The Unexpected Link Between 'Rick and Morty' and 'Gravity Falls'

Article Summary

Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty share interdimensional connections through hidden easter eggs and nods in their respective shows.

Gravity Falls characters, objects, and symbols can be seen in Rick and Morty, indicating a potential crossover between the two universes. However, instead of a complete crossover, the creators have opted for subtle connections and collaborations between the two shows, leaving fans to speculate on the possibility of a larger crossover event.

Disney's Gravity Falls is an animated series that follows the adventures of twin siblings Dipper and Mabel during their summer stay with their great-uncle Stan. Stan, the owner of the Mystery Shack in Gravity Falls, Oregon, joins forces with the kids to uncover local mysteries and supernatural phenomena. The show, created by Alex Hirsch, aired for two seasons due to Hirsch's deliberate decision. As the series progresses, it takes on a similar vibe to Rick and Morty, surprising viewers with intriguing overlaps between the two shows.

Not long after the inception of Gravity Falls, Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland created Rick and Morty. Originally conceived as a crude parody of Back to the Future, it evolved into an interdimensional sci-fi comedy featuring the adventures of inventor Rick Sanchez and his nephew Morty. Harmon and Roiland, who are good friends with Hirsch, had previously collaborated in the same Disney Channel office. They even lent their voices to each other's shows, with Roiland voicing characters in Gravity Falls and Hirsch returning the favor for Rick and Morty. However, the stark contrast in the shows' tones and content was evident, as Rick and Morty found its place on Adult Swim with its vulgar and gory style. Surprisingly, the two creators cleverly intertwined the worlds of their shows through the use of interdimensional portals, creating a hidden connection for fans to discover.

Rick and Morty is an animated TV series that first premiered on December 2, 2013. The show boasts a talented cast, including Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Justin Roiland, and Dan Harmon. With its main genre being animation, Rick and Morty also incorporates elements of comedy and science fiction. The series has a TV-14 rating and has aired six seasons on Cartoon Network.

The Universe Portal in 'Gravity Falls' Transports Things Into 'Rick and Morty's World

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During the concurrent production of both Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty, Alex Hirsch revealed that they incorporated subtle connections between the two shows. Despite being under different ownership, Hirsch and Roiland took it upon themselves to blur the boundaries of their interdimensional cartoons. One notable instance of this can be found in Gravity Falls' 2014 episode "Society of the Blind Eye," where Stan inadvertently loses his question-mark mug, pen, and notepad into the Universe Portal. Although these items are never seen again in Gravity Falls, their fate is unveiled in a 2014 episode of Rick and Morty.

In the same year, Rick and Morty's episode "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind" showcases Rick being falsely accused of killing twenty-seven alternate Ricks from various dimensions. In their attempt to escape, Rick and Morty venture through multiple interdimensional portals. Interestingly, as they disappear into one portal, another portal in the background ejects a pen, notebook, and question-mark coffee mug. Pure coincidence? Definitely not! "We've discovered that these subtle nods between our shows strike the perfect balance," says Hirsch. "We enjoy bewildering and entertaining our audience."

'Gravity Falls's Bill Cipher Appears in 'Rick and Morty' Too

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In Gravity Falls, the symbol of The All-Seeing Eye of Providence has been cleverly hidden in the Mystery Shack's rug and triangular windows since the very first episode. It is later revealed that a mischievous demon named Bill Cipher, who resembles the symbol, has been causing chaos in Gravity Falls for thirty years. Bill Cipher, voiced by Alex Hirsch, is an interdimensional being and emerges as the primary antagonist of the entire series. He is responsible for the disappearance of Ford through the Universe Portal. Whether this is the first instance of Bill using his interdimensional powers, or if he has affected other worlds like Rick and Morty's, remains unclear.

In the Rick and Morty episode "Big Trouble in Little Sanchez," Morty's parents Jerry and Beth seek couples' counseling with an alien species called Nupita 4. In the background, there is a diagram depicting Bill Cipher, suggesting that the inhabitants of Nupita 4 are studying the demon's biology. A popular fan theory also suggests a connection between Gravity Falls' Bill Cipher and Rick and Morty's Mr. Poopybutthole, played by Jon Allen. However, this theory is yet to be confirmed by the creators of the shows.

The Famous "Journal 3" From 'Gravity Falls' Also Relates to 'Rick and Morty'

Image via Comedy Central

In the Season 3 premiere of Rick and Morty, titled "The Rickshank Rickdemption," one of the Mortys in the Council of Ricks is shown carrying a book that bears a striking resemblance to the famous "Journal 3" from the Gravity Falls series. This book, written by Ford, serves as a compilation of all the paranormal creatures in Gravity Falls, Oregon. In the real-life version of Journal 3 available for fans to purchase, there is a silhouette of a plumbus, a device from Rick and Morty, as well as an alien language scribbled on one page translating to "Rick was here." However, since there is no Rick in Gravity Falls, it can only refer to Rick Sanchez from Rick and Morty.

In the Rick and Morty episode "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind," the characters visit a world known as "Furniture Universe," where sentient chairs sit on inanimate humans. In the real-life Journal 3, Ford recounts his interdimensional experiences, including a encounter with a talking chair. This suggests that this could be the same world visited by Rick and Morty. Furthermore, in "The Rickshank Rickdemption," when Morty is seen carrying Journal 3, two alternate Mortys dressed as Dipper and Mabel can be seen in the background. This addition was made to surprise and astonish viewers, as creator Hirsch explains. Although this may hint at a potential crossover, Hirsch clarifies that it is simply for fun and that the idea of a grand plan is mainly something fans have come up with.

In 2017, Hirsch and Roiland allowed Stan and Rick, who are kindred spirits, to perform a duet for charity on the H3 podcast. Even now, fans still consider their rendition of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" as the closest thing to a true crossover between Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty. However, it's possible that there is a universe out there where a complete crossover between the two shows actually exists. It's a dream that fans can only imagine…

The seventh season of Rick and Morty premieres with new episodes every Monday on Comedy Central and is available for streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I grew up watching both Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty, and I was always fascinated by the unexpected connections between the two shows. The interdimensional portal, the appearance of Bill Cipher, and the intriguing link to the famous Journal 3 all contribute to the rich tapestry of the Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty universes.

I appreciate the creators' willingness to blur the boundaries between their shows and create a cohesive multiverse for fans to explore. The subtle connections between the two shows add depth and intrigue to the overall narrative, and it's exciting to speculate on the possibility of a larger crossover event in the future. Overall, I think the unexpected link between Gravity Falls and Rick and Morty is a testament to the creativity and imagination of the creators, and it's one of the reasons why both shows have such a passionate and dedicated fan base.