Sometimes, cartoons for children can be a lot more mature than most people would expect based on their intended audience. As a result, some cartoon characters can be pretty scary in their own right, thus making them that much more memorable to their viewers.
Here are five of the scariest cartoon characters that can be found on the TV screen right now:
The Lich
Death is one of our oldest fears, as shown by the personifications of death from a wide range of cultures in a wide range of times. As a result, it is perhaps unsurprising that the Lich from Adventure Time makes this list, seeing as how he represents the inevitable conclusion to that which lives. Even worse, the Lich is not content to wait for the end like some personifications of death but is instead proactive about his particular portfolio, meaning that there is an immortal being with a wide range of super-powers who is focused on the task of killing all living beings in existence.
Rick Sanchez
There are two reasons that Rick Sanchez from Rick and Morty should be on this list. First, this is because it is clear that Rick has some serious issues because of his experiences, with the result that he is capable of lashing out at even his loved ones with minimal provocation. Second, this is because Rick is a super-scientist, which is not just scary because of what his inventions can do but also scary because of what his shenanigans reveal about the true nature of the universe. Simply put, Rick and Morty has a surprising amount of existential horror for a TV show aimed at child, which is inevitable when it explores all of the horrible ways that people can go wrong in an infinite number of alternate universes.
Scarab
Given that Young Justice is set in the DC Universe, it should come as no surprise to learn that it is filled with scary characters. However, it is interesting to note that one of the scariest isn’t one of the villains but rather the Scarab that provides the Blue Beetles with their super-powers. Partly, this is because the Scarab is an AI that prefers force for even the smallest provocations, and partly, this is because the Scarab can seize control of its hosts to leave them trapped in their own minds. Even worse, the Scarab isn’t bonded to its host via the spine, with the result that it can’t be removed using normal methods without killing said individual in the process.
Toffee of Septarsis
Hailing from Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Toffee of Septarsis can claim a spot on this list for a number of reasons. For example, he combines manipulative talent with considerable force of will, as shown by the fact that he managed to survive his own death via possessing someone else. Furthermore, he has a maniacal smile beneath his stoic exterior, which combines with his pettiness to make him unpredictable.
Yellow Diamond
Steven Universe makes sure to provide its characters with sufficient nuance to make their motivations understandable to the viewers. However, it is important to remember that people with understandable motivations can still make monstrous choices, as shown by Yellow Diamond. She grieves for the loss of her one-time companion Pink Diamond, but she expresses her grief through anger, which she can unleash on an entire civilization through not just her personal power but also the social institutions that have put her on the top.
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