Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the mastermind behind Netflix’s critically acclaimed adult animated series BoJack Horseman, is set to return to the world of animation with a new comedy, Long Story Short. The highly anticipated series, announced for a 2025 release, has fans and industry insiders alike buzzing with excitement.
Bob-Waksberg, renowned for his sharp wit and intricate storytelling, will not only be writing but also showrunning and executive producing the new show. In a press release from Netflix, Bob-Waksberg conveyed his enthusiasm about the new project with his typical humor, stating, “It is legitimately a thrill and an honor to be back doing what I love most: drafting enthusiastic pull quotes for press releases to Hollywood trade publications. Who says you can’t go home again?!”
Long Story Short promises to be another deep dive into the complexities of human relationships, albeit through the lens of animation. The official logline describes the series as “an animated comedy about a family over time. It’s about the shared history, the inside jokes, the old wounds. If you’ve ever had a mother, father, sibling, partner, or child, this is the show for you — and by the way, would it kill you to call them?”
BoJack Horseman, Bob-Waksberg’s previous venture, holds a special place in the annals of Netflix history. As the platform’s first original animated series, it premiered on August 22, 2014, and ran for six successful seasons before concluding in 2020. The dark comedy, featuring an anthropomorphic horse struggling to revive his defunct sitcom career, received widespread acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of mental health issues, addiction, and the complexities of the entertainment industry. It paved the way for subsequent adult animated series on Netflix like Big Mouth, Arcane, and Blue Eye Samurai, proving that animation could tackle serious issues while still delivering humor and entertainment.
The collaborative talent behind Long Story Short reads like a roll call of animation royalty, many of whom were instrumental in making BoJack Horseman the phenomenon it became. Lisa Hanawalt, who worked on BoJack Horseman and co-created Tuca & Bertie, will serve as supervising producer and design the original artwork.
. Executive producing alongside Bob-Waksberg are Noel Bright and Steven A. Cohen, both of whom have extensive backgrounds working on BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie, and Undone. Additionally, ShadowMachine, the animation studio responsible for BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, will produce the series from their LA studio. Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkley of ShadowMachine will join the team as co-executive producers.
Given the pedigree of talent and the thematic richness hinted at in the logline, Long Story Short looks poised to build on the success of BoJack Horseman while offering a fresh, new animated experience. Its focus on familial relationships over time suggests a mix of humor and pathos similar to what audiences loved in BoJack, wrapped in the unique visual and narrative style that has become Bob-Waksberg’s signature.
Despite the warm reception from the press and fans, little else is known about the series’ specific plot points or characters at this stage. However, the high expectations are tempered with a sense of mystery that only adds to the anticipation. Industry experts speculate that Long Story Short will explore generational dynamics, the passage of time, and the enduring nature of familial bonds, subjects that have broad appeal and endless narrative possibilities.
With the creative powerhouse team reuniting and the trusted partnership with Netflix intact, Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s Long Story Short is shaping up to be a must-watch event in the world of animated television. Whether new to Bob-Waksberg’s work or a long-time fan, viewers can likely expect a series that delves deep into the human condition, offering both laughter and introspection in equal measure.
As we wait for more details to emerge about Long Story Short, one thing is clear: the return of Raphael Bob-Waksberg to the world of animation is a cause for celebration. Fans of BoJack Horseman and newcomers alike have a lot to look forward to in 2025 when this new chapter in animated storytelling is unveiled.
