# Animated series for adults?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 25, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019 "2011-03-25T23:38:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/1 "2011-03-25T23:38:51Z")
Are there any non-Japanese animated series that are aimed at adults? It would seem that with anime having been around for so long, some other country would take a stab at an animated series with deep narrative, complex characters, etc.
Graphic novels are definitely widespread, but most I know of were turned into movies, and live action at that. Have any been animated, like a manga to anime adaptation?
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### Author:  [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/2 "2011-03-26T00:07:02Z")
There’s a James Bond parody called “Archer” on one of the cable stations, TNT or something. I watched one and it wasn’t bad, with some genuinely clever lines.
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/3 "2011-03-26T00:09:27Z")
Avatar is aimed at kids, but is a good series for adults, too. It kind of looks like anime, but it isn’t.
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### Author:  [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/4 "2011-03-26T00:30:44Z")
Archer is on FX. Venture Bros. on Adult Swim sounds right up your alley.
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### Author:  [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/5 "2011-03-26T00:53:53Z")
Futurama baby!
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### Author:  [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/6 "2011-03-26T01:23:42Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> Avatar is aimed at kids, but is a good series for adults, too. It kind of looks like anime, but it isn’t.
It’s American anime made by and for weaboos.
King of the Hill, South Park and Futurama are the main three that you should check out- in that order.
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/7 "2011-03-26T01:45:13Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#):
>
> It’s American anime made by and for weaboos.
I didn’t know that. I thought anime meant it had to be Japanese. I’ve never been a fan of Japanese culture(I mean, I’m not obsessed with it), and I’m not a huge anime fan, but I like what I’ve seen of Avatar.
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### Author:  [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/8 "2011-03-26T01:51:11Z")
Definitely try Venture Brothers…it started out as a sort of Johnny Quest parody, but quickly moved to enjoyable plotlines with well-developed characters. I’m also a fan of Metalocalypse (also on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim), but that may be more of an acquired taste.
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### Author:  [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/9 "2011-03-26T02:03:07Z")
I think it is a silly distinction, especially since a lot of American and Japanese animation (including Avatar) is actually made in Korea.
As you can see from the suggestions, American animation is mostly limited to comedy, and there are some very good ones. Futurama, Daria, Archer, Metalocalypse, etc.
For non-comedy, Batman: The Animated Series is still the best.
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### Author:  [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/10 "2011-03-26T02:03:40Z")
Are we talking just “animated series” or “animated _dramas_”?
The latter might be pretty hard to find, actually. Especially if you want to further qualify it by saying “dramas specifically meant for adults,” not just “non-comedies that are actually meant for younger audiences, but have a number of adult viewers.” Which could still be nearly all of them.
[“Invasion America”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_America) from a few years back comes to mind—it was originally aired in primetime—though I never watched it, myself to be sure.
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### Author:  [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/11 "2011-03-26T02:20:01Z")
I’ll check out Venture Bros., but the other shows mentioned really aren’t what I’m looking for. As far as modern American animation goes, I love the golden age of The Simpsons, but even that’s not what I’m after. Think Naoki Urasawa’s _Monster_, _Cowboy Bebop_, _Mononoke_ from Toei Animation, etc. If _V for Vendetta_ or _Watchmen_ were adapted into an animated series, that’s something I’d be after.
I’m probably hunting for something nonexistent, but I can only find out by hunting. Should I just stick to anime? I really haven’t seen much anyway.
ETA: Animated dramas would be a better way to think of it, yeah.
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### Author:  [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/12 "2011-03-26T02:25:55Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> I didn’t know that. I thought anime meant it had to be Japanese. I’ve never been a fan of Japanese culture(I mean, I’m not obsessed with it), and I’m not a huge anime fan, but I like what I’ve seen of Avatar.
Anime is a style. Yes, the literal definition refers to animation originating in Japan, but if animation originating in Japan didn’t have a distinctive style there wouldn’t be a word to describe it specifically. Thus I’m going to refer to anything that follows that style as being a part of that style.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/13 "2011-03-26T02:33:51Z")
Boondocks? It’s not exactly drama, more satire/parody but very good.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/14 "2011-03-26T02:53:17Z")
The greatest show ever on television: [Metalocalypse](http://www.adultswim.com/shows/metalocalypse/index.html).
Close 2nd: [Aqua Teen Hunger Force](http://www.adultswim.com/shows/aqua-teen-hunger-force/index.html).
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### Author:  [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/15 "2011-03-26T03:27:10Z")
I can’t believe I’m the first person to mention [Aeon Flux](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khelsQ8LdQ). Sure, it was on MTV, but it certainly wasn’t aimed at kids.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/16 "2011-03-26T03:52:52Z")
> [@xnylder](#):
>
> I can’t believe I’m the first person to mention [Aeon Flux](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khelsQ8LdQ). Sure, it was on MTV, but it certainly wasn’t aimed at kids.
Speaking of, also [The Maxx](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AX6ESxqEy0).
I have no idea if its available via legitimate channels as I haven’t watched it since it aired on MTV.
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### Author:  [@Jaymosch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaymosch)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/17 "2011-03-26T04:05:37Z")
For those interested in Aeon Flux, the complete animated series is available through Netflix streaming.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/18 "2011-03-26T04:37:31Z")
> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> Speaking of, also [The Maxx](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AX6ESxqEy0).
>
> I have no idea if its available via legitimate channels as I haven’t watched it since it aired on MTV.
Thankfully, [it is](http://www.amazon.com/The-Maxx-Complete-Series/dp/B002WJHDJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301114114&sr=8-1)!
One of my favorite animated shows of all time.
[The Head](http://www.amazon.com/The-Head-Complete-Series/dp/B002WJHDIO/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b) is also available on DVD.
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### Author:  [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/19 "2011-03-26T17:50:44Z")
I always liked Tripping the Rift but I’m not sure if it’s available on DVD, I also enjoy Red Vs. Blue. The Amazing Screw On Head was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, unfortunately there was only one episode.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animated-series-for-adults/576019/20 "2011-03-27T11:38:58Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#):
>
> Anime is a style. Yes, the literal definition refers to animation originating in Japan, but if animation originating in Japan didn’t have a distinctive style there wouldn’t be a word to describe it specifically. Thus I’m going to refer to anything that follows that style as being a part of that style.
But Avatar, while having obviously Asian characters, never felt truly anime to me. Stuff like Teen Titans or Totally Spies felt more like they were really using anime tropes.
Then again, I haven’t seen Avatar all the way through, but just the first few episodes. But I think it looks more like an amalgamation of western and eastern looks.
What would change my mind is that sweat drop or chibi forms, which I do not remember seeing.
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