Gender dynamics in cartoons are changing at a rapid clip. In recent years, the lines between what constitutes a boy's cartoon and a girl's cartoon have become increasingly blurred. Shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe pioneered the style, deviating from straightforward action to focus on various genres.
In addition to the tonal balance, female characters are more powerful than ever. The new wave of dominant female powerhouses in cartoons might seem completely original, but one character existed as the prototype for decades. Wonder Woman is still the standard-bearer for female cartoon characters that play as rough as the boys.
10 Wonder Woman's Inspiration Was A Core Element In Crafting Korra's Character
Thankfully, society is getting used to seeing powerful female characters. Cartoons have taken the notion of strong female leads in radical directions that even movies have yet to duplicate. Korra, the Avatar sequel series protagonist, is one such example.
Like Wonder Woman, Korra is a determined and noble warrior that finds a way to carve out a unique identity despite coming from an immense line of warriors. Korra and Wonder Woman can bring the fight and frequently use their martial arts mastery against the boys.
9 Wendy Corduroy And Wonder Woman Put The Team On Their Back
Despite its relatively short run, Gravity Falls left a massive mark on the world of animation. By fusing the horror genre and the wacky humor of classic Disney channel shows, Gravity Falls broke new ground in cartoons.
One of the characters that were symbolic of the pioneering spirit of the series was Wendy Corduroy. Like Wonder Woman, Wendy sees a minimal separation between the gender roles. In a second, Wendy can express her femininity and transition into one of the show's most essential action leads.
8 Rogue Was Wonder Woman For Cartoon Fans In The Early 90s
In the early 90s, many entrenched views on the core demographic for superhero content ran rampant. Studios producing a plethora of superhero media felt that the genre was only for boys. Consequently, despite her trinity cohorts each snagging series in the 90s, Wonder Woman sat on the bench. Fans searching for a similar character found Rogue as a fun substitute.
Although several female X-Men characters can fit the bill, Rogue possessed more raw power than anyone on the show. Rogue even flew like Wonder Woman.
7 Princess Bubblegum And Wonder Woman Share A Royal Upbringing
Before the lines between genres blurred, studios believed girls would only watch shows with princesses. Saving the action portion of the cartoon to their handsome, adventuring male love interest, princesses in cartoons existed to get in trouble and look pretty. Princess Bubblegum, like Princess Diana before her, thankfully breaks this trend.
While she is a supporting character to Adventure Time protagonist Finn, Princess Bubblegum is intelligent, brave, and capable of saving herself while retaining her royal status. Wonder Woman, a princess herself, would be proud of Bubblegum.
6 Kim Possible And Wonder Woman Can Save The World Without Breaking A Sweat
Many of the inflexible views of female characters emanate from Disney and their presentation of princesses. In the 00s, Disney began the effort- that's still ongoing- to rectify their representation of female characters. Kim Possible was Disney's first attempt at a female superhero.
Fans might find Kim Possible an odd pick since she doesn't have powers, but in the 1970s, Wonder Woman was also a powerless, globe-trotting secret agent. The 70s run of Wonder Woman might have even helped inspire Kim Possible and her exploits.
5 Wonder Woman And Sailor Moon Both Have Battle Ready Accessories
There's a balance to creating strong female characters. If one teeters too closely to masculine archetypes, the representation feel can hollow. Sailor Moon deftly solves the problem by existing as one of the most unbelievably powerful anime characters ever without compromising classic and enjoyable feminine archetypes.
Much like Wonder Woman's bracelets, Sailor Moon brandishes a host of traditional female accessories that turn a battle towards her favor. Moreover, the golden age version of Wonder Woman gave the character a tiara capable of reading opponents' minds.
4 Garnet And Wonder Woman Both Get Their Hands Dirty
In several DC animated movies, Wonder Woman has the best fight scenes. In Crisis on Two Earths, two of the most jaw-dropping fight scenes in the film belong to Wonder Woman, despite having the rest of the Justice League in the film.
Garnet from Steven Universe functions similarly. As the leading heavy hitter in the series, most of the action in Steven Universe comes from Garnet's many slugfests. When it comes to action set pieces, fans always come unglued for Garnet and Wonder Woman's many brawls.
3 Mulan And Wonder Woman Know Their Way Around A Sword
Superheroes usually use nonlethal weaponry to combat their villains. One of the superhero genre cornerstones is the rule that "superheroes don't kill." Wonder Woman considers that more of a guideline than a rule. In many of her adventures, Diana used a sword with lethal intent.
In the ways of the blade, Wonder Woman shares similarities with Disney's Mulan. Raised in ancient China, Mulan's proficiency with an edged weapon was no accident, as the sword was the era's weapon. However, Mulan broke tradition by being a woman who wielded one.
2 She-Ra And Wonder Woman Are Both Warrior Princesses
He-man's success on Saturday mornings in the 80s prompted his studio Filmation to duplicate the idea for female audiences. Thus, She-Ra: Princess of Power was born. She-Ra showed a ton of promise in her first run, but the character really came into her own with Netflix's 2018 revival series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
Like Wonder Woman, Princess Adora comes from a society where swordplay and warrior culture reign supreme. Although underestimated by their male foes, Adora and Wonder Woman always prove their warrior spirit.
1 Blossom And Wonder Woman Are Two Of The Most Iconic Cartoon Superheroes
The existence of PowerPuff Girls aptly expresses the changing attitudes towards female superhero cartoons. Powerpuff Girls became Cartoon Network's biggest hit for both boys and girls. Blossom was the team leader at the center of the adorable trio of superpowered pre-schoolers.
Blossom's design intentionally referenced past superheroes like Wonder Woman with her commanding and virtuous demeanor. The creative team behind the show acknowledged the homage by having Blossom outright mimic Wonder Woman in one episode where the Powerpuff girls split to each become solo heroes.