Rick and Morty: The Anime Loses The Original Series' Appeal With One Key Missing Detail

By Casandra Ronning

Published Aug 26, 2024

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Summary

Rick and Morty: The Anime lacks the dark humor and sharp satire that made the original series stand out among fans.
The anime simplifies the dynamic between Rick and Morty, with Rick portrayed as a quirky genius and Morty reduced to a reactive character.
While the anime introduces new visual styles and premises, it struggles to live up to the original's complexities and character development.

Rick and Morty: The Anime received mixed reviews from fans following its debut. The anime introduces a new visual style and an interesting premise in the first episode, “Girl Who Manipulates Time,” by exploring the theme of time travel, an aspect that the original Rick and Morty made a point not to use. Even so, the anime struggles to live up to its counterpart, lacking the aspects that kept fans hooked.

The original Rick and Morty thrives on its use of dark humor and sharp social commentary amid the show’s absurdity. The original characters are complex and have shown signs of growth and development, subtle as they may be. However, the anime so far seems to shy away from what made the original shine, and that makes the anime seem flat in comparison to Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty.

Morty in a Red Suit Preparing for Battle in Rick and Morty: The Anime

Rick And Morty The Anime's Morty staring with his mouth open as petals fly by with a Comic-Con banner over the image's right side.

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Rick and Morty: The Anime Lacks Dark Humor and Satire

The Anime is Missing the Edge That Made the Original Series Stand Out

The TV show is known for its use of dark humor that is often intertwined with serious topics such as nihilism, social norms, and trauma. A perfect example of this is shown in “Pickle Rick,” where Rick goes as far as turning himself into a pickle just to avoid ing his family in therapy. When he finally does them at the end of the show, Rick is filled with cynicism, leading to sharp and witty dialogue between characters.

Meanwhile, the anime opts to use more straightforward jokes as it’s main premise, losing the balance that the Adult Swim cartoon created that allowed fans to have a laugh while also being challenged to think. The new show instead uses exaggerated expressions and bizarre moments in place of dark humor, such as the multiple realities Morty gets faced with in the first episode. While this may appeal to a different audience, it takes away the clever satire that made the original series stand out.

This Version of Rick and Morty Has Simplified Dynamics

Character Relationships Lose Their Depth in the Anime Adaptation

Image of Rick and Morty looking slightly confused in Rick and Morty: The Anime

Rick’s actions were unpredictable and occasionally done out of spite, making him a toxic character, but his behavior was often balanced by Morty’s moral com and insecurities. This created a dynamic between them that was both dysfunctional and yet compelling to viewers. It is best exemplified in “The Vat of Acid Episode,” where Rick takes advantage of Morty by playing to his weaknesses, leading Morty down an immoral path and causing harm to many others. Yet, despite often taking advantage, Rick is continuously shown to have a deeper affection for Morty and his family than he is willing to show.

Meanwhile, Morty becomes reduced to a reactive character with his insecurities and moral dilemmas taking a backseat.

However, in the anime, these dynamics have been radically simplified. Rick’s character is portrayed as an eccentric genius archetype, lacking his sharp commentary and existential dread that made his character so intriguing. Meanwhile, Morty becomes reduced to a reactive character with his insecurities and moral dilemmas taking a backseat.

In “Girl Who Manipulates Time,” Morty remains uncharacteristically calm and shows no regard for the virtual world surrounding him. Rick and Morty: The Anime shows a vastly alternate side to the beloved characters audiences know, but the anime still has time to honor and adapt the original series’ unique tone.