Happy are those who have someone to share their happiness with. It’s always easy to befriend strangers, but lucky are those few who succeed in finding their ‘Best’ Buddy.
Science says, having a best pal enhances optimism in your life and hence makes you live longer. Well, we do not need science to know that our friends hold a special place in our heart. It is quite amusing how as we grow older, our friends circle starts getting smaller.
Often as we grow up, our responsibilities too keep growing; our priorities change. We meet new people; some whom we befriend gradually. But still, there is that one person from your past who forever dwells in your life, one who knows all your minor and confidential secrets, feelings, and alot more. Happy and content are not those who have loads of friends but not one to count on as a best buddy; but those who rather than having a bunch, have only one mate who stays with him/her through thick and thin throughout life.
Well, in honour of that one special sister/brother from another mother, majority of the world with complete contentment dedicates ‘Friendships Day’ on every first Sunday of August. We at AnimationXpress.com get to you some of those cherished characters that have taught us the significance of this purest form of relationship right from our toddler days.
Here are some of the evergreen instances of bestest friends forever in the world of toons:-
Timon-Pumbaa
‘Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase!! Hakuna Matata…’
Did you just humm it rhythmically in your head?! Well, that is the magical spell of the song picturised on an epitome of friends, ‘Timon and Pumbaa’ which takes you back to the ‘Lion King’ zone even after 21 years of its official release. This Walt Disney Produced film directed by Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers had its first part released on 15 June 1994.
The Journey of Simba right from Pride Rock as a prince to Pride Rock as a king brought to us an amalgamation of tears, chuckles and a lot more cute moments. It also introduced us to this odd funny duo, Timon and Pumbaa. Even though the combination of a Meerkat and warthog sounds bizarre; it still tops our list of ‘Friends Forever.’
Tom-Jerry
The name itself gets you to flash across alot of hilarious fights between the nature-borne foes, ‘Cat and Rat’ aka Tom and Jerry. The series of Tom and Jerry was given birth in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbara in America. The never ending fights and with the mightier living, Tom Cat on a constant chase of the weaker yet wittier one, Jerry Mouse led to a series of Laugh till you drop scenario. The series was so popular that eventually a movie was made on the concept in 1994, Tom and Jerry: The Movie. This epic combo of unnatural friends even today remains unsullied and still never fails to attract the audiences.
Woody-Buzz Lightyear
Walt Disney Pictures presented its tiny tot audiences with the crazy Duo of ‘Woody and Buzz’ from the famous ‘Toy Story’, released on 22 November 1995 the feature made these characters an integral part of every child’s life forever.
The story of the cow-boy, zero-sized smart ‘Woody’ with the ‘Infinity and Beyond’ believer Buzz Lightyear together summed up to be one of the supreme instances of ‘Foes turned Friends’. This movie directed by John Lasseter was the first production ever of Pixar Animation Studios. Woody and Buzz have always been remembered for having been friends by chance but having sustained that relationship by choice, and with a reboot planned for the series it couldn’t be happier news!
Mowgli-Baloo-Bagheera (Whoever said 3s a crowd!)
The concept of the wild animal kingdom acting as a shield to the life of a human child from another vicious animal of the same kingdom was what got everyone hooked to this Manga show. The inimitable combination of a toddler human ‘Mowgli’ and his best friends, ‘Baloo’, the bear and ‘Bagheera’ a panther along with their fun pranks, the heart-in-the mouth situations and the ‘Bromance’ was what made ‘The Jungle Book’ a never-to-be-forgotten series.
The movie, again another classic cult from the Walt Disney kitty was originally an adaptation of a book, ‘The Jungle Book’ by author, ‘Richard Kipling’ and was released in 1967. And yes you guessed it right, if one was not enough, then there are two diverse live action adaptations in the pipeline for this classic tale.
Mufasa-Rafiki
Another tale epitomising the bond of friendship that wasn’t hyped but then too, every frame in the movie that has Rafiki and Mufasa led to showcasing of them being a very fine example of a true Friends. The classic duo had minor yet pivotal roles in the movie that played a key element in its shaping up.
Unlike other movies, where the prime focus is on friendship, this Disney baby along with Simba had another story of purity, of friendship to enlighten, in disguise. The latter part of ‘Lion King’ (1994) wherein, coincidence leads to the encounter of the mature Simba and then, the older Rafiki showcases the depth of friendship of Simba’s father, Mufasa and Rafiki ever had.
Doreamon-Nobita
“Nobitaaa…” you listen to this cadenza and a cute blue chubby-bubby ‘O’ shaped robotic cat appears in your mind’s eye…that’s Doreamon. Doreamon is the Japanese brainchild of Fujika Fujio who first published its series in 1969 in six magazines. Nobita’s constant tingling of wanting to experiment on every new gadget of Doreamon leading him into various troubles and Doreamon coming to his rescue every single time is what attracts kids to enjoy this pair.
Aladdin-Genie
A friend who deals with all your emotions, who follows you wherever you go, the one who sacrifices all the time in his life just to be available for you every time and yes the one who holds all the potential to fulfil all that you desire. Well, such is the story of Aladdin and his precious unique friend, ‘Genie’.
Created in November, 1992, this Disney feature directed by John Musker and Ron Clements instantly succeeded in attracting young ones mainly because of its peculiar character ‘Genie’ who was that special friend who willingly is ever ready to sacrifice his freedom for his friend Aladdin.
Scooby-Shaggy
The solving of supernatural mysteries by this gang of four teenagers, Fred , Daphne ,Velma , and Norville “Shaggy” Rogers along with their Great Dane, ‘Scooby Doo’ that led to a series of well amalgamated spookiness and loads of laughter, was first broadcasted on television in 1969.
‘Scooby Doo, Where are you’ as it originally was named was the brainchild of writers, Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. The resolving of the mystery in spooky areas, with a supposedly ghost appearance would make both the petrified forever friends Shaggy and Scooby run for their lives. This over-used quality of being petrified would lead Shaggy and Scooby in creating a string of goof-ups that led to the cracking of the mystery; making the ‘Horrified Duo’ the heroes.
The Shaggy- Scooby combo was such a huge success that in 2013, the ‘TV Guide ranked them as the fifth best show of all time.’
Ariel-Flounder
The cute little yellow tropical fish ‘Flounder’ and the beauty personified mermaid ‘Ariel’ together laid a beautiful instance of an everlasting friendship. Inspite of being pretty and petite in its outward appearance, Flounder never failed to act as a mighty aid whenever his best friend Ariel was in any kind of dilemma. This cute little yellow fish who itself was prone to panicking in tough situations acted completely against his nature of being fainthearted and acted as a shield to Ariel in all her troubles. This Walt Disney fairy tale, ‘ The Little Mermaid’ of 1989 was originally based on a Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen that was then written, directed, and produced by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Pikachu-Ash
The inseparable pair of friends who were termed to be one of the cutest friends of all times were ‘Ash’ and the cute little yellow creature ‘Pikachu’ from the super-hit animated series, ‘Pokémon’. As Pikachu was Ash’s first ever Pokémon, The cute little Pokémon forever refused to leave his bestest friend at any cost in any situation.
Pikachu, also the leader of the Pokémon team apart from his utter endearing appeal was also adored for his perseverance and his reluctance to give up on any kind of hard-hitting situation. This series that was put up in 1995 gave the toddlers the cutest animated gift ever in the form of Pikachu. If you have ever felt like adopting pika because of its bonny style of saying ‘Pee-Ka-Chuu’ then you should rather adopt voice over artist ‘Ikue Otani’ for she is the one who lend her voice to Pikachu making the character immortal in our memories forever.
Mickey-Donald
Talking of your childhood, then how can one forget Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Donald, among other as all these characters have had a very deep impact on many viewers; almost making them immortal in everybody’s memories.
Apart from just the characters, one such bond that still remains perpetual in one’s mind is the eternal friendship of Mickey and Donald. Well, Donald is Mickey’s complete best friend. This duck that is always seen sporting a blue sailor suit and a hat, values his friendship and is always willing to risk his life for Mickey. Created by Walt Disney in 1928, Mickey’s bond with Donald is perhaps the strongest out of all the characters he’s interacted with, alongside Pluto. These characters have constructed an abode in our hearts to dwell forever.
Cat-Dog
What happens when nature generated foes are conjoined. The 1998 series, Cat and Dog, a story of conjoined siblings, one end being the cat while the other is the dog brought viewers to re-think on the laugh-till-you-drop situation very seriously.
The connected by blood and body but detached by natures rule, cat and dog brought a series of hilarious fights against each other, at times for each other as well. Their nature (which is actually true in real too) where the cat is just too sophisticated and cultured while the dog is sheer fun-loving and likes to chase garbage vans, is what instigates the clashes between them leading to hours of stomach-ache laughter. This terrific series with an unusual hilarious concept was created by Peter Hannan.
Fred Flintstone-Barney Rubble
Have you ever dreamt of having a replica of Mr. Barney Rubble as your neighbour?! Well you must have figured out what we are talking about… ‘The Flintstones’, brought to life by Hanna-Barbera in 1960, this story of a working stone-age man with a customary life that revolves around his family and his neighbour, Barney Rubble was a huge success with the viewer’s right from toddlers to their parents. Barney and Fred were just the typical friends who would often fight and argue majorly due to Fred’s short temper, but in hard times would act as each other’s shield.
Oswald-Henry-Daisy
Who would have thought that creation of an unimaginable trio of Best friends; Big Blue octopus ‘Oswald’, a penguin, ‘Henry’ and ‘Daisy’, a daisy flower could make the show taste triumph. Created by Dan Yaccarino, ‘Oswald’ that aired on television in 2001, amongst the toddlers was truly famous for his warmth and sensibility. His forever friendship with his neighbour Henry and Daisy along with his cute little blue dachshund, ‘Winnie’ was what made the audiences stick to this show for over years. Oswald’s soft nature and soberness amalgamated with his subtle voice made him to be one of the cutest characters of all time.
Archie-Jughead
Remember, the red-haired smart hunk from the ever hit comic ‘Archie’. The typical teenage boy was not only famous for participating in sports but also for being accident-prone. His best friend Jughead; the 6feet tall, lazy, obsessed with food and who was generally uninterested in girls was Archie’s Bestest friend. His rapport with Archie was something, no other character in the comic series shared. The duo was an epitome of different personalities but yet just perfect for one other.
So what are you waiting for? Just grab your phone and wish your bestie, A Very Happy Friendships Day!
