EVOLUTION OF ADULT ANIMATION FROM THE 80/90s TO PRESENT TIMES: ADULTS AND CARTOONS TOGETHER, FORVER?

From Rebellion to Mainstream

Adult animation has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 80s and early 90s. 

What started as a niche subgenre for rebellious and disillusioned youth has transformed into one of the most influential and diverse forms of television today. Shows like The Simpsons and Beavis and Butt-Head set the stage for the explosion of adult-oriented animation that we see in today’s TV landscape, with hits like Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, and Big Mouth pushing the boundaries of what animated series can explore.

But what drove this evolution? How did adult animation go from being a niche subculture to a mainstream genre? And what are the forces shaping its future?

Let's trace the evolution of adult animation, examining the cultural, technological, and fandom-driven factors that have helped it grow into the powerhouse genre it is today.

The 90s: Adult Animation Comes of Age

The 90s were a pivotal decade for adult animation. 

Shows like The Simpsons revolutionized the medium, showing that animation could carry sharp social commentary, cutting-edge humor, and complex adult themes. 

But it wasn’t just The Simpsons that defined the era. There was a noticeable surge of shows that targeted young adults, focusing on themes of rebellion, alienation, and the confusion of young adulthood.

1. The Rise of Satire and Social Critique

• The Simpsons became the blueprint for what adult animation could achieve. It was sharp, funny, and unapologetically satirical. Its ability to balance absurdity with insightful commentary on American life and politics proved that animation could be more than just fun, but it could be a mirror to society.
• Beavis and Butt-Head took a more nihilistic approach. It was raw, crude, and unapologetically juvenile. The show captured the disaffected energy of Generation X, offering a brutally honest (albeit exaggerated) portrayal of teenage apathy. It resonated with young viewers who felt disillusioned by the world around them.

2. A New Wave of Animation for Adults

• MTV, known for its cutting-edge content and youth-driven culture, became the perfect platform for this new wave of adult animation. Aeon Flux, Daria, and Undergrads all found their way to the network, each with a distinct style and voice. While Aeon Flux was dark, experimental, and surreal, Daria brought an intellectual, introspective approach to the teen drama genre, exploring themes of alienation and social commentary.
• These shows were no longer just about laughs, they also offered a lens through which young adults could explore their confusion, frustration, and identity. It wasn’t just about escape, but also understanding.

The 2000s: From Cult Following to Critical Acclaim

As the new millennium unfolded, adult animation began to evolve into something more layered, experimental, and capable of tackling complex emotional and philosophical issues. It wasn’t just about being edgy or irreverent anymore, but additionally, it was about pushing the boundaries of storytelling itself.

1. Expanding the Boundaries of Narrative

• Shows like Futurama (1999), South Park (1997), and Family Guy (1999) took adult animation in different directions. Futurama blended science fiction with existential questions, using its futuristic setting to explore the meaning of life, love, and mortality. South Park became notorious for its no-holds-barred political and social satire, while Family Guy leaned heavily into absurd, irreverent humor and pop culture references.
• Adult Swim, launched in 2001, was a game-changer for adult animation. It gave shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Venture Bros., and Robot Chicken. This became a home which created a space for experimental animation that didn’t necessarily need to cater to mainstream tastes. These shows were wildly creative, often blending surreal humor, satire, and absurdity in ways that were revolutionary for their time.
• One of the most progressive adult animation shows that burst in the 2000s, was The Boondocks by Aaron McGruder. The show, explicitly tackled social commentary for Black America in all its facets, from hip hop, politics, sports and the larger narratives of oppression of African Americans and their existence as a whole. The magic was how it was done with humor and unapologetically, straight forward with the targeting and introduction of celebrities, left it as a largely revolutionary and impactful show in the adult animation space. 

2. Deeper Themes and Emotional Complexity

• In the 2000s, the focus of adult animation shifted from surface-level humor to more emotionally complex stories. BoJack Horseman (2014), for example, tackled themes of addiction, depression, and the pursuit of fame in a way that no other animated show had done before. It blended dark humor with deep emotional resonance, offering viewers a unique opportunity to reflect on the human condition through anthropomorphic animals and over-the-top characters.
• Rick and Morty (2013) furthered this trend by combining sci-fi absurdity with deep existential questions. Its characters are plagued with personal crises, and the show constantly explores the futility of life and the cosmic scale of the universe, often in the most outlandish ways.

Fandoms and the Role of the Internet

The internet played a crucial role in the rise and expansion of adult animation. Social media platforms, fan forums, and websites like Reddit helped foster vibrant communities around shows like Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, and Adventure Time. These fandoms became passionate and vocal advocates, spreading the word and creating viral moments that led to mainstream success.

1. The Power of Fandom in Shaping the Genre

• Fandoms today are not just passive viewers but they are also active participants in the creation and dissemination of content. Shows like Rick and Morty are known for having highly engaged fanbases who engage in everything from fan art to deep philosophical discussions about the show’s existential themes.
• Fans also influence how networks approach adult animation. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu have made it easier for shows like BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, and Disenchantment to thrive. The success of these shows is in part due to their loyal fanbases, which helped elevate them from niche projects to mainstream hits.

2. Meme Culture and the Impact on Narrative

• The proliferation of meme culture has had a significant impact on the way adult animation approaches humor and narrative. Memes often distill complex ideas into bite-sized, shareable pieces, and shows like Rick and Morty have capitalized on this by creating episodes that feel like they were made to be meme-ready. The viral nature of these memes helps adult animation stay relevant and continue to reach new audiences, especially younger viewers.

Where Is Adult Animation Headed?

As we look toward the future of adult animation, the genre continues to expand its boundaries. From streaming platforms to web series, animation for adults is becoming more experimental, diverse, and socially aware.

1. Diverse Voices and Global Influence

• The future of adult animation will likely see more diverse voices entering the space. We’ve already seen shows like Tuca & Bertie (2019), which focuses on female friendship and empowerment, and Final Space (2018), which blends comedy and sci-fi with deep emotional storytelling. Additionally, international shows like Bojack Horseman’s Brazilian equivalent Bojack Horseman: A Série are starting to introduce global perspectives, creating a more inclusive space for adult animation worldwide.

2. Technology and Interactive Storytelling

• Advances in animation technology will continue to push the boundaries of what adult animation can achieve. From more visually stunning animations to the rise of interactive animation (such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch), we can expect the genre to evolve in new and unexpected ways.
• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could also become new frontiers for adult animation, offering fans the opportunity to engage with characters and stories in immersive, interactive environments.

3. Social and Political Engagement

• Adult animation has always been a space for social commentary and political critique, and this will only intensify in the coming years. As we continue to navigate issues like climate change, inequality, mental health, and technology, adult animated shows will likely serve as a powerful medium for discussing these topics, often with the sharp satire and humor that fans expect.

Conclusion: From Subversive to Mainstream

Adult animation’s journey from its subversive 90s roots to its current dominance on TV and streaming platforms reflects the changing ways in which we consume media and the increasing demand for more nuanced, complex storytelling. The genre’s evolution has been shaped by shifts in culture, fandom, and technology, and its future is brighter than ever.

These shifts in culture have given a case for adults to engage with animation, and being close to themes that express their reality and also give animation the ability to address a lot more cultural and societal issues than just being stereotypically "for kids".

As animation continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more diverse stories, deeper themes, and experimental formats that push the boundaries of what animation can achieve. Whether it’s through exploring mental health, social justice, or absurd sci-fi worlds, adult animation will continue to be a space where creators can confront the complexities of adulthood, often in the most unexpected ways.

What's one of your most favourite adult animation that has touched the screens? Let us know in the comments.