They’ve shaped our childhood that of billions around the world. They were a constant part of every child’s daily routine. Their popularity made them appear on every product related to children, starting from breakfast cereals & fast food to school stationery & pillow covers. They are the most popular animated faces in the world. Yes, we are talking about the top animated characters from around the world. In this post, we bring you the top five animated characters that have managed to make a place for themselves in the hearts of generations of children.
Tom and Jerry
Popular for their use of slapstick comedy, this dynamic duo has been a part of every generation’s childhood and, in a lot of cases, even adulthood. They have done just about everything one can think of, and not think of, when it comes to cartoon violence. Originally created in 1940 by animators William Hanna & Joseph Barbera, the show always culminates in Jerry (the mouse) outsmarting his famous rival, Tom (the cat). Between 1960s-70s, Tom & Jerry became the highest grossing animated series, overtaking Warner Bros.’s Looney Tunes, and Disney’s Silly Symphonies.
Snoopy
Created by Charles M. Schulz for the Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy the dog became an instant hit with the masses. Along with Charlie Brown (Snoopy’s Master) and the rest of the peanuts gang, Snoopy entertained millions with his dry humour & funny routines. The character became so popular that several organisations like NASA & MetLife have made Snoopy their official mascot. In fact, NASA even nicknamed the Apollo 10 lunar module as Snoopy & gives out The Silver Snoopy Award for quality & safety.
Homer Simpson
It’s not fair to single out one Simpson family member, as they together make up one of our favorite animated families. But for the purposes of this post we have picked out Homer Simpson, for the number of laughs he has evoked over the years. He isn’t the perfect dad. He’s fat, lazy & drunk. And despite the fact that he almost always fails in his pursuits, he has managed to endear himself to kids & adults alike.
Bugs Bunny
Whether he’s munching on carrots or making a fool out of Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny has entertained millions over the past 70 years. Created by Warner Bros & voiced by Mel Blanc, Bugs Bunny became an instant hit with his popular one liner, “What’s up, Doc?” He has also appeared in more films than any other cartoon character. He is the ninth most portrayed film personality in the world, and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mickey Mouse
No list about popular animated characters can be complete without this wonderful mouse. Created by Walt Disney in 1928, Mickey heralded the coming of age of animated cartoon characters. Even today, he is the face & heart of the Disney Corporation. What started out as a simple black & white character on cel-based animation, evolved into a 3D anamorphic character. Along with his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, pet dog Pluto, friends Donald Duck & Goofy, and a host of other characters, Mickey has made a special place for himself in the hearts of millions around the world.
