Emma Narvaez
I’m sure we all grew up watching cartoons with silly, two-dimensional characters and meaningless plots. From the naivety of Spongebob Squarepants to the troublesome adventures of Scooby-Doo, we did not gain much other than pure entertainment. However, as the animation industry developed over the years, I believe cartoons have the ability to provide much more than that. The animated sitcoms Rick and Morty, The Midnight Gospel, and Bojack Horseman are all shows that have an underlying philosophical meaning which should be recognized.
To begin, Rick and Morty, created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon focuses on Rick Sanchez, an ingenious scientist who drags his meek grandson, Morty Smith, on absurd adventures across the infinite universes. Rick has the ability to jump between different dimensions and although this power has its benefits, it has also resulted in disassociation and disconnection from reality. He struggles with physical and psychological trauma that has developed him into an existential sociopath. While the vast knowledge Rick has gained about the universe brought him to the conclusion that life is a pointless experience, Morty has learned to embrace this knowledge and let it add value to his life. The show grasps the philosophical themes of existentialism, nihilism, and absurdism by developing the relationship between these two characters through their travels across space and time, presenting various perspectives on the purpose of their existence. The characters use absurdism to cope with their nihilistic attributes, incorporating a humorous effect that engrosses the audience and accounts for the show’s dedicated fandom. There is an acquired sense of intellectuality required to fully appreciate the conjectured humor subtly written in the script of Rick and Morty, which would otherwise be misunderstood. Furthermore, the loopy graphics and inappropriate humor disguises the profound messages conveyed throughout the finely influential plot. Rick and Morty provides humorous commentary on complex social issues, causing the audience to reflect on important matters whilst enjoying a comical show.
Another animation which holds immense philosophical value is The Midnight Gospel, created by Pendleton Ward and Duncan Trussel. The show is actually an animated podcast, involving a different interview in each episode between Clancy, a spacecaster (space podcaster) and various guests. In each episode, Clancy uses his multiverse simulator, which generates a random world populated with eccentric inhabitants. During each interview, Clancy explores the backstory, emotions, and opinions of each interviewee in often threatening situations. However, it isn’t your typical interview, as each conversation raises a fundamental question which can only be answered through human experiences. Some topics presented include dealing with mental illness, the pain that comes with love, and coping with grief. Regardless of the dangerous circumstances the two characters are in, they show no awareness of it and speak upon these complicated issues in a calm manner, allowing the audience to interpret the topics discussed with minimal emotional biases the characters may express. The rationality and compassion involved in these interviews juxtaposes the whimsical, psychedelic animation style, engaging the audience in a unique way. Although externally unconventional, the characters speak and feel humanely, often stuttering and expressing vulnerability. This aspect of the show enables the audience to stray away from the ideals of society while also being able to think about important life matters. Despite the genuine nature of each character, the creators of the show do not avoid the fact that each interviewee is programmed by a machine, leaving us with the question of: what is real? The ambiguity and abstract art in The Midnight Gospel offers an unmatched perspective on human life that the general audience can find eerily relatable.
Finally, an animation that presents philosophy in a humorous, obscure way is Bojack Horseman, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. The show uses a mixture of human and anthropomorphic animal characters to strengthen its satirical essence, as the animal characters are associated with their animal clichés. The plot revolves around an extremely problematic horse, Bojack Horseman, a burnt out 90’s sitcom star who is struggling to regain fame. Similar to the other two shows mentioned, Bojack Horseman uses juxtaposition to highlight themes and character traits. The sitcom bestows us with the theme of existential nihilism and the question of: if life is meaningless, how are we supposed to deal with it? While Bojack copes by having radical freedom, lacking a sense of personal and social responsibilities, Mr. Peanutbutter, Bojack’s dog friend and past sitcom rival, embraces the question by searching for the meaning of life and distracting himself from its sinister mysteries. The character opposition provides the audience with differing perspectives on the meaning of life and opens up the discussion of which approach is the most ideal. Bojack is portrayed as a selfish, narcissistic, and irritable character but is also just a complicated man with self-destructive tendencies as a result of a traumatic childhood. However, this is not an excuse for Bojack’s behavior and the show serves to teach us that forgiveness is not owed to anyone, regardless of any explanation. This philosophy applies to other characters in the show, as it delves into their distressed backstories. The show progressively contextualizes each character, showing the effects their childhood or past experiences had on their current self and mindset. Consequently, it is proven that one can persevere through their trauma without projecting it on others. As Bojack works towards self-growth and basic morality throughout this hilariously ironic show, important life lessons and philosophies are spoken.
Oftentimes, cartoons are not taken seriously, as their initial purpose was to provide enjoyment among children who can not yet comprehend real-life stories. However, it is evident that animation is capable of remarkable things and can allow us to process difficult messages in a less intimidating way. On the surface, the shows mentioned are colorful, witty, and simply a source of mindless entertainment but by watching them, we gain insight into philosophical and ethical approaches to life. In my opinion, these shows hold an enormous amount of knowledge and power that should be taken advantage of. The profound discussions voiced over vibrant characters help to normalize varying social issues and should especially be heard by today’s society, as harsh realities are constantly shoved in our faces. Animation has the ability to execute imaginative situations which simultaneously tackle fundamental topics in a way real-life productions are incapable of. By further analyzing seemingly unimportant media consumption, we are able to create useful meaning out of it and add to its purpose and value.
Throughout these animated sitcoms, 2D characters will speak painfully honest truths and you will find yourself laughing through tears and overwhelmed with the knowledge indirectly transported to your brain. An experience I proudly recommend. For those of you 16 and above, I highly suggest you consider watching Rick and Morty, The Midnight Gospel, or Bojack Horseman, which are all streamed on Netflix. Additionally, do not feel guilty indulging in an animated series as an adolescent or adult, as they can be more impactful than you may think.
Emma Narvaez