Image: Alex Dndz (Motion Array)

Author: VANAS Team

Why Adult Animation Is More Popular Than Ever

Table of Contents

• What Adult Animation Really Means
• Why Adult Animation Works
• Top Adult Animation Shows You Should Watch
• Where to Watch Adult Animation Online
• How to Produce Adult Animation
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Adult Animation Really Means

When most people hear the word “animation,” they might think of colorful cartoons made for kids. But there’s a whole world of animation that’s not for children—and it’s booming. Adult animation is created specifically for older audiences. It tackles mature topics like politics, relationships, society, identity, and often adds edgy humor, surreal plots, or dark drama that you wouldn’t see on Saturday morning TV.

Think of Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, or Big Mouth. These shows aren't just silly jokes—they’re smart, raw, and emotional. And even though they’re animated, they’re very real when it comes to the feelings they express and the issues they tackle.

Why Adult Animation Works

Adult animation works because it offers something different. It breaks the rules. You don’t need to cast expensive actors or film in faraway places. In animation, you can create anything you imagine. Want to blow up a city in one scene and travel through someone’s brain in the next? No problem—animation can do that.

Here’s why adult animation is gaining popularity:

• Creative Freedom: Writers and artists can tell bold stories with wild visuals that might be impossible (or too expensive) to shoot in live-action.
• Deeper Storytelling: Just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s shallow. Adult animation deals with everything from mental health to politics.
• Huge Fan Base: Thanks to the internet, there’s a global audience for adult animation. Fans are watching shows on Netflix, YouTube, and streaming platforms around the world.
• It’s Funny and Relatable: These shows get away with clever, sometimes controversial humor that hits close to home.

Animation is not a genre, it's a medium, said Brad Bird, director of The Incredibles and Ratatouille. “It can do any genre. It can tell any story.”

Top Adult Animation Shows You Should Watch

Here are some top adult animation series that are changing how people think about cartoons:

1. Rick and Morty
   This sci-fi comedy is loaded with wild adventures and dark humor. It’s super creative and often goes deep on topics like nihilism and family drama.
2. BoJack Horseman
   Don’t let the talking horse fool you—this show is emotionally deep. It explores depression, fame, addiction, and what it means to grow up.
3. Big Mouth
   A comedy about puberty that’s both hilarious and painfully relatable. The characters face real struggles teens go through, like anxiety and body changes.
4. F is for Family
   Set in the 1970s, this show gives a brutally honest (and funny) look at family life and growing up.
5. Archer
   A spy comedy full of action and sarcasm, with sharp dialogue and wild missions that only animation could pull off.
6. Love, Death & Robots
   Each episode is a different story, some funny, some scary, some stunning. It’s a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more—all told through jaw-dropping animation.
7. Undone
   A more artistic and serious adult animation that uses rotoscope animation (drawing over real actors) to tell a time-bending story about mental health and family.
8. Harley Quinn
   Gritty, funny, and full of comic book chaos, this show brings Gotham’s villains to life with explosive animation and mature humor.

These shows prove that animation isn’t just about laughter—it can make you feel, think, and see the world differently.

Where to Watch Adult Animation Online

Looking to binge your favorite adult animated series? You’ve got options. Many platforms are investing big in animation because of its popularity.

Here’s where to watch adult animation shows:

• Netflix: Original adult animation like BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, F is for Family, and Love, Death & Robots.
• Hulu: Features shows like Solar Opposites, Archer, and Rick and Morty.
• Amazon Prime Video: Known for Undone and Invincible, both impressive in story and animation style.
• HBO Max: Home to Harley Quinn, Adventure Time: Distant Lands, and classic Adult Swim content.
• YouTube: Independent creators and animation channels are gaining millions of followers.
• Adult Swim: A late-night programming block on Cartoon Network that helped launch many successful adult animations.

Many of these platforms also support short films and indie projects—so if you’re a creator, it’s easier than ever to get your work seen.

How to Produce Adult Animation

Creating adult animation is an exciting process, and anyone passionate about storytelling and design can get into it. Here's a simple breakdown of how adult animation is produced:

1. Concept and Script

Start with an idea. What story are you telling? Who are your characters? Write a script that balances humor, emotion, and maturity.

2. Design and Storyboarding

Design characters, environments, and the overall art style. Then storyboard each scene to plan the flow of the story visually.

3. Voice Acting

Record the voices of the characters. In many adult animations, big-name actors or talented voice actors bring these roles to life.

4. Animation

Use tools like Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, TVPaint, or Blender to bring everything to life. This part takes time, effort, and creativity.

5. Editing and Sound

Add sound effects, music, and edit the scenes together to create a complete episode or short film.

6. Distribution

Share it! Upload to YouTube, submit to festivals, or pitch it to streaming platforms. Animation fans are everywhere, and the world is hungry for new voices.

VANAS Online Animation School offers 2D & 3D Animation, Animated Short-films , and Video Game programs. To launch your career, visit https://www.vanas.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes adult animation different from kids’ animation?

• Adult animation usually deals with mature themes and has humor, violence, or language that’s meant for older audiences.

Is animation only for comedy?

• No. Adult animation includes drama, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and even romance. It’s a medium, not a genre.

Do you need to be great at drawing to work in animation?

• Not always. Animation has many roles—writers, editors, 3D artists, voice actors, etc. Drawing is helpful but not the only path.

Can you make money with adult animation?

• Yes. Streaming services are buying animated shows, YouTube pays creators, and platforms like Patreon allow animators to earn directly from fans.

How long does it take to create an animated show?

• It depends. A short film could take weeks or months. A full season might take a year or more, depending on team size and style.

Is adult animation just a trend?

• Nope. It’s been around for decades, and it’s growing. As more people realize animation can tell mature, deep stories, demand keeps rising.

The rise of adult animation proves that storytelling has no limits. Whether it’s comedy, tragedy, sci-fi, or surrealism, animation gives creators a powerful way to explore human experiences in ways no other medium can.