I just want to take a moment to thank the genius creators of Adventure Time.
And my friends who – after eons of prodding – got me into it finally, a couple years ago.
I remember thinking, “Why the eff would I voluntarily take time to watch a cartoon?” Sometimes I’d watch Family Guy, but even Peter & Co. had gotten old by that juncture. Funny – but formulaic with its flashbacks and miscellaneous other running gags. What I wasn’t expecting when I ultimately escaped into Jake and Finn’s world, was that the humor was multi-tiered for deeper-meaning seekers, random enough to be fascinating – yet fluid and coherent enough to keep your attention, and totally relateable while managing to maintain that fantastical element. It’s like some animated sitcom parallel to a Harry Potter genre. If you’re a kid watching it, you can enjoy the antics and think nada more of it. If you’re an adult watching it along with your kid, you’ll note that it often touches on real life issues via metaphor. It’s brilliant because it teaches your kid surface lessons like “excess is bad”, while deep down you’re well aware that these sentient replica puppet people are a signifier for discovering masturbation or porn (at least I think that’s what it was in that one episode.)
There’s also always political messages in there – about fairness, contributing to society, and even gender issues:
They’ve also got the psychological lessons – with implied solutions.
The recovering douchebag character (like me) who’ve “found yoga and meditation” but still hafta avoid d-bag triggers.
And reminders that you don’t have to listen to society’s hypnotic options. You can blaze your own trail.
It’s much like you’d see at Hogwarts – except lighter. At the wizard castle, you’d get the Muggles being snubbed, Harry trolling his pal into thinking he was taking performance enhancing drugs, and all the drama that goes with school. The dark-yet-mystical series was fun, for sure. But in the land of Ooo, it’s all done in this bright and delightful realm that looks nothing like my own home, yet is so familiar with its similar issues. All’a that paired with the endless unexpected characters and guest appearances by the likes of George Takei (as a cardiac cassanova) somehow makes tackling those blanket issues all of humanity experiences so much easier. And that’s why Adventure Time is my James Baxter.
And why Finn n’ Jake are my superhero duo crush this Sunday.
I’mma just leave this here now…
You’re welcome.