Narrative elements borrowed from traditional literature present in modern-day animated series BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty

Abstract

This paper compares two contemporary animated series – BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty and explores the similarities between them and, respectively, medieval animal tales, such as “Reynard the Fox” or “Ysengrimus”, and picaresque novels. As a result of the comparison it turns out that despite the obvious differences stemming from the time interval in which the works were created as well as the medium in place (animation and a written story), the narratives of old used here for comparison may be considered as in some sense akin to the animated TV series discussed. Additionally, it turns out that both the inmixing of the human and animal worlds in case of BoJack Horseman as well as the picaresque style of narrative and story-telling found in Rick and Morty serve the purpose of critiquing social norms and the hypocrisy that goes along with them.