Adult Animation Revolution: The Brilliance of ‘Hazbin Hotel’
by Tito W. James
Hazbin Hotel marks a positive turning point for adult animation. The genius of the independent production has translated smoothly into a larger streaming service. The result is a show that feels fresh and unmoored from arbitrary animation trends or corporate homogenization.
For too long, adult cartoon comedies have cut and pasted the same “ugly-on purpose” mold of The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. Hazbin Hotel challenges what an adult animated comedy can look and feel like. Cartoon viewers have been begging for fresher character designs and Hazbin Hotel delivers in spades– even one-off background characters are unique enough to be lead characters.
You can see the creative DNA of edgier kid’s cartoons like Invader Zim and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy within the character designs of Hazbin Hotel. The sharp angularity pairs well with the sensual curves of Bruce Timm‘s work on Batman and the high energy musicality of Cat’s Don’t Dance. The show is a product of the best elements of all the shows that have come before.
Hazbin Hotel takes the iconography of angels and demons and flips everything upside down. The Satanic imagery and queer themes are sure to raise the blood-pressure of religious fanatics. But, it’s worth noting that the core of the show is Charlie’s belief that there’s good in everyone and that anyone can be redeemed– which sounds spiritually positive overall.
Comedians both in live action and animation have historically used queer identity as a punching-bag for a quick laugh. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see openly queer characters delivering the funniest lines as opposed to their existence being a punchline. The representation is self-evident rather than self-conscious and the series never loses its edge. There may be a generation of viewers who start to “question some things” after watching the show.
I hope more networks will learn from Hazbin Hotel’s success and diversify their adult animation slate. We want more cartoons with fresh art styles, complex characters, world-building humor, heart, sex appeal, and engaging soundtracks. Hazbin Hotel could become The Rocky Horror Picture Show for a new generation and has the potential to become an award-winning broadway musical.
Hazbin Hotel is now streaming on Amazon Prime.