Are There Animated Series Aimed at Adults That Aren't Comedies?

[Arkliem]

Can only think of three that aren't movies

Aeon Flux, Spawn, and The Maxx. If you include movies, it'd open up a bit more, but there just isn't much of that type of animation in the west.

 

[HardkorSB]

Not a series but there are 2 animated Dead Space movies and they are definitely not aimed at kids.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

You know how Shonen Anime is meant for teen boys? Seinen Anime is meant for Adults. Stuff like Ghost in the Shell.

 

[Denamic]

Without anime, you're pretty much out of luck. Western cartoons aimed at adults that aren't comedies are super rare.

 

[Jaggededge11]

The Head
Spawn the Animated Series
Aeon Flux
The Maxx


Really, I can't think of much else for a western animated series geared exclusively to adults (That isn't a comedy).

 

[000Ronald]

And no, I don't mean shows that aren't funny. I mean are there animated series that are not intended to be primarily comedic in nature that are primarily aimed at an adult audience?

...now, I have a question, and it's only because you didn't specifically clarify. Do you mean JUST things on TV, or are we talking about online animation, too?

 

[freaper]

I'd chip in with Bojack Horseman as well, but it's listed on IMDB as:"Animation, Comedy, Drama" so take it for what you want. Great show though, worth your time.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

La Planète sauvage
Waltz with Bashir
Persepolis
The Boy and the World
Approved for Adoption

There are tons of animated films that are intended for adult audiences. Just have a look at the entries and nominations for the various animation prizes at film festivals or specialized animation festivals out there.

Series are rarer, as those usually have to be shown on TV. There's still the false notion that animation can only be for kids there.

You're right that there is little out there for those who enjoy that kind of thing. I think this is a real opportunity for whoever has the resources to begin a channel based around western animation series.

They can easily do what the Japanese do: turn comic books into a series. This already happens with the umpteenth superhero series, but we've never seen it happen with the deeper, adult comics that tackle serious issues.

There's a wealth of material out there though. Especially in France, Brazil, Belgium too.
I don't really read too many American comics. Some do have their merit, but the real heavy stuff tends to get censored. Except for stuff like the Walking Dead etc.

 

[suitepee7]

Bojack Horseman on Netflix is primarily a comedy, but in my opinion, the thing more entertaining than the humor is its constant focus on the human condition of several long-suffering characters (ironic, considering most of them are anthropomorphic animals, but that's a recurring joke).

From what I've read in reviews, most of the people that don't like the show criticize that those two main themes don't compliment each other well. I disagree. While the humor is not always on point, I find the show pretty engaging anyway for its deeply flawed and near-unlikable characters that still manage to be sympathetic.

I'm gonna +1 on Bojack here, absolutely terrific show, and I would say it is kinda borderline whether it is a comedy or not. The comedy elements are needed though, that show is pretty grim and without the laughs, it would just be a steam train of depression. I feel the ending of season 2 definitely ends on a more positive note though, so keep at it.

 

[djdomain]

Not sure where exactly it lies on the kid/adult spectrum, but I liked Titan AE for its uniqueness. It presented itself in a serious tone with heavy themes(earth destroyed, humans being endangered and facing prejudice from other species, romantic interest between Cale and Akima, betrayal, and some deaths) along with some cartoony slapstick. It didn't do too well because people didn't know if it was a kid's film or not, and I think it bombing at the box office dissuaded others from trying more mature cartoons, but I will put it on 2 or 3 times a year to watch.

 

[Vausch]

And no, I don't mean shows that aren't funny. I mean are there animated series that are not intended to be primarily comedic in nature that are primarily aimed at an adult audience?

...now, I have a question, and it's only because you didn't specifically clarify. Do you mean JUST things on TV, or are we talking about online animation, too?

Let's go with "Studio backed" for the sake of argument. If it's a netflix exclusive, sure. Otherwise, no.

 

[balladbird]

Nah, the stigma that "adults don't like cartoons, except to laugh at" is pretty damn strong in the west. Even shows like Aeon Flux were made more for teens than adults.

The closest thing I can think of that would come to a non-comedy animated series aimed at adults would be the experiment they did with Batman: The Animated series.

They noticed the series, then marketed toward children, had an extremely strong adult demographic, so much so that they chanced giving it a prime time slot, where it promptly bombed, most likely due to aforementioned stigma.

Pity, if BTAS has succeeded, it may have thrown open a door for an entire new genre of televised action animation aimed at adults.

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I can only think of the animated adaptation of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

 

[Vausch]

I can only think of the animated adaptation of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Which is a movie, not a series.

Batman's animated movies are often pretty dark, and pretty damn good (Red Hood is my favourite so far) but they never make it in a series format.