Why There Should Be More Cartoons Geared Toward Adults
I am a firm believer that we never need to grow up if we don’t want to. That means we shouldn’t be called childish if we want to watch cartoons. I mean, how else do you think cartoons get made if adults don’t like cartoons? So here’s my take on why there should be more for us. Give us something a little more cerebral. We deserve it!
Animation is a Versatile Medium
Animation offers unique creative possibilities that live-action simply can't always match. Its visual style, fluidity, and ability to create worlds and characters that defy the laws of physics open up countless avenues for storytelling. For adults, animation can transcend realism to explore themes in ways that are not possible in other forms of media—whether that means surreal visuals, fantasy worlds, or exaggerating emotional moments for comedic or dramatic effect.
Expanding Storytelling Boundaries
Adult cartoons allow for a broader range of storytelling, especially when it comes to tackling mature, complex, or taboo subjects. Whether it’s mental health (Bojack Horseman), relationships (Big Mouth), political satire (South Park), or the human condition (Rick and Morty), animation offers a space where writers and creators can delve into deeper issues with humor, nuance, and poignancy, often with less constraint than in other forms of media.
Adult Humor Without Limitations
The comedic potential of adult cartoons is endless. Cartoons can go further than most live-action shows when it comes to absurdity, surrealism, and even dark humor. They can also balance slapstick and sophisticated humor, providing something for a wide range of tastes. The format allows for a greater freedom to be irreverent, playful, or absurd, without the need for boundaries based on what might be considered "acceptable" in live-action.
Appealing to Adults Who Grew Up with Animation
Many adults grew up watching cartoons, and now that they’re older, they crave content that matches their more developed tastes and life experiences. Adult cartoons can cater to that nostalgia while also growing with their audience. These shows offer a way to revisit animation, but with more complex storylines, higher stakes, and humor tailored to an adult mindset.
Exploring Complex Emotional and Psychological Themes
Cartoons for adults have the ability to address nuanced emotional and psychological journeys. Animation, as a medium, can exaggerate emotional moments or show inner thoughts and feelings in ways that are visually striking. The exaggerated visuals of animation can make complex emotions feel more vivid and immediate, helping to express psychological struggles, heartbreak, or joy in a way that feels deeper and more immersive.
Creating Diverse, Inclusive Representation
Adult animation can be a powerful tool for representing diverse experiences and voices. The flexibility of animation means that creators can craft stories that break away from conventional Hollywood norms. With animation, marginalized groups, outlandish ideas, or non-traditional lifestyles can be portrayed more freely. Animation can also introduce fictional worlds that reflect the diversity of human experience, without the constraints of physical likeness or typical casting.
Satisfying the Growing Demand for Diverse Content
In the age of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, the demand for diverse and high-quality content is higher than ever. Adult cartoons fill a unique niche in this landscape, offering a wide variety of genres, themes, and tones that traditional live-action TV shows often can't match. They can cater to different tastes, from dark comedies to political satires to existential dramas, which allows them to stand out in a crowded media landscape.
Creating a "Multidimensional" Experience
Adult cartoons often function on multiple levels, offering entertainment for people of different ages, interests, and backgrounds. A show can be funny on the surface, with plenty of jokes and gags, but also have layers of meaning, references, and subtext that reward more thoughtful or repeat viewers. This kind of "multidimensional" viewing experience makes adult cartoons enjoyable for a wide variety of people, from casual viewers to those looking for deeper meaning or critique.
Breaking Stereotypes About Animation
There's a pervasive stereotype that animation is for children or is somehow less "serious" than live-action content. Adult cartoons help break this stereotype by showing that animation can be as sophisticated, impactful, and complex as any other medium. By expanding the scope of what animation can achieve, these shows help elevate the art form and push back against the idea that animated stories can’t deal with serious or mature topics.
The "Animated Aesthetic" Resonates with Today's Audience
The rise of animated aesthetics in popular culture (think of the vibrant, stylized visuals of anime, or the explosion of animated memes) reflects a broader cultural acceptance of animation as a versatile form of expression. More adult cartoons allow creators to engage with this aesthetic, appealing to fans who are accustomed to animation in all parts of their lives, from social media to video games to visual art.
The case for more adult cartoons is compelling because animation is a rich, versatile medium that can tackle complex issues, explore nuanced emotional experiences, and push the boundaries of what TV can achieve. By expanding the number and variety of cartoons aimed at adults, creators can offer more inclusive, diverse, and intellectually stimulating content that meets the needs of an evolving audience. Whether it's through humor, drama, satire, or surrealism, adult cartoons have the power to entertain and challenge us in ways that live-action shows simply can't. Are you convinced yet? Comment below if you are and what are some of your favorite cartoons!
