Top 10 Animated Characters Who Were Raised By Single Parents

For this list, we will be looking at the top 10 animated characters from movies, cartoons, and anime who, for the most part, were raised by single parents. This can be due to the other parent being deceased, divorced, separated, or absent for any other reason.

Adoptive parents and legal guardians can also be included.

1. Max Goof - Goof Troop

   

   Maximilian "Max" Goof is a fictional character and the son of the Disney character Goofy. He first appeared as a preteen in the 1992 television series Goof Troop. He also stars in the films A Goofy Movie (1995) and An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000).

   In both the Goof Troop series and the movies, Max is mostly raised by his single father, Goofy. However, we are never really given any information about Max's mom.

   A Goofy Movie was my childhood!

2. Nemo - Finding Nemo

   

   Nemo is a fictional clownfish and one of the main characters in the Disney and Pixar animated film Finding Nemo, released in 2003. He is the son of Marlin and becomes separated from his father, prompting an ocean-wide search. Nemo reappears in the 2016 sequel Finding Dory, which continues the story of... read more

   Raised by his father, Marlin, after his mother and the rest of his siblings were devoured by a barracuda in the opening scene of Finding Nemo, the event led to Marlin becoming overprotective of Nemo. This eventually caused Nemo to rebel, resulting in his capture by divers. As a result, Marlin embarks on a journey to find him.

3. Ginger Foutley - As Told by Ginger

   

   Throughout the series, it has been shown that Ginger and her younger brother, Carl, are raised by their mother, Lois, after their father, Jonas, left the family shortly after Carl was born. Jonas has not been there for them, although he does eventually make more appearances later in the series, usually to offer Ginger fatherly advice. While Ginger tries to have some sort of relationship with him, Carl still acts pretty cold towards him for walking out on them.

4. Chuckie Finster - Rugrats

   

   Before Rugrats in Paris, Chuckie was raised by his father, Chas. It was revealed in the Mother's Day episode that Chuckie's mom died when he was very little. Leading up to the episode, Chas tried to keep Chuckie from finding out about her, fearing that he would miss her.

5. Ronnie Anne Santiago - The Loud House

   

   Ronnie Anne Santiago is a fictional character from The Loud House. She is one of Lincoln's best friends and Bobby's younger sister. She was first mentioned by name in the episode "Heavy Meddle," where Lincoln's sisters suggest that her bullying behavior means she has a crush on him.... read more

   It was revealed in The Loud House Season 4 episode Friended! that Ronnie Anne's parents are separated. For the most part, she was raised along with Bobby by their mother as a single parent before moving to the city to be with their extended family.

   So, Ronnie Anne Santiago has a single parent? Geez, how much about The Loud House I did not know.

6. Buster Baxter - Arthur

   

   Many Arthur episodes have touched on Buster's parents being divorced, such as in the episode Arthur's Faraway Friend. In this episode, Buster finds out that he's going to be staying with his father for a few months. In another episode, 1001 Dads, Arthur worries that Buster is sad about not having his dad around during the Father's Day Picnic. Arthur tries to find a new dad for Buster to go to the picnic with. However, Buster later has a talk with Arthur and tells him that even though it's hard not having his dad around, he still enjoys the time he does have with him. Buster emphasizes that even though his parents aren't together anymore, he still has a family.

7. Eric Cartman - South Park

   

   Eric Theodore Cartman, commonly known by his last name, is a central character in the animated series South Park. Created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker and voiced by Parker, Cartman is one of four main characters, alongside Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick. He often serves as both an... read more

8. Sherman - Mr. Peabody & Sherman

   In both the movie and cartoon, Sherman is adopted by Mr. Peabody. However, in the movie, their relationship is explored more as an actual father-and-son dynamic. During the movie, a child protective service agent questions Mr. Peabody's ability to raise a child after an incident where Sherman bites a student named Penny. The agent believes Sherman's behavior stems from being raised by a dog.

9. Pepper Ann Pearson - Pepper Ann

   

10. Homer Simpson - The Simpsons

    

    Homer Jay Simpson is the main protagonist of the American animated television series The Simpsons, serving as the patriarch of the eponymous family. It is implied that he is not very intelligent, with a crayon stuck in his brain often cited as the reason. He works at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant... read more

    Homer was raised alone by his father after his mother was forced to go on the run. She was singled out by Mr. Burns when she and her friends destroyed his germ lab. From there, Abe told Homer that his mother was dead. However, it is revealed in Mother Simpson that Homer's mother is still alive and remains a fugitive.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Hailey Austin - The Music Freaks

    

    Raised by her father before meeting Shannon and Zander.

12. ?

    Jake Sterling - The Music Freaks

    

    Raised by his mom, but I don't think he has a father. I have a couple of theories.

The Contenders

13. Roger Klotz - Doug

    

    Roger Klotz is the main antagonist of Doug. He is Doug Funnie's enemy and later becomes more of a frenemy, often bullying him or trying to embarrass him in front of his crush, Patti Mayonnaise. Roger is known for his green skin, leather jacket, and rebellious attitude.

    Despite being your typical bully, Roger has shown that there is more to him than meets the eye. For starters, it is revealed in an episode called "Doug and Patti P.I." that Roger's parents are divorced. Additionally, he sabotaged the father-son wheelbarrow race.

14. Steven Universe - Steven Universe

    

    Steven Quartz Universe is the main character of the animated television series Steven Universe. He is a half-human, half-Gem and the son of Rose Quartz, who gave up her physical form to give birth to him. Throughout the series, Steven grows into his role as a leader of the Crystal Gems and seeks to... read more

15. Belle - Beauty and the Beast

    

    Belle is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Pictures' 30th animated feature film Beauty and the Beast (1991) and the live-action remake Beauty and the Beast (2017). She is the intelligent and selfless daughter of an inventor who does not conform to the norms of her small-minded village... read more

16. Mavis - Hotel Transylvania

    

    Raised by her overprotective father, Dracula, after her mother was killed by humans.

17. Wendy Corduroy - Gravity Falls

    

    Wendy Blerble Corduroy, born around 1997, is a major character in the animated series Gravity Falls. She is a tall, laid-back teenager who works a part-time job at the Mystery Shack. Fun-loving and rebellious, she frequently shirks responsibility in favor of hanging out with her rambunctious friends... read more

    Being raised by her father alone made her more masculine and into fighting.

18. Dumbo - Dumbo

    

19. Jim Hawkins - Treasure Planet

    

    His bond with John Silver is arguably as strong as that with his own mother, if not stronger.

20. Johnny Bravo - Johnny Bravo

    

21. Nelson Muntz - The Simpsons

    

    Nelson Mandela Muntz is a fictional character and the leading school bully from the animated TV series The Simpsons. He is known for his mocking laugh and aggressive behavior toward other students. Nelson first appeared in the episode Bart the General in 1990.

22. Tiana - Princess and the Frog

    

    Princess Tiana is the main character in Disney's 2009 animated feature film The Princess and the Frog. She is the first African-American Disney Princess and is voiced by Anika Noni Rose. The story is set in 1920s New Orleans and follows Tiana's dream of opening her own restaurant.

    She was raised by both parents until her father died.

23. Gosalyn Mallard - Darkwing Duck

    

    Was adopted by Drake Mallard, also known as Darkwing Duck.

24. Kubo - Kubo and The Two Strings

    

    Such an underrated movie.

25. Bambi - Bambi

    

    Bambi is the title character in Felix Salten's 1923 novel Bambi, a Life in the Woods and its sequel, Bambi's Children. He is also the central character in the 1942 Walt Disney animated film Bambi. The character has appeared in other productions and remains a classic symbol of innocence and nature.

    Strangely, Bambi is initially raised alone by his mother, while his dad is somewhat absent. However, after she is killed by the hunter, Bambi's father shows up, tells him that his mother is dead, and proceeds to raise Bambi from then on.

26. Ariel - The Little Mermaid

    

    Princess Ariel is a fictional character and the title character of Walt Disney Pictures' 28th animated feature film The Little Mermaid (1989). She is voiced by actress Jodi Benson and is the adventurous, headstrong mermaid princess of Atlantica. Ariel's story helped launch the Disney Renaissance era... read more

    Ariel was raised alongside her six sisters by their father, King Triton, after their mother was crushed to death by pirates.

27. Adrien Agreste - Miraculous Ladybug

    

    Adrien Agreste is the deuteragonist of the show Miraculous Ladybug. His superhero alter ego is Chat Noir. While Chat Noir is snarky, energetic, and enjoys a sense of freedom, Adrien is calm, polite, kind, and composed... read more