Cool and cartoon aren't usually in the same sentence. Coolness is generally reserved for real life characters in movies and TV shows. However, there are some cartoon characters who are super compelling or have a tendency to carry the show. Those stand-outs deserve recognition.
Cartoons have been in existence for a very long time. Well-rounded characters who are great spouses, friends, and people to aspire to are commonly featured. Even though fact animations feature more unrealistic characters than other categories, said characters are often relatable. From contemporary "cool kids" to unexpected old favorites, those characters make an impression on audiences to this day.
10 Lisa Simpson Is Witty, Well-Informed, And Has A Sense Of Humor
Easily the most conventionally intelligent member of The Simpsons, Lisa Simpsons is surprisingly well-rounded. Although often pigeonholed as a nerd, Lisa has many interests. She is a sax player and likes stereotypically feminine things like the doll, Malibu Stacy. Lisa also has a sense of humor, and she laughs at many of Bart’s prank calls to Moe.
Also, eight-year-old Lisa is very ethical. She criticizes Malibu Stacy’s sexist phrases and eventually helps create another doll, Lisa Lionheart. Lisa isn't above throwing red paint on executives. This whizkid also doesn't have any catchphrases as she finds them tacky.
9 Belle/ Beauty Isn't Afraid To Say What She Thinks
The female protagonist in Beauty and the Beast is the first Disney princess who doesn't seek out love. Belle is older than most of the other princesses and yet in her 20s, she doesn't settle down with her first suitor. Belle has a supportive father, and she helps with his inventions sometimes.
Belle is witty and loves reading. She's known for her snarky comments and isn't afraid to tell people (her suitors included) how she feels. Gaston gets a “what do you know about my dreams, Gaston?” and she tells the Beast "well, you should learn to control your temper!" Ignoring the naysayers, Belle follows her heart and her mind.
8 Edna E Mode Is the Cool Child-free Rich Aunt
One of the most dynamic characters in The Incredibles, Edna E Mode is the friend and fashion designer extraordinaire for the Parr family. She is the go-to designer for supers and believes she designs for gods. Edna is ahead of her time with quotes like "Done properly, parenting is a heroic act. Done properly! I am fortunate that it has never afflicted me."
However, Edna is a great babysitter and through her care for Jack-Jack, she is able to design an appropriate suit and mask for his powers. Edna is also an innovator and sees that capes are more of a hindrance than an asset.
7 Dean Hardscrabble Makes An Absolutely Splendid Entrance
Even though Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc is criticized for continuity errors, its antagonist is widely accepted as a good addition to the franchise. Dean Abigail Hardscrabble has an iconic introduction and her timing is consistently impeccable. Precisely at the moment Mike’s teacher claims he doesn’t scare easily, the dean’s appearance scares him.
Abigail Hardscrabble’s entrance, although dramatic, is intriguing rather than comical. She uses her wings to close all the blinds in the class before appearing. Her scaring relies on psychological implications rather than jump scares. Hardscrabble also has the record for being a top-scarer. She is witty and nails her exit from the classroom as well. With her signature move of spreading her wings before flight, she quips that the students have been “inspired."
6 Velma Dinkley Is Mystery Inc.
Without Velma’s abilities in the gang, Mystery Inc. would cease to exist. Noted for her square glasses, orange turtleneck and red skirt, Velma “Jinkies” Dinkley is the undisputed genius in the Scooby-Doo team. She constantly figures out and reveals various costumed culprits.Velma constantly reassures the group of the non-existence of the paranormal.
Since the entire schtick of Mystery Incorporated is solving mysteries, Fred, Daphne, Shaggy and Scoob would be lost without Velma. Also, her major weakness of losing her glasses is usually because a member of the gang like Shaggy bumps into her. Strictly in a business sense, Velma would be a great lone wolf.
5 The Fairy Godmother Is Devious And Successful
While The Fairy Godmother is definitely a villain, she is very elegant and accomplished. Her “cottage” which is actually a potions’ factory is impressive. It has a library as well as a well-stocked spell room. She is a suave business owner who has creative ideas like her business cards with the catchy "just a teardrop away." She would be an excellent role model if she was not evil.
Fans can never forget that one of The Fairy Godmother’s many talents is singing. Her performance is still one of the best musical numbers in the Shrek franchise. The mother of Prince Charming, she appears in chic but sophisticated outfits. Everyone remembers that red dress.
4 Poison Ivy Is A Certified Genius And Harley’s Girlfriend
Dr. Pamela Isley (more commonly referred to as Poison Ivy) is known for her intelligence, fondness for nature and green skin in comics, movies and TV shows. However, she is at her best in the animated series, Harley Quinn. Poison Ivy’s romantic relationship with Harley Quinn finally becomes canon on-screen. Even though Dr. Isley’s alter ego has the ability to make people lovesick, she has a slow burn romance with Harley.
The strategic environmentalist serves as a foil to hothead Harley. This results in an almost union with Kite Man. Luckily Ivy makes it back into the cool books by expressing her true feelings for the woman she loves most in the world, Harley Quinn. The lovebirds drive off into the sunset at the end of Season 2.
3 Character Actress Margo Martindale: Talented Criminal
Apart from being a caricature of real-life actress Margo Martindale, Character Actress Margo Martindale is always referred to as Character Actress Margo Martindale. This recurring gag in Bojack Horseman makes the iconic part more amazing. She's responsible for schemes that usually involve disguises like a nun’s habit and dangerous crimes.
Character Actress Margo Martindale plants the video game at Bojack’s request for Todd to miss his rock opera. She also robs a museum and eventually ends up in prison. Her amazing acting skills get her noticed when she tries to lie low. Character Actress Margo Martindale is easily one of the coolest older characters in animated history, if not the coolest in general, young or old.
2 Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins Is A Fulltime Fearless Free Thinker
Although she's a new addition to cartoon history, Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins from The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is already a very interesting character. Also, she has awesome hairstyles. Maya is only 14, but she's anti-establishment and rejects the clique Penny is a part of.
Maya is also seen reading books that make her more socially conscious. This isn't surprising as she is Black and part of a queer family. In a bid to ensure there is not a massive social hierarchy in school, Maya becomes an influencer and calls Penny a sell-out to restore order. Maya is also quick with retorts. One of her most daring feats was trying to break Shuggie, a panda, out of the reserve.
1 Deb Is The Master Of All Trades
Q-Force is an animated show about a queer spy team with different abilities. There are many cool characters, but Deb is the coolest of them all. Being a Black lesbian in animation is already pretty cool on its own but Agent Deb of the Q-Force is a remarkable person in general. Deb is an agent and a mechanic as well as a devoted wife to Pam. She's firm about her boundaries and generally has a good work-life balance.
Deb and her wife also host an amazing lesbian trivia event with their friends. Fans want to attend these events that have cooking competitions, food, and lots of banter with interesting people. Deb is a very competent mechanic and talented inventor. The Subaru car she experiments with is even able to fly. Apart from being a caregiver to 16 trauma pitbulls, Deb puts her family first and offers to give up being an agent for her wife’s safety.