If you’ve been on the internet recently, you’ve probably heard about A24’s new animated Broadway-style series Hazbin Hotel. The show premiered on Amazon at the beginning of this year, but the series and its creator Vivienne Madrano had their humble beginnings more than 10 years ago on YouTube. The pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel, which is still posted on Madrano’s channel, has gained and maintained a rabid following since its release 4 years prior. This early success is likely what contributed to the main series’ popularity today.
Indie animators like Vivienne owe a lot of their success to their fanbase, since competing with giants like Disney can often feel like a losing battle. But the recent spotlight on indie animation thanks to Hazbin Hotel has viewers craving more, and what better place to look than the platform that started it all! So, without further ado, here’s 5 indie animated pilots that you can watch on YouTube right now:
Ramshackle – Zeddyzi Channel
First up, we have Ramshackle. This pilot has a similar vibe to Hazbin Hotel, with its violent, off-color humor and a rubber-neck pace that will have you going “what just happened?” It debuted less than a month ago on YouTube, but already has over 4 million views and climbing at the time of writing this article.
The world of Ramshackle is divided into two factions: the uppity “Lootbags” and the Scraps. Our three main characters begin the episode digging through the trash in search of their precious can of beans, so you can guess which group they come from. The story has an equal amount of hilarious and heartwarming moments among the main cast, and trust me, you won’t see the ending coming from a million miles away.
Atlas and the Stars – Mirandamations Channel
Atlas and the Stars’ first episode is a whopping 30 minutes long and is animated, written, and scored all by creator Miranda Tony. It follows a human girl named Atlas who runs away from her home planet via a stolen ship. She gets into trouble at a checkpoint where she meets the lovable and eager Atmosphere, who definitely isn’t paid enough for this. Atlas inevitably ends up pulling him into danger and the two find themselves stranded on the planet of the primary antagonist Quasar. Both his backstory and that of the planet I’ll leave you to discover on your own.
While this pilot doesn’t have the same raunchy attitude of Hazbin Hotel, it’s still a favorite among adults for its whimsical visuals and emotional score. And good news: a second episode is already in the works! There’s an upcoming merch drop as well, so there are plenty of ways to support this well-deserved creator.
Port by The Sea – Georden Whitman Channel
Port by the Sea is reminiscent of mainstream cartoons in style with colorful visuals and a kid-friendly premise. However, like Hazbin Hotel, this is the furthest thing from your typical Disney channel show. The entire first minute of the pilot weaves a story about gods called Titans, the creation of mortal life, and an ancient evil of the sea. There’s clearly a lot more going on under the surface of this world than meets the eye.
From sea monsters to grave robbers, the show will keep you guessing as to who the bad guy really is. There’s plenty of secrets and lore to discover already, so if you’re the theorizing type, you’ll want to hop on the train (or…boat?) now before the next episode drops!
Long Gone Gulch – Lopsided Animation Channel
Endorsed by the Hazbin Hotel creator herself, Long Gone Gulch follows a quirky duo of sheriffs who can’t seem to save the day without destroying property and causing headaches for their exasperated mayor. While Rawhide and her partner Snag aren’t the most professional marshalls in the business, their over-the-top characterizations and feral fighting styles are what makes them so endearing.
The physical comedy and one-liners in the show are spot-on and don’t need cursing or obvious adult humor to land. Visually, the animation is eye-catching from the get-go, and the characters, even ones we only see for a second, only add to the liveliness of the world. Truthfully, there’s not a bad thing I can say about this episode. It’s an all-round rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Lackadaisy – Lackadaisy Channel
The most popular entry on this list is without a doubt Lackadaisy. Standing at an impressive 13 million views to date, it is often mentioned in the same breath as Hazbin Hotel since the two have found similar success on the YouTube platform.
The pilot takes place in the prohibition era where cats — yes, cats — run speakeasies and smuggle liquor out from under the noses of rival gangs. The characters each have some… shall we say interesting personality traits that range from dreamy and delusional to downright unhinged, and although they speak and often act human, they’re animated in a way that is still very cat-like and it makes for a riveting watch. It’s an interesting take on such a divisive time in American history, but trust me when I say, there’s nothing textbook about it.
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