Ever stumbled upon a TV show where each episode tells a completely different story? That’s an anthology series for you. These unique shows ditch the traditional season-long character arcs and instead serve up fresh narratives, characters, and worlds with each new episode. Think of them as collections of short stories rather than novels – perfect for those nights when you can’t commit to a 10-season binge.
Animated anthologies take this concept to mind-blowing levels. Free from the constraints of live-action production, these shows can leap between art styles, bizarre concepts, and impossible worlds without breaking a sweat (or the budget). One episode might feature photorealistic sci-fi, while the next delivers stylized fantasy or surreal comedy. This visual variety keeps viewers constantly surprised and engaged.
The beauty of these anthologies? They pack complete stories into bite-sized episodes. No waiting weeks for plot resolution – each tale wraps up neatly, making them perfect for casual viewing. Yet despite their shorter format, these stories often deliver emotional punches and thought-provoking concepts that stick with you long after watching.
Ready to discover some animated anthology gems? Let’s dive into five series that showcase just how powerful, weird, and wonderful this format can be.
1. Love, Death & Robots
Mind-Bending Sci-Fi With Zero Boundaries
Netflix struck gold with this Emmy-winning series that feels like the lovechild of Black Mirror and Heavy Metal magazine. Each episode of Love, Death & Robots drops viewers into wildly different worlds – from post-apocalyptic wastelands to alien planets to alternate histories – all while exploring mature themes without pulling punches.
The anthology’s greatest strength lies in its visual diversity. One episode features hyper-realistic animation that blurs the line between CGI and reality, while another embraces stylized 2D art or experimental techniques. This variety extends to the storytelling, with episodes ranging from philosophical deep-dives to action-packed adventures to bizarre comedy.
Despite its often dark and mature content (definitely not for kids), the series delivers some truly unforgettable viewing experiences. The shorter format (most episodes run 10-18 minutes) means creators can experiment with high-concept ideas without needing to stretch them thin, resulting in tight, focused storytelling that hits hard.
Fun fact: Several episodes are adaptations of short stories from acclaimed sci-fi authors like Alastair Reynolds and John Scalzi, bringing literary sci-fi concepts to visual life.
2. Star Wars: Visions
The Force Reimagined Through Anime Legends
Star Wars: Visions hands the keys to the galaxy far, far away over to some of Japan’s top anime studios – and the results are stunning. Each episode offers a fresh take on the Star Wars universe, filtered through different cultural and artistic lenses that breathe new life into the decades-old franchise.
Free from the constraints of official canon, these stories play with Star Wars concepts in ways mainstream films and shows never could. Lightsabers transform into umbrella-like weapons, Sith lords become tragic heroes, and familiar mythology takes unexpected turns. The diverse animation styles range from watercolor-inspired art to classic anime aesthetics to bold experimental approaches.
What makes Visions special isn’t just its gorgeous animation – it’s how each studio captures the essence of Star Wars while adding their own cultural fingerprints. The series reminds viewers that stories about hope, heroism, and the battle between light and dark resonate across cultures and art forms.
Behind-the-scenes trivia: Lucasfilm took the unusual step of allowing the Japanese studios complete creative freedom with few restrictions, embracing interpretations that sometimes dramatically reimagine Star Wars visual language.
3. The Boys Presents: Diabolical
Superhero Satire With Extra Splatter
Spinning off from Amazon’s hit series The Boys, Diabolical delivers eight standalone shorts set in a world where superheroes exist – and most of them are corrupt, egotistical nightmares. Like its parent show, this anthology gleefully skewers superhero tropes with dark humor, graphic violence, and surprisingly emotional storytelling.
What sets Diabolical apart is how each episode adopts a completely different animation style to match its tone. One mimics Saturday morning cartoons for maximum contrast with its adult content, while another embraces Korean horror aesthetics or classic anime style. This visual variety perfectly complements the show’s tonal range, from laugh-out-loud absurdist comedy to genuinely touching character studies.
Despite its over-the-top nature, Diabolical manages to expand the world of The Boys in meaningful ways while delivering satisfying standalone stories. Whether exploring the corporate evil of Vought Industries or examining how ordinary people cope with superpowered chaos, each episode adds new layers to the franchise.
Little-known fact: The episode “BFFs” was actually written by actor Andy Samberg and features a storyline about a sentient pile of poop with superpowers – somehow managing to be both ridiculous and oddly heartwarming.
4. Robot Chicken
Pop Culture Smackdown Via Stop-Motion Toys
Before memes dominated the internet, Robot Chicken pioneered rapid-fire pop culture parody using the unlikeliest of tools: action figures and stop-motion animation. Created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, this long-running Adult Swim series transforms childhood toys into the stars of irreverent, often absurd comedy sketches.
While structured as a sketch show rather than traditional anthology, Robot Chicken essentially delivers dozens of mini-stories per episode, ranging from five-second gags to extended parodies of movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials. Nothing is sacred, with sketches tackling everything from Star Wars and Marvel to obscure 80s cartoons and political figures.
The show’s DIY aesthetic belies its impressive production values and sharp writing. Using actual toys and handcrafted sets gives Robot Chicken a nostalgic charm that perfectly complements its approach to pop culture. The rapid pace means if one joke doesn’t land, another will be along in seconds.
Behind-the-scenes nugget: Many celebrities have enthusiastically voiced action figure versions of themselves or characters they’ve played, with George Lucas famously appearing as himself in Star Wars specials.
5. What If…?
Marvel’s Multiverse of Alternate Possibilities
What would happen if key moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe had played out differently? That’s the premise behind What If…?, which explores alternate realities where small changes lead to dramatically different outcomes. Overseen by a cosmic being called The Watcher, these stories reimagine familiar characters and events in surprising ways.
Each episode presents a self-contained story that riffs on established MCU lore – Peggy Carter becoming Captain Britain instead of Steve Rogers becoming Captain America, T’Challa being abducted by Yondu instead of Peter Quill, or Doctor Strange going down a dark path after losing his love. These twists allow the series to tell stories that wouldn’t fit within the main MCU timeline.
The stylized animation captures the essence of the live-action characters while enabling more fantastical elements and cosmic-scale events than even the biggest-budget Marvel movies could attempt. For fans, it’s both a loving tribute to familiar characters and a playground for exploring their untapped potential.
Touching trivia: The late Chadwick Boseman recorded his lines for T’Challa/Star-Lord before his passing, making these episodes his final performance as the character he made legendary.
Which animated anthology has caught your attention? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
