Which cartoon characters starting with the letter B truly deserve our attention, and especially, which ones bring something distinct in terms of visual universe, storytelling, or creative potential? Between Disney classics, anime heroes, and new figures in contemporary animation, the letter B encompasses a diversity of profiles rarely matched by other initials. This article compares these characters by genre, era, and type of universe to identify those that stand out.
Characters in B categorized by genre and animation era
Most online lists stack names without distinguishing what separates them. A table allows for a quick view of which genres dominate the letter B and which decades produced the most notable characters.
| Character | Universe / Series | Genre | Creation Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babar | Babar (French series) | Children / Educational | 1930s (book), 1989 (TV series) |
| Bambi | Bambi (Disney) | Animal Drama | 1940s |
| Baloo | The Jungle Book (Disney) | Adventure / Comedy | 1960s |
| Batman | DC Comics (animated series) | Superhero / Action | 1940s (comics), 1992 (cult animated series) |
| Belle | Beauty and the Beast (Disney) | Tale / Romance | 1990s |
| Bart Simpson | The Simpsons | Satire / Comedy | 1980s |
| Bulma | Dragon Ball | Adventure / Science Fiction | 1980s |
| Bakugo (Katsuki) | My Hero Academia | Shonen / Action | 2010s |
| Bluey | Bluey (Australian series) | Children / Family | 2010s |
| Betty Boop | Betty Boop (Fleischer Studios) | Comedy / Retro Icon | 1930s |
The children’s genre and the adventure genre concentrate the majority of B characters. In contrast, anime characters (Bulma, Bakugo) occupy a narrower but very visually identifiable niche.
To explore a more exhaustive list of cartoon characters starting with B, thematic bases allow for spotting lesser-known names that can inspire an artistic project or a creative exercise.
Bluey and Bingo, rising figures in B animation
Existing lists often mention Babar, Bambi, or Batman extensively. They overlook a recent phenomenon: Bluey and Bingo now dominate international children’s animation. This Australian series has redefined family animation through its writing focused on free play and parent-child interactions.
Bingo, Bluey’s younger sister, offers an interesting counterpoint: more introverted and sensitive, she embodies a type of character rarely highlighted in children’s series. A feature film, “The Bluey Movie,” had its first trailer released in August 2026, confirming the transition of these two characters from the small screen to cinema.
For a creative project (illustration, fan art, screenplay writing), Bluey and Bingo present a concrete advantage: their design is based on simple geometric shapes and bold color palettes, making them easy to reproduce and adapt in a personal style.
Anime characters in B and creative potential
The anime segment brings a completely different visual grammar. Two characters stand out for their influence on fan creation and artistic communities.
Bakugo Katsuki, archetype of the explosive rival
Bakugo, the central character of My Hero Academia, embodies the aggressive rival whose narrative arc evolves towards nuance. His design (spiky hair, explosions at his hands, aggressive posture) makes him a favored model for studying dynamic character design. Action poses, extreme expressions, and the contrast between his abrasive personality and deep motivations provide rich material for drawing.
Bulma, pivotal character in Dragon Ball
Bulma appears from the very first chapter of Dragon Ball and traverses the entire saga over several decades. Her role as a scientist, rare for a female character in shonen at the time of her creation, sets her apart. Visually, she changes her hairstyle and outfit with each narrative arc, making her a particularly stimulating redesign exercise.
Comparing B characters by their artistic inspiration potential
Not all characters are equal when it comes to fueling creative work. Three criteria differentiate them:
- The complexity of the design: a character with multiple details (Batman, Bakugo) offers more material for a technical drawing exercise than a character with a minimalist design (Barbapapa, Bluey)
- The narrative depth: Belle, Bart Simpson, or Bulma possess complete arcs that facilitate writing fan fiction or derivative scripts
- The associated visual universe: Babar evokes the stylized Africa of illustrated albums, Batman plunges into the nocturnal Gotham of film noir, Bluey anchors its stories in Australian suburbs
The choice of a B character as a creative starting point depends on the intended genre. For a youth-oriented project, Bluey and Babar offer immediately readable universes. For work on anatomy and movement, anime characters (Bakugo, Baki Hanma) impose a higher level of demand.
Blue Beetle, from live-action film to animated series
One case deserves to be highlighted for its unusual trajectory. Blue Beetle, a DC superhero, was first adapted into a live-action film before a dedicated animated series was confirmed. This reverse path (from real to animated) reflects a recent trend: studios extend their franchises through animation rather than the other way around.
For those interested in superhero character design, Blue Beetle offers a direct comparison ground with Batman. Both share the letter B and the DC universe, but their aesthetics diverge: organic armor inspired by an alien beetle on one side, dark costume and cape on the other.
- Batman: dark palette, angular silhouette, design rooted in urban gothic
- Blue Beetle: iridescent blue-black palette, modular armor, design oriented towards science fiction
- Boruto: modernized ninja outfit, visual legacy of Naruto with technological elements
The letter B in animation covers a visual spectrum that ranges from the childlike lines of Bluey to the muscular realism of Baki Hanma. This breadth explains why this initial appears so often in character design exercises: it provides references across all genres, all eras, and all audiences, without the need to look elsewhere.