Mind-Blowing: Unveiling the Unprecedented Artistic Departure in Krapopolis from Rick & Morty

Summary

Krapopolis has a unique art style because the show's creators were specifically instructed to make it different from Rick and Morty.

The directive to distinguish the art styles may be an endeavor to establish Krapopolis as an independent entity, independent of the triumph of Rick and Morty. Despite its distinct art style, Krapopolis remains infused with the essence of Dan Harmon's other shows, featuring numerous actors from Community and emphasizing the integration of technology into the Bronze Age backdrop.

The newest animated series from Dan Harmon, co-creator of Rick and Morty, is Krapopolis. Many viewers are curious about why the show looks so different from the popular sci-fi hit. Despite Rick and Morty's massive success over six seasons, Krapopolis has chosen to adopt a completely unique art style instead of mimicking its predecessor.

Krapopolis premiered on September 24, 2023, with a two-episode debut. The show ventures into the world of Ancient Greece before civilization, blending real historical facts with Greek gods and mythology. The storyline revolves around King Tyrannis, a demigod who strives to establish the first Greek city but faces constant obstacles from his vibrant family. While Krapopolis incorporates familiar elements and stylistic touches from Dan Harmon's previous shows, its art style is refreshingly distinct.

Krapopolis' Creators Were Directly Told To Differ The Art Style From Rick & Morty

Krapopolis' distinct art style was a deliberate choice by the show's creators to deviate from the look of Rick and Morty. In an interview with Screen Rant, lead character designer Andy Ristaino and supervising director Pete Michels confirmed this. While showcasing a new episode of Krapopolis at SCAD AnimationFest 2023, Ristaino explained that from the outset, they were instructed to ensure the visuals did not resemble Rick and Morty. As a result, the team opted for a different direction, adopting a slightly more realistic and less exaggerated cartoon style.

How Dan Harmon's Other Shows Influenced Krapopolis

Despite the tremendous success of Rick and Morty, FOX appears to have desired Krapopolis to establish its own identity. Despite both shows being created by Dan Harmon, there is no real connection between them. This decision may have been an attempt to distinguish the two shows, enabling Krapopolis to thrive independently without relying on the popularity of Rick and Morty. Additionally, the distinct art style of Rick and Morty, crafted by Justin Roiland, was not involved in the production of Krapopolis.

While instructed to steer clear of replicating the art style of Rick and Morty, the creators of Krapopolis couldn't help but draw inspiration from Dan Harmon's other noteworthy productions. The influences, which are unmistakable, extend prominently to the ensemble. Numerous actors from Harmon's sitcom Community are poised to grace the screen alongside the placeholder image, with the likes of Joel McHale, Jim Rash, and Yvette Nicole Brown among them.

Rick and Morty had a significant impact on the show's design. In a recent interview, Pete Michels revealed that Harmon's main objective for Rick and Morty was to ensure that any invention created by Rick appeared believable and functional. Michels emphasized that this same principle applies to Krapopolis, although this time the series adheres to Bronze Age technology. Therefore, while Krapopolis is its own distinct series, it is undeniably influenced by shows such as Rick and Morty and Community.

New episodes of Krapopolis air on Sundays on FOX.