# The most creative animated TV series of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 2, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805 "2017-02-02T03:21:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/1 "2017-02-02T03:21:40Z")
Since it’s beginning 6,7 years ago I’ve watched the Cartoon Network series _ **Adventure Time** _ (when I remember that it’s on) as often as I can. Everytime that I do remember that it’s on, I always enjoy it and usually think, damn, this show is amazing. I happen to remember that they were running a brand new eight part series this week called _“The Islands”_. As I watch them I’m constantly thinking, this series is just SO CREATIVE. Usually when watching a series, especially an animated one, you can see similarities to other shows. Characters or story lines that remind you of this show or that, but _ **Adventure Time** _ is just so original. They’re constantly coming up with characters, settings, creatures, the likes of which I’ve never seen before (and goodness knows I’ve seen a TON of shows in my life) Does anyone else here have a similar opinion of this show or am I just over-rating it? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/2 "2017-02-02T03:36:39Z")
Adventure time is, in fact, awesome. No doubt about it. Also love: Rick and Morty Metalocalypse RIP ☹ aaaaand just made myself sad and i forgot what else I was going to say. ---
**Author:** ![tonyfop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/85f322/32.png) [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/3 "2017-02-02T03:48:43Z")
When I first saw Ren & Stimpy way back in the 90’s, I was blown away. I could not believe that they came up with all of the crazy s%&t on that show, so that’s my vote. (I love Adventure Time, also) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/4 "2017-02-02T03:58:33Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Metalocalypse RIP ☹ Gonna have to disagree. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show, but they are all pretty much the same. Very much like _Super Jail_, a problem comes along, crazy stuff happens, then everybody gets killed. Every single episode. You gotta love Dr. Rockso, though! It’s all pretty much toilet humor, but _Robot Chicken_ is pretty damn creative. Or maybe it’s the cold medicine. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/5 "2017-02-02T04:01:10Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Gonna have to disagree. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show, but they are all pretty much the same. Very much like _Super Jail_, a problem comes along, crazy stuff happens, then everybody gets killed. Every single episode. You gotta love Dr. Rockso, though! > > It’s all pretty much toilet humor, but _Robot Chicken_ is pretty damn creative. Or maybe it’s the cold medicine. The first two seasons, sure. But the third and especially 4th started to get deep. And Doomstar Requiem is The Best Thing Ever Broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/6 "2017-02-02T04:11:27Z")
MTV’s “Liquid Television” was a weekly compendium of what were then (ca. 1990) the most creative animations. It introduced things like Aeon Flux and Beavis/Butthead, and some classic one-offs like Black Hula. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/7 "2017-02-02T04:22:13Z")
The answer is Aqua Teen Hunger Force. I mean, get your head around this concept. In one episode, Meatwad writes a fanfic comic about his heroes, Jet Chicken and Rocket Horse having an “adventure”. But the adventure consists of Meatwad going to meet them down at a car dealership where they have a gig at a signing booth. So they are real characters, that can fly like superheros, signing for fans at a (empty) car dealership. Anyway, Meatwat ends up killing Jet Chicken in a botched tummy tuck surgery that Jet Chicken forces him to do. In Meatwad’s fanfic!?? ---
**Author:** ![Percolator\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/0ea827/32.png) [@Percolator\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Percolator_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/8 "2017-02-02T04:37:25Z")
I really liked Flapjack (think of a grimy, creepy version of Spongebob for adults) but unfortunately it never really caught on and it only lasted three seasons. Also Rocko’s Modern Life and Space Ghost Coast to Coast. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/9 "2017-02-02T06:27:39Z")
Off the Air, also on Adult Swim is pretty much just for creatively exploring video, animation and music. I can watch it over and over again. Each episode is centered around a theme, and it’s always visually awesome. [Liquid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skD7r0yWOG4) [Hair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLA7AlnDftE) [Dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBY1Wwt4IuA) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/10 "2017-02-02T13:51:49Z")
_Rocky and Bullwinkle._ Few have even approached the quality of the writing. _George of the Jungle_ was even better. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/11 "2017-02-02T14:11:38Z")
Most creative? It’s got to be the Simpsons. They pretty much did everything first, within the restrictions of prime-time network TV. By now, it may not seem hip to mention the Simpsons because it’s so mainstream, but it only got that way by being groundbreaking at the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/12 "2017-02-02T14:17:23Z")
_Clutch Cargo_. Hands down. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/13 "2017-02-02T14:39:01Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Off the Air, also on Adult Swim is pretty much just for creatively exploring video, animation and music. I can watch it over and over again. Each episode is centered around a theme, and it’s always visually awesome. > > [Liquid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skD7r0yWOG4) > [Hair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLA7AlnDftE) > [Dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBY1Wwt4IuA) Is some kind of a passcode required to view the video? I get only the audio and black screen, but there is video that I can see in thumbnail in the timer bar. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/14 "2017-02-02T15:13:19Z")
LOVE Adventure Time! Especially loved the back story episodes where they talk about the Ice King and how the Earth was transformed into the land of Ooo. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/15 "2017-02-03T18:49:36Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Is some kind of a passcode required to view the video? I get only the audio and black screen, but there is video that I can see in thumbnail in the timer bar. No, I don’t think so. I can view them even when logged out of YouTube. However, it does seem to be trying to place an ad on the screen (but NoScript is preventing that from running for me). ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/16 "2017-02-03T18:58:34Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > _Clutch Cargo_. Hands down. :smack::smack::smack: ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/17 "2017-02-03T20:58:06Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Most creative? It’s got to be the Simpsons. They pretty much did everything first, within the restrictions of prime-time network TV. By now, it may not seem hip to mention the Simpsons because it’s so mainstream, but it only got that way by being groundbreaking at the beginning. I’m a big fan of _Adventure Time_ and _Aqua Teen Hunger Force_ (with a shoutout to _Steven Universe_) and I agree with this. I still watch and enjoy _The Simpsons_ and they are still making me laugh every week. Their shows are still very rich, too. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/18 "2017-02-03T21:34:02Z")
I nominate _Futurama_. ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/19 "2017-02-03T23:46:23Z")
I haven’t seen every show mentioned here, but in terms of sheer visual inventiveness, I doubt few could compete with _Samurai Jack._ ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805/20 "2017-02-04T01:02:17Z")
_Kim Possible_–wit & character development. _Cowboy Bebop_–soundtrack. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-creative-animated-tv-series-of-all-time/778805.md?page=2)