Cartoon characters with big eyes are some of the most popular and iconic characters in all of animation. From Mickey Mouse to Hello Kitty, these characters have charmed audiences for generations with their large, expressive eyes.
Big eyes are often used to convey emotion and innocence, making them perfect for endearing characters like Cartoon Network’s Gumball or Pixar’s Dory. They can also be used for more mischievous characters, like Cartoon Network’s Dexter or Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.
Cartoon Characters With Big Eyes
No matter what kind of personality a big-eyed cartoon character has, they’re sure to capture the hearts of viewers around the world.
1. Garfield
Jim Davis created the popular comic strip, Garfield. The focus of the strip is Garfield, a lazy and overweight orange cat. Garfield’s love for food is a major running gag in the strip. Other recurring gags include Garfield’s hatred of Mondays and his love-hate relationship with Odie, a yellow dog. Garfield has been syndicated in newspapers since 1978 and his popularity has led to Garfield-themed merchandise, including books, DVDs, and a feature film.
The comic strip Garfield is one of the most popular in history. The lazy, overweight personality of Garfield resonates with many people. Garfield’s hatred of Mondays is something that many people can relate to.
2. Pluto The Pup
Pluto The Pup was a popular cartoon character in the 1930s. He was created by Walt Disney and first appeared in the short film ” Pluto’s Judgement Day.” Pluto is a small, white dog with black spots. He is very loyal to his owner, Mickey Mouse, and always tries to help him.
Pluto The Pup was one of the first cartoon characters to be created in color. He became very popular with children and adults alike. In the past few decades, Pluto has appeared in dozens of short films and television shows. It was in 2015 that Pluto was inducted into the Walt Disney Legends Hall of Fame.
3. Goofy
According to Disney’s website, Goofy is an anthropomorphic dog, meaning he has human characteristics.
Goofy is a cartoon character who is known for his silly antics and funny behavior. He is often seen as the sidekick to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and is one of the most popular characters in the Walt Disney universe. The catchphrase “Gawrsh!” has become a trademark of Goofy’s, which he often uses to express excitement or surprise. Despite many failures, Goofy is a lovable character who tries his best all the time. He is a great friend and always there to help out, even if his help isn’t always needed.
4. Tweety
Tweety is a small, yellow bird who appeared in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. In 1942, Tweety made his debut in A Tale of Two Kitties. Although Tweety is usually depicted as male, the Tweety series refers to the character as “he” and “she” in different episodes.
Tweety’s co-stars included Sylvester the Cat, Tweety’s owner Granny, Tweety’s nemesis the bulldog Hector, Tweety’s sweetheart Tweety Pie, and Tweety’s baby self.
5. Woody Woodpecker
Woody Woodpecker is a cartoon character who has appeared in various short films and television series over the years. He is best known for his signature laugh, “ha ha ha ha ha!”, which is often imitated by people.
Woody is also known for his famous catchphrase, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Woody is a red-headed woodpecker who wears a white shirt and black trousers.
He first appeared in the 1940 short film Knock Knock, where he was voiced by Mel Blanc. Over 150 films and television shows have featured Woody, one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world.
6. Spongebob Squarepants
As children, we loved watching cartoons because of this yellow-colored childish and joyful sea sponge. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple in Bikini Bottom with his pet snail named Gary.
Patrick, a starfish living under a rock, is Spongebob’s best friend and he loves spending time with him. His body is shaped like a square, so he wears square-shaped pants.
7. Patrick Star
In addition to SpongeBob’s olive-green eyes, Patrick Star has coral pink body with red dots and a red outline. He wears green shorts with purple flowers on them.
It is his character’s dumbness that makes him seem funny. Even when Patrick is just being himself, viewers will laugh hard.
8. Donald Duck
Walt Disney Productions created Donald Duck in 1934. A yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet distinguish Donald from other ducks. Aside from his mischievous and temperamental personality, Donald is most famous for his speech.
One of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world, Donald has appeared in more films than any other Disney character. In 1934, Donald Duck made his first appearance in The Donald Duck shorts.
Since then, he has appeared in over 150 theatrical films, television shows, and video games. Disney theme parks also feature Donald as an attraction. The cartoon character Donald Duck is one of the world’s most recognized and popular.
9. Elmer Fudd
Elmer Fudd is a fictional cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. Animation fans recognize his voice as one of the best.
Elmer’s signature catchphrase is “Shhh! Be vewy vewy quiet, I’m hunting rabbits!”. Elmer was one of several new characters created for the 1940s. All of these were specifically designed so that they could easily be recycled in subsequent shorts.
10. Jerry Mouse
Having grown up watching Tom and Jerry, it’s impossible to deny how much we loved them. This show features Jerry as one of the main protagonists. Tom’s frenemy is a brown mouse.
In contrast to the cat, he is not a cowering victim. Rather, he enjoyed besting and sometimes torturing others. Despite being shown as rivals, Tom and Jerry respect each other and are secretly good friends.
11. Bugs Bunny
There have been dozens of cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. Known for his catchphrase, “What’s up, Doc?” Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray bunny who is constantly outwitting his enemies, including Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, and Marvin the Martian.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action is also one of his more recent cartoons. The cartoon character Bugs Bunny is one of the most recognizable and popular in history.
‘A Wild Hare’, Bugs Bunny’s first cartoon short, was released in 1940. Elmer Fudd fails to hunt Bugs in this short after Bugs tricks him into believing he is a rabbit. The cartoon character Bugs Bunny became so popular that he was given his own TV series in 1945.
12. Minnie Mouse
The Disney cartoon character Minnie Mouse was created by Walt Disney. Her first appearance was in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, in which she played Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend. The bow ties and hats that Minnie wears to accessorize her outfits are among her favorite accessories.
There are a number of merchandise items featuring Minnie’s likeness in the Disney universe, including toys, clothes, and stationery. Even today, Minnie Mouse continues to be a popular icon for women and girls alike.
In addition to being a great role model for young girls, Minnie Mouse is a classic example of a strong and independent female character.
13. Scrooge McDuck
Scrooge McDuck, also known as Uncle Scrooge, is the uncle of Donald Duck. In addition to being rich and miserly, he is extremely thrifty.
His intelligence, honesty, and perseverance earned him the title of “richest duck in the world.” He wears a gray top hat and a blue coat.
14. Tom Cat
Among the main protagonists of the famous Tom and Jerry show is Tom, a blue/grey domestic short-haired cat. Throughout the show, he is always after Jerry.
Most of his plans, however, harm him rather than Jerry, so they rarely succeed. There is a secret bond between him and Jerry, which he sometimes fails to realize.
15. Anna
Frozen portrays Anna as a goofy, optimistic, loyal, and hopeless romantic.
Like a true princess, she is filled with love and purity. Despite this, her character lacks an air of royalty. Her sweetness is matched by her tenacity.
Her sister Elsa seems to be a brave woman who is willing to do anything for her. There is a touch of freckles on her forehead, and she has turquoise-blue eyes, rosy cheeks, thin pink lips, a small nose, and long strawberry-blonde hair in two braided pigtails.
16. Elsa
The Disney cartoon character Elsa has big eyes and is one of the most popular ones. In 2013, she played the deuteragonist in the famous Disney film “Frozen”, while in 2019, she played the protagonist. There is a sense of calm, reserve, and regalness about Elsa’s character.
There seemed to be quite a bit of turmoil and playfulness about her. Long platinum-blonde hair, rosy cheeks, thin pink lips, a small nose, and pale skin with a light dusting of freckles complete her tall, slender figure.
17. Merida
The 2012 Disney/Pixar film Brave features princess Merida of DunBroch as its main protagonist. As the first Disney Princess created by Pixar, Merida became the 11th member of the Disney Princess line-up on May 11, 2013.
18. Mickey Mouse
A cartoon character known as Mickey Mouse has appeared in a number of Disney films and other media. A global icon of the 20th century, Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognizable characters in the world.
Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928 and made his debut in Steamboat Willie. Over 130 films have been made about Mickey since then.
Mickey Mouse is also a symbol of The Walt Disney Company, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a popular children’s television show. Halloween costumes featuring Mickey Mouse are among the most popular.
19. Rapunzel
Since an old witch captured Rapunzel as a child, she has lived in a tower. Gothel uses her magical long blonde hair to keep her young by granting her eternal youth.
20. Scooby-doo
Scooby-doo is a cartoon character who is best known for his role in the Scooby-doo franchise. He’s a great example of a lovable cartoon character who has charmed audiences for generations. The catchphrase, “Scooby-dooby-doo, where are you?” is one of the most iconic and recognizable phrases in pop culture.
Scooby-doo has appeared in countless cartoons, movies, and television shows, and is one of the most beloved cartoon characters of all time.
21. Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is a cartoon character created by Warner Bros. He has appeared in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons since 1937, becoming one of the most recognizable and iconic characters in Warner Bros.
Daffy was number 14 on TV Guide’s list of the top 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time. Daffy first appeared in the short Porky’s Duck Hunt, released on April 17, 1937. After becoming the most popular character in Looney Tunes, Daffy eventually surpassed Bugs Bunny in popularity.
22. Stewie Griffin
The animated television show Family Guy features Stewie Griffin as a main character. He is a baby who is bent on world domination and has a sophisticated vocabulary. Stewie is also a member of the Stewie Griffin family.
Stewie Griffin is the youngest child of Lois and Peter Griffin. He has an older sister, Meg, and a talking dog, Brian. Stewie is constantly plotting ways to kill his mother, Lois. He has also tried to kill his father, Peter, on several occasions.
Stewie is a genius and has created numerous inventions that have helped him in his quest for world domination. Stewie is also a member of the Stewie Griffin family.
23. Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is the main character from the animated television series Family Guy. He’s a bumbling and lovable everyman who is married to Lois and is the father of Meg, Chris and Stewie.
In addition to being a drunken clams member, Peter is also friends with Joe Swanson. Peter has been known to engage in antics that often get him into trouble, but he always manages to get himself out of it in the end. Peter is voiced by Seth MacFarlane.
24. Homer Simpson
Homer Simpson is the main character of the popular animated television series The Simpsons. He is married to Marge Simpson and has three children: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
Homer is overweight, lazy, and often ignorant of the world around him, but he is also a loving husband and father. “D’oh!” is Homer’s catchphrase when something goes wrong.
25. Tommy Pickles
Thomas Malcolm “Tommy” Pickles is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated children’s television series Rugrats, the reboot, and its spinoff series All Grown Up!.
26. Louise Belcher
As the youngest child in the family, Louise is bright, mischievous, yet manipulative. The fact that she frequently gives older siblings (and sometimes adults) advice and makes quick-witted remarks is a sign that she is highly intelligent.
27. The Powerpuff Girls
Townsville is protected by the Powerpuff Girls, a trio of superpowered girls. The team is composed of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup.
The girls are created by Professor Utonium, who used sugar, spice, and everything nice (along with the mysterious Chemical X) to create them. Fighting crime and saving the day is a Powerpuff Girls’ specialty. They are often called upon by the Mayor of Townsville to help solve problems and defeat villains.
28. Angelica Pickles
There is a fictional character named Angelica Charlotte Pickles who appears on Nickelodeon shows like Rugrats, All Grown Up!, and Rugrats Pre-School. She is one of the original characters from these shows.
29. Dexter
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is the main character and protagonist. The boy genius has a secret laboratory. With his intelligence and his ability to create countless weird and amazing machines and experiments, he is the brain of the family and one of the world’s greatest inventors.
30. Timmy Turner
Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents revolves around Timmy Turner, the main protagonist. He is a 10-year-old boy who lives in Dimmsdale, with his idiotic parents, who refuse to believe that his babysitter Vicky is evil until Channel Chasers, and he has fairy godparents named Wanda and Cosmo.
What Do Cartoons Have Big Eyes?
Many theories explain why cartoons often have big eyes. One theory is that it makes the characters more expressive and allows for a greater range of emotions to be conveyed. Another theory is that it makes the characters appear more childlike and innocent, which can be appealing to viewers.
Additionally, big eyes can make characters appear more vulnerable and in need of protection, which can create an emotional connection with the audience. Ultimately, whether or not a cartoon character has big eyes is up to the individual creator, and what they feel will best convey the tone and messages of their work.
Why Do Anime Characters Have Big Eyes?
The Japanese aesthetic tradition emphasizes the artist’s ability to evoke strong emotions rather than use art to make perfect forms but in a realistic manner.
Consequently, manga artists have always emphasized their characters’ beauty and emotional appeal over showing them as people with realistic bodies.
It is most evident in the characters’ large eyes, but there are also other ways in which they have unrealistic features.
Anime and manga artists were later influenced by Osamu Tezuka’s style, the creator of Astroboy. Disney cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Betty Boop, were his main influences.
These large eyes were drawn simply to exaggerate the facial expressions. This style simply ended up becoming popular because emphasizing the face and facial expression is important in sequential art storytelling.
