Rick and Morty, an original show by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, received an anime adaptation. Adult Swim released the pilot episode on August 15, 2024 and will air every Thursday, barring any changes.
This may have come to shock some fans, but diehard fans saw this coming from a mile away. Adult Swim released anime shorts back in 2021, which led to speculation from fans.
Will the new studio and voice actors make this anime as popular as the original Rick and Morty series?
What is Rick and Morty?
Rick and Morty is a funny animated series about a chaotic scientist named Rick and his grandson Morty. They go on wild adventures together. They travel through dimensions using a homemade portal gun. Fans know the series for its wit, humor and interesting storylines.
Adult Swim, an American Television program that is adult-oriented, produces and releases the series. Fans know them for shows such as American Dad, King of the Hill and The Boondocks.
Adult Swim has been releasing Rick and Morty seasons since 2013, and is currently at seven seasons.
Changes to the Anime
Rick and Morty: The Anime is being produced by a completely different studio in Studio Deen. They are a Japanese Animation company famous for anime like Konosuba, Fate/Stay Night, and the original Fruits Basket.
The anime also has a new director Takashi Sano, who is best known for his work on the first season of Tower of God.
Just by looking at the trailer you can tell the anime has a new art style and direction. But this isn’t a brand new look. In 2021, Adult Swim shared anime shorts on YouTube, including Morty vs Genocider, directed by Takashi Sano. It was only a matter of time for a release of a full adaptation.
As this is an anime it will have a Japanese Subtitled version and an English Dub. Unfortunately for fans of the original series, this anime will have a completely new English cast.
Rick and Morty: The Anime is it canon?
An executive producer from Adult Swim stated that the anime is canon. This is because anything can happen in the Rick and Morty universe.
He continues to say that this series is not a spinoff. Takashi Sano had complete creative freedom, as long as it followed the framework from the original. This is his interpretation of the Rick and Morty universe.
In the two episodes released, we learn that the Rick in the anime is Rick C-137. This means that all the characters in the anime are from the same Earth as the original series. Which is also why Space Beth is already with the family without any additional explanation.
Do you need to watch the original TV Show?
An executive producer said it’s canon, watching the original could help you understand the backstory to this universe.
Personally I think you have to watch the original series before watching the anime. There are too many characters you will have to remember at once. If you watch the original series you can slowly remember the characters. You can watch the anime as is; no one is stopping you.
Looking Forward to a New Dimension
Rick and Morty: The Anime brings a new twist to the popular series. It offers a different version of the adventures. For fans familiar with the original series, the anime presents a familiar universe. The anime has a new cast and art-style but still connects to the original series, adding more depth to the overall story.
The new anime will air on Adult Swim every Thursday with both Japanese and English-subtitled versions available. Additionally there are other free alternative websites you could use, as Adult Swim is behind a paywall.
Both Rick and Morty fans and new viewers can explore a new ‘dimension’ in this anime. They will discover a universe that is both familiar and fresh. Visit our Anime Blogs page to stay up to date on everything anime.
