Cartoons, like many other parts of the entertainment business, have come under fire for not being diverse enough.
But throughout time, a lot of animated films and programmes have made an effort to diversify a little by incorporating Black characters.
Black characters have played a significant role in many projects as both heroes and common people. Generations of individuals, both inside and beyond the animation community, have been motivated by the representation they have offered.
There’s a strong possibility that you’ve seen some of these characters before, even if you don’t watch many cartoons. See our ranking of the top 20 Black cartoon characters ever created.
20: Dr. Facilier (The Princess and a Frog)
Disney struggled for years to incorporate many racial and cultural backgrounds into their works.
However, the decade of transition that was the 1990s also saw changes in the Disney animated films that we had become accustomed to; Mulan and Pocahontas led the “revolution.”
The Princess and the Frog, a 2009 Disney film, portrayed a previously untold tale that helped to establish the new animated film period.
Not merely because he was a black man, Dr. Facilier is one of the more recognisable villains of the 2000s thanks to his charm and his “powers of evil.”
The figure was intriguing and distinctive in Disney history because to its uncanny resemblance to the actual American metropolis of New Orleans.
19: Donna Tubbs-Brown
One of those animated characters that you can’t help but love, or at the very least chuckle at, is Donna Brown.
Despite becoming Cleveland Brown’s wife, Donna occasionally gives the impression that she could still be in love with her ex-husband. Sanaa Lathan’s voice for Donna makes her already fantastic persona even better.
18: Cobra Bubbles (Lilo & Stitch)
Cobra Bubbles, the Men in Black cartoon character, is a significant character in the well-known Lilo & Stitch series from Disney.
He was a former CIA operative who, by the time of the first movie, changed his profession to social work.
Cobra, who appears to be an enemy of the main characters Lilo and Stitch, really only wants to make sure that Lilo is taken care of by Nani in the wake of the accident that killed their parents. A very admirable character.
17: Libby Folfax
Even though Libby wasn’t one of Jimmy Neutron’s most significant characters, she nevertheless managed to make an impact.
Libby’s official description, according to Fandom, is “Laid back Cindy’s closest friend and the calm one in their class is Libby.
Although Libby has her own thoughts, for some reason they frequently resemble Cindy’s. But when Cindy goes too far, Libby offers a much-needed dose of realism.
Additionally, she possesses a voice that can break glass and make dogs flee for safety.
16: Frozone (The Incredibles)
In The Incredibles and The Incredibles 2, Frozone, a superhero, serves as Lucious Best’s supporting protagonist. He is the Parr family’s close friend and ally. His abilities include controlling moisture to produce ice and freeze surfaces.
One of the most hippest Disney characters in the last 20 years is Frozone, who is voiced by none other than Samuel L. Jackson and has a cool demeanour and strong beliefs.
15: Uncle Ruckus
Despite the fact that cartoons are frequently associated with kids, the Boondocks was created with a far adult audience in mind.
The animation, which was renowned for being unfiltered and a little offensive, depicted the lives of a Black family residing in a predominantly white neighbourhood.
The comic strip and its follow-up series examined issues like racism and classism in a lighthearted yet sincere manner.
There were many unforgettable characters in the series, and Uncle Ruckus is without a doubt on the list. Uncle Ruckus, who was Black, was well known for his abhorrence of Black people.
14: Mama Odie (The Princess and the Frog)
As you can see, this list will include characters from this popular Disney film, and Mama Odie must be on it.
She appears as a minor character in the movie and is a blind 197-year-old priestess of voodoo who lives in Louisiana’s marshes.
Mama Odie is a kind, endearing woman who is surprisingly modest for someone with her level of expertise.
In the fight against Dr. Facilier, she aids Tiana and Naveen, and she even uses her “power” to wed the pair so they can live happily ever after.
13: Vince LaSalle
Vince LaSalle was one of the coolest kids on the playground from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
Vince was a well-liked key character on the ABC show Recess who was well-known for being an excellent athlete. He did, however, occasionally have a propensity to let his ego get the better of him.
12: Proud Family
We had to add the entire family from this well-known Disney programme since we could not choose just one. The Proud Family is an American animated television programme that debuted on Disney Channel in 2001.
The programme has just been relaunched and is now available to view on Disney+. Proud Family was a popular television programme from the start, and many young individuals in today’s society grew up watching it.
The little girl Penny, who is largely humiliated by her foolish father Oscar, who simply wants the best for her and her siblings, is the primary character of the novel.
Many kids learn about family values through the show’s prominent depiction of the Proud family dynamic.
11: Monique
Without Monique, Kim Possible would not have been the same cartoon series. As Kim Possible’s best friend, Kim played a significant part in the show and frequently served as Kim’s sounding board.
Unfortunately, Monique’s personality was never fully developed.
10: Suga Mama
Most individuals have a particular place in their hearts for their grandmothers, and Suga Mama was no different.
Suga Mama, a character on The Proud Family who was voiced by Jo Marie Payton, was renowned for speaking her opinion without regard to what anybody else thought.
9: Dr. Hibbert (The Simpsons)
Dr. Hibbert, also known as Dr. Julius Michael Hibbert, is Springfield’s most well-known and accomplished medical professional. He makes no secret of the fact that he is a somewhat pricey physician.
Since the show’s inception, Dr. Hibbert has been a part of the Simpsons, and the character continues to show up sometimes. “A-heh-heh-heh” is the sound of his distinctive chuckle. I bet you can hear him laughing in your brain.
8: Franklin
More than 50 years ago, Franklin made his debut in the Peanuts comic strip. It was a huge deal back then to have a Black character in a story.
In fact, Franklin’s inclusion and inclusion among the white characters drew a lot of criticism for Charles Schulz. Robb Armstrong, a successful cartoonist, attributes his interest in animation to Schulz’s invention of Franklin.
Armstrong reportedly told NPR, “He inspired a youngster. I don’t believe this existence has any higher purpose. Some young person 3,00 kilometres away was moved by him.
What may happen when you motivate a young person, like Schulz did, is amazing.
7: Cleveland Brown
One of the most known Black cartoon characters is certainly Cleveland Brown. Cleveland rose to fame as the lead of his own show, The Cleveland Show, which ran from 2009 to 2013. He first appeared in Family Guy in 1999.
Cleveland has several qualities that many would consider questionable despite his pop cultural importance.
6: Vincent LaSalle (Recess)
One of the six Recess Gang members, Vincent LaSalle is regarded as the jock of the gang and of Third Street School as a whole.
In addition to being a superb athlete, Vince is also wise and kind, frequently seen offering sound counsel to his pals. Vince, T.J.’s right hand and faithful friend, is known for his “Whompinbobyulah!” outburst.
5: Gerald Johanssen
Gerald Johanssen played the best buddy of Arnold in the TV show Hey Arnold! He had a high-top hairdo that was his trademark, and he had a cool personality.
Gerald is a dependable and endearing buddy. He frequently adds a fair dose of realism to Arnold’s too upbeat disposition.
4: Little Bill
Little Bill was a perceptive youngster from Philadelphia who liked discovering new things about the world, as imagined by Bill Cosby.
Little Bill was not just the star of his own programme but also appeared in a number of children’s books. The fact that he was entirely bald despite his youth is one of the characteristics about his persona that people remember the most.
3: Oscar Proud
Oscar proud is one of those personalities that is difficult to forget, much like his mother, Suga Mama. Oscar, the head of the Proud family, is the sort of man who always prioritises his family.
However, he is also renowned for being obstinate and for being a great flirt.
2: Numbah Five
Numbah Five, whose true name is Abigail, is one of the major characters in the television series Codename: Kids Next Door.
She is a shrewd and courageous spy who loves to go on adventures. She finally rose to the position of pack leader. Cree Summer, who also provided the voice for another character on this list, voiced her.
1: Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman, the protagonist of The Boondocks, is named after Huey Newton, a great Black Panther. Both Huey and his younger brother were natives of Chicago’s South Side, and Huey was well known for being a fierce activist.
He also has an extremely negative outlook on life. Some folks will be shocked to learn that Regina King really provided the voice of Huey.