy and The Simpsons in the 1990s spawned a growing trend of adult-centred animation. These types of shows were interesting as they took a form of media that had typically been dominated by kid-friendly plots and messages and instead paired it with various levels of adult humour, raunchy scenes, and cutaways unsuitable for children.

Although such shows were innovative at the time, in more recent years they have relied heavily on the same jokes and tropes, making them less fun to watch and, more importantly, less engaging. Most animated shows made for a more mature audience lack true character depth and cohesive storylines, with shows such as Bob’s Burgers and American Dad introducing and concluding a new plotline every episode. Despite this, there are some shows targeted at adults that steer away from this structure and create stories and characters that are truly worth the watch.

BoJack Horseman

2014-2020 (6 Seasons), Creator: Raphael Bob-Waksberg BoJack Horseman follows the story of BoJack, a ‘retired’ actor attempting to write a memoir, and Diane, his strong-minded ghostwriter. Many who first see the show decide against watching it, simply because of the character design, but beyond the intertwined animal and human world, there is a deeply intense and impactful storyline. With themes of alcoholism, abuse, and other sensitive topics woven throughout each episode, alongside incredible monologues and duologues, the story of BoJack Horseman will stick with you for a long time. The episodes ‘Free Churro’ and ‘The View From Halfway Down’ are particularly powerful, with Will Arnett delivering an incredible performance and a poignant message that cements the show as a diamond in the rough.

INVINCIBLE

2021-Present (4 Seasons), Creator: Robert Kirkman While Invincible may seem like your typical childish superhero show at a glance, the reality is much deeper and much darker. Featuring a star-studded cast, Invincible chronicles Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun)’s journey as he attempts to follow in his father’s footsteps, leading him down a path of betrayal, loss, and bloodshed. The show tackles various sensitive topics and, while it starts off light, quickly becomes an action-packed drama with a tragic story that will leave you shedding more than a few tears.

Arcane

2021-2024 (2 Seasons), Creators: Christian Linke & Alex Yee Based on the popular game League of Legends, Arcane presents the origin stories of some of the game’s most popular characters, as we follow the lives of two sisters torn apart by tragedy. Despite being from a video game, the characters and storylines presented in Arcane feel entirely unique. The story effortlessly draws you in while the distinctive style of animation and breathtaking score keeps you glued to the screen, unable to look away as the effects of loss and subsequent revenge overcome each and every character. Arcane exhibits the duality of mankind and the consequences of habitual progress, and forces you to question the nuances of morality. With subtle easter eggs and a deeply sad story, Arcane is proof that animated shows can be just as powerful as their live-action counterparts.

Adult animation is a growing industry, with new shows and spin-offs being created each year; while some fall short, there are a few gems that prove how enjoyable the genre can be.