Common Side Effects is an adult animated thriller-comedy created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely for Adult Swim, executive produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels through their Bandera Entertainment. The story follows Marshall Cuso, an eccentric, burned-out mycologist who discovers a rare mushroom capable of healing almost any ailment — even reversing death. When he reconnects with a former high-school classmate now working at a pharmaceutical giant, his miraculous find sets off a dangerous chase as powerful interests scramble to control, suppress, or exploit it.
Rendered in a lush, hand-drawn style far removed from typical adult cartoons, the series pairs paranoid conspiracy-thriller plotting with dry humor and surprising sincerity about health care, grief, and corporate greed. Dave King and Emily Pendergast lead the voice cast as Marshall and the conflicted pharma executive Frances, with Mike Judge, Danny Huston, and Joseph Lee Anderson among the supporting players, giving the show both comedic bite and genuine tension.
Debuting on Adult Swim in early 2025 and streaming on HBO Max, Common Side Effects became one of the most acclaimed animated series of the year, earning a rare wave of critical enthusiasm and a second-season renewal before its first season had even finished airing. It streams on HBO Max.
Ballmastrz: 9009 is an animated TV show that premiered in 2018 on Adult Swim. The show is set in the distant future, where humanity has been forced to abandon Earth and live in space due to an environmental disaster. The main character, Gaz Digzy, is a rough and tough athlete who becomes the captain of a team in a dangerous and violent sport called "The Game."
In "The Game," teams of players compete to capture a ball and score points while fighting off their opponents. The sport is brutal and often deadly, but it's also the most popular form of entertainment in the universe. Gaz and her team, the Leptons, compete against other teams in an effort to become the champions of the galaxy.
The show is known for its unique animation style, over-the-top humor, and its satirical take on sports culture. It explores themes such as fame, teamwork, and the corrupting influence of power. Ballmastrz: 9009 is a wild and entertaining ride for those who enjoy action-packed comedies with a sci-fi twist.
China, IL is an American adult animated television series created by Brad Neely for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. The series takes place in the fictional town of China, Illinois, and follows the lives of the faculty members of the University of China, Illinois, which is commonly referred to as "the worst college in America." The show is known for its absurd humor, pop culture references, and unique animation style.
The main characters of the series include the buffoonish Professor Frank, the bitter and jaded Dr. Steve, the oblivious and childlike Pony, and the strict Dean, who is also the ex-wife of Frank. Other recurring characters include Mark "Baby" Cakes, a dim-witted student, and Golden Bowl, a wise and mysterious figure who often dispenses cryptic advice to the other characters.
China, IL ran for three seasons from 2011 to 2015, and each episode was 11 minutes long. The series received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its bizarre and irreverent humor while others found it to be too nonsensical. Despite its mixed reception, the show has gained a cult following and is often cited as one of Adult Swim's more unique and experimental series.
"Black Dynamite" is an animated television series that first aired on Adult Swim in 2012. The show is a parody of blaxploitation films from the 1970s and features a character named Black Dynamite who fights crime in a fictional city. The series was created by Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, and Scott Sanders.
The show follows the adventures of Black Dynamite, a former CIA agent and Vietnam War veteran who uses his martial arts skills to fight crime in his community. Along with his sidekick Bullhorn, his love interest Honeybee, and other allies, Black Dynamite faces off against various villains and criminal organizations. The series is known for its humor, action, and references to blaxploitation films.
The show received positive reviews for its animation style, voice acting, and humor. It ran for two seasons and a total of 20 episodes before being cancelled in 2015. Despite its relatively short run, "Black Dynamite" has since gained a cult following and remains popular among fans of the blaxploitation genre and Adult Swim programming.
Superjail! is an American animated television series that follows the surreal and often violent adventures of the inmates and staff of Superjail, a massive, complex, and bizarre prison located in a volcano. The show features a cast of eccentric and colorful characters, including the ruthless Warden, his loyal assistant, the sadistic Alice, and the flamboyant, cross-dressing Doctor. The series is known for its surreal and dark humor, as well as its graphic violence and sexual content.
Each episode of Superjail! typically features several interwoven storylines that take place within and around the prison, often involving the various inmates and their attempts to escape, outwit, or manipulate each other, as well as the prison staff. The show's animation style is highly stylized and frequently incorporates psychedelic imagery, rapid cuts, and surreal transitions, giving it a frenetic and disorienting feel.
Superjail! has been praised for its innovative animation and its willingness to push boundaries with its edgy humor and graphic content, although it has also been criticized for being excessively violent and vulgar. The series has developed a cult following among adult audiences and has been compared to other animated shows such as Adult Swim's The Venture Bros. and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
"Xavier: Renegade Angel" is an American animated television series that premiered in 2007. The show follows the journey of the titular character, a philosophical and spiritual seeker who wanders through the world in search of answers to life's biggest questions. Xavier is a half-man, half-goat hybrid with a patchwork body and a snake for a left arm.
The series features absurdist and surreal humor, with episodes often exploring complex themes such as spirituality, morality, and the nature of existence. Xavier's journey takes him to a variety of settings, from the mundane to the fantastical, where he interacts with a diverse cast of characters, including a group of stoners, a talking egg, and a man with a detachable penis.
Despite its unique style and experimental nature, "Xavier: Renegade Angel" received mixed reviews and struggled with low ratings throughout its two-season run. The show was praised for its creativity and unconventional storytelling but criticized for its often confusing and nonsensical plotlines. Nonetheless, the series remains a cult classic and a testament to the power of experimental animation.
"The Boondocks" is a satirical American animated TV series that first aired in 2005. The show follows the life of an African-American family, the Freemans, who move from the inner city to the suburbs. The two young Freeman boys, Huey and Riley, face many challenges as they adjust to their new surroundings, often clashing with the cultural differences and attitudes of their white neighbors.
The show's creator, Aaron McGruder, infuses political and social commentary into the series, often addressing issues such as racism, hip-hop culture, and the African-American experience. The show also features a cast of diverse characters, including the Freeman's eccentric grandfather, their white neighbor who is infatuated with black culture, and a corrupt black politician.
"The Boondocks" received both critical acclaim and controversy for its provocative and controversial content. Despite this, the show's popularity led to a successful four-season run before ending in 2014. The series remains a culturally significant work of media and a commentary on race and culture in America.
"Ten Year Old Tom" is an American adult animated sitcom on HBO Max created by Steve Dildarian. The show follows the story of a regular ten-year-old boy named Tom, who is trying to navigate the world around him with the help of the adults in his life. However, their guidance is often questionable, leading Tom to face new and challenging situations.
The cast of the show includes Steve Dildarian as the voice of Tom, Byron Bowers as Nelson, Edi Patterson as Tom's Mom, Todd Glass as Principal, Ben Rodgers as Bus Driver, Erik Griffin as Coach, Gillian Jacobs as Dakota, John Malkovich as Mr. B, Matt Johnson as Announcer, Taylor Misiak as Yasmine, and Eugene Cordero as Hector.
The show's humor revolves around Tom's interactions with the adults in his life, who often have misguided or odd advice. The show uses animation to create a whimsical world where anything can happen, from bus rides with eccentric drivers to encounters with strange coaches. The show has been renewed for a second season after its first season premiered in 2022.
