What makes a great cartoon character? A cool superpower? A big personality? Or just making us laugh every time they’re on screen? Cartoon Network has introduced us to some of the most memorable characters in animation history. Get ready to meet the best of the best in this celebration of the greatest characters on Cartoon Network!
30 Popular Cartoon Characters On Cartoon Network
Gumball Watterson
A blue cat with a wild imagination, Gumball is the heart of The Amazing World of Gumball. Trouble seems to follow him from school to home or somewhere in between. Clever but impulsive, he dreams big but rarely thinks things through. His best friend (and former pet fish), Darwin, keeps him grounded. With his sarcastic wit and endless energy, Gumball’s antics never fail to entertain.
Ben Tennyson
One day, a simple kid. The next, a superhero with a watch that transforms him into a powerful alien. Ben Tennyson starts his journey in Ben 10 as a fun-loving, reckless boy, but over time, he matures into a true hero. The Omnitrix gives him access to countless alien forms, each with unique abilities. Fighting villains like Vilgax, he learns that being a hero isn’t just about power—it’s about responsibility.
The Powerpuff Girls
Three tiny superheroes, one big mission—saving Townsville! Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were created in a lab with sugar, spice, and everything nice (plus some accidental Chemical X). Blossom is the leader, Bubbles is the sweetheart, and Buttercup is the tough fighter. They take down villains like Mojo Jojo while juggling school and sisterhood. Cute, powerful, and fearless, they stand out among all Cartoon Network girl characters.
Finn the Human
Finn is pure adventure. As the sword-wielding hero of Adventure Time, he braves the Land of Ooo alongside his best friend, Jake. Brave and kind, he’s always ready to help others, even when the odds are impossible. Over time, he grows from a simple kid into a mature warrior, searching for his true destiny.
Marceline the Vampire Queen
She’s not your typical vampire or an ordinary Cartoon Network female character. Marceline, from Adventure Time, is a thousand-year-old rocker with a tragic past. She drinks the color red instead of blood and shreds on her bass guitar. While she starts as a mischievous loner, she later reveals her deep connections with Princess Bubblegum and Simon (the Ice King). Her music, humor, and rebellious spirit make her one of the show’s most beloved characters.
Princess Bubblegum
Brains, power, and pink perfection—Princess Bubblegum is the ruler of the Candy Kingdom in Adventure Time. More than just a princess, she’s a genius scientist who can create life (like Peppermint Butler). She’s kind but can be cold when it comes to protecting her people. Her relationship with Marceline adds depth to her character. Tough and intelligent, she proves that leadership isn’t all about wearing a crown.
BMO
BMO is more than just a video game console—it’s a friend. Living with Finn and Jake in Adventure Time, this small, sentient device is full of childlike wonder. BMO loves playing pretend, talking to itself, and offering surprisingly deep wisdom. Sometimes innocent, sometimes oddly philosophical, it’s the heart of the treehouse. Whether playing video games or dreaming of adventure, BMO is pure joy in a tiny package.
Jake the Dog
A stretchy, wisecracking, magical dog? That’s Jake! Finn’s best friend in Adventure Time is part adventurer, part couch potato. He can morph into any shape, making him the ultimate sidekick. Chill and laid-back, he gives Finn advice—sometimes wise, sometimes terrible. He’s also a devoted family man, raising his strange, rainicorn-hybrid pups. A friend, a warrior, and a master of bacon pancakes, Jake is the ultimate cartoon companion.
Bugs Bunny
What’s up, doc? Bugs Bunny is the ultimate trickster from the Looney Tunes cartoon series. Smart, fast, and always one step ahead, he outwits hunters, bullies, and even space aliens. With his Brooklyn accent and cool confidence, he never loses his cool, no matter the situation. Regardless of his enemies( Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, or Marvin the Martian), he always finds a way to win—with humor and style. He’s not just a rabbit—he’s a legend.
Scooby Doo
Mystery-solving is serious business—unless you’re Scooby-Doo! This lovable Great Dane from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is always scared but never fails to help his friends. With his best buddy, Shaggy, he stumbles into every spooky situation imaginable. Ghosts, ghouls, and villains in disguise? That’s no problem, especially if snacks are involved. Scooby’s goofy charm and endless appetite make him the heart of Mystery Inc. Zoinks!
Frankie Foster
Running Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends is no easy job, but Frankie Foster handles it like a pro. With her quick wit and big heart, she keeps things from spiraling into chaos. Bloo’s antics drive her crazy, and the residents never make life simple, yet she never backs down. Surrounded by imaginary friends, she remains one of the most down-to-earth characters on the show.
Samurai Jack
A warrior lost in time, fighting to return home. Samurai Jack, one of the old Cartoon Network characters, tells the story of a noble samurai battling the evil Aku in a strange, futuristic world. With his sword and unmatched skills, he faces cyborgs, aliens, and bounty hunters. He speaks little but fights with honor. His journey is one of perseverance, loss, and hope. Every battle brings him closer to destiny, but the road is never easy.
Aku
Darkness, chaos, and evil wrapped in one shape-shifting demon. Aku, the villain of Samurai Jack, is as powerful as he is entertaining. He rules the future with an iron fist, creating a world where Jack is always the underdog. But despite his terrifying power, he’s surprisingly funny, often complaining about his problems in the most dramatic way. Evil has never been this charismatic.
Johnny Bravo
A muscle-bound guy with sunglasses and way too much confidence. Johnny Bravo struts through life thinking he’s every woman’s dream—spoiler: he’s not. His exaggerated Elvis voice, absurd karate moves, and complete lack of self-awareness make him endlessly hilarious. No matter how many times he’s rejected, he never gives up. Smooth? No. Lovable? Absolutely. He’s living proof that charm is all about attitude.
Billy
If chaos had a face, it would be Billy’s. From The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, he’s a hyperactive goofball with a nose that defies logic. His excitement for life is unmatched, even when facing monsters, the Grim Reaper, or pure cosmic horror. His IQ may be low, but his enthusiasm is sky-high. Billy is impossible not to love, even when he causes mayhem.
Courage
Terrified but always brave—Courage is the unlikeliest hero. In Courage the Cowardly Dog, he faces horrifying monsters, ghosts, and aliens to protect Muriel and Eustace. Every episode throws him into a nightmare, but despite his fear, he never runs away. His stammering voice, wild expressions, and creative problem-solving make him one of Cartoon Network’s most unique characters. Fear doesn’t stop Courage—it fuels him.
Captain K’nuckles
A grumpy pirate obsessed with one thing: candy. Captain K’nuckles, from The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, is Flapjack’s questionable mentor. He tells grand tales of adventure, though most are exaggerated (or completely made up). Lazy, greedy, and often in trouble, he’s a terrible role model—but a hilarious one. Despite his flaws, his friendship with Flapjack is oddly sweet—like the candy he craves.
Chowder
Chowder is a walking disaster in a chef’s hat. As an apprentice at Mung Daal’s catering company, he dreams of becoming a master chef but causes more trouble than progress. He eats everything in sight, misunderstands even the simplest instructions, and stirs up magical messes daily. His enthusiasm never fades, though, making him a lovable mix of chaos and charm.
Rigby
Lazy, reckless, and always looking for fun—Rigby is the ultimate slacker. In Regular Show, he works as a park groundskeeper with his best friend Mordecai. Work? Boring. Pranks and video games? Now that’s more like it. His bad ideas usually lead to supernatural chaos, but his loyalty to Mordecai never wavers. He’s annoying, hilarious, and the perfect partner-in-crime for any ridiculous scheme.
Grim
Death wasn’t supposed to have a babysitting job. In The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Grim loses a bet and becomes the unwilling best friend of two kids. He’s powerful, sarcastic, and incredibly unlucky. Even when dragged into Billy’s nonsense or dealing with Mandy’s ruthless personality, he’s stuck in an endless nightmare. But despite his complaints, you can tell—deep down—he kind of likes them.
Ed
Ed is the kind of friend who never stops smiling, no matter how ridiculous the situation. Simple-minded but full of heart, he has a wild imagination and an endless love for monster movies. His incredible strength makes him both useful and dangerous, especially when he gets carried away. Whether covered in mud or chasing jawbreakers, Ed’s happiness is as unbreakable as his skull.
Edd
Neat, intelligent, and overly polite, Edd—better known as Double D—is the brains of the Ed trio. He overthinks everything, from organizing his sock drawer to questioning Eddy’s latest scam. His love for science and strict sense of order make him the complete opposite of his best friends. But beneath his cautious nature is a loyal kid who just wants to belong.
Eddy
Nobody loves a get-rich-quick scheme more than Eddy. As the self-proclaimed leader of the Eds, he’s always dreaming up ways to scam the neighborhood kids out of their quarters. Unfortunately, his plans usually end in disaster, leaving him bruised but never discouraged. Behind his loudmouth attitude and endless greed, he secretly craves admiration, making him both infuriating and oddly lovable.
Cow
Huge in size but even bigger in heart, Cow is the sweetest soul in Cow and Chicken. She adores her brother, even when he ignores her, and treats everyone with kindness. Despite her innocence, she has a hidden heroic side—when danger arises, she transforms into Supercow! Whether she’s saving the day or simply spreading joy, Cow’s pure-hearted nature is impossible to resist.
Chicken
Being the cool older brother isn’t easy, but Chicken sure tries. Sarcastic, stubborn, and full of attitude, he spends most of his time avoiding Cow’s affection and getting himself into trouble. He’s too proud to admit when he’s scared, which only leads to bigger problems. From bizarre misadventures to run-ins with the Red Guy, Chicken somehow always finds himself in the middle of chaos.
Dexter
In a world of ordinary kids, Dexter stands out as a boy genius. His secret laboratory is filled with incredible inventions, each more ambitious than the last. No matter how brilliant his ideas are, they rarely go according to plan. His biggest nemesis? Not an evil scientist but his own sister, Dee Dee, who seems determined to destroy everything he builds.
Dee Dee
There’s no force of destruction greater than Dee Dee’s curiosity. Tall, energetic, and endlessly playful, she turns Dexter’s secret lab into her personal playground. If there’s a button, she’ll press it. If there’s an experiment, she’ll ruin it. Despite driving Dexter insane, she isn’t mean-spirited—she just loves to have fun. For her, life is one big dance, and Dexter’s world is her stage.
Mojo Mojo
Evil genius. Mad scientist. The Powerpuff Girls’ most persistent enemy. Mojo Jojo is all of these things and more. Once an ordinary lab monkey, he gained super intelligence and swore revenge on the world. He loves dramatic speeches, overly complicated plans, and talking in circles. Despite all his failures, this Cartoon Network character refuses to give up—because, in his mind, world domination is only one perfect plan away.
Uncle Grandpa
Strange doesn’t even begin to describe Uncle Grandpa. As a magical, reality-bending being, he pops up in kids’ lives to help them in the weirdest ways possible. His oddball crew—including a talking slice of pizza—only adds to the chaos. One thing is certain: every day with Uncle Grandpa is anything but normal.
Raven
Magic and mystery surround Raven, the dark sorceress of Teen Titans Go!. She rarely smiles, keeps her emotions locked away, and prefers reading over socializing. As the daughter of a demon, she constantly battles the darkness inside her. While her dry humor and sarcastic remarks make her seem distant, she deeply values her team. Beneath all the shadows, she’s got a heart just as strong as her magic.
Conclusion
Classic Cartoon Network characters aren’t just animated figures on a screen—they’re childhood memories, inside jokes, and lifelong favorites. Some are brave, some are silly, and some are just plain weird—but that’s why we love them! As long as people love cartoons, these characters will never fade away. Which one is your favorite?
