17 Cartoon Characters That Aren't Officially Black, But Feel Black To Us

If you know you know.

1. Milo and Jake from Tweenies

Cbeebies

If you grew up in the UK in the early 2000s you definitely spent some time watching Tweenies. Now we have a theory that all of the Tweenies are POC, but the two we're 100% sure of are Milo and Jake. We also have a theory that purple-hued characters are a depiction of Blackness (you'll see more on that later). Not only is Milo purple, he has black coil-esque hair. And Jake is *clearly* his light-skin BFF. Argue with your gran.

2. Arthur & his family from Arthur

PBS

We think we all know that Arthur and his family are Black, we don't even think it's up for debate. Between the catchy theme song performed by Ziggy Marley and the show's approach to societal issues, it just reads Black. But while we're here, Muffy and Francine are in the clique too. Muffy gives off Dionne from Clueless energy, while Francine has always reminded me of Queen Latifah – don't ask us why.

3. Him from PowerPuff Girls

Cartoon Network / Via giphy.com

HIM is a fabulous demon who is the number two enemy to the Powerpuff Girls. His lace is laid, his makeup is beat to perfection, and his creepy laugh is the perfect baritone. He is a Black Queen™. Hear us out, in a live-action remake, Him is played by Giancarlo Esposito... Who else can pull off claws for hands, thigh highs, and what we can only guess is a Mrs. Claus costume.

4. Devil from Cow and Chicken

Cartoon Network

The simple question is, if he's not Black, then what is he? Exactly.

5. Skeeter and Beebe from Doug

Nickelodeon

Does anyone else automatically assume that cartoon characters that are either blue or purple are the Black characters? No, just us?? Well either way Skeeter and Beebe was clearly Black.

6. Goofy and Max

Disney

Now I don't know why Goofy is Black in our eyes, but he just is. Max has a certain je ne sais quoi that tells us he's a descendant of the great African continent. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to be bopping to "I-2-I."

7. Ms Bellum from PowerPuff Girls

Cartoon Network

We never see her face, but we see her body-ody-ody-ody. She is thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, she's Black.

8. Michelangelo and Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

CBS

Why just two and not the whole crew? Well not everyone can be Black, and Donatello and Leonardo just didn't give us the same Energy™ to convince us otherwise.

9. Bender from Futurama

Futurama / FOX / Via giphy.com

Bender is your Black uncle, and he is a bad influence – he loves blackjack and a good drink. Beyond that, he has the funniest quips in Futurama. "Shut up baby, I know it."

10. Sandy from Spongebob Squarepants

Nickelodeon

Sandy wears a helmet so her fur won't get wet, career-driven, constantly has to save the boys out of their drama, and being the only air breather in the cast gives us flashbacks to being the token Black person in the group...

11. Grim from The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Cartoon Network

The Grim Reaper in The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy has a Jamaican accent. Case closed.

12. Roger from American Dad

American Dad / FOX / Via giphy.com

Roger speaks his mind, is quick with quips, and has a whole wardrobe full of disguises (hello code switching!). He's black.

13. Piccolo from Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z/ everythingdragonballz.tumblr.com / Via giphy.com

Piccolo is literally the Blackest cartoon character ever, it's not even up for debate. You cannot tell me that you look at him and don't imagine Mahershala Ali.

14. Optimus Prime from Transformers

Marvel Productions

Those speeches have Morgan Freeman written all over them. Black.

15. Bugs and Lola

Warner Bros

Now, this is a tricky one. Bugs on his own is not Black, nothing about Bugs Bunny screams Black man. However, Bugs and Lola – hella Black, which is why it's the go-to Halloween costume with your first boyfriend in school. It makes sense, but also it doesn't make sense, but really, what makes sense in life?

16. Lola from Shark Tale

Dreamworks

Yes, Lola was voiced by Angelina Jolie but in Shark Tale she's an Insta baddie with a fresh BBL that's Black. She is sultry, owns her sexuality, and exudes a calm confidence that can only come with knowing who exactly you are. Also INCHES! Girl has fresh Brazilian bundles.

17. Kovu From Lion King 2

Disney

Raise your hand if your first crush was a cartoon lion, no, just us? Well okay then. All the lions in The Lion King are Black. It's a kingdom in Africa...