Animation offers a vast variety of options for character design, each created to attract a particular demographic. Not every character becomes an icon, however, which is why Squideo is breaking down the animation character designs of ten of the coolest animated characters of all time. 

01. Mickey Mouse

The icon of the Walt Disney Company, Mickey Mouse is arguably the most recognisable character in the world. Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928, Mickey Mouse is one of the oldest entries on this list (but not the record holder) and helped make Disney the company it is today. As is often the case for successful creations, there is some dispute how Mickey was created; but we’re glad to have him. 

Mickey Mouse set the style for all future Disney animation designs. The rounded character, use of bold colours and a distinctive colour palette for each character; it all started with Mickey. Disney has its own unique animation style, crafted over its 100 year lifespan. The animation style has changed over the years with the incorporation of new technology, especially 3D computer animation, but remains distinguishable from other animation companies.

02. Winnie-the-Pooh

First featured on screen in 1966, the character of Winnie-the-Pooh was created in 1925 by British author A. A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard. The rights are held by Disney, yet other adaptations have been made. Perhaps the antithesis to the Disney version is the Soviet Union’s version of the famous bear, released in 1969 and followed by two additional films, which removes Christopher Robin but adds a narrator.

With the exception of the 1925 and 1969 versions of Winnie-the-Pooh, the character design remained consistent in the Disney productions which helped this Winnie-the-Pooh become the most identifiable version of the character. In that classic Disney style, Winnie-the-Pooh is soft and cuddly, and easily spotted with his amber and red colour palette. 

03. The Simpsons

Sticking with yellow-hued characters, it’s time to look at one of Earth’s most popular families. First appearing in 1987 as a short in The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons went on to get their own franchise in 1989 that is running to this day. It’s the longest-running American sitcom and animated series with 34 seasons and 750 episodes (as of August 2023).

Beyond the prominence of the colour yellow, The Simpsons are recognisable for their geometric appearance. Bart, Lisa and Maggie’s spiky hair, Homer’s chevron hairline and Marge’s rectangular dress. The design is easy to reproduce and remains recognisable even if the style changes. The Simpsons have hosted many guest artists for the couch gag, from Guillermo del Torro to Sylvain Chomet, yet no one would mistake what they were watching for any other animated show.

04. Bibendum

Bibendum, known as the Michelin Tyre Man in the English-speaking world, is the oldest entry on the list. First created for this French company in 1894, this character has become an icon the world over and remains one of the oldest trademarks still in use. Its popularity has been referenced in books, film, television and songs. The character even starred in a 2009 animated short film, Logorama. 

The character has changed over the years to reflect the times, but every version remains identifiable as the Michelin Tyre Man. Despite tyres turning black in the 1910s, the character has retained the whiteness of the earliest tyres in production. After 120 years, it would be hard to change the essential makeup of this character without destroying the Michelin brand. 

05. Mulan

The eighth addition to the Disney Princess line-up, and the first who was not a real princess, Mulan hit the screens in 1998. This animated character reinvented the formula of a Disney Princess film, by making Mulan into a hero who saves herself, her family and her country. The romance is relegated to a subplot, and the film doesn’t end with a wedding.

Despite Mulan only having two feature films to her name (1998, 2004), the character has appeared in multiple Disney shows and videos games, most famously appearing in 2016 Wreck It Ralph with the other Disney Princesses. Her tenure as a Disney Princess hasn’t gone without controversy, however. A redesign in 2013 prompted a public backlash as the character’s skin was lightened, causing a swift reversal by Disney.

06. Scooby-Doo

These mystery solvers have been on television since 1969, branching out into films (animated and live-action), video games and comics. The core gang have stayed in place with the titular Scooby-Doo joined by his friends Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred. Some additions have been made to the original Hanna Barbara line-up, such as the divisive Scrappy-Doo.

Like the other oldies on the list, the Scooby-Doo characters have seen significant redesign over the years. From making them children in A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988) to giving the human characters tiny eyes in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010), but the biggest change came with Velma (2023) which sought to diversify the originally all-white cast.

07. Totoro

Despite being the subject of only one feature-length film, the character Totoro from My Neighbour Totoro (1988) has become a cultural icon in Japan. Brought back in ani-manga books, a novel and – most recently – a stage adaptation, Totoro has fame outside of Japan too. In fact, its popularity led to a cameo of Totoro in Toy Story 3 (2010).

Created by Studio Ghibli, Totoro has been adapted as the production company’s mascot much like Mickey Mouse has been at Disney. Using hand drawn animation, bright colours and individually coloured frames, the rich visual style is a sharp contrast to the Western examples featured in this list.

08. Tom and Jerry

Created by the renowned William Hanna and Joseph Barbara duo 17 years before they formed their own company, Tom (originally called Jasper) and Jerry were originally the product of MGM when these characters first debuted in 1940. The journey has continued in the hands of numerous producers and three studios, making fans with their slapstick comedy for over 80 years.

Tom’s angular ears and fur are set against Jerry’s rounded character, making them opposites in both personality and appearance. While the animation style has shifted slightly over various incarnations, the original 1940 characters are still identifiable in 2021’s Tom and Jerry in New York. The only real difference is the lightening of both characters’ fur and the addition of Tom’s sinisterly evil eyebrows

09. Betty Boop

Made by Fleischer Studios in 1930, Betty Boop’s appearances in television and film hasn’t increased much since the decade of her creation. In spite of her limited filmography, Betty Boop has become one of the most iconic animated characters of all time – replicated in merchandise, comic book films and two films in the 1980s.

Betty Boop is a personification of the 1920s and flapper style. At first, the character was meant to be an anthropomorphic French poodle but Betty Boop was soon modelled after singer Helen Kane instead from who the classic catchphrase came: “Boop Oop a Doop.” Heavily censored by the Hays Code in 1934, Beety Boop’s appearance drastically changed – but it was that early incarnation that has lasted into modern times. 

10. The Smurfs

Created by the Belgian comic artist Peyo in 1958 under the name Les Schtroumpfs, The Smurfs is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Popularised with English-speaking audiences when The Smurfs’ TV series launched in 1981, these iconic blue characters with their distinctive white hats (called ‘Phrygian caps’) quickly entered the mainstream. 

These characters are so popular in Belgium that in 2005, UNICEF used The Smurfs to create an advert for their fundraising campaign for Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – both former Belgian colonies. They’ve since been reimagined in the 2010s using 3D computer animation, bringing The Smurfs to another generation of viewers.

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