Top 10 Recent Adult Animated Shows You NEED to Watch

WatchMojo

Animation isn't just for kids anymore! Join us as we count down our picks for the most compelling adult animated series from recent years. From hellish comedies to samurai revenge tales, these shows deliver complex characters, stunning visuals, and mature storytelling that push the boundaries of the medium.

Transcript

00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the cartoons meant for

00:13mature audiences from the last few years that are a must-watch.

00:21Nothing says cartoon for adults quite like a series set in literal hell.

00:39Although the spin-off, Hell of a Boss, was a tempting alternative, Has Been Hotel simply

00:43has a broader appeal.

00:45The show follows Charlie Morningstar, Lucifer's daughter, who decides to create a rehabilitation

00:49hotel for sinners as an alternative to angels massacring them every few years.

01:00The vibrant art style, distinctive characters and catchy musical numbers are certainly enough

01:05to draw people in.

01:06And while the humour isn't for everyone, the redemptive premise and character-focused plot

01:10offer surprising depth.

01:12Plus, if you're into fanfiction, this fandom has got you covered.

01:28While far from the only bizarre show to grace Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Smiling Friends

01:33is among the latest and weirdest of the bunch.

01:35The series follows the staff of the titular charity, whose attempts to bring happiness to

01:39their clients often result in strange, hilarious and or terrifying events.

01:53A variety of animation styles, including several pulpit versions of episodes, help create a truly

01:58surreal and bizarre look for the show.

02:00Between the outlandish characters, uncomfortable close-ups and unique style, Smiling Friends

02:05is sure to, well, make you smile.

02:07If you can appreciate its particular brand of weirdness, that is.

02:25As anyone who's played Dungeons & Dragons can tell you, it's less about noble quests and

02:29more half-baked plans going hilariously awry and surprisingly epic moments.

02:33And few D&D properties have captured that feeling quite as well as the legend of Vox Machina.

02:46Based on the critical role campaign of the same name, the show takes all the battles, character

02:50development and comedy of the live-play show and refines it into a well-animated and infinitely

02:55more watchable package.

02:57Whether the legend of Vox Machina is your gateway into D&D or a fresh take on something you already

03:02enjoy, it's definitely worth the adventure.

03:09DC's superhero shows are kind of everywhere, yet Harley Quinn has carved out its own niche

03:26as an adult take on a familiar universe.

03:28The show follows the eponymous supervillainess as she sets out to make a name for herself

03:32after breaking up with the Joker and forming her own gang of miscreants.

03:36Breaking free from its Saturday morning cartoon constraints, Harley Quinn features all of violence,

03:41language and adult situations you'd expect of mature programming.

03:48However, there's also a shocking level of emotional complexity and romance, as well as

03:57an excellent supporting cast.

03:59Harley Quinn is as unpredictable as the anti-heroine herself, and it's all the better for it.

04:20While this science fiction series may have been cancelled, the first and only season is still

04:25must-see TV.

04:26And despite a continuation being unlikely, there's plenty of in-depth worldbuilding and themes

04:32to pore over here already.

04:33Scavengers Reign depicts the aftermath of a spaceship crash on a strange alien world.

04:38Each group of survivors adapts to and changes the bizarre environments and animals they encounter

04:42on their journeys in their own way.

04:52The vibrant landscapes and creatures of the show alternate between beautiful and horrific.

04:56Scavengers Reign may not reign supreme, but it invites viewers to explore every inch of it.

05:05In the meantime, it's the only thing that we've seen in the world.

05:15Most Star Trek shows follow the bridge crews and officers of starships on bold adventures.

05:20This show is about the other guys, the Lower Decks crew who just work there.

05:24While not the first time the franchise has explored this idea, or indeed the first animated series,

05:29Lower Decks still feels fresh.

05:31The ensemble of quirky, entertaining characters are the perfect accompaniment to the kind of

05:35sci-fi weirdness that Starfleet encounters on a daily basis.

05:45While die-hard Trekkies will obviously appreciate the finer details and references to episodes

05:49made decades ago, the comedy, occasional action and a unique take on the Star Trek universe

05:54are still enough to create plenty of new fans.

05:57Japan doesn't have a monopoly on stories set there.

06:17This American-French animated series follows Mizu, a female samurai of mixed race on a quest

06:22for revenge.

06:23Her actions see her make friends and enemies in equal measure, and set into motion much

06:28more than she intended.

06:35The animation is halfway between 2D and 3D, with nearly every scene feeling like a painting

06:40coming to life.

06:41Blue-Eye Samurai delves into complex themes with its well-realised characters, and examines

06:45contemporary ideas like gender roles.

06:48All that on top of some brutal and exciting action scenes, and it's no wonder everyone

06:52has had their eyes on this show, regardless of which shade they are.

07:06Creator Genndy Tartakovsky is famous for his minimalist visual storytelling in series like

07:10Samurai Jack, however he has refined his craft to perfection in this brutal, adult animated

07:16show.

07:17Primal initially follows a caveman and a dinosaur, who form an unlikely duo as they survive and

07:22battle their way through the unforgiving, fictional, prehistoric world they live in.

07:34Their adventures are conveyed with very little dialogue, and rely on body language and actions

07:38to tell the plot.

07:40Of course, said plot often amounts to the two of them going up against a series of vicious

07:44enemies, in one outlandishly violent and badass fight scene after another.

07:48At least, at first.

07:49Plus, practically every frame looks like the cover art for a heavy metal album.

07:53Which is awesome.

08:05Mature takes on superheroes aren't exactly rare these days, even on this list.

08:09However, Invincible has still managed to strike a chord with many.

08:13Mark Grayson, aka Invincible, is a budding superhero who has to contend with not only his

08:18difficult choices as a superhero, but also with his father Omni-Man's legacy.

08:31Marvel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of superheroism, frequently depicting some

08:35positively savage deaths and beatdowns.

08:38The crisp animation, excellent world building and strong performances across the board have

08:43helped make Invincible almost unbeatable in the adult animation space.

08:53Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.

08:57Hitmonkey.

08:58A monkey assassin?

08:59Sure, why not?

09:04Inside Job.

09:05A conspiracy-laden comedy.

09:08This horrible halftime show was nominated for an Oscar and sold 56 million albums.

09:12But it wasn't the same without you guys.

09:14Yeah, totally disgusting.

09:16God damn it, NSYNC, you're right!

09:19Nocturne.

09:20Even more vampire-hunting action in revolutionary France.

09:23I could roast a whole nest of them with a burst of flame.

09:28So when did you turn into this creepy old man?

09:31Blood of Zeus.

09:32The makers of Castlevania do Greek mythology justice with an original story.

09:40Solar Opposites.

09:41What if the folks behind Rick and Morty made the Space Simpsons?

09:51Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified

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10:16The acclaim of Arkane has been downright magical, and well-deserved.

10:20Based on the League of Legends video game series, Arkane tells the story of a building conflict

10:25between a utopian city above and a crime-ridden undercity, mostly through the eyes of two

10:30sisters and the leaders of both factions.

10:38The 3D animation is positively jaw-dropping, with the music not far behind it.

10:42The characters develop in realistic, though often heartbreaking ways.

10:46We'd be shocked if you haven't checked it out already.

10:48But just in case you haven't, Arkane has to be seen to be believed.

10:58So is there a modern animated series for grown-ups we forgot to mention?

11:02Our door is open, share your favourites in the comments.

11:19And also, now you have the access to the hall.

11:20Thank you so much.

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