This is something of a golden age for animation, with numerous series appearing on a variety of streaming services and networks. These shows run the gamut in of thematic content and style, with some appealing primarily to children and families and others to more mature audiences, demonstrating just how flexible animation remains.
Regardless of who they are designed to appeal to, however, there’s no question that 2022 is gearing up to be a very good year for animation, with a number of TV shows that are worth looking forward to and eventually watching.
The Legend of Vox Machina
On Prime Video January 28
There are few games more iconic than Dungeons & Dragons, which continues to occupy a privileged place in the popular imagination. After a very poorly-received movie, it hasn’t seen many on-screen adaptations, but that’s about to change with The Legend of Vox Machina, which is based on a D&D campaign.
The titular group is the focus of the story, and the series has enough fantasy elements and a strong story to make it a good bet for Amazon.
Disenchantment
On Netflix February 9
Matt Groening has been responsible for many of the most iconic and important animated series of the last several decades, and Disenchantment should surely be one of them. With its ironic take on the many tropes and conventions of fantasy, it manages to cast a spell that is all its own.
In particular, its main character, Princess Bean, is a subversion of the fantasy princess figure and she’s poised to return with the newest season of the series, along with her band of friends.
The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder
Available On Disney+ February 23
best animated series of the 2000s. Given its long-standing popularity even after the end of its original run, it’s not surprising that it has been chosen for a revival, this time to be titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
As with the original series, it will focus on one particular family’s attempt to deal with the many pressures of the present, as well as their own personal trials and triumphs.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
On Prime Video March 4
one of the better series on Amazon Prime. Like many great shows, it is a subversion of an established genre, in this case, the superhero movie, and the series focuses on a group of vigilantes who punish those with superpowers who abuse them.
The Boys has been such a success that it has spawned several spinoffs, including Diabolical. Though plot details are scarce, it will feature small episodes, each with its own style, all of which will explore various stories set within this same universe.
Human Resources
On Netflix March 18
Netflix has made quite a name for itself with its production of several adult animated series. These include Human Resources, a spinoff of the very popular (and often very risque) Big Mouth. In this case, however, the series will focus on the daily lives of the various creatures that have already made their presence known in the original show.
Though it will feature many of the voice cast from its predecessor, it will also include some new of the cast, so the series should have an identity of its own.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai
On HBO Max TBA
There are few horror-comedy movies quite as beloved as Gremlins. It has that perfect mixture of the macabre and the hilarious, and there’s no denying that the creatures themselves are quite terrifying.
Given how iconic the movie remains, it’s not very shocking that it will be the inspiration for a new animated series, set to appear on HBO Max. It will focus in particular on a young boy and his encounter with Gizmo as the two battle against various creatures.
Entergalactic
Available on Netflix- TBA
Entergalactic is sure to be seen as one of the most exciting animated series to be released in 2022. Though it doesn’t have a precise release date yet, or much of a plot, it’s already clear that it will be based around the music of Cudi and will focus on a young man’s journey to find love.
Furthermore, the brief bits of animation that have already been released suggest that it will be a series unlike almost anything else on Netflix, with a visual aesthetic that is all its own and that meshes well with the music.
I Am Groot
Available Disney+ TBA
The I Am Groot.
It will focus on the young Groot as he grows up and encounters various sorts of people, giving a much-needed bit of development to this very important character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Primal
Available On Adult Swim TBA
one of the best animated series to have appeared on Adult Swim, it has a brutal, beautiful aesthetic that is all its own, with splashes of color and heavily stylized violence. Focusing on a caveman and his companion T. rex, it paints a world that is full of violence and yet also contains remarkable moments of grace and comion.
Given that the first season appeared in 2019, the series is long overdue for a return, and it is scheduled to be released at some point in 2022.
Dead End: Paranormal Park
Available On Netflix TBA
There have been many great animated series based on graphic novels, and it seems likely that Dead End: Paranormal Park will end up being one of them.
The series’ central story revolves around several characters who work at a theme park that might, in fact, conceal an entrance to hell itself. Most notably, the series will also make great strides in of representation, with both a trans boy and a neurodiverse individual being part of the main cast.