Adult animation
Animation aimed at mature audiences, not children.
Adult animation refers to animated films, television series, and web series that are primarily targeted and marketed toward teenagers, young adults, and mature audiences rather than children or all-ages viewers. It encompasses a wide range of content that caters to general interests beyond the scope of children's entertainment.
Characteristics and themes
Adult animation may incorporate dark humour, violence, adult humour, mature themes, shock value, toilet humour, nudity, sexual content, profanity, political themes, or other elements considered inappropriate for children. Works often explore philosophical, political, satirical, or social issues, and some are noted for complex or experimental storytelling and animation techniques. Many in the animation field feel the public perceives animation as either a children's genre or an adult sitcom; the phrase 'Animation is a medium, not a genre' advocates for more variety in mature, narratively sophisticated projects. Series such as Primal, Arcane, Love, Death & Robots, Hazbin Hotel, Rick and Morty, Scavengers Reign, Blue Eye Samurai, and Invincible exemplify this narrative potential, with some critics calling the trend the 'Adult Animation Boom' or 'Adult Animation Revolution.'
Definitions
Adult animation is typically defined as animation aimed at an adult audience, featuring adult humour, themes, situations, or explicit language that adults and often teens are more likely to understand. It appears in various genres, though sitcoms and comedies are most common. Such animations often air in the evening on television and are generally not pornographic or obscene. AdWeek described it as 'animated projects aimed at grown-ups, not kids,' focusing on adult issues and using irreverent humour that balances reality and fantasy, sometimes including violence or sexual themes.
More in Characters & Dimensions
Elsewhere in Rick and Morty
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced