Give me an example of an adult-oriented, mature western animated film or TV show

[Soviet Heavy]

Renaissance, a 2006 French Cyberpunk film regarding a missing doctor working on a cure for premature aging.

The movie is absolutely gorgeous with it's black and white noir aesthetic.

 

[drthmik]

Dilbert
yes it's a comedy but it is definitely targeting adults and lacks the immature humor found in shows like family guy.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

The Lion King. There is a difference between being MADE for children and being suitable for children; The Lion King falls into the latter.

hum....NO. Lion King was very obviously designed and created specifically as children's entertainment even if it also tried to appeal to the adults that would be bringing the wee bairns to the theatre.

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the only non-comedy, western-made adult animation I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet would be Renaissance 2054.


But if this assignment is for an English class, shouldn't the field be narrowed even further to things originally produced in English only?

if not, then why discount the huge selection made in Japan/Korea?

 

[4173]

Because adults only like things that are grim and angsty.

 

[Mr.Swiggly]

One that comes to mind is Titan A.E. I haven't seen it for a while, but it's definately for an older audience and it's pretty good. It was written by Joss Whedon if that helps your opinion of it.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

the only non-comedy, western-made adult animation I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet would be Renaissance 2054.

Already mentioned it, look up.

 

[BonsaiK]

I'm trying to write an essay on how animated films and TV shows can be as mature as live action ones. The issue I am finding is that it's somewhat difficult to find adult-oriented, mature western animated shows and films (due to the whole "all animation is for children" thing in the west).

[HEADING=1]By mature, I do not mean it includes "mature humour". As a rule of thumb, most comedy will not count due to this.[/HEADING]

And, if at all possible, try to avoid anything too avant-garde. Just to clarify, again, western animation. I'm fine when it comes to other parts of the world. And adult is the other buzzword - I'd like something that's totally geared towards a mature audience. Yeah, Toy Story 3 was emotional, but I don't want something that's a kids' movie that can also appeal to adults.

EDIT: Needed to change that to a larger size since nobody seemed to be reading it.

EDIT 2: Made it really, really big now.

You're right that there isn't a lot, and a lot of the Western stuff like A Scanner Darkly, Waking Life and Metropolis is actually not animation in the true sense but tracing or cel-shading over live actors, so in a way it doesn't even count.

The most "adult" examples I can think of (i.e no superheroes, fantasy/sci-fi settings, anthropomorphic animals or other child/teen-friendly concessions whatsoever):

Princess:


Persepolis:


Both of these films were made animated simply because, for various reasons, the stories in them simply could not be legally told in their respective countries with live actors. Worth mentioning in your essay or whatever.

 

[EasySt17]

Cowboy Bebop...

 

[Starik20X6]

Joining the chorus of Batman: The Animated Series people. I would submit anything in the DCAU though... But still mostly Batman.

 

[MPerce]

Hm....pretty tough if we're limiting it to just western animation.

Rango is a good example. It was very clearly aimed at adults, both in its humor and its themes

 

[Superior Mind]

Adam Elliot works in Claymation, his subjects and humour is generally mature in nature. His short Harvey Krumpet won an Oscar and it was about the life of an Aspergers sufferer. His followup, full-length Mary + Max, takes on subjects like death, alcoholism, suicide, Aspergers again, homosexuality and other pretty deep subjects and on the whole is very emotional and mature. It's also funny at times but it's not the sort of film a young person would see.

 

[Spawny0908]

Spawn, Batman: The Animated series, and Archer.

 

[CD-R]

There's the animated Turok film.


The animation style is weird. It's like what an R rated Disney or Don Bleuth film would look like.

 

[blank0000]

Iron Giant comes to mind

 

[blank0000]

The Lion King. There is a difference between being MADE for children and being suitable for children; The Lion King falls into the latter.

hum....NO. Lion King was very obviously designed and created specifically as children's entertainment even if it also tried to appeal to the adults that would be bringing the wee bairns to the theatre.

---

the only non-comedy, western-made adult animation I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet would be Renaissance 2054.


But if this assignment is for an English class, shouldn't the field be narrowed even further to things originally produced in English only?

if not, then why discount the huge selection made in Japan/Korea?

I have to argue for Lion King. The film was designed to be a good film. It deals with themes that children generally cannot understand. The concepts of death, loss, retribution , loyalty and legacy are things that we struggle with once we mature. Yes I enjoyed Lion king as a child, but I enjoy it much more now that I am older.

 

[blank0000]

extra post, my mistake

 

[blank0000]

double post, my mistake

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Venture. Brothers.

Freaking awesome show. Not the best to look at even now that they've improved the art, but it's funny as hell. And, no it isn't a bunch of dick jokes. Not to mention it's got drama and the like in it. It deals with failure alot.

 

[nefaust]

I'm amazed that no one has mentioned Felidae, german film noir, with talking cats. And a cat eugenics conspiracy. And cat disembowelments.