Top 10 Best Cartoon Network Characters of All Time
These toons have been defining countless childhoods – and even some adulthoods – for years. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Cartoon Network characters.
For this list, we’re taking a look at the most unique and iconic characters from original Cartoon Network shows.
#10: Mordecai & Rigby
“Regular Show” (2010-)
This blue jay and raccoon are the epitome of today’s slacker youth with their total disregard for responsibility. As groundskeepers at a local park, all these guys want is to finish their work as quickly as possible so they can get back to eating junk food and watching Internet videos. Naturally, their half-assed work ethic always results in the situation becoming infinitely more complicated. You might not want Mordecai and Rigby as your employees, but they’re the ideal companions to kick back and have a couple drinks with.
#9: Raven
“Teen Titans” (2003-06)
If the Teen Titans are the Breakfast Club of superheroes, Raven is definitely the goth chick. With scornful eyes and a monotone voice, this blue hooded recluse might seem emotionless. While Raven isn’t as expressive as somebody like Starfire, she does care deeply for her fellow teammates. Since her powers are driven by emotion, though, she must contain all strong feelings through meditation. One-half human and one-half demon, Raven arguably has the darkest backstory of any of the Teen Titans and could potentially bring an even darker future.
#8: Johnny Bravo
“Johnny Bravo” (1997-2004)
With more hair than brains and a macho upper body his tiny legs shouldn’t be able to support, Johnny Bravo views himself as God’s gift to the world. As much as he wants ladies to bask in his glory, this would-be ladies man loves himself too much for any woman to love him back. Johnny does attract plenty of unwanted affection, however, from the little neighbor girl, dorky self-titled best friend and the occasional outlandish date. Although he can’t get with the foxy mamas, at least Johnny will always have his actual mama.
#7: Ben Tennyson
“Ben 10” franchise (2005-)
Like many 10-year-old boys, the immediately identifiable Ben Tennyson dreams that something will fall out of the sky and transform his boring life into a thrilling adventure. He gets his wish after acquiring a wristwatch that allows him to change into a multitude of different superhero-like beings. Although he lives out many of our childhood fantasies, Ben is more than just a shell for the audience to wear, distinguishing himself with a sense of humor, human imperfections, and the will stand up for what’s right even without all the power in the universe.
#6: Dexter
“Dexter’s Laboratory” (1996-2003)
As the star of their pioneering original series, Dexter acted as the Cartoon Network’s mascot of sorts for years. He’s a different kind of protagonist for a show aimed at kids, not just because of his diminutive size, unidentifiable accent, or secret laboratory, but also because of his ego. Where most animated adolescent characters are expected to be role models, Dexter has a cocky attitude that gives him a refreshing edge. His arrogant ways often result in his experiments blowing up in his face, unless his sister blows them up first. But if there’s one lesson to take from this boy genius, besides ensuring your annoying sibling doesn’t find your secret lab, it’s to take pride in the things you create, and keep aiming higher!
#5: Bubbles
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
Buttercup brought spice to the equation, Blossom brought everything nice, and Professor Utonium added chemical X, but the most essential ingredient in the Powerpuff Girls’ formula for success was Bubbles and her sugary goodness. Easily everyone’s favorite of the trio, the irresistible Bubbles stands out with her wide-eyed imagination, naive view of the world, and fluency in languages. Even when she’s trying to act hardcore, she still comes off as adorable. When Townsville’s at the mercy of fiends like Mojo Jojo, though, Bubbles can still step up and kick some monkey ass.
#4: Jake the Dog & Finn the Human
“Adventure Time” (2010-)
At its heart, “Adventure Time” is a coming of age story about a growing young boy and his canine, shape shifting bro. Between the two, you have one awesome individual with Finn being the proactive optimist who can get out of trouble with a sword and Jake being the laid back hipster who can get out of trouble with his charms. Whether the two best buds are challenging unspeakable evil or hanging around the tree house, they can make an adventure out of pretty much anything. Mathematical!
#3: Courage
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)
Courage is every bit as cowardly as Scooby-Doo, screaming at the top of his lungs and popping his eyes out of their sockets. Despite his fearful demeanor, however, Courage will take on any disturbing foe to rescue his oblivious owner, Muriel. While he doesn’t talk much, you can always count on this scaredy dog to deliver some hilarious expressions in the face of danger. Oh, and unlike most of the baddies that Scooby went up against, the nightmare-inducing monsters haunting Courage’s neck of the woods are all too real.
#2: Ed, Edd n Eddy
“Ed, Edd n Eddy” (1999-2009)
If the Powerpuff Girls were the Cartoon Network’s purveyors of girl power, Ed, Edd n Eddy most certainly brought the boy power. These three pals embody everything male-oriented, from stinky smells, to dirty humor, to a lust for candy. They’re immature, but in a playful, nostalgic way that takes you back to the summer days of your childhood. With one being the thickheaded muscle, another being the brains of the outfit, and the third being a master conman, Ed, Edd n Eddy are a recipe for mischief, disaster and laughs.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Uncle Grandpa
“Uncle Grandpa” (2013-)
Numbuh 5 / Abigail ‘Abby’ Lincoln
“Codename: Kids Next Door” (2002-08)
Bloo
“Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” (2004-09)
Grim
“The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy” (2003-07)
#1: Samurai Jack
“Samurai Jack” (2001-04)
With “Samurai Jack,” Genndy Tartakovsky aspired to create a different kind of animated action series. He achieved this not only through the show’s distinctive visual style, but also with its title character. Instead of being a whiny, hotheaded showoff like other action heroes, this samurai warrior is humble and always willing to learn from others. At the same time, Jack can be equally humorous, mysterious and tormented in his journey to defeat the monstrous Aku. Rarely relying on heavy dialogue, almost all of Jack’s emotions are conveyed through body language, making this Cartoon Network original a different kind of timeless character.