Adult Animation Revolution: Top Studios For Adult Animation
by Tito W. James
Growing up in America the best destination for cartoons were the big three channels: Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney Channel (in that order). Now we’re in the age of streaming and the adult animation revolution is in full swing. The medium has expanded beyond “toilet humor” comedies and we’re seeing shows that explore Action, Scifi, Fantasy, Horror, Drama and many more genres.
This variety of genres for young adult and mature audiences is old news for anime lovers. Anime fans will follow their favorite anime studios like WIT, Trigger, Science Saru, and MAPPA. But how many fans follow Western animation studios that specialize in narratively-driven adult animation? Well, I’m here to rectify that! The following is a list of established and rising animation studios that could become the next Trigger or MAPPA for adult animation.
Powerhouse Animation is best known for their work on Castlevania, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, as well as trailers for video games like League of Legends and Enter the Gungeon. They have worked in almost every style of traditional animation from gritty anime to feature animation to web-based cartoon animation. The Castlevania series is a pivotal example of elevating video game adaptations and blending the Eastern and Western anime fandoms.
Bobbypills is the first and only studio in Europe specialized in adult animation. Known for Crisis Jung and Captain Laserhawk, Bobbypills works with the most sought-after talents in French animation to combine European sensibilities with Japanese and American influences and bring them to global audience hungry for elevated animated series.
Studio Fortiche is known for their unique graphic style blending 2D and 3D animation. This unique animation was at the core of their mega-hit Arcane animated series. Both Arcane and Fortiche played a pivotal role in recognizing the mature storytelling potential of animation. I can’t wait to revisit the world of Piltover.
Blur Studio is an an award-winning production company founded by Tim Miller (Deadpool). Blur Studio is known for their impressive video game trailers and helming Netflix’s first animated anthology, Love, Death + Robots. The level of craft and detail in each project speaks for itself. Given Miller’s experience in Hollywood, I hope to see a theatrically released adult animated film from Blur Studio in the future.
Studio Meala is an award-winning, creatively-led studio specializing in high-end 2D animation. Meala’s staff have been vocal about pushing the narrative boundaries for adult animation. Their most recent project included two animated shorts titled Mkhuzi: The Spirit Racer and Hatima for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.
Titmouse Animation are known for The Legend of Vox Machina, Agent Elvis, Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar, Midnight Gospel, andScavenger’s Reign. Titmouse Animation is one of the most accomplished in consistently delivering high quality adult animation that appeals to a wide audience.
Studio La Cachette is a French animation studio founded by former Gobelins students who are known for their work on Star Wars Visions, Love Death and Robots, and Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal. The animated shorts from Gobelins are more beautiful than most animated TV series. I want to see that quality of animation become the norm for prestige adult animation and Studio La Cachette is helping us get there.
Glitch Productions is a fully self sustained Australian animation studio with a following of over 5 million engaged fans. Our ultimate goal is to make animated shows targeted at teens and young adults that tell fun and whimsical stories while also respecting our audience’s ability to appreciate mature plots and complex themes. Their hit series Murder Drones is a prime example of what web-based animation is capable of.
