I mean, technically every cartoon can be watched by adults and they probably wouldn’t be too ridiculed by it (just don’t start singing Barney songs in the bathroom and you should be good). But what about when we want some adult, often messed up, humor?
The Ren & Stimpy Show
In case you can’t tell by their looks, Ren is an intensely hyperactive chihuahua and Stimpy is a happy-go-lucky, empty-brained cat who share bizarre and often repulsive adventures. Their experiences usually involve hairballs, dirty litterboxes, “magic nose goblins”, jars of spit, outhouses, eating dirt, monkey vermin and any other imaginable disgusting substance the two can get their paws on. It’s not necessarily advertised as an adult show but once you see the content you’ll wonder why in the world not.
![76088-1](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/http://blogs.library.unt.edu/media/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/05/76088-1.jpg)
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
The leader of this crime-solving trio is Shake, a cranky, cynical beverage with a pink flex-straw driven into his frosty top. The chief problem solver in the bunch is Frylock, who resembles a sack of fast-food fries crossed with the Red Devil from the paint cans. Meatwad’s name couldn’t be more appropriately descriptive, and he’s the good-natured softy in the bunch. The three live together near the New Jersey shore and pretty much split their time between battling Dr. Weird’s bungling crime syndicate and annoying Carl, their loser next-door neighbor with an above-ground pool. It’s a mesh of postmodern creativity filled with various references to pop culture.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/https://45.media.tumblr.com/bbbc9fccb6ae7064804f7e7aab2bed02/tumblr_mmywxsFk8k1qh0qluo1_500.gif)
Robot Chicken
Action figures find new life as players in frenetic sketch-comedy vignettes that skewer TV, movies, and music. There’s not really one way to describe the show besides being outright disturbing yet entertaining.
![robot-1920-1080-wallpaper](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/http://blogs.library.unt.edu/media/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/05/robot-chicken-1920x1080-wallpaper-2226147.jpg)
The Boondocks
Based on the comic strip, Huey and Riley move away from the city and out to the suburbs with their grandfather. Biting socio-political commentary ensues. If you ever wanted to see politics, satire, and comedy all in one cartoon, this one’s for you.
![200_s](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/http://blogs.library.unt.edu/media/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/05/200_s.gif)
Sealab 2021
The crew of Sealab, charged with exploring the possibility of underwater colonization, find themselves in one ridiculous situation after another. Just wait eventually everything explodes.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/http://25.media.tumblr.com/ef1e44a54cbb7ab034f18bba8b6d3115/tumblr_mo5svdJuFj1sucxz9o1_400.gif)
Cowboy Bebop
In the year 2071, the crew (Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and the Welsh Corgi named Ein) of the spaceship Bebop travel the solar system bringing bad guys to justice and trying to make some cash while doing it. In the slang of the era, “Cowboys” are bounty hunters. Most episodes revolve around a specific bounty, but the show often shares its focus with the pasts of one of each of the four main characters. It’s one of the most renown anime’s in the United States, and for good reason. With very possibly the coolest theme song ever, this show is one of the most mandatory adult animation dramas for all viewers. Plus… Ein.
![cowboy-bebop-season-1-poster-03](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/http://blogs.library.unt.edu/media/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/05/cowboy-bebop-season-1-poster-03.jpg)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160511020047im_/https://media.giphy.com/media/mUiRhlQ2iMSOI/giphy.gif)