Watch 12 oz. Mouse

12 oz. Mouse is a unique adult animated series that originally aired on Adult Swim, a late-night programming block of Cartoon Network. The show, created by Matt Maiellaro and produced by Williams Street, ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2007. It was later revived for a fourth season, which premiered on the Adult Swim website in 2020.

The show follows the adventures of Mouse Fitzgerald, a hard-drinking, amnesiac detective who lives in a rundown rooming house in a surreal city called Q109. Mouse is constantly accompanied by his best friend and sidekick, a sentient, shape-shifting dog named Skillet. Together, they get caught up in a series of bizarre and absurd mysteries that always seem to involve a shady organization known as the Shadowy Figure.

The art style of 12 oz. Mouse is one of the show's most distinctive features. The animation appears to be intentionally crude and lo-fi, with characters often depicted as disjointed and abstract. The show's creators have cited a variety of influences for this style, including underground comics, avant-garde animation, and outsider art.

Despite its unconventional visuals, 12 oz. Mouse is not just a series of disjointed gags or surrealist imagery. Each episode follows a distinct narrative arc, and there are ongoing plot threads and character development throughout the series. The show also features a unique sense of humor that ranges from absurdist wordplay to slapstick violence to dry wit.

One of the strengths of 12 oz. Mouse is its creative use of music. Each episode features a diverse soundtrack that incorporates everything from jazz to rock to experimental electronic music. The show also features a number of original songs, often performed by characters in the show.

The voice cast of 12 oz. Mouse includes a number of familiar names from the world of adult animation. The lead character of Mouse is voiced by series creator Matt Maiellaro, who is also known for his work on Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Other voice actors include Dave Willis (also of Aqua Teen fame), Adam Reed (Archer), and Dana Snyder (The Venture Bros).

Perhaps the most divisive aspect of 12 oz. Mouse is its storytelling. The show's narrative is deliberately fragmented, with scenes and characters often jumping around in time and space with little explanation. This can make the show challenging to follow at times, and some viewers have criticized it for being needlessly confusing.

Despite this, 12 oz. Mouse has gained a cult following over the years. Fans are drawn to the show's unique visual style, surreal humor, and unconventional storytelling. The show has even been praised for its experimental approach to animation and storytelling, with some critics calling it a precursor to later shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe.

Overall, 12 oz. Mouse is a fascinating and often bewildering show that rewards close attention and repeated viewings. Its blend of surreal imagery, absurdist humor, and unconventional storytelling make it a stand-out example of the potential of adult animation.

12 oz. Mouse is a series that ran for 3 seasons (34 episodes) between June 19, 2005 and on Cartoon Network