Top 10 Darkest Animated Shows
For this list, we'll be looking at animated TV shows that deal with dark or disturbing themes and subject matter, as well as those that have a dark aesthetic. This doesn't necessarily mean violence, though there will be some of that too.
#10: “South Park” (1997-)
Top 20 Times South Park Roasted TV Shows
This long running series may focus primarily on four young elementary school-aged boys, but it’s anything but kid friendly. Along with its signature style of merciless satire and parody, “South Park” pulls no punches with its subject matter either. The show regularly features death and gore (most notably Kenny’s frequent deaths), as well as other dark themes, including child abuse and rape. Cartman in particular is prone to commiting acts that have the potential to scar adult viewers, let alone a child unfortunate enough to stumble upon the sitcom.
#9: “Happy Tree Friends” (1999-)
Top 10 Animated Show Moments That Made Us Happy Cry
Don’t let the title and animation fool you: this one isn’t for kids either. “Happy Tree Friends” follows a group of cute, colorful animals whose adventures almost always turn out decidedly disgusting. The critters’ escapades almost always devolve into gory, violent messes that, if they don’t end up killing them, consistently cause them gross bodily trauma. While most of the shows on our list feature dark or violent subject matter as a part of their presentation, with “Happy Tree Friends” it’s essentially the central conceit of the premise.
#8: “Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)
Top 10 Worst Things That Happened to Courage the Cowardly Dog
In contrast to our last two entries, “Courage the Cowardly Dog” is for kids, but it’s no the less dark for it. Following the eponymous scaredy-dog as he tries to protect his owners from various supernatural creatures and happenings, the series takes a lot of inspiration from horror films, both in its aesthetic and its content. Despite the series being a children’s cartoon, the threat of death is frequently present, often from something unusual or grisly. While Courage may be a coward, we’re not sure we could be as brave as he is in the face of such horrors.
#7: “Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)
Top 10 Times Samurai Jack Went Beast Mode
Let’s get back, back to the past (intro theme), when Genndy Tartakovsky’s surprisingly dark show aired on Cartoon Network. Following the adventures of a samurai who is transported forward in time by his evil nemesis Aku, the series sees Jack trying to find a way home while helping those suffering under the villain’s rule. Although the show edges around showing blood for the most part by using robots, there’s still quite a bit of violence and occasional moments of horror. The final season delves even further into dark territory by featuring more overt death and violence and showing Jack himself in a notably darker light.
#6: “Æon Flux” (1991-95)
Top 10 Darkest Kids Cartoons
Set in a futuristic dystopia, “Æon Flux” follows the eponymous heroine as she goes on covert, and not-so-covert missions. The shadowy, cyberpunk setting makes for a bleak tone, while the missions Æon Flux undertakes are often violent. This is because of either their purpose, like assassination, or else because they go wrong or turn out to be something else entirely, with the death tolls of some episodes climbing into the hundreds or thousands. Æon Flux herself isn’t excluded from this either, as she is shown to die in both the animated shorts and the series itself.
#5: “Gargoyles” (1994-97)
One of the darkest Disney cartoons ever made, “Gargoyles” follows a group of winged creatures who turn to stone during the day and protect NYC by night, while also uncovering what became of their people. Given that most of it takes place at night, the overall look of the show is dark by default, but the atmosphere is also notably gothic. Not only are there fight scenes aplenty, but also the gargoyles’ past is analogous to genocide, while several of the series’ present villains are murderers. Disney went dark alright, but it made for a complex and well-written show.
#4: “Rick and Morty” (2013-)
Top 10 Rick and Morty Cameos in Other Movies and Shows
An adult animated sci-fi series, “Rick and Morty” follows a drunk, genius scientist and his awkward grandson, as they go on adventures through outer space and other dimensions. Rick and Morty’s adventures get really dark, as the pair of them (though usually Rick), are responsible for countless deaths along the way and deal with a lot of mind-blowing weirdness that proves emotionally scarring (at least to Morty). Speaking of emotional damage, the crap Rick and the rest of his family put each other through is almost as bad as the stuff they encounter on their adventures. That being said, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more brilliantly-written animated series.
#3: “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95)
Top 10 Darkest Batman: The Animated Series Moments
Arguably the definitive animated version of Batman, “The Animated Series” may have a little bit of campy humor, but its major distinguishing feature is how dark it is. Created on the heels of Tim Burton’s Batman films, “The Animated Series” features a noir and gothic art style that relies heavily on shading. To match the visuals, the show tackles plenty of grim subject matter and featured a lot more violence, or at least the threat of it, than you typically see in superhero cartoons. Some of the Dark Knight’s villains were particularly chilling; and no, we’re not just talking about Mr. Freeze.
#2: “The Maxx” (1995)
Top 10 Animated Kids Shows Adults Secretly Love
Based on the Image Comics series of the same name, “The Maxx” follows the eponymous character, who is a homeless man in the real world, but also spends time as his highly muscular, colorful alter ego in a strange alternate one called the Outback. Along with the trippy visuals, “The Maxx” features plenty of violence and dark subject matter, particularly since the main villain, Mr. Gone, is a serial rapist. Gloomy, shocking, and thoroughly bizarre, “The Maxx” is almost the darkest animated show on our list. Almost. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “The Head” (1994-96) “Exosquad” (1993-94) “Gravity Falls” (2012-16)
#1: “Todd McFarlane's Spawn” (1997-99)
Based on Todd McFarlane's comic series of the same name (naturally), “Spawn” follows the titular demonic hero, a former serviceman who is resurrected in Hell to fight evil both Hellish and Earthly. The art style is thoroughly gritty and sometimes grisly, particularly given the hero’s cadaverous appearance without his mask. The episodes, meanwhile, are full of betrayal, corruption, murder, and death, with little sugar coating. Spawn’s world is a dark one indeed, but hey, from the creator of Venom, would you expect any less? This series doesn’t hold back, and it’s rightfully earned the distinction of being one of the greatest comic book cartoons of all time.
1
0
report
0
0
report
0
0
report
0
0
report
0
0
report