42+ Iconic Black Cartoon Characters That Are a Must-See! (2024)

Step into the animated world where color is more than just hues on a screen! 🎨🌈

We're shining a spotlight on the Black cartoon characters who not only entertained us but also broke stereotypes and opened doors.

Black Panther (T'Challa)

(Marvel Comics)

King of Wakanda, a highly advanced African nation.

Fun fact: Black Panther was one of the first black superheroes in mainstream American comic books.

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Storm (Ororo Munroe)

(X-Men, Marvel Comics)

Has the ability to control the weather.

Fun fact: Storm is one of the most prominent and powerful black female superheroes.

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Frozone (Lucius Best)

(Disney/Pixar's "The Incredibles")

Superhero with the ability to create ice and freeze surfaces.

Fun fact: Frozone is a close friend of Mr. Incredible and an integral part of the superhero team.

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Cyborg (Victor Stone)

(DC Comics, Teen Titans)

Half-human, half-machine superhero.

Fun fact: Cyborg's character has evolved from a supporting role to a key member of the Justice League.

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John Stewart (Green Lantern)

(DC Comics)

One of the Green Lanterns from Earth, known for his strong sense of duty and justice.

Fun fact: John Stewart was the first black superhero to appear in DC Comics.

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Static (Virgil Hawkins)

(Static Shock, DC Comics)

Teenager with electromagnetic powers.

Fun fact: Static was created to address the lack of young black superheroes.

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Cleveland Brown

(Family Guy, The Cleveland Show)

Known for his gentle, laid-back demeanor.

Fun fact: Cleveland was given his own spin-off show, "The Cleveland Show."

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Riley and Huey Freeman

(The Boondocks)

Brothers known for their distinct personalities and perspectives.

Fun fact: "The Boondocks" is known for its social and political commentary.

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Doc McStuffins

(Dottie McStuffins)

Child doctor for toys, promoting nurturing and healthy habits.

Fun fact: Doc McStuffins has been praised for its positive role model and representation.

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Garnet

(Steven Universe)

Leader of the Crystal Gems, composed of two gems, Ruby and Sapphire. Fun fact: Garnet's character is a symbol of a strong, loving relationship.

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Princess Tiana

(Disney's "The Princess and the Frog")

Disney's first black princess.

Fun fact: Tiana's story is set in New Orleans and is inspired by the culture of the city.

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Susie Carmichael

(Rugrats)

Intelligent and brave friend of the Rugrats.

Fun fact: Susie is known for standing up to Angelica, the main antagonist of the Rugrats.

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Oscar Proud

(The Proud Family)

Father in the Proud family, known for his humorous and overprotective nature.

Fun fact: Oscar Proud runs his own snack business, creating unique and sometimes bizarre snacks.

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Trudy Proud

(The Proud Family)

The level-headed and caring mother of the Proud family.

Fun fact: Trudy is a successful veterinarian and often acts as the voice of reason in the family.

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Penny Proud

(The Proud Family)

The intelligent and confident teenage daughter of the Proud family.

Fun fact: Penny often navigates typical teenage challenges while also addressing more complex social issues.

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Kwame

(Captain Planet and the Planeteers)

From Ghana, he has the power of Earth and is one of the Planeteers.

Fun fact: Kwame's character was voiced by LeVar Burton, known for his role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and as the host of "Reading Rainbow."

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Falcon (Sam Wilson)

(Marvel Comics)

Superhero with the ability to fly using mechanical wings.

Fun fact: Falcon was one of the first African-American superheroes in mainstream comics and later becomes Captain America.

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Luke Cage

(Marvel Comics)

Superhero with super strength and unbreakable skin.

Fun fact: Luke Cage was one of the first black superheroes to be featured as the protagonist and title character of a comic book.

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Misty Knight

(Marvel Comics)

Former NYPD officer with a bionic arm.

Fun fact: Misty Knight is known for her partnership with Colleen Wing and her association with the Heroes for Hire.

Monica Rambeau

(Marvel Comics)

Superhero who has gone by several names, including Captain Marvel, Photon, and Spectrum.

Fun fact: Monica was the second character to take up the mantle of Captain Marvel and the first woman to do so.

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Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce)

(DC Comics)

High school principal and superhero with the ability to generate and control electricity.

Fun fact: Black Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to have his own standalone comic title in the DC universe.

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Aqualad (Kaldur'ahm)

(DC Comics, Young Justice)

Atlantean hero and protégé of Aquaman.

Fun fact: Kaldur'ahm is known for his leadership skills and is a founding member of the Young Justice team.

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War Machine (James Rhodes)

(Marvel Comics)

Close friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and wears a similar powered suit of armor.

Fun fact: James Rhodes has taken on the role of Iron Man when Tony Stark was unable to do so.

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Michonne

(The Walking Dead)

Known for her proficiency with a katana and her calm demeanor in the face of danger.

Fun fact: Michonne is one of the most iconic and popular characters in both the comic and TV adaptation of "The Walking Dead."

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Valerie Brown

(Josie and the puss*cats)

Smart and talented musician, part of the all-girl band.

Fun fact: Valerie was one of the first black female characters to appear regularly in an animated series.

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Bumblebee (Karen Beecher)

(DC Comics, Teen Titans)

Superhero with the ability to shrink and fly.

Fun fact: Bumblebee is often portrayed as a highly intelligent scientist and inventor.

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Vixen (Mari Jiwe McCabe)

(DC Comics, Justice League)

Superheroine with the power to mimic the abilities of any animal. Fun fact: Vixen's powers come from a mystical totem she inherited from her family.

Fun fact: "Static Shock" was one of the few animated series at the time to feature a black superhero as the main character and dealt with various social issues.

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Randy Cunningham

(9th Grade Ninja)

High school student who becomes a ninja to protect his school and the world.

Fun fact: Randy's best friend, Howard Weinerman, is an important character who supports him in his ninja adventures.

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Frosta

(She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Young princess with the power to control ice and snow.

Fun fact: In the 2018 Netflix reboot of She-Ra, Frosta is portrayed as a strong and capable young leader, contrasting her more diminutive appearance in the original series.

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A.J.

(The Fairly OddParents)

Timmy Turner's intelligent friend, known for his high IQ and technological expertise.

Fun fact: A.J. often uses his intelligence to help Timmy with his various adventures and challenges.

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Gerald Johanssen

(Hey Arnold!)

Arnold's best friend, known for his distinctive hairstyle and cool demeanor.

Fun fact: Gerald often serves as the voice of reason in his friendship with Arnold and is known for his storytelling abilities.

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Libby Folfax

(The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Cindy's best friend, known for her love of music and pop culture.

Fun fact: Libby undergoes significant character development throughout the series, becoming more integral to the main group of friends.

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Craig Williams

(Craig of the Creek)

A young boy who loves exploring the wilds of the creek.

Fun fact: "Craig of the Creek" is noted for its diverse cast and relatable portrayal of childhood adventures.

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Keesha Franklin

(The Magic School Bus)

One of Ms. Frizzle's students, known for her practical and skeptical nature. Fun fact: Keesha often provides a realistic perspective in contrast to the fantastical elements of their adventures.

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Jodie Landon

(Daria)

One of the most intelligent and level-headed students at Lawndale High.

Fun fact: Jodie often provides insightful commentary on social and racial issues within the show.

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Valerie Gray

(Danny Phantom)

A ghost hunter and Danny's love interest.

Fun fact: Valerie starts as a popular girl at school but becomes a more complex character as she deals with her own struggles and challenges.

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Wyatt Williams

(Super Dinosaur)

Genius inventor and best friend of Super Dinosaur.

Fun fact: Wyatt uses his intelligence and inventions to help Super Dinosaur in their missions to protect the world.

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Miranda Killgallen

(As Told by Ginger)

Miranda is one of the popular girls at Lucky Jr. High and is known for her sharp-tongued, sassy personality.

Fun fact: She is depicted as somewhat of a mean girl, using her popularity and intelligence to manipulate situations to her advantage.

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Bill Cosby

(Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids)

Based on comedian Bill Cosby's childhood, leader of the Junkyard Gang.

Fun fact: Fat Albert is known for its educational and moral lessons, often ending with the phrase, "Hey, hey, hey!"

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Doc (Julius Erving)

(The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh)

Animated version of the basketball star Julius Erving.

Fun fact: The film combines live-action and animation, featuring Erving as a character who helps a struggling basketball team.

Irwin

(The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)

A nerdy, awkward boy with a crush on Mandy.

Fun fact: Irwin has a unique heritage, being part mummy and part vampire, which is explored in various episodes.

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Numbuh 5 (Abigail Lincoln)

(Codename: Kids Next Door)

Second-in-command of Sector V, known for her cool and collected demeanor.

Fun fact: Numbuh 5 is often the voice of reason and is skilled in espionage and combat.

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And that's a wrap on our tribute to these amazing Black cartoon characters! 🎬🎉

Like uncovering a precious gem in a vast mine, we hope you found inspiration and pride in these groundbreaking characters.

Which one resonated with you the most? Share your thoughts.

Until next time! 🌟👏

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42+ Iconic Black Cartoon Characters That Are a Must-See! (2024)

FAQs

What cartoon character is black? ›

In the 1990s
CharacterTitleDuration
Tolkien BlackSouth Park1997-
Dana BlessingBatman: The Animated Series1992-1995
BrockPokémon1997-
Cleveland BrownFamily Guy1999-
33 more rows

What is the name of an all black cartoon show? ›

"The Proud Family" was authentic and thoughtful in its social commentary and proudly Black in its pop cultural references. The effectiveness of "The Proud Family" also speaks for itself through the revival series "Proud Family: Louder and Prouder," which recently was renewed for a third season.

What Disney character is all black? ›

Princess Tiana your first and only Black princess. Young Black girls and boys look up to her, and are excited to finally have a Disney princess who looks like them.

Which Disney character is black? ›

Only one (Princess Tiana) is Black. “The Princess and The Frog” inspired actor Halle Bailey to play Arielle in last year's live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” she said. “Black princesses are possible. We deserve to take up these spaces too.”

What is the adult cartoon about black people? ›

The Boondocks is an American adult animated sitcom created by Aaron McGruder for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim.

What Disney animated show is a black girl? ›

The Proud Family

The teenage years are no match for Penny Proud. High-spirited Penny brings hilarity and heart to The Proud Family and all their adventures. She's a natural leader who makes an impression on audiences for the way she can balance friends, family and school—all with a dazzling smile.

What was the first African American cartoon? ›

The first cartoon series with an all-black cast, Bill Cosby's Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids covered issues pertinent to inner-city black children while sugaring the pill with slapstick, singalongs and the comedian's exuberant, multi-character voice work.

What is the oldest cartoon ever? ›

1908 – Fantasmagorie, considered by animation historians as the world's first cartoon, is released.

What cartoon has 4 main characters? ›

Cartman, Stan, Kenny, and Kyle – South Park

That ended up being one of the first viral videos of the modern age. This lead to the South Park TV series that's more than 20 years old, as well as a feature film, video games, and tons of merchandise.

Who is the oldest cartoon cartoon character? ›

1908 – Émile Cohl created Fantasmagorie — the first animated film using hand-drawn animation, and film historians consider it to be the first animated cartoon.

Are there any Black main characters in anime? ›

Voiced by: Samuel L.

Jackson himself, Afro quickly became one of the most iconic Black characters among anime fans. Afro is the main character in the five-episode series Afro Samurai, which follows a samurai out for vengeance for the person who killed his father.

What anime has a black character? ›

Bleach has many amazing Black characters. The most well-known were undoubtedly Yoruichi Shihouin, Tier Harribel, Kaname Tosen, and Franceska Mila Rose. More exist in the anime and manga. Each character was unique and powerful in their own right.

Which anime has the most Black characters? ›

Here's my list of the best anime with Black characters (or at least, my favorites!).
  1. Carole and Tuesday. Bones. ...
  2. Fire Force. Atsushi Ohkubo, KODANSHA/ “FIRE FORCE” Production Committee. ...
  3. Afro Samurai. 2009 TAKASHI OKAZAKI, GONZO. ...
  4. Naruto Shippuden. ...
  5. Michiko and Hatchin. ...
  6. The Boondocks. ...
  7. Boruto. ...
  8. Bleach.
Feb 22, 2023

Which Muppet is black? ›

Betancourt says it was a deliberate choice to make Elijah and Wes “humanoid” Muppets with realistic skin tones, so they could address the physicality of race. (By contrast, Sesame Street's first Black Muppet, Roosevelt Franklin, who appeared on the show from 1970 to 1975, was purple.)

Is Bugs Bunny black or white? ›

Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray-and-white rabbit or hare who is characterized by his flippant, insouciant personality.

What old Disney cartoon had a black family? ›

The Proud Family is the first animated series to air exclusively on Disney Channel. The series premiered on September 15, 2001, as part of the network's programming block Zoog Disney. The series received generally positive reviews for its humor and themes, but received some criticism for its stereotypes.

What movie characters wear all black? ›

Results of 1,347 votes:
  • 264. ...
  • 187. ...
  • Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther (2018)
  • Keanu Reeves in John Wick (2014)
  • Kate Beckinsale in Underworld: Evolution (2006)
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
  • Cate Blanchett in Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • Alan Rickman in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

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