Bubbleblabber’s Top 15 Adult Animated TV Series For 2023 (Comedy)
Animated comedies are probably the most combative lists that we have and the year 2023 was no exception. Numerous new kids on the block will be found on this list, but surprisingly cable television is showing some fight with new entries. Note, we didn’t even bother doing a best “new” animated comedy this year, mainly because the answers are largely the same on this list and doing another one would’ve featured franchises not deserving to be on our lists. That said, if you’re not watching what’s on this list, you’re not a fan of animated comedy, or animation in general, because there are some true heroes here.
15) Beavis and Butt-Head
Network: Paramount+
You really can’t go wrong with whatever version of Beavis and Butt-Head you’re going to get from the series and we even got a quick Daria cameo for the show’s season finale that was a bunch of fun. Personally, Paramount should order more seasons of the series and if the show is going to premiere new episodes on the streamer I’d like to see if the writers would be able to stretch the boundaries a bit. It doesn’t require a ton of voice actors or writers and Titmouse lovingly treats the series with such respect for the early seasons that used to air on MTV. Mike Judge is still in a league of his own and if he wants to do more of this show, he should get a chance to do it until he’s a hundred years old.
14) Fired on Mars
Network: MAX
Overall, Fired on Mars earns a promotion in the animation department for delivering a thought-provoking yet somber reflection of an employee’s complicated quest for purpose amid company corruption. The moments involving a depressed Jeff can be repetitive for viewers hoping for a laugh-a-minute adult comedy series, and its supporting characters can sometimes be unlikable. But I think that’s entirely the point of the series. It’s supposed to reflect on the toxicity and depression of a work company to emphasize its commentary. However, it must also have a proper balance of sadness, storytelling, and deadpan humor to make its tone watchable. While far from a masterpiece regarding adult animation, the series did enough with its balance to keep itself from getting fired. So if you’re tired of lazy and tasteless adult animation ripoffs of Family Guy or South Park, this series is worth watching and supporting so we can get more adult-animated shows like this.
13) Yolo: Silver Destiny
Network: Adult Swim
Much like in the case of YOLO: Crystal Fantasy, the highlight of Silver Destiny is this season’s finale, which properly connects together a season’s worth of dots. In the case of YOLO’s first season, there was a two-part finale to celebrate their climax. Silver Destiny pulls together a triple-sized installment that takes advantage of this season’s slightly longer episode order of ten episodes. YOLO: Silver Destiny wraps things up with class in a way that would be beyond satisfying if it needs to function as the show’s end. That being said, there’s still so much silly story left to tell and Michael Cusack has been vocal about how he views YOLO as a trilogy that he’d like to bring to a proper finish.
12) Ten Year Old Tom
Network: MAX
Ten Year Old Tom’s second season is more of the same, but in this case that’s an encouraging confirmation that the animated comedy is able to consistently sustain the high benchmark that’s established in season one. A lack of a grander serialized story might make it easier on some level to end Ten Year Old Tom after only two seasons, but these new episodes flesh out the show’s universe in satisfying ways that point towards a bright future. There needs to be more small-scale, minutiae-driven animated adult comedies on television and Ten Year Old Tom remains one of the best in the game. Ten Year Old Tom deserves to live for at least as long as Dildarian’s The Life and Times of Tim. It’s quietly building a passionate cult audience and given the right encouragement it could easily become Max’s animated equivalent to Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Ten Year Old Tom still has a lot more to say…even if it’s likely to put Tom through hell in the process.
11) Praise Petey
Network: Freeform
There’s a playful will they/won’t they rom-com energy between Petey and the town hottie, Bandit. It’s pretty telegraphed, but still works and becomes more natural over time even if it’s born out of a hackneyed place. Praise Petey’s writing is still smart enough to get ahead of it all and actually make you want to root for these two crazy kids’ love. If nothing else, it’s just encouraging to see a show that has so many strong female characters where all of the best lines come from women.
10) Harley Quinn
Network: MAX
Harley Quinn has been at the top of its game since its debut, but season four may go down as its best. This is a very strong return that’s just as confident, hilarious, and brutal as it’s ever been, yet somehow feels the freshest yet. Harley Quinn actively gets better and combats apathy during a period when most shows begin to regress and get lazier. This DC animated property continues to tell stories and explore the theme of labels, expectations, and the possibility of growth in a world that thrives upon stasis. It’s exactly the type of introspection a comic book show needs, especially one that’s four seasons in. Oh, and King Shark is a dad now.
9) Koala Man
Network: Hulu
Koala Man is a delight in every regard and it’s another extremely satisfying adult animated comedy that Hulu has added to its library. Koala Man benefits from knowing exactly what it is and how to use that to its advantage, but while staying faithful to pure anarchy. The series delivers as a hilarious parody of superhero culture, but there’s also a surprisingly deep meditation on identity, family, and the power of community that’s Koala Man’s secret weapon. There’s a lot more to say and do in this twisted take on Australia and Koala Man isn’t just the hero we deserve, but the animated comedy that we deserve.
8) Royal Crackers
Network: Adult Swim
Royal Crackers is unfairly and unjustly hilarious to the point of no return. If I’m Adult Swim, I’m doing 70 episodes of whatever the fuck this is.
7) South Park
Network: Comedy Central/Paramount+
Had the two streaming events not been released, South Park would’ve JUST missed our top ten list. But, late in 2023, we get two excellent additions to the lexicon that is one of the most important television properties in history. Shit-rag magazines that complain about the fact that the show only produces six episodes a year cower in fear when Matt Stone and Trey Parker trash Hollywood panderings or social media whoring. The guys have a new game releasing next year, is there anything these guys CAN’T do?
6) Solar Opposites
Network: Hulu
Thankfully, a fifth season is already secured and Solar Opposites has never been more deserving of the opportunity to continue. If anything, this season proves that Solar Opposites only grows more confident and radical in its storytelling. Solar Opposites actively improves rather than regresses and it’d be a true shame if it doesn’t continue to build upon itself after such a brilliant season of silly, sci-fi animated comedy.
5) Gary And His Demons
Network: FreeVee
Show creator and lead voice Mark Little has officially won me over as both a voice actor, a writer, and a producer for adult animation. If I was waffling before, he’s got me now. Mainly because his growth is quite a bit more evident in Gary And His Demons season two showing an increased affinity in tone, maniacal ideas, and a more potent season that quite literally levels me with its story-telling. The last two quarter-hour episodes are in the realm of can’t miss adult animation. Do yourself a favor, if you are in an area of the world that doesn’t get to see this series, write to your Senator.
4) The Proud Family
Network: Disney+
Overall, season two of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder remains as loud and proud as it has always been. It delivers everything you’d expect from season one, ranging from its voice cast to its representations to the vibrant and hip animation. Some episodes struggled to maintain the quality’s consistency, but the rest are compelling enough to be more delicious than Oscar’s disgusting Proud Snacks. Whether you’re a fan of The Proud Family or a fresh newcomer, Louder and Prouder is another reason you should subscribe to Disney+ aside from its massive Star Wars and Marvel libraries.
3) Animaniacs
Network: Hulu
Overall, the third season of Animaniacs is a bittersweet farewell to the revival series that was cut short way too soon. Yes, I mean bittersweet because the series ended with a meteor destroying the Earth and the Warners. However, it’s also another batch of fun and colorful shenanigans that are faithful to the original show’s wit and charm. The voice cast was still terrific regarding their performances, and the new segments are still entertaining despite their mild fumbles and the lack of the original’s supporting characters. But at least we got to see Slappy Squirrel make a brief appearance one last time. That should be enough to make us feel better. If you still haven’t watched the revival at this point, consider doing that sooner rather than later so we can convince Hulu to keep the Warner siblings alive for a couple more seasons.
2) Digman
Network: Comedy Central
Digman! unearths treasure right from the start of its expedition. It’s a tremendous animated comedy that could become one of the biggest hits of the decade with the right support. Everything about Digman! succeeds and attempts to break new ground, but its status as a cartoon on Comedy Central begs the question of what sort of future it really has. Digman! deserves to thrive and perhaps it will be given an extended life on Paramount+ or somehow excel on Comedy Central. Digman! is a hilarious comedy that has a lot to say as well as a manic tone that will take it to very special places. With any luck it will have a long enough life where it’s able to push its rich concept and wild ideas as far as possible.
1) Scott Pilgrim: Takes Off
Network: Netflix
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a risky and original take on its intellectual property that also plays into the ever-popular multiverse/alternate timeline concept that’s currently at an all-time high. There are versions upon versions upon versions of the same character in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, all of which play brilliantly and speak to the odd ethos of Byran Lee O’Malley’s signature series. It’s a love letter to this series’ world, its characters, and the medium of animation. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is the best graphic novel-turned-movie-turned-video game-turned anime that you’ll ever see.
