It’s finally official: “Common Side Effects” landed that glorious Emmy nomination for Best Animated Series at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled for September 14, 2025. Cue the confetti! It’s hard to stay chill when your favorite Adult Swim show shares a stage with the best in the business. And this isn’t just a tiny footnote. In a year packed with animation powerhouses, our beloved mushroom conspiracy thriller is getting the attention it deserves.
Let’s dig in. What’s going down at this year’s Emmys? Why is this nomination sweeter than a vending machine donut? And does “Common Side Effects” actually have a shot at nabbing the golden lady?
A Night of Animated Brilliance: The 2025 Emmy Rundown
Planning out your Emmy watch party yet? Good. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards will happen at the Peacock Theater in sunny Los Angeles, broadcasting live on CBS and Paramount+ for maximum eyeballs. Nate Bargatze — yes, the deadpan comic who makes awkwardness an art — is hosting, so expect a night loaded with sly digs and plenty of laughs.
This ceremony celebrates the cream of the TV crop aired between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. That’s a whole year of TV wizardry. And the animated category? It’s anything but a featherweight division this time. Some veteran champs show up to defend their legacy, while new contenders like “Common Side Effects” throw wild punches.
Who’s in the Animated Arena This Year?
Before you start prepping acceptance speeches for “Common Side Effects,” don’t forget the competition. This year’s Outstanding Animated Program lineup mixes sturdy favorites and unconventional newcomers. Here’s how the field shakes out:
- Arcane (Netflix): Back in the ring with “The Dirt Under Your Nails.” The League of Legends adaptation brings jaw-dropping visuals, tense emotional beats, and a fan base that goes absolutely feral for every new episode.
- Bob’s Burgers (FOX): You know them, you love them. The show grabs its nod for the episode “They Slug Horses, Don’t They?” Bob, Tina, and the rest of the quirky Belcher family keep cranking out smart gags and warm fuzzy moments after all these years.
- Common Side Effects (Adult Swim): Our very own. The episode “Cliff’s Edge” made Emmy voters take notice. Conspiracy? Check. Mushrooms? Check. Awkward banter and shocking twists? Double check.
- Love, Death + Robots (Netflix): The anthology returns with “Spider Rose.” It keeps flipping expectations, one mind-bending episode at a time.
- The Simpsons (FOX): The old guard. Nominated for “Bart’s Birthday.” With a shelf full of Emmys across decades, Springfield’s first family remains unstoppable.
So, what does this mean for “Common Side Effects”?
Breaking Down the Competition
Let’s face it. You don’t just waltz into the Emmys and sweep the rug out from under “The Simpsons” or “Bob’s Burgers.” These shows have nostalgia, legacy, and about a million GIFs in their favor. And “Arcane,” with its blockbuster production values and fan devotion, already has an Emmy under its belt.
But here comes the twist—“Common Side Effects” isn’t just another quirky cartoon. Since its Adult Swim debut on February 2, 2025, the series has steamrolled expectations. Critics haven’t just liked it; they’ve adored it. Rotten Tomatoes slapped on a 100% approval rating, with critics tossing out words like “expressive,” “wry,” and “unhinged.” The series doesn’t play it safe. Creator-duo Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely cooked up a hybrid beast: a coming-of-age drama, a conspiracy thriller, and an animated fever dream with a potent dose of black humor.
Why ‘Common Side Effects’ Hit Emmy Voters Right in the Feels
Nothing says “award magnet” like a show that zigs where others zag. Here’s why “Common Side Effects” stormed the ballots:
- Animation that Breaks the Rules: Gone are the clean lines and endless suburbs. It’s loose, it’s expressive, and sometimes looks like the animation team barely slept. That’s a compliment — raw and arresting visuals make every mushroom trip land twice as hard.
- A Plot with Real Teeth: Forget recycled sitcom schtick. Marshall and Frances, old friends reunited by family tragedy, peel back a whole rotten layer of government and biotech nightmares. Plus, the miraculous Blue Angel Mushroom injects sci-fi with just enough plausibility to keep you squirming.
- Unexpected Humor: Yes, the show dives deep. But just when you’re drowning in existential dread, it slaps you with dark, irreverent jokes or downright absurd moments. Emmy voters are notorious for loving edgy humor that doesn’t undercut character stakes.
The first season serves up a one-two punch with six crisp episodes, starring Ben Sinclair, Dasha Nekrasova, and the always-hilarious Martha Kelly. It’s short, sharp, and begs to be binged.
The Heavy Hitters: Who’s Got the Emmy Edge?
Okay, breath check. What are the odds? Let’s size up the field.
- Arcane: Last time “Arcane” showed up, it didn’t just impress. It won. The Netflix juggernaut marries high-octane action with gorgeous aesthetic choices. Also, its narrative straddles darkness and hope with ease, and every episode sparks endless Reddit debate threads.
- The Simpsons: Once again in the Emmy hunt. After over 30 years, “The Simpsons” still entertains — sometimes just by sheer force of nostalgia. Will Emmy voters know how to say no? The answer: not often. But recently, the academy has nodded to newer shows, so tradition might not guarantee gold.
- Bob’s Burgers: The Belchers have racked up nominations for a decade. Strong writing and a devoted following keep it in the mix, and “They Slug Horses, Don’t They?” is a season standout.
- Love, Death + Robots: This anthology remains a wild card. Because the stories and style shift from episode to episode, the academy sometimes sees it as daring but inconsistent. Still, “Spider Rose” is a critical darling this year.
What About Actual Buzz?
You can feel the current online. If you poke around social media — Reddit threads, X (formerly Twitter), or even TikTok—“Common Side Effects” gets plenty of chatter. Long-time Adult Swim loyalists call it “the smartest thing the network’s aired in years.” Critics from Vulture, Collider, and The Hollywood Reporter gush over the season’s unpredictability. And users on Rotten Tomatoes haven’t found much to complain about, rating it near-perfect for its entire six-episode run. For a network that loves its chaos, “Common Side Effects” brings something weirdly mature and real.
Now, here’s the pulse from the wider Emmys crowd: a lot of voters want to reward bold, risky storytelling. When “Arcane” nabbed the prize in 2022, they chose a newcomer over established icons. The winds are shifting. And while household names always hold sway, there’s that growing possibility that the academy dives headfirst into something fresh, weird, and unforgettable — exactly what “Common Side Effects” serves.
What Actually Happens If They Win?
Picture it. Your group chat blows up with “Did that just happen?” chaos. For Adult Swim, a win would say loud and clear: their commitment to envelope-pushing animation paid off, big time. For the creators, it’s a launching pad. For animation nerds, the win sets a new standard for what the medium can do — taking quirky, oddball storytelling mainstream.
If they fall short? No big deal. Even being nominated alongside the modern classics means this tiny show has already left its stamp in TV history.
What Should Fans Expect on Emmy Night?
So, circle September 14, 2025, bright red on your calendar. With Nate Bargatze at the mic, you’ll get plenty of laughs sandwiched between the drama. The “Outstanding Animated Program” moment will come late in the broadcast. Hold your breath. Whether Benny and Dasha are up there with the trophy or not, the moment’s electric.
To sum it up, all eyes are on “Common Side Effects.” Will they shock the world? The odds aren’t glowing gold, but something tells me we’re in for a surprise. For now, keep screaming at the TV, keep hitting play, and — whether the blue mushroom wins a statue or not — know that 2025 is the year this weird little gem broke big.
