Cartoons, as an art form, lend themselves to a certain freedom of comedy when creators and animators let their imaginations run wild. It’s thanks to the unique combination of animation and comedy that so many memorable television shows have been produced in the last few decades.
2000s cartoons in particular had a wacky, zany sense of humor that was as broad as it was entertaining. Frequently absurdist, incorporating low-brow, slapstick humor, these cartoons were all the rage. And for the children who grew up in this era, these TV shows became foundational to their developing senses of humor. In a few cases, a single character or two from these TV shows gained notoriety for having that special something that turned a moment’s laughter into a reverence. Here are ten iconic cartoon characters from the 2000s.
10 Mandy (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy)
A hilarious counter to Billy’s wide-eyed, white-knuckled persona, Mandy brings out the dark comedy in The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. She's a no-nonsense girl frequently annoyed by her surroundings, considering herself to be more intelligent than anyone else. In a strange way, her straight-man attitude makes light of the show's weird and eerie subject matter. Some of her dialogue absolutely drips with venom and malice, making her indifference seem cool and unperturbed.
9 Sam, Clover, and Alex (Totally Spies)
The three main cast members of Totally Spies can’t be separated; their exceptional camaraderie and the show’s effortless switch between school drama and crime drama makes all three of them incredibly iconic. The trio lead double lives working for the World Organization of Human Protection, moonlighting as spies who fight criminals. The animation style and unique design of the three characters cemented their status as three intertwined legends in the minds of their fans. Totally Spies goes down in history as one of the most entertaining animated TV shows about undercover spies.
8 Mr. Crocker (The Fairly OddParents)
It’s possible that, just by mention of his name, fans of The Fairly OddParents recall the specific sequence of body contortion that Mr. Crocker pulls off while yelling “FAIRY GOD PARENTS”. A cruel and relentless antagonist, Mr. Crocker was obsessed with uncovering the truth of Timmy’s magical god parents, and would go to any lengths necessary to prove their existence. Mr. Crocker became the main antagonist of the show in its later seasons and would always come up short of his goals, thwarted by the godlike powers of Timmy and his fairy god parents. He will be remembered for his resilience of spirit and of body—it is impossible to underestimate how often the man gets critically injured. The Fairly OddParents would run for ten seasons before concluding in 2017 and becoming one of the most popular cartoons in history.
7 Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
Stitch’s first appearance in television forecast a force of evil that would bring danger and violence to his surroundings. To the delight of Lilo and the show’s viewers, the power of his bond with the young girl would prove to deprogram his violent instincts. He quickly becomes one of the sweetest, cuddliest, most naughty little creatures that everyone wishes to have as their friend. Their bond becomes the heart of the show and is the force that allows the story to experience such entertaining ebbs and flows between intimate personal drama and the existential question of owning a formerly bloodthirsty alien as a pet.
6 Sandy Cheeks (Spongebob Squarepants)
Sandy Cheeks is the innovator of the undersea world of Spongebob Squarepants. A walking contradiction, Sandy is a squirrel that lives underwater in a dome filled with oxygen, otherwise using a diving suit to interact with the rest of bikini bottom. Her hyper-competence and Texan roots make her an outsider to the rest of Bikini Bottom, none of whom seem particularly good at much. Her presence invigorates the other citizens of Bikini Bottom, who fall into a dull complacence every other episode. Who can forget Sandy singing about missing Texas, which happens to be among her voice actor's favorite moments for the character?
5 Shaggy (What’s New Scooby Doo)
The place of Shaggy in the larger culture defies all logic. Paradoxically, the character is completely un-self aware and also omnipotent at the same time. His larger than life presence is kept in check by the simple pleasures of Shaggy's life. Shaggy cares about his dog, eating good food, and having a good time. The circumstances of his work, espionage and forensic analysis, often require him to act as bait to draw out a target, especially in What's New Scooby Doo. Behind his sheepish and cowardly visage is a heart of gold, which is frequently unappreciated by his peers. Catch Shaggy in the upcoming animated film Scoob 2.
4 Carl (Jimmy Neutron)
Carl has become an intriguing internet meme in the last 5 years. Fans of Jimmy Neutron have captured a godlike, surrealistic quality to Carl’s character in a bizarre re-interpretation of the series. Originally a timid but loving friend to Jimmy, Carl’s obsession with llamas, croissants, and Jimmy’s mom make him an unforgettable addition to the main cast. His place among different internet subcultures have cemented him in the cultural consciousness to a degree even greater than the main character of the show.
3 Sokka (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
It’s very hard not to love Sokka, a silly, earnest, hot-headed young man in the company of incredibly powerful friends Aang, Katara, and Toph. As the only main character in Avatar: The Last Airbender without the ability to bend the elements, Sokka’s journey takes him through shame and feelings of inadequacy towards poise and strategic genius. Watching him grow up is arguably the most relatable plot in the series. This is a character that wears his heart on his sleeve and makes decisions before thinking them through, but is always lead by the strongest moral compass.
2 Spongebob (Spongebob Squarepants)
Spongebob Squarepants has had an iron grip on internet culture for years, with no sign that anyone will ever be less obsessed with this show. The titular character is a sea sponge with big eyes and big ambitions, whose anxieties and desires lead him into hilarious and absurd situations. Spongebob is a serial idealist and understands that he’s limited by absolutely nothing, and that ambition frequently puts him at odds with others who don’t share his worldviews. Despite that, his kindness and wit prevail every time, lifted by a script with no care towards winners and losers or any kind of sound logic.
1 Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb)
Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz may be the most sympathetic “villain” ever put to screen. His schemes, which have an abysmal success rate, are born out of a traumatic past from a loveless family. Despite that, he’s a dedicated father to Vanessa and an intimate arch enemy to Perry the Platypus. The greatest genius of Phineas and Ferb is the complete lack of actual villainy from Doofenshmirtz: he’s just an eccentric divorced father with too much free time on his hands, and an unbelievably iconic singing voice. In a series full of iconic characters, Dr. Doofenshmirtz frequently steals the show.