For children, nothing is as magical as the wonderful world of cartoon characters. These fictional figures have captured imaginations for decades, showing us how to be humble, honest, and how to overcome life’s challenges. With so many iconic cartoon characters to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one favorite. From hand-drawn classics to modern-day masterpieces, there’s no limit to the amazing characters that have captured our hearts.
Creating a definitive list of the greatest cartoon characters of all time is no easy feat, but our team has done it for you. With their help, we’ve put together a list of top 10 cartoon characters the cartoon world offers. So buckle up, sit back, and get ready to enter a world of magic, wonder, and endless possibilities.
10. Jessica Rabbit
| Creator | Gary K. Wolf |
| Personality | Brave, quick-witted and intuitive |
Jessica Rabbit is Roger Rabbit’s human Toon wife in Disney’s 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In the book, she was an amoral, up-and-coming star and former comic character, over whom her estranged husband, comic strip star Roger Rabbit, obsessed. She is re-imagined in the film as a sultry, but moral cartoon singer at a Los Angeles supper club called the “Ink and Paint Club”. Here, she is one of several suspects in the framing of her husband, who is a famous cartoon star. She is one of the most admired female cartoon characters.
9. Inspector Gadget
| Creator | Bruno Bianchi, Andy Heyward, Jean Chalopin |
| Personality | Inventive, bold, kind-hearted, mild-mannered, and courageous |
Inspector Gadget is a 1999 American live-action comedy film loosely based on the 1983 animated cartoon series of the same name. It starred Matthew Broderick as the title character, along with Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny, and Dabney Coleman as Chief Quimby. Two new characters were introduced: Brenda Bradford and the Gadgetmobile. The film tells the story of how Inspector Gadget and Dr. Claw came to be in the cartoon.
8. Fred Flintstone
| Creator | William Hanna, Joseph Barbera |
| Personality | Impulsive, immature, childish, bad-tempered, stubborn and of naïve disposition. |
The first Hannah Barbera entry on our top 10 cartoon characters of all time is Fred Flintstone, a brilliant pastiche of the typical husband and one half of one of the best comedy parings in cartoon history (the other half of course being the equally iconic Barney Rubble).
The popular animated sitcom is about the daily activities of the Flintstones and their next-door neighbors, the Rubbles, set in a romanticized Stone Age environment. It first aired on ABC from 1960 to 1966 and was the first animated series to hold a prime-time slot on television. The show revolves around the lives of Fred and Wilma Flintstone, their pet dinosaur Dino, and their daughter Pebbles. Barney and Betty Rubble, their best friends, also feature prominently in the show, having adopted a super-strong baby named Bamm-Bamm and a pet hopparoo called Hoppy. Flintstones definitely is one of the best cartoon characters from the 1960s.
7. Mickey Mouse
| Creator | Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks |
| Personality | Witty, charismatic, fun-loving, heroic, kind, selfless, forgetful |
Mickey Mouse, created by Walt Disney, is the most popular cartoon character in the world. The character was originally named Mortimer Mouse, but was changed to Mickey at the suggestion of Disney’s wife. The first two Mickey Mouse cartoons were silent films, but the third, Steamboat Willie, introduced sound and was a major success, establishing Disney as a leader in animation.
6. Eric Cartman
| Creator | Trey Parker, Matt Stone |
| Personality | Self-centered, intolerant, manipulative and foul-mouthed |
Cartman, or Eric Theodore Cartman to use his full name, is a complex character from the widely acclaimed adult animated sitcom South Park. We know him as both the main antagonist and the tritagonist of the show. Cartman is a young boy aged between eight and ten, who lives in the town of South Park, Colorado, close to Denver.
He has been a long-term companion of Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski (who is his archenemy), and Kenny McCormick, although none of them consider him a genuine friend. Despite this, Cartman has proven to be a trustworthy ally to his companions during his heroic acts. Trey Parker, who is also the co-creator and voice actor for many other characters on the show, voiced him.
5. Bugs Bunny
| Creator | Tex Avery, Robert McKimson |
| Personality | Quick-witted, outspoken, smart and shrewd |
Bugs Bunny is a classic character that has been entertaining audiences for generations. One of the old cartoon characters, it was created in the late 1930s by Warner Bros. Cartoons and originally voiced by Mel Blanc. Bugs Bunny is the most well-known for his starring roles in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated short films, which were produced by Warner Bros.
The character has undergone various iterations throughout the years, with earlier versions appearing in Ben Hardaway’s Porky’s Hare Hunt and other shorts. It wasn’t until Tex Avery’s A Wild Hare in 1940 that Bugs Bunny’s definitive characterization was established. Bob Givens, Chuck Jones, and Robert McKimson are credited with defining Bugs Bunny’s design.
4. Buzz Lightyear
| Creator | John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Joe Ranft |
| Personality | Confident, loyal, brave and courageous |
Buzz Lightyear is one of the famous cartoon characters from the Toy Story franchise. Voiced by Tim Allen, he is a superhero toy action figure who is based on the in-universe media franchise called Space Ranger. We know buzz for wearing a green, purple, and white space suit that is instantly recognizable to fans of the series. He appears in all the Toy Story franchise’s animated films, including various spin-offs. With his iconic suit and heroic persona, Buzz Lightyear is a fan favorite who has captured the hearts of audiences of all ages.
3. Optimus Prime
| Creator | Hiroyuki Obara and Shōji Kawamori |
| Personality | Kind, self-less, and intelligent |
Optimus Prime is a beloved cartoon character in the Transformers franchise. He has been featured in various mediums, including comics, video games, and movies. They originally developed the character for an American market, with his design changed and his coloring changed. Despite these changes, Optimus Prime has remained one among the fan favorite male cartoon characters over the years. Many talented actors have voiced to him, including Peter Cullen and Alan Tudyk. They have also featured the character in various toy lines, including the Masterpiece line. Optimus Prime has received many honors and awards throughout his career.
Optimus Prime is the awe-inspiring leader of the Autobot forces. Originally a mere civilian, the Matrix chose him to command, the first in several heavy burdens they have forced him to bear. Another is his bringing of the Transformers’ conflict to Earth. The complete opposite of his mortal enemy Megatron, every casualty, human or Cybertronian, weighs heavily on his spark.
2. Homer Simpson
| Creator | Matt Groening |
| Personality | Clumsy, ignorant, and outspoken |
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional main character in the famous cartoon series, The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show, short “Good Night” on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening created and designed Homer while he was waiting in the lobby of James L. Brooks’ office.
1. Tom
| Creator | William Hanna and Joseph Barbera |
| Personality | Stupid, dumb and annoying |
However, the number one spot on this list of top 10 cartoon characters goes to a certain blue/grey cat called Tom from the world famous cartoon, Tom and Jerry-. The character himself–particularly during the Fred Quimby era–is brilliantly evil and sadistic while always put upon at the same time. With brilliant facial expressions and a wicked sense of humour, Tom was well ahead of his time when the first MGM cartoons came out and many other top 10 cartoon characters on this list wouldn’t exist without him.
Conclusion
Imagination and fun are part of every child’s growth, with popular cartoon characters as their trusty companions. These animated superheroes teach us valuable lessons of honesty, humility, and problem-solving. From the classic heroes like Mickey Mouse to the lovable SpongeBob SquarePants, every character has left a mark of joy and wonder in our lives.
Whether they’re fighting for justice or just bringing a little light-hearted humor into our day, these beloved characters are the stuff of legend.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Who is the Most Popular Cartoon Character in the World?
Mickey Mouse is the most popular cartoon character. Mickey epitomises everything Walt Disney hoped to convey through his characters, making him one of the most well-known figures of the 20th century.
Q2. What is the Most Famous Cartoon?
The renowned American animated series, Tom and Jerry, is the most famous cartoon.
Q3. Who is the King of Cartoon World?
Walt Disney is the King of the cartoon world.
