Animation is art, as the best of the genre never fails to emphasise amid the constant evolution of art styles and presentation. From traditional hand-drawn frames and stop motion to digital illustration, there’s plenty of charm packed into the medium, bringing a stylised, distinctive flair to a canvas mostly devoid of lifelike and live-action elements.
Since its inception, it has been long considered sheer entertainment for little ones, but the current golden age of adult animation has shattered that impression with strong displays of mature storytelling. Think Bruce Timm’s Batman: The Animated Series and its various spin-offs based on DC Comics characters, and more recently, French studio Fortiche’s Arcane – based on Riot Games’ hit battle arena League of Legends – is a compelling example of an animation juggernaut, with the recent and highly-anticipated return of Season 2 reigniting appreciation for the craft.
The Netflix series isn’t the only one packing a punch, however. The last two years (2023 and 2024) have seen a new crop of notable works, joining new seasons of existing shows in delivering adult animation goodness.
Here are our top recommendations to check out, listed in alphabetical order.
Arcane (2021 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 9.0/10
Platform: Netflix
A masterclass in rich worldbuilding, breathtaking action, emotional storytelling, and highly nuanced characterisation, Arcane follows two estranged sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Jinx (Ella Purnell, Fallout) on opposite sides of a struggle between the rich, utopian city of Piltover and the seedy, oppressed underbelly of Zaun, as a developing conflict threatens to break out over clashing convictions and arcane technologies.
The first season received universal acclaim and made history as the first streaming series to win an Emmy, and while its follow-up may have stumbled some, the visual spectacle remains a special experience and a love letter to show-not-tell animation in more ways than one.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023 – present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Platform: Netflix
Blue Eye Samurai delivers bold, visually arresting animation and palpable fight sequences in spades, but also takes care to flesh out significant themes throughout its narrative, including gender roles, power dynamics, and racial discrimination. Mizu, brought brilliantly to life by Maya Erskine (Mr & Mrs Smith), drives the story as a half-white, half-Japanese female warrior on a quest to exact revenge on four white men, one of whom is her father, who illegally remained in Japan when the Tokugawa shogunate closed the country’s borders.
Following critical acclaim, the eight-episode show was renewed for a second season, so expect more blood-spilling glory and thrilling blade work when it releases sometime in 2026.
Blood of Zeus (2020 – current)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Platform: Netflix
Claiming a spot in the pantheon of Greek mythology narratives, Blood of Zeus revolves around Heron, the demigod son of Zeus, as he seeks to save Olympus and Earth. Genre enthusiasts can seek comfort in familiar elements like gods, giants, demons, automata, titans, and mythical mounts from the original tales, with Season 2 – released earlier in May – elevating the creative heights of the first.
Where the show shines is in its authenticity. While both seasons are lauded for its rich lore and emotional depth, the Greek background of creators Charley and Vlas Parlapanides allowed for a more sincere and grounded exploration of the culture. The third and final season is slated to premiere in 2025.
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023 – present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Platform: Netflix
Set in 1972 during the French Revolution, Castlevania: Nocturne focuses on Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel, Killing Eve), descendent of Trevor and Sypha from the 2017’s Castlevania series, and his adoptive sister Maria Renard (Pixie Davies, Mary Poppins Returns) on their journey to prevent the apocalyptic rise of a godlike Vampire Messiah.
Held together by a highly competent voice cast, stunning animation, and meticulous thematic exploration, the show proved to be a welcome return to a beloved franchise. A second season is scheduled to air in January 2025.
Invincible (2021 – present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Platform: Prime Video
Superhero fatigue may still be in effect, but Invincible isn’t part of the equation. The adult animated series based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book series of the same name is a strong proponent of subverting conventional tropes, delivering fresh spins on familiar elements with a generous helping of gore.
At its centre is teenager Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun, The Walking Dead), who finds himself struggling between his personal life, superhero duties, and the expectation of living up to his father’s legacy as the most powerful superhero on the planet. The show is sincerity wrapped in witty humour and slick animation, anchored by emotional weight and Yuen’s exceptional performance.
Scavengers Reign (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Platform: Max
Equal parts brutal and beautiful, Scavengers Reign is a sci-fi tour de force that demonstrates the vast potential of original ideas. The breathtaking picture follows the survivors of Demeter 277, a damaged interstellar cargo ship, who are now stranded on the alien planet of Vesta, presented through complex worldbuilding, highly imaginative creature design, and an excellent soundtrack.
The gripping nature of each episode and captivating character dynamics make it even more difficult for viewers to tear their eyes away from the screen. Don’t let Max’s cancellation of the series stop you from checking it out – there’s a lot of love to be found here.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Platform: Netflix
Serving as an alternate retelling of the original Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series and film, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off puts love interest Ramona Flowers in the spotlight as she attempts to find out who was responsible for Scott’s disappearance in the first episode, while other characters work on a fictional adaptation of the titular character’s life.
The kicker? All of the main English-language cast reprise their roles from the 2010 movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World here, which accentuates the nostalgia factor. Coupled with clever wit, a charming hand-drawn art style, and creative fights, the eight-episode series makes for a mirthful, entertaining watch.
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Platform: Paramount+
Star Trek: Lower Decks goes full warp speed as the first comedy in the beloved sci-fi franchise, delivering tongue-in-cheek humour in generous doses, as it references all things Star Trek past, present and erm, future in its storytelling. A refreshing change of pace from traditional tales where no man or series has gone before, the five-season outing combines heart, adventure, and lighthearted fun, topped off with vibrant animation style.
Amid the laughter are meaningful moments that enrich the broader universe, with the show’s freedom allowing it to tap into both the old and new worlds. For longtime fans, this also means there’s always something to appreciate, from subtle lore nods to a small character moment. You should also check out the crossover episode with Star Trek Strange New Worlds, where Jack Quaid (The Boys) and Tawny Newsome (Space Force) also play the live-action versions of Brad Boimler and Beckett Mariner, the two characters they voice on the animated series.
The Legend of Vox Machina (2022 – present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.4/10
Platform: Prime Video
The Legend of Vox Machina is a favourite among tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) enthusiasts – and for good reason. Based on the Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role, the action fantasy romp continues to go from strength to strength in each season, cementing a strong footing in character-first storytelling, emotional nuance, voice acting, and faithfulness to the campaign.
There’s no need to delve deep into the source material to enjoy the ride, too. The show is accessible even for newcomers, offering a blend of intelligent writing, striking visuals, and tense fight sequences. A fourth season is currently in the works at Amazon.
X-Men ‘97 (2024 – present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.8/10
Platform: Disney+
Expectations were riding high for X-Men ‘97, the highly-anticipated revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992 – 1997), and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Set one year after the events of the latter, it sees the titular mutant superheroes facing new challenges without Charles Xavier, under the leadership of former adversary Magneto (Matthew Waterson, Doom Eternal).
As a callback to its retro roots, the show employs an neon-dipped 2D look that retains familiar comfort and stays true to its predecessor’s visual identity, paired with slick action sequences. What’s more impressive, though, is its bold, thoughtful exploration of themes relevant to both the real world and the X-Men universe, alongside a heavy focus on its characters, which adds to the human element. A second season is in production, with development on Season 3 currently underway.
Honourable Mentions
Narrowly missing the cut-off, the year of 2022 found adult animation darlings in three standout titles – Netflix’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Love, Death + Robots, as well as Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi on Disney+.
The first, serving as a prequel to CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077, follows street kid David Martinez (Zack Aguilar, Fire Emblem: Three Houses), who chooses to survive on the wrong side of the law as an “edgerunner” – a high-tech, black-market mercenary – after losing everything in a drive-by shooting. Chock full of visual flair, emotional depth, and frenetic action, it promises a wild and memorable trip to Night City.
In similar fashion, Love, Death + Robots Vol. 3 scored high praise for its tight pacing, animated pizzazz, and strong thematic connection, with the examination of real life topics coming across as particularly noteworthy. Gory violence continues to be a staple here, and should prove sufficient to quell bloodthirsty tendencies.
Elsewhere in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi establishes itself as a more-than-worthy addition to the stable of high-quality Star Wars animation. The animated anthology presents a nuanced showcase for Count Dooku and Ahsoka Tano, doesn’t shy away from darker content, and dedicates every frame and second to fleshing out details. From its phenomenal writing to beautiful score, fans will be in for a pleasant, satisfying surprise.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
