Rick and Morty has always been a series that thrives on its unique approach to adult animation, but now it’s venturing into new territory with Rick and Morty: The Anime. Initially teased in 2020 through a series of anime shorts, this new adaptation brings a fresh, distinctly anime perspective to the familiar multiverse fans have come to love.
The anime’s origins trace back to those early shorts, which offered intriguing glimpses into the wider multiverse of Rick and Morty. However, the shorts by Takashi Sano, renowned for his work on Tower of God, stood out so much that Adult Swim greenlit a full spin-off series. The result is Rick and Morty: The Anime, a collaboration between Adult Swim, Takashi Sano, Telecom Animation Film, and Sola Entertainment.
Unlike the shorts, this anime spin-off is a fully fleshed-out series, yet it retains the experimental energy that made the original shorts so compelling. Fans initially flocked to Rick and Morty for its distinctiveness from other adult animated shows, and this anime adaptation preserves that spirit while introducing an entirely new flavor.
Rick and Morty: The Anime reintroduces the beloved characters from the original series but in ways that may surprise fans. While the characters appear to be from the C-137 universe (tying them to the main series), the storytelling diverges, influenced heavily by Sano’s artistic vision. Each episode takes familiar themes and concepts and reimagines them through an anime lens, offering a fresh take on the narrative.
The premiere episode, for example, explores the concept of time travel, a familiar theme for the series. However, rather than focusing on the comedic potential of alternate realities, as the original series might, this anime version emphasizes the emotional weight of Morty’s experiences across different lifetimes. The episode introduces new characters and presents a non-linear, almost dreamlike sequence of events that are more introspective and less about punchlines.
This shift in tone is consistent throughout the anime. Rick and Morty: The Anime is less about the rapid-fire jokes and more about exploring the deeper implications of its science-fiction ideas. While humor is still present, it’s more subdued, woven into the narrative rather than disrupting it.
For some fans, this adjustment may take time. The anime version lacks some of the sharp, edgy humor that defined the original series, but it compensates with a richer, more thoughtful storytelling approach. The series prioritizes its narrative over quick laughs, staying focused on its thematic goals without being sidetracked by comedic detours.
Visually, Rick and Morty: The Anime is a standout. The series is visually stunning, bringing a new level of polish to the characters and worlds first introduced in the original show. The designs, which were always a bit quirky, feel like they were meant for this anime format. New characters fit seamlessly into the existing universe, adding depth to the already expansive world of Rick and Morty.
Ultimately, Rick and Morty: The Anime is a true-to-form extension of the Rick and Morty universe. It explores the characters and themes in new, imaginative ways, pushing the boundaries of what the series can be. However, for viewers seeking the chaotic humor and wild antics that Rick and Morty is known for, this anime spin-off may not entirely satisfy. Instead, it offers a different kind of experience—one that is thoughtful, artistically ambitious, and worth exploring for fans who are open to seeing Rick and Morty through a different lens.