Why Fionna and Cake is a Perfect Spinoff Series

I was excited for this one as a long-time Adventure Time enjoyer. But I didn't expect it to be THIS good.
Disclaimer: All copyrighted content used in the video is protected under the Fair Use doctrine of the United States law and falls under the category of critical and film studies.
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Neither the art itself nor my commentary on it would be possible. without the labor and creativity of the writers and actors currently on strike.
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[@wxy3964]

The fact that the show is this great despite original versions of all the characters (besides Simon) barely being in it at all, is a true testament to how well the show operates on its own terms. It feels like a great way for people who don't know anything about Adventure Time to get into it.

[@ammonite0257]

I never thought that adventure time would still be relevant way past it’s ending is truly crazy to me. Not only that, every entry has been well written and made with lots of love.

[@JEvans-wy9ln]

I dont think you can watch this show without watching the original adventure time show or at least a recap of it.

[@ammonite0257]

@@JEvans-wy9ln you can. And it still has a story that stand on its own. But you’ll be missing the bigger picture

[@JEvans-wy9ln]

@@ammonite0257 not really. Too many important information that would leave people confused if they didn't see the original

[@mertensiam3384]

@@JEvans-wy9ln this is what I was thinking Being a new story with new characters doesn't take away the fact that it's a continuation, and that there are way too many facets of the show that you just wouldn't really understand or appreciate if you don't know the context behind it

[@agorriazfan3238]

Considering how many times franchises use the multiverse for nostalgia bait or to have a different setting, to see a show use the multiverse to progress the growth of the characters is immensely refreshing.

[@binkogamez]

I like that it was set up early and got gradually expanded on. It's an established part of the world that has limitations and rules, there are understandable reasons for why events play out how they do not just an excuse for the plot to move forward

[@AwesomeDr111]

Adventure Time already had the multiverse as a central plot point. Definitely helped it feel not shoehorned in.

[@emmavoid]

it honestly feels like every adventure time youtuber missed the bit where prismo said *he* created fionnaverse and put it in ice king's head- ice king just thought he made it up as fan fiction because he didn't remember

[@EugeneHerbsman]

The voice acting is such an incredible aspect of this whole series. They nailed every character in adventure time and I think they really proved that Adam Muto and Pendleton Ward have a talent for finding other talent with this sequel. Expectations blown out of the water in every aspect. Such an amazing piece of art. I hope the creators know how much this world means to so many of us. They just can't miss.

[@EugeneHerbsman]

The only thing I felt was missing was the music aspect. The show has always showcased music in a very raw and underproduced form that I find really endearing. I wish they had explored that more given that it was such a major part of the original series.

[@poopers197]

Ur kidding right.. Prince Bubblegum and Winter King’s voice acting was horrendous

[@incertnamehere]

@@poopers197 go back and rewatch the show, but this time use your ears.

[@poopers197]

@@incertnamehere no thanks I’d rather watch the real Adventure Time over that lifeless garbage

[@itsentdev]

@@poopers197 TOP 10 LEAST INTERESTING RAGEBAIT COMMENTS!!! NUMBER 3: THIS SHIT!!

[@elysefraenza3108]

As someone who gets frustrated about remakes and spin-offs I was unhappy when they announced this, but I was very happily surprised with this show, and you put into words why it's so great in my eyes

[@thefattesthagrid]

Ice King didn't create Fiona and Cake. Prismo put the "script" into his head.

[@Bunny2319b]

I love every character in this show, especially Simon and Fionna. My only issue is… that I wish the finale was longer? Felt a little rushed. I loved it nonetheless… but the season left a lot of questions. If there is a season 2… I do hope we get some closure for Finn. also along side fionna & cake. I just love their design and voices

[@isaiahbyrom1847]

The finale felt so "were not sure if we are cleared for another season and we want to give the fans what they want but leave it open for more"

[@AngelichuXD]

What closure for fin ? Fins closure was in “together again” after he’s dead.

[@geekygecko1849]

I agree, I think the ending was great but it needed some more breathing room

[@boomgirlbucko]

Finn already got closure in Together Again

[@geekygecko1849]

@@boomgirlbucko idk I feel like I want to see Finn living his life qnd not avoiding dealing with the pain of Jakes death

[@lightphoenix9061]

This was so rewarding as a long-time Adventure Time fan.

[@chastox]

One thing i really love about fionna and cake is how at the start they ARE like the original characters. not entirely of course, even in the start they are their own people. But in the end they become way different than the characters in the end of adventure time. Fionna is a lot more mature than Finn. She knows that she cant be an adventurer or anything like that, and shes accepted that and enjoys her world. and that is still similar to finn. but its filpped on his head, if you get what i mean. which i really like.

[@veronicapiccinini7956]

It helps that, unlike Finn, Fionna is already an adult. She may be childish, but she’s emotionally mature enough to understand the not so nice implications of her actions.

[@chastox]

@@veronicapiccinini7956 exactly. finn was conditioned to it at a younger age so he didn't realize what he was doing. and then it was basically just normal for him.

[@veronicapiccinini7956]

@@chastox another contrast between them is that part of the reason why Fionna was already “mature” is because she forgot her past life as a heroine from a whimsical, crazy world (though there are remnants in the form of vague, weird dreams), forcing her to start over and create a personality of her own. Also, unlike Finn, who has the tendency to repress his most painful memories and wrongdoings in the vault and forget about it, in a blissful yet unhealthy denial, Fionna does think about them head on, and accepts them as a matter of fact. Even when she bottles her emotions up, she’s not afraid to express herself when she can no longer hold them (like her fallout with Cake)

[@sargentuniverse2254]

​@@veronicapiccinini7956I think Fionna still want a magical world but she refused to it for the sake of her friends... wich is pretty sad...

[@simonsonian8977]

Fionna feels like the older sister to Cake, where as Jake is obviously Finn’s older brother. It gives their relationship a unique identity from Finn and Jake’s iconic brotherhood.

[@lulusugarlife]

You didnt mention simons lesson about being self aware about the choices you make and the choices you arent making, with casper and nova. If he made some of bettys choices, she was sacrificing everything for him, obsessed. And they still would've got the crown but maybe it wouldve turned out differently. I thought that was very interesting and sad. 😔

[@sniderealism2410]

That part was my favorite part of the whole finale: becoming aware of this power dynamic in their relationship, and coming to terms with its outcome of losing Betty. They made their choices.

[@auburneytuckerson2959]

Sure, but it isn't his fault. He just didn't know she was obsessed. Betty basically put him on a pedestal while he saw her as a princess. That happens when you don't see yourself as much while someone else may see you as a god. Simon was surprised Betty even read his work, because that's how he sees himself: as lowly, and everyone else laughed to his face. Despite Simon's protests, she will still sacrifice for him, because, well, it's Betty. She literally shoved him out of GOLB, despite him urging her to save herself. She mainly just does what she wants most of the time. You think Simon wanted her to give up on her dreams and sacrifice? No. But he didn't notice, because Betty WANTED to sacrifice for him.

[@TindraSan]

@@auburneytuckerson2959 that's also part of the tragedy tho, isn't it? both Simon and Betty put the other on a pedestal at one point or another while also having p huge egos, Betty started out as someone idolizing Simon and wanting to be his #1 supporter that never held him back bc that made her feel special while Simon made little to no effort to look beyond that yes-man attitude bc that was more comfortable and made him feel smart and reliable to always be right. (and both clearly very caught up in the general romanticism of their campus love story) with them both losing each other and themselves they would come to put one another on similar pedestals, too blinded by grief and the _idea_ of the other to accept them as they currently were, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the other bc that seemed preferable over another lucid lifetime without the other. Betty just happened to be the more assertive one in the end, quicker to take action than Simon (be that due to something always inherent in them or bc, while both being fresh out of wizard madness, Betty had managed to remain more lucid than Simon were as Ice King and thus wouldn't be feeling as disoriented as Simon probably was once back with a clear mind and all memories in order.)

[@auburneytuckerson2959]

@@TindraSan I don't think Simon was worried about being right.

[@TindraSan]

@@auburneytuckerson2959 never said he was, literally never had to be because his own ego was being enabled by Betty

[@finalmountain]

Adventure Time is one of my favourite tv shows ever, barely because it’s something I grew up with personally But because rewatching it as an adult. It has phenomenal writing, world building, characterisation, storytelling and meaning that makes me see myself and what Pendleton Ward has the desire to create. It would mean the world to me if it was more recognised as the masterpiece that it is, rather than just an every week cartoon. I’d even argue that it’s Cartoon Network’s rival to Nickelodeon’s Avatar The Last Airbender I’d be motivated to be the Adventure Time apologists, like how Schaff is the DreamWorks apologists. Until then I am excited to Here your sea of thoughts on Adventure Time

[@alinag7314]

the amount of original characters who were still voiced by their original actors made me so happy

[@JenniferNoelle]

I don't think you have to have been a kid to have enjoyed Adventure Time. I think it's one of the best shows ever and didn't even start watching it until my mid-twenties.

[@enricod.7198]

I knew it since I was like 13, watched it when it came to an end in 2018 and I was 23, rewatched again last year and still learned/understood more things about life etc..it's truly a show which is not completely meant for children

[@criticalplat1num80]

As someone who liked Adventure Time, I think I may give this show a shot.

[@KR-vu9mo]

You should I loved it sm

[@punkierockerbruster]

You won't regret it and definitely bring some tissues

[@lucio-ohs8828]

If you just mean liked it as a kid or something, make sure you’ve watched the whole series (and remember it) first, this is a continuation of Simon’s story so you should know previous lore. Also watch Distant Lands

[@ThatOneGuy0006]

It's secretly season 11

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Fionna and Cake deserve a Second Season or another AT series from Atam Muto and his Adventure Time Crew.

[@BlXCK0UT]

I think 1 season is fine but another season is cool ig

[@UmQasaann]

God, I just remember seeing the first Adventure Time promo of back in early 2010 when the little boy cosplaying Finn yelling "What time is it? What time is it? What time is it?" I thought the show was going to suck so bad but holy crap Adventure Time is one of my favorite shows of all time in Cartoon Network!

[@OpticalSorcerer]

I have mixed feelings about the change in status quo. The OG world had it's own uniqueness beyond being genderbent (such as Ice Queen's backstory), and I wonder if it will be brought up, or if the characters will only be forging new memories/relationships if the show continues.

[@Greybell]

I hope we get a prequel of Fionna's universe before Ice King lost his powers in Golb. A special episode or two just to explore what it was like before Ice King turned normal.

[@m8mZ]

it would be cool to see the gender bent simon since shes probably not the ice queen anymore

[@geekygecko1849]

​@@m8mZshe's the owner of the ice cream stand at the end of the first episode of the show

[@m8mZ]

@@geekygecko1849 oh shit thanks

[@geekygecko1849]

@@m8mZ i mean the end of the first episode of Fionna and Cake

[@smththax6190]

11:47 he didn't kill them not because they were from different timeline, but because after achieving his goals, he didn't feel himself satisfied and as a result killing them wouldn't do anything but return him in this state he had two options, one is too wait for something to happen after their appearance or to killl them and return to the state he was in for the last 20 years

[@NintendoHighSchool]

Fiona resonates with me a lot as a trans girl trying to find her place in the world while being told she's not allowed or supposed to exist

[@psycheedellic]

I think the universe where the lich is successful was the original universe where in the time room with prismo he had wished for the end of all life then that universe branched into another when Jakes wishes to change the lich's wish. The evidence of was in the secret tapes they've watched for a brief moment ice king turned into a skeleton before cutting off.

[@tumbke]

The mild swears are actually present in the original AT series, they just got censored out with random words as a joke, probably why it feels natural here

[@jewelsbeckley3216]

I’m so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this series. I’m kinda obsessed and it’s definitely re sparked my love for not only adventure time but also just cartoons in general. Also I think the part I got the most excitement out of was hearing Rebecca Sugars voice. I’m so glad we got to hear a song from them.

[@heatnationwpb]

I'm in my early 50's and I have loved animation since Saturday Morning Cartoons lol. To this day I watch more animated shows than just about anything else. I had just started watching Adventure Time for the first time about 2 months ago, so how lucky was I when Fionna and Cake dropped just as I was finishing up the main series?!! I took a quick detour first to watch Distant Lands, and then devoured Fionna and Cake in one day. I've run through it twice now, and it's friggin brilliant. Sorry for the ramble, but as far as interesting stories go I never thought that a kids cartoon could top The Regular Show, but Adventure Time might just be the best-written animated series of all time.

[@Th3Crazy]

I do miss the fake swears adventure time had

[@icymoons]

i like the headcanon that swear words were lost to history until Simon taught them to everyone again

[@SpiceHoundG]

@@icymoonsomg I love imagining Simon just saying to everyone “We say words like F**k and Sh*t,”

[@depufull]

For the fact I'm 16 and never really watched adventure time before, only watched clips of that one Minecraft episode when I was younger. But ever since I discovered Fionna And Cake, I got obsessed to explore the world and story in the original series by binge watching the entire show. I missed so much stuff that I could have loved

[@Greenshirtguyidk]

Before I watched Fiona and cake I, watched the entirety of adventure time and distant lands and, when finn killed that monster and there was like actual blood, like.. a lot of it I was genuinely surprised

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

The gender-swapped Adventure Time episodes feel like a backdoor pilot episode to the Fionna & Cake miniseries...

[@jod422]

after watching adventure time as a kid, everyone wishes that they could live in a magical world. I really like that this show shows us how a magical world isn't really what you want to live in, and it teaches you to appreciate the one you already have rather than just wanting a different one. Both simon and fionna both wish they could be in each other's positions but in the end they were better off where they already were

[@RazzlesMFBow]

We need a 2nd season

[@najiyanhasan7155]

I love those cartoons

[@joshlopez6367]

I wanted them to show baby Finn living and growing up a bit in Fiona’s world. Lol

[@InktheImpassive]

It's pretty good, but I can't help but feel like I am unsatisfied with the ending. I hope that a second season is coming.

[@sniderealism2410]

What makes you unsatisfied with it? I thought it was a great ending for the show, and that it doesn't need a second season. I feel it just needs a better ending for Fiona's arc, and better writing for Scarrab. Then again, I've never watched the original Adventure Time, so I might be missing some context about why this ending isn't satisfactory.

[@lucio-ohs8828]

⁠​⁠@@sniderealism2410you really should watch the original show. It doesn’t change anything about this ending but it’s still a great show and this spinoff is a continuation of Simon’s story that expands on already established lore. Watch Distant Lands too

[@shawnbay2211]

I feel like a second season that puts them through more hardship is a disservice 2 the characters. It simultaneously would b a jarring change 2 go slice of life. There’s no winning so I don’t want another season.

[@22espec]

My only problem is that we never see an alternative Betty,

[@goyavoyage]

At first I thought we'd see some Ice Betty or something - seeing a future where she would've found/kept the crown would have been extremely interesting for sure.

[@CursedSFMS]

I mean we do see Betty Golb

[@kinglatag6955]

It is perfect for continuing the adventure time awesomeness ✌️😎👍

[@CNCrew05]

I’ll love adventure time I’ve seen the finale six times

[@afonsomartinss]

Cool video, very well written, congrats! ... why do you sound like the Joker?

[@TheHalfworkShaman]

I really wanna see fionna cake and finna and jake for just one episode 😭😭

[@hwanniggles187]

Jake is dead by this time

[@22espec]

I do believe that the sign in the bus says 'Comet' since it would mean that Betty got her chanace of reincarnation

[@chuunwtf]

fionna and cake is like the better call saul version of adventure time, and dare i say just like bcs, better than the original

[@poopers197]

bro unironically said that f&c is better than AT when it cannot hold a CANDLE to AT's writing, script and characters

[@sargentuniverse2254]

I just feel so sad to see that Fionna will no longer go in adventures anymore tbh :,( her world was originally magic... why didmt bring it back?...

[@NobodyMedia]

Post credit scene?

[@Hamantha]

14:17 why’re using him? He hasn’t worked on anything AT since the early parts of the original season??

[@patmianwinston]

Pendleton’s excuse is that he basically retired from the writing process during season 5, his classmate Adam Muto who took over is the one who has to pick up the bill. Other than that great review.

[@The_Wosh]

Not every first episode is the pilot episode

[@krisspyegg]

I tbought the litch was the one who made the wish in season 4 episode 26

[@MikaylaWilliams02]

The litch used to give me nightmares 😂

[@CursedSFMS]

Lich*

[@tianacoolish]

❤❤❤❤

[@Scarshadow666]

Kinda wish there would have been a way to keep Winter King longer, since (if there could be more to get out of in Season 2), then he could work well as a new antagonist since OG Simon's character arc is complete. Winter King can be Simon's opposite/foil - unlike OG Simon, Winter King doesn't let go of things as a genuine way and is way more self-centered. It'd be like if Princess Bubblegum's character arc went even further in a villainous direction (which says a lot). Also, WK's character design is too good to go to waste! ^^

[@zahabkhan6832]

bro ur video quality is pretty fokin gud

[@DiddyKongVsLuigi]

You probably get this all the time but, You sound like Jerome! Fin and Jake’s brother lol ❤ 🐶

[@gelatogremlin]

a lil offended u just stopped at 2004 dam 05 kids not in there

[@toasttoast7487]

Isn’t this the third show tho?

[@Yescool-ve8oq]

Adventure time is like a year older than me so I still grew up with it but I'm closer to Steven n universe because that show came out when I was alive

[@guilhermerafaelzimermann4196]

my only problem with fionna and cake is Finn's design changing from acene to scene, he goes from having half a robotic arm with 4 fingers, to a full robot arm with a claw in the same episode with no explanation. That is the only thing i dislike about the series

[@packosand3287]

adult finn can def 1v1 scarab

[@jaymontecalvo6315]

I look 20 something but really almost 40 lol what am i

[@KevinLikesRTS]

3:50 people are still what?! 😢

[@billcipher3479]

0:19 dude wtf

[@ri-ch-es]

Preesmo

[@jackofallthinks]

I was not looking forward to the show at first because the original episodes in the show were some of my least favorite, feeling shallow and overly sexualized, but man did they end up coming through with an absolute banger of a spinoff

[@WeaponsRemorse]

never seen nor cared for AT but HOLY F!%^@$&# i LOVE F&C

[@MadDogRyan]

Did not enjoy steven universe adventure time, regular show, and gumball were great but ben 10 alien force through ominverse was my shit

[@a_literalrat1096]

25 seconds in and ive alr said ong x5

[@jaybonn5973]

I like the show. I think it wastes the first three episodes explaining prismos whole thing, and for that, the ending feels incomplete.