Animated cartoon characters have been entertaining us for decades, from Mickey Mouse to Spongebob Squarepants. These beloved figures can do things we only dream of, like flying or talking animals.
But have you ever stopped to wonder where these characters come from?
They are often the brainchildren of skilled animators and writers at large animation studios like Disney or Nickelodeon.
Other times, they may be based on a book or comic series.
Whatever their origin, one thing is for sure: animated characters have a remarkable ability to bring joy to people of all ages.
So next time you sit down to watch your favorite cartoon, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and creativity that brought that character to life.
Top 15 Animated Characters
One of the pioneers in animation was Walt Disney, who brought to life beloved characters like Snow White and her seven dwarves, Cinderella, and of course, Mickey Mouse. These characters have continued entertaining generations of children and adults through theme park attractions, merchandise, and feature films.
But animated characters aren’t just for entertainment – they also play essential roles in education. Think about schoolchildren learning about history through the familiar faces of the characters in Disney’s Animated Storybook: Pocahontas or the scientific principles demonstrated by WALL-E.
So next time you’re enjoying a cartoon, take a moment to appreciate the innovation and creativity that brings these animated characters to life. Who knows – maybe one day, your creation will join the ranks of animation legends.
- Mickey Mouse
- Bugs Bunny
- Donald Duck
- Bart Simpson
- Betty Boop
- Homer Simpson
- Woody
- Buzz Lightyear
- Baloo
- Lilo Pelekai
- Cruella de Vil
- Simba
- Mike Wazowski
- Mowgli
- Genie
12 Official Disney Princesses
Have you ever noticed that Disney Princesses have unusually high cheekbones, big doe eyes, and tiny waists? They were created to fit the “Eurocentric beauty standard” of narrow noses and light skin.
But Disney has made strides in recent years to diversify its princess lineup, including introducing Moana, a Polynesian princess, and Jasmine, an Arabian princess. And let’s not forget about Mulan, the badass Chinese warrior princess.
While Disney still has room for improvement in representing different races and body types in their princess lineup, seeing them work towards inclusion is encouraging. Here’s hoping for even more diverse Disney Princesses in the future!
- Snow White (Prince Florian)
- Cinderella (Prince Charming)
- Aurora (Prince Phillip)
- Ariel (Prince Eric)
- Belle (Beast/Prince Adam)
- Jasmine (Aladdin)
- Pocahontas (John Smith)
- Mulan (Li Shang)
- Tiana (Naveen)
- Rapunzel (Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert)
- Merida
- Moana
Top 20 Looney Tunes Characters
As a classic cartoon show first aired in the 1930s, Looney Tunes has entertained generations with its wacky and zany characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird. Despite being more than 80 years old, Looney Tunes makes audiences laugh with their clever use of slapstick humor and hilarious antics.
Whether its Bugs outsmarting Elmer Fudd or Wile E. Coyote failing yet again to catch the Road Runner, Looney Tunes never fails to bring a smile to viewers’ faces. So grab some carrots for Bugs Bunny and gather the family together – it’s time for some Looney Tunes madness!
There are over 100 animated characters part of the Looney Tunes franchise, I’ll list the top 25.
- Bugs Bunny
- Daffy Duck
- Tweety Bird
- Gossamer
- Pepe Le Pew
- Porky Pig
- Tweety
- Michigan J. Frog
- Sylvester
- Road Runner
- Elmer Fudd
- Foghorn Leghorn
- Goofy Gophers
- Yosemite Sam
- Marvin the Martian
- Tasmanian Devil
- Witch Hazel
- Granny
- Speedy Gonzales
- Marc Antony and Pussyfoot
Top 10 SpongeBob SquarePants Characters
SpongeBob SquarePants has been a household name since 1999 when the show first aired on Nickelodeon. SpongeBob’s naive yet optimistic nature has endeared him to viewers for over 20 years.
He lives in a pineapple under the sea, works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, and is best friends with a starfish named Patrick. Despite his goofy demeanor, SpongeBob consistently saves the day with quick thinking and determination.
Whether he’s foiling Plankton’s evil plans or helping Sandy Cheeks adjust to life underwater, SpongeBob never fails to bring laughter and happiness to all who encounter him. So grab some Krabby Patties and jellyfish gear because it’s time to hang out with everyone’s favorite Sponge.
Plankton may be tiny, but SpongeBob always manages to outsmart him and keep the secret formula for the Krabby Patty safe. And let’s not forget SpongeBob’s talents as a musician, from playing the bubble pipes to mastering the cowbell in Band Geeks.
No matter what obstacles life throws at him, SpongeBob faces them with a smile and proves that it’s always worth it to “just keep swimming.” Dive into Bikini Bottom and join SpongeBob on his wacky adventures!
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Patrick Star
- Squidward
- Mr. Krabs
- Plankton
- Gary
- Sandy Cheeks
- Mrs. Puff
- Karen
- Pearl Krabs
Top 20 Female Animated Characters
Female animated characters have come a long way from being sidekicks or damsels in distress. From Mulan breaking gender stereotypes by disguising herself as a man to save her father to Elsa embracing her powers and learning to love herself in Frozen, these leading ladies prove that girls can be just as strong and confident as their male counterparts.
Female animated characters are more diverse than ever, and we can’t wait to see what badass ladies will grace our screens next. But let’s not forget about the sassy sidekicks, like Tinkerbell and Jessica Rabbit, who show us that women can also be playful and sensual without falling into the “sexy” trope. Here’s to girl power!
- Lilo Pelekai
- Wonder Woman
- Elastigirl
- Merida (Brave)
- Pocahontas
- Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!)
- Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Eliza Thornberry (The Wild Thornberrys)
- Jessica Rabbit
- Daria Morgendorffer (Daria)
- Princess Fiona (Shrek)
- Elsa
- Princess Jasmine (Aladdin)
- Princess Fiona
- Curella de Vil
- Velma Dinkley
- Lisa Simpson (The Simpsons)
- Katara
- Toph Beifong
- Little Mermaid
Top 10 Male Animated Characters
Infamous cartoons and films, male animated characters have often been portrayed as heroes or protagonists. This can be seen in Disney’s Aladdin, where Aladdin is the main character on his journey to win Princess Jasmine’s heart.
In The Simpsons, Homer Simpson is the family’s patriarch and a central figure in each episode.
However, male animated characters are not always portrayed as perfect heroes. In South Park, Eric Cartman is selfish and socially unacceptable, but he remains one of the show’s main characters.
Male animated characters also come in various forms, from humanoid characters like Spongebob Squarepants to animals like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny.
Overall, male animated characters provide important representation in storytelling within the animation industry.
- Mickey Mouse
- Mowgli
- Bugs Bunny
- Buzz Lightyear
- Woody
- Donald Duck
- Daffy Duck
- Genie
- Donkey
- Jafar
Top 10 Animated Animal Characters
Animated animal characters have been popular in entertainment for decades, from Mickey Mouse to Bugs Bunny to the current phenomenon of Disney’s Zootopia.
These characters often serve as relatable surrogates for human traits and emotions, allowing audiences to connect with and learn about valuable life lessons through their stories.
Animated animals can also serve as a way to explore cultural narratives and comment on societal issues, like in Zootopia where prejudice and discrimination are addressed through the lens of anthropomorphic animals.
Animated animal characters continue to charm and delight audiences all over the world.
- Mickey Mouse
- Bugs Bunny
- Donald Duck
- Baloo
- Donkey
- Thumper
- Po
- Master Shifu
- Winnie-the-Pooh
- Simba
Top 10 Flintstones Characters
The Flintstones might be a prehistoric family, but their adventures in Bedrock have resonated with audiences for decades. The show first aired in 1960 and has spawned various spin-offs and adaptations.
The antics of Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty never fail to entertain as they navigate current issues with their Stone Age solutions. So grab some dinosaur ribs and join the Flintstones for a hilarious ride through history. Just don’t expect any smartphones or vegan options on their menu. Yabba dabba doo!
- Fred Flintstone
- Pebbles Flintstone
- Betty Rubble
- Barney Rubble
- Wilma Flintstone
- Bamm-Bamm Rubble
- The Great Gazoo
- Mr. Slate
- Dino
- Pearl Slaghoople
Top 10 Scooby-Doo Characters
Scooby-Doo, the lovable Great Dane who always solves mysteries with his Scooby gang, has been a beloved character since 1969. He may not be able to speak in coherent sentences, but Scooby’s bravery and loyalty make him a valuable team member.
Despite being regularly frightened by ghosts and monsters, Scooby never backs down from a mystery. Plus, he’s always down for a Scooby snack (or ten). So grab some Scooby snacks, and let’s solve this case! Scoob on, Scoob lovers.
- Shaggy Rogers
- Velma Dinkley
- Daphne Blake
- Fred Jones
- Scoobert Scooby Doo
- Scrappy-Doo
- Scooby Dum
- Vincent Van Ghoul
- Professor Pericles
- Flim Flam
Top Hanna Barbera Animated Characters
Hanna-Barbera, the animation studio behind classics like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo, revolutionized Saturday morning cartoons in the 1960s.
But did you know they also created a short-lived series about a family of superheroes called The Fantastic Four? That’s right before Marvel Comics brought their beloved characters to the silver screen; Hanna-Barbera beat them to it with a less popular iteration in 1967.
While this version may not be as well-known or revered, it’s still an exciting footnote in Hanna-Barbera’s impressive history. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a Hanna-Barbera resurgence with some retro superhero action. Until then, we can always enjoy reruns of The Jetsons and Yogi Bear.
- The Powerpuff Girls
- Yogi Bear
- Boo-Boo Bear
- Scooby-Doo
- Dexter
- The Cat in the Hat
- Casper
- Captain Planet
- Pfish and Chip
- Fred Flintstone
- Wilma Flintstone
- George Jetson
- Jane Jetson
- Johnny Bravo
- Bunny Bravo
- Josie McCoy
- Valerie Brown
Cartoons are no longer just for children on Saturday mornings.
They tell relatable, powerful, and hilarious stories within the realm of animation using wittier humor, more complex characters, and more profound stories to engage anyone. At the same time, some also target teens or adults as their primary audience.
There has never been a more diverse range of Western cartoons, and I believe they could reach the same cultural status as anime did decades ago.
