In a sea of missed opportunities for series that TV channel Cartoon Network hosted but ended up discontinuing and disowning, “Infinity Train” is one of the pearls in the rough, comparatively speaking. Fans of the show adore the groundbreaking writing and how it doesn’t shy away from mature and dark topics, challenging the notion of who cartoons could be for, with episodic and empathetic character-driven storytelling with an overarching plot line that will now never be fully realized. Some have even claimed that, if given the same chances as shows like “Adventure Time” and “Steven Universe,” it would have become just as popular and impactful on pop culture. However, due to a corporate greed unable to take risks and embrace creativity, “Infinity Train” was robbed again and again of the recognition that it deserved.
So, what was “Infinity Train”? For those who don’t know, this series, spearheaded by director and animator Owen Dennis, features a revolving set of main characters with social, emotional and psychological flaws, who board a mysterious train that pops up in times where people are going through stressful or traumatic challenges. The train’s cars are essentially an in-patient therapy program where the main cast solve puzzles while learning more about themselves and developing as characters. The more they learn about themselves, the lower the number assigned to them gets until they’re allowed to leave the train.
“Infinity Train” was an incredibly progressive piece of media that could have continued to pave the path for more psychologically aware cartoons that could help younger audiences learn more about themselves and other people. Amidst studio and cable censorship, the team behind “Infinity Train” tried their hardest to authentically tell the stories they wanted to tell the way they wanted to with characters that could help the misunderstood audience members feel seen and heard. They took risks with the character of Lake, for example, who is probably transmasculine and struggles with developing a sense of independence. Similar things could be said about the whole relationship between Min-Gi and Ryan, who are heavily implied — but never quite canonized — to be boys in love with each other.
It is best believed that, when this show was canceled for being too mature and scaring away younger audiences. It was a terrible decision on Cartoon Network executives’ part, especially considering how they aired the adult-oriented (but still technically a cartoon marketed to kids) “Regular Show,” as well as “Adventure Time” with its underlying dark lore. The fact that they are able to air those two examples on Cartoon Network and not [adult swim] makes canceling a show that could comfort young people all the worse in comparison. This becomes especially important in the context of a rising youth mental health crisis and makes one wonder why “Infinity Train” wasn’t allowed to tell the story it wanted to tell. It’s a cult classic for a reason; embracing the more mature tone of the series could have helped rake in more money for the studios involved.
To make matters worse, however, Dennis wrote to his Substack in 2022 that “Infinity Train” was one of many under-loved shows that got axed from streaming service HBO Max in an attempt to cut costs and even had all acknowledgment of the show by Cartoon Network erased online. This left fans initially scrambling to ensure that they could access the show, especially since Books 3 and 4 don’t have official physical editions. Regardless of the financial details, this was a symbolic blow and spit in the face to the creators and teams behind these pieces of art that invalidated the fruits of their labor. The fans were rightfully upset at these greedy media corporations that profit from art, but seem to be apathetic toward the creation and meaning behind art.
If anything, the outrage from fans and especially artists about “Infinity Train” and other beloved series that got canceled shows that there are still audiences who are interested in boundary-pushing art. With Infinity Train, there is still an audience that yearns for an anthology that accessibly and empathetically explores social relationships and inner psychology between characters. This was a risk, but a risk that reaped major benefits for the benefit of many audience members who fell in love with the show’s storytelling.
You can’t have a business without labor. In the art business, this translates to marketing media to attempt to get others to consume it. But art is more than just something to be consumed. A good piece of art changes the way you view the world and sticks with you. “Infinity Train” does that in spades. Even though this extremely promising show was canceled and then partially erased, there is still a dedicated fanbase that looks at it with fondness. Art will testify to history that corporate greed attempted to warp and taint it. Nonetheless, art will persist in unconventional (and sometimes innovative) ways regardless of how those in power try to control creativity.