—way back in May of 2022, i.e., so long ago that Justin Roiland —we’ve been trying to figure out what the gag of is supposed to be.
It has a great pedigree, sure, and even some solid proofs of concept, with series head Takashi Sano having already made five fun little shorts (transplanting basic storytelling beats into anime situations) that aired in 2020 and 2021. But a full 10-episode series, of what is still essentially , just with a different art style (and writers)? What’s it trying to say about the series? Or about anime? What, exactly, is the point? If we’re being honest, we still don’t know, despite having now watched the new trailer for the series, which will debut on August 15 (before heading to Max the following day). It’s cool-looking, sure, with lots of high energy action, and all sorts of clear signifiers.
All of the characters seem to be basically the same, down to little cameos from Birdperson, Nimbus, and even that one Jerry who got kind of badass and cool after he got abandoned in Cronenberg World. But it still doesn’t resolve the basic dilemma: If you’re going to hew this close to the basic template, what’s the point of making this thing in the first place, beyond just finding a way to get more episodes of the show out to feed the slavering fans? Regardless of our quibbles, it’s clear Adult Swim is giving the series the full-court press. (It probably doesn’t hurt that non-anime ’s next season is far enough away that it’s still jus.