How can we forget the days when we were greeted with “Good Morning” from a Mickey Mouse on our weekend mornings? And the days when we returned from school after a hectic day, and SpongeBob SquarePants made us laugh. As kids, we were always inspired by the icy magic of Elsa and Shrek, who gave fairy tales a new shape.
When it comes to animation, famous cartoon characters, there are some that feel real, move naturally, and narrate a story that lives with us and our children. Let’s explore those fifteen famous animated characters and see how modern 2D and 3D techniques are transforming them into legends.
The Magic Behind Evergreen Animated Icons
Before decoding the secrets behind famous cartoon characters, we must understand how animation technology has shaped them and why they remain viewers’ favourites. From frame-by-frame drawings to advanced motion animation, there is something unique in designing, shading, texturing, and animating these characters.
1. Mickey Mouse
One of the iconic animated characters of the 20th century represented everything Walt Disney wanted to show through their characters. It was happiness, charm, and a sense of fun that made it a popular figure in the hearts of millions worldwide.
Character Facts
When it comes to the voice of this character, Walt Disney himself initially took the step. After his death, the voice-over was performed by other popular actors, including Jimmy MacDonald, Wayne Allwine, Bret Iwan, and Chris Diamantopoulos.
What’s in it for Animators
Early frame-by-frame animation gave Mickey expressive movements. Later enhanced by sharper digital lines, work, and occasional hybrid scenes that blend classic 2D charm with subtle 3D depth.
2. Goku
One of the fictional characters and the main protagonist of Japanese anime and manga series. Dragon Ball. In 1984, Akira Toriyama created this character, who became popular for his incredible strength, speed, and agility. This is one of the iconic animated characters that can manipulate energy and fly.
Character Facts
In the Japanese version, you can hear the voice of veteran voice actor Masako Nozawa. However, the English version featured the voices of different actors over the years, including Sean Schemmel, Peter Kelamis, Ian James, Corlett, and Kirby Morrow.
What’s in it for Animators
Smear frames boosted Goku’s speed, energetic aura layers amplified intensity, and modern episodes introduced gentle 3D angles to elevate the overall action quality.
3. SpongeBob SquarePants
The charming, awkward, and adorable character created by Stephen Hillenburg in 1999 was a huge success, and it’s still liked by kids today. The eccentric voice and stupid manner of the character made it one of the iconic animated characters.
Character Facts
SpongeBob is one of the favorite characters of Millennials. The SpongeBob character has his birthday in the series on the 14th of July, being a Cancerian.
What’s in it for Animators
The elastic animation of the character comes into focus on the extreme squash-and-stretch, infrequent surreal 3D cutaways, and colorful digital paintings. This made the cartoon films more humorous.
4. Elsa
One of the animated cartoon characters, Elsa, appeared on your screens in 2013 with a powerful story of self-acceptance and the strength of sister love. This is what inspired the viewers to adapt to the character’s unique qualities.
Character Facts
Three individuals provide the voiceover for the character across three phases. Eva Bella and Spencer Ganus are the young and teenage Elsa. In the recent version, Idina Menzel is the grown-up Elsa.
What’s in it for Animators
Elsa’s animation shines through her advanced hair simulation, lifelike skin shading, and the fluid ice effects that bring her powers to cinematic realism.
5. Shrek
Shrek is one of the famous animated characters and heroes of the DreamWorks Animation chain, which we initially encountered as a well-known green and muscular man in 2001. This character was the first one in the row to transform the fairy tale standards.
Character Facts
The real voice of Shrek was played by Mike Myers, who had a Scottish accent.
What’s in it for Animators
The facial expressive features of Shrek, with its elaborate textures and physiques, established a standard in emotions and comic storytelling of animated cinema.
6. Tom & Jerry
The most popular among the well-known cartoon characters is the classic American series that entertained viewers for decades. Between 1940 and 1958, approximately 114 Tom and Jerry episodes were produced at MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). It was broadcast on the TV screen in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
Character Facts
The original voiceover actors of Tom and Jerry were William Hanna and Mel Blanc. Other artists replaced them, including June Foray, John Winfield Stephenson, and Don Brown, over the years.
What’s in it for Animators
The over-the-top physics of the cartoon, which is accompanied by sound-timed motion and digital remastering, make its anarchy cutting-edge and eternal.
7. Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto, one of the famous cartoon characters, first appeared on our screens in 2002. Masashi Kishimoto created the character, and the audience loved him for his inspiring journey, which culminated in his becoming a respected hero. He was genuine and kind.
Character Facts
In the Japanese version, Naruto is voiced by Junko Takeuchi, and for the English version, you can hear the voice of Maile Flanagan.
What’s in it for Animators
The speed lines improve Naruto’s fast attacks. The glowing chakra layers intensify the impact, and the smooth, hand-drawn transitions help create a seamless, energetic combat experience.
8. Moana
One of the famous cartoon characters is Moana, on a list released by Walt Disney Animation in 2016. Polynesian mythology inspired the creation of a courageous and independent character.
Character Facts
Do you know there are two names behind the character’s voice? Auli’i Cravalho is the voice of Moana, and Louise Bush voices over the toddler.
What’s in it for Animators
The world of Moana features groundbreaking water simulation. Using motion graphics, you can feel the natural hair motion and the interactive surfaces that make all the ocean scenes feel like they are real.
9. Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen is one of the most famous animated characters, first appearing in Cars in 2006. The graphic animation was created by the co-creators of Cars, John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, and Jorgen Klubien. What makes this character everyone’s favourite is the significant development from a cocky rookie to a humble mentor.
Character Facts
Owen Wilson is the voice you will hear in films and all related media.
What’s in it for Animators
This character animation uses facial features, reflective metallic shading, and smooth, high-speed tracking shots to help bring a car to life.
10. Ariel
Ariel, one of the fictional animated characters, was introduced in 1989. You can see her in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The film is widely regarded as the start of Disney’s “Renaissance” and is one of the last major animated films to be entirely hand-drawn. Later, the industry adopted 3D animation and other new technologies.
Character Facts
Jodi Benson records both the character’s speaking and singing voices.
What’s in it for Animators
The underwater scenes in the cartoon are perfectly blended with floating hair movement, layered bubbles, and light rays. This subtle line variation creates fluid, dreamy animations.
11. Woody
Woody, one of the fictional animated characters, was first introduced in Toy Story in 1995. This was the first-ever full-length series that was made using 3D techniques. The loyalty and selflessness of Woody, with strong moral values and heartwarming friendship, made him the ideal character for viewers.
Character Facts
In the film, Woody is voiced by Tom Hanks. In videos, games, and other versions, the voice you hear is Jim Hanks, Tom’s brother.
What’s in it for Animators
The new technology features realistic plastic textures, toy-like joints, and expressive eye controls, defining 3D character performance.
12. Aang
The avatar and one of the animated cartoon characters, The Last Airbender, first appeared in 2005, in a pilot made in 2003. This show was co-created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. It portrayed a perfect blend of Eastern philosophy, martial arts, and elemental magic.
Character Facts
The character’s balance of light-heartedness and deep maturity, with strong beliefs, was voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen.
What’s in it for Animators
This character animation blends layered elemental effects, quick frame transitions, and cinematic 2D-with-3D angles to elevate action sequences, setting it apart from traditional styles.
13. Rapunzel
You first saw Rapunzel in Tangled, released by Disney in 2010. It was her long, magical hair and its beauty that hooked the audience and made her one of the iconic animated characters. The technical challenges in animation and the push towards hair simulation in 3D animation through her hair make her the favorite of everyone.
Character Facts
The speaking and singing voices we hear in movies and films are Mandy Moore’s.
What’s in it for Animators
To portray Rapunzel’s long hair using weight-based physics, dynamic lighting, and flexible facial rigs. All these can be seen as expressive and believable motions throughout the film.
14. Doraemon
Doraemon, one of the famous animated characters, is a robotic cat who travels from the future to help a young boy and has become a cultural icon for Asian children. The character first appeared in a manga series in 1969, created by Fujiko F. Fujio.
Character Facts
In the original Japanese version, the voice is that of Nobuyo Oyama and continued for years. However, in the recent versions, the voices have been changed.
What’s in it for Animators
The minimalist style of the Doraemon character delivers smooth comedy, consistent line work that keeps motion clean, and modern digital tools add gentle shading without losing simplicity.
15. Po
Last but not least, Po from Kung Fu Panda is one of the fictional animated characters who made his first appearance in 2008. The character is a perfect example of humor blended with martial arts heart. The animator has put their hearts and souls into making the soft body and fur behave in a believable yet cartoon way.
Character Facts
Jack Black is the main hero who worked hard to give this figure a voice.
What’s in it for Animators
Po’s animation blends fast, weighty martial-arts movements, soft body physics, and expressive 4D facial features for comedic and emotional impact.
Final Words
These famous animated characters aren’t just drawings or digital models but echoes of the world we grew up in. They remind us of laughter we’ve shared, lessons we’ve learned, and dreams we once carried with open hearts. Not only that, the media industry learned through these characters that animations, when done righ,t hold an impact that lasts for centuries.
