A Beloved Cartoon Makes Its Triumphant Return

After a five-year hiatus, The Amazing World of Gumball has returned—this time reimagined as The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball. The revival launched its first 20 episodes on Hulu in the U.S. on July 28, 2025, with an international rollout to Cartoon Network and HBO Max starting October 6, 2025.

Creator Ben Bocquelet is back at the helm, ensuring the series stays true to its wonderfully absurd roots. Produced under the Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe banner, the new season will feature 40 total episodes—a dream come true for fans who have missed the quirky chaos of Elmore.

Review of The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball

Keeping the Magic, Turning Up the Weird

The new series wastes no time proving it’s still one of the most unique animated shows on television. Early episodes are filled with the trademark humor, absurd scenarios, and unexpected emotional beats that made Gumball a cult hit.

Critics and fans have praised the revival for maintaining the series’ signature mixed-media animation style—combining 2D, CGI, live-action backgrounds, and even puppetry in the same scene. This visual diversity keeps the show looking fresh, even for long-time viewers.

On Rotten Tomatoes, audience reviews describe it as “perfection in every sense of the word” and “a triumphant return.” On IMDb, fans rave that it feels “like we’re back right where we left off.”

Storylines That Mix Absurdity with Relevance

Much like the original, the revival balances nonsensical comedy with sly social commentary. Episodes tackle topics like:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Social media addiction
  • Corporate greed
  • Healthy eating and self-image

The show cleverly uses bizarre setups to explore real-world issues—proving you can be silly and smart at the same time.

The Original Gumball Legacy

The Amazing World of Gumball (2011–2019)

The original Amazing World of Gumball aired from 2011 to 2019, running for six seasons and nearly 240 episodes. Over the years, it became known for:

  • Innovative visuals – No other cartoon blended animation techniques as boldly.
  • Surreal humor – Absurd situations with layers of sharp satire.
  • Award-winning storytelling – Multiple BAFTA Children’s Awards and critical acclaim.

The show followed Gumball Watterson, a mischievous blue cat, and his adoptive brother Darwin, a goldfish with legs, as they navigated strange adventures in the fictional town of Elmore.

Why Gumball Became a Pop Culture Phenomenon

A Meme Machine

Even after its finale in 2019, Gumball lived on through memes, viral clips, and online references. Iconic reaction images of Gumball and Darwin still circulate on social media daily.

Influence on Animation

Gumball’s wild creativity inspired other shows to push visual boundaries. It proved that children’s animation could be experimental, sophisticated, and still accessible to younger viewers.

A Dedicated Fandom

From fan art to deep-dive YouTube essays, the Gumball fandom continues to celebrate and analyze the series. The announcement of the revival sent waves of excitement across Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok.

What Makes the Revival Work

Nostalgia Meets Innovation

The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball succeeds because it knows exactly what fans love about the franchise while still introducing fresh ideas.

  • Nostalgic callbacks to classic episodes keep long-time fans hooked.
  • New characters and updated references appeal to younger viewers.
  • Stronger visual experimentation shows the creative team hasn’t lost its edge.

Final Thoughts: Gumball’s Enduring Appeal

The return of Gumball isn’t just a revival—it’s a reminder of how powerful truly creative animation can be. In an era where many shows play it safe, The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball continues to be unapologetically strange, visually daring, and surprisingly heartfelt.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering the Wattersons for the first time, this revival is worth every minute of your time. It’s weird. It’s wild. And it’s wonderful.