2018 was a solid year for animation across the board, whether we’re talking about kids' shows, blockbuster movies, or even series meant for an older audience. It’s to that latter, often underrepresented category we turn today as we revisit the best that the year had to offer in new animated series for adults.
Before we take a look at the newcomers this calendar year, it’s worth remembering some oflast year’s showsthat have returned in 2018 for a second (or more) go-round. Tops onthatparticular list include Season 2 ofBig Mouth, a Netflix comedy series that somehow manages to walk the line between heartfelt humor and offensive subject matter;Castlevania, another sophomore Netflix season that improved on the first fantastic outing; and shows for the little ones likeVampirinaandSpirit Riding Free.
Unfortunately, 2018 didn’t bring us new episodes ofLastman,Apollo Gauntlet, orDanger & Eggs, but we did have a good crop of new shows overall to keep us busy. This rundown of the best animated shows for adult audiences includes some of what you might expect: super-violent, hypersexual, R-rated stories that are definitely not meant for the kiddos. But it also features some titles you might not have considered when thinking about adult animation, like shows steeped in political satire, modern throwbacks to cartoon classics that older audiences will appreciate, and even a workplace anime series that’s just perfect for today’s frustrated Millennials.
While not a ranking, the following shows are listed in order of increasing maturity; in other words, feel free to watch some of the first few series with the kiddos (depending on their ages, of course) and make sure to give the last half of this list a wide berth if the little ones are around. The list also ends with my favorite newcomer of the year, which may or may not line up with your own. Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Now I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t this supposed to be a list of animated series for adults? Doesn’t this belong on theBest Animated Series for Kids in 2018list?” Yes and yes; the series is perfectly fine for the kiddos but the new take onThe Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkleis best enjoyed by adults. It’s not that there are mature themes or excessive violence in the whimsically animated cartoon re-do, it’s that the jokes, references, and homages back to classic toons and other franchises are likely to sail over the heads of the little ones. TheAmazon seriespulls off the difficult challenge of giving audiences of all ages a smart animated story that the whole family can watch together and enjoy for different reasons. If you skipped over this one because you thought it was too cutesy and kidsy, give it another go.
Disenchantment
It’s hard not to recommend checking out any animated series by the legendaryMatt Groening, so his newNetflix showDisenchantmentobviously made this list. Groening’s thumbprints are all over this thing from the character designs to the off-kilter brand of humor, superb comedic timing, and a cast of characters whose core personalities go against the status quo. Those traits work both for and against this series since fans of Groening’s work will find the familiarity a little stale, but there’s also plenty of room for original storytelling and new, fan-favorite characters in this comedy-tinted fantasy drama. And the animation is absolutely gorgeous, allowing the iconic designs to roam about a beautifully rendered storybook world.
LikeThe SimpsonsandFuturama, this fantasy-focused series takes a few episodes to find its footing; hopefully viewers will find some time over the holidays to revisit it if they gave up on it too early back when it premiered this August. And fret not,Disenchantmentfans; the series will return forSeason 2next year.
Our Cartoon President
Just about the only good and decent thing to come out of the current U.S. Presidential administration is the arrival of the technologically impressive and socially relevant, up-to-the-minute animatedShowtime comedyseriesOur Cartoon President. Even more timely than the acclaimed animated seriesSouth Park,Our Cartoon Presidentwas able to stay on top of the cast of characters who came and went through the revolving door of the president’s cabinet while taking advantage of the most recent scandals and salacious headlines. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re the type of person who believes that the Trump administration is already composed of walking, talking cartoons, then this animated satire really isn’t much of a stretch at all.
Fans of the show who are looking to gather up the episodes in one place, along with some new bonus features, or who are looking for a last-minute holiday gift,Our Cartoon President: Season One with World Class Amenitiesis now on DVD.
Executive produced by Emmy Award-winnerStephen Colbert,Chris Lichtand showrunnerR.J. Fried, the collection includes all 18 episodes from the series, including “Election Special 2018.” Exclusive DVD special features include unique episode introductions and commentaries, a table read, and “The Evolution of Fear,” a one-of-a- kind version of the “Fear” musical performance from the “Election Special 2018” showing different stages of the number’s animation.
Aggretsuko
Netflix’sAggretsuko, based on the Sanrio character, Retsuko, has become something of a phenomenon since its Season 1 launch on April 20th. The story follows the 25-year-old red panda who copes with her thankless office job and daily frustrations by belting out death metal karaoke after work. It’s a lovely little twist on kawaii characters like Hello Kitty and a wonderful outlet for everyone’s inner frustrations trapped by outward social niceties.
While fans will have to wait a little longer for Season 2, currently scheduled for a 2019 launch, Netflix will premiere aspecial Christmas episodeas an early gift to fans. The episode also features a punk cover of “Jingle Bells”, performed byTim Timebomb and the Interrupters. In the 22-minute specialAggretsuko: We Wish You a metal Christmas, Retsuko’s newfound obsession with posting pics on her social media account threatens to ruin her Christmas, while Haida still hopes to spend Christmas with her.
Check it out December 20th!
The Shivering Truth
It’s probably worth mentioning that this series marks the transition from “These shows aren’t for kids but won’t scar them too badly” to “If you let your kids watch these shows, someone might call child services.”
A relatively recentAdult Swim additionfrom the twisted mind ofVernon Chatman,The Shivering Truthhas the category of “short-form, stop-motion animated nightmare series” locked down for 2018. There’s no strong narrative thruline here, just a loose assemblage of bizarre stream-of-consciousness stories. It’s a perfect little encapsulation of madness delivered in short 11-minute chunks. It’s definitely not going to be for everybody, but for the late-night Adult Swim crowd, you know exactly the kind of insanity you’re getting with shows likeThe Shivering Truth. And for fans of stop-motion animation, the series is worth a watch if only to appreciate the lengths to which the animators went to bring some of the most grotesque, imaginative, and uber-violent sequences to life.
Ballmastrz: 9009
If you wanted a throwback to animated sports series likeMutant League, thenAdult Swim’s futuristic mind-tripBallmastrz 9009is the thing for you. FromChristy Karacas(Superjail!), this over-the-top series takes place in the year 9009 where a washed-up sports star attempts to lead a win-less team to their first-ever victory, ultimately hoping to restore her former fame and glory. The quarter-hour series, brought to life through zany, frenetic, and wholly original animation by Titmouse, starts like any other sports story by following a team of lovable losers and their strong personalities, but soon evolves into a bizarre melding of mythologies that becomes more and more interesting as the series continues on.
Come for the fast-paced action, sports drama, and unique character creations but stay for the absolute insanity that Adult Swim fans have come to know and love.
Devilman Crybaby
Netflix delivered one of themost mature animated series of the yearinDEVILMAN: crybaby. This slice of insanity, an anime series adapted fromGo Nagai‘s original manga, takes place in a world in which demons possess human bodies and use their new forms to participate in all sorts of vices, sex and violence being chief among them. WhileDEVILMAN: crybabystarts out as a somewhat silly, hyper-sexualized romp through perversion and, basically, pornography, I was impressed with how the series matured over the course of its 10 episodes. Themes progress from teenage wet dreams, to a painful coming-of-age tale, to political satire, depictions of man’s inhumanity to man, and a skewering takedown of men and women masquerading as moral superiors.
This show is nuts, and it’s pure candy for the id from the get-go, but you might find yourself emotionally attached to the devil-may-care characters by the time the surprisingly heartbreaking finale blasts its way onto the screen.
Constantine: City of Demons
It’s been a good year for John Constantine,Matt Ryan, and fans of theHellblazercomics. While the live-action NBC showConstantinemay have had its ritual candle snuffed out before its time was due, Ryan’s trenchcoat-wearing English magician and sorcerer has had about as many lives on TV as his comic book counterpart. Ryan’s character made the jump from NBC to The CW, first as a guest appearance onArrowfollowed by a more regular role onDC’s Legends of Tomorrow. Ryan also got to play the character in the animated movieJustice League Dark.
But that’s old news. The 2018 animated version of John Constantine came by way ofConstantine: City of Demons. First released as a series of 10 animated shorts on CW Seed, the super-violent, bloody, sexed-up story of one of theHellblazertitle’s most infamous arcs was eventually compiled into a feature-length film that was then released on DVD. The story tells of Constantine’s backstory, including his relationship with his best friend Chas and their first true brush with the reality of magic and demons. It’s a difficult story, for sure, but if there’s one DC Comics property that deserves a dark, violent, and sexually charged adaptation, it’sHellblazer. And while it’s been overlooked this year,Constantine: City of Demonsis certainly one of the best animated series of 2018.
Final Space
Hands down my favorite animated series for adults in 2018 isTBS’Final Space. It’s got the best elements of the other series in this list and then some: It’s funny, sometimes in unexpected ways; it’s got characters you love to hate and hate to love; it features both a classic animation feel with throwbacks toBuck Rogers-like space action and original character designs that have become new fan favorites (ie Mooncake); and despite its brutal violence,Final Spaceis earnest in its storytelling and isn’t afraid to severely damage or outright kill its protagonists. That’s rare in any TV show these days and rarer still in an animated series.
Final Spacefollows Gary, a real screw-up who’s landed himself aboard a prison spaceship as the sole human surrounded by overly cordial service robots. But as you might expect, Gary soon has a run-in with all sorts of characters out there in space: anthropomorphic animal bounty hunters, super-powerful alien wizards, and platoons of space soldiers and military leaders. What you mightnotexpect is just how this adventure ultimately plays out and what sacrifices the dysfunctional team of heroes will have to make along the way.To say more would be giving away too much, but if you haven’t watchedFinal Spacethis year, now would bean excellent time to do so.
