However, Laser Baby’s Day Out is clearly not canon. It violates the laws of physics, time, and good taste. Kripke has stated that Diabolical exists in a "quantum state"—it is both real and not real. If an episode serves the story, use it. If it breaks the story, ignore it.
More importantly, it answers the question: "What if The Boys was a cartoon?" The answer is a masterpiece of adult animation that stands alongside Love, Death & Robots and Harley Quinn .
Written and executive produced by the live-action show’s head writer, Rebecca Sonnenshine, this episode is the origin story of Homelander—specifically, the day he auditioned for The Seven. In live action, we see Homelander as a monster. In Diabolical , we see how he was made .
This animated anthology is eight episodes of pure, unhinged, chaotic gold . Same universe, same brutal satire, but now with zero limits on animation. Here’s the breakdown: The Boys- Diabolical
homages to gritty anime—and explores "unseen stories" within the Vought universe. Essential "Must-Watch" Episodes
The episode written by Garth Ennis, is particularly notable for fans of the original source material, as it captures the specific, cynical tone of the comics that differs slightly from the TV adaptation. 4. Why It Works
One of the most common criticisms of animation aimed at adults is that it often falls into a singular aesthetic—usually the "wobble" style popularized by shows like Bob’s Burgers or Rick and Morty . Diabolical rejects this uniformity. Each episode employs a distinct animation style that directly complements the narrative tone of that specific story. However, Laser Baby’s Day Out is clearly not canon
is a wild, eight-episode anthology series that takes the depravity of the The Boys universe and cranks it up to eleven through the limitless medium of animation. While the flagship show and its live-action spinoffs provide a gritty look at corporate-sponsored superheroes, Diabolical offers a kaleidoscopic view of the Vought International machine, proving that there are infinite ways for Compound V to ruin a life.
This variety is powered by an impressive roster of writers and creators. The series recruited talent from across the entertainment spectrum, including Rick and Morty writer Justin Roiland, comedian Andy Samberg, award-winning author Garth Ennis (who wrote the original comic), and actors from the main show like Simon Pegg and Karen Fukuhara. This collision of creative minds ensures that no two episodes feel exactly alike, yet they all feel distinctly "Boys."
Diabolical also solved a major problem for the franchise: what to do with the "irreverent" tone. The live-action show has to balance satire, drama, and shock value. Diabolical simply is shock value, and it is glorious. If an episode serves the story, use it
Eric Kripke has been deliberately vague on this, but the general consensus is:
If you are a fan of The Boys ,