'Adventure Time' Spinoff Finished Its Season 2 – Despite 70% on RT, It Isn't Worth Your Time

Returning to a beloved universe is always risky. On the one hand, there's nostalgia and a ready-made audience. On the other hand, there are high expectations, as well as the fear of disappointing fans who grew up with the original.

This is precisely the challenging task that the creators of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake took on. Initial skepticism gave way to excitement after the first season.

Unfortunately, the recently concluded second season has proven that a strong start doesn't guarantee consistent quality.

What Is 'Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake' About?

Fionna and Cake are trying to adjust to their roles as the town's saviors while establishing their personal lives. Fionna misses her recent adventures and is having a hard time coping with the daily grind.

Meanwhile, Finn's injury provides another opportunity to confront the magical reality. He falls into a magical coma, and the Huntress Wizard accidentally finds herself beyond her home world.

The first season focused on the protagonist's self-determination and Simon's attempts to cope with the loss of his loved one. The second season focuses on the Huntress Wizard, exploring her past, personality, the origin of her magical powers, and her relationship with Finn.

'Fionna and Cake' Season 1 Was a Worthy 'Adventure Time' Successor, but Season 2 Lost All the Charm

Fionna and Cake's debut season was a pleasant surprise. It achieved the impossible by not simply exploiting familiar tropes, but rather giving them new depth.

With dynamic journeys through post-apocalyptic and fairy tale worlds, a respectful approach to the lore, fresh humor, and meta-commentary on the coming-of-age of a generation raised on the original, the series created a captivating narrative.

The series felt like a sincere continuation of the universe rather than a product created purely for profit.

'Fionna and Cake' Season 2 Is an Unnecessary & Far-Fetched Story Even the Most Devoted Fans Will Be Disappointed of

The success of the first season led to quick approval of the second season, which, however, was a step back. By focusing on uncovering the Huntress Wizard's past, the creators chose a strong yet narrow topic.

They tried to squeeze a full season out of what would have been a deep feature-length story, stretching the plot and filling the runtime with subplots.

The main problem is that Fionna and Cake is a series with a limited number of episodes, where every minute counts. So, when viewers are treated to childish squabbles and romantic entanglements instead of a captivating journey through the multiverse or development of the core idea, it's legitimately irritating.

Yes, Finn had some awkward romantic relationships in the original Adventure Time, but they were overshadowed by wild adventures stretched out over hundreds of short episodes.

This season certainly has its strengths, including several striking action scenes, visual experiments, and surreal references to early internet aesthetics. However, these gems are overshadowed by unpersuasive melodrama and an overdrawn narrative.

What Did Viewers Think of 'Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake'?

Reddit user Extension_Breath1407 wrote:

“Season 2 seems so boring and directionless, trying way too many things all at once instead of having a solid path we are walking towards.”

• Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Season 2 has 70% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

Where to Watch 'Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake'?

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake is available to stream on HBO Max.