Cartoon Network and Adult Swim have announced that for the celebration of its 35th anniversary, Cartoon Network has a five-part documentary series in production.
The series, set to release in 2027, will explore the network and its idiosyncratic artists across multiple eras from the “Checkerboard· to the “Dimensional” and beyond, taking in the foundations of the company as a custodian for classic cartoons to a force for original work from artists who would become vastly influential to the medium of animation as a whole.
The docuseries plans to blend a wealth of archival footage with newly filmed interviews with legendary artists sharing stories of their work and their perspectives on Cartoon Network.
“Most sane people don’t write a memoir at 35 years old, but Cartoon Network has never been sane,” said Cartoon Network and Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen.
“Three decades of audiences have had their childhoods shaped by the iconoclastic series and on-air voice of Cartoon Network, and now creators across every medium are drawing from that influence.” Ouweleen added: “When incredibly talented Cartoon Network alumni pitched the idea of capturing the spirit behind the network — from Atlanta to Burbank, across the decades — there was never any question. Cartoon Network started with a library of cartoons but quickly became something much bigger: a cultural force and an object lesson in what courage and originality can mean. The only question that this documentary doesn’t answer is the most essential one the tagline that helped define the brand from the beginning: You with us?”
The documentary isn’t the only programming planned for the 35th anniversary. Also in production is a Cartoon Network special from the stop-motion comedy series “Robot Chicken,” produced for Adult Swim by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. Known for its spiky pop culture parodies and quickfire style, “Robot Chicken,” itself 20 years old, will look to Cartoon Network’s characters this time, a first look image showing a table featuring Courage The Cowardly Dog and Johnny Bravo alongside characters from Scooby Doo. with the special planned for release in 2027.
Additionally, the celebrated stop‑motion series from co‑creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, is also in production on a second special for the 25th anniversary of its own network, Adult Swim.
“Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special“ sees every iconic character in Adult Swim’s history, including the likes of Assy McGee and Brock Sampson from “Venture Bros.” alongside characters from “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” “Metalocalypse” and “Black Jesus,” on a cruise ship celebrating the network’s 25 years.
The cruise turns into a disaster – perhaps inevitable with all of these particular personalities on board – potentially spelling a watery doom for all on the trip. The special is set to premiere Sunday, Aug. 30 on Adult Swim, and and will be available to stream Aug. 31 on HBO Max.