Best Animated Series for Adults Worth Watching
best adult animated series
Bojack Horseman is the most recommended series, praised for its deep writing and emotional impact, though it takes a few episodes to get going.
Other critically acclaimed shows include Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai for their beautiful animation and strong storytelling.
For action, Invincible and Scavengers Reign offer unique worlds, while comedies like Smiling Friends and Archer deliver sharp wit.
Top picks
- Bojack Horseman Top-tier writing and character depth
- Arcane Stunning animation with unmatched world-building
- Blue Eye Samurai Excellent period piece with great pacing
- Invincible Gory but fabulous superhero story
- Scavengers Reign Unique experience with beautiful visuals
- The Venture Brothers Deep story with clever writing
- Smiling Friends Absurdist humor with nostalgic cartoon feel
- Futurama Enduring appeal with very smart humor
- Archer Sharp wit and consistent humor
Users highly recommend Bojack Horseman as a top-tier adult animated series, frequently citing its depth, writing, and emotional impact.
Critically Acclaimed Series
Bojack Horseman offers top-tier writing and character depth. Reviewers note that it may take a few episodes to get into, but it becomes one of the best shows they have seen. "Bojack Horseman. It takes a little bit to get good... about halfway through the first season...but then turns into one of the best shows I've ever seen."
Arcane is praised for its stunning animation and strong storytelling. Reviewers mention its exceptional character building and visual artistry. "Arcane-- the most beautifully drawn animation I have ever seen and the storytelling and world building are unmatched."
Blue Eye Samurai provides a compelling narrative with excellent visuals. Reviewers highlight its well-written characters, great pacing, and voice acting, making it a delightful watch. "Blue eye was such a surprise. Excellent period piece with well written characters and great pacing and voice acting. Just a delight. Highly recommend."
Action and Sci-Fi Recommendations
Invincible is a gory yet engaging superhero series. Reviewers suggest pushing past the initial episodes to fully appreciate its quality. "Invincible-- gorey doesn't begin to describe this show but it's so fabulous. My husband and I almost stopped watching halfway through the first episode. SO glad we kept going."
Scavenger's Reign is noted for its unique world-building and beautiful visuals. Reviewers describe it as a truly unique experience. "Why aren't more people talking about this show? It quickly became one of my all-time favorites. Such a unique experience."
The Venture Brothers is highly regarded for its deep story, clever writing, and memorable characters. Reviewers appreciate its humor and intricate plot. "I second venture bros…incredibly deep story and characters…hilarious and clever writing"
Comedies and Cult Classics
Smiling Friends stands out for its absurdist humor and unique animation style. Reviewers enjoy its old-school cartoon feel with an adult twist. "Smilling Friends has my vote. A nice, nostalgic tribute to old Cartoon Network cartoons, if they were a bit less restricted"
Futurama is celebrated for its intelligent humor and enduring appeal. Reviewers consider it a smart adult cartoon with a dedicated fanbase. "1 Futurama : very smart"
Archer offers sharp wit and engaging espionage plots. Users consider it a classic adult animation with consistent humor. "Archer."
Would you like to explore shows with similar themes to Bojack Horseman?
Key takeaways
- Bojack Horseman starts slow but becomes a top-tier show
- Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai are praised for beautiful visuals
- Invincible is extremely gory but fabulous
- Scavengers Reign offers a truly unique world-building experience
- Smiling Friends feels like an adult version of old Cartoon Network
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving up on Bojack Horseman before the first season picks up
- Stopping Invincible early because of the gore
- Overlooking Scavengers Reign due to lower visibility
Quick tips
- Push through the first few episodes of Bojack Horseman
- Keep going past the first episode of Invincible
- Watch Blue Eye Samurai for a great period piece
- Try Smiling Friends for old-school cartoon nostalgia
FAQ
Does Bojack Horseman get better later on?
Yes, users say it takes about halfway through the first season to get good, but then becomes one of the best shows.
Is Invincible worth watching if I dislike gore?
It is extremely gory, but users say it is fabulous and worth pushing past the initial episodes.
What is a good adult comedy cartoon?
Smiling Friends offers absurdist humor with an old-school cartoon feel, while Archer provides sharp wit and espionage plots.
Which show has the best animation quality?
Users frequently point to Arcane as having the most beautifully drawn animation they have ever seen.
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