Narrative Rupture and Musical Discourse in Rick and Morty An Approach to Music in Animation for Adults

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Published: May 11, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18239/invesmusic.2022.15.17
Keywords:
Rick and Morty musical discourse television animation leitmotiv

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Irene Matas de íscar
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Aarón Pérez Borrajo
Universidad de Salamanca

Abstract

Rick and Morty is an animated series for adults that was first aired on Adult Swim in 2013. The plot focuses on the adventures of a scientist, Rick Sanchez, who travels through time and space accompanied by his grandson Morty. Its originality lies in continuous narrative games based on philosophical and scientific theories that the main characters constantly allude to and mix with elements of pop culture. In this article we start from the question: How do the novelties imposed in the development of history affect musical discourse? After a historical contextualisation of the animated series, we carry out an analysis of the pre-existing music from which two main conclusions are drawn: its inclusion in the plot is fundamental for the narrative evolution; and the pre-existing song is used as a leitmotif. With this, Rick and Morty provides new visions for the creation of animated series, establishing itself as a reference within the current golden age of serialised fiction.

Article Details

How to Cite
Matas de íscar, I. ., & Pérez Borrajo, A. (2022). Narrative Rupture and Musical Discourse in Rick and Morty: An Approach to Music in Animation for Adults. Cuadernos De Investigación Musical, (15), 208–220. https://doi.org/10.18239/invesmusic.2022.15.17
Issue
No. 15 (2022): Músicas audiovisuales (Número extraordinario)
Section
Artículos
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