The Surprising Depth and Maturity of Fionna & Cake in Adventure Time

Summary

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake is a spinoff of Adventure Time, but its mature content sets it apart from the original series.

The creators of the new spinoff, Fionna and Cake, specifically aimed for an older audience as they recognized that many Adventure Time viewers had matured alongside the series. With the availability of a more mature TV-14 rating on the streaming platform HBO Max, the show features inappropriate language and references to relationships to cater to this demographic.

HBO Max's Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, a direct spinoff of the beloved animated series Adventure Time, showcases a noticeable shift in content compared to the original show. Adventure Time, a ten-season animated fantasy series that aired on Cartoon Network, revolves around the adventures of 12-year-old Finn and his loyal companion Jake the Dog as they battle evil in the imaginative Land of Ooo. Now, in 2023, HBO Max streams a spinoff featuring Fionna and Cake, the gender-swapped versions of Finn and Jake.

Although Fionna and Cake exists within Adventure Time's timeline and shares many similarities, there exists a key divergence between the two series - their content rating. Adventure Time, while suitable for all ages, carries a PG rating and is aimed at children. However, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake diverges from this norm, catering instead to a more mature audience. While casual viewers may not immediately discern the subtle rating difference, devoted Adventure Time fans will undoubtedly pick up on the changes.

Fionna & Cake Is Rated TV-14 & Considered Adult Animation

Ultimately, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake carries a TV-14 rating, making it more suitable for teenagers and adults rather than young children. It can be argued that the minimum age for viewership should be around 12. Notably, this represents a significant jump in content rating compared to the PG rating of the original Adventure Time series. The reason behind this disparity is that while Adventure Time avoided explicit language and mature themes throughout its ten seasons, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake does contain some inappropriate language and references to relationships and bodily functions.

Why Fionna & Cake's Creators Targeted An Older Audience

The TV-14 rating of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake ultimately positions it more as an adult-oriented animated show rather than one meant for children. While the rating difference may appear insignificant, it drastically alters the target audience for Fionna and Cake. Unlike Adventure Time, which appealed to all age groups, Fionna and Cake is geared toward everyone except children. Consequently, the show's language and content undergo a substantial transformation compared to what Adventure Time offered during its broadcast. Interestingly, this shift is actually beneficial for the Adventure Time franchise, as its audience has consistently skewed older than originally intended.

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake was specifically crafted for a mature audience as the creators sought to cater to long-time viewers of the original series who had grown up with it. Spanning ten seasons, Adventure Time became a beloved Cartoon Network show that captivated its audience since their childhood, enduring until its decade-long run concluded. Moreover, the fan base of Adventure Time was predominantly composed of older individuals. Hence, the creators behind Fionna and Cake aimed to retain this existing audience while delving into their spinoff series.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the creators of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake discussed the series' more mature rating, explaining that the show's fanbase has grown up while continuously attracting new viewers, resulting in an older audience overall. Although Adventure Time is primarily targeted at children, the creators recognized the need for a more mature rating for Fionna and Cake to cater to this aging demographic. Despite the rating change, they ensured that Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake maintains the same magical tone as its predecessor, incorporating slightly older characters but retaining the enchantment that fans have come to love.

The New Adventure Time Show Benefited From Its Streaming Home

Another compelling reason why Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake received a higher maturity rating is due to its streaming platform. The show is accessible for streaming on HBO Max, a well-known service that allows for more mature and explicit content. As a result, the TV-14 rating for Fionna and Cake would not have posed any issue. On the contrary, Adventure Time aired exclusively on Cartoon Network, a children's television channel. Despite having an older audience, the show was constrained by its PG rating. However, with Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, the franchise is finally able to cater to an older demographic.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter