It doesn’t matter what age I’m, there’s nonetheless nothing like sleeping in on a Saturday morning and having fun with an enormous bowl of cereal in mattress whereas watching cartoons. Again then, my favorites had been sugary, marshmallow-loaded Fortunate Charms and Pokémon. Right this moment, it’s peach and blueberry muesli … and Pokémon. Both means, what might be higher than this throwback combo of vegan breakfast and cartoons? Vegan breakfast and vegan cartoons.
Are there any vegan cartoon characters?
I’ve diligently compiled a listing of my favourite vegan (and should-be-vegan) characters from cult-favorite cartoons, previous and current—considering landmark episodes, character relationships, and simply all-around compassionate, plant-based vibes. And I consider these compassionate characters would make (or already are) a number of the finest vegans on TV.
17 vegan cartoon characters
1 Apu from ‘The Simpsons’
Maybe one of many first and best-known confirmed vegan cartoon characters on the air, Apu was dwelling a compassionate life-style means again in 1990. The Kwik-E-Mart proprietor and operator famously switched out his scorching canines with tofu canines with out anybody noticing—and had an instrumental hand in serving to Lisa Simpson on the trail to full-fledged vegetarianism. Apu was faraway from The Simpsons following the controversy surrounding the voice actor Hank Azaria, who, regardless of offering the voice of the Indian character, shouldn’t be of Indian descent himself. And although Apu not graces our screens, his affect on TV historical past can’t be ignored.
2 Velma from ‘Scooby-Doo’
Although Shaggy was the confirmed vegetarian of the group, my lady Velma from Scooby-Doo was the brains of the operations and would doubtless have made the sensible selection of going plant-based and cruelty-free. Sparse veg choices within the ‘60s and life as a nomad doubtless hindered her from discovering her footing as a vegan, however I’d prefer to suppose that hearty helpings of beta-carotene-rich Moroccan carrots and parsnips would fulfill her veggie cravings.
3 Draculaura from ‘Monster Excessive’
I’m going to be sincere: I’m not precisely conversant in the esteemed work of Draculaura. However the 1,600-year-old Monster Excessive star rightfully deserves recognition as one of many only a few outspoken vegan cartoon characters on the market. Plus, she’s a vampire—discuss going towards the grain! Draculaura eschews blood in favor of fruits, greens, and “a ton of iron dietary supplements.” Phrase remains to be out on her stance on garlic.
4 The Beets from ‘Doug’
We by no means bought affirmation on the consuming habits of Doug Funnie’s favourite rock and roll band, however the legendary Liverpoolers gave the world the treasure that’s “Killer Tofu.” And that has to rely for one thing (I additionally wished to work in a Patty “Simply” Mayonnaise joke right here however you get the image).
5Heffer from ‘Rocko’s Fashionable Life’
Although he was maybe Nickelodeon’s most famed glutton, if Rocko’s Fashionable Life character Heffer had been round at present, he could be vegan. Give it some thought—he liked junk meals and suffered no less than one coronary heart assault due to it. Now, with the array of better-for-you junky vegan meals, Heffer would have the ability to take pleasure in fast-food burgers, pizza, and meatball subs, all with out animal merchandise.
6,7,8Dil, Susie, and Chuckie from ‘Rugrats’
The entire Rugrats would by now be millennials—a bunch instrumental in driving at present’s push towards extra vegan choices. However why this trio particularly? Dil was the youngest, and in All Grown Up, was proven to be a extra inventive, unconventional thinker. Chuckie was a candy, delicate soul who held a funeral for his pillbug companion animal Melville, whereas Susie was a champion of justice and often stood up for the defenseless towards the tyrannical cookie-chomping Angelica and her henchwomen Cynthia and Fluffy. All of those character traits lay the groundwork for some severely compassionate adults.
9 Pac-Man from ‘Pac-Man’
Pac-Man labored day in and day trip to offer Pac-Dots and Energy Pellets for his spouse Pepper and their little one Pac-Child. There’s no means these life-sustaining pixels had been animal-derived, proper? And sure, he additionally ate ghosts, however that was in self-defense.
10 Eliza from ‘The Wild Thornberrys’
No individual in his or her proper thoughts who may discuss to animals would eat them or their secretions, particularly Eliza from The Wild Thornberrys. The center change of the long-lasting Thornberry household traveled around the globe befriending animals, so by now, she’d actually be a vegan conservationist. There’s little question.
11 Popeye from ‘Popeye’
A rootin’-tootin’ sailor man in his 90s with a perpetual scowl will not be the very first thing that involves thoughts while you consider a vegan, however Popeye laid the groundwork for plant-based protein consumption means again in 1929. Beef? No thanks. Rooster? Go. Fish? You’d suppose, with all his time at sea, however no! Popeye knew he’d be sturdy to the end if he simply ate his spinach. Chock filled with iron, fiber, protein, and nutritional vitamins Ok, A, and C (and maybe frivolously wearing heart-healthy “olive oyl”), we’d all do good to comply with the sailor’s instance by pulling out a rusty can of the inexperienced stuff from of our shirt collars, stuffing it in a pipe, and smoke-eating it with gumption … or simply do this recipe for three cheese-spinach lasagna. Both or.
12 Pearl from ‘Steven Universe’
Like the opposite Crystal Gems on Steven Universe, level-headed brainiac Pearl doesn’t want meals to maintain her alien physique, however she is totally different in that she’s really downright grossed out by the straightforward act of consuming. In truth, nearly the one factor I see her devour is tea—and I’m prepared to guess she’s not including honey or milk, both.
13 Jessica Cruz from ‘Justice League vs. The Deadly 5’
One of many Inexperienced Lanterns within the DC Universe, Jessica Cruz is not only a member of the Justice League, however a bona fide vegan—and she or he’s the actual deal. All through her totally different iterations, Jessica has been portrayed as a pacifist, a staunch environmentalist, and she or he even operates out of Portland, OR … you possibly can’t get extra vegan than that.
14 Beast Boy from ‘Teen Titans’
Should you can actually flip right into a cow, a pig, or a hen, ordering a cheeseburger will get morally difficult quick. Beast Boy has lengthy been portrayed as vegetarian in a number of DC iterations, refusing to eat meat as a result of he can rework into animals—and subsequently understands them on a really private degree. The green-hued shapeshifter could also be finest recognized for cracking jokes and crushing tofu burritos, however his eating regimen is without doubt one of the most philosophically hermetic within the cartoon universe.
15Aang from ‘Avatar: The Final Airbender’
Because the final surviving Air Nomad, Aang was raised in a tradition rooted in nonviolence, spirituality, and reverence for all dwelling beings. All through Avatar: The Final Airbender, he’s canonically vegetarian—a mirrored image of his Buddhist-inspired upbringing and deeply held perception in stability. For a child who can bend the weather however refuses to bend his ethics, plant-based dwelling is a no brainer.
16Lisa Simpson from ‘The Simpsons’
Lengthy earlier than oat milk lattes had been mainstream, Lisa Simpson was turning down scorching canines within the Springfield Elementary cafeteria. After her landmark choice to go vegetarian within the ’90s—with a little bit assist from Paul McCartney—Lisa grew to become one in every of tv’s most seen younger advocates for animals. In 2026? There’s little doubt she’d have upgraded from vegetarian trailblazer to full-fledged vegan icon.
17Buttercup from ‘The Powerpuff Women’
She’s the hardest of the trio, the quickest to throw a punch—and, within the 2016 reboot, a confirmed vegetarian. Buttercup’s fierce love of animals and zero-tolerance coverage for injustice make plant-based dwelling really feel much less like a way of life selection and extra like an extension of her persona.
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Richard Bowie (@wichiebowie) is VegNews’ editorial director primarily based in Oakland, CA.
