TV Show Review: Fionna and Cake

I’ve become absolutely obsessed with the new “Adventure Time” spin-off show.

“Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake” premiered Aug. 31, 2023, on Max. Fans of the original show, “Adventure Time” were very excited to hear that there would be another continuation of the universe they love with the gender swapped versions of familiar characters. This spin-off series takes place in the future land of Ooo after the events of “Adventure Time”.

“Fionna and Cake” follows Fionna, Cake the cat and Simon as they go on a journey across the “Adventure Time” multiverse to return Fionna and Cake to Simon’s mind. When the audience meets Fionna, she’s bored with her life as a working adult in her universe and is seeking adventure. She finds excitement after Simon performs a ritual that goes wrong. While trying to bring back Betty, his former lover,  Simon accidentally sucks the characters he created in his mind into reality.

Before this spin-off there was another called “Adventure Time: Distant Lands” which followed BMO, Peppermint Butler, Finn, Jake, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum as they explore distant lands. This show extended the original “Adventure Time” 12-minute episodes to pushing 50 minutes per episode.

Though I did love the extended time to dive back into the land of Ooo, I’m glad there’s a new spin-off.  In “Distant Lands” season one consisted of only four episodes that seemed as if they were released randomly. The first episode premiered on June 25, 2020, and the second followed on Nov. 19, 2020. I had no idea when a new episode was coming and mainly found out through social media.

“Fionna and Cake” seems to me that it’s the spin-off writers put more time and preparation into creating. The plot follows a consistent storyline with two episodes being released every Thursday. The episodes are not as long as “Distant Lands” but are still longer than the original series with at least 23 minutes in each episode.

This spinoff builds upon the foundations of Adventure Time while carving out its own identity. It expands the “Adventure Time” universe by visiting worlds seen in the original show and introducing new ones. Beloved characters from “Adventure Time” are seen in human form and it’s fun to figure out who’s who based on appearance and voice.

This show still carries the sad undertones as the original series did which is wholesome and heartbreaking at the same time. Jake is dead in the future and it’s sad to see Finn miss him and be without him.  

I’m really enjoying seeing original characters like Finn after the ending of “Adventure Time”. Characters from other universes are given more screen time and are introduced to Fionna and Cake such as baby Finn and Prismo.

I like seeing more of Princess Bubblegum and Marceline’s relationship together and their dynamic in other worlds.  I also really love seeing their gender-swap counterparts Marshall Lee and Gary getting to know each other and begin a relationship.

I just really enjoy seeing a continuation of a show that’s brought me comfort growing up.  If you’re a fan of “Adventure Time” I recommend watching “Fionna and Cake”.