Inanimate Insanity Invitational
Inanimate Insanity Invitational (also referred to as Inanimate Insanity III), the third season of the American animated web series Inanimate Insanity, was created by Adam Katz and directed by Brian Koch and Justy Chapman. It was first announced on April 1, 2021, on the series' 10th anniversary, and premiered on YouTube on April 3, 2021. The final episode, "You Can't Do This Forever", was released on March 3, 2024, crowning Cabby as the winner with a 7-6-2 jury vote. The season concluded with 19 episodes.
The third season adopted a lighter, more competition-focused tone compared to Season 2, deliberately returning to the spirit of Season 1 while incorporating new mechanics including confessionals, three-team structure, and viewer immunity voting. Unlike previous seasons, no cash prize was originally planned; in "A Jury of Your Fears", it is revealed the competition was created as MePhone4's personal escape from the unfinished events of Season 2. The season is set in-universe between the Season 2 episodes "Hatching the Plan" and "Truth or Flare."
Cast
The season featured eight returning contestants from previous seasons alongside ten newcomers. Returning voice actors included Adam Katz (Nickel, Lifering, Test Tube), Ben Cross (Balloon), Taylor Grodin (OJ, Paintbrush eps. 1–9; also Bow), Justin Chapman (Silver Spoon, Goo), Dee Cashin (Candle, Clover), Brian Koch (Fan), and Marco Bonomo (Yin-Yang). New cast members included Barry Strum (Blueberry), Casey Landman (Cabby), Sam Thornbury (The Floor), Jill Katz (Tea Kettle), Shooshies (Bot, eps. 10–19), and Jazzy Oliver (Paintbrush, eps. 10–19). Mark Katz returned as MePhone4.
Production
The third season used a new animation style consistent with the Inanimate Insanity shorts "Waffling About" and "Seas the Day." Composer John Mietus, who scored "Hatching the Plan" for Season 2, served as the main composer for Season 3's background music. He and Ben Cross also co-composed the original musical number "Springtastic." All Season 3 tracks were compiled into the Invitational album, released July 31, 2024.
Episodes
Contestants and elimination order
The third season featured 18 contestants competing over 19 episodes. Eliminations were decided entirely through contestant voting, with viewers voting only to grant immunity (discontinued after Episode 12). Eliminated contestants were sent to Indefinite Island. Cabby and Blueberry both rejoined during the season.
# |
Contestant |
Voice Actor (S3) |
Episode Eliminated |
Votes / Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Blueberry |
Barry Strum |
"Stranded in Paradise" (Ep. 1) |
3 votes: Nickel, Balloon, Box (contestant vote) |
2 |
Fan |
Brian Koch |
"The Shame of the Name" (Ep. 2) |
4 votes: Cabby, Clover, Bot, Goo (contestant vote) |
3 |
Lifering |
Adam Katz |
"Snapshot Showdown" (Ep. 3) |
3 votes (tiebreaker re-vote with Nickel; Box cast deciding vote) |
4 |
OJ |
Taylor Grodin |
"The Overthinkers" (Ep. 4) |
2 votes: Silver Spoon, Candle (contestant vote) |
5 |
Box |
N/A (non-speaking) |
"Tragedy at 60 Feet" (Ep. 5) |
Medically evacuated (disqualified due to injury) |
6 |
Tea Kettle |
Jill Katz |
"Try Not to Laugh Challenge" (Ep. 6) |
2 votes: Nickel, Balloon (contestant vote) |
7 |
Cabby |
Casey Landman |
"Best Served Cold" (Ep. 7) |
5 votes: Silver Spoon, Paintbrush, Balloon, Bot, Test Tube (blindside; contestant vote) — Rejoins in Ep. 10 |
8 |
Clover |
Dee Cashin |
"Out of Body Experience" (Ep. 8) |
Unanimous contestant vote |
9 |
Goo |
Justin Chapman |
"Title TBD" (Ep. 9) |
3 votes: Candle, Yin-Yang, The Floor (contestant vote) |
10 |
Test Tube |
Adam Katz |
"I Am Chocolate!" (Ep. 10) |
5 votes: Cabby, Silver Spoon, Candle, The Floor, Yin-Yang (contestant vote; post-merge) |
11 |
The Floor |
Sam Thornbury |
"Pesty Besties" (Ep. 11) |
Candle and Silver Spoon flip to Looney Balloonies (contestant vote) |
12 |
Paintbrush |
Jazzy Oliver |
"Home Is Where the Heart Is" (Ep. 12) |
4 votes: Nickel, Balloon, Silver Spoon, Candle (contestant vote) |
13 |
Candle |
Dee Cashin |
"Friend or Froze" (Ep. 13) |
3 votes (Balloon flips on Nickel alliance) (contestant vote) |
14 |
Bot |
Shooshies |
"Spring on the Breakfast!" (Ep. 14) |
Balloon betrays Looney Balloonies (contestant vote) |
15 |
Yin-Yang |
Marco Bonomo |
"Blue Buried" (Ep. 15) |
4 votes (tricked by Blueberry's rejoin strategy) (contestant vote) |
16 |
Blueberry |
Barry Strum |
"The Great Bluish Bake Off" (Ep. 16) |
Eliminated again; contestant vote (placed 5th overall) |
17 |
Nickel |
Adam Katz |
"The Show Must Go On" (Ep. 17) |
Voted himself to boost Balloon; contestant vote (placed 4th) |
— |
Silver Spoon |
Justin Chapman |
3rd Place — 2 jury votes (Blueberry, Candle) |
|
— |
Balloon |
Ben Cross |
Runner-Up — 6 jury votes (Nickel, Box, Clover, Paintbrush, Tea Kettle, OJ) |
|
— |
Cabby |
Casey Landman |
WINNER — 7 jury votes (Bot, Yin-Yang, Goo, The Floor, Fan, Lifering, Test Tube) |
|
Home media
All episodes of the third season remain available for free streaming on the AnimationEpic (now Adamation) YouTube channel. A full compilation of all 19 episodes was uploaded on June 21, 2024.