Adult animation has become increasingly popular over the years, with shows such as “Bob’s Burgers” and “Rick and Morty” becoming more and more mainstream. With the changing tide from live action to animated shows there has been a broadening of genres, stretching from the delightful sardonic with shows such as “Solar Opposites” and “Rick and Morty,” to the extremely bizarre with shows such as “Tuca and Bertie.”

With the gaining popularity of such shows there have been more opportunities to challenge and discuss difficult issues. By using a format that has limitless possibilities it has become easier to present information and stories that are often difficult to bring up.

For example, the incredibly popular animated show, “Bojack Horseman,” is presented as a comedy where Bojack Horseman is a horse who was the star of his own television show in the 1980s. He now lives in his mansion, a washed up TV star who eternally wishes to relive his glory days.

However, the show is incredibly dark, delving deep into his battle with depression and addiction. Throughout the course of the show it addresses issues such as suicide, guilt, anxiety and the con-sequences that the past can have on the present.

Another animated show that presents difficult topics (albeit in a much more lighthearted manner than “Bojack Horseman”) is “Tuca and Bertie.” While the show is presented as strange and delightful, filled with bright colors and even brighter characters, the two main characters (Tuca and Bertie) do face struggles of their own. Tuca, a bright and exuberant toucan, is a recovering alcoholic. Bertie, a nervous song-bird, suffers from severe social anxiety and has to deal with sexism in her workplace.

While the characters obviously live in a fantasy world (most of the characters are humanoid birds or plants), their struggles are incredibly relatable. Throughout the show, Bertie struggles with panic attacks, one of her first serious romantic relationships, as well as balancing her career, social life, and hobbies. Tuca has to deal with her continued search for meaning, along with family struggles.

“Bob’s Burgers” is a fairly popular animated show about a family business that is trying to stay afloat. It follows the misadventures of Bob and Linda and their children, Gene, Louise, and Tina as they work through life.

This show, while definitely a comedy, addresses issues such as financial stability and failure. Throughout the show one of the main characters, Bob, mentions his fear of failure. The characters also often discuss paying the rent, restructuring loans, and (on many occasions) trying to afford Christmas presents for the kids. These are very relatable concerns for most people. While this show is meant to be a comedy, the concerns that many of the characters are dealing with are very human.

By showcasing difficult issues through the lens of animation there are limitless possibilities to how information can be presented. It is a great platform to discuss difficult topics and I hope that the field of animation will continue to discuss such topics in an honest and thoughtful way.

The concerns that many of the characters are dealing with are very human. By showing difficult issues through the lens of animation there are limitless possibilities to how information can be presented.

It is a great platform to discuss difficult topics and I hope that the field of animation will continue to discuss such topics in an honest and thoughtful way.