Of the countless characters that have come out of cartoons since their very inception, there have been some whose characterizations are universal. One such recurring characterization is that of the emo or goth.
Trademarked by their scathing sharp personality, dark sense of fashion, and flair for the emotionally dramatic, such characters have been spread over several cartoons. However, we don't usually catch them in every show that we chance upon.
That is perhaps why they're so intriguing to watch and talk about. Most people can relate to these characters because they frequently depict relatable emotions and life experiences. Not only can they be seen battling problems such as depression, anxiety, and societal pressure but they do so in a peculiarly understandable manner.
Add to that the fact that their unique art style and exaggerated expressions only make them come off as visually appealing. It is not surprising then that some of these goth cartoon characters have gone on to become a source of comfort and contemplation to their viewers.
So, allow us to introduce you to some of the most spectacular and popular goth cartoon characters that have managed to charm us with their remarkable screen presence over time.
Fans of the animated television series "The Addams Family" have likely been eagerly awaiting to see whether this iconic clan made our list. Renowned for their dark humor and a passion for all things macabre, the Addams Family stands as a quintessential example of goth cartoon characters.
Each member of this close-knit, loving family is characterized by their distinctive gothic and morbid personalities. Their unique outlook allows them to find amusement in situations most would consider sinister or dangerous, transforming the macabre into something playful and witty.
True to the goth spirit, the Addams Family boldly embraces their own eccentricities. They continually challenge conventional norms, thriving on behaviors and interests that set them apart from the mainstream.
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"Teen Titans," inspired by 1980s comics, aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006 and became famous for featuring a diverse roster of DC Universe superheroes, with Raven being a central figure.
Raven wields a powerful combination of abilities, including telekinesis, flight, and the rare talent of detaching her soul from her body. Her importance within the DC Universe continued to grow, leading to a dedicated following and expanding her influence among fans.
As one of the most iconic gothic characters in animated television, Raven’s room was depicted as a haven of mythic tomes, occult-inspired statues, and a bed designed to mirror her signature hood, emphasizing her mysterious persona.
Grim, brooding, and enigmatic, Raven embodied the classic traits of a gothic character. Her tendency for sharp wit and biting sarcasm added memorable layers to her identity and showcased the strong writing that defined the series.
With her unique combination of supernatural powers, gothic style, and clever remarks, Raven stands out as a fascinating and enduring character in the world of animation.
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Thorn, along with her band The Hex Girls, first appeared in the 1999 film Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost. Their captivating presence resonated with fans, quickly establishing The Hex Girls as an iconic part of the Scooby-Doo franchise.
Voiced by Jennifer Hale, Thorn serves as the lead singer and guitarist of the band. Her unique abilities played a crucial role in assisting Mystery Incorporated, particularly when it came to trapping the ghost of Sarah Ravencroft, the infamous witch.
A proud practicing Wiccan, Thorn reveals she is one-sixteenth Wiccan on her mother’s side. She stands out with her distinctive style, often clad in black, red, and purple outfits that complement her signature bat-shaped guitar.
While Thorn is usually portrayed as calm and compassionate, she occasionally displays a playful, immature side. Her first encounter with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy even left them spooked – a moment she handled with her trademark dark sense of humor.
Widely regarded as one of the original 2000s goth cartoon characters, Thorn has left a lasting impression. Each track by The Hex Girls is a testament to their popularity, making them fan favorites in the world of animated goth icons.
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Daria Morgendorffer first appeared as a standout character in Beavis and Butt-Head before headlining her own show, Daria. Over time, her character flourished, gaining depth and complexity that resonated with audiences.
Daria’s dry, monotone voice became her trademark, perfectly capturing her wry outlook on life. Although her appearance may not fully match gothic stereotypes—unlike her classmate Andrea—her sarcastic humor, biting observations, and nonconformist demeanor embody a distinct goth sensibility.
What truly set Daria apart was her unwavering commitment to her own beliefs and her refusal to conform to society’s expectations. Struggling to fit in at school, she eventually decided to stop trying altogether, choosing instead to be authentic to herself.
Despite frequently being the subject of her classmates’ ridicule, Daria held her own by responding with sharp wit from afar. In Jane Lane, she finally found a true friend and kindred spirit.
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You might be surprised to see The Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas included among gothic characters, but he does display several goth-inspired traits. While not traditionally labeled as goth, his story and personality fit some aspects of the subculture.
Created by Dr. Seuss, The Grinch is best known for his green fur and mischievous attitude, coupled with a deeply cynical view of the world. His trademark scowl, droopy eyes, and slouched stance further add to his gloomy aura.
The Grinch is a classic outsider, shunned by the cheerful Whos of Whoville, which fuels his dislike for Christmas. His dark, dramatic attire and pointed shoes also contribute to his subtle gothic flair, making him a fitting—if unconventional—addition to this list.
The success of the 1988 film Beetlejuice inspired an animated series that aired from 1989 to 1991. In the cartoon, Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice journey together through The Netherworld, encountering an array of strange creatures and monstrous beings.
Similar to her portrayal in the movie, Lydia is a goth teenager who struggles to connect with her peers. Like many goth characters in this list, she often feels isolated and misunderstood. As the series unfolds, viewers discover her fascination with things that society typically overlooks.
On top of her difficulties at school, Lydia’s father and stepmother show little understanding or support. Longing for acceptance and excitement, she escapes into The Netherworld, where she embarks on thrilling adventures with Beetlejuice.
Tim Burton's 2005 stop-motion masterpiece, Corpse Bride, stands out as one of his most iconic films. Set in Victorian England, the movie tells the story of Victor, a young man destined to marry Victoria.
Through an unexpected twist, Victor finds himself wed to Emily, a beautifully haunting corpse who spirits him away to the colorful Land of the Dead. Emily captivates audiences with her charm, romantic heart, and love for music and dance.
Tragically, Emily met her end at the hands of her fiancé on the very night she planned to run away with him, adding depth to her bittersweet tale.
From her first appearance in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mai captivates viewers with her signature goth angst and deadpan demeanor. Her open disdain for her surroundings sets her apart, giving Mai a complex and intriguing personality that immediately stands out in the series.
Special recognition goes to voice actress Cricket Leigh, who masterfully maintains Mai’s moody, subdued tone throughout the show. Despite Mai’s reluctance to express emotion, glimpses of her vulnerability and depth emerge as the story unfolds.
Mai embodies classic goth traits—she enjoys dates in graveyards and isn’t afraid to call sunsets "disgusting." Her unique outlook and style cement her status as an unforgettable goth cartoon character.
In the real world, many people fear "jinxing" their luck—fittingly, Jinx from Teen Titans takes this superstition to a new level by causing bad luck with a mischievous smile. On the battlefield, she exudes an unforgettable wicked charm while unleashing her powers.
Jinx easily secures her spot among our top goth cartoon characters, boasting a look and attitude that perfectly embody the gothic style. Beneath her mean streak, though, she’s ultimately revealed to have a much softer side, adding depth to her character.
Her aesthetic extends beyond her appearance into her personal space, with demonic touches on her mirror, computer, and bed frame that further highlight her gothic flair. To fans’ delight, Jinx never lost her iconic goth appeal, even after joining the Teen Titans.
Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender is a character profoundly shaped by the trauma of his past. His intense reactions and anger are not just signs of rage, but expressions of the deep hopelessness he often felt throughout his early life.
For much of his journey, Zuko struggled with feelings of inadequacy and a desperate search for his true purpose. Burdened by a destiny that seemed imposed on him, he frequently felt at odds with himself and his future.
Even following his powerful redemption and rise as Fire Lord, Zuko's underlying angst remained an essential part of his character. Every right decision he made was often accompanied by significant internal conflict, highlighting his ongoing internal struggle.
To many fans, Zuko truly embodies the role of a dramatic and complex king, making him one of the most unforgettable characters in the series.
While Yumi Ishiyama may hail from the lesser-known series Code Lyoko, she certainly deserves a spot among the most notable goth cartoon characters. As a member of the Lyoko Warriors, Yumi teams up with her friends to battle against the sinister artificial intelligence known as X.A.N.A., working tirelessly to stop its plans for world domination.
Yumi is the oldest and most mature in her group, often displaying a quiet and introspective demeanor. Notably, she almost always dresses in dark clothing—her signature look in the first three seasons consists of an all-black outfit and striking black platform boots.
What truly sets Yumi apart is her embodiment of the 'soft goth' aesthetic—a rare portrayal in animation. Her thoughtful personality and unique style make her a captivating and memorable character.
Although Clone High aired for only a single season between 2002 and 2003, Joan of Arc still left a lasting impression on viewers who tuned in to the show during its brief run.
The animated series is set in a high school filled with teenage clones of famous historical figures. Among these students is Joan of Arc, noted for her intelligence, angst, and somewhat pessimistic outlook. The character is brought to life by actress Nicole Sullivan, who is also known for voicing Shego in Kim Possible.
Henrietta Biggle first appeared in episode 14 of season seven of the hit animated series South Park. She quickly became known as the leader of the goth clique among the 4th-grade students.
Her bedroom soon emerged as the primary hangout for the goth kids, where they immerse themselves in gothic literature, compose dark poetry, and explore the occult together.
Interestingly, Henrietta’s character holds a surprising criminal record that includes arson, attempted murder, kidnapping, substance abuse (mainly cigarettes and cough syrup), grand theft auto, and even treason. That’s right—her list of misdeeds is both shocking and extensive!
While many fans think several characters in MTV's "Daria" display goth tendencies, Andrea stands out as the show's definitive goth. She is Daria's classmate and embodies a stereotypical nihilistic outlook, making her a memorable presence in the series.
An important detail is how Andrea pronounces her name: "an-DRAY-uh," with emphasis on the second syllable. Her most iconic scene takes place at a coffeehouse, where she delivers a haunting poem: "I'm here. But where are you? Sure, I see your body. Anybody home in that rotting bag of flesh?"
The raw emotion and dark themes of her lines remain unforgettable, cementing Andrea's iconic status among goth cartoon characters.
In the animated series Danny Phantom, we follow teenager Danny Fenton as he transforms into a human-ghost hybrid, fighting to protect the world from supernatural threats with his newfound powers.
Among his closest friends is Sam Manson, who eventually becomes his girlfriend. While Sam dresses like a goth, she defies the usual goth stereotypes—she’s an animal rights activist, and her personality is refreshingly free from the nihilism, angst, and pessimism seen in many other gothic characters.
Sam’s unique character offers a fresh take on the goth archetype. Notably, she earns recognition not only for her ghost-hunting skills but also for her dedication as an “ultra-recycled-vegan.”
"Hotel Transylvania" is a vibrant computer-animated film centered on Count Dracula, the proud owner of a lavish hotel where monsters can escape and relax away from the human world. The plot thickens when a human unexpectedly discovers the hotel, prompting Count Dracula to go to great lengths to conceal the guest's true identity from the other monsters.
Amidst this supernatural setting enters Mavis Dracula, Dracula's spirited and intelligent 118-year-old daughter. Known for her headstrong personality and independence, Mavis quickly stands out as both a captivating and relatable goth icon in the animated world.
"Kim Possible" was a hit action-comedy adventure series that aired on the Disney Channel for several years. The story followed Kim, a high school student who expertly balanced her everyday teenage life with her exciting responsibilities as a crime-fighter.
Although Kim’s arch-nemesis was the eccentric scientist Dr. Drakken, it was his quick-witted and unpredictable sidekick, Shego, who often posed the biggest threat. Shego was easily recognized by her sharp attitude, jet-black hair, black lipstick, and her striking green-and-black fitted outfit.
Nergal Jr. is the troubled son of Nergal and Sis, inheriting his father's monstrous powers. These strange abilities soon earn him the nickname "Freak." Later, we see Nergal Jr. attending a winter camp, where Grim and Billy's father, Harold, have also sent Mandy and Billy.
At camp, Nergal Jr. frequently uses his powers to transform into others, possibly because he feels embarrassed by his true appearance. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that his greatest desire is simply to be accepted by his peers.
This longing for acceptance leads him to change his form, especially when he believes someone else is more popular than the person he is currently impersonating.
Rogue from X-Men Evolution is reimagined as a rebellious, cynical teenager wrestling with deep insecurity and emotional vulnerability. Her struggles with self-doubt are heightened by the challenges she faces as a mutant.
Unable to physically connect with others due to her mutant abilities, Rogue withdraws and often isolates herself, becoming sarcastic and fiercely defensive as a result. This isolation shapes much of her personality and relationships.
Although she eventually forms a close bond with her roommate Kitty after joining the X-Men, Rogue still finds it difficult to trust people. Throughout the series, she often views her powers as a curse, frequently brooding over her situation and the impact it has on her life.
Kevin Levin is an Osmosian, a unique subspecies of humans with altered DNA that grants each member distinct abilities. Kevin's special power is energy absorption, which allows him to draw strength from almost any material or power source he encounters.
This remarkable ability plays a large role in why his appearance and personality remain consistent across various series and ages throughout the Ben 10 franchise. Notably, whenever Kevin absorbs energy, his eyes develop dark discolorations, giving him the mysterious look of someone wearing eyeliner.
Adding to his edgy style, Kevin is sometimes seen sporting a padlock necklace, reinforcing his signature goth-inspired look.
Adventure Time was an animated series that was made by Cartoon Network and ran on the channel from 2010-2018. On the show, we saw Finn the Human and his adoptive brother Jake the Dog having daily fantasy adventures in the Land of Ooo.
During their adventures, they were seen interacting with other figures in the kingdom including Princess Bubblegum, the Ice King, and Marceline the Vampire Queen. Marceline was a half-human, half-demon-vampire who liked nothing more than to enjoy playing her axe bass guitar; something which allowed her to express her thoughts and feelings through music.
Eeyore was first seen making an appearance in 1926's Winnie-the-Pooh. This much-liked character has a reputation as an emo cartoon character due to his perpetual melancholy and pessimistic attitude towards life.
He is a donkey who seems to be constantly experiencing bad luck and feelings of sadness. Moreover, he doesn't do a lot to alleviate his gloomy demeanour. That's probably why he gets negative thoughts and speaks in a monotone voice.
Even though he may have a glum outlook, Eeyore has been a fan favourite since many viewers see his struggles with sorrow and low self-esteem as a reflection of real-life experiences.
Dylan Beekler from Golan the Insatiable summoned the dark warlord, Golan the Insatiable, from the realm of Gkruool after having read a few passages from a mysterious tome. Sooner than later, she proved herself worthy enough of being his loyal follower.
They joined hands in not only spreading demonic pandemonium around town but also enacting vengeance upon her bullies and apathetic family. If that wasn't enough to startle you, make peace with the fact that she looked down on people and was more fervent with Medieval warfare and torture than Golan.
Aside from being an anti-social and perpetually furious goth, Beekler was also lonely as a child, which perhaps explains her special bond with Golan.
Referred to as "spooky" by her siblings, the enigmatic and cynical Lucy L. Loud was the fifth-youngest of Lincoln's ten sisters and one of the main characters in The Loud House.
The gloomy goth girl had an interest in Gothic poetry and was the co-president of Royal Woods Elementary's Morticians Club. Even though one could sense that she was gloomy, she was also very sensitive at heart and didn't like people being mean to her.
Besides her gothic appearance, she is perhaps best remembered for her uncanny ability to suddenly appear in places, often frightening people around her. While she can be seen sporting a stoic frown, what made her cover half her face through her hair was that her parents were creeped out by her blank stares.
Fans of The Simpsons would agree that, technically, Ravencrow Neversmiles is the alias of Lisa Simpson. While the character may not be remembered as much today, we still find her impactful enough to make it to our story.
In episode 13 of season 15, Lisa decides to become a goth after it's revealed that Maggie has a higher IQ than her. Even though her appearance in the episode is brief, her new style isn't the one that ardent fans of the show can forget easily.
This psychic-type Pokémon was first seen making an appearance on the 21st episode of Pokémon: Black and White in 2011. They were introduced in Generation V and it evolves from Gothorita and Gothita.
Gothitelle was blessed not only with the ability to distort the space around it but also to show visions of past events to those around it. In addition, he could also predict the future.
Ruby Gloom was a cartoon show that aimed to tell the story of its curiously cheerful titular character who lived in a gothic mansion along with her best pals Skull Boy, Iris, Misery, Frank & Len, Poe, Boo Boo and Doom Kitty.
Known for her spirited attitude and for being the voice of reason, she could be seen in her red hair, short-sleeve black dress, yellow/red-striped stockings, and short black Mary Jane shoes.
Ruby, who took pleasure in knitting, baking, fresh laundry, and writing in her diary, had a pet cat named Doom Kitty. In fact, she was the only one who could comprehend what the cat was trying to say.
The Venture Bros. is an adult animated action comedy television series that has aired on Adult Swim since 2004. It follows the many amusing escapades of teenage twin brothers Hank and Dean Venture, who belong to a clan of competent superheroes.
Triana Orpheus is the beloved daughter of Dr Byron Orpheus, who is a necromancer who takes inspiration from Dr Strange. Even though Dean Venture is shown to be crushing on her throughout the show, she is written out of the plot in the fourth season for some reason.
Those who have seen Fillmore! would know that the show ran on ABC and then later on Toon Disney from 2002-2004. It aimed to shed light on former juvenile delinquent Cornelius Fillmore, who goes on to become a member of the Safety Patrol at his middle school.
His partner in crime is Ingrid Third; a smart girl who was sent to reform school in Nepal where she ended up becoming popular courtesy of her photographic memory. What's interesting about this character is that she's been voiced by actress Tara Strong, who also voiced Raven from Teen Titans.
Gwen, who was a camper and one of the finalists of Total Drama Island, returned as a cast member on Total Drama Action and served as the skipper of the Screaming Gaffers.
While she returned for Total Drama World Tour as a member of Team Amazon, she was seen with the original contestants on a yacht in the first episode of Total Drama: Revenge of the Island as well.
This goth girl was a loner who used to fancy art and astronomy. She was smart, independent, kind-hearted, and level-headed, but her finest quality was that she never allowed herself to get excited over tiny things.
To many, she may have come off as harsh and sarcastic, but she was only just being cautious of whom she lets into her life. If one truly got to know her, one would realize that beneath her tough exterior, there is a kind heart that tries to trust those in its vicinity.
Yes, we know that this Mattel franchise features fairy tale figures and lots of frilly dresses, but the heroine here was the daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White.
Raven, who went on to renounce her inherited storybook legacy as the wrongdoer, started motivating other students to embrace their personalities and create their chapters. That is precisely why they were called "rebels".
She was mostly seen wearing black, purple and plumes, and was far more approachable and compassionate than most people would have been able to guess. Unsurprisingly, she was also in possession of dark magical abilities.
Creepella "Creepie" Creecher was a goth girl and the main character of Growing Up Creepie. She was raised by the Creecher family in Dweezwold Mansion. The show aimed to teach young adults and kids more about the wonderful and lesser-known world of insects.
While her father was a vegan vampire-like mosquito, her mother was a Morticia Addams-like praying mantis. Creepie was able to converse with them but she kept her personal life a secret because Middlington was a town of necrophobic people.
That said, besides her entomological talents, she also liked reciting poetry and clicking photos of the decayed.
This animated short film is reportedly based on the comic book character Death, who was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg for The Sandman. In the comics, Death can be seen helping escort the recently deceased to the afterlife and visiting people when they are born.
However, what makes the character stand out here is that unlike most traditional depictions of Death in popular culture, she's a young, perky, and beautiful goth woman. To sum it up, it's been said that the character was inspired by Dringenberg's close friend Cinnamon Hadley.