The Weird History of Adult Animation - Wisecrack Edition

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

*Lesson Of The Day:* Animation is not a genre. It's a medium suitable for EVERYONE and it is a pure art form.

[@dirkdiggler8093]

Exactly. Animation can take on and go beyond the ties of live action. Nothing is off limits, you’re only inhibited by the scope of your imagination.

[@thejoker0123]

i agree

[@flipletape9706]

Well, it's a medium. But a lot of it sure ain't suitable for everyone hahahahah

[@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421]

A genre is the style of your story, animation is the style of your visuals. Yes, the fact that something is animated allows the writer to push the boundries of his imagination but it doesn't directly effect the story.

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

@@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421 A genre is a category of the themes. Like, you choose horror, comedy, romance, etc.

[@legendofnoob]

"And that's all you need to know about the history of adult animation" Japan: Am I a JOKE to you?!

[@Tyler_W]

I think they're just referring to mostly to popular western sitcom animation. This doesn't even tackle the action side of the equation. My first thought was Castlevania, but then I thought Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel series. True, they're "technically" kids shows because they don't have really explicit content, but they dealt with some pretty mature and complex subject marter not uncommon in quality adult entertainment. Ultimately though, you're right, anime has a huge role to play, but then that might be a bit too much of a divergence since the discussion was primarily centered around the history of mature animation in the US.

[@thehomiematt]

Watch the channel “get in the robot” they got everything else covered for you.

[@RocketeerAndRoll]

Anime should not count for anything. Ever.

[@lordblazer]

@@RocketeerAndRoll anime shows are cartoons dude.

[@yashvirsinghdalal]

The comment I was looking for. Thank you.

[@lewatoaofair2522]

Adult animation: *exists* KZbin and COPPA: It’s animated, therefore it’s for kids.

[@dev32]

So we can put hentai in youtube and say that coppa said it's for kids

[@AlmightyXI]

@@dev32 I read your reply to the original comment 5 times and I still don't understand it. You're afraid of kids having access to hentai perhaps? You seem to not understand the actual point of what they were saying.

[@dev32]

@@AlmightyXI it's more to show that the internet is not for kids

[@sampeacaml9307]

@@dev32 HAHAHAHA! Good one! But seriously, that comments bans is so random! It appears on silly videos like the famous ''You're not perfect'' scene from Courage the Cowardly Dog. Heaven save us if Coppa gets into Deviantart...DUN DUN DUUUUN! (Update: Hentai uploaded without a safety lock or mature tag is wrong, though).

[@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421]

Since when is animation in general specificly aimed at kids? Is it automatically allowed for kids to watch just because it's a drawing of made on a computer? That makes no sense! Why does this stereotype exist? I don't get it!

[@facendolar]

People: Adult animation is back! Anime fans: It never left.

[@whathell6t]

facendolar Is that a Urotsukidouji reference?

[@belland_dog8235]

Ye

[@facendolar]

No, least I didn't intend for it to be. Is it?

[@commandercaptain4664]

@@whathell6t It had better be.

[@cjhacker8367]

I needs to be said that this video seems incomplete without talking about animation internationally.

[@mattmcdonald2240]

Literally just finished watching Heavy Metal. Think that should've gotten a mention

[@steamtasticvagabond474]

Matt McDonald I’m pretty sure that Heavy Metal is the pinnacle of MTV’s role in animation. Even South Park has done an homage to Heavy Metal so I’m sure that it has had rippling effects through animation history.

[@GVilleAnarcho]

You liked it? I thought it was kinda boring. And the music sucked lol.

[@nosidezero]

@@GVilleAnarcho The music sucked? BLASPHEMY

[@dats3]

@@GVilleAnarcho I liked it high, but hated it sober.

[@ZZ-sb8os]

Maybe she's not a fan of awesome rockin' titties

[@prufrock1977]

I feel that the influence of Japanese anime on modern perspectives of animated videos was completely overlooked.

[@Hromovlad1]

I mean, allot of these came out before the anime boom

[@ATMOSK1234]

Debatable. Anime has had an influence since astroboy. Certainly in the period beginning in the 70s anime has had a large impact on the industry.

[@prufrock1977]

ATMOSK1234 that’s about where I expected it to be mentioned. I mean a nod to how Japan was making heavier movies and series that adults could enjoy.

[@anonb4632]

Anime is a result of US cultural imperialism just after WWII. Japan was flooded with American culture in the late 40s and 50s, such as their comics and Disney. The later Japanese boom was a response to it.

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

Without disney, there won't be anime.

[@1massboy]

What about the movie Heavy Metal (1981). That as a movie that was pushing the edge of cartoon content at the beginning of the 80’s.

[@dats3]

I watched it stoned once in high school and thought it was awesome. Then I watched it sober and realized I really didn't like it. My friends liked it, but it just wasn't for me.

[@Kaylakaze]

@@dats3 I loved the soundtrack, not so much the movie.

[@lainiwakura1776]

It's okay, they forgot to mention things like Mission Hill, Baby Blues, and Venture Bros.

[@Wolta]

@@dats3 Watched it stoned and loved it, watched it sober and started analyzing it for deeper meanings and love it even more now.

[@shinankoku2]

lain iwakura - thank you for giving Venture Brothers some love!!

[@Crazelord91]

I've always loved Adult Animation and I'm so glad it's growing in popularity. I used to scour the internet looking for any ones I could find. The reason I prefer it to live action is there is no limitation to what you can do. 1. Because it's animated so doing weird and interesting things is easier than with live action. Having creative and out there jokes and stories is a lot more seamless and natural. Live action always has to compensate for the limitation if they want to be too out there. 2. I think the natural separation we make mentally watching animation allows us to let our guards down more and accept more intense or weird ideas. Like how cartoon violence done in live action would be a lot less comedic, but I also believe when an animated show does hit you with something dark or emotional, it's a bit unexpected that it gets in deeper imo

[@mattwolf7698]

There's a lot of mature anime.

[@Crazelord91]

@@mattwolf7698 Eh I like some Anime but not as into it as western animation

[@Johnlindsey289]

You mean something like Bojack Horseman, Castlevania, Love death and Robots, Spawn or Japanese stuff like Ninja Scroll?

[@mdo7]

@@Crazelord91 Uh, you know there are a lot of Japanese adult animation that may appeal to you. You never watched Fist of the North Star? What about Mobile Suit Gundam? Neon Genesis Evangelion? Cowboy Bebop?

[@mackielunkey2205]

The Adult Animation industry needs more dramatic animated series. I see too much comedies. Edit: Watch Arcane you guys, one of the best animated shows you’ll ever see.

[@TheCharlie1701]

Yes! Like that craaazy movie "Wizards." Love that film.

[@lucaslolz]

There is no such thing as too many comedies imo, but sure why not

[@blazerboy3000]

Watch more anime then

[@lizerdspherex]

I've been waiting for France to make that Siegfried movie based on the comic, but it seems it'll only be a trailer.

[@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421]

You know what the adult animation industry needs less of? Swearing and throwing shit and blood at the screen! What's that? Censors are the reason it's for adults? I have 4 words for you: King of the Hill!

[@tabriel07]

Even now, animation is underestimated, people still tends to believe that it's necessarily for kids... I'm just glad that even in the most childish production you can see adult content, like in Gravity Falls (that one might deserve an analysis, by the way) Amazing video as always.

[@cutepiku]

Title should be "The Weird History of Adult Animation in America".

[@anonb4632]

Yes, and Nick Park. 😄

[@rashadpreston7389]

Right.

[@anonb4632]

@mamaood Most people online are not American. I'm not and a lot of the people watching this aren't either.

[@smaulpp]

I am not American, I'm not complaining. Why would I? And I'm in no position to either. This is an American channel after all. If you want a video of your country's adult animation history go search for one. Better yet, take initiative and make one your self. Don't complicate things :))

[@dvt1393]

@@smaulpp Very well put. 🙂

[@emmab3853]

In the same vein: children’s shows that push boundaries and have significant adult fanbases (like Steven Universe). Also more videos featuring Helen thx

[@ziglaus]

Yeah, shes great

[@emmab3853]

Daniel Chang good for you?

[@ethanmcfarland8240]

*cough* avatar *cough*

[@yoonmikim5663]

Missed out on Anime's influence on the resurge. I also think part of the resurge had a lot to do with the anime imports of the time period, which, of course the studios will never cop to. But films like Akira, Kimba the White Lion (which had complex storylines), and even some of Tezuka's early work for Christian Channels which dealt with heavier themes often had an influence to show animators what animation could do that it often did not do. Many of these creators also admired what anime did with the medium in terms of storytelling, though often the big studios look down their noses at Japanese animation as inferior, the animators, themselves often admired deeply the way stories could have more depth than just the say... Bugs Bunny Shorts, and that's down to how Tezuka, Miyazaki and them approached the medium itself. They saw it as a vehicle for story and combined with with things like French theater, the trauma of WWII, Takarazuka and noh, plus often references to Kurozawa movies to create a new brand of the medium, and animators in the US saw some of the depth it could do, such that by the 90's with the second rise of anime, it made some animators downright envious, but the exec snobs never, ever want to admit it because you know, American animation must be superior. *eyeroll* Ignoring the influence of anime on American animation is like saying French film had no influence on framing, slow mo, and other hallmark of American film making. Artists by their nature look past nationality lines. Thus the Lion King.

[@jan-gabrielruthmann745]

Thank you! I think Japanese animation really pushed the envelope in the 80s and 90s. I mean Western animation was very sitcom like while Japanese animation dealt with extremely deep and heavy topics. Just think Akira, Neon Genesis, Ghost in the Shell. But yeah that is my problem with many American/Canadian channels. They are always super focused on their own stuff and tend to forget about other cultural influences. Wisecrack to be fair is doing a pretty decent job especially concerning philosophy and literature.

[@KhayJayArt]

@@jan-gabrielruthmann745 there are a million incel otaku like yourself who are constantly yammering about anime influences in everything, so stop acting like everyone is ignoring it dishonest weeb

[@kevin10001]

Yoonmi Kim get over it anime is just a another form animation and in my opinion not a very good one but it's not the sole reason for the resurgence of animation for adults like people like u want to claim

[@eegernades]

@@KhayJayArt you do know mot every person who likes an ik me is an incel right?

[@eegernades]

@@kevin10001 oh but it is a good form of animation and medium to see mature animated stories. But the dude wasnt talking about bringing back animation, is was the resurgence of anime, not a animation.

[@bguzman39]

EArly Betty Boop was having a relationship with a Dog because Early Betty Boop was a Dog herself lol

[@Toph7777]

I was looking for this comment like how did they miss that they literally showed early betty boop with still having dog ears ans even with a brief look into the history of the character or animation in general you will see that the majority of the famous characters at the time were animals.

[@ArnLPs]

I also feel like hey should have mentioned Bimbos name, he was supposed to be the main Character after all.

[@powerdump3000]

@@ArnLPs I only know Bimbo because of sexy.funny.cute.pix

[@Kaiyou1691]

"Pre-Code Betty Bop was banging a dog" I thought Pre-code Betty Bop WAS a dog. Or at least at the beginning...

[@Mecharnie_Dobbs]

4:55 "Pre-code Betty Boop was banging a dog." Betty has spaniel ears in that clip. She was at that time an anthro-dog. At least partly (?).

[@joshuarichardson6529]

Yep, Bimbo was a mutt, and Betty was a poodle. Amazing how many people don't know that.

[@rafaelalodio5116]

Brian Griffin: I know right.

[@xelectrix]

Yeah but she looked way less like a dog than Bimbo. Maybe the animators way to get away with her doing such raunchy things? It's not a woman just a sexy dog so it's fine.

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@xelectrix A dog woman is more like it and later we got Cleo on Heathcliff, Minerva Mink, Goldie Pheasant, Julie Bruin on Tiny Toons, Felicia, that 3 college ladies in Fritz the Cat, Mress on Star Trek TAS, Omaha the Cat Dancer and more

[@that_deadeyegamer7920]

The rich culture of cartoons of all kinds is so diverse, literally every kind of animation has a wonderful and sometimes tragic history about it, and that's what I love about animation.

[@michaellyden2580]

0:37 As a 35-year old American male, may I just say: Thank you very, very much for including The Critic in this. Loved that show! In fact, you guys should do a What Went Wrong video on The Critic. Seriously, how did such a great show fail to get ratings so horribly?

[@tobiaswedin]

As clever and smart as it was, it never got "exciting". It kept a pretty slow pace all in all, and that's not what sells I'm afraid. But I'm with you, I loved the show as well!

[@josecarbajal5710]

It Stinks!!

[@DavidRichardson153]

Check out the series The Big Picture by Bob Chipman (a.k.a. moviebob), specifically the episode "Ninetiestalgia Stinks." It gives a decent explanation. Another and later Bob Chipman video revisits The Critic: "In Bob We Trust - Sherman's March: The Critic in 2017." Still, would be nice to see Wisecrack do their own.

[@Mightydein]

It was much more difficult to convince adults to watch anything animated in the past. Adult Cartoon Shows were much more likely to fail than if the same show came out today. Successful shows resulted in more experiments with animation but failures resulted in stagnation. more animation fans are willing to speak in defense of animation as a valid artform without fear of ridicule. Things have improved for adult animation by a lot since the 90's.

[@koushikkarthikeyan631]

don't know why you included your age, but ok

[@DFloyd84]

"Cartoons are just for kids!" *Heavy Metal has entered the chat*

[@Johnlindsey289]

Don't forget Fritz the Cat, Watership Down, Wizards, Fire and Ice, Fantastic Planet, Lightyears aka Gandahar, Starchaser, Rock and Rule, American Pop, Spawn TAS, The Maxx, The Head, Duckman, Bojack Horseman, Archer, Simpsons (classic Simpsons from 1989 to Behind the Laughter no Zombie Simpsons), Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Cowboy Bebop, Akira, Princess Mononoke, Dark Knight Returns etc.

[@FamilyGuyRoks6]

Metalocalypse FTW

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@FamilyGuyRoks6 That too

[@deadpool3982]

Betty Boop was a dog when she was in the relationship with the dog, look at her ears

[@gullytiger]

90's 'Spawn' & 'The Maxx' were adult comics that became animated series

[@darwinxavier3516]

"STOP! I have a hostage!" *smash "You killed my hostage!"

[@darkridr25]

They weren't really adult comics though, at least no more than any Marvel title was. Dark and gritty, yet not listed as adults only.

[@xblade149]

@@darkridr25 yes they were. The target demographic for spawn and the maxx was for older teens and adults. Soo

[@darkridr25]

@@xblade149 No argument there, but "adult comics" is a special designation used for comics specifically with high amounts of nudity, sexually explicit content, and/or extremely high rates of violence. While some of these might apply, none of these titles ever received the Adult label on them.

[@MezziahX]

if you guys are into anime "School Days" is PG-13 because it doesn't show any sex scenes ig

[@Jingles6466]

This makes me want to watch the Philosophy of Love, Death + Robots

[@steamtasticvagabond474]

Fed I think LDR mainly exists to attempt to legitimize animation as a serious medium. Animation isn’t taken very seriously by critics and animators themselves who take the safe road and make comedies with their animation. Love Death and Robots therefore is an attempt to make a (mostly) serious adult animation and to prove the legitimacy of the medium.

[@ridgeshepherd4746]

That's frigging weird bro

[@wilhelmvg9978]

Steamtastic Vagabond I couldn’t disagree more. Animation has been taken seriously as a form of cinema for decades. LDR is rife with violence and humour just like the so called “easy road” works you describe. I must ask why you think LDR is doing more for adult animation than Akira? The Clone Wars? Seasons 1-10 of the Simpsons? Neon Genesis Evangelion? The Boondocks? I have absolutely no idea why you think that in 2020, animation still needs to be “legitimized” when it’s so obvious to me that it already is.

[@thee_val]

@@wilhelmvg9978 Bruh, did you watch the video? She literally stated that animation in today's age is still for some reason deemed as "for kids". Even tho plenty of animated shows are legit better than other non-animated shows.

[@wilhelmvg9978]

Balan yes, bruh, I watched the video. I know she “literally stated” that. I disagree. You know that people are capable of thinking for themselves right? And that just because this woman was paid to read this script, doesn’t mean she’s an expert? I worry for your critical thinking skills. I’m sorry, but you’re wrong and so is she. There’s been SO much brilliant adult animation over SO many years that I can’t help but think that anyone who thinks animation is solely for kids is simply ignorant. Just because people are ignorant, does not mean that animation, as a whole, worldwide, is viewed as “for kids”. That is such a massive over generalization I don’t know how you can even argue it.

[@spookavision]

Animation is a writer's dream because the only limit is imagination (and you know, drawing skill).

[@370530e]

Spook That’s a pretty major limitation...

[@jakobvanklinken]

And budget - animation isn't cheap

[@moritz4206]

Mind you this only applies to America, animation in the east has never really shyed away from adult topics and humor

[@anonb4632]

Or in Europe. It's as if they don't know we exist... They'll get a nasty shock when they realise most internet users are not American.

[@eegernades]

@@LauraM-kr9wv he has a point tho. I barely hear European animation ever mentioned.

[@eegernades]

@@mysteriousfigure1281 but we hear about japanese animation. Not european.

[@moritz4206]

Anon B I’m not actually familiar with much European animation, any recommendations?

[@phil2160]

@iiYonko and no one gives a shit about your comment

[@helltaker6865]

Wisecrack: This era is the renaissance of adult animation Anime: Am I a joke to you?

[@marocomarocodoidos]

western animation is better than anime

[@jan-gabrielruthmann745]

1980s were a golden age for animation in Japan. Should have been included in the video. Especially Akira had a massive influence on adult animation

[@Linkous12]

Probably needs it's own video.

[@lainiwakura1776]

Didn't know 80's anime was really American.

[@jan-gabrielruthmann745]

@@lainiwakura1776 nothing in the video says that it is limited to American animation. Also Japanese animation had huge influence on western animation and vice versa.

[@darkridr25]

@@Linkous12 I for one would LOVE to see a spotlight on how Anime influenced Western animation.

[@KhayJayArt]

@@jan-gabrielruthmann745 fuck off. Everything cant be about anime all the fucking time

[@hobihope2981]

MTV brought TONS of (under-appreciated) animated shows to life- Clone High, Mission Hill, The Critic, Undergrads, and more. They all only lasted around 1 season each, but they definitely opened up the acceptance of adult western animation. (Luckily you can find all of those shows on youtube!)

[@briankentpirrie5228]

brothers grunt.

[@kaitlnwhite6809]

Thank you for including Moral Orel! It’s such an underrated series!

[@lainiwakura1776]

They ignored Venture Bros though.

[@DaidriveCJ]

"Vanishing Americans "

[@joeyn4607]

Duckman was ahead of its time and fyi most all episodes are on youtube! Jason Alexander is perfect

[@andrerichardsousa]

*in the USA.

[@xblade149]

And what's your point

[@eegernades]

@@xblade149 that people want more adult animation, anime has that.

[@shinankoku2]

Crap shows in the 80s from America pushed a generation of animation fans to anime.

[@JanoTuotanto]

The Brits. Before Tracy Ullman there was Kenny Everett Show with "Captain Kremmen" shorts. Before that Monty Python. French "Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle" 1975 1978 West German "Nick Knatterton " prime time mature audience cartoon tv-series. Canada 1981, Heavy effing Metal

[@Biouke]

What? You mean there are other lands across the oceans? And here I thought the USA were the entire world, Wisecrack lied to meee! D:

[@ivailopopov1414]

wow Jared became really beautiful

[@aguilacahc000]

*F* for Jared, I hope he's well and comes back soon 😣

[@LLMood]

f

[@DaddyO318]

It’s catching fire because all those kids who grew up loving cartoons wanted to keep loving them. But now that they are mature adults with darker minds they wanted the cartoons to follow suit.

[@QuimBeeLivingstone]

YES! Absolutely correct! At least for me!

[@bribli2177]

William Turner II It’s only animated adult comedies.Animated adult dramas are far less popular.

[@commandercaptain4664]

@@bribli2177 The only adult animated dramas I've ever seen in primetime were the likes of _Spicy City_ (HBO), _Spawn_ (HBO) and _Invasion: America_ (NBC, I think).

[@LaikaLycanthrope]

I think the hint that adults still wanted cartoons for themselves came when the realization hit that shows like Gummi Bears (and the other Disney cartoons that started showing up in the deep, dark later 80s) and then the Warner cartoons (Tiny Toons and Animaniacs) actually had a significant adult audience - particularly Animaniacs, which actually had a LOT for adults in it. I grew up on the 1970s crap, and believe me, when Disney and Warner started doing original shows (outside of Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, and the Bugs Bunny and Tweety show on Saturday mornings, that is), it was a really awesome breath of fresh air. Oh, and a special mention should go to Kimba the White Lion, which actually had some pretty heavy storylines, and character permadeath.

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about stuff like Duckman, Aeon Flux etc.?

[@LaikaLycanthrope]

@@Johnlindsey289 Duckman wasn't a thing until 1994; Disney and Warner made their Daytime/Saturday Morning debut in the 1980s, and the Simpsons was already long spun off from the Tracy Ullman show. As I said, if they hadn't realized what the actual demographics were for those shows, the Simpsons and everything that followed wouldn't have happened, and cartoons would still be "for kids", but with sly adult stuff (and not just off-colour double-entendres like the Finger Prints thing from Animaniacs) slipped in. And for the record, I doubt that realization would have sunk in if it weren't for the early internet (including the period before the commercialization of it, where university students had increasing access to it through their schools, for a by-the-minute fee, to access Usenet and fan-based mailing lists which coprorations were certainly monitoring, if not maintaining themselves. You'd have done better, I think, to point out Beavis and Butthead, which was aimed at teenagers rather than "children". But then, it was also making fun of them for watching cartoons in the first place. The Simpsons was more of a celebration of the return of a Flintstones-type show to prime time.

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@LaikaLycanthrope Earlier there was other adult animation like Watership Down, American Pop, Wizards, to later stuff from Japan like Akira, Ninja Scroll, Princess Mononoke, Aeon Flux, Spawn TAS and more. And now we have Bojack Horseman, Castlevania, Archer etc.

[@LaikaLycanthrope]

@@Johnlindsey289 Yes, and they weren't exactly box office hits at the time, and the Japanese stuff didn't really hit until the 90s, except for Kimba and Astro Boy, which will be about all most GenXers will remember from their childhood years. Also, as far as Canada went, a lot of Japanese movies were either banned or heavily censored, and you really had to run in hardcore nerd crowds to have even _heard_ about such things at the time. It wasn't as ubiquitous as it is now, but you can thank Saban for changing that (even though I remember cartoons with his name on them being primo shitty, except for that pizza cats one.) Japan had its own culture, and never fell into the "cartoons are for kids" thing that North America did, but that culture didn't really affect ours until well into the 1990s. Basically, you had to be willing to waste money on an expensive rental of a VHS to discover animation one wasn't familiar with, and not everywhere carried imports.

[@LaikaLycanthrope]

@@Johnlindsey289 And you forgot Allegro non Troppo, which is a masterpiece, but generally only remembered by animation students.

[@ZZ-sb8os]

You know another reason streaming services are pushing animation? Animation is usually much less data intensive to stream, sometimes the difference in data rates between HD video and a very simplistic cartoon style can be quite a bit, meaning the more people are choosing to watch animation over video, the less work their servers have to do.

[@tylerbiso6872]

I'm surprised anime wasn't talked about, you could argue that they were more for teens, but incredibly dark issues and violence were abundant in those series. Where as all the shows they talked about are comedies, anime had action and dramatic shows to expand the typical genres animation was involved in.

[@xblade149]

Well we also had batman tas, superman animated series, justice league, and static shock that told compelling and adult stories .

[@xblade149]

Oh we also had the maxx and spawn the animated series

[@commandercaptain4664]

Anime like Pokemon, Yokai Watch, and Hello Kitty? Let's not use a broad label to encompass the varied specifics within. Also, violence does not an adult series make.

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@commandercaptain4664 How do you feel about Ninja Scroll, Akira and Princess Mononoke?

[@theshevirgo]

I’ve always loved animation from the cartoons of my youth, anime in my teens. As an Adult I love it even more. My mom thinks it’s weird that im an adult that still loves cartoons. I try to tell her it ain’t cartoons. A few of my older relatives (60’s) have surprised me tho by telling me they love shows like Rick and Morty and Bojack Horseman

[@SomeGuy4245-f1v]

This is basically the long version of what My friends have been saying for years.animation has always been for adults.

[@daniellouis6665]

This video is brilliant. Incredibly well researched and well presented. Thanks for this gem.

[@StarBoyHalliMC]

I really like Helen. I've always felt a bit iffy about anything that's not hosted by Jared, but Helen's a great host. Keep it up.

[@maddieb.440]

But the real question now is has there been any prominent animation for teens before (or at least in recent years)? I always felt that teens often had to migrate back and forth between "kids" and "adult" cartoons just to have their animation fix, since strictly "teen/young adult animation" is a rarity in the west. Granted there are shows like Daria, Beavis and Butthead, and 6teen in the past. Plus shows like Adventure Time, Regular Show, and Steven Universe are arguably more geared towards teens/young adults, but are still classified as kids shows in some ways for not being too dark or dramatic.

[@smrt9311]

I’d say that the simpsons is more for teens/adults than strictly adults

[@GameTesterBootCamp]

Thumbs up for the "Home Movies" clip! Loved that show!

[@saltamas]

Fantastic voice for narration. First time viewer. Found your video entertaining and educational.

[@toohamm6809]

I just want to say this is my first time seeing her do this show and she is impressing me. I could watch more of these

[@ViCompanies]

I think you guys kind of missed out on the influence of Terry Gilliam who did the animated segments of the Monty python show. Many animators reference him as an inspiration including Trey Parker and Matt Stone. With Monty Python Flying Circus mostly running in the 70s it paved the path for the adult content in general including the adult cartoon renaissance.

[@ThrottleKitty]

"Animation is for kids!" 90% of animation: **Is violent or pornographic**

[@oOPPHOo]

or?

[@DaidriveCJ]

That way of thinking grew in prominence as a near absolute during the mid-60's.

[@MrHanderson91]

So in other words...for kids xp

[@aprylvanryn5898]

Kids gotta learn about sex somehow lol

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

@@aprylvanryn5898 By reading books about the human body?

[@ColdHighway7]

Nice to see Duckman get acknowleged

[@AdamRoss1]

They gave Family Guy a little too much praise in that statement.

[@Dayvit78]

I love Family Guy and even I agree with your comment.

[@rosecity_chris]

That "the critic" clip just gave me nostalgia chills

[@Johnlindsey289]

Love that show since i was 12 when it debuted

[@basedbattledroid3507]

I'd love to see Johnny the Homicidal Maniac adaptated as an adult cartoon, especially since it comes from the same mind behind Invader Zim.

[@billrc68]

Wow! An amazingly laid back hair style and eyes that don't quit!

[@Ur1z13l]

I'm not the biggest anime fan, but not mentioning the early gruesome animes is omission of information.

[@Ur1z13l]

@Shirley Timple I've not watched it :D but Akira looks pretty messed up and its from 1988, before Simpsons.

[@noytelinu]

Or the sexual stuff. Kids anime in the 70's and 80's wouldn't be allowed on tv NOW. Seriously, try to get Miss Machiko on tv today. middle school boys flipping skirts and exposing their teacher's breasts. Or Ranma 1/2, a gender bending ecchi anime where the main character is topless a bunch. DBZ had blood in it and was censored for America. Hell there was hentai back in 1970 for the movie theater with Cleopatra.

[@whathell6t]

Noy Telinú You forgot the Go Nagai, the shaper of anime. The dude always give a middle finger to parental ratings.

[@anonb4632]

What about Europe?

[@cynthiasonier5142]

I live in New Brunswick, Canada and in the 2000s we had our own local twist on adult animation called Acadieman.

[@anonb4632]

Sssh! Don't mention other countries, it confuses the Yanks.

[@FilmFightFanatic]

The next era of adult animation will bring more dramatically focused series that are not sitcoms to the mainstream like Spawn, Aeon Flux, and recently, Castlevania.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Well some shows will end on a good note like Bojack Horseman (comedy-drama combo) as even King of the Hill and Regular Show both ended gracefully too and so did Futurama. it's a shame the rotting corpses of The Simpsons and Family Guy are still on the air, those 2 shows are like being puppeted like Bernie in the movie Weekend at Bernies. And how about Love Death and Robots and any Japanese animation?

[@FilmFightFanatic]

Love, Death, and Robots is one of my favorites. Almost like a less thought-provoking, more action-packed Black Mirror. And I feel like Japanese animation is a separate category (even though it need not be) and this whole video was a historical analysis of western animation which has mostly been successful in the sitcom format.

[@TylerSane5]

Just don't make pedo shows like Big Mouth!

[@Johnlindsey289]

@@FilmFightFanatic You think there should be less Simpson and more Heavy Metal, Watership Down, Fire and Ice and all? What about Primal and Undone?

[@FilmFightFanatic]

@@Johnlindsey289 I don't think necessarily less sitcoms but more dramatic adult animated series becoming just as popular. That way we'd have more mainstream exposure for animation in older demographics and a greater variety of content.

[@agvulpine]

You skipped Drawn Together :'( Not only another adult cartoon, but a meta cartoon about old cartoons.

[@msmilesftw]

This is the content I look for-great job!

[@tayloreh]

Rockos Modern Life what was the first Nickelodeon show to really push the boundaries in ages. That needed a mention. Nick were the original heroes of saving adult animation, film festivals and Ralph Bakshis 'Mighty Mouse' reboot. Also a Fox adult cartoon called 'Fish Police' failed so badly they didnt expect much from The Simpsons which arguably gave them more freedom. Also adult themes have now more and more infiltrated kids content on CN.

[@Johnlindsey289]

What abut Regular Show, Bojack, Castlevania, Spawn etc.?

[@nachoviking]

I really love Helen's voice. It makes me want to not stop listening.

[@DomSchu]

It's strangely similar in delivery to Jared. But yeah I agree she does a good job.

[@nachoviking]

DomSchu I think it’s a wisecrack host requirement lol

[@Crazelord91]

Great video! Though you forgot about Ralph Bakshi and some of his adult animated films

[@fdub301]

If you've never seen Fritz the Cat, it's awesome

[@Johnlindsey289]

Yup it predates Bojack Horseman and all

[@Kaylakaze]

The problem with a lot of "adult animation" is that it often feels it needs to push the envelope and, most of the time, be considered especially kid unfriendly, seemingly trying to prove how edgy it is. The real art is in the animation that is both kid-friendly and well-written with deep story-telling and well-rounded characters.

[@thetoot9615]

Adventure Time is a perfect example

[@LoganLS0]

Gimme my Clone Wars season 7!

[@ofgraham]

I am counting down the days

[@LoganLS0]

@@ofgraham I need more Ahsoka.

[@zachybeats]

Awesome video, really good analysis and breakdown of the history of animation 😁 Helen is a superstar, she does such a good job presenting the information in a way that flows and keeps you interested

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Anime looked a lot different back then

[@Reydriel]

Man, old-timey hentai are still great even today.

[@whathell6t]

Reydriel So. You like Urotsukidouji, that very old hentai. Right?

[@Reydriel]

@@whathell6t Ah yes, Leg End of the Overfiend

[@IXSICNESS]

Johny Marcial i saw that in high school thinking it was just another manga movie.... it was not just another manga movie

[@thetoot9615]

You changed your profile picture and I will forever hate you for that.

[@christcooleye3689]

Great video, however might be more aptly titled "The Weird History of American Adult Animation" Also, surprised at referencing "The Head" and "Home Movies" but not "The Maxx" and "Dr. Katz", though I'm sure it would be tough to feature everything ...

[@anonb4632]

Nick Park is the only non-American mentioned AFAIK.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Love those too

[@anameyouknow4022]

Anyone remember rocko's modern life

[@jasonaus3551]

That show has been statically proven to be the favourite childhood cartoon of radical right wingers

[@anameyouknow4022]

@@jasonaus3551 what lol really ?

[@jamesonrosen1773]

What angers me most is that disney thought spiders had endoskeletons smh

[@MartyD]

Rewatching cartoons for kids as an adult is interesting as well!

[@thefirmamentalist9922]

Isn’t kind of weird how she *speaks in the exact same cadence* as Jarred?

[@KutluMizrak]

And possesses the same eyebrows. And eyes. And mouth. Ffs someone definitely cloned one off on another

[@couchpotatoe91]

There was this educational film called "gunner Tom" about how to shoot German fighters from a bomber. So yeah, that wasn't really for kids...

[@advancedhell42069]

Didn't even mention Heavy Traffic for Ralph Bakshi Not only did Ralph Bakshi write and direct 2 of the greatest adult animated films ever made back to back, but he also was the first animator since Walt Disney to have 2 Box Office hits in a row

[@essenceofveles]

This is why I love Happy Tree Friends.

[@lippyausletzeburg1455]

:) Happy Tree Friends :)

[@adlerb44]

I like how she looks at the camera an how she mimic's jeardes speech pattern she treats it like a professional gig so I see wisecrack when her an jeard speak an not their personas which is y I like every vid from Dem

[@ShurikB93]

Stop teasing us with futurama and actually discuss it

[@84bucco]

Not sure you can have a Rick and Morty without Futurama. Plus Futurama> Family Guy

[@mon_nobi]

For real, i mean there's a reason why Futurama has won multiple Emmys for various episodes whereas the glut of adult animated tv shows haven't (in fact, Family Guy made a whole episode about how salty they were for not having won an emmy). When Futurama premiered, it broke the mold of the "crass family gets into miscellaneous hijinks" dynamic that dominated american adult animated tv, (at least half of it supplied in full or in part by Seth McFarlane). When it was in its prime, it could make you laugh and tear up within minutes of each other.

[@ShurikB93]

@@mon_nobi Futurama is the absolute champion in making me cry on demand.

[@HayTatsuko]

their kickass interstitials and especially _Liquid Television_ were a huge part of my childhood. thanks very much, MTV! I have lived through the 70s through today and I can unequivocally proclaim I am totally satisfied with US animation's embracing of animation for adults -- it's been so for far longer, in other parts of the world.

[@Red_Doomer]

How can you forget the introduction of anime to the pop culture scene of America in this video. Ps: how about also the Comeback of comicbook and graphic novels !

[@CatDogDexterMan20]

It's debatable because Japan has much different restrictions on what's okay for kids to see. One piece for example, was intended for the same demographic in Japan as it was when 4Kids dubbed and heavily censored it. it.

[@zotharr]

My shoe size is 43, I still have around 10 years before I can watch some serious stuff. Not so long now :)

[@christophercombs7561]

This is a very American centered video because anime from japan has always had the adult edge when the Americans were doing things like bevis and butthead japan was making things like elfin lied, Akira, and BERSERK

[@christophercombs7561]

@Shirley Timple but anime is ubiquitous and made massive strides in animation it seems shortsighted not to include it

[@PcCAvioN]

I get distracted every time Helen comes on screen

[@slayerficated]

She's super cute but I don't have the attention span of a 10 year old at an amusement park.

[@PcCAvioN]

@@slayerficated yeah dude you're so cool, I can't wait to be just like you when I turn 15

[@slayerficated]

@@PcCAvioN If you work hard, maybe one day you'll turn 15, get a girlfriend and be as cool as me. You just need good work ethic and exceptional genes.

[@dnightwalker]

11:20 Forgot to mention the music video of "Three Little Pigs" by Green Jelly.

[@JK-gu3tl]

Duckman was great. Also, do not overlook "Mission Hill," another show created by Simpsons alum.

[@bettycherrypie]

Anime : "Am I a joke to you?"

[@edi9892]

As a kid it was on kid programs and then my mother noticed that it had heavy topics like euthanasia...

[@Startbreak12]

Anime & it's role in pop culture really deserve their own video, even with their relevence to this topic *My opinion, obviously

[@kgblackout1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIW6goSroNWHpJI

[@kiticanax1421]

This is about American adult animation.

[@ebox147]

Anime and adult anime are a whole beast by themselves

[@ArtOfficialKreations]

Netflix has a pretty good all-ages animated show called: 'The Dragon Prince' The depth of the shows' worldbuilding truly makes it feel like a worthy spiritual successor to Avatar: The Last Airbender

[@MorbidVampTheryn]

Because one of the writers from Avatar is working on it. In fact- the same one that was missing from Korra

[@Classic_Flavor]

I think that a lot "millennials" grew up watching cartoons/anime, so transitioning to animated adult shows as they aged seems like a fairly coherent progression. (As a kid I enjoyed Pokémon, SpongeBob Squarepants, Jackie Chan Adventures; now I prefer Rick and Morty, Archer and Devilman Crybaby ).

[@kingalfred2014]

Yeah, in the Saturday Morning era most live-action TV was marketed strictly to Boomers. For the younger generations cartoons were often the only shows that felt like they were made specifically for us. Sure, they were mostly there to sell us toys, but they were our shows. So as we got older we ended up making and watching animated shows with more mature themes and subject matter.

[@barefootrecon5593]

I think it's catching on so fast because of the wide audience it panders to and how it some how miraculously bonds the older generations with the younger ones through bright fast moving pictures.

[@liamhendricks8782]

Where is Jared :(

[@Arovna]

There was a post that announced he had family matters to attend to for the month, reason for his absence in episodes and podcasts

[@liamhendricks8782]

@@Arovna thanks man

[@Arovna]

@@liamhendricks8782 of course.

[@alec2733]

He dead No

[@TheSchmuck2]

This video is really great and I can't tell you how much the topic of the 80s and 90s adult animation renaissance means to me, but I have to point out, your samples of Liquid Television are all from the much later web reboot! And they are quite different from a lot of the classic Liquid Television segments like Winter Steele, The Art School Girls of Doom, Stick Figure Theatre, Soap Opera, Miss Lydia's Makeover to the Stars, Cut-up Camera, Invisible Hands... Not to mention so many incredible one-offs. Oh, I could go on and on. Liquid Television was such a huge part in the history of adult animation, spawning one of the most radical and substantial series, Aeon Flux... And Beavis and Butt-Head, which was such a cultural phenomenon, and led to one of the great portrayals of teenage girls in the 90s, Daria!! Ah, there's too much to say about all of it! But thank you, sincerely, for going over this history. I sincerely hope all these things can be restored and made available.

[@MaLe899]

I'm surprised this didnt talk about Japanese anime at all.

[@Linkous12]

I was going to say that too, but anime may need it's own video. Lots to talk about.

[@laurensahanna5826]

I'm pretty sure alot of the shows in the 90s where popular way before anime....

[@anonb4632]

USA USA USA! It's as if us dirty foreigners don't exist.

[@wanderingpirate5788]

Love the video, animation as an art form is old, older than tv. Puppets and marionettes were what we animated with first. Now with digital tech it’s become one of the most malleable formats in storytelling. Can light people on fire, turn them inside out, show mind bending pscheadelic trips, all through beautiful animations. Love it

[@pootisbirb6821]

Japan: It's free real estate.

[@jevinday]

Props for talking about The Critic. I just found it and i really like it. And if you want to watch it they have all the episodes on youtube (don't tell anyone)

[@TheBoomamatic]

America: starts growing an adult animation industry in the 21st century Japan: I am two Atomic blasts ahead of you

[@chemicalcastration]

No shoutout to Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law?! I did greatly appreciate that mention of Daria tho. Great memories.

[@alexfish5028]

Do a philosophy of the Limmy show. absolute scenes if you did.

[@anonb4632]

I doubt they watch Scottish shows. 😄

[@alexfish5028]

Anon B sadly, I believe you are correct.

[@berniekatzroy]

So many underrated gems on this particular ep. Wish mission hill, undergrads, and the oblongs were mentioned.

[@Jebbtube]

I suspect anime might've had a hand in the return of adult animation, as their standards were very different from western ones, and it was becoming more and more popular around that time.

[@Hromovlad1]

I mean, anime wasn't that popular yet in the US back when the Simpsons or South Park started

[@laurensahanna5826]

@@Hromovlad1 yeah alot of these shows came out way before the anime boom.....

[@japanimationman4442]

@@laurensahanna5826 As a fan of anime in the early 90s, I can assure you that the ball was already rolling for the anime boom well before South Park and Family Guy hit the scene. The resurgence of adult American animation and the western popularity of anime were at the very least coincidental, and most likely interconnected.

[@Jebbtube]

@@Hromovlad1 But the fact that it was willing to push boundaries that most Western animation wouldn't did contribute to the rise of things like Adult Swim later on.

[@Hromovlad1]

@@Jebbtube Anime never had to deal with the Hayes Code tho

[@GabrielAlmeida-hz5ou]

I can't believe this is free content God bless you guys and the age of internet!!!

[@DeRockMedia]

*clicks video and thinks "hmmm strange a video on just adult animation" *watched video......just remembers about COPPA "aaah i see what we are doing here"

[@MalicetheOmega]

Helen's cadence is on point. I wish she did more vids

[@bluesapphireymca]

Adult swim: The Venture Bros.

[@evanduquette]

Literally the best adult-oriented (western) cartoon ever and it gets completely ignored.

[@xN0XvRVLEZx]

@@evanduquette how bout primal?

[@evanduquette]

@@xN0XvRVLEZx Never heard of it. Guess I should check it out?

[@xN0XvRVLEZx]

@@evanduquette yessir, its very good

[@evanduquette]

@@xN0XvRVLEZx cool, thanks!

[@anactualmotherbear]

Finally watched the whole thing. In the 50s, UPA actually did push animation towards adult audiences, making more artsy short subjects, and Disney tried to copy them! The cold war Disney shorts are some of the most adult from the company, actually. The clips from Liquid Television are... weirdly... from the later version of the show and not the 90s one (until you mention Beavis And Butthead and Aeon Flux directly.) The short-form video essay format is good for an introduction to this subject, but it is the kind of thing that deserves more scrutiny because it's always been all over the place.