This New Prime Video Show Wanted to Be 'BoJack Horseman', but Turned Out to Be a Run-of-the-Mill Animation

All episodes of the first season of the comedy series Kevin have been released on Amazon Prime Video. The adult animated show follows a black-and-white cat who, after his owners split up, moves to an animal shelter to rethink his life.

The showrunners are Aubrey Plaza, and Joe Wengert, known for Big Mouth. Kevin was supposed to be like BoJack Horseman – with existential drama, pressing questions, and memorable characters.

However, the final product is a vulgar comedy that relies mostly on below-the-belt humor.

What Is 'Kevin' About?

Kevin is a black-and-white cat who lives in Dan and Dana's New York apartment. When the couple separates, the question arises: what should be done with the pet? The story unfolds in a world of talking animals who have the power to choose where to live: with people or independently.

Kevin doesn't want to stay with the lazy, bearded Dan or the strict, career-oriented Dana. He chooses Furrever Friends – the organization is formally run by a man named Seth, but the wicked Shih Tzu Brandi is actually in charge.

Kevin temporarily settles into the shelter and tries to overcome an existential crisis. Should he look for the perfect owner or is it better to live among his furry friends?

'Kevin' Tries to Ask Existential Questions, but Its Voice Is Drowned Out by Crude Humor

At first, Kevin surprises with its unusual world, where humans and animals live as equals. The relationship between owners and pets is like a marriage, complete with rights and responsibilities.

The creators came up with a funny and absurd premise: what if animals could choose? It's essentially a peaceful utopia without human dictatorship, and Kevin's behavior resembles teenage rebellion against parental oppression.

While the creators pose intriguing questions, they're drowned out by vulgar humor reminiscent of the 2000s. While some of the characters' adventures strike a balance between heartfelt and engaging, this balance doesn't last long.

If You're Seeking a Project That Resembles 'BoJack Horseman', You Won't Find It Here

The main problem with Kevin is its unbearable below-the-belt humor. Excrement, anuses, and snot are mentioned with alarming regularity. Half of the jokes miss the mark, and not because they're tasteless. It's a shame that the questionable humor ruins any charm the show might have had.

Kevin could have been an original comedy with eccentric characters, but ultimately, it comes across as a traditional 2D animation lacking sophistication. It's bright and has memorable characters, but it's empty inside.

If you were expecting an intelligent drama like BoJack Horseman, you won't find it here. Instead, you'll find a vulgar sitcom that, very occasionally, remembers that its characters have souls.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Kevin'?

• Kevin has 60% from critics and 76% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.5/10.