Adult animation

Adult animation^[a] is animation in the form of films and television series that is catered specifically to general interests and is mainly targeted and marketed towards teenagers, young adults, and mature audiences as opposed to children or all-ages audiences.

Wax statues of the main protagonists in The Simpsons, among one of the early and most famous adult animated works.

Characteristics and themes

Animated films, television series, and web series in this medium could be considered adult for any number of reasons, which include the incorporation of dark humor, violence, adult humor, mature themes, shock value, toilet humour, nudity, sexual content (either explicit or suggestive), profanity, political themes, or other thematic elements inappropriate for children and/or younger viewers. Works may explore philosophical, political, satirical, or social issues.^[1]

Some animated productions are noted for their complex and/or experimental storytelling and animation techniques, the latter with many distinct styles have defined such unique artistry.^[1]

Definitions

Adult animation is typically defined as animation that is aimed at an adult audience.^[2][3][4][5] It is also described as something that "formative youths should stay far, far away from"^[6] or has adult humor^[7][8] and comes in various styles,^{[9][10][11][12]} but especially sitcoms and comedies.^[13] Some have stated that it refers to animations with "adult themes and situations", which uses "explicit language" and make jokes that adults, and often teens, are "more likely to understand" than others.^[14] On television, such animations often run in the evening, but they are not generally pornographic or obscene.^[15][16] AdWeek called adult animation "animated projects aimed at grown-ups, not kids."^[17] They also focus on issues that adults handle,^[18] and have cheeky, and occasionally crass, humor "that has no limits—bouncing between funny and offensive," while evoking a "balance of reality and fantasy". They may also contain violence or sexual themes.^[19][20]

See also

• Arthouse animation
• Independent animation
• Cartoon violence
• Black comedy
• Adult puppeteering
• Adult animation by country
• Animation in the United States in the television era
• History of animation
• List of years in animation
• Modern animation in the United States
• List of adult animated television series
• List of adult animated web series
• List of adult animated feature films
• List of highest-grossing adult animated films
• Firsts in animation

Notes

1. Also known as mature animation, mature cartoon or adult cartoon, and infrequently as adult-oriented animation or mature-oriented animation and adult-oriented cartoon or mature-oriented cartoon.