In the myriad of bizarre dimensions and perilous realities that Rick and Morty have traversed, few can rival the chaotic danger of rural Australia. While the recent Rick and Morty: The Anime spin-off struggles to capture the essence of the original series, fans should remember that Adult Swim once perfectly translated the show’s unique spirit into an Australian setting with Bushworld Adventures.
The long-awaited, or perhaps dreaded, Rick and Morty: The Anime has just released its first episode. Unfortunately, it seems that much of what made the original series a standout has been lost in translation. The anime falls short of embodying the humor, nihilism, and mayhem that are the hallmarks of Rick and Morty. Despite the success of earlier Rick and Morty anime shorts, this latest endeavor lacks the distinctive flair that fans have come to expect.
Yet, this disappointment should not lead to the conclusion that Rick and Morty cannot be successfully adapted. In fact, there’s precedent for a successful translation—one that embraced the madness of the original while adding a unique twist.
On April 1, 2018, Adult Swim aired an 11-minute special episode titled Bushworld Adventures, which reimagined Rick and Morty in the outback of Australia. Created by Australian animator Michael Cusack, this episode proved that the series could thrive in a different cultural context. Cusack’s interpretation took the show’s humor and dark themes and infused them with an Australian flavor, making the characters even more delightfully deranged.
Bushworld Adventures debuted on the one-year anniversary of the surprise launch of Rick and Morty Season Three, adding an extra layer of hilarity to Adult Swim’s history of memorable pranks. Cusack, known for his popular animated YouTube content, wrote, directed, produced, animated, and voice-acted in the special. He masterfully blended his distinctive style with the beloved characters and dynamics of Rick and Morty.
While Bushworld Adventures might lack the sci-fi elements that typically define the series, it compensates with a darkly comedic tone that feels unsettlingly real. Cusack’s Australian Rick is a sadistic figure who transforms his portal gun into a regular firearm, telling Morty that their latest adventure is a murder-suicide mission. It’s a dark twist that aligns perfectly with the show’s overarching themes of existential despair.
The special was a massive hit among fans, racking up 30 million views on YouTube, and Adult Swim clearly took notice. Cusack’s success with Bushworld Adventures led to further collaborations, including his 2020 TV adaptation of his YouTube series YOLO and the co-creation of the sleeper hit Smiling Friends in 2022 alongside fellow YouTuber Zach Handel.
Ultimately, the true success of Bushworld Adventures lies in its demonstration that Rick and Morty can be effectively adapted when the right creative minds are involved. Perhaps Cusack could lend his talents to the anime adaptation—his art style and dark humor might just be what the series needs to truly capture the chaotic brilliance of Rick and Morty.