Fionna and Cake is the much-awaited sequel to the hit Cartoon Network TV show Adventure Time by Pendleton Ward. Many of us grew up watching the adventures of Finn and Jake, and now the show is growing up with us. The new Fionna and Cake series includes more mature language and imagery. Blood, some light swearing, and more intense themes are common in the new series. 

Overall, the series was a great, more gritty interpretation of the Adventure Time universe, and its story was fascinating and touching. Starring the alternate gender versions of Finn and Jake, the main characters of Adventure Time, the miniseries follows their journey to regain magic in their world and escape from the Scarab, who wants to destroy their unauthorized universe. 

Meanwhile, former Ice King Simon Petrikov is trying to find his place in a world without his love, Betty. Since Fionna and Cake’s universe was stored in the head of Simon by their designer Wishmaster Prismo, their paths ultimately cross, and Simon decides that his purpose is to become Ice King again and return magic to Fionna and Cake’s universe.

The story then follows their journey through various alternate universes as they attempt to find a new crown for Simon. Meanwhile, the Scarab follows them, looking to take their lives and Prismo’s job. The Scarab is the main antagonist, and he is a very well-developed and intimidating villain, who also has a fascinating character design. While he is first portrayed as a calm, collected, bounty hunter-esque character, his frustration with the constant escape of Fionna and Cake eventually leads to him losing his professional mask and expressing pure rage. He loses his physical mask and his twitching, insectoid appearance breaks out. 

The whole time I watched this series, I felt fascinated. The original Adventure Time universe is a land dripping with mystery and plot, so alternate universe explorations work well with the preexisting settings. Personally, I’m getting tired of the constant use of alternate universes in contemporary media, but Fionna and Cake was a refreshing take on the concept.

In my favorite episode, “Jerry,” the show’s animators explored the universe where the Lich, a villain who wants to end all life in the universe, achieved his goal. Watching it was especially odd for someone who saw the original episode that spawned this universe. Imagining what could have happened if our heroes had lost is honestly disturbing.

The miniseries has been very well received, with a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 9/10 on IMDb, and 8/10 on IGN. These accolades are well deserved. Hopefully, another season is on its way!