Kenny McCormick was largely absent from the sixth season of South Park because he was definitively killed off at the conclusion of the previous season.
The Reason Behind Kenny's Absence
Kenny McCormick's significant absence from South Park Season 6 stems directly from the events of the Season 5 episode, "Kenny Dies."
- Permanent Demise: In "Kenny Dies," Kenny experienced what was presented as a permanent death, a stark departure from his usual, often comedic and temporary demises in earlier seasons. This marked a deliberate creative decision by the show's creators to remove him from the main cast for a period.
- Unique Season: Consequently, the sixth season stands out as the only season in the series where Kenny was not featured as a main character. His iconic orange parka and muffled voice were noticeably missing from most episodes, making it a unique period for the show's core cast.
Kenny's Eventual Return
While Kenny was absent for nearly the entire season, his return was anticipated and eventually occurred at the very end of Season 6.
- Finale Appearance: In the Season 6 finale, "Red Sleigh Down," Kenny McCormick made a surprise reappearance in the last few seconds of the episode. This brief appearance signaled his revival and set the stage for his full return as a main character in subsequent seasons.
