When Adventure Time first premiered, few could have predicted just how beloved the series would become. Finn the Human and Jake the Dog took viewers through the strange and colorful Land of Ooo, mixing absurd humor, fantasy adventures, memorable characters, and surprisingly emotional storytelling. Over the years, the series grew into something much larger than its early monster-of-the-week adventures.

Now, Adventure Time: Side Quests brings viewers back to the earlier days of Finn and Jake. The 2026 series focuses on younger versions of the characters and their self-contained adventures, bringing back familiar faces including Jake, Ice King, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, and BMO. So, does Adventure Time: Side Quests live up to the original? 

Yes. 

While it isn’t trying to replace the original series or recreate its later mythology, Side Quests succeeds by understanding exactly what made the early Adventure Time episodes so entertaining. 

It Brings Back the Classic Finn and Jake Dynamic

At the center of Adventure Time has always been the friendship between Finn and Jake. That relationship remains one of the biggest strengths of Side Quests. 

The new series returns to a younger, more carefree Finn who is eager to prove himself as a hero. Jake, meanwhile, remains his more experienced and laid-back companion. Their contrasting personalities create plenty of opportunities for jokes, arguments, ridiculous plans, and genuine friendship. 

John DiMaggio returns as Jake, while Sasha Knight takes over the role of Finn. Critics have specifically praised Knight’s performance, noting that his interpretation fits naturally alongside DiMaggio’s returning Jake. 

This is important because the chemistry between Finn and Jake is difficult to replicate. Fortunately, Side Quests doesn’t feel like it’s forcing the relationship. Their interactions feel familiar and natural, which makes the series feel like a genuine extension of the original. 

The Humor Feels Like Classic Adventure Time 

One of the biggest reasons the original Adventure Time became such a phenomenon was its ability to be completely ridiculous without feeling random. 

Side Quests returns to that style of comedy. Instead of relying heavily on complicated mythology, the new episodes can focus on strange situations, bizarre creatures, wordplay, physical comedy, and the unpredictable behavior of Ooo’s inhabitants.

Reviews have highlighted the show’s deliberately silly approach, including adventures involving strange creatures, absurd challenges, and plenty of surreal humor. Common Sense Media described the series as returning to the simpler, fun-focused atmosphere of the show’s early years. 

That makes Side Quests particularly appealing to anyone who misses the earlier version of Adventure Time, when Finn and Jake could simply head out on an adventure without every event needing to connect to a massive story arc. 

It Understands That Less Can Be More 

As the original series progressed, its storytelling became increasingly ambitious. Characters developed complicated histories, relationships evolved, and the mythology of Ooo became much deeper. 

That evolution was one of the reasons Adventure Time became such a special show. However, it also meant that the series eventually became much more complicated than it was at the beginning. 

Side Quests deliberately goes in the opposite direction. 

The episodes are designed around standalone adventures, allowing viewers to enjoy individual stories without needing extensive knowledge of the franchise. This makes the series approachable for newcomers while giving longtime fans a nostalgic return to the show’s early format. 

In other words, Side Quests doesn’t need to constantly raise the stakes. Sometimes, Finn and Jake getting themselves into a ridiculous situation is enough. 

Familiar Characters Make Ooo Feel Like Home Again 

Another major advantage of Side Quests is its use of familiar characters. 

Fans can once again encounter characters such as Ice King, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, and BMO. Their presence helps make the new series feel connected to the world audiences already know rather than like a completely separate reboot. 

The return of Ice King is particularly effective because the character provides exactly the kind of chaotic comedy that fits the show’s early tone. Reviews have praised his appearances and the way his familiar personality adds humor to the new adventures. 

At the same time, Side Quests isn’t simply recycling old stories. The characters are placed into new situations, giving the series opportunities to explore familiar personalities from different angles. 

The Animation Gives It a Fresh Identity

One potential concern with any revival is whether it will look and feel too different from the original. 

Side Quests does introduce a new visual approach. The animation has been described as more expressive, with exaggerated reactions, energetic action, and a stronger emphasis on physical comedy. That change may take some getting used to for longtime fans. However, the new style ultimately works because it supports the same sense of playful absurdity that defined Adventure Time. 

Rather than attempting to perfectly imitate the original animation, Side Quests gives the franchise a slightly updated visual identity while retaining its colorful world and cartoon-like energy. 

It Doesn’t Try to Outdo the Original 

Perhaps the smartest decision Side Quests makes is not attempting to become bigger than Adventure Time. 

The original series eventually delivered emotional storylines, complex character arcs, and extensive mythology. Trying to compete with that would have been unnecessary. 

Instead, Side Quests focuses on something different: the uncomplicated fun of watching Finn and Jake go on adventures. That distinction is important. The series isn’t necessarily better than the original, but it doesn’t need to be. It complements it. One review described the series as a companion to the original rather than a replacement, while another praised its ability to feel nostalgic and fresh at the same time. 

Is It Good for New Adventure Time Fans?

Absolutely. 

One of the biggest benefits of Side Quests is that newcomers don’t have to immediately understand years of Adventure Time mythology. Because the stories are largely self-contained and take place during Finn and Jake’s earlier adventures, new viewers can simply jump in and enjoy the characters and setting. 

For longtime fans, the experience is different but equally appealing. Instead of discovering Ooo for the first time, they get to revisit the version of the world that originally made them fall in love with the franchise. 

So, Does Adventure Time Side Quests Live Up to the Original?

Yes, but in its own way. 

Adventure Time: Side Quests doesn’t attempt to recreate everything that made the original series great. It doesn’t have the same sprawling mythology or the years of character development that made the original such a landmark animated series. Instead, it goes back to the basics. Finn and Jake are young, the adventures are weird, the stakes are generally lighter, and the humor is front and center. That approach has worked well with critics, with Side Quests earning positive reviews and a 100% Tomatometer score from the seven critics listed by Rotten Tomatoes at the time of review. For fans who miss the goofy, unpredictable adventures of early Adventure Time, that is exactly what makes the series successful. Ultimately, Side Quests understands that it doesn’t need to reinvent the Land of Ooo. Sometimes, all you need are Finn, Jake, a bizarre quest, and a little bit of cartoon chaos. And in that respect, Adventure Time Side Quests absolutely lives up to the spirit of the original series.

What do you think of Adventure Time Side Quests? Let us know in the comments!