The Amazing World of Gumball: The Complete Series
review by Drusilla Blakey
Over the years Cartoon Network has delivered some great original programming. In 2011 audiences were introduced to The Amazing World of Gumball from creator Ben Bocquelet. After 6 seasons the series came to an end, but was rebooted for a new series The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball in 2025. Now you can revisit the series that started it all with The Amazing World of Gumball: The Complete Series on DVD.
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The Amazing World of Gumball follows the lives of 12-year-old Gumball Watterson, an anthropomorphic blue cat, and his adoptive goldfish brother Darwin, who attend middle school in the fictional city of Elmore. They often find themselves in various shenanigans around the city, during which they interact with fellow family members—younger sister Anais, mother Nicole, and father Richard—along with an extended supporting cast of characters. They navigate school, life, and the most absurd situations imaginable. From trips to Joyful Burger to classroom antics to surreal adventures, every episode delivers the show’s signature mix of unique animation styles, fast-paced comedy, and inventive storytelling.
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Even though The Amazing World of Gumball is technically a kids’ show on Cartoon Network, I’ve always found it wildly enjoyable as an adult. On the surface, it’s bright, bizarre, and full of slapstick chaos, but underneath all that noise, there’s a surprising amount of heart and intelligence woven into every episode. It’s loud, silly and wonderfully unhinged… and then suddenly it slips in something real, something thoughtful, without ever announcing that it’s doing so.
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One thing I’ve always appreciated, and something no one really talks about, is the way Gumball quietly normalizes a blended, unconventional family. A bunny mom, a cat dad, a blue cat son, a pink bunny daughter, and an adopted goldfish brother; and the show presents it as completely ordinary. No explanation, no “very special episode,” no wink to the audience. It’s just a family. And honestly, I love that! Whether it was intentional or not, the subliminal message is powerful: families don’t have to look the same, or follow one template, to be real and loving. Kids absorb that kind of representation more deeply than we think.
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Watching the show as an adult also makes the brothers’ adventures even funnier. They get into so much trouble! The kind of over-the-top, world-ending trouble that only feels logical when you’re a kid. And half the time, you’re sitting there thinking, “All they had to do was say no… or tell an adult… or ask for help.” But that’s part of the charm. It puts me right back into that childhood mindset where every problem feels enormous and every mistake feels like the end of the world. The show captures that feeling perfectly.
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What I also love is that the kids in Gumball aren’t portrayed as clueless. They’re actually incredibly perceptive. One of my favorite examples is the episode, "The Gi", which kind of hits close to home because of my martial arts background. In this episode the boys realize that the sensei is a total fraud and has no idea what he's doing. The kids see right through him. They’re not fooled for a second and it takes a while for the adults to catch on. It’s a reminder that children are often much smarter, sharper, and more aware than adults give them credit for.
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All of this makes The Amazing World of Gumball a genuinely great family show. One that kids can enjoy for the wild humor and colorful world, and adults can appreciate for the clever writing, subtle commentary, and emotional truth tucked beneath the chaos. With the new complete series release, it’s the perfect time for families, parents, grandparents, or honestly anyone who loves smart, joyful animation to dive in together and enjoy the ride. The Amazing World of Gumball is a surprisingly smart, heartfelt family gem, and I truly hope you’ll check it out.
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This collection features all 240 episodes across six seasons as well as the two miniseries Darwin’s Yearbook and The Gumball Chronicles. Return to Elmore, California to hang with Gumball and Darwin with The Amazing World of Gumball: The Complete Series available now on DVD from Cartoon Network and Warner Bros Home Entertainment.