The 8 Most Emo Cartoon Characters
Disclaimer: This list will probably anger a few people, mainly because the factors I use to deem these cartoon characters “emo” will be seen as stereotypical. I mean, labeling people who keep journals, write songs on some sort of stringed instrument, wear thick-rimmed glasses and have an attitude that’s a little bit sad, a little bit snarky and, of course, a little bit hopeful, emo? That’s just crazy talk! These eight cartoon characters are a varied bunch—from paranoid babies to dour squids—but they all share several characteristics that make them quintessentially emo. Something tells me this group got their hands on a few copies of Do You Know Who You Are? and Something To Write Home About during their formative years.
1. Charlie Brown from Peanuts
Whether he was making thoughtful observations (“I think I’m afraid to be happy, because whenever I get too happy, something bad always happens”), asking profound questions (“Why can't I change just a little bit?”) or offering up great one-liners (“Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love”), Charlie Brown did gloom and doom oh so well. Need more proof? Check out This Charming Charlie, a blog that combines the Smiths’ lyrics with Peanuts comic strips, or 3eanuts.com which removes the last panel of the comic strip, turning it into unresolved existential despair.
2. Chuckie Finster from Rugrats
(Rugrats aired on Nickelodeon off and on from 1991-2004)
Five words: Look at those fucking glasses.
3. Daria Morgendorffer from Daria
(Daria aired on MTV from 1997-2002)
Daria was more sass and snark than sad and mopey, but she did have that whole brooding thing going on that is popular among the emo kind. (“I don’t like to smile unless I have a reason,” is just one of her great deadpan lines.) Although, come to think of it, she also once said, “There is no moment in life that can’t be improved with pizza,” so maybe she’s really a pop-punk kid. Oh Daria, you tricky gal, you.
4. Doug Funnie from Doug
(Doug aired on Nickelodeon from 1991-1994 and ABC from 1996-1999)
He kept a diary (sorry, Doug—journal), fantasized about being a superhero, wrote songs for his crush Patti Mayonnaise on his banjo and wore sweater vests long before the hipster set made them cool. Doug may have been a major fan of the Beets, but one listen to Diary and he would have been singing the praises of Sunny Day Real Estate. (Whereas his best friend Skeeter Valentine, probably would have been into West Coast punk like Lagwagon and NOFX.) If Mineral’s upcoming reunion tour makes a stop in Bluffington, Doug will totally be there.
5. Eeyore from Winnie The Pooh
The original emo cartoon character (If you Google “emo Eeyore” you get 102,00 results), Eeyore was emo before it was cool. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if his oft-quoted line “Thanks for noticing me” inspired Chris Carrabba to write “Again I Go Unnoticed.” He even had a bit of an emo swoop going on with his unruly mane of black hair.
6. Ginger Foutley from As Told By Ginger
(As Told By Ginger aired on Nickelodeon from 2000-2006.)
Ginger was the girl in junior high who wasn’t at the top or the bottom of the food chain; she just floated around the middle. She had aspirations of popularity, but was actually much cooler than she gave herself credit for. Like Doug, she was an avid journal-keeper and six-stringed instrument player. Come to think of it, Ginger and Doug would have made an awesome couple. And even if things didn’t work out, they would have left us with some great mix CDs.
7. Helga Pataki from Hey, Arnold!
(Hey, Arnold! aired on Nickelodeon from 1996-2004)
Don’t let her tough exterior fool you: It was all a façade to hide her insecurities. When she wasn’t berating her true love, Arnold, she was writing poetry about him and making a bubblegum sculpture of his football-shaped head. Granted, that last one may be more weird than emo, but you have to give her credit for finding unique ways to express her often overwhelming emotions.
8. Squidward Tentacles from SpongeBob SquarePants
(SpongeBob SquarePants began airing on Nickelodeon in 1999.)
When he isn’t dodging SpongeBob’s attempt at friendship, Squidward can be found offering some dry, no-fucks-left-to-give remark about those around him or his somewhat depressing life. He also plays the clarinet, which is definitely the most emo woodwind instrument.
