Top 10 Best Nickelodeon Cartoon Characters

This Australian wallaby lives in a totally madcap world where cows eat chickens, cats date turtles, and feet have faces. In the midst of all this surrealism, Rocko emerges as the only character that could be described as normal. Our protagonist wants nothing more than to settle down with a nice girl and have a quiet life. Alas, he’s a magnet for madness. Whether he’s vacuuming the house or unclogging a toilet, a wacky misadventure waits around every corner. Although Rocko is frequently pushed to the brink of insanity, he maintains a gentle personality and giving nature. Rocko always comes off as practical and humble, even when he’s working at a phone sex hotline.

#9: Sir Nigel Archibald Thornberry “The Wild Thornberrys” (1998-2004)

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Though Eliza’s the one who can talk to animals, her eccentric dad remains arguably the most outlandish member of the wild Thornberry clan. A British zoologist with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, Nigel is like a walking wildlife encyclopedia. Although Nigel sometimes comes off as oblivious, he’s also good in a crisis and can adapt to almost any environment. He puts the wellbeing of his children and wife first, making him a loving family man above all else. The great Tim Curry provided the voice for this quirky character and you can tell that he had a smashing time in the recording booth.

#8: Ren Höek “The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991-95)

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Most main characters in Nicktoons have a kind heart and a sense of virtue. This hot-headed Chihuahua is another story, however. Ren is selfish, psychotic, and abusive towards his friend/roommate/possible domestic partner, Stimpy - who is another great character (xref). While Ren has a few fleeting moments of humanity, you can basically break him down into two halves: Evil Ren and Indifferent Ren. Of course, that’s what makes him a hilarious and distinctive character, especially in a show marketed to kids. Nickelodeon has so many role models that it’s actually refreshing to see a protagonist who’s unapologetically short-tempered and oftentimes mean. It works because Ren is rarely glorified, and often gets his comeuppance before the end.

#7: Jimmy Neutron “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” (2002-06)

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This boy genius initially broke out into popularity with the release of his Oscar-nominated animated feature. The 2001 film was followed by a spin-off series, solidifying Jimmy Neutron as a household name. As creative as he is intelligent, Jimmy can take an assortment of household items and turn them into a revolutionary invention. With that said, not all of Jimmy’s creations are an immediate success. As a matter of fact, many of them blow up in his face. Nevertheless, Jimmy lives by the saying, “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again” - which made him not only a compelling character, but a great role model too.

If you crossed Peter Parker with Peter Venkman, you’d get a Danny Phantom. At the age of fourteen, this wisecracking nerd stumbles inside his parents’ ghost portal and gains paranormal abilities. Now half-ghost, Danny uses his powers to protect the world from dastardly forces. In addition to catching ghosts and keeping his secret identity under wraps, he must also juggle the everyday struggles of high school, making Danny an identifiable protagonist with relatable insecurities. Although he fights for good, Danny is occasionally torn between the light side and the dark side. With some help from his friends, though, he summons the strength to overcome any obstacle.

#5: Arnold Shortman “Hey Arnold!” (1996-2004)

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At the center of this cast of colorful characters is the titular Arnold, who provides a strong moral compass. This young boy stands out thanks to his football-shaped head and humongous heart. When a friend is in need, Arnold is always there to offer advice. He’s also able to see the best in people, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. As wise and optimistic as Arnold is, he’s not without inner demons. His parents disappeared when he was only a baby, leaving him with crushing abandonment issues. Now that Nickelodeon has given “The Jungle Movie” the green light, perhaps our favorite football head will finally get some closure.

As the theme song suggests, Timmy is an average 10-year-old kid with neglectful parents, a sadistic babysitter, and an awkward social life. Fortunately, he has a couple fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda to guide him through the hard times. Impulsive and irresponsible, this ten-year-old boy constantly makes wishes without thinking them through. This only creates more problems, which can’t be corrected with a simple wish. Thus, Timmy must use logic and reasoning to save the day. Timmy ultimately realizes that true magic comes from within, helping him take the first step towards growing up.

#3: Aang “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)

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This is one of the most unique Nickelodeon shows and the same can be said about its protagonist. Aang isn’t your typical macho action hero. He’s a playful twelve-year-old who prefers to take a peaceful approach instead of using brute force. Being the Avatar, though, Aang is often required to fight and will do whatever it takes to protect his loved ones. While he puts up a childish, lighthearted front, he’s also overwhelmed with fear and doubt. On his journey to master all four elements, Aang is unsure if he’ll be able to defeat the Fire Lord without jeopardizing his own ethics. Upon finding balance within himself, however, Aang is able to bring balance to the world.

#2: Tommy Pickles “Rugrats” (1991-2004)

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You wouldn’t think an infant would make for an especially compelling main character. Yet, Tommy Pickles quickly rose to prominence as one of Nick’s first true superstars. Not bad for someone who isn’t even potty trained. Despite his young age, this baby demonstrates the makings of a natural born leader. Plucky and curious, Tommy frequently leads his friends on misadventures that might seem small on the surface, but are epic from the perspective of a baby. Granted, his free spirit might land him in trouble every once in awhile, but Tommy reminds us that life is too short not to take a few risks. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Zim “Invader Zim” (2001-02, 2006) Doug Funnie “Doug” (1991-94) Jenny Wakeman (XJ-9) “My Life as a Teenage Robot” (2003-09) Dog "CatDog" (1998-2005) Korra "The Legend of Korra" (2012-14)

#1: SpongeBob SquarePants “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)

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Since making his debut at the turn of the 21st century, SpongeBob SquarePants has become Nickelodeon’s mascot and a cartoon icon. Though many feel that the show has dipped in quality, SpongeBob remains a timeless and endearing character. Never far from best pal Patrick Star, this yellow sea sponge can find joy whether he’s blowing bubbles, jellyfishing, or flipping burgers. In many respects, you could argue that he started the recent trend of sincere, optimistic lead characters in animated programing. Without a cynical bone in his body, SpongeBob lives to brighten the day of others. It’s impossible not to love him… unless you’re a Squidward. And no one wants to be a Squidward!