Top 20 Extraordinary Episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball

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Some of the best

Amazing World of Gumball

episodes combine kid-friendly jokes with more mature humor, appealing to both children and parents.

The series is widely regarded as one of the top Cartoon Network shows from the 2010s due to its clever humor and heartfelt authenticity, which have deeply resonated with audiences. Its greatest episodes showcase a remarkable range, shifting effortlessly from witty and humorous moments to touching and heartwarming ones, demonstrating the show's immense versatility and broad appeal.

The top episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball blend kid-friendly and adult humor seamlessly. As part of the classic Cartoon Network shows lineup, the series offered situations and jokes that appealed to both children and parents. It comes as no surprise then that Gumball and his adopted brother Darwin's adventures lasted for an enthralling six seasons, concluding with a series finale and a divisive cliffhanger. While the show as a whole is solid, certain episodes stand out from the rest. With their clever humor and unexpectedly heartfelt moments, these episodes rank among the best in the series.

Concluding in 2019, The Amazing World of Gumball solidifies its status as one of the finest Cartoon Network shows of the 2010s. Viewers who grew up watching beloved animated series like Dexter's Laboratory and Courage the Cowardly Dog in the 90s and early 2000s will appreciate Gumball's dry wit and genuine storytelling. Unlike SpongeBob SquarePants or The Fairly OddParents, the showrunners of Gumball knew when to end the series. However, fans can still enjoy plenty of funny and heartwarming moments in the best episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball.

20. The Slap

Season 4, Episode 35

In "The Slap" from season 4 of The Amazing World of Gumball, Gumball's desperate desire to receive a butt slap from Tobias drives him to take extreme measures. Throughout the entire episode, Gumball relentlessly searches for the perfect strategy to achieve his goal, regardless of the absurdity or embarrassment involved. It is Gumball's unwavering determination and his willingness to go to great lengths that captivate viewers in "The Slap." When Gumball spontaneously breaks into the heartfelt song "My Lonely Backside and I," the episode reaches a pinnacle of greatness, earning it a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball.

19. The Detective

Season 4, Episode 36

In "The Detective", a captivating episode of The Adventures of Gumball, a unique dynamic unfolds as a father and daughter find themselves caught in a thrilling rivalry. Anais takes the lead in this engrossing storyline, embarking on a quest to unravel the mystery surrounding her beloved missing stuffed animal. As she meticulously uncovers clues, the plot thickens with unexpected twists and turns, all the while her father watches anxiously from the sidelines. Skillfully showcasing Anais' intellect, the episode masterfully showcases her sleuthing abilities while never losing sight of her youthful innocence. In this episode, the pace is not hurried or filled with fleeting humor, but instead offers a cleverly crafted tale that pays homage to the most iconic detective stories.

18. The Kids

Season 3, Episode 1

"The Kids" proved to be a captivating episode as it served a significant purpose. This particular installment marked the transition of voices for the beloved characters Gumball and Darwin, portrayed by Logan Grove and Kwesi Boakye, respectively. In a brilliant move, the show incorporated a real-life experience to smoothly introduce the new voice actors, Jacob Hopkins and Terrell Ransom, Jr. The change in their voices cleverly mirrored the characters' growth, keeping the storyline consistent. Adding to the charm, Gumball's meta punchline about their eternal youth provided the perfect comedic touch.

17. The Finale

Season 2, Episode 40

Contrary to its title, season 2's "The Finale" was not the ultimate episode of The Amazing World of Gumball. The episode's premise was straightforward, stating that "The Wattersons must finally face the consequences for their actions." The family had engaged in numerous misdeeds, and this was the moment when they received their comeuppance. The episode unfolded brilliantly, showcasing almost every Gumball character coming together to seek revenge against the Wattersons. The highlight of this particular Gumball episode was the clever punchline that ultimately saved the day, surpassing any ordinary plot twist.

16. The Money

Season 3, Episode 40

In "The Money," an episode of the Amazing World of Gumball, the Watterson family faces financial troubles. However, Gumball refuses to compromise his values to help his family secure the necessary funds for survival. The episode commences with Richard recklessly throwing their money into the ocean, which sets off a series of unfortunate events. What truly made this episode remarkable was the constant escalation of misfortune, as each new challenge proved to be worse than the previous one, irrespective of the dire circumstances. Eventually, the episode takes a meta turn, as the characters lose their vibrant colors, indicating that they are now too destitute to afford the completion of their animation. Consequently, they regress to mere storyboard sketches.

15. The Shippening

Season 6, Episode 14

After stumbling upon a magical notebook in one of The Amazing World of Gumball's finest episodes, Sarah seizes the opportunity to craft enchanting fanfiction about the inhabitants of Elmore. Unbeknownst to her, her narratives unwittingly become part of the show's official storyline, resulting in utter chaos. Gumball and Darwin eventually decipher the truth and restore order amidst the madness. "The Shippening" hilariously satirizes amateur fanfiction writers and their propensity for concocting elaborate relationships between beloved characters. Moreover, this episode showcases The Amazing World of Gumball's self-referential brilliance by making direct nods to the network that broadcasts the series and acknowledging fan-favorite character relationships that exist outside the series' canon.

14. The Future

Season 6, Episode 34

Banana Joe's mother is kidnapped by Rob in one of the top episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball. Rob's motive is to gain insight into the future through her supernatural paintings. Nevertheless, Banana Joe, Gumball, and Darwin join forces to rescue her, ultimately eradicating Rob from existence by means of one of Barbara's artworks. "The Future" stands as one of the most action-packed episodes of the series, resembling a climactic finale. It premiered just a few weeks before the show's conclusion, and Barbara's chilling farewell, declaring that "there is no future," definitely left a lasting impression.

13. The Disaster

Season 4, Episode 40

In the season four finale of The Amazing World of Gumball, titled "The Disaster," Gumball finds himself facing the gradual destruction of his life due to his archenemy Rob. Rob has come across a universal remote that holds the power to manipulate their entire world. However, this thrilling episode doesn't end there and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the second half. The story continues in the season five premiere, yet it is "The Disaster” that truly amazes with its action-packed scenes. What sets this episode apart and makes it one of the best in the Gumball series is the abundance of conflicts it skillfully weaves together. The humorous and intricate breakdown of Gumball's parents' relationship adds an extra layer of adult-themed comedy to the already bombastic humor.

12. The Plan

Season 2, Episode 38

11. The Countdown

One of Gumball's most memorable episodes showcases time travel, poorly written emails, and an imaginary culprit. In this surreal turn of events, the Watterson kids stumble upon a letter addressed to their mother, Nicole, and mistakenly believe that a man named Daniel Lennard is attempting to take her away. As a result, Gumball and his siblings embark on a series of misguided plans to prevent this supposed theft. Throughout the episode, subtle hints about the true identity of Daniel Lennard are dropped, ultimately culminating in a surprising revelation at the end that the whole situation was a misunderstanding caused by the Watterson kids.

Season 3, Episode 35

Another outstanding episode from the Amazing World of Gumball is "The Countdown," which cleverly incorporates a suspenseful countdown ticker. In this episode, Miss Simian issues a severe ultimatum to Darwin and Gumball, threatening to expel them if they arrive late for school once more. Predictably, the two protagonists oversleep, only to be confronted by a perplexing countdown ticker hovering above them. Bewildered by its presence, they embark on a frantic quest to reach school on time, but find themselves encountering various absurd situations everywhere except the classroom. "The Countdown" skillfully showcases the show's trademark absurdist humor and clever meta references, resulting in an incredibly humorous and enjoyable viewing experience.

10. The Remote

Season 2, Episode 37

"The Remote," an episode from season 2, delves into the quest of the Wattersons to watch different programs simultaneously when Richard hides the TV remote. In this singular episode centered around the Watterson family, hilarity ensues as they resort to cunning tactics and manipulation to achieve their individual desires. "The Remote" stands out for its incredible twist ending, one of the highlights among many in The Amazing World of Gumball. Its popularity with fans even led to the creation of a game titled "Remote Fu" for the Cartoon Network website.

9. The Matchmaker

Season 5, Episode 16

One of the most captivating episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball showcases Gumball's amusing encounter with Darwin. Gumball stumbles upon Darwin's infatuation with a classmate, leading him to mistakenly believe that Darwin has fallen for Teri. With the assistance of Carrie, Gumball concocts a love potion and orchestrates a meeting between Darwin and Teri. However, to Gumball's surprise, he ultimately discovers that Darwin's true affection lies with Carrie all along. "The Matchmaker" embodies the clever and sophisticated humor that defines the series, culminating in a satisfying and comical ending. The intricate interplay between Gumball's matchmaking endeavors and Carrie's attempts to foil them exemplifies why the show has wide-ranging appeal among both adults and children.

8. The Fury

Season 4, Episode 37

In "The Fury," Nicole encounters Yuki, a childhood friend seeking vengeance for her defeat in a martial arts tournament. Initially, Nicole declines the request, but eventually agrees to a rematch. This particular episode of Amazing World of Gumball stands out as one of the show's finest, thanks in large part to an exceptional scene involving an anime-style fight between Nicole and Yuki. This captivating sequence, skillfully produced by Studio 4°C, renowned for its work on the Berserk anime series, significantly contributes to the episode's esteemed reputation.

7. The Job

Season 2, Episode 8

In "The Job" from Season 2, Richard makes a decision to no longer spend his days lounging on the couch and instead takes up a job in pizza delivery. However, his dedication to the role unknowingly causes chaos in the City of Elmore, while the rest of the family attempts to catch and put a stop to his antics. Considered one of the top episodes of Amazing World of Gumball, "The Job" cleverly utilizes its diverse ensemble cast of surreal characters, resulting in a humorous and entertaining viewing experience. While the episode may adhere to a familiar formula, it undeniably stands out among Gumball's best episodes, largely owing to its exceptional cast of characters.

6. The Console

Season 5, Episode 18

"The Console" stands out as one of the finest episodes of Amazing World of Gumball, flawlessly blending JRPG parody with compelling storytelling. Gumball, Darwin, and Anais find themselves entrapped within a cursed video game console, compelled to conquer the engrossing fantasy RPG "Inverted Paradox: The Enemy Within" in order to secure their freedom. Rather than following a predictable plot, the episode takes a remarkably inventive approach, resulting in a captivating and truly extraordinary outcome. Additionally, the inclusion of nostalgic 16bit visuals in various scenes adds to the episode's lasting impression. This exceptional deviation from traditional narrative tropes exemplifies why "The Console" is among the greatest installments of Amazing World of Gumball, highlighting the incredible prowess of the show's writing.

5. The Origins Part 2

Season 4, Episode 21

After accidentally being flushed down the toilet, Gumball's pet fish Darwin embarks on a remarkable journey to reunite with his adoptive family. Against all odds, he even grows a pair of legs along the way. Through the power of friendship, Darwin manages to return to Elmore and find his new brother, establishing a heartwarming familial bond that adds to the charm of the series. While the second part of the story arc is commendable, it is the setup in Part 1 that slightly surpasses its conclusion.

4. The Origins Part 1

Season 4, Episode 20

The Wattersons are no longer able to tolerate their unruly toddler, Gumball, so they decide to purchase a pet fish for him, hoping it will divert his attention. The strategy proves successful; however, Gumball unintentionally keeps causing the demise of his pet fish, leading Mr. Watterson to continuously buy all the fish at the pet store. Eventually, he acquires a mystical fish from an enigmatic trader, which turns out to be Gumball's newfound brother, Darwin. This marks one of many poignant episodes in Gumball's life, as stories that center around the Watterson family consistently offer the most engaging chapters in the series. While Part 2 of this story arc is commendable, Part 1 boasts funnier and more heartwarming moments.

3. The Game

Season 2, Episode 29

A round of the series' most bizarre episodes, "The Game" in season 2, features Gumball and Darwin's homemade board game "Dodj or Daar." The family's Jumanji-like situation adds to the excellent comedy, as the writers fearlessly explore wild dares within the game. This episode, like others in the series, draws clear inspiration from other media, showcasing the writers' ingenuity and nods to other programs. In the world of Gumball, these elements contribute to why "The Game" is considered one of the best installments.

2. The Shell

Season 3, Episode 20

1. The Choices

In "The Shell," a pivotal episode of season 3, Penny undergoes a dramatic transformation when her shell accidentally cracks due to Gumball's actions. Fearing judgement, she flees, and Gumball, who is still struggling to express his feelings for her, pursues her relentlessly. This episode of The Amazing World of Gumball stands out as one of the best, not only because it provides plenty of humor and lightheartedness like the rest of the series, but also because it tackles more serious and emotional themes. Throughout its six-season run, the show manages to present several thought-provoking and poignant situations, making "The Shell" one of its most notable and impactful episodes.

Season 5, Episode 6

In Season 5's "The Choices," The Amazing World of Gumball delivers a truly heartfelt episode. It centers around Nicole, who revisits the day she met Richard. This introspection prompts her to contemplate whether her life would have been better if she had made different choices. Surprisingly poignant for a children's show, this episode demonstrates the genuine care that the creators of Gumball have for their audience. Instead of presenting a shallow message or relying on slapstick humor, this standout episode appeals to viewers of all ages and focuses on the beloved Watterson family.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I grew up watching The Amazing World of Gumball and it holds a special place in my heart. The show's unique blend of humor, creativity, and heart made it a standout among other cartoons of its time.

One of the things I love most about Gumball is its ability to appeal to both kids and adults. The show's humor is clever and often self-referential, making it enjoyable for older viewers, while the characters and storylines are relatable and fun for kids. I also appreciate the show's willingness to tackle more mature themes, such as friendship, family, and loss, in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking for younger viewers.

Overall, I think The Amazing World of Gumball is a fantastic show that deserves its place among the best of Cartoon Network's lineup. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking animated series.