The intention of featuring profanity, sex and drug use, particularly cannabis, provoked criticism from more conservative members of the animation industry, who accused Bakshi of attempting to produce a pornographic animated film, as the concept of adult animation was not widely understood at the time. The Motion Picture Association of America gave the film an X rating, making it the first American animated film to receive the rating, which was then predominantly associated with more arthouse films. The film was highly successful, grossing over $90 million worldwide and earning significant critical acclaim for its satire, social commentary and animation innovations, although it also attracted some negative reviews accusing it of stereotyping and having an unfocused plot, and criticizing its depiction of profanity, sex and drug use in the context of an animated film. The film's use of satire and mature themes is seen as paving the way for future animated works for adults, including "The Simpsons", "South Park" and "Family Guy". A sequel, "The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat" (1974), was produced without Crumb's or Bakshi's involvement.