It would seem that like live-action dramas hold a great majority of TV viewer’s attention, but a riveting show can be found in the most forgotten and unexpected places- an animated series. Adult Swim’s sitcom “The Boondocks” provides an engrossing view of society; with bold humor, action, and edgy characters it is just as addictive as its non-animated competition.

The series follows the Freemans, an African American family who moved from Chicago attempting a peaceful lifestyle in the suburban town of Woodcrest.  Upon closer inspection, their neighbors and colleagues turn out to be far from peaceful and farther from normal.

Each character is unique with his or her own oddities that add comedy as well as perspective to the episodes. Main character Huey Freeman is a solemn ten year old boy whose ridicule of society has caused him to be labeled as “an intellectual terrorist.”  Huey’s character foil is his rebellious eight year old brother, Riley, who constantly gets himself into to trouble.  The two boys are left under the care of their eccentric, love-seeking grandfather, Robert Jebediah Freeman.  The variety of strange faces are unforgettable such as Uncle Ruckus, the African American who is racist towards other African Americans, and the list of characters continues.

For those who view cartoons as “childish” or “brain-rotting,” “The Boondocks” is neither.  Meant for mature audiences, the series contains satire, political humor and thought-provoking themes about culture and other aspects of society.  In 2007 it won the Peabody Award, an award which recognizes distinguished public services broadcasted by radio or television programs. It was the only animated TV show recognized that year. “The Boondocks” greatly surpasses the quality of similar series in its genre, such as “The Simpsons” or “Futurama.”

Episodes are well-crafted, usually containing an introspective theme combined into the strange happenings of the Freeman family.  The amount of action packed into thirty minutes is surprisingly intense, and a mixture of realistic and exaggerated scenes allows each episode to be comedic and stimulating.

While most TV series are air annually,  viewers of “The Boondocks” wait two years for the newest seasons to be released.  The first season was released on July 25, 2006, followed by the second season on July 10, 2008 and then the third season on November 9, 2010. The series is returning with its fourth season after three years, on the expected release date of April 21, 2014.  The amount of time that goes into creating the series shows in content and detailed animation.