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Cheng-Hsu Chung Channels Muscle Queen for Adult Swim

Posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2026

New work from Berlin-based Taiwanese director/animator Cheng-Hsu Chung is always a treat and his latest blast of crazed maximalism for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block is no exception.

Cheng-Hsu Chung: “For this ID, I wanted to tell a funny story about a character obsessed with chasing the ultimate physical aesthetic, even though all he actually craves is a bowl of popcorn in front of the TV. The film uses physical comedy to poke fun at the modern lookmaxxing trend and the intense pressure we put on our bodies.

“A big part of my work involves exploring internet culture and our everyday anxieties. With this short, I wanted to laugh at our collective vanity while celebrating those lazy, unfiltered moments of comfort and self-acceptance, all wrapped up in that classic, playful Adult Swim energy.”

Images

A cartoon figure with curly white hair, muscular pink arms, and blue attire lifts large yellow dumbbells on a vibrant, surreal background with bold green and purple patterns, channeling the quirky Muscle Queen style reminiscent of Cheng-Hsu Chung’s Adult Swim animations. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A colorful, muscular creature with animal features lifts yellow dumbbells in a surreal, space-like room, surrounded by quirky objects and vibrant patterns—an imaginative scene where Cheng-Hsu Chung channels the Muscle Queen for Adult Swim. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A colorful, muscular cartoon character known as the Muscle Queen, with a wild mask and fluffy white hair, stands with a fierce expression. The background features other bizarre, alien-like figures and abstract shapes in bright colors reminiscent of Adult Swim and the vibrant style of Cheng-Hsu Chung. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A pink creature watches a TV showing animated figures surrounded by flames, while a colorful fish and seaweed are nearby. The scene is vibrant and surreal, reminiscent of Adult Swim’s offbeat style and the imaginative flair of Cheng-Hsu Chung. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A muscular, cartoonish character reminiscent of a Muscle Queen with white curly hair sits on a purple couch, holding popcorn and a remote. The room channels Adult Swim vibes, decorated with vibrant, surreal art by Cheng-Hsu Chung, set against green walls and purple curtains. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Credits

Client: Adult Swim, Cartoon Network

Director/animator: Cheng-Hsu Chung

Sound design/mix: Adult Swim

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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Category: Animation, Broadcast Design, Character Animation, Featured, Illustration · Tags: Adult Swim, Cheng-Hsu Chung