Cartoons are filled with lovable, huggable, and adorable characters, like Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, or Bugs Bunny. And then there are the not-so-adorable characters. The Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters tend to shine brightly with unique looks, funny personalities, and charm that is undeniable.
Some of the most unforgettable Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters are the misfits, the ones with wonky teeth, protruding eyes, or even matted hair. They might not win any beauty awards, but they do win our hearts. But do we love ugly cartoon animal characters so much? Let’s explore ugly-cute cartoon animals and find out.
Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters Collection
Why Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters Are So Much Fun
1. They Are Relatable
It is so easy to identify with imperfect characters. Perfect characters sometimes feel detached, perfect heroes really have no flaws. When it comes to ugly cartoon animals, they are integral and sometimes messy, just like us! As an example, consider Courage the Cowardly Dog. Courage has bulging eyes and neurotic twitches and does not fit the mold as a “hero”. But Courage has made fear and determination work for him and certainly ranks as one of the favorite characters in animation history!
2. They’re Funny Without Trying
The ugliest of cartoon animals get the best laughs for existing. Ren Hoek from Ren & Stimpy is the best example. Wild and unhinged expressions are what set him apart. Then there are the characters like Stimpy, who have a goofy smile and a vacant stare, getting laughs just for being Stimpy.
3. They Break Stereotypes
In a cartoon world where most animal characters are designed to be cute, the Ugly ones are always a middle finger to conventionality. Gollum from Lord of the Rings (he’s not a cartoon character necessarily but the animated versions we see are separated from the rest valuably) is a pretty creepy character who’s fascinating. In the same sense, The Angry Beavers (Norbert and Daggett) had the same ability, as incredible cartoonists with fantastic illustrations, without being cute.
4. They have Character Complexity
There are Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters with complexity. Plank from Ed, Edd n Eddy is not even alive, but Johnny treats him like he has a personality. There is later Rocko from Rocko’s Modern Life an ugly wallaby with a weirdly shaped head and big heart trying to navigate adulthood.
The Most Iconic Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters
1. Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage is not going to win any beauty pageants with those pink fur, mismatched teeth, and permanent look of horror. But his undying loyalty to Muriel and his innate cowardice (despite the name) turns him into legend.
2. Ren & Stimpy
Ren’s complete mania and Stimpy’s dense innocence, perfectly paired. Ren & Stimpy might have been some gross-out humor and bizarre designs, but they took kids’ cartoons a level deeper in the 90s and completely delivered on the absurd.
3. The Angry Beavers
Norbert and Daggett are buck-toothed, scraggly-furred beavers embracing kinship, but fighting like siblings. Their ugly-yet-charming designs are physically perfect for their chaotic personalities.
4. Rocko (Rocko’s Modern Life)
Rocko has a big nose, and a small body—shouldn’t work, but does work. Transitions and struggles with mundanity in his life makes him weirdly relatable.
5. CatDog
A two-headed abomination that breaks biology 101 because of its absurdity, CatDog might be the definition of ugly-cute animals. Their constant fighting and exceptionally strange existence frames them as incredibly memorable.
6. Gurgle (from Shark Tale)
Alright, not the most popular movie. But Gurgle the pufferfish (voiced by Jack Black) is hilariously ugly-as-an-animal, which is why he is great.
7. Hyenas from The Lion King
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are gross, cackling, and kind of scary, but they are also some of the most entertaining Disney villains.
Why Ugly Characters are Important in Animation
Ugly animal cartoon characters show that it doesn’t have to be pretty to work in design; in fact, the fact that it’s unusual makes Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters more interesting. They give the finger to the traditional idea of needing to be attractive to be a hero or even a sidekick, which can be liberating.
They also teaching children (and adults) that being different is okay. Characters like Courage and Rocko teach that bravery and kindness is more important than looks.
Wrap Up
Next time you watch a cartoon, notice the odd-looking ones with crooked teeth, bulging eyes or sparse fur, these are most likely the characters you’ll remember the most. Ugly animal cartoon characters bring humor, heart, and a little bit of chaos to the scene and that is why we love them.
Who is your favorite “Ugly Animal Cartoon Characters“? Let’s show some love to the ugly underdogs (or under-cats, under-beavers, or under… whatever CatDog is).
Also Watch:- Ugly Cartoon Characters: A Unique Collection