Animation has come a long way since its inception as a medium primarily geared towards children’s entertainment. Over the years, it has evolved as a medium that can tell complex and mature stories, just like any other form of visual medium. Over the past few years, there has been a considerable rise in mature animated content for the adult audience. From critically acclaimed series such as Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth, Rick and Morty, and Archer, to feature-length animations like Sausage Party, animation has found a new footing as a medium to explore mature themes, issues and tackle hard-hitting topics.
One of the most significant advantages of animation is its versatility. It can bring to life stories that may seem close to impossible or difficult to execute with live-action. It offers a vast array of tools and styles to tell any story, be it realistic or super imaginative, and, in turn, makes it easier for creators to represent complex themes and topics. Animation offers the freedom of portraying abstract concepts and emotions, without worrying about production constraints, thus allows for much creative freedom for the artist and the writer.
Another point of attraction for adult audiences is that animation such as Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth, and Rick and Morty often portray dark, twisted, and complex mental health themes such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and self-destructive behavior. All these are depicted in a way that the audience can resonate with and understand, even though the characters and the world around them are fantastical. Adults can relate more to these issues as they are a part of grown-up life, and the audience finds solace in the representation of their worries through these animations.
Animation also allows for a fresh and enjoyable experience of storytelling across genres. For instance, some of the mature animated content such as BoJack Horseman can provoke laughter and love through humor while being underlined with themes of depression and addiction. This holistic approach to storytelling allows for a journey of self-discovery, enjoyment, and introspection that is seldom found in traditional live action movies or series.
An increasingly popular sub-genre of mature animated content is anime, which explores more intimate and personal experiences. Its realistic portrayal of relationships, especially in youth, and the social issues that emerge in these relationships resonates with the adult audience on a whole new level. Shows such as Your Lie in April and the controversial Yuri on Ice depict complex relationships and issues like mental health while being grounded in realistic storytelling.
In conclusion, animation has come a long way since the first cartoons geared towards children. With advances in technology and a growing need for diverse storytelling, mature animated content has found its place in modern entertainment. With the rise in popularity of animation, its versatility, and endless potentials, it has grown to become a viable option to explore complex issues creatively and artistically. It has given rise to a new wave of storytelling and has made a significant impact on the way stories are told.
