The Current State of Adult Animation [Video Essay] - ANK

[@benm5970]

The reason adult animation is so poor is because whenever the creators make these shows/movies it always feels like they're treating the fact that it's for adults as the entire backbone of it, like they're saying "Look guys, an animated cartoon but it isn't for kids, isn't that so cool and unique?" And people need to realize that adult animations are no longer entertaining just on the basis that they're adult animations, this isn't the early 2000's anymore, we've seen dozens of adult animations by now, they're not shocking anymore, I get it, a cartoon character saying fuck was surprising at first but that novelty quickly wore thin and now you need more substance beyond that in order to keep us entertained, and I feel like most of these shows and movies don't wanna do that, they just wanna act like the fact that their show/movie is for adults but it's also animated can be the main driving force for it when it really can't be

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about Bojack Horseman, Undone, Archer, Disenchanted, Primal and more?

[@lucascarvalho7191]

@@Johnlindsey289 2000s own tv shows good adults like aqua teen, harvey birdman, archer, the venture bros, the bondocks,moral orel, metapocalipse, frisky dingo etc which are good animated series with a lot of creativity

[@jayray1714]

There seems to be two kinds of adult animation; those that try really.. REALLY hard to be funny, crazy and edgy(Mr Pickles, Brickleberry) and those that know what they're trying to be (Rick and Morty, Venture Bros)

[@carlbloke8797]

Drawn Together seems to fall in the former

[@Lio_Convoy]

I am VERY amused by the amount of people that gloss over or insult the 80’s animation era. It’s clear that they have NO idea that the entire reason why 90’s Animation was given the chance to be more creative was due to the insane amount of money that the 80’s cartoons proved animation on TV could make. Also, I love the sever lack of self-awareness John K had when he called things “ugly”. Not surprising due to him being a pedophile, but amusing.

[@Divine1999-b6p]

Yeah, that's the western animation community for ya; always acting so pretentious that they dig themselves in a hole from it all, and then wonder why oh why nobody takes them seriously.

[@ijefem]

In my opinion, most adult animations fall under Sitcom or Parody. Either its Family guy/South Park. Or it's Venture Bros/Drawn Together

[@trishoverman47]

@@unicornbunny5439 Venture Bros is a spoof on old 1960/70s action cartoons. It basically a dark take on what happens to these characters AFTER their success in the spotlight ends.

[@trishoverman47]

@@unicornbunny5439 Kind of.....it often focuses on Rusty Venture, a man who fails to live up to his dad, the famous action hero Jonas Venture. It's basically a spoof on Jonny Quest.

[@trishoverman47]

@@unicornbunny5439 Yes of course. It definitly a breath of fresh air from all of the shows that are just the same sitcom formula as i feel it's more action/comedy. Plus the characters and animation are pretty good. I mean yeah it's no Gravity Falls or Steven Universe or Castlevania, but i think it does it's job well.

[@lucascarvalho7191]

yes you agree with that but you have seen some of dc the animated films that dc made are action films but I also don't think a show is parody or sitcoim bad

[@watchforever1724]

Sadly venture bros came to an end after 3 years later

[@carlbloke8797]

The whole cartoons are just for kids argument was always a pathetic one. Especially when you have shows like Animaniacs and ed Edd n Eddy that actually treat it's audience with respect and are beloved and timeless

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about Japanimation or Bojack Horseman?

[@operaanimelover369]

Coming from an animation aficionado, I always hated that argument that cartoons are just for kids. I never bought it!

[@ZeusPluchinoish]

I also don't understand why Adult Animation has to be ugly. Just because is hard to look at doesn't make it more mature. "Kids shows" tend to look way better. I'm sure this is because of budget. But also the art style in so many adult shows is just terrible.

[@Comkill117]

Honestly I don’t know why budget would mean character designs that look ripped right out of the landfill’s incinerator. Stuff will look a bit cheaper sure but stylistically it shouldn’t have much effect.

[@ricardodavis4730]

My thoughts exactly! And why do the same ugly adult cartoons have to all be comedies?!

[@mediawatcher9225]

I really hate how most adult cartoons just go for vulgar comedies instead of trying to tell us a good story with compelling characters, but shows like Bojack Horseman, castlevania, rick and Morty, and final space give me hope that we’ll see more character driven cartoons for adults

[@noahbossier1131]

I agree.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Yup and how about Cowboy Bebop, Spawn and more?

[@lucascarvalho7191]

cowboy bebop is anime but the maxx is also great

[@Jacox98]

For anybody wondering, I think ANK just got tired with creating things or prefers to be anonymous online. That would make sense considering they only seem to like things on Twitter now (their most recent tweet was in 2020 but they still like stuff more recently). Stuff like this actually happens quite a lot with creators and this is all my own speculation, I just hope ANK is doing alright in their life now!

[@analisa8105]

The thing about "adult" animation is that when animation began it wasn't even made for kids ( necessarily ) it was just made as a visual art to be consumed like any other medium by who ever happens to stumble upon it. With Adventure Time, most anime, and movies ( e.g. ) Secret of Kells, and Spirited Away the line between kid and adult is kind of blurred wouldn't you say? I don't think anyone should worry about saving "adult" animation they should worry about saving animation in general.

[@core_breaker]

does anyone know what happened to this guy??? it's been three years since he last posted

[@elpretender1357]

Realy well done and researched video, the editing to illustrate your points is awesome too. I expected just a video about some dude saying adult animation today is just sex and gore jokes but that timeline of the story of animation and the comparisons between differnt characters and shows was realy neat. PD: can I get the sheet of adult animation bingo?

[@undead923]

Now that you're back, there's a new threat to Adult Animation. On the wild west that is Netflix, there is Big Mouth. Makes Mr Pickles look like Eddsworld. At least with Pickles, they had restrictions on things they had to show. But Big Mouth is chaos. It's worse than The Nutshack and maybe Adult Party Cartoon.

[@williamronch]

TheUndeadGamer NO. DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE MR PICKLES TO EDDSWORLD. Lol, sorry.

[@GivenFailure]

I think the fact that it has no boundaries is actually pretty cool... if only it would do literally anything with it. I like that platforms like Netflix allow for more experimentation and less censorship. And I think that to say it's worse than The Nutshack is... a little hyperbolic. The Nutshack isn't even competent enough to properly balance audio or form coherent narratives, I mean come on. Big Mouth is pretty bad but not THAT bad. Honestly, I think it's more boring than anything.

[@undead923]

P3dotme I can see that. At Worst, Nutshack is just annoying IMO.

[@carlbloke8797]

P3dotme I'm definitely gonna disagree on that. The fact that the show has no restrictions doesn't make it "cool" or above other shows. The fact that they use it as an excuse to get away with as much raunchy shit as possible just makes it look pathetically edgy. Meanwhile We've had kid shows since the 90s that used its limitations to its advantage that made them create masterpieces like Animaniacs, Ren and Stimpy, Batman TAS beloeved etc. that are loved by kids and adults alike. Then there's adult shows like Bobs Burgers, The Boondocks, They've proven that restrictions don't hinder a show but how you use them. This show doesn't do anything creative whatsoever. Yeah the Nutshack was a horrible pile of shit but they at least had restrictions that kept them from sinking even lower than it already had This show is the equivalent to child porn which is beyond horrendous

[@carlbloke8797]

TheUndeadGamer and Drawn Together

[@grimmgrinner7069]

Hey dude, I remember watching your channel a few years back, and check up on it every now and again. If you see this comment, I hope you're doing well. I do honestly miss your stuff, but if you don't want to continue it, that's chill. I've always felt like you had a ton of potential as a creator, and I feel like you would've gained a pretty big audience if you kept with it. Anyways, wherever you are, I hope you're doing well. :)

[@cavalier276]

Expresses sentiments that I've wanting to articulate for sometime now. Deserves more views. I like the sound of this guy. Maybe I'll watch more of his videos...

[@undeadpaw]

"The 2000's we're terrible for animaton" Teen Titans Danny phantom Chowder Flapjack Ben 10 Invader Zim The grim adventures of Billy and Mandy Chalk zone Code loyko Avatar American Dad Class of 3000 Batman brave and the bold Archer Just afwul isn't it?

[@carlbloke8797]

Spot the minccino those were good shows but the bad shows outweighs the good at the time

[@undeadpaw]

Carl Bloke Like what?

[@cartoonfanatictoo]

Agreed he's probably parroting off Mr Enter said every decade has had its share on good and bad shows

[@noahbossier1131]

Many of those shows were screwed over in favor of tween coms designed to cash in on Disney Channels Hannah Montana and High School Musical and other teenybopper shit designed to take money from the pockets of parents and teen and tweenaged girls.

[@michaelbarlow9619]

Don’t forget samurai jack

[@calliecoolswag]

we miss you ank

[@AaronLoving]

This was my favorite KZbin channel for like a year 😭

[@chasel6-07]

I really miss your vids man. Assuming you’re not coming back this was a great way to go out. I’ll be sure to be binging your videos again sometime soon.

[@lukemuench8369]

I hope that's not the case.

[@chasel6-07]

@@lukemuench8369 yuuuup

[@davgel007]

1: When are you going to make Top 25 Best SpongeBob Episodes? 2: How old are you? 3: How are you able to watch this stuff?!

[@Fries2Eat]

What happened you stopped uploading

[@eeveeshy9380]

I truly hope your doing well ANK! Seeing so many comment with these messages so I wanted to make one as well :) You're a really amazing content creator and animator!!! It's been nearly 5 years since I've watch your content (started when PPG video got released) I love your videos and they've always made me laugh! Your reactions and first thoughts series is honestly will forever be one of my favourite videos ever! I loved watching those videos and I remember watching them so many times. I actually watched that series so many times I can actually quote some of the things you said in those videos hahahaha. Your reviews are so good as well! I remember binging all of you videos and enjoying all of them so much! Your reviews are so insightful and well thought out! Your animations really inspired me as well! i remember wanting to make fanart for you so then maybe it can be shown in a video and you'd like it? hahaha Sounds kind of silly now but I seriously loved watching your stuff a few years ago! From what I know you're still active on social media, correct? I hope youre doing well for yourself! Your content really meant alot to many people (including me) And I hope these type of comments make you happy in some way! I hope these type of comments make you smile at the very least.

[@chasel6-07]

pour one out for the dead homie

[@sling-b]

I'm sure Adult Animation Bingo would totally kick off well.

[@legoking6165]

ANK, the next thing you should review is The prince of Egypt. It's an amazing animated movie and I'd love to know your feelings on it.

[@williamronch]

Can I have a pdf for the adult animation bingo table?

[@chasestein6984]

What is the song at 7:57 I've been searching for years for it

[@Johnlindsey289]

The 70s 80s and 90s had plenty of adult animation like fantastic planet, Fritz the cat, heavy metal, watership down, spawn, lightyears aka gandahar, Batman mask of the phantasm, wizards, aeon flux, the maxx, fire and ice, the wall, plague dogs, felidae, rock and rule, starchaser, Ninja scroll etc

[@watchforever1724]

Pretty sure Saberspark made a video on why the Simpson’s and Family guy won’t end .It has to deal with something like franchise fatigue

[@SexandtheCityGirl]

And they won't end any time soon because the Fox Network won't let go of either one. Simpsons and Family Guy are also owned by Disney now so we're stuck with them.

[@watchforever1724]

@@SexandtheCityGirl yeah I know

[@SexandtheCityGirl]

@@watchforever1724 Two adult cartoons I'm still tolerant of are South Park and American Dad. I find them more easygoing.

[@watchforever1724]

@@SexandtheCityGirl American dad is beloved and South Park still has its audience too

[@SexandtheCityGirl]

@@watchforever1724 Least we can agree on those two shows. I hope to love both till the day I die. Also, Simpsons and Family Guy fans hate them, believe it or not.

[@concernedfish5574]

Great to see you back, and I like the new animation and editing style

[@able3187]

Why do all the good channels go inactive

[@leephillips4402]

Was that a joke or is miraculous ladybug a remake I'm not familiar enough with the show to know

[@kurtiscunningham2380]

I wish drawn together had at least 15 more seasons I loved all 3 seasons plus the movie binge watching this series

[@PastelWorldDolls]

Idk why American adult animation is so bad and can only be comedies. Japan has so much amazing animation meant for adults that goes back way to the begging on animation. I just don’t get why American companies won’t take the risk and make something serious and actually entertaining. (South parks the only good adults animation I’ve seen)

[@lucascarvalho7191]

I do not agree that episodic comedy animation is necessarily bad but if you want animations that are dramatic it is action for adults you can see what the dc did in animated films

[@burnstjamp]

Hit the hay, fast asleep Dream a dream, you little *BLEEP*

[@yesyesyes666]

Please do a review of Avatar the Last Air bender! (and maybe Legends of Kora)! They might be kid shows but they are rlly good!

[@ezjay11]

RIP 🌸 🌺 🌸

[@avrinrose5457]

Can you make Kaitou Joker review?

[@Agpicklefeet]

I'm so glad you made this video, I hope it gets seen by more and more people who both love animation and who work with it.

[@1zymn1]

If Homestar Runner ever made it into the mainstream it would change a lot of notions about adult animation.

[@carlbloke8797]

Maybe Space Ghost and The Brak Show would be able to make it on CN but I doubt Sealab2021 Aqua Teen, or Harvey Birdman would ever be kid friendly enough to make it on the main channel

[@spyishere3054]

Will you ever be back?

[@watchforever1724]

I don’t think so

[@rinnabinna]

can someone please tell me the name of that song that was in the background in like the beginning of the video like the first minute in the video.?

[@traxor2135]

Is it christmas already?

[@traxor2135]

Then it's a miracle.

[@undead923]

traxor21 An Oktoberfest Miracle

[@EricVsEverything]

Hot damn, this was a great video!

[@RicarditoRicardon]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention F is for family. This show has been one of the best adult animations I’ve ever seen

[@lucascarvalho7191]

i think not nasally animated comedy sitcoim is bad a lot of these shows that you mentioned fulfills what you propose and were acclaimed by the critics but if you don’t like the lively sitcoim style I recommend some drama animations with adult action like spawn, the maxx, dc animated movies and g1 joe resolute but clearly not all adult drawings are good

[@rinnabinna]

can someone please please tell me the name of that song that's in the background

[@justaspectator9762]

There aren't many adult cartoons with serialization, which kinda sucks. Some good ones I know include Moral Orel, Final Space, 12 oz mouse, Bojack, and some elements of Rick and Morty. All of those shows are good in their own ways but "kids" media have also done great things much more frequently. I hope that one day adult animation stops being south park or family guy rip offs and instead becomes more interesting. I do like a lot of the adult swim stuff but that's about it.

[@sugarsmile7852]

Can you make review for cartoons again

[@carlbloke8797]

4:18 I really love that transition to your next topic there

[@3dstuff654]

Final space is great example of mixing comedy and an acctual emotional story

[@popjumpy]

Shows like SGCTC, The Simpsons, and Sealab 2021 are more for a teenage audience than anything

[@aguyontube3805]

So glad you uploading again!

[@cyberthought9441]

wait do you not like bojack horseman?

[@watchforever1724]

I think he does

[@betob5529]

Nice editing and a well done insight of adult animation.

[@Felix.Fictus]

**sigh** goodbye ANK.

[@IThinkIAnimate]

we need a link to that adult animation bingo please

[@madelinelaake7130]

In the first few seasons, I thought Family Guy was better than the Simpsons. I still love those earlier episodes and appreciate what the show accomplished, but it's a dead horse. And they won't let it die just like the Simpsons. When will the madness end

[@Johnlindsey289]

Classic Simpsons is better than FG

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

Also, animation in the 2000s didn't suck. CN REAL doesn't represent the entirety of the 2000s.

[@drpringles436]

Finally! The new video was great ANK!

[@leephillips4402]

Did you actually see sausage party or just the trailer

[@carbootstudios2459]

Where you at now, Austin Small?

[@sugarsmile7852]

Hey there is new upcoming cartoon in Nickelodeon called "glitch techs" and people started hated after they know that the people behind this cartoon are: Creator of fanboys and chum chum Creator of robot chicken Creator of breadwinners Can you make thought video or review about these cartoon

[@cradica]

@TurkeyToast that must have been why it was so good

[@cradica]

@TurkeyToast that must have been why it turned out so good

[@GGchannel1025]

Adult Swims animated bumpers look better then most of their shows.

[@sleepybee6738]

I think the majority of good adult animation is in the animes

[@thedude76555]

you talk about adult animation and you do not talk about Ralph Blakshi

[@cartooncottage2024]

6:25 Ah, this takes me back.

[@fun4513]

ANK uploaded a video before the year 3000. CHECKMATE, ATHEISTS!

[@grimegreen]

I liked sausage party

[@lucascarvalho7191]

I don't think the 2000s were bad for animation, there were things like avatar aang, league justice, samurai jack, the venture bros, the bondocks, archer, spider man 2008, wolverine and the x men,star wars clone wars,frisky dingo etc

[@Toxic-Pyro]

Holy crap it's a new non-podcast ank video

[@deadchannelbyee]

Mr Pickles is a challenge to see who can be the least offended and whoever isn't gets hilarious writing and an intriguing story.

[@anyanP]

I really surprised that you didn't bring up japanese animation as example of adult-oriented animation gone mostly right. Yeah, anime have their own piece of gory and raunchy shows (and also hentai), but it also have things like Spice and Wolf - animated show that is clearly for adult audience, but is pretty tame with its content. I really doubt that things like it could be made in the west.

[@carlbloke8797]

anyanP also Cowboy Bebop, One Piece, and Gintama

[@aromardu]

The fact they're producing more, just means they're producing more crap. Japanese is a much more flowery language, but when you boil down a majority of the dialogue, it's just the same character archetypes being recycled over and over. They're much worse at creating characters that truly stand out in a lineup.

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@aromardu What about Ninja Scroll and all?

[@watchforever1724]

@@Johnlindsey289 agreed

[@watchforever1724]

@Al X. Andra there is Gintama

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

Why does most Adult Animation consist of comedies. Why can't there be more action-oriented adult animation?

[@Johnlindsey289]

So you would like to see something more like Spawn or Primal or Aeon Flux or The Maxx or Japanimation?

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

@@Johnlindsey289 yes

[@mohammedyousef4005]

Invincible

[@marcusscott4980]

@@Johnlindsey289 Yes.

[@lukemuench8369]

Will you please stop dying FOR FIVE MINUTES?

[@carlbloke8797]

5:58 that had me dying 😂😂

[@rodrigopalmerin]

im new here and just hearing that samurai champloo bgm i subbed noice :)

[@watchforever1724]

Most Hanna Barbara cartoons ard pretty much pointed towards kids .I would say most of their cartoons felt slapstick,humor or gags

[@dumbbellwarrior5102]

Bruh don't die on me

[@burnstjamp]

Come back to us daddy

[@Moony1568]

Is this channel dead?

[@mr.d2158]

I swear, if you took one of these shows and just replaced all of the dialogue with foul language, it would pretty much be the same.

[@chandlerc17230]

Just visiting the grave.

[@ezjay11]

Me too

[@Mumblejumby]

The early 2000s is great for animation fight me.

[@JoshioE110]

You seem to hate Family Guy.

[@JoshioE110]

@TurkeyInAToasterso is a ANK a boy or a girl?

[@stoopiddudz2634]

Is that nymano?

[@leephillips4402]

Jeff and some aliens weird you'd think it would have happened way before with something on fox

[@ricardodavis4730]

Maybe adult cartoons are so ugly for a simple reason than just budget: MOST PEOPLE CAN'T DRAW

[@shakefan1484]

Jeff and some Aliens wasn't that bad to me. It wasn't great but it wasn't awful either.

[@yesnomaybe1783]

This video was mainly just your opinion on what you think is shitty, and why you think its shitty. Yeah you spent half the video summarising the history of animation but even then there was no real discussion about what makes a good piece of adult animation. A video made recently by "Slayerrunes" covers this topic much better

[@carbootstudios2459]

So?

[@eddynat2003]

Sometime you don't need to show off "adult things" too obvious to let people know that's "adult animation"

[@DiegoAmateur]

Wait. TYLER'S ON ADULT SWIM? I'M FUCKING HYPED!!!!

[@sydneeblueford3754]

How does this only have 500 something likes ?!

[@dazednconfusedrn]

I feel family guy should have gone instead of futurama and king of the hill

[@Johnlindsey289]

@TurkeyToast Not all adult cartoons on netflix are bad! castlevania, Bojack Horseman, Love Death and Robots are quite good

[@Crayolapup]

I hate Mr Kric... But he made a point here. He's too vulgar for me

[@leephillips4402]

It's sad that the annoying orange still dose that

[@watchforever1724]

True the Simpsons is sorta what pushed adult animation

[@Johnlindsey289]

1989 to May 2000's Behind the Simpsons is the only Simpsons worth watching, anything after season 11 is not The Simpsons, it's Zombie Simpsons and it should had ended 20 years ago

[@ArabKatib]

The only Animation/ cartoon I like and consider real cartoons are the ones from the 80's, toys or no toys. Anything else is garbage, made by frustrated people who hate their own societies and have issues with everyone around them.. mostly..

[@TheAmericanDeagle]

Great video! So... You like bojack or not?

[@joaquinm9148]

Adult animation was on ruins… but then along came D(___) Figures