Are Rick and Morty the Same Person?

If you thought you knew all about the crazy Rick and Morty fan theories, here’s one to rack your brains—Rick is Morty and Morty is Rick! Yup, you heard that right. Just when you thought this brilliant piece of postmodern animation couldn’t get any weirder, it does.

A new Rick and Morty spin-off series first brought us the dramatic theory that the two lead characters of the show are actually the same person. Rick is actually Morty from the future!

The drooling old man Rick is actually having his own childhood self tag along with him to all his galactic adventures. In a way, Rick could be ensuring that Morty grows up to become like Rick because there are many differences in their characters. (IQ being one of the smallest.)

1. Here’s What We Know. 

The crazy fan theory basically says that Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty (both voiced by Justin Roiland) are actually the same person. It stems from a recent animated short, Rick and Morty vs. Genocider, considered a part of the series’ canon by many fans.

Genocider sees anime-styled Rick and Morty face an attack from a race of alien parasites. The aliens bear a striking resemblance to the popular side character Mr. Poopybutthole.

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‘Rick and Monty’ Season 5 Trailer

Caught between a grisly battle, Rick gives Morty a potion for special powers. Known as “Rip Van Winkle”, these special powers allow one to sleep for an inhumanly long time without dying.

Rick addresses Morty as “Rick Sanchez” while the pair’s faces overlap in the frame. This “new” Rick, who is really the drunk-on-potion Morty, then transforms into a superpowered version of himself and dies battling the foes. This leaves the now-sober Morty to grow old, sans superpowers.

2. Rick Is Morty? How Does That Work?

Rick and Morty fans have been obsessing over the possibility of the two being the same person separated in time. Across its four seasons, Rick and Morty has taken deep plunges into the infinite possibilities of sci-fi and the multiverse. While the show has not introduced the idea of time travel in its canon stories, the anime short Genocider has been the first one to do so. 

Is Rick And Morty The Same Person?
Rick & Morty

By the end of Genocider, “Rick” (who is actually Morty) gets a phone call letting him know that his grandson Morty has been born. “Rick” then drinks another potion, giving him all of Rick’s memories and allowing him to live out the rest of his life as the Rick we know.

One of the reasons Rick could have wanted to meet his younger self could be to control the trajectory of his life. Without Rick, Morty would have become just another version of Jerry—struggling with relationships, lacking in confidence, and struggling to hold a job. 

Fans will remember Rick drinking this potion from his familiar hip flask. It could be suggesting that Rick has been regularly re-dosing himself to maintain the illusion.

Rick and Morty often features high-concept science-fiction plotlines. While the Genocider revelation would do well to keep in with the series’ willingness to play with its own chronology. The chronological play has been the hit animation’s biggest twist so far.

Is Rick And Morty The Same Person?
Rick and Morty

The theory could possibly be addressed in the upcoming Rick and Morty season 5, which is potentially set to air later this year. So, what do you think about this crazy new twist as a fan? Did any of y’all see it coming? Let me know in the comments below!

3. Alternate Theory. How Did Morty Impersonate Rick?

According to the pre-Genocider fan theory, Morty came first and discovered a way to change his life. In a life without Rick, Morty would have married Jessica. But with only Jerry as a male role model, Morty had to have become an alcoholic and simply more obsessed with science. That means a breakup.

Is Rick And Morty The Same Person?
Rick and Morty

The depression due to alcoholism and concomitant separation with Jessica could have pushed Morty to learn of the multiverse, thus finding a way to reduce the influence of Jerry in his life and becoming his own role model. This could also explain why Rick was always pushing Morty to try new things.

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4. About Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty is an adult animation series on Adult Swim. It has been created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland.

The series revolves around a cynical older scientist named Rick Sanchez and his young grandson, Morty Smith. Their simple domestic life and eccentric intergalactic adventures are the focuses of the show.

Alongside the original television series, the show’s characters have been featured in a variety of media, including spin-offs, comic books, musical releases, and video games.

Epic Dope Staff

Epic Dope Staff

Our talented team of Freelance writers - Always on the lookout - pour their energies into a wide range of topics bringing to our audience what they crave - fun up-to-date news, reviews, fan theories and much much more.

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