List of adult animated television series before 1990

For adult animated TV series in the 1990s, see List of adult animated television series of the 1990s. For adult animated TV series in the 2000s, see List of adult animated television series of the 2000s. For adult animated TV series in the 2010s, see List of adult animated television series of the 2010s. For adult animated TV series in the 2020s, see List of adult animated television series of the 2020s.

This is a list of adult animated television series before 1990 (including streaming television series); that is, animated programs targeted towards audiences aged 18 and over in mind. Works in this medium could be considered adult for any number of reasons, which include the incorporation of explicit or suggestive sexual content, graphic violence, profane language, dark humour, or other thematic elements inappropriate for children. Works in this genre may explore philosophical, political, or social issues. Some productions are noted for their complex and/or experimental storytelling and animation techniques. Adult animation is typically defined as animation which skews toward adults.[1][2][3][4] It is also described as something that "formative youths should stay far, far away from"[5] or has adult humor[6][7] and comes in various styles,[8][9][10][11] but especially sitcoms and comedies.[12] These animations can also "appeal to wide swaths of viewers," including those aged 18–34.[13][14] AdWeek called adult animation "animated projects aimed at grown-ups, not kids."[15]

In North America, there is children's animation, adult animation, and young adult animation, with various mature animations in the United States, especially in television series. This page mainly includes series in North America and Europe, on programming blocks such as Adult Swim, Animation Domination, Adult Swim (in Canada), and others, with other mature animations, including web series and animated films covered on other pages. These series should not be confused with cartoon pornography or hentai.

  1. ^ Motamayor, Rafael (March 10, 2020). "11 Adult Animation Shows We Can't Wait to See in 2020". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Vargas, Alani (October 1, 2018). "7 Animated TV Shows On Netflix That Adults Will Absolutely Love". Bustle. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Jaworski, Michelle; Riese, Monica; Weber, Sarah (January 10, 2019). "The 17 best cartoons for adults". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Collider Staff (April 21, 2020). "The 25 Best Cartoons for Adults Streaming Right Now". Collider. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Fowler, Matt (March 25, 2019). "The 25 Best Adult Cartoon TV Series". IGN. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ Krell, Jason (April 8, 2014). "Why Saying Animation Is Only For Kids Is Bullshit". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Laux, Cameron (November 27, 2019). "Is Japanese Anime Going Mainstream?". BBC. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  8. ^ Baron, Reuben (December 23, 2019). "Adult Animation Is Better Than Ever - So Why Does It Draw Ridicule?". CBR. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Barrett, Duncan (November 2, 2020). "Animation nation: how Covid fuelled the rise of adult cartoons". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  10. ^ Sarto, Dan (March 19, 2020). "What Future Lies in Store for Non-Comedy Adult Animation?". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Silliman, Brian (November 2, 2019). "SYFY drawing in more animation with midnight-ish block of adult genre fun". SYFY. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Sanderson, Katherine (June 30, 2020). "The Future of Adult Animation (With and Without Comedy)". Animation Ave. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  13. ^ Kunkel III, Earl Monroe (2009). Why ARE people laughing at rape? American adult animation and Adult Swim: Aqua Teen Hunger Force as contemporary humor (Masters). Lehigh University. pp. 5–6, 9. ProQuest 304916287. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  14. ^ Mak, Phillip (July 10, 2020). "Why is everybody talking about adult animation?". Toon Boom Animation. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  15. ^ Sutton, Kelsey (April 12, 2020). "How Adult Animation Became the Hottest Genre for Streaming Services". AdWeek. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.