Pen Ward Confirms The End Is In Sight For Adventure Time
It’s created iconic characters, gained millions of fans, won a ton of awards, and saved an entire channel from the abyss, but it’ll soon be time for Finn and Jake to head into the sunset. Today Cartoon Network and series creator Pendleton Ward confirmed the upcoming ninth season of Adventure Time will be the show’s last. Are you CN what we’re saying?
“Adventure Time changed the definition of what a kids’ TV series could be, and it’s had a resounding impact upon popular culture around the world,” CCO Rob Sorcher told THR. “Cartoon Network Studios is proud to have brought together this group of brilliant artists and animators who helped make Adventure Time one of the most critically acclaimed TV series of a generation.”
“Adventure Time was a passion project for the people on the crew who poured their heart into the art and stories,” said Pen Ward. “We tried to put into every episode something genuine and telling from our lives, and make a show that was personal to us, and that had jokes too! I’m really happy that it connected with an audience for so long. It’s a special thing, I think.”
No panicking, fans — this is a very early warning. The eighth season has barely begun airing and the ninth is just going under production right now. The final episode won’t air until 2018 — but it is coming. As for the future, don’t worry about Cartoon Network; they’ve got Teen Titans Go!
In all seriousness, the future of the network is a bit concerning. In addition to Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa and Regular Show also have confirmed end dates (the latter is blowing through its final season as we speak, IN SPACE). The creator of Gumball has also said he will step down after his show’s sixth season, but the end of the show itself hasn’t been confirmed.
Their newer programs haven’t been able to win the massive all-ages audience that many of the now-leaving veterans were able to. You would think if anyone could fill the “crazy” void left by AT, it would be cartoonist Kyle A. Carozza, but a preview of Mighty Magiswords left cartoon watchers confused and barely able to keep up with what may be the fastest-paced cartoon in existence. The series itself debuts later today; hopefully slowed down.
When Adventure Time wraps up two years from now, it will have aired 142 half-hours composed of 284 episodes, a record for CN. Mathematical!