When black-ish first premiered on ABC in 2014, no one could have anticipated that the series would go on to spawn an -ish universe. But years later, the franchise remains a success, with spinoff series grown-ish on Freeform following eldest daughter Zoey's college years and prequel series mixed-ish telling the origin story of a young Rainbow Johnson.
Both black-ish and mixed-ish offer unique perspectives on the experience of Black and mixed families, and feature incredibly talented casts of distinct and diverse characters. But there are some things that mixed-ish has done better than the series that spawned it, and some areas where black-ish could never be topped.
Mixed-ish: Teaching lessons
As a series set in the 1980s, mixed-ish has leaned into the convention of telling contained stories in every episode that resolve themselves with important morals and lessons for audiences of all ages.
While black-ish has done a lot in terms of tackling important issues in crucial episodes, mixed-ish often does so through a more manageable, children- and family-focused lens.
Black-ish: Generational differences
mixed-ish might have different generations of the same family featured in various roles, but black-ish reigns supreme when it comes to thoughtfully exploring generational differences and experiences of systemic issues as they have changed over time.
black-ish foregrounds three generations of experiences at all times, with the characters of Pops and Ruby; Dre and Bow; and Junior, Jack, Diane, and Devante all living under one roof and engaging in thought-provoking conversations.
Mixed-ish: Addressing racism in all its forms
black-ish has featured many important episodes in the history of television, spotlighting important social issues such as Black Lives Matter and historical lessons including Juneteenth. But mixed-ish frequently offers a more nuanced take on racism, in displays both large and small.
By featuring a mixed family at the fore, mixed-ish is allowed to explore not just racism, but also colorism within the experience of Black and mixed families and individuals.
Black-ish: Rainbow
Even though Rainbow is the main character in mixed-ish, and the narrator at that, black-ish's adult version of the beloved Rainbow Johnson has so far proven herself to be a more fully realized and beloved character.
mixed-ish has plenty of time to help the young Bow find her footing in the world, and her voice along with it. But the iconic Dr. Rainbow Johnson as portrayed by Tracee Ellis Ross in black-ish is beyond compare.
Mixed-ish: Complicating characters
When mixed-ish begins, it seems like the character of Gary Cole's Harrison Jackson is meant to serve the sole purpose of an antagonist: the father-in-law/grandfather who has never understood or approved of his son and his son's family's lives.
But over the course of the first season alone, mixed-ish complicates his character, pulling back layers to reveal a more flawed and human father, someone willing to question his own privilege, and remove himself from certain situations - such as his beloved country club - after instances of racism directed at his own family.
Black-ish: Sibling relationships
mixed-ish features prominent sibling relationships, with the characters of Rainbow, Johan, and Santamonica, as well as with Alicia and Denise. But black-ish has featured a much more enjoyable sibling relationship at the fore from the beginning, in the case of twin siblings Jack and Diane.
These two kids have developed a lot over the course of six seasons, and as they enter young adulthood, there's no doubt that these twins will only continue to change and differ from each other. But at the end of the day, they love each other and have each other's backs through thick and thin.
Mixed-ish: Married relationships
Though black-ish features the characters of Dre and Bow Johnson as its protagonists, the series has never truly developed or depicted their relationship as a married couple in any particularly enjoyable way. A misguided near divorce storyline in the series' fourth season nearly derailed the show entirely.
On the other hand, there aren't very many better married couples on television right now than mixed-ish's Paul and Alicia. These two constantly learn from each other, challenge each other, support each other, and better one another every single episode.
Black-ish: Parenting disagreements
Although black-ish's central marriage of Dre and Bow might not be one of the most enjoyable on television, there's no denying that the series does a good job of showing all sides of parenting conflicts and disagreements.
The two are so fundamentally different from each other in their personalities and belief systems, it's rare that there's a time when they agree on just about anything when it comes to their children. But the series always finds a way to let these two find a healthy compromise.
Mixed-ish: Comic relief child characters
There are plenty of characters living in the Jackson-Johnson household on mixed-ish, but no two characters steal the show more than the pint-sized powerhouses Santamonica "Santi" Johnson and Johan Johnson.
As portrayed by Mykal-Michelle Harris and Ethan William Childress, these two steal every moment they're on the screen, and strike a perfect balance of sibling chaos. From Santi's unbridled sass, to Johan's gleeful cluelessness, it's impossible to find anything about these two not to love.
Blackish: Comic relief adult characters
While mixed-ish may have the market cornered when it comes to finding comedy in the tiniest of characters, black-ish from day one has had a true star in its midst in the form of Deon Cole's Charlie Telphy.
A scene stealer in the truest meaning of the term, Charlie is the second banana to Dre at his workplace, but outshines every character in every scene, no matter where they take place. From his bizarre beliefs about society, to his frequent forgetfulness about his son Eustace, to his long-held flame for Rainbow, Charlie is one of the weirdest - and greatest - supporting characters in sitcom history.