“Wanted this to be kind of a continuation”: The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball creator reveals how the revival series connects to the original

The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball is picking up exactly where it left off, but with a whole new punch of chaos. For fans who've missed the unpredictable antics of Gumball, Darwin, and the rest of Elmore, the revival isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it's staying true to the core.

As co-showrunner Matt Layzell told Animation Magazine, they "wanted this to be kind of a continuation," not a reboot or overhaul: The new series reconnects with the spirit of the original while expanding its world, all without skipping a beat or a banana-slap gag.

Not a reboot, not a reset - just more Gumball, bigger and bolder

When The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball lands on Hulu and Cartoon Network, it won't be some shiny reimagining. It's the same wacky neighborhood of Elmore, just waking up after a seven-year nap.

Gumball and Darwin, still cartoon chaos incarnate, are back in their groove. And according to Layzell, the plan from day one was to carry forward what made the original series click with no hard reset. He says;

"We wanted more of the same great Gumball stories..."

It's not a fresh start. It's more like Episode 241.

Creator Ben Bocquelet agrees, even though he admits getting back into Gumball's rhythm wasn't simple.

"We had a Gumball movie planned in between, so we had to reinsert ourselves into the continuity of the show..."

That movie didn't happen, so the team folded all the big ideas straight into the revival. With Bocquelet still leading the charge, he's thrilled to be surrounded by a stronger creative squad this time.

"I'm just excited to be doing more stupid things with these characters and friends right here..."

This clearly shows he's still in love with Gumball's ridiculous world.

How The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball stays familiar while moving forward

Part of the magic behind The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball is how it sticks to its roots but still feels new and fresh. The same mix of absurd humor, chaotic visuals, and real-life inspiration keeps the tone grounded, even when the scenes are set in a world filled with full-blown nonsense.

Layzell broke it down into three flavors: slice-of-life stories drawn from childhood memories, social commentary with a Gumball twist, and pure experimental weirdness. That formula hasn't changed. The revival runs with it, pushing things even further.

Behind the scenes, there's been a shift in how the show gets made, but not in how much the team cares. Animation director Erik Fountain admitted he was shocked by how high the bar was.

"From a production standpoint, it blows my hair back," he said, praising Studio Soi, the animation team based in Germany, for their attention to detail. This is no average gig for them - the designers, animators, and modelers are just as invested as the creators.

Art director Joe Sparrow, based in London, also plays a major role in shaping the visuals.

Fountain called him "crucial" in making sure ambitious shots actually get done. It's this mix of personal storytelling and global production power that keeps The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball a one-of-a-kind ride - a true continuation, not just in name but in spirit, tone, and energy.

The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball isn't starting over, and it's only picking up the thread and running wilder with it. The heart, humor, and the chaotic-ness that fans fell for are still at the center, and now with an even sharper edge. For longtime fans, it's like the show never ever left.

For new ones, there's never been a better time to jump right in.

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