15 Best Animated TV Moments Of 2018
5. South Park - Shooting During Fractions
Considering how much South Park loves to tackle controversial issues, the recent uptick in school shootings was always going to feature in the show’s 22nd Season. In the premiere, they went for the jugular, opening with a shooting right outside the classroom where the boys were studying fractions.
What makes this moment so great is the completely unexpected angle the show took. We all knew the topic would come up, so it’s literally the first thing they give us. And rather than go gory or over the top with it, the shooting is a distraction outside of maths class that everyone ignores. Stan even has to shout his answer louder over the assault rifle blasting away in the hall.
Not only is this a hilarious bait and switch, it’s a great commentary on how ingrained mass shootings have become in American culture. Throughout the episode, Stan’s mother is the only one even vaguely concerned by the constant shootings, and is maligned by the town for it.
With a much quicker production time than most major animated shows and a finger firmly on the pulse, South Park yet again proves it’s the king of controversial satire.