What began as a potentially uninspiring cartoon rehashing a storyline told a thousand times has gone on to tackle taboo subjects in hilarious fashion.

Bojack Horseman, a once successful, promising young actor battles to regain relevance after his depleting career leads him down a dark path of alcoholism and self-destruction. He’s also a horse.

The show explores the darker side of Hollywood (later known as Hollywoo in the show after the D is stolen in a romantic gesture) via an alternate universe in which humans and animals live side-by-side.

After a few mixed early reviews critics grew to love the show as it went on. Largely due to its bleak, realistic and hilarious approach to tackling important issues like depression and addiction.

Whilst it remains clear that Bojack is deep down a generally good person, his destructive nature spurred on by his constant struggles leads him into regretful decisions.

Time and time again many of his issues are triggered by needing acceptance. Never more blatantly as when he pleads with the ghostwriter behind his autobiography to reassure him that he is a good person.

As the series’ go on we learn more and more about each character. Namely Todd Chavez, voiced by Aaron Paul who showed up at a party Bojack was hosting and never leaving.

Initially Todd comes across the classic lazy, slacker stereotype. The further the show goes we see his good intentions shine through, as he puts everyone before himself – often to his own demise.

Bojack Horseman tackles the stigma surrounding a number of taboo subjects in a way that makes it accessible to everyone. It makes light of dark subjects but does so in a way that the seriousness of such topics doesn’t lose any meaning.

It’s by no means laughing at depression. What it does is line the illness with comedy, creating a gateway to conversation through a genre we can all appreciate whether suffering or not.