There are few pastimes as enjoyable and relaxing as watching television. Maybe you catch a ball game while savoring a beer on the couch. Or you wait every day for 8 PM to watch your favorite primetime series. Perhaps you wake up early on Saturday morning to catch some cartoons, or you stay up late and watch, well-- cartoons.
Animation has a deep rooted history in television and eventually became so popular that Turner launched the Cartoon Network in 1992 to broadcast its enormous library of cartoons. Given the continued popularity of animation, we've attempted the arduous task of naming the best animated TV characters of all time.
Let's set a few ground rules. First, to be considered, a character should either be known primarily for its television appearances or at least have originated on TV. Therefore very few comic book characters are listed and the most iconic mouse (hint: he's a Walt Disney creation) of all time is ineligible. Further, we've included no more than three characters from the same TV show. Finally, characters who are known almost entirely as a group or duo are listed as such.
So, with all that said, here are The 30 Best Animated TV Characters Of All Time.
30. Yogi Bear
There are few names as recognizable in animation as Hanna-Barbera. The studio, which later became Cartoon Network Studios, has created some of the most iconic television characters of all time - many that you will see on this list. But arguably their first hit character was Yogi Bear. Yogi Bear and his side-kick Boo Boo first appeared not on their own show, but on The Huckleberry Hound Show.
While The Huckleberry Hound Show and its title character were well received, Yogi Bear instantly became the show's most popular character. So much so, that in 1961 Hanna-Barbera launched The Yogi Bear Show. And well, the rest is history. Generations of fans have since enjoyed Yogi Bear's antics in Jellystone Park and his many catchphrases, including his common greeting to his buddy, "Hey there, Boo Boo!"
While perhaps not the greatest role model, since he spends most of his time stealing food from "pic-a-nic baskets", Yogi Bear is rarely seen as anything but a lovable bear, and certainly one of the greatest animated characters of all time.
29. Pikachu
While Pikachu first appeared in the Pokémon video games, it was in anime that the character's popularity really spiked. And it was a good decision Pikachu to choose as the mascot for the Pokemon franchise as it has been going strong for two decades. To both general audiences and hardcore Pokémon fans, Pikachu is well known as the yellow "electric" Pokémon that refuses to stay in his Poké Ball, and instead, follows his trainer, Ash, wherever he goes.
Unlike the original Red and Blue video games, where trainers had to select either Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander as their starter Pokémon, Ash is left with Pikachu in the Pokémon anime series. And nearly twenty years later, their pairing has become one of the most recognizable in both animation and video games.
So, even though Pikachu first appeared in a video game, television was the medium that launched its popularity, making the electric type Pokémon, one of the greatest animated TV characters - ever.
28. Cosmo and Wanda
Like Hanna-Barbera, Nickelodeon is frequently mentioned when discussing some of the greatest cartoons of all time. Nickelodeon Animation Studio began by creating shows like Rugrats and Doug, and has since created some of the longest running cartoons in history. And one of those shows is The Fairly OddParents, which has aired ten seasons over the last fifteen years.
While the series revolves around the life of Timmy Turner, it is his godparents, Cosmo and Wanda Cosma, who steal the show. And since nobody is allowed to know Timmy has godparents, the pair often hide as goldfish or other less noticeable objects. But the two godparents are particularly entertaining because of what they do inadvertently.
Husband and wife Cosmo and Wanda are tasked with granting Timmy wishes in order to improve his life. However, they have a propensity towards disaster, often causing more problems for Timmy than they solve. Cosmo, in particular, is a dim-witted character whose ineptitude is often the cause of all kinds of destruction. Still, the pair endure and have earned a place among the animated greats.
27. Malory Archer
One of the more recent characters on this list, Archer's Malory Archer (voiced by Jessica Walter) is the former head of ISIS (the "International Secret Intelligence Service") and mother of super spy, Sterling Archer. She is an alcoholic, self-absorbed (though not as much as her son), and greedy individual, who seemingly cares more about her bank than the safety and well-being of her agents.
Malory's exploits include a long-running affair with the head of the KGB, having her team clean up for her after she commits murder, and turning her spy agency into an unsuccessful drug cartel. Clearly one of the less child-friendly characters on this list, Malory Archer is part of the reason Archer has aired seven successful seasons and keeps people coming back for more. It doesn't hurt that she is voiced to perfection by Jessica Walter, who essentially reprises her role as Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development.
Season seven of Archer ended on a shocking cliffhanger, so it will be interesting to see where we find Malory come season eight.
26. Tina Belcher
Prior to the launch of Fox's "Sunday Funday", the network carved out a niche for itself with its primetime block of animated programming called "Animation Domination". While the programming block may have been known best for airing Bob's Burgers.
While the entire Belcher family is fun to watch, the breakout character is one that almost never was - Tina Belcher (voiced by Dan Mintz). The oldest child of Bob and Linda was originally going to be a boy, Daniel Belcher. But after being included in the never-aired pilot, Daniel was replaced by Tina. Tina is known for speaking in a very low droning voice, for being the ultimate awkward teenage girl, and for her obsession with male buttocks.
What makes the character so fun to watch is her utter sincerity. Tina is 100% herself, even when that self is fantasizing about her imaginary horse, Jericho. Lucky for us, when Bob's Burgers finally came to television, we got to watch Tina, and not Daniel Belcher.
25. Rick Sanchez
Like the previous character on this list, Rick Sanchez has only been around for a few years, but he has still carved out quite a name for himself. One of the title characters of Adult Swim's Rick and Morty, Rick (voiced by series creator Justin Roiland) is known for his constant burping, condescending attitude, and considerable genius. He is Beth Smith's father, and Morty and Summer's grandfather.
While Rick Sanchez interacts with the entire Smith family, his exploits in space and alternate dimensions most often include his grandson Morty. Despite his age, Rick Sanchez has quite the reputation across the galaxy, even winning the affection of the "hive mind" Unity. Rick has a superiority complex, but is nonetheless often is shown to be a caring grandfather and father, even surrendering his freedom in the second season finale for the sake of his family.
Rick and Morty's first two seasons were a hit for Adult Swim, and that is in large part thanks to the foul mouthed genius of Rick Sanchez.
24. Peter Griffin
One of the most popular, though at times controversial, animated programs of the last decade and a half has to be Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy. While criticized by some as a poor man's The Simpsons, the show became so popular that it rose from the dead. After being canceled in 2002, sales of Family Guy DVDs and syndication ratings on Adult Swim were so high that Fox had no choice but to renew the show for a fourth season. And they haven't looked back since.
Family Guy has now aired 269 episodes, and there is no doubt that the show's popularity is in no small part due to the patriarch of the Griffin family, Peter Griffin. The overweight, alcoholic, dim-witted, prone to cutaways, family guy has consistently been one of the funniest and lovable characters on television - not just animation - since he first appeared.
Fans have enjoyed Peter's antics, including every chicken fight, drink at The Clam, and ill-advised decision, for fourteen seasons now, making him one of the best animated TV characters of all time.
23. Jem
From 1985 to 1988 one of the most popular syndicated animated television shows was Jem (or Jem and the Holograms). While that name may be familiar to some from the recent, critically panned, live-action adaptation of the show, Jem (the alter ego of Jerrica Benton) is possibly the most iconic animated female character of the 1980s.
Jerrica Benton is able to turn into Jem, the leader of the Holograms, through the use of Synergy, which she can activate by pressing her "Jemstar earrings". Though keeping her identity concealed from most, the Holograms have always been aware of Jerrica's alter ego. Jerrica inherited both Synergy and Starlight Music after the ing of her father. For three seasons Jem and Jerrica were voiced by Samantha Newark, while Jem's singing voice was provided by Britta Phillips.
Despite Jem and the Holograms only lasting three seasons, Jem's legacy has continued through reruns, dolls, comic strips, and of course, the 2015 live action adaptation.
22. Beavis and Butt-Head
In 1993, Mike Judge created a show for MTV about two teenagers who loved rock music, were completely socially unaware, and seemed to lack any form of moral com. That show was called Beavis and Butt-Head. Beavis and Butt-Head (both voiced by Mike Judge) are students at Highland High, though they often do not attend. Their eponymous series often features them watching music videos, talking about sex, and getting in trouble.
Despite their friendship, Beavis and Butt-Head rarely seem to care for each other's well-being, with Butt-Head often becoming physically violent and abusive towards Beavis. The series was clearly not without controversy, as Beavis and Butt-Head often partook in schemes that most parents would not condone. But still, Beavis and Butt-Head's popularity led to spin-offs, comic strips, and a feature film titled, Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. And so, their place in animation history is cemented - for better or worse.
21. George Jetson
It was only going to be a matter of time before we made it to another creation of Hanna-Barbera. While originally airing for only one season in 1962, The Jetsons has become one of Hanna-Barbera's most iconic television shows. The series, which was the first to be broadcast in color on ABC, has been airing reruns for decades, and has become a household name for generations. Produced as a counterpart to The Flinstones, The Jetsons showcased family life in a future utopia.
The star of the series was Jetson family patriarch, George Jetson. Originally voice by George O'Hanlon, the character has since been voiced by Jeff Bergman (who provides the modern-day voice to many classic animated characters). Like most iconic animated characters, George has many catchphrases, but none more notable than "Jane! Stop this crazy thing!" which he would scream during the end credits of the original series while running on a space treill.
While The Jetsons may not be as popular as The Flinstones, the series still led to television films, a theatrical film, and a planned (though long-gestating) live-action adaptation.