There are many great animated children’s TV series out there and with each series, there are a number of amazing characters that come with it. With many revivals of classic cartoons like She-Ra and the Princess of Power, nostalgia is hitting fans hard.
Fans debate who the best cartoon characters are over on Reddit, from stars of the 1930s to the early;y 2000s. User Crisp999 created a thread asking Redditors “who is the best cartoon character and why?” The answers varied greatly, but there were 10 children’s cartoon characters that were mentioned more than others.
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a classic cartoon character from the 1930s animated series Looney Tunes. While Looney Tunes has been deemed violent and has some damaging stereotypes that made it fall out of favor in recent years, there have been revamps that include the classic characters without the aggression and stereotypes. Bugs Bunny is a popular answer when asking for a classic cartoon character and the famous rabbit is still found in popular media today with the recent release of Space Jam: A New Legacy.
While Bugs Bunny was mentioned more than a few times in the thread created by Crisp999, user Fartmatic noted that Bugs Bunny was the best because he “lives t0 outwit idiots in the most amusing way possible.” Bugs Bunny’s wit is a fundamental part of his character and has been carried through all his revamped iterations over the years.
Heinz Doofenshmirtz
Heinz Doofenshmirtz is a villain from the 2007 series Phineas and Ferb. The early 2000s Disney Channel animated series is a source of nostalgia for many people, making it a classic cartoon series. After its last episode aired in 2015, the characters of Phineas and Ferb have been brought back for TV specials and movies.
The choice of the villain being the best character in the series may seem like an interesting one, but Doofenshmirtz is a fan favorite for good reason. Redditor CHLDM notes that Doofenshmirtz, known for his battles with Perry the Platypus, is “one of the “deepest and most tragic cartoon villains.” His tragic upbringing and his desire to give his daughter the childhood he wished he had is the reason so many people believe he was one of the best children’s cartoon villains; he’s not evil just to be evil.
Tom Cat
Tom Cat is the cartoon cat from the 1940s animated series Tom and Jerry. The series was and still is popular among children as well as adults. Due to its popularity, Tom and Jerry TV series and movies are still being produced, with the recently released movie titled Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up! and the series titled Tom and Jerry in New York.
Tom usually never or very rarely speaks as the original cartoons were meant to portray him more cat-like. Over the years Tom’s character evolved but he remained a cat of few to no words. Redditor ghuzz765 noted that Tom was and is “by far the funniest cartoon character in history,” which is what makes him so popular – not to mention his iconic scream.
Squidward Tentacles
Squidward is a character in Nickelodeon’s 1999 series Spongebob Squarepants. The series is on its 13th season and is still being made due to its intense popularity with not only children but also young adults. There also have been a number of movies and TV specials including the characters.
While Spongebob and Patrick were also mentioned a couple of times on Reddit, Squidward seemed to be a fan favorite from the series. The character’s seemingly bad attitude and disdain for the high-energy Spongebob, showcased in Squidward’s best Spongebob episodes, is what makes him popular among adults who grew up watching the series. Redditor OrthodoxLily makes the point that the older people get the more they “relate to him on a ‘soul’ level.”
Courage The Cowardly Dog
Courage is the dog from the 1999 series Courage The Cowardly Dog. The series ended in 2002 and despite an attempt in 2014, its characters were never renewed for more series or movies. Nonetheless, the original series remains quite popular in the hearts of cartoon fans.
Courage was mentioned quite a few times on Reddit and the reasoning for the love of his character seems to revolve around his selflessness. Redditor tomayto_tomaahto states that no matter how scary the situation Courage “overcame his intense fears to help those he loved.”
Shaggy Rogers
Shaggy Rogers is a character from the 1960s cartoon series Scooby-Doo Where Are You! Due to the series’ popularity, the Scooby-Doo characters have been and continue to be made into numerous TV series and movies.
There was a toss-up between Scooby and Shaggy on Reddit, but overall Shaggy seemed to be a favorite. Shaggy and Scooby are both food-motivated scaredy cats and both seem to get themselves into trouble quite often. User EnochStiffler states that Shaggy is the best because he’s funny and scared of everything but in the end “he saves the day most of the time.”
Prince Zuko
Prince Zuko is a character from the 2005 series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Since its release in 2005 Avatar: The Last Airbender turned into a franchise and spans numerous other forms of media.
Prince Zuko starts off the series as the main villain but later joins Team Avatar. Prince Zuko is a fan-favorite with a quest for honor and undergoes one of the best character developments throughout the series. Redditor Wimpy7769 noted that his character development is impressive for a children’s show and his story is a lesson for kids as well as adults that “its never too late to correct your path and do what’s right.”
Arnold Shortman
Arnold Shortman is the main character in the 1996 Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold! The series was widely popular and has had a few movies including the characters and may come back as a reboot in the future.
Arnold was mentioned quite a few times on Reddit. He is the main protagonist of the series and is a fan favorite due to his chill and optimistic personality. Reddit user summons72 noted that Arnold is a “down-to-earth kid who wants to help his friends, family, and community.”
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is a classic cartoon character from the 1930s series Looney Tunes. Like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck has been brought back in series and movies since Looney Tunes’ release in the 1930s, including Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Daffy Duck is often depicted as Bugs Bunny’s rival, but he has also been depicted as Bugs’ best friend. While Bugs Bunny was mentioned quite often on Reddit, Daffy Duck wasn’t far behind. Daffy’s desperation for stardom at any cost was explored early in the series and his failure to achieve his goals was always quite humorous. Redditor pipboy_warrior explains that Daffy’s greed and cowardice were “so satisfying to watch” and “watching Daffy fail usually had [them] rolling on the floor.”
Wile E. Coyote
Wile E. Coyote is another Looney Tunes character that debuted in 1949. Due to this popularity, Wile E. Coyote has been featured in many series and even has a film centered around him slated for release in July of 2023.
Wile E. Coyote is a cunning and devious character who is desperate to catch the roadrunner to satisfy his hunger. Wile E. Coyote was mentioned many times on Reddit and is a clear fan-favorite classic children’s cartoon character. His perseverance despite his constant failure is something fans love about him. Redditor Yueske notes that Wile E. Coyote’s pursuit is something people may find relatable because everyone has “had humiliations and had [their] attempts blow up in [their] faces” when pursuing something they want.
