YOLO: Rainbow Trinity Episodes 1-4 Review

Join Swimpedia as we review screeners of the first four episodes of YOLO: Rainbow Trinity with minimal spoilers, and find out if Michael Cusack has still got it.

[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

If you’ve been following Adult Swim for the last couple years, you are probably familiar with Michael Cusack’s work. The stylish and often crude art style that will sometimes slip into rotoscoping, the distinctive Australian accents, and the chaotic vibe slipping into every second of his various projects. From the viral April Fools' stunt Bushworld Adventures to the beloved megahit Smiling Friends, Cusack has become synonymous with the network. But nothing is more distinctly Cusack than YOLO. Fans of Smiling Friends in particular may find a lot of the same humor and tone here, but Cusack also injects his own clear, distinct style.

It's not uncommon for Adult Swim to cycle through new shows, typically moving on after two seasons. While this keeps the network’s lineup constantly fresh, it can also lead to some shows being cut down before they reach their prime. YOLO breaks the two-season cycle, getting the first third season of a new animated show since 2020, and the results are fantastic. It’s clear that the network is locked in on Cusack, and fans are better off for it. If you enjoyed the previous two seasons, get ready for more of that, and then some, but, if you’re not familiar with the show, it’s not too late to jump on for a wild ride.

YOLO: Crystal Fantasy and YOLO: Silver Destiny were both hilarious, but YOLO: Rainbow Trinity is the show firing on all cylinders. Cusack and co. have figured out what works for these characters and this world, and the first four installments given to critics are some of the funniest episodes to air on Adult Swim this decade. Rachel and Sarah are back, and after they spent last season focusing on their individual goals of becoming an empress and starting a garden, the girls are more focused on their usual party shenanigans. Whether they’re having an awkward experience at a music festival, going to a wine water park with Sarah’s parents, or celebrating Peleken’s birthday, Sarah and Rachel are making the most out of their 30s.

This show started off mostly focusing on the two girls, but now three seasons deep, we have plenty of great side characters to focus on. Sarah’s parents receive their own subplot and more background, growing them into full characters. After Lucas was the driving engine for most of season 2, he’s back and continuing his character development. While not totally linear, it’s fun to see how Lucas has evolved from a standard neckbeard joke to an actually somewhat complex character over three seasons. Beyond that, Cusack’s comedy style also continues to evolve and develop, with so many unexpected, rapid-fire jokes this season already. While we don’t want to spoil too much of the fun, get ready for some crazy references, blink-and-you-miss-them moments, and hilarious plotlines that could only come from the mind of Cusack.

The second season of YOLO was much more serialized than the first, to mixed results. YOLO: Rainbow Trinity ditches the serialized format, combining the hilarity and stand-alone adventures of Crystal Fantasy with the character development and fleshed out world of Silver Destiny to deliver a truly excellent third season that stands among the best of Adult Swim’s output. If you’re a fan of Smiling Friends, YOLO, Bushworld Adventures, or any of Adult Swim’s 11-minute hijinks, this season is for you. It may end up being the fully realized version of this show, and if you’re like us, you’ll not only be glad that the channel decided to give them a third season, but you’ll also be clamoring for more episodes as soon as possible.

The first episode of YOLO: Rainbow Trinity premieres on Adult Swim on Sunday, March 9th at midnight, and next day on Max!