Last reviewed on 2026-05-02
Finn the Human Adventure Time
Hero of OooThe only human in the Land of Ooo and Cartoon Network's defining hero of the 2010s. Finn and Jake the Dog's adventures across a post-apocalyptic fantasy world evolved from pure comedy into one of animation's most ambitious emotional narratives. Adventure Time redefined what a CN show could be.
Steven Universe Steven Universe
Crystal GemA half-human, half-Crystal Gem boy who inherited his mother Rose Quartz's gem. Steven Universe was CN's most openly progressive show — exploring love, identity, trauma, and chosen family. Steven's journey from eager apprentice to empathetic peacemaker made the show a cultural phenomenon for LGBTQ+ youth.
Gumball Watterson Amazing World of Gumball
Blue Cat KidThe imaginative, accident-prone blue cat navigating the absurd mixed-media world of Elmore. The Amazing World of Gumball's genius lay in blending animation styles — 3D, live action, stop motion — into a cohesive surreal comedy. Gumball's self-aware humor and genuine heart make him one of CN's greatest modern characters.
Ben Tennyson Ben 10
Hero of the OmnitrixThe 10-year-old who discovers the Omnitrix — a watch that transforms him into any of 10 alien heroes. Ben 10 created one of CN's most enduring franchises, spawning multiple sequel series. Ben's casual heroism and growing responsibility across the franchise reflects real childhood growth in a superhero framework.
The Powerpuff Girls Powerpuff Girls
Blossom, Bubbles & ButtercupThree kindergarten-aged superheroes created from sugar, spice, and Chemical X. The Powerpuff Girls flipped the magical-girl genre on its head with action-heavy, darkly comic storytelling. Blossom's leadership, Bubbles' sweetness, and Buttercup's toughness defined a generation's vision of girl power in animation.
Samurai Jack Samurai Jack
Time-Displaced SamuraiA Japanese samurai prince sent to the far future by the demon Aku. Samurai Jack's minimalist, cinematic animation style and epic quest for a way home across a dystopian future made it one of TV animation's most beautiful shows. Its 2017 Adult Swim conclusion was one of the greatest sendoffs in animation history.
Mordecai Regular Show
Park GroundskeeperThe blue jay groundskeeper whose attempts to slack off inevitably lead to supernatural chaos. Regular Show's formula — regular guys, extraordinary consequences — produced one of CN's most beloved comedies. Mordecai and Rigby's friendship, pop culture obsessions, and romantic disasters resonated deeply with millennial and Gen-Z audiences.
Dexter Dexter's Laboratory
Boy GeniusThe small, bespectacled genius with a hidden laboratory who is perpetually undone by his ditzy sister Dee Dee. Dexter's Laboratory was one of CN's first major original hits — Genndy Tartakovsky's precise comedic timing and distinctive design style established the look of CN's classic era.
Courage the Cowardly Dog Courage
Cowardly Pink DogA pink dog who lives in the middle of Nowhere — where impossible, often terrifying things happen constantly. Courage's genuine love for his owner Muriel motivates him to overcome his fears every episode. The show's unsettling imagery, surprisingly sophisticated horror, and emotional core made it one of CN's most unique creations.
Garnet Steven Universe
Crystal Gem LeaderThe stoic, powerful leader of the Crystal Gems — secretly a fusion of Ruby and Sapphire, two gems in love. Garnet's reveal as a permanent fusion was one of animation's most celebrated LGBTQ+ representations. Her calm wisdom and devastating power make her Steven Universe's most compelling adult figure.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network launched in 1992 and quickly became one of the most innovative forces in animation. From the classic Cartoon Cartoons era (Dexter's Lab, Johnny Bravo, Courage) through the golden age of Ben 10, Regular Show, and Adventure Time, CN consistently pushed the boundaries of what a children's network could offer.
Steven Universe made LGBTQ+ representation central to mainstream children's animation. Adventure Time created an unprecedented mythology. Gumball reinvented the animation medium itself. Cartoon Network's legacy is a canon of genuinely ambitious, emotionally resonant television.