Do you ever encounter a TikTok trend and think, “How on earth are people so damn creative?!” Admittedly, I feel this way 99% of the time I spend scrolling through the wildly addictive app, but recently, the “Adult Swim” TikTok trend has me feeling some type of way. It’s the ideal mix of quirky, artsy, and oddly comforting, which, in my opinion, is a recipe that prepares any trend for viral success.
While the trend originally gained traction on TikTok last year, it is now making a glorious comeback in 2022 (and I’m not mad about it). With over seven billion views and counting, the hashtag #AdultSwim is becoming popularized yet again as users have more time to get creative as things slow down for the summer. In the “Adult Swim” TikTok trend, creators think outside the box to make their own unique videos, paying homage to Cartoon Network. Unlike other trends like the “Brujeria” TikTok trend or the “It’s Not Pomegranate” TikTok trend, the “Adult Swim” TikTok trend is a bit more difficult to try out, but is totally worth it if you’re up for it.
The trend pays homage to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
In the viral trend, users pay homage to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, the late-night programming block that’s home to cult-favorite shows like Rick and Morty, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. Users recreate their own versions of the nostalgic Adult Swim “bumps” — AKA brief transition clips that are used between commercial breaks and featured programs to signal that a show is about to start again.
While bumps aren’t unique to Adult Swim, the ones they’ve aired over the past few years are both captivating and cheeky, serving as the perfect inspiration for TikTokers who are down for a creative challenge.
To try the “Adult Swim” TikTok trend, you might have to think outside the box.
To try the #AdultSwim trend at home, bookmark this audio from music producer VANO 3000 to set the vibe, and check out inspiration from TikTokers like Madison, who created a relatable, satisfying version using items in her closet, or Marley, whose powdered pastry-inspired take on #AdultSwim literally gives me chills on my face. I also love @meusamorez’s recent version of the viral trend.
You can make your video as simple or as elaborate as you want, but try to hide the [adult swim] or [as] stylized logo somewhere in your video — ideally, in a place that’s cleverly hidden in your environment or revealed in a subtle, unexpected way.
Whether you want to go the nostalgic route or create an intricately styled cinematic masterpiece, you’re in for a wild ride with the #AdultSwim trend. Psst: Adult Swim even posted their own version to TikTok last year since it went viral, saying “Let’s keep going.” A year later, the trend is still stronger than ever, so you heard them, TikTokers — let’s see what you’ve got.