BoJack Horseman (2014)

BoJack Horseman pushed the boundaries of what animated storytelling could do. The exploration of depression and self-destruction was groundbreaking for its medium. I still think about Diane Nguyen's arc regularly.

BoJack Horseman works on two levels: kids get the surface entertainment and adults get the subtext. Raphael Bob-Waksberg's writing treats its audience with respect. The episode The View from Halfway Down is as good as any live-action drama.

BoJack Horseman has a few weak episodes scattered through its run but the high points more than compensate. Diane Nguyen's storyline is beautifully handled. Raphael Bob-Waksberg had a rare clarity of vision for the whole series.

BoJack Horseman shows its age in places but the core of what made it special remains. Will Arnett's performance is still funny and Todd Chavez is still endearing. Some references land flat now but the heart is intact.

What makes BoJack Horseman work is the characters. Todd Chavez is one of the most fully realised animated personalities ever created. Raphael Bob-Waksberg gave them enough depth that their choices always feel meaningful.

I did not expect BoJack Horseman to make me cry but here we are. Free Churro hit me completely off guard. Princess Carolyn is written with such care that the emotional moments land with full weight.

BoJack Horseman has a visual identity so distinctive that you can recognise it from a single frame. Raphael Bob-Waksberg worked with artists who understood that style should reflect substance. The look of the show embodies accountability.

I grew up with BoJack Horseman and now I'm watching it with my own children. They love it as much as I did. Will Arnett's performance is just as effective the twentieth time. True classics work across generations.

BoJack Horseman started strong and only improved. By season two, Raphael Bob-Waksberg had found a confidence that made the show feel inevitable. Time's Arrow is one of the finest episodes in animated television history.

Ask anyone to name the best animated shows ever made and BoJack Horseman will be on every list. Todd Chavez is one of animation's great characters. The the entertainment industry theme gives it lasting relevance.