lip top 10: animated female characters
If you think you’re too old for cartoons, think again. A conversation at work a couple of weeks ago about the shows we used to watch as kids (Genie from Down Under!) sent me down a rabbit hole and I came out of it somewhere around Sesame Street. On my journey I passed by a lot sweet cartoon gals that I whiled way several hours watching, and thought I might send you all on a trip down memory lane as well.
1. Daria Morgendorffer – Daria
Daria and I have a few things in common – we’re intolerant of stupidity, we have cynical outlook on the world and most importantly, we both believe in coffee for everyone.
2. Jane Lane – Daria
If there’s one person cooler than Daria it’s probably her best friend, Jane. Everything about Jane makes me wish I went to high school in America, in a too cool for school outcasty kind of way. She hates maths too, which would make her my perfect woman except I learnt that she dislikes blue M&Ms, which means our friendship is over before it even began.
3. Hayley Smith – American Dad
For starters, she’s a feminist, so woo to that. She’s also pro gun control, pro doing whatever the hell you want with your own body and pro helping people, which are all lovely things.
4. Penny Proud – The Proud Family
Penny is a 14 year old feminist who plays football AND is a journalist for her school paper. Also she is Penny Proud, she’s cute and loud and she’s got it going on! Actually, I rather dislike that catchcry.
5. Lisa Simpson – The Simpsons
I just don’t even know where to start with Lisa, so I’m not even going to. You know that episode where she is the President of America? I would totally support that in reality.
6. Sailor Moon – Sailor Moon
Here’s a snippet of my childhood: I loved Sailor Moon so much that a friend and I used to play our own game based on the show in my backyard. I have no idea how that game worked, though. She fought the evils of the world, which I think basically makes her a superhero. Also, before someone says that Sailor Moon was manga, not a cartoon, it was screened as part of this cartoon programme, which is good enough for me.
7. Sue Ellen Armstrong – Arthur
I hope you’re singing the Arthur theme now. I think Sue Ellen was my favourite non-main character because she did taekwondo. I’ve never done it, but I just thought she was very cool and tough.
8. Lillian DeVille – Rugrats
I was one of those little girls who didn’t like to get dirty, so I have a lot of respect for little girls who aren’t afraid to eat worms, which made Lil my favourite Rugrat. I bet this is another theme you’re humming now.
9. Susie Carmichael – Rugrats
Lil may have been my favourite, but Susie was actually much better. Although now that I think about it, Susie may have just looked exceptionally kind next to Angelica because Angelica was a bitch to the babies.
10. Dottie McStuffins – Doc McStuffins
This is a new one out which I found in the YouTube rabbit hole. It’s about a six year old who wants to be a doctor, so she fixes toys and stuffed animals. Also, the toys come to life.
