20 iconic Asian cartoon characters everyone should know and the roles that define them

Cartoons have a special way of shaping childhood memories, but some characters go far beyond that becoming legends. From sword-wielding warriors to noodle-slurping pandas, Asian cartoon characters like Doraemo, Samurai Jack, and Mulan have broken barriers and stolen hearts worldwide.

Key takeaways

• Most iconic Asian cartoon characters embody courage, loyalty, humour, and unique adventures.
• Courage and loyalty shine in characters like Samurai Jack and Russell, who stand tall in their characters.
• Imagination and innovation define characters such as Hiro Hamada and Sanjay.
• Legacy and influence thrive through characters like Doraemon and Jackie Chan.

Iconic Asian cartoon characters

Asian cartoon characters stand out for their rich cultural backgrounds, diverse personalities, and the blend of tradition with modern storytelling. They offer fresh perspectives and relatable experiences. Here are a few standout characters that many people can easily relate to.

1. Monkey D. Luffy

• Full name: Monkey D. Luffy.
• Voiced by: Mayumi Tanaka
• Anime series: One Piece

Luffy is one of the funny Asian cartoon characters in the animation series, One Piece. He is a happy-go-lucky pirate with a straw hat, rubber-like abilities, and a goofy smile, making it easy for someone to underestimate him. He laughs defiantly during life-threatening situations and persistently pursues his ambitious goal of becoming the Pirate King.

2. Russell

• Full name: Russell Probst
• Voiced by: Jordan Nagai
• Movie: Up

Russell is a lively young scout whose endless curiosity and excitement make every moment like an adventure. He is one of the male Asian cartoon characters who make the anime world memorable. His pure heart and thirst for discovery will remind you to welcome the unknown with open arms and to find joy in the little surprises life offers.

3. Doraemo

• Full name: Doraemon
• Voiced by: Nobuyo Ōyama, Wasabi Mizuta
• Movie: Doraemon: Nobita's Sky Utopia

Doraemon is much more than a blue feline robot. He is adored and appreciated for his round belly and soft heart. His mind-boggling trait of being overly scared of mice only makes him an even more delightful and amusing character. From extracting different gadgets from his pocket to panicking over a mouse, the blue cartoon character never fails to entertain.

4. Candy Chiu

• Full name: Candy Chiu
• Voiced by: Niki Yang
• Movie: Gravity Falls

Candy Chiu takes off like a rocket, harnessed by her unique humour and endearing clumsiness, which never fails to add sparkle to Gravity Falls. She might not be the loudest among the group, but her sharp mind is like a glitter bomb of ideas, from fork-finger popcorn to other clever inventions. She is one of the fan favourites because she is caring, loyal, and eccentric.

5. Samurai Jack

• Full name: Samurai Jack
• Voiced by: Phil LaMarr
• Movie: Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie

Samurai Jack stands tall among iconic Asian characters. He is known as a fearless fighter on a mission to defeat a dark sorcerer and return to his own time. His incredible swordsmanship and deep sense of justice keep viewers hooked as he travels through strange eras, facing challenges with calm strength and heroic determination.

6. Raya

• Full name: Raya
• Voiced by: Kelly Marie Tran.
• Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon's sword-wielding heroine, Raya, is both humorous and extremely fierce. The fictional character is strong-willed, which is accompanied by a strong physique, setting out to unite the divided land. Despite the immense burden, she keeps her sense of humour and hope alive.

7. Po

• Full name: Master Ping Xiao Po
• Voiced by: Jack Black
• Movie: Kung Fu Panda

Po started as a Kung Fu Panda character, a clumsy panda obsessed with noodles. Regardless, his passion and love for kung fu elevated him to the status of the Dragon Warrior. Underneath his foolish facade, he possesses a courageous and ambitious heart. His character exemplifies how believing in yourself can lead to greatness, regardless of the world's opinion.

8. Hiro Hamada

• Full name: Hiro Hamada
• Voiced by: Ryan Potter
• Movie: Big Hero 6

Hiro Hamada is the perfect embodiment of a skinny teenage boy, brimming with passion, intellect, and boundless talent. Although grief and responsibility loom over him like a dark cloud, he turns this load into heroism. He ranks highly among Asian boy cartoon characters who transform from a mischievous lad to a tech-powered saviour.

9. Prince Jin

• Full name: Prince Jin
• Voiced by: Brian JY Lee.
• Movie: Sofia the First

Sofia the First features Prince Jin, a royal character whose personality differs from the norm. Unlike most royals, he seeks adventure. Wei Ling's young prince is curious, bold, and frankly unafraid to make mistakes. While he often finds himself in troublesome situations, his big heart and quick wit almost always save him.

10. Zuko

• Full name: Prince Zuko
• Voiced by: Dante Basco
• Movie: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zuko is the most remarkable character in Avatar: The Last Airbender regarding one's evolution and redemption. A scar marks him both physically and mentally. He starts out as an unrelenting villain out for glory, chasing after false ideals. To retribution's steep price, he undergoes countless lessons, band ritual bonds, and Eventu.

11. Mulan

• Full name: Fa Mulan
• Voiced by: Ming-Na Wen
• Movie: Mulan

Mulan is not just another princess; she is one of the Asian girl cartoon characters who exudes boldness and courage. Both patient and graceful, this cartoon character is not the type to be passive and wait for her prince to come and rescue her. Sword in hand, she demonstrates how courage and heart triumph over traditions and societal norms related to beauty.

12. Tadashi Hamada

• Full name: Tadashi Hamada
• Voiced by: Daniel Henney
• Movie: Big Hero 6

Tadashi Hamada is not only a tech genius but also good-hearted. Baymax, his invention, is proof of his life mission of helping people. Although he is taken too soon, his tenderness and wisdom are ever-present. They inspire Hiro to strive towards his dream of becoming a true hero.

13. Naruto Uzumaki

• Full name: Naruto Uzumaki
• Voiced by: Maile Flanagan
• Movie: Naruto: The Last - The Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Naruto is brash, excessively loud, and aggressive, but vibrant incarnate. Everyone viewed him as nothing more than a troublemaker, but slowly, he cemented his position as a formidable clan leader. With a catchphrase that defines his motto for how to live life, Believe it, it makes sense that his radiant grin that conceals unbearable sorrow never dims.

14. Amy Wong

• Full name: Amy Wong
• Voiced by: Lauren Tom
• Anime series: Futurama

Amy Wong must appear on the list of Asian girl cartoon characters who spark laughter in an episode. She bursts with lively charm and brings a fun, energetic spark to every Futurama episode. Her cleverness and deep loyalty to her friends make her a standout character, leaving a lasting impression on fans throughout her cosmic adventures.

15. Totoro

• Full name: Totoro
• Voiced by: Hitoshi Takagi
• Movie: My Neighbor Totoro

Without verbalising, his sizable and fluffy body communicates for him. This Studio Ghibli character is a forest spirit who serves as a beacon of hope for the distressed. While quiet spirits usually tend to be cold and disconnected, Totoro defies the trope with a friendly disposition that makes him far more approachable and able to offer solace to needy individuals.

16. Stacy Hirano

• Full name: Stacy Hirano
• Voiced by: Kelly Hu
• Movie: Phineas and Ferb

Despite the ruckus Candace causes, Stacy Hirano remains unfazed. Her witty disposition and level-headedness allow her to deal with her friend's antics more effortlessly. As time goes on, she doesn't just relax—she dominates, going on to serve as the President of Uruguay.

17. Jackie Chan

• Full name: Jackie Chan
• Voiced by: Jackie Chan
• Movie: Jackie Chan Adventures

In Jackie Chan Adventures, you follow a fictional version of the real Jackie Chan—an expert martial artist and archaeologist. His humour has elevated him among the Chinese cartoon characters ever seen. Jackie dives into exciting missions around the world to stop dark forces. Along the way, he blends action with comedy while showing you the value of teamwork.

18. Mr. Hyunh

• Full name: Mr. Hyunh
• Voiced by: Randy Travis
• Movie: Hey Arnold!

Mr. Hyunh from Hey Arnold! is a Vietnamese refugee who lost his daughter during the war. Like most people who endure so much torment, he remains humble and gentle-headed. Reunited in an emotional embrace, his daughter's return is unforgettable, serving as a rare moment of love to the audience, leaving them in tears.

19. Sanjay Patel

• Full name: Sanjay Patel
• Voiced by: Sanjay Patel
• Movie: Incredibles 2

In the Sanjay Patel episode of Incredibles 2, Sanjay is portrayed as a hyperactive child whose boundless energy turns mundane events into incredible adventures. Along with a talking snake companion known as Craig, it's sure to be one eventful day. Mischief seems to come naturally to him, but his wild imagination makes him a beloved cartoon character.

20. GoGo Tomago

• Full name: GoGo Tomago
• Voiced by: Leiko Tanaka
• Movie: Big Hero 6

GoGo from Big Hero 6 is smart, tough, and just the right amount of sassy. Voiced by Jamie Chung, GoGo stands out among Asian Disney characters with a cool style, sharp mind, and fearless energy.

Who are the most famous male Asian cartoon characters?

Characters like Luffy, Samurai Jack, Naruto, Hiro Hamada, and Jackie Chan lead as iconic male Asian figures with courage, humour, and resilience.

Are there any Asian Disney characters?

Some iconic characters with Asian heritage include Jasmine, who hails from the Middle East; Mulan, representing China; and Raya, inspired by Indonesian culture.

What makes Asian cartoon characters unforgettable isn't just their unique skills or stunning designs, but their impact. They speak to courage like Samurai Jack, kindness like Doraemon, growth like Zuko, and wit like Amy Wong. Each role is a lesson in strength, humour, and heart.

Yen.com.gh recently published an article on the world's funniest bald cartoon characters. Many bald characters have left an indelible mark on pop culture through their eccentric personalities, amusing antics, and iconic looks.

Homer Simpson from The Simpsons, Megamind from Megamind, Gru from Despicable Me, and Stewie Griffin from Family Guy are some of the funniest bald cartoon characters. Read more about other animated characters in this category, their personality, and roles.

Source: YEN.com.gh