Stream on Netflix
Based on 2 seasons, 20 episodes · through June 9, 2023
Human Resources is an adult cartoon about monsters who help people deal with their feelings. The monsters work in an office and manage different human clients. The show has many very clear woke elements. It has main stories about transgender teenagers, gay relationships, and sex. It also features a real-life disability rights activist playing herself. These identity themes are very visible in both seasons.
Why 88%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Human Resources.
Woke representation / casting
The casting strongly focuses on identity and diversity. Walter the Lovebug is voiced by non-binary actor Brandon Kyle Goodman. Transgender character Natalie is voiced by trans actress Josie Totah. Queer actress Sabrina Jalees voices Nadja, a lesbian character. Season 2 also has real-life disability rights activist Alice Wong playing herself. The show clearly prioritizes casting actors from the same diverse groups as their characters.
75%
Woke political dialogue
The characters frequently talk about sex positivity, fluid gender roles, and queer identities. The dialogue is very progressive. The characters discuss social topics with a modern activist tone. This includes talk about disabled dating, gay rights, and breaking down traditional views. The intro song is also a well-known queer anthem by Janelle Monáe.
Production
65%
Identity-driven story themes
Multiple episodes focus completely on identity. One major story follows a trans teenager named Natalie and her family. Another episode centers on a girl named Nadja choosing between her dream college and staying with her girlfriend. In the second season, a disability activist helps a lesbian couple with a civil rights case. These queer and identity themes are a main part of the show's plot.
82%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The show actively deconstructs traditional family structures, marriage, and gender roles. It portrays traditional norms as outdated or flawed. It favors fluid relationships and sex-positive ideas instead. A major story in season 2 involves fighting a civil rights case for a lesbian couple, which critiques systemic bias in society.
62%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. The show is a direct spin-off of Big Mouth. It maintains its existing, highly progressive canon and character identities without changing any external legacy material or historical figures.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There are noticeable complaints from viewers who felt the show was too preachy. Some reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Reddit called the show a "woke checklist" that tried too hard to please progressive viewers. Others felt it focused too much on left-leaning political topics instead of comedy, though there was no major national boycott.
45%
Creator track record context
The main creators have low to moderate scores, but several key writers are highly active progressives. Writer Caleb Hearon has a score of 85, and writer Brandon Kyle Goodman has a score of 80. Goodman also voices a main character. Their strong activist backgrounds greatly influence the show's progressive direction.
45%
