HBO Max's # 3 Series With 94% on RT Is the Best Adult Animation in Years You're Missing
For viewers tired of formulaic sitcoms, this show will be a breath of fresh air – anarchic, absurd, and hilariously brilliant.
In October, Adult Swim released the third season of the animated series Smiling Friends, which immediately topped the platform's charts, cementing its place as the third most popular series.
Created by Zach Hadel, this project proves that adult animation can be provocative and innovative.
What Is 'Smiling Friends' About?
A group of anthropomorphic creatures –Pim Pimling, Allan Red, Mr. Frog, Charlie, and Glep – work for a shady agency that aims to bring joy back into people's lives.
Their clients are the most unexpected of characters, ranging from a depressed man to a fairy tale princess who never laughs and even the devil himself. Each episode tells a complete story where absurd situations are combined with profound emotional moments.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the concept, the series offers a surprising variety of genres, from satire of the TV industry to full-fledged horror and detective stories.
'Smiling Friends' Is One of the Most Hilarious Adult Animated Series in Recent Years
Smiling Friends strikes the perfect balance between rapid-fire slapstick humor and psychological authenticity.
The creators combine black humor with brutal realism by having crudely drawn characters suddenly appear in photorealistic graphics or display sincere human emotions. This contrast creates a unique comedic effect that will have viewers laughing out loud.
Imagine 'Rick and Morty' at Their Best, but More Absurd and Chaotic – That's 'Smiling Friends'
While comparisons to the cult hit Rick and Morty are inevitable, Smiling Friends goes even further in its anarchic approach to storytelling. Whereas Rick and Morty balanced sci-fi and family drama, here the creators throw all restrictions aside.
Each episode is a short story with a unique style, ranging from a psychedelic horror story featuring a computer demon to a romantic comedy about a gamer and a detective story set in a fast food restaurant.
This format maintains freshness and unpredictability throughout all three seasons, especially given the compact running time – episodes are only about 10 minutes long.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Smiling Friends'?
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Smiling Friends has 94% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, Smiling Friends has a score of 8.5/10.
Where to Watch 'Smiling Friends'?
Smiling Friends is available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu.
