Although many characters in animated film and television shows are mainstream by society’s standards, sometimes animators go outside the box. Many of our favorite programs from childhood feature a main or secondary goth character, who not only serves looks but often adds comedic relief or help the protagonist fight crime. Take a look at 15 of the most iconic goth cartoon characters from TV and film in the gallery below, then let us know your favorite of the bunch in the comments section on social media.
Sam Manson—Danny Phantom
From 2004-2007, the animated series “Danny Phantom” ran on Nickelodeon. On the show, teen Danny Felton becomes a human-ghost hybrid and must save the world from ghost attacks using his new supernatural powers. His best friend and eventual girlfriend is Sam Mason, a self-proclaimed goth and animal rights activist who falls in love with the protagonist over the course of the series.
Shego—Kim Possible
“Kim Possible” ran on the Disney channel from 2002-2007 and centered on the titular character balancing teenage life with her crime fighting job. Possible’s main antagonist was mad scientist Dr. Drakken and his sidekick was Shego. Shego can be described as smart-mouthed and impulsive. She was always shown with black hair, black lipstick and a fitted green and black ensemble.
Marceline—Adventure Time
“Adventure Time” was made by Cartoon Network and ran from 2010-2018. On the show, Finn the Human and his adoptive brother Jake the Dog have daily fantasy adventures in the Land of Ooo, often interacting with other figures in the kingdom including Princess Bubblegum, the Ice King and Marceline the Vampire Queen. Marceline is a half human, half demon-vampire who enjoys playing her axe bass guitar, which allows her to express her feelings through music.
Raven—Teen Titans
Based on the comics from the 1980s, “Teen Titans ” ran on Cartoon Network from 2003-2006. The show featured a number of superheros from the DC Universe, including Raven. Raven has telekinesis, flight and detach her soul from her body. The character design from “Teen Titans” had an enormous impact on her character within the DC Universe and allowed the character to grow in popularity within the fandom.
Andrea—Daria
Although many characters within MTV’s “Daria” exhibit goth behavior, the true goth of the show is Andrea. She’s a fellow classmate of Daria and has a stereotypical nihilistic personality. She pronounces her name “an-DRAY-uh” with emphasis on the second syllable. One of her most iconic moments from the show was when she recited her coffeehouse poem, saying “I’m here. But where are you? Sure, I see your body. Anybody home in that rotting bag of flesh?” Iconic.
Henrietta Biggle—South Park
Making her first appearance on episode 14 of season seven, Henrietta Biggle is the leader of the goth clique within the 4th grade class. Her bedroom is the main hangout for the goth kids and there they read gothic literature, write dark poems and dabble in the occult. She has an extensive criminal record which includes arson, attempted murder, kidnapping, drug abuse (cigarettes and cough syrup), grand theft auto and treason.
Gothitelle—Pokémon
Gothitelle is a psychic-type Pokémon that first appeared on the 21st episode of “Pokémon: Black and White” in 2011. They were introduced in Generation V and it evolves from Gothorita and Gothita. They have the ability to distort the space around it, show visions of past events and predict the future.
Triana Orpheus—The Venture Bros.
“The Venture Bros.” has aired on Adult Swim since 2004 and follows the escapades of teenage twin brothers Hank and Dean Venture, who belong to a family of super heroes. Triana Orpheus is the daughter of Dr. Byron Orpheus, a necromancher who takes inspiration from Dr. Strange. Dean Venture crushes on her throughout the show, until she was written out of the plot in the fourth season.
Ingrid Third—Fillmore!
“Fillmore” ran on ABC then later Toon Disney from 2002-2004 and centered on former juvenile delinquent Cornelius Fillmore who becomes a member of Safety Patrol at his middle school. His partner in crime is Ingrid Third, who was sent to reform school in Nepal and later becomes the smartest student in the school due to her photographic memory. She’s voiced by actress Tara Strong, who also voiced Raven from “Teen Titans.”
Emily—Corpse Bride
This stop-motion animation film was released in 2005 and is one of Tim Burton’s most well-known films. It’s set in Victorian England and follows a young man named Victor who’s set up to be married with a living girl named Victoria but accidentally weds a corpse named Emily who takes him to the Land of the Dead. Emily is a charismatic hopeless romantic with a passion for music and dance, who was killed by her fiancé on the night she planned to elope.
Mavis Dracula—Hotel Transylvania
This 2012 computer animated film follows Count Dracula, who owns the Hotel Transylvania where monsters stay to rest from the human world. When a human accidentally discovers the Hotel, he must prevent the guests from discovering him while keeping his daughter from falling in love with him. Mavis Dracula is a 118-year-old vampire who’s headstrong, independent and intelligent.
Lydia Deetz—Beetlejuice
Following the success of the 1988 film of the same name, “Beetlejuice” the cartoon aired from 1989-1991. In the cartoon, Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz go on adventures in The Neitherworld, a supernatural realm where they encounter a variety of creatures and monsters. Similar to the film, Deetz is a goth teen who has a hard time fitting in with the girls her age. This leads her to escape to The Neitherworld and go on adventures with Beetlejuice.
Joan of Arc—Clone High
“Clone High” aired for one season from 2002-2003 and follows a school that’s populated by teenage clones of historical figures. One of these clones is Joan of Arc, who’s intelligent, angsty and cynical. She’s voiced by actress Nicole Sullivan, who also voiced Shego in “Kim Possible.”
Death—DC Showcase: Death
This animated short film is based on the comic book character Death, who was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg for “The Sandman.” In the comics, she helps to escort the recently deceased to the afterlife and visits people when they are born. Unlike most traditional depictions of Death, such as the Grim Reaper, she’s a young, perky and attractive goth woman. She was inspired by Dringenberg’s close friend Cinnamon Hadley.
Ravencrow Neversmiles—The Simpsons
Technically this character is the alias of Lisa Simpson, but she’s still iconic. In episode 13 of season 15, Lisa becomes goth after it’s revealed that Maggie has a higher IQ than her. Her appearance in the episode is brief, but her style will live on forever.
