10 Best Dark Animated Series That Aren’t for Kids

While animation often brings to mind colorful characters and lighthearted plots, there's a growing catalog of adult cartoons that lean into graphic violence, emotional trauma, and disturbing subject matter. From superhero deconstruction to existential horror, these animated series push the boundaries of the medium, tackling themes like addiction, abuse, war, and moral collapse. Often rated TV-MA for a reason, they serve as potent reminders that animation can be just as hard-hitting - and haunting - as any live-action drama.
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