Most Badass Cartoon Characters

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Despite what you may have heard, cartoons are not just for kiddies.  In fact, some cartoon characters are pretty effing badass. Don’t believe us? We’ve put together a list of the most badass cartoon characters of all time. Be prepared to get your animated ass kicked.

Dr. Claw (from Inspector Gadget)

Dr. Claw was a villainous son of a gun. If the point of inspector gadget had been to show reality rather than to teach some sort of good versus evil lesson, he would kick inspector gadget’s goofy ass right into next week. Every week. His motive was not that of money or pride or some deep rooted rivalry. No this badass just wanted total world domination. He wouldn’t pussy foot around either, in one episode his goal was to steal all the jewelry in the world. Not just one famous jewl or even an entire collection from a museum. This greedy bastard wanted it all.

Shan-Yu (from Mulan)

Shan-Yu was the “bad guy” in Disney’s animated feature Mulan. Bad guy is an understatment. He is the red-eyed, massively built, sword-toting badass leader of the Huns. One of the few Disney characters who seems to truley never feel remorse for a loss of life, Shan-Yu exemplifies the term villian. In one chilling scene, Shan-yu sends two captives to deliver a letter and then, once they get the sweet taste of freedom, he kills one- with a smile. Badass Style.

Wolverine (from X-Men)

Without Wolverine, X-Men would not be the phenomenon it is today. It would have been cancelled after, maybe, one season. None of the other Xmen combined could ever be as awesome as Wolverine. He was the cold, jaded one who had regenerative powers and super stength; he also happened to have had his bone replaced with metal. If that alone wasn’t enough he had the ability to claw the shit out of anyone who got in his way.  He is also a total playboy going after another man’s woman when he could obviously get anyone he wants. Bonus badass points.

Optimums Prime (from Transformers)

A firetruck that can transform into a killing machine defines badass. Optimus Prime is the most renown of the transformers and the one with the coolest weapon. He has a laser shooting gun in the original, which is pretty sweet, but is upgraded for an energon axe. Which is an axe made of hot lava. An axe of lava. A lava axe! Imagine how much pain you would be in if chopped by a lava axe, imagine being the badass doing the chopping. Now stop this petty fantasy, because you don’t own an energon axe. Optimus Prime does, because he’s a badass.

Panthero (From Thundercats)

Panthero is, without a doubt, the badest looking cat in the whole Thundercat crew. If I ran into all the Thundercats in a dark alley, Panthero would be the only one who really scared me. His weapon of choice is a pair of chained fighting sticks with cat-paws. This alone is a badass weapon of choice, but these paws also can spray poison.  That would be like if I had numchucks with Wolverine’s fists on the end…that could spray poison! He’s also adorned with not only a constant mean mug but a spiked chest band. And what do these spikes do? They shoot out at enemies, of course. With his constant mean mug scowl, Panthero is the Clint Eastwood of cat justice.

Bender (from Futurama)

Bender, the wisecracking chef of  the Futurama crew, is the show’s biggest badass. He drinks, he swears, he gambles, he smokes like a chimney and he constantly obsesses over his “shiney metal ass”. Who else can boast they’ve drunk ten kegs of beer, streaked across campus and stuffed fifty-eight people into a phone booth all in one night? Bender Bending Rodriguez is what every man wishes he could be, a BAMF.

Scar (from the Lion King)

Scar is a badass. He wants the throne so badly that he is willing to kill his brother, his nephew, anyone to get it. Simba is the most innocent, most adorable little lion cub ever. Scar doesn’t give a damn, that little baby is going down. Spoiler Alert: Simba doesn’t die. But the fact still remains, his demeanor, his attitude, and his voice all form the baddest badass on pride rock.

Space Ghost (from Space Ghost: Coast to Coast)

Space Ghost originated as your average, run-of-the-mill super hero. He became the most awesome, crazy cool, cartoon talk show host in Adult Swim history. Space Ghost is so badass he was able to convince his villains to be his co-hosts and actors like Bill Nye, Jim Carey and Thom York to be his guests. With his sharp tongue, signature style, and crimefighting past, Space Ghost is a cartoon badass.

Johnny Bravo

With the looks of James Dean and the voice of Elvis Presley he should be able to nab any girl his heart desires. But, the women on his show are idiots. We can only hope this zany attempt at irony is supposed to be humorous, because any girl would willingly depant for this stud. His catchphrase, which every man should adapt, is “she wants me”. How can a man with such bravado not tag loads of tail? Is he too badass? The answer, in short, yes.

Eric Cartman (South Park)

Eric Cartman is not only the most recognizable South Park character, but the baddest of the badasses at South Park Elementary. His racist, insensitive, misogynistic personality is so brash that it’s forgiven, and borders on endearing. On a show that says it how they see it, he fills in the gaps and ensures every P.C stone is abliverated. Cartman is a punk and a tool and the ultimate badass.

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