Anime Creators Discuss New Characters, Morty’s Romance, Future Plans & More

Rick and Morty: The Anime has officially premiered on Adult Swim, and we had the opportunity to speak with some of the creative minds behind the new spinoff! Rick and Morty, already a highly popular animated series, announced a full anime series propelling the characters into new, diverse stories within the same multiverse.

With Rick and Morty: The Anime now beginning its run of ten episodes this summer, ComicBook interviewed writer and director Takashi Sano—who previously directed both the Rick and Morty vs. Genocider and Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil) shorts—and executive producer Joseph Chou. There’s a lot to uncover as Rick and Morty: The Anime delves into its own multiverse within the multiverse storylines seen in the original series.

Opening up about the new anime’s multiverse, the introduction of new characters, giving Morty a new love story, and potential future plans, Sano and Chou revealed some behind-the-scenes details of the Rick and Morty: The Anime process.

How much creative freedom did you have when crafting Rick and Morty: The Anime’s new story? Did you worry about what’s happening in the current episodes of the main series?

TAKASHI SANO and JOSEPH CHOU: It was basically a blank check. Meaning, as long as we didn’t double up on what the main series was doing, we were free to play with these characters. The creative freedom was substantial.

What did you bring from your work on the previous shorts into this full Rick and Morty anime?

When Sano first worked on the shorts, especially the first one, the style was distinct and different. He brought fast, obscure, and free-moving animation from his past experiences. Adjusting to TV format made him nervous initially, but working on shorts gave him confidence. The audience’s acceptance was crucial, as it validated his efforts for the series. Chou also mentioned how introducing Japanese elements was seamless, largely due to the support from Adult Swim, the original creators, and fans.

Where does Rick and Morty: The Anime fit within the wider multiverse? Is the Rick here the same as in the other show?

This question pops up frequently. Sano sees it as a multiverse within a multiverse. The anime is within the larger Rick and Morty universe. It’s the original Rick and Morty encountering different multiverse versions of themselves and reacting to those dynamics. This interaction was a key creative direction for him.

This series introduces new characters like Frank and Elle. How do you ensure new characters fit within the Rick and Morty universe?

Sano had two goals: exploring new sci-fi themes and creating a love story for Morty. Time, a relatively taboo concept in the originals, was carefully handled to avoid breaking too many established rules. Introducing new characters from different dimensions added fresh dynamics and helped drive the story forward. Rather than laying out a grand story template, characters developed organically, and the plot was built around them.

The love story is notable since it’s a fresh direction for Morty. Was this something you felt was missing in the original?

While the original had comedic love stories, a serious one for a character like Morty was missing. Sano saw this as an opportunity to drive a larger story arc, using the love story to propel multiple episodes forward.

What are the chances of a second season if this series is successful?

Oh, absolutely. Sano already has a wealth of ideas he’s eager to explore. The real challenge isn’t coming up with new content but deciding which ideas to pursue. The creative freedom provided has been incredible, and if fans love the series, they’re hopeful for another season.

Source: ComicBook