The universal aesthetic appeal of the animations in Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yo Gabba Gabba, a television show for preschoolers, has gained a significant audience following of adults. Through an analysis of Dennis Dutton’s theory of evolutionary aesthetics and using his twelve criteria for neutral discussion of aesthetics, this article examines the aesthetic appeal of the animated segments of Yo Gabba Gabba. Four case studies are highlighted, which, along with personally conducted interviews with the directors of the shorts and a critical reading of the discussion surrounding the show, form the backbone of the research. The universal appeal of the animations was found to be the result of the producers of Yo Gabba Gabba hiring talented animators and visual artists, not known for work aimed at preschoolers. These artists have created without many guidelines imposed upon them unique and imaginative animations with cross-generational aesthetic appeal.