History Main / MatureAnimalStory

* ''WesternAnimation/TheCatPiano'' qualifies, as it's a Noir-themed Beatnik story where the protagonist clearly drinks, smokes, and frequents bars that have hookers in them. The main plot is also about anthropomorphized cats who were being kidnapped in order for the titular piano to be played (it stabs a nail through a cat's tail every time a key is struck, making the cat yowl the note). Particularly the ending, where the catnapping human ''[[LaserGuidedKarma slips in his own blood and falls off a tower to his death]]''.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheCatPiano'' may qualify, being about anthropomorphized cats who were being kidnapped in order for the titular piano to be played (it stabs a nail through a cat's tail every time a key is struck, making the cat yowl the note). Particularly the ending, where the catnapping human ''[[LaserGuidedKarma slips in his own blood and falls off a tower to his death]]''.

A Mature Animal Story is a work designed for and marketed toward adults and older teens featuring anthropomorphized animals as its main cast, and which contains content that is generally considered inappropriate for little kids.

* ''VisualNovel/AngelsWithScalyWings'' takes place in a world of sapient, civilized dragons. While there are human characters in the story (Heck, the protagonist themselves are human), the primary focus is on the dragons' world.

* ''Webcomic/SabrinaOnline'' might not be much more explicit than many 90's sitcoms; but its depiction of sex, language, and discussion of abuse definitely makes it not kids stuff; let alone the title character's job as the digital media producer of an adult film studio.

* ''Roleplay/RubyQuest'' and its SpiritualSuccessor ''Roleplay/NanQuest'' both use minimalist drawings featuring characters with animal aesthetics to narrate stories about grotesque BodyHorror, CosmicHorror and SurvivalHorror set in {{Eldritch Location}}s. Unsettling stuff. Once the blood starts spewing, the stories' target audience becomes a bit clearer.

* ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'' is a FurryWebcomic about a rabbit who is also TheGrimReaper. Most of the stories take place in the afterlife or involve death in some form. This comic can get ''very'' {{NSFW}} at times.

* ''VisualNovel/AngelsWithScalyWings takes place in a world of sapient, civilized dragons. While there are human characters in the story (Heck, the protagonist themselves are human), the primary focus is on the dragons' world.

* ''VideoGame/FugaMelodiesOfSteel'' is a tactical RPG about twelve FunnyAnimal {{Child Soldier}}s fighting in their version of ''World War II''. The various themes of the horrors of war, kindness in dark times, vengeance, racism, suicide and the loss of innocence are sprinkled throughout the game.

* ''ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo'' involves adorable anthropomorphic animals, the main character being a ''rabbit''. The setting, however, is FeudalJapan with all of the cultural baggage thereof, including ''kirisute'', the traditional right of the samurai to kill any commoner who offends him. There is exploration of death, relationships (including forbidden relationships, illegitimate offspring, widowhood, etc.), various ''extremely'' nasty monsters from folklore, political intrigue, crime and punishment, and a very messed up judicial system.

->''"This is a bootleg copy of Itchy & Scratchy meets ComicBook/FritzTheCat. Because of its frank depiction of sex and narcotic use, it is not fit for an infantile intellect such as yours."''

* David Hopkins' SciFiHorror story ''Literature/ThebeAndTheAngryRedEye'' isn't as extreme as his webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', but it's definitely not for kids. The protagonist, a CatFolk astronaut named Thomas, is the SoleSurvivor of a space disaster, and the story deals with his [[TheAloner loneliness]], [[GoMadFromTheIsolation isolation]] and SanitySlippage. Also,his shipmates' {{Gorn}}y deaths are described in detail.

* The music video for ''Music/CaravanPalace'''s "Lone Digger" involves a gang-related brawl at a strip club, starring a quartet of black cats and involving various other animal groups, such as cobras and dobermans. It starts because someone shoved a zebra waitress, and ends with the antelope dancing girl [[ButForMeItWasTuesday nonchalantly walking away after being soaked head-to-toe in blood]].

* David Hopkins' SciFiHorror story ''Literature/ThebeAndTheAngryRedEye'' isn't as extreme as his webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', but it's definitely not for kids. The protagonist, a CatFolk astronaut named Thomas, is the SoleSurvivor of a space disaster, and the story deals with his [[TheAloner loneliness]], [[GoMadFromTheIsolation isolation]] and SanitySlippage. Also, the BodyHorror of his shipmates' deaths is [[{{Gorn}} described in detail]].

* David Hopkins' SciFiHorror story ''Literature/ThebeAndTheAngryRedEye'' isn't as extreme as his webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', but it's definitely not for kids. The protagonist, a CatFolk astronaut named Thomas, is the SoleSurvivor of a space disaster, and the story deals with his loneliness, [[GoMadFromTheIsolation isolation]] and SanitySlippage. Also, the BodyHorror of his shipmates' deaths is [[{{Gorn}} described in detail]].

* David Hopkins' SciFiHorror story ''Literature/ThebeAndTheAngryRedEye'' isn't quite as extreme as his webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', but it's definitely not for kids. The protagonist, a CatFolk astronaut named Thomas, is the SoleSurvivor of a space disaster, and the story deals with his loneliness, [[GoMadFromTheIsolation isolation]] and SanitySlippage. Also, the BodyHorror of his shipmates' deaths is [[{{Gorn}} described in detail]].

* David Hopkins' ''Literature/ThebeAndTheAngryRedEye'' isn't quite as extreme as his webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', but it's definitely not for kids. The protagonist, a CatFolk astronaut named Thomas, is the SoleSurvivor of a space disaster, and the story deals with his loneliness, [[GoMadFromTheIsolation isolation]] and SanitySlippage. Also,, the BodyHorror of his shipmates' deaths is [[{{Gorn}} described in detail]].

* ''VIdeoGame/DustyRevenge'' and it's follow-up prequel, ''VideoGame/DustyRagingFist''. The titular character, Dusty, is a rabbit outlaw and mercenary who spends the whole game kicking ass and taking names, with some pretty graphic and creative deaths given to animal-based enemies.

* While not as dark as the other examples in this list, ''Anime/{{Aggretsuko}}'' is still pretty mature and one of Creator/{{Sanrio}}'s only properties specifically aimed at adults, despite being set in a WorldOfFunnyAnimals that are drawn with Sanrio's [[ArtStyleDissonance typical cute designs]]. It focuses on [[SuppressedRage Retsuko]] the adorable red panda's struggles with her dull life at a SoulCrushingDeskJob working under her MeanBoss, along with other issues like workplace sexism, disagreeable coworkers, complications with romantic relationships, and the challenges of dealing with adulthood.

* ''WesternAnimation/HitMonkey'' is a Tarantino-esque action-dramedy series about a Japanese snow-monkey who, after losing his tribe in a violent attack on an American hitman they were caring for, teams up with the hitman’s ghost to carve a bloody swath through the Tokyo underworld on a revenge quest while dealing with his own grief.
* While ''WesternAnimation/TucaAndBertie'', which has the same art design as the above ''[=BoJack=]'', is ''far'' DenserAndWackier than most of the examples on this page, it's still an adult animated series that's not afraid to touch on serious topics such as trauma, abuse, and sexism in the workplace.

* ''Anime/PenguinMemories'' is a serious drama in which a Vietnam vet deals with his inner demons -- and yes, all the characters are [[EverythingsBetterWithPenguins penguins]].

* Music/PinkFloyd's ''Music/{{Animals|1977}}'' is an ''Literature/AnimalFarm''-inspired concept album about the ills of capitalism, in which society is divided between opportunistic dog businessmen, oppressive and invincible pig politicians, and a doomed sheep who stand in for the general public. The sheep eventually rise up, but oust the dogs instead of the pigs, resulting in a FullCircleRevolution. The album marked a shift to a more aggressive sound and lyrics, and all the narrator can do is try and survive.

To many, cartoons, comics and other stories featuring animals as major characters are treated as light, whimsical entertainment suitable for small children. While adults may enjoy such works, they are primarily marketed toward young kids, and are careful to avoid material that is either too explicit or too serious and sophisticated for children to understand. While such works still might contain some conflict, or even a DisneyDeath, it is always at a level considered "Family Friendly" and "Safe for Kids".

* A unique example is the 2022 game ''VideoGame/CultOfTheLamb'' by Massive Monster and published by Creator/DevolverDigital. The game is set in [[ArtStyleDissonance a universe of adorable anthropomorphic animals]], but the story is focused on a lamb who decides to start a cult and gets [[DemonicPossession possessed by an unknown demonic entity]]. The game also involves you killing other rival cults to appease your own cult and spread awareness of an unknown god.

* ''Webcomic/{{Endtown}}'' is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where much of the human population has turned in anthropomorphic animals. Plotlines deal with deadly FantasticRacism, among other things.