10 dark animated TV shows that hit right in the feels

Cartoons do not necessarily have to be lighthearted with Some shockingly dark animation proves the medium’s potential to tell poignant stories. For a long time, animation was commonly thought of as fodder for kids, with Saturday morning cartoons from the 80s being the norm for the genre. However, in modern times, animation has really branched out to include all kinds of stories, with some of the darker animated shows touching on some incredibly sensitive topics.

In many cases, adult animation can wear a colorful exterior, with zany jokes and characters that betray the true depth that lies beneath. But it’s just as often that shows aimed at young adults or even children have started breaking heavy emotional storylines, with even the likes of Blue Featuring adult-oriented episodes. in many ways, Animation is actually better for weaving stories that take a look at serious topicsTastefully rendering them without the limitations of live-action television production.

10

Primal

A silent dissection of humanity’s relationship with nature

One of the premiere works of Gennady Tartakovsky, an animation legend known for Samurai Jack And dexter’s lab, Primal is a completely unique series that simply wouldn’t work in live action. Although Tartakovsky was fond of injecting small doses of adult humor or situations into his series that was largely aimed at children, Primal Gives him full permission to take his story seriously.

The series focuses on Spear, a Stone Age hominid who ekes out an existence in a fantasy version of prehistoric Earth, who forms an alliance with Fang, a ferocious dinosaur. Despite its pulp action surface, Primal Can be quite cutting with its topics. In addition to a terrible depiction of man against nature and the deep philosophical questions that the simple struggle to survive, there are also sometimes more nuanced themes such as grief.

After all, it was the shared experience of tragedy and loss that brings Spear and Fang together in the first episode. with almost no dialogue, Primal Weaves fascinating stories that deepen the bond between her leading characters, no matter how many bloody troubles they endure.

9

Bojack Horseman

One of the saddest animated series ever

It’s hard to mention animated shows that can be downright real in their dissection of human existence without giving a nod to Bojack Horseman. The Netflix original animated series stars Will Arnett as the titular equine celebrity, a horse-headed man who lives in a world populated by animal characters and humans.

After becoming famous as the patriarchal center of a feel-good sitcom à la Whole house, Bojack grew up a lonely, narcissistic, drug-addicted burnout who struggles to find meaning in his life. As he visits to write a memoir. answered, Bojack Horseman Exists in a cartoonish reality, full of clever animal-related jokes and fast-talking characters who dispense words with wit and fidelity.

However, the series is more famous for its dark moments, dissecting the Hollywood entertainment industry with difficult subjects like drug abuse, depression and child abuse. Bojack himself is quite a reprehensible protagonistSomething the show doesn’t shy away from as it details his self-fulfilling prophecy of misery and dejection in a world that once adored him.

8

Moral organ

One of the most cutting series for adult swimming

Although largely overlooked in his time, Moral organ has recently seen something of a resurgence of interest as the years have reflected favorably on the Plaque Adult Swim Series. Using adorable stop-motion animation reminiscent of the Rankins/Bass holiday specials, Moral organ revolves around Orel, A young Christian boy grew up in a devout Protestant town in America’s Bible Belt.

As he grows older, Orel learns that his parents and the church figures he admires may not have all the answers, or be completely consistent in their religious beliefs. Filled with crude humor that could make fans of South Park Blush, the comedy of Moral organ is as dark as it gets, superimposed on the sunny, happy-go-lucky nature of its puppet protagonist.

But as the series progresses, Moral organ Examines some shockingly sensitive topics with respect and reverenceWith storylines that look at everything from the shaming of homosexuality in the Christian church to the formation of romantic interest in the wake of sexual assault. No subject is off the table for Musar Orel, A force that ultimately got the show cancelled.

7

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Broke a generation of new cyberpunk fans

Anime has always been at the cutting edge of mature animationBy and large targets older audiences with often fantastical stories. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Introduced the dazzling capabilities of the legendary studio Trigger to a whole new set of eyes on Netflix, quickly garnering wide appeal with a single short season.

Takes place in the same world as the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners tells the story of David, a poor kid growing up in the slums of the cyberpunk dystopia Night City. When his mother dies, David has no choice but to turn to crime. The world of Cyberpunk 2077 is a dark indictment of late-stage capitalism, exploring the troubling consequences of a modern capital-minded society brought to its natural conclusion.

Above all, the heartbreak of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is what makes it stand out as an emotionally devastating limited series, with David’s tragically preventable journey into madness lined with death. Paired with a breathtaking score that ties its short, bittersweet story together, this science fiction animated series is a stunning proof of animaiton’s potential as a serious storytelling tool.

6

Rick and Morty

Still manages the occasional emotional punch

Infamous by the reputation of his fans, Rick and Morty is a pop culture tour-de-force that has become quite popular for a reason. The titular screwball comedy duo consists of Rick Sanchez, a brilliant but troubled reality-hopping scientist who comes crashing back into the lives of his estranged daughter, and his grandson, Morty, an average boy of below-average intelligence.

The two continue All sorts of strange adventures across the cosmosParticipating in harmony in the pursuit of senseless gags and heathens. Like comedy-forward like Rick and Morty Yes, some of the best episodes of the series are where it allows itself to be taken more seriously.

Rick’s troubled past and the dysfunctional nature of the Smith family lead to some heavy emotional beats, not to mention some of the intense feelings expressed by the many alien beings Rick and Morty encounter in the course of their adventures. Weaving stories of grief, revenge, drug abuse and nihilism, it’s no wonder Rick and Morty was renewed for a dozen seasons.

5

Tuca & Bertie

Picks up the baton from Bojack Horseman

On a surface level, Tuca & Bertie is quite comparable to Bojack Horseman. Both are adult-oriented comedies that take place in worlds populated by animal characters, although the universe of Tuca & Bertie is much more zany and colorful than the relatively grounded Los Angeles streets of Bojack Horseman.

The sitcom takes place at the end of an era, when the mild-mannered but sweet baker Tuka moves out of her apartment with her best friend, the tall and eccentric Tuka, to live with her boyfriend, Speckle. From there, the two navigate The turbulent world of adult life Together, still maintaining their bond. Despite what is even more loose with the laughter than Bojack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie Still manages to tastefully navigate the waters of difficult conversations.

The show has a heavy focus on the effects of sexism and misogyny Without feeling preachy, explore emotionally distressing stories rife with sexual harassment, free friendships, and dark childhood events through the lens of two young women. Balancing wacky cartoon hi-jinks with applicable real-world stories, Tuca & Bertie is a genius demonstration of animation’s versatility.

4

Young justice

Proves the potential of the DC Universe

An animated show doesn’t have to be aimed strictly at adults to be dark and emotionally volatile. Enter young justice, One of the latest in a long line of series that demonstrate the strength of the DC Universe in an animated format. The series begins with the formation of the simply named “The Team”, a superhero group made up of the sidekicks of various Justice League heroes.

The team goes on to perform covert operations for the world’s strongest heroesSave the planet on more than one occasion. admit, Young justice Starts out as a fairly standard formula for superhero action, though it occasionally dips its toes into heavier waters, such as with Superboy’s start as a clone.

As things progress, The series just gets more and more matureAging in theme along with its characters. By the time the series closes, it has managed to become quite mature despite its name, with several of Young justice Most rewatchable episodes focus on heartbreak, betrayal, PTSD and depression.

3

The midnight gospel

A trippy animated podcast that goes to powerful places

Not only are the visuals of The midnight gospel A feast for the eyes, however The powerful narratives within are some of the hardest-hitting conversations in any animated production. The loose framework of a story centers on Clancy Gilroy, a “spacecaster” who lives in a thin, membranous strip between realities.

As Clancy hops from dimension to dimension, audio from actual interviews that his voice actor, Duncan Trussell, has conducted on his Real World podcast are set into the stunningly hallucinogenic animation. In addition to its beautiful art, The midnight gospel It is good to look for the powerful themes discussed in it, ranging from grief to death to the human condition itself.

It is all the more impressive that the conversations are led by real people, reflecting on their real experiences to sincere, if often heartbreaking results. Even if it doesn’t have much in the way of a traditional narrative, The midnight gospel Features Some of the most heart-breaking moments of modern animation Around.

2

Arcane

Turned a multiplayer video game into some of the best fantasy drama available

Considering it is based on the multiplayer video game league of legends, Whose story takes place in the background in promotional materials, this is incredible Arcane Manages to espouse such an emotional experience. The show takes place in the fantastic city of PiltoverWhere the rich upper society took advantage of a techno-magical world, while the poor inhabitants of the urban peasantry, called Zaun, live on Her scrap.

The crux of the drama centers on the orphans of a war for independence, Jay and Powder, as well as a talented, affluent inventor named Jayce. The relationship between Wee and Powder, who gradually becomes the criminal mastermind Jinx, is one of heartbreakingly real consequences.

It is easy to sympathize with both sides of Arcanes conflict, which makes it all the more devastating when one finally manages to get out on top. With shockingly true-to-life applications of poverty, mental instability and the easy deterioration of once-strong sibling bonds, Arcane Makes for one of the most empathetic fantasy experiences of the modern age. Hopefully, season 2 of Arcane Will continue to build on these topics.

1

Scavenger’s rule

A meditative science fiction masterpiece

Science fiction has always been a natural fit for animation, allowing writers’ most far-fetched ideas to be realized with far less hassle. Scavenger’s rule Proves that such greatness does not necessarily exclude a terrible human experience, with Stories guaranteed to make all but the most stone-faced viewers cry.

The show takes place on a beautiful, but hostile alien planet, on which the crew of a deep-space freighter is stranded. Three pockets of survivors have separate adventures before eventually joining together. Scavenger’s rule Stands out for just how alien it is able to make its exoplanet feel, rife with dangers equally horrifying and mesmerizing.

The environment reflects a deeper, darker statement about the futility of human endurance when set against the grand scope of the universe, championing instead the connective tissue between all living things. Pair the hired ideas with a few poignant deaths along the way, and Scavenger’s rule Remains a bleak, but hopeful will OT Animations power as a resource.