Hit-Monkey (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The second season was released in Australia on August 7, 2024.
• Monkey travels to New York City in the second season.

Cast

The voice cast of Hit-Monkey brings a wide range of characters to life. Fred Tatasciore plays the title role of Monkey, a Japanese macaque who becomes the assassin Hit-Monkey. Jason Sudeikis voices Bryce Fowler, originally named McHenry, who serves as Monkey's mentor, dies, and later returns as a ghost to aid him. Ally Maki portrays Haruka, an honest cop determined to fight injustice in Tokyo. Olivia Munn plays Akiko Yokohama, also known as Lady Bullseye II, who is the smart, ambitious, and mentally unstable niece of Shinji; she initially bonds with Monkey but declares herself his nemesis after her uncle's death. George Takei appears as Shinji Yokohama in season one and as a guest in season two, a kind politician burdened by heavy responsibilities. Nobi Nakanishi voices Ito in season one, Haruka's partner who has his own problems but trusts Monkey. Leslie Jones joins in season two as Eunice Jones, Bryce's foul-mouthed former agent. Cristin Milioti voices Iris McHenry in season two, Bryce's abandoned daughter who grows up determined not to repeat his mistakes, only to recognize their similarities and consider reconciliation; she first appears as a child in season one. Paul Nakauchi voices Itaru Ozu in season one. Noshir Dalal provides two voices in season one: Fat Cobra, a large sumo assassin who can generate lightning from his feet, and Kenuichio Harada, also known as Silver Samurai, Japan's conceited top hero. Reiko Aylesworth also voices two characters: Maki Matsumoto, or Lady Bullseye, a ruthless assassin who kills without hesitation or remorse, and Yuki in season one, a spirit connected to Japan who regards Monkey as a true warrior. Keith David voices Lucifer, the Devil, in season two, the ruler of Hell who sends Bryce back to Earth to pressure Monkey into killing more. Rob Corddry plays Buddy in season two, a crime scene cleaner. Emi Lo voices Dot in season two, a little girl with immense supernatural powers who belongs to the Co-Op. Stephanie Beatriz voices Amara in season two, an ancient Greek woman transformed into a living marble statue and also a Co-Op member. Tramell Tillman voices Double-Tap in season two, a veteran specializing in firearms and another Co-Op member. Nat Faxon voices Boone in season two, the leader of the Co-Op who has powerful psychic abilities.

Production

In February 2019, Marvel Television ordered an adult animated series about Hit-Monkey for Hulu, alongside shows for M.O.D.O.K., a combined Tigra and Dazzler project, and Howard the Duck, all meant to build toward a crossover called The Offenders. Will Speck and Josh Gordon created the series and were set to write and executive produce with Jeph Loeb. That December, Marvel Television merged into Marvel Studios, which then oversaw the show. The next month, Marvel scrapped the Howard the Duck, Tigra & Dazzler, and The Offenders projects, but Hit-Monkey and M.O.D.O.K. moved forward. In January 2022, Hulu’s content chief Craig Erwich stated that the Marvel Studios team alone would decide on further seasons. After M.O.D.O.K. was canceled in May 2022, Variety reported that Hit-Monkey likely would not return, yet it was renewed in February 2023, with 20th Television Animation handling production since Marvel Television no longer existed. The second season kept the formal title Marvel’s Hit-Monkey. Floyd County Productions provides the animation. In September 2021, the voice cast was revealed: Jason Sudeikis as Bryce, Fred Tatasciore as Monkey/Hit-Monkey, plus George Takei, Olivia Munn, Ally Maki, and Nobi Nakanishi. Tatasciore, Sudeikis, Munn, and Maki returned for season two, joined by Leslie Jones and Cristin Milioti.

Reception

The first season of Hit-Monkey holds an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 19 critics, with an average score of 7.0 out of 10. The site’s consensus notes that while the series never reaches the thrilling originality its title promises, its vibrant animation and strong voice cast keep it consistently watchable. For the second season, the approval rating is 83% based on 6 reviews, with the same average score. Metacritic gives it a weighted average of 57 out of 100 from 6 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews. Kristen Reid of Paste praised the animation for its Japanese inspiration, calling the violence and moral ambiguity a refreshing change from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and found the humor entertaining despite a lack of originality. Brenton Stewart of Comic Book Resources described the show as unique and refreshing due to its animation, urging Marvel to produce more adult animated projects that take risks. Stephen Robinson of The A.V. Club awarded an A−, calling it one of the best recent Marvel TV shows, highlighting the animation, villain development, and cast chemistry. Siddhant Adlakha of IGN gave a 7 out of 10, impressed by the animation and how the plot and visuals balance humor and gore, though he noted the characters feel more American than Japanese in dialogue and mannerisms. John Townsend of Starburst rated it 3 out of 5 stars, praising Marvel Television for making lesser-known characters likable with inventive, clever humor. The series earned a nomination for Outstanding Color Grading – Animated Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature at the 2024 Hollywood Professional Association Awards.