8/11/03 :: Older, Later, Wiser

After a long absence, we're all thrilled to welcome The Big O back into our world with a new season! We get to see more of our heroes, learn more about the increasingly mysterious back story, and just enjoy the ride. And of course, the fact that the new season even exists is probably a good sign that the show did well enough to motivate Cartoon Network, and subsequently Sunrise, to crank out more episodes, so we know that, as fans, we're not alone out there.

One difference with this new airing, however, is the new time slot for our heroes, as they're now hanging out in the late night lineup called Adult Swim, rather than the mid-to-late afternoon Toonami lineup where it first premiered. The series did well in the afternoon, but late night means a different crowd--late night means that your 7-year-old brother will probably be tucked into bed before it even airs.

I, personally, call this a smart move on the part of Cartoon Network. Adult Swim is advertised as animated programs for more mature audiences, and The Big O obviously fits that description, given its dark setting, moody music, and generally more sedate pace. Compare it to your average episode of Dragonball Z, and you'll see what I mean.

We've also already seen a few differences since the show's move to late night. For instance, would we be seeing Roger Smith yelling "Bastard!" at his foes at 5pm in the afternoon? Not likely. Late night lets the show get a bit more gritty and serious, and that's how we like it, right?

The general stance of different groups of fans also seems to support the idea that The Big O is not for kids: in my own travels through various online fan communities, I've found that the people who are most excited about a Big O discussion thread are those closer to my own age, here in the land of twentysomethings. Meanwhile, those in their early teens or younger will generally shoot off a one-liner statement like, "i hate that show omg it suxx!!!11" Masters of debate, they certainly aren't.

The Big O is still bucking the American standard that "Cartoons are for Kids Only," but not only is this program something that adults might be interested in, but it's a program that seems to cater directly TO the adults, with only an occasional nod to the kids via a fierce Megadeus battle. The Big O, with its more subtle delivery and its plot arc full of twists and turns, is there to make you think a good bit more than most "cartoons" are. And perhaps this is what those terribly eloquent pre-teen kids are railing against.

Is there an audience for The Big O? Obviously. Is it anything like a traditional audience for animated programs? Probably not. But will the kids ever learn to love The Big O as we do? Eh, maybe when they're older. :)