The Early Years
For decades, cartoons have been a staple in popular culture, entertaining audiences of all ages. However, in the early years of animation, the portrayal of characters was limited to a narrow standard of beauty. Most characters were thin, tall, and conventionally attractive. Fat characters were often depicted as lazy or gluttonous, reinforcing negative stereotypes about body size.
One of the earliest depictions of a fat cartoon character was in the 1930s, with the introduction of Porky Pig. While Porky was lovable and comedic, his weight was often the butt of jokes. This trend continued with other characters, such as Hanna-Barbera's Huckleberry Hound and Yogi Bear, who were both depicted as overweight and bumbling.
The Turnaround
As society began to embrace body positivity and reject harmful stereotypes, the portrayal of fat cartoon characters started to shift. In the 1990s, The Simpsons introduced Homer Simpson, a lovable, overweight father who became an instant fan favorite. Homer's weight was never the focus of his character, and he was often portrayed as a hero despite his size.
Other shows followed suit, such as Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold! which featured Helga's father, Big Bob Pataki, who was overweight and successful in business. Disney's Lilo & Stitch introduced the lovable, rotund character of Stitch, who was never portrayed as lazy or gluttonous.
The New Era
In the 2020s, the portrayal of fat cartoon characters has continued to evolve. Shows like Steven Universe and Bob's Burgers feature a diverse cast of characters, including several who are overweight. Steven Universe's Amethyst is a complex, multi-dimensional character who loves herself and her body. Bob's Burgers' Linda Belcher is a confident, successful business owner who is also overweight.
Other shows, such as Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, feature characters of all body types, including those who are overweight. Fat characters are no longer relegated to the role of the sidekick or the butt of the joke. Instead, they are given complex storylines and are portrayed as heroes, villains, and everything in between.
The Impact
The portrayal of fat cartoon characters has a real-world impact. Children who see positive representations of overweight characters in media are more likely to have positive attitudes towards their own bodies. They are also less likely to engage in harmful behaviors such as dieting or disordered eating.
The evolution of body positivity in animation has also had an impact on the industry itself. More creators are pushing for diverse representation in their shows, and networks are starting to respond. Shows like Steven Universe and She-Ra have gained a dedicated fan base, and their success has shown that audiences are hungry for more diverse representation in media.
The Future
As we move into the future, it's clear that the portrayal of fat cartoon characters will continue to evolve. We can expect to see more diverse representation in animation, with characters of all shapes and sizes taking center stage. The future of animation is exciting, and we can't wait to see where it takes us.
