Adult Animation Revolution: Best Animated Series Of 2022
by Tito W. James
Despite the turbulence of corporate mergers, mass layoffs, content deletion, and snarky Oscars comments, this was still arguably one of the strongest years in animated storytelling. This list includes several animated TV shows that will no doubt become classics.
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal follows a caveman and a dinosaur, called Spear and Fang, on their journey through a harsh primordial world. In Primal’s final season, Spear and Fang face new threats from new civilizations. There’s an epic “Frazetta-sized” scale to the pulp elements and a visceral impact to the bloodshed. Genndy Tartakovsky has proven to be a true visionary and pushes the medium of animation to new cinematic and emotional heights. I eagerly anticipate Tartakovsky’s next project Unicorn: Warriors Eternal.
Love Death and Robots Vol 3
Love Death and Robots is an adult-oriented animated anthology series developed by David Fincher(Fight Club) and Tim Miller (Deadpool) that explores the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in twisted and creative ways. A true homage to Heavy Metal Magazine, Love Death and Robots delivers its strongest season yet with stand-out episodes like Bad Traveling, Jibaro, and The Very Pulse of the Machine.
The Guardians of Justice
The Guardians of Justice is a mixed-media satirical black comedy created by Adi Shankar that utilizes “bootleg” versions of popular superheroes. While other live-action animation hybrids try to hide the animated elements, Guardians of Justice embraces them. Scenes shift from live-action, to animation, stop-motion, miniature sets, and pixel art. The Guardians of Justice takes pop-culture iconography and remixes it into something totally new.
The Legend of Vox Machina
The Legend of Vox Machina is an adult animated fantasy-adventure series based on the web series Critical Role, which in turn is based on campaigns of Dungeons and Dragons. The series follows a band of misfits who embark on a quest against dark magical forces to pay off their mounting bar tab. For those who want raunchy, humorous takes on fantasy that don’t skimp on the action, Vox Machina is an adventure worth taking.
Dragon Age: Absolution
Dragon Age: Absolution is a six-episode animated series produced by Red Dog Culture House (Good Hunting, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf). Taking place within the Dragon Age universe, Absolution introduces us to a riveting cast of characters who attempt to steal an artifact that can raise the dead. Even as someone unfamiliar with the games, I was quickly hooked by the series’ complex characters. The drama is emotionally harrowing and the action left my jaw in the floor. Dragon Age: Absolution is sure to appeal to fans of dark fantasy like Castlevania.
Battle Kitty
Battle Kitty is a Netflix original interactive cartoon created by Paul Layzell and Matt Layzell. In the series, we follow Kitty and Orc as they face rival warriors and guardian monsters to become the champion of Battle Island! Battle Kitty is hands down, the funniest cartoon of the year with a unique sense of humor. From its colorful low-poly art to its fabulous characters, Battle Kitty is the kind of cartoon that will attract a cult following.