Anime Episode 1 Recap with Spoilers

Rick and Morty: The Anime has officially debuted on Adult Swim, bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved animated series. Although Season 8 of the original Rick and Morty is in development for release next year, fans now have even more to look forward to this summer with the anime spinoff.

Based on a few shorts that aired on Adult Swim a couple of years ago, Rick and Morty: The Anime takes the franchise in a bold, new direction. Helmed by writer and director Takashi Sano, the series starts from scratch, offering a whole new narrative thread for fans to follow. The first episode, “The Girl Who Manipulates Time,” showcases this new approach.

The episode kicks off with the Galactic Federation on the verge of destroying an alien planet. Despite their impending doom, the planet’s residents decide to savor their remaining moments. Summer, dressed in rebel gear, interrupts this apocalyptic scenario by hacking into the Galactic Federation’s system, successfully disabling their ship’s power.

Following the opening credits, the Federation’s fleet descends on the Smith household, where Rick promptly surrenders. During their attempts to torture him, Summer explains to Beth that they’re actually dealing with a hologram decoy equipped with a self-destruct mechanism. Meanwhile, Space Beth is tracking Rick’s real location. Relaxing in a hidden spot, Rick reveals he’s in possession of a device that decreases entropy, causing time to flow backwards—essentially just as dangerous as a bomb.

In another subplot, Morty becomes engrossed in a VR game designed by Rick. Sporting a black suit, Morty encounters a group of thugs and a giant worm. As he runs, he witnesses another Morty in a red suit being devoured by the creature, and soon finds himself also swallowed.

Rick explains that whether virtual or a dream, reality is subjective to the individual experiencing it. Back in the game, time rewinds, and Morty relives the worm attack. After the chaos, a blonde girl named Elle, who has the ability to manipulate time, introduces herself and kisses Morty.

Meanwhile, in another part of the game, a different Morty in a blue suit meets a long-haired Rick. This alternate Rick saves Morty from the worm and explains that their dimensions are converging within the game, blending multiple realities into a single experience.

Another Morty, dressed in a yellow suit, encounters Frank, a new character who was previously too scared to make eye contact with Morty. Now, Frank appears as a warrior. In a different timeline, an elderly Morty is seen crying for Elle on his deathbed.

Back to the black suit Morty, he questions why Elle shows interest in him, noting her lack of connection to Rick. Meanwhile, yellow suit Morty tells Frank that he doesn’t exist. Elle gifts Morty with an artifact called the Nander Dragon’s Tear during a date, while another Morty (likely the yellow suit one) receives the Nander Dragon’s Sweat from Frank.

A version of Morty is then seen entering politics with Frank as his aide. He treasures the Nander Dragon’s Tear until his death, with whispers speculating on his last words, indicating a lifetime love for Elle. Another Morty, in an abusive relationship, breaks down upon reuniting with Frank.

As the timeline complexities escalate, Rick ensures Summer is keeping track of his whereabouts. Despite not knowing his exact location due to a space-time warp caused by his device, Rick relies on Summer’s tracking to navigate through it. His primary goal remains to retrieve Morty.

In the game’s climax, Morty and Elle tearfully run towards each other, but a glitch prevents their hug. As the mission concludes successfully, Rick remains committed to figuring out the anomalies brought on by his device.

Rick and Morty: The Anime is currently airing on Adult Swim and is available for streaming on Max the day after its initial release.

Source: Adult Swim