Cult Hit Animated Series ‘Adventure Time’ To End In 2018

Prepare to bid a fond farewell to bacon pancakes. Cartoon Network announced today that its Peabody- and Emmy-winning animated series Adventure Time will be ending in 2018 — eight years and 71 hours of programming after it began. Adventure Time content will continue to debut on Cartoon Network over the next two years, including specials, miniseries and the ninth and final season.

The Pendleton Ward-created series centers on the post-apocalyptic adventures of Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio), best friends who have increasingly surreal adventures in the magical Land of Ooo. Long acclaimed for its groundbreaking visual style and mixture of darkness and whimsy, the show has won six Emmys and two BAFTAs. It has also long attracted numerous celebrity guests including Andy Samberg, Matthew Broderick, Laura Silverman, George Takei, Rainn Wilson and Neil Patrick Harris.

Since its 2010 debut, Adventure Time has been one of Cartoon Network’s most enduring cult hits, spawning a passionate fanbase of both kids and adults and becoming an incubator for emerging talent, some of whom have gone on to create such hits as Steven Universe, Over the Garden Wall and Clarence. It has also spun off more than 100 global licenses including an apparel line, a comic book series, toys and video games.

“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,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer for Cartoon Network. “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.”

Said Ward: “Adventure Time was a passion project for the people on the crew who poured their heart into the art and stories. 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.”

Executive produced by Adam Muto and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the ninth and final season of Adventure Time is currently in production.

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