Every now and then when we look back at our growing up days, we always see visions of some great animation characters on the small screen, be it through television sets or by way of VHS tapes. These characters have played an instrumental role in educating us about family values, love and respect for everyone.
On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, AnimationXpress.com turns back the clock on some of these timeless characters who not only educated us about love and values, but in a way also created a space for themselves in our hearts. Keep scrolling and get nostalgic!
Mickey and Mini Mouse
Possibly the oldest couple on the list, these two Disney rodents have set the bar for animated relationships. There is no proof of them ever getting married but then where did all their nieces and nephews come from then, are some good questions?
Mickey and Minnie Mouse have incredible recall value. For generations and generations and generations, Mickey and Minnie have been in love. Minnie’s first appearance is in the animated short film called Plane Crazy, where she and Mickey are acquainted, but not quite in love. The short revolves around Mickey’s attempt to fly a plane while also trying to steal a kiss from a very unwilling Minnie. Later in the same year, however, Minnie and Mickey were presented as a couple, and presumably have been together ever since.
Donald and Daisy Duck
Daisy Duck was the cartoon character created in 1940 by Walt Disney Productions as the girlfriend of Donald Duck. Like Donald, Daisy is an anthropomorphic white duck, but has large eyelashes and ruffled tail feathers to suggest a skirt. She is often seen wearing a hair bow, blouse, and shoes.
Daisy usually shows a strong affinity towards Donald, although she is often characterised as being more sophisticated than him. Daisy was introduced in the short film Mr. Duck Steps Out (1940) and was incorporated into Donald’s comic stories several months later. She appeared in 11 short films between 1940 and 1954.
The love and hate relationship between these two affable characters is a very cute sight and often the way couples freshly in love feel towards one another.
Homer and Marge Simpson
As much as Homer is a doofus and Marge is a saint for putting up with him, they truly love each other. Completely undignified and utterly unrefined, Homer and Marge are possibly the most realistic cartoon couple out there. And they have continued to spread their quirky love and humour for close to three decades across generations.
Fred and Wilma Flintstone
Fred is the main character of the series The Flintstones. Being accident-prone this bronto-crane operator at the Slate Rock and Gravel Company and the head of the Flintstone clan is quick to anger (usually over trivial matters), but is a very loving husband and father. Wilma is Fred’s wife and is the brainer of the twosome, though she often has a habit of spending money (with her and Betty’s catchphrase being “Da-da-da duh da-da CHARGE IT!!”). She often is a foil to Fred’s poor behavior.
The couple has their moments of love and hate but can never stay apart because of the sweet relationship that they share eternally. Fred also comes across as a male chauvinist as he’s shown to be a member of the fictional “Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes” (Lodge No. 26), a men-only club paralleling real-life fraternities such as the Loyal Order of Moose.
Popeye and Olive Oyl
Here is one of the oddest pairs on the list, yet their attraction to each other in undeniable. Like the Simpsons earlier in this discussion, they are more interesting when they’re fighting, because we all know they truly love each other.
Even Bluto and Wimpy add to the chaos of this awesome twosome and sometimes add some surprise element to the mix, but at the end of the day Popeye always saves the day for his Olive Oyl.
Aladdin and Jasmine
This may seem like any fairy tale where a guy sees a pretty girl, gets that gaga look and can’t take his eyes off her, she gets into some trouble and he comes to help her. But, the connection they had with each other is what makes this couple amazing. Even though they come from two different worlds they understand each other and have two very similar situations.
Jasmine actually gave up her last chance of freedom just to save Aladdin. He goes through so much just to be with her. He goes though the cave of wonders, is almost killed, almost eaten by her pet, almost froze to death, and almost eaten by a giant snake. If that’s now love, then what is?
George and Jane Jetson
The Jetsons was a prime-time animated sitcom that was produced by Hanna-Barbera for Screen Gems (and later Worldvision Enterprises). It was Hanna-Barbera’s space age counterpart to The Flintstones.
Like the former show, it is a half-hour family sitcom projecting contemporary American culture and lifestyle into another time period. While the Flintstones live in a world with machines powered by birds and dinosaurs, the Jetsons live in a futuristic utopia in the year 2062 of elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and whimsical inventions.
George is a 40 year old, loving family man who always seems to make the wrong decision. He works full time, 15 hours a week at Spaceley’s Sprockets as a computer engineer. He is married to Jane and together they have two kids, Elroy and Judy.
Jane is George’s spouse, mother of their two children, and homemaker. She is obsessed with fashion and new gadgetry and her favourite store is Mooning Dales. She is also a dutiful wife who always tries to make life as pleasant as possible for her family. Outside the home, she is a member of the Galaxy Women Historical Society and is a fan of Leonardo de Venus and Picasso Pia.
This is certainly a show ‘way ahead of its time’ even the way husband and wife interacted with each other and their kids was dealt with maturity.
Lola and Bugs
While these two may have first met on the set of the big screen nostalgia-fest Space Jam, but were re-united in a new Looney Tunes series to further their relationship that’s as touching as it is hilarious. Bugs’ dry-witted and calm personality is matched up against Lola’s mile-a-minute absent-mindedness. While initially put off by her frantic nature, Bugs eventually warms to her quirky attitude before their love blossoms into its loony glory.
Barney and Betty Rubble
The older generation won out in the end. These two fell in love and have never looked back. The neighbors of the Flintstones, the Rubbles have lived the dream when it comes to the married life. Series’ main character, Fred Flintstone, often has arguments with his wife Wilma, and has been known to flirt with other women from time to time. Barney does none of that, and while Betty may jump on the bandwagon of hitting her husband when he steps out of the line, she proves that she loves him dearly with her affectionate nature.
Fred Jones & Daphne Blake
Even back in 1969, cartoons had their “will-they-or-won’t-they couples”. And few were more frustrating than Fred and Daphne. These members of Mystery Incorporated were always partnering up together whenever the group had to split up to look for clues. Years and years of waiting and not even a peck on the cheek, what gives! Ah well, it kept us guessing throughout their many exploits. In fact, they even tied the knot in the revived series! About time!
And while we are talking about couples, why not look at some ‘couples of another kind’
Scrat and his acorn: This lovable character from the Ice Age franchise is always seen chasing this one particular acorn throughout the series, his love for this food item became so popular that the makers introduced a series of short on Scrat itself… Now that’s the power of love.
Hiccup and Toothless: This pair has not only won hearts but also bagged a few awards along the way, this ‘couple’ takes the man and animal relationship to a whole new ‘mythical’ level. And even as we speak a third installment to this fantasy is already in the works for a 2017 release.
Ash and Pikachu: This Japanese anime set the animation world on fire like none other, to the extent people started worshiping the small yellow creature and wanted ‘it’ to be part of their everyday lives, but what’s an animal without a trainer, thus Ash and Pikachu have gone onto become a legend of a different kind.
T-Bone and Razor: This radical squadron like they called themselves took ‘bromance’ to a whole new level. Even as they fought to be the apple of the eye of the city’s mayor’s secretary, they never let their love for her come in between their friendship.
Timon and Pumba: And finally how can one miss out on the ‘coolest animals’ of the jungle. These two first made their way onto the big screen through the cult classic The Lion King, as caretakers of the strayed Simba, but then made their way into people’s hearts and soon to television sets globally.