The 5 Most Lovable Cartoon Characters
On July 27, 1940, Bugs Bunny made his first appearance. It was "A Wild Hare", a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short film, about Elmer Fudd hunting for rabbits. What he found was an insouciant hare. Everyone fell in love with Bugs after he uttered a flippant line ("Eh … What's up, doc?").
Who Needs an Oscar?
"The Wild Hare" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. The MGM's "The Milk Way" was the winner in that category, but this was the beginning for the gray rabbit. More short films came, and then his own features. He became one of the stars of the small screen. He also found his way into comic books and video games. (Need we tell more?) So it wasn't surprising that he ended up as corporate mascot of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Many would compare Bugs to Mickey Mouse, the mascot of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Tens of Mickey's cartoons received Oscar nomation in the Best Animated Short Film category, with "Lend a Paw" (1942) winning the coveted statuette. But this doesn't make Bugs less. Like Mickey, he has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He's also a cultural icon.
Most icons are real people, but Bugs is a special case. He's interesting even if he's doesn't care on anyone or anything except a piece of carrot. Bugs and Elmer starred in many pictures, the public obsessed about them for many reasons. They love seeing Egghead injuring himself. (It's not nice, but we can't help laughing.) They find Bugs cool. (If he was real, then the response would be the opposite.) They are looking for some laughter. (The duo don't disappoint.)
But there are others like Bugs
Bugs Bunny isn't the only likable cartoon characters in the Warner studio. There are more outside the Merrie Melodies. The reasons reflect the evolution of animation through the decades, but it's all about the public's need for entertainment.
So here are the cartoon characters America love the most:
Charlie Brown. No one likes a loser, but the main protagonist of Charles M. Schultz's "Peanuts" is an exception. He possesses endless determination and hope, which endear him to the public.
Homer Simpson. He is bald and overweight, crude and ignorant as well. He's also clumsy, lazy and incompetent. A heavy drinker too. But he's decent and devoted to his family. There's no one who is more American than him.
Scooby-Doo. This dog tends to pronounce words as if they begin with an R. (How funny!) He's always hungry and scared. (Silly!) But he can be friendly and heroic when it matters most.
SpongeBob. This resident of Bikini Bottom is optimistic, enthusiastic, and cheerful. He overdoes it at times, annoying the other inhabitants of this undersea city. But who wants a grumpy character?
Woody. There are many Dudley Do-Righters in this world, but there's only one who shows it with feeling. And he's not real. (Surprise!) The star of the "Toy Story" film series wishes he can take the easy road. Everyone can relate to that.
So who is your favorite cartoon character?
