Animation is emerging as a medium for flawless television, with several new animated shows from the last five years demonstrating exceptional quality. This shift challenges the perception that animation is a lesser form of television, according to a recent analysis by storyteller Diego Pineda. The visual limitlessness of animation allows creators to develop fresh, ambitious, and boundary-pushing narratives.
Pineda, a lifelong film enthusiast and critic, highlights ten animated series that exemplify this trend. His work, which includes self-published novels and film analyses on his Instagram page and blog, often focuses on the underappreciated aspects of cinema and storytelling. He notes that these series represent a “fresh golden era of small-screen animation,” indicating a changing landscape for the medium.
One notable example is ‘Common Side Effects,’ which premiered in 2024 on Adult Swim. This series is recognized for its unique blend of surrealism, deadpan humor, and thriller elements. It is described as one of the most mind-bending animated shows of the past five years, with each episode considered a masterpiece. The show’s genre-bending nature and thematic depth position it as a significant animated satire of the 2020s, potentially joining the ranks of Adult Swim’s most acclaimed productions.
Adult Swim, a programming block on Cartoon Network, has a history of producing highly regarded adult animated series since the early 2000s. Its continued direction, as seen with ‘Common Side Effects,’ suggests a commitment to innovative and high-quality animation. The platform has consistently pushed creative boundaries, contributing to the evolving perception of animated content.
Another series, ‘Pantheon,’ which ran from 2022 to 2023, is cited as a near-perfect hard sci-fi show. Based on short stories by Ken Liu, this cyberpunk conspiracy thriller showcases the medium’s capacity for complex narrative and intricate world-building. Its inclusion among the top animated shows reinforces the idea that animation can deliver sophisticated and intellectually stimulating content.
The critical acclaim for these animated series suggests a broader acceptance and appreciation of animation as a serious storytelling medium. This shift is particularly significant given that animation has often been “looked down on by many fans of the medium.” The current wave of high-quality productions is helping to dismantle these preconceived notions.
The ongoing development of new animated shows continues to push creative boundaries, offering diverse genres and complex themes. Future productions will likely build on this momentum, further solidifying animation’s place as a premier form of television entertainment. Viewers and critics will be watching to see if this trend of near-perfect animated storytelling persists and expands across other platforms.
The success of these series also raises questions about the future of traditional live-action television and how it will adapt to the innovative approaches seen in animation. The visual freedom and narrative flexibility inherent in animation may continue to attract top creative talent, potentially leading to even more groundbreaking shows in the coming years.