Rick and Morty: The Anime Creators Talk Introducing New Characters, Morty’s Love Life, Future Plans and More

Creative Freedom in Rick and Morty: The Anime

To what extent were you allowed to be imaginative while developing the plot for Rick and Morty: The Anime? Was there a need to keep track of events from the ongoing seasons of the original series?

TAKASHI SANO and JOSEPH CHOU: In essence, they were essentially free to explore and create as they wished, without any constraints regarding their ongoing work, allowing them to delve into these characters. And indeed, they were granted a free rein, which is fantastic.

Could you share an insight or skill that you both acquired while working together on the initial Genocider and Summer Meets God shorts, which has been applied in your work on the Rick and Morty anime?

Initially, when he received those shorts for the first time, particularly the initial one, he felt compelled to perform a dance. The style was unique since it seemed to originate from his past days. I’ve seen similar work of his in the past that featured rapid, enigmatic, and free-flowing animation. He incorporated this style into the project as well as altering the screen layout composition, which he felt confident about given his expertise. Despite being apprehensive, he was eager to contribute due to the limited length of the shorts – it wasn’t intended for TV or would be brief.

After attempting it a couple of times and eventually being granted the opportunity to embark on the project, he gained confidence that he could handle it, that he could stretch himself a bit. He became confident about what he was preparing to tackle in terms of taking on this lengthy task. Essentially, this validation helped him feel more at ease and certain that he was capable and accepted. Initially, there’s always some uncertainty when given the go-ahead, but once he received approval, his apprehension subsided.

1. Apart from the response of the audience, it holds significant importance for him since he is a fan too. He was able to pick up on this from the short film. In my case, I’ve collaborated on another short with a different creator. It’s either like saying “Give me an idea” or “How about you add a robot and do something?” This can also mean “I have an idea similar to this.” Then, it’s about taking that concept and trying to relocate it while incorporating Japanese elements, which was acceptable.

I believe one factor that made it acceptable for us was the fact that it’s “Rick and Morty.” Having backing from Adult Swim, as well as the creators and fans of the original show, gave us a lot of confidence. Consequently, embarking on this series didn’t fill us with dread, but rather we were curious about the challenge. Thus, it has been a delightful journey for us.

The Anime’s Place in the Multiverse

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I’m often asked about the place of Rick and Morty: The Anime in the broader multiverse. To put it simply, am I talking about the same Rick from the original series? Well, that’s a tricky question. It seems like this is another Rick, but then again, isn’t every Rick unique in their own chaotic, inter-dimensional way? So, while they might share some familiar traits, I guess it’s safe to say that each Rick has their own distinct storyline.

In simpler terms, when discussing “Rick and Morty,” the creator is suggesting a concept where each universe in the show is like a smaller multiverse nested inside the larger one that the series itself represents. Essentially, the original Rick and Morty from the main show encounter different versions of themselves from other universes, leading to the exploration of how they might evolve or react. This new idea aims to create another layer within this existing multiverse structure.

Introducing New Rick and Morty Characters

As a gamer, I often find myself pondering about the intricate balance between introducing fresh characters and maintaining the essence of the universe they belong to. In the world of Rick and Morty, I’m always curious about how they bring in new faces like Frank and Elle while ensuring they mesh seamlessly with the established dynamic. It’s a fascinating process to observe!

I think there are two things that he really wanted to do taking on a series. And one was I wanna do a sci-fi, a new type of sci-fi that that he could use this canvas for. And then also he wanted to do a little love story for Morty. But the one thing that almost feels like a taboo in the original show was the concept of time, you know? So if he did too much in that, he just felt like he was violating some things that just not is quite deeply done in the original show. How do I not break that barrier too much that without that? If I’m doing that, what can happen here? Maybe introducing a new character from a different dimension might create a different dynamic. So, okay, what kind of character is this? Oh, I wanted to do a love story. So then the character kind of organically has grown and been created.

After establishing the character and placing it within an appropriate setting, the author allowed the dynamic between Morty and that character to unfold naturally. Once the characters were defined, he delved into a fresh sci-fi concept as a backdrop. This approach enabled the characters themselves to propel the narrative forward, leading to the creation of a captivating 10-episode plotline for this series.

Is the intrigue surrounding the romantic aspect of the story also notable, as it isn’t commonly portrayed in the original version? Was this an element you intentionally chose to delve into, finding it to be a noteworthy omission?

You’re correct. To clarify, while there are comedic love stories, Morty hasn’t experienced a deep, heartfelt romance. Given his character, he was keen to explore this aspect and see how it would unfold. This could propel the narrative further. It wouldn’t be a one-off episode where everything is resolved; instead, it would create a larger storyline with something pushing them forward. He believed this could make for an interesting plot development.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Season 2?

In closing, allow me to pose one last query: If by chance this 10-episode series finds success and resonates well with the audience, would there be any prospect of additional concepts for further exploration in the future?

Sure thing!