Rick and Morty: The Anime Episodes 1-2 Review

Join Swimpedia as we review screeners of the first two episodes of Rick and Morty: The Anime with minimal spoilers, and learn how this show compares to the original and if it can stand on its own two feet.

[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

Following its announcement back in 2022, Rick and Morty: The Anime has since been met with a healthy amount of skepticism and uncertainty. Even though the shorts, such as “Samurai & Shogun (Rick and Morty)” and “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider,” initially received positive feedback, many fans were left wondering whether Rick and Morty as an anime series could sustain an entire show, or if it was even needed. Simultaneously, when you have a property that’s as much of a powerhouse as Rick and Morty, it’s only a matter of time before it expands beyond just the flagship show–yet, these are major shoes to fill with any new iteration. On top of that, the anime series was originally a subbed only experience, making it much more in line with the anime shorts, but potentially further limiting its reach. Regardless, executive producer Jason DeMarco was determined to see this project through, resulting in something that is less so a direct spin-off and much more of a reimagining. From the mind of Takashi Sano, we’re left with a show that is trying to marry the elements that make Rick and Morty the series that it is, with what you’d expect from Japanese programming. Thus, we shouldn’t ask the show to simply match Rick and Morty in every way, that’s not the point, but we should ask, does this series embody the best elements of the original show and the expectations of anime?

Ultimately, comparisons to the main Rick and Morty series are expected and warranted. This anime is clearly riding the coattails of the Adult Swim show, and should be judged accordingly. It would be wrong to compare a totally original show to RIck and Morty, but it’s a fair assessment to see how the anime stacks up to the American series. However, despite Rick and Morty: The Anime hoping to appeal to fans of the flagship series by drawing on the core elements of that world, it is not trying to perfectly replicate that experience. It would be one thing if Dan Harmon was working on a spin-off following Evil Morty, and it’s a totally different discussion if a fan of the show wants to take the property and reinterpret it with Japanese ideas and perspectives. Obviously, fans can critique Rick and Morty: The Anime however they wish, but the best way to give the anime series a fair shot may be to find a middle ground. We should definitely assess how it stacks up to the main show, but we should not disregard or look down on the anime when it pushes in a direction that is different from the American show.

Turning our attention to the first episode, “Girl Who Manipulates Time,” we are already bombarded with a lot that is very clearly Rick and Morty, and plenty that stands in contrast to what fans might expect. But, how does the episode balance these potential contradicting ideas, and does it overall provide an entertaining experience? Taking a step back, the general premise of the episode sets the stage for what you’d expect from a typical Rick and Morty adventure. Briefly, the main plot of the episode centers around Morty stuck in a virtual reality world designed by Rick, while Rick himself takes some time off while the Galactic Federation is after him. On the surface, Takashi Sano has successfully delivered a story outline that would be right at home in the original series–yet, of course, there’s much more to it than that. On the one hand, fans who are familiar with the American show will recognize tons of characters and references from Rick and Morty canon, ranging from Space Beth to a Gromflomite enjoying a bucket of nuggets covered in sauce. On the other hand, not only are we introduced to two new characters, Elle and Frank, but the tone of the anime series itself is very different. Speaking of which, the literal English voices of the main cast are different, likely due to an inability to get the original cast for one reason or another. Yet, once you get past the voices being different, all of the new voice actors embody how you would expect these characters to sound in anime.

Nonetheless, fans in particular who may be expecting the typical comedic vibe of the American iteration of the show are likely the ones who will be most disappointed. Although there are plenty of jokes in the first episode, which may or may not land with audiences, it’s much more of a toned-down if not dryer sense of humor than the flagship show. One potential factor playing a role in the comedy may also be the delivery, whereas the main series is much louder, characters in the anime series are often much more subdued. Nevertheless, what is likely the strongest connection between the anime and the original series is the commitment to fun, complex science fiction concepts. In the first episode, it may almost be too convoluted, but the core of the episode provides exactly what fans would expect from Rick and Morty. Everything from multiple VR realities to a clone of Rick rigged as a bomb, would be right at home in the American show. However, the anime series does not make all of this easy to understand, leading to some potentially seeing the plot or concepts as too confusing, while others may enjoy trying to figure everything out and predicting how this will play a role in the show long-term. For example, in terms of this potential mystery, there is a possibility that Elle ends up playing a much larger role in the overall anime series, which fans right now can enjoy trying to figure out.

During the second episode, “Fighting Mother,” which picks up right where the previous episode ended off, Rick and Morty: The Anime continues this balancing act between what you would and wouldn’t expect from the flagship series. The basic premise here incorporates a variety of moving parts, ranging from Rick fighting another Rick to Space Beth in full action against the Galactic Federation. Similar to the first episode, there are references to Rick and Morty canon that will certainly pique the interest of longtime fans. There are also even thematic connections, such as both episodes having touching post-credits scenes, as well as a potential season-long theme around the convenient elements of our realities. Yet, despite this episode being much more linear, it may have too much going on. Unlike the first episode, fans are likely to have a much easier time understanding the second episode, which already might make it more enjoyable, but there is also a large focus on constant references. Either way, both episodes showcase much of what we can likely expect from the anime series overall, but there’s much more going on here that makes it tough to make a judgment call in just two episodes.

Overall, the first two episodes of Rick and Morty: The Anime do manage to combine the Rick and Morty template and canon with concepts typically associated with anime. Takashi Sano’s vision is clearly inspired by the flagship series, but is also something very much his own. That being said, the tone of the humor, complicated plot points, and an abundance of references may work for some fans, but not others. For fans who are willing to take a chance on the show, there’s potential with this iteration as this season goes on. Already from the first episode to the second episode, the direction of the series is much clearer, there are more entertaining action sequences, and even canon plot elements and themes to get fans thinking. For fans who are turned off from the show, there may be comfort in knowing that the Rick and Morty show unit was consulted, who provided notes on topics and storylines that Takashi Sano should stay away from because they plan on addressing those in the main series. Thus, at worst Rick and Morty: The Anime is an inoffensive series trying to do something a little different with this property, and at best there could be something really interesting here as the show finds its footing.

The first episode of Rick and Morty: The Anime is currently available on Max, with dubbed episodes airing on Thursdays at midnight on Adult Swim and subbed episodes airing on Saturdays at midnight on Toonami!