Simba and Bugs Bunny just don't cut it for some people any more. Traditionally, animation has been aimed at children and their parents. A variety of animation styles has become popular recently, and the animation industry seems to be gravitating more toward adult-oriented animation based on comedy as well as action.
The genre of animated adult-oriented comedy has slowly grown since "The Simpsons" first aired. As edgy as "The Simpsons" is, or was, the boundaries of comedy and censorship on network television has since been pushed by "The Family Guy."
Originally aired during prime time on Fox, "Family Guy" centered around a dysfunctional family. The show was famous for its hilarious and often random pop-culture references, and edgy jokes about race, culture and religion. The show only lasted for three seasons despite a large fan base. Cartoon Network picked up the rights for reruns. Since the show's end in 2002, all three seasons have been released on DVD. The first two seasons are on "Family Guy Volume I" and the third is on "Family Guy Volume II."
The second volume includes an episode that was never aired on network TV, "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein." The episode was just shown for the first time on television on Cartoon Network on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Junior Ahmed Nzibo felt that the episode was great, yet unairable on network TV. "I can see why they never showed it, and I know the decision was up to Fox more than them, but they made it, so kudos to them for getting away with actually making it," Nzibo said. "It actually was kind of comforting, because it talks about stuff that's difficult to talk about and makes it less serious so it's more approachable."
Anim? style has also provided a medium for representing the action genre. Recently, older Japanese shows have started to gain new popularity.
One such show is "Cowboy Beebop." The series follows four bounty hunters and their dog in a future where the human race has expanded and settled into space and various planets. The show originally aired in 1998 and ran for 26 episodes and one feature-length film. "Cowboy Beebop: The Movie" was released to independent theaters last year and grossed $910,607 over 10 weeks, according to Rottentomatoes.com, a movie information Web site. The film was relatively successful considering that it was shown in only 28 theaters in the United States.
Sophomore Tara Gimble still enjoys watching the show because of the great characters and music featured in the series.
"The characters in 'Cowboy Bebop' are technically the good guys, but they are not good people, they are greedy and selfish; they are very human in that they have many flaws but are, in the end, good," Gimble said. "This is unique to many other anim? where there is just a narrow hero; this adds depth to the show which most other anim? lacks. Best of all is the music which follows the story lines of the show adding to the feel and emotions of the show's plots."
Grown-up animation has not been limited to television and film. The Internet has also had many successful animated series, such as the violent "Happy Tree Friends." The show features various "cute cartoon" animals suffering horrible and graphically violent deaths. It can be very funny but also very disturbing.
Previously based only on the Internet, the "Happy Tree Friends" has come to DVD. The second volume was released on DVD Oct. 14.
Sophomore Chrissy McGee just recently found out about the violent cartoon but has quickly become an enthusiast.
"I am a big fan of 'The Happy Tree Friends,'" McGee said. "They are quite lovable, and when the cute friends are mutilated at the end of each episode it is gross, but very amusing at the same time."
Animation is also popping up in popular, live-action movies. Quentin Tarantino's recent "Kill Bill: Volume One" featured an anime sequence that was the bloodiest, goriest and arguably best part of the film.
In an interview with Underground Online, Tarantino revealed that this was his first experience directing anime. Tarantino opted to direct the sequence himself.
"This is important to me, and I want to have the fun of doing anim?, and I love anim?," said Tarantino.
Tarantino is not the only director who wanys to make more adult animation. In a recent interview with The Eagle, "Powerpuff Girls" and "Samurai Jack" creator Genndy Tartakovsky said "something adult would be fun to do"
