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Rick and Morty: The Anime

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Not to be confused with Rick and Morty: The Manga.
Rick and Morty: The Anime
Genre
Based on
Directed byTakashi Sano
Voices of
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Japan
Original languages
  • Japanese
  • English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5 shorts
Production
Executive producerMaki Terashima-Furuta
ProducerKoji Iijima
Production companies
Original release
NetworkAdult Swim
Related
Rick and Morty (franchise)

Rick and Morty: The Anime is an animated science fiction sitcom series created and developed by Takashi Sano and produced by Studio Deen, Sola Entertainment and Telecom Animation Film for Adult Swim. The third series in the franchise, based on the animated series of the same name by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, it stars Yōhei Tadano as Rick Sanchez and Keisuke Chiba as Morty Smith, reprising their roles from the Japanese dub of the original series, although none of the cast of the English version of the original series reprise their roles.

Following five pilot short films released from March 29, 2020, to November 12, 2021, the series is set to premiere on August 16, 2024.

Plot

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The show revolves around the adventures of the members of the Smith household, in particular mad scientist and samurai Rick Sanchez, and his grandchildren, the 14-year-old Morty Smith, and the 17-year-old Summer Smith, whose parents, Jerry and Beth Smith (Rick's daughter), disapprove of their adventures.

Different versions of the characters (including the bespectacled genocider, President Morty Smith) inhabit other dimensions throughout the show's multiverse, with their personal characteristics varying from one reality to another.[1][2]

Cast

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Main article: List of Rick and Morty characters

Main

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Guest

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A revived Tammy Gueterman / Phoenixwoman will appear in the series.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Shorts5March 29, 2020 (2020-03-29)November 12, 2021 (2021-11-12)
1[3]10August 16, 2024 (2024-08-16)October 18, 2024 (2024-10-18)

Short films (2020–21)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Samurai & Shogun"Kaichi SatoKaichi SatoMarch 29, 2020 (2020-03-29)
In feudal Japan, Shogun Rick is a lone samurai protecting his ward, a young Morty. After a tranquil moment together, they are ambushed by a group of ninja Ricks who demand the surrender of Morty. Shogun Rick refuses, leading to a brutal, blood-soaked battle. Rick skillfully defeats wave after wave of enemies, using both traditional samurai weapons and advanced technology hidden within his body. The battle intensifies as the ninja Ricks call in reinforcements, but Shogun Rick continues to fight valiantly, even when heavily outnumbered. Eventually, Rick uses a portal gun to escape with Morty, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The short ends with Rick and Morty continuing their journey, their bond solidified by the harrowing experience.
2"Rick and Morty vs. Genocider"Takashi SanoTakashi SanoJuly 26, 2020 (2020-07-26)
Set in Tokyo, the short begins with Morty receiving a call from a mysterious group known as the Genocider, who reveal that Rick is planning to erase all Mortys from existence. Morty rushes to find Rick, who is busy dismantling the universe’s timeline to protect his family. As Morty confronts Rick, the situation spirals into chaos, revealing that this version of Rick is actually a "Genocider" who harvests Mortys for nefarious purposes. As Morty grapples with this revelation, Rick sacrifices himself to save his grandson, setting off a chain reaction that alters reality. In the end, Morty wakes up in his bed, unsure if the events were real or a dream, leaving the narrative open to interpretation.
3"Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil)"Takashi SanoTakashi SanoAugust 2, 2021 (2021-08-02)
Summer forms a relationship with a powerful, godlike entity that manifests as her smartphone. As the entity begins granting Summer's every wish, reality starts to warp around her. Meanwhile, Rick confronts an evil version of himself, revealed to be a byproduct of Rick's darkest desires. The two Ricks engage in a cerebral and physical battle, with the fate of their universe hanging in the balance. Summer's newfound powers lead her to a realization about the corrupting nature of absolute power. In a climactic moment, Summer rejects the godlike entity, restoring balance to the universe. Rick defeats his evil counterpart, but the short ends on a somber note, reflecting the cost of their battles and the existential loneliness they both face.
4"The Great Yokai Battle of Akihabara"Masaru MatsumotoNaohiro FukushimaOctober 10, 2021 (2021-10-10)
Rick and Morty travel to Akihabara, Tokyo's famous electronics district, to fix a toaster. However, their simple errand spirals into chaos when Rick angers a group of yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, by using an illegal alien part. The yokai attack, leading to a frantic battle through the streets of Akihabara. Rick uses various gadgets to combat the yokai, while Morty struggles to keep up. Amid the chaos, they encounter a yokai with a personal vendetta against Rick. The battle culminates in a showdown at an electronics store, where Rick finally defeats the yokai using a clever trick. With the toaster fixed and the yokai subdued, Rick and Morty leave Akihabara, reflecting on the bizarre adventure they just survived.
5"Samurai & Shogun Part 2"Kaichi SatoKaichi SatoNovember 12, 2021 (2021-11-12)
The sequel picks up where the first "Samurai & Shogun" short left off. Shogun Rick and Morty continue their journey through a war-torn landscape, but their peace is short-lived as they are ambushed by a group of ninja Ricks. The battle is even more intense than before, with Shogun Rick pushed to his limits. As they fight, the relationship between Rick and Morty deepens, showing Rick's paternal instincts and Morty's growing courage. Despite overwhelming odds, Rick and Morty manage to defeat their enemies through a combination of strategy and brute force. The short ends with a poignant moment between Rick and Morty, highlighting the toll their battles have taken on them both, but also the unbreakable bond they share.

Season 1

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No.Title [3][4]Directed by [5]Written byOriginal release date [3]
1"Girl Who Manipulates Time"Takashi SanoTBAAugust 16, 2024 (2024-08-16)
2"Fighting Mother"Takashi SanoTBAAugust 23, 2024 (2024-08-23)
3"Alien Elle"Takashi SanoTBAAugust 30, 2024 (2024-08-30)
4TBATakashi SanoTBASeptember 6, 2024 (2024-09-06)
5TBATakashi SanoTBASeptember 13, 2024 (2024-09-13)
6TBATakashi SanoTBASeptember 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
7TBATakashi SanoTBASeptember 27, 2024 (2024-09-27)
8TBATakashi SanoTBAOctober 4, 2024 (2024-10-04)
9TBATakashi SanoTBAOctober 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)
10TBATakashi SanoTBAOctober 18, 2024 (2024-10-18)

Production

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Short films

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A six-minute short film titled Samurai & Shogun aired unannounced on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block on March 29, 2020, during the hiatus of the fourth season of Rick and Morty, before being uploaded to Adult Swim's YouTube channel the following day. Written and directed by Kaichi Sato, and produced by Koji Iijima and Studio Deen and executive producer Maki Terashima-Furuta, the episode features a different animation and art style than usual, and is heavily themed around anime, specifically Lone Wolf & Cub. The short stars Yōhei Tadano as "Rick WTM-72" and Keisuke Chiba as "Shogun Morty", the pair reprising their roles from the Japanese dub of the animated series.[6][7]

Another eight-minute short film titled Rick & Morty vs. Genocider aired unannounced on Toonami on July 26, 2020, debuting on YouTube slightly after. Written and directed by Takashi Sano, produced by Sola Entertainment, animated at Telecom Animation Film, and starring Tadano and Chiba as Rick and Morty, Manabu Muraji as Jerry, "AI Driver", and "Hologram Transvestite", and Yuki Minami as "Hologram Girl", the episode explores the conflict between President Morty and Rick C-137.[8][9][10]

A third short film, titled Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil) and also written and directed by Takashi Sano, was released on YouTube on August 2, 2021, and aired on Adult Swim the following day. A fourth short film, titled The Great Yokai Battle of Akihabara, directed by Masaru Matsumoto and written by Naohiro Fukushima, was released on YouTube on October 10, 2021, and aired on Adult Swim the following day. A fifth short film, titled Samurai & Shogun Part 2 and featuring the return of Samurai & Shogun's Kaichi Sato as writer and director, was released on YouTube on November 12, 2021 as part of the 2021 Adult Swim Festival.[citation needed]

Development

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In May 2022, Adult Swim announced a 10-episode order for Rick and Morty: The Anime, an anime television series directed by Takashi Sano from Telecom Animation Film.[5]

Release

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The anime series will premiere on Adult Swim English dubbed on August 16, 2024 and on its Toonami programming block English subbed on August 18.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Jung, E. Alex (September 12, 2017). "Here's What We Know About Rick and Morty's Evil Morty". Vulture. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Puchko, Kristy (September 5, 2022). "'Rick and Morty' Season 6 premiere explainer: All your mind-blower questions answered". Mashable. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Shows A-Z - Rick and Morty: The Anime on Adult Swim". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Adult Swim Schedule". Adult Swim. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Hibberd, James (May 18, 2022). "'Rick and Morty' Anime Spinoff Announced by Adult Swim". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  6. ^ Joho, Jess (March 29, 2020). ""Rick and Morty" Are "Samurai & Shogun" in New Adult Swim Short [VIDEO]". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 29, 2020). "Studio DEEN Produces 5-Minute 'Samurai & Shogun' Short for Rick and Morty Animated Series". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "'Rick and Morty Vs. Genocider' is a Beautifully Weird Anime Road Trip". July 26, 2020.
  9. ^ "The Latest Rick and Morty Anime Short is a Time-Twisting Tokyo Thriller". July 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "Evil Morty Returns in New Rick and Morty Short".
  11. ^ Loo, Egan (July 11, 2024). "Rick and Morty: The Anime's Trailer Confirms August 15 Debut, Bilingual Casts". Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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Short films
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