Who doesn’t remember their first crush? It’s seared into our brains from a young age, and it lays the foundation for who we’re about to become. When I was very small, all I used to watch were cartoons, just like any kid of that age. And it was around that time when I began seeing more than just characters on screen and started to believe they were prospective partners. Hey, I was a kid! I was hella dumb!
However, it was much weirder than it sounds.
It wasn’t just human characters like outstanding April O’Neil, Daphne Blake and Jasmine from Aladdin. This extended to members of different species. Get outta here with your sideways glances! If you search your hearts, you will know it to be true. Here are 10 of the characters we had crushes on when we were young who were NOT HUMAN… and maybe we still do!
For me, this is classic adolescent crush territory. You either wanted to be Simba or wanted to date Simba. Or you wanted to be Nala or date Nala. The promised power couple of the jungle were cute when they were cubs, but when they meet back up, the electricity is… well, electric. These two are an extremely attractive couple… for lions. There’s the qualifier. For lions.
Since that meeting, we’ve all dreamed about reuniting with an old flame at the edge of a lake while “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” blasts in the background. That’s not just me, right? No, of course not. When your ex is as pretty as Nala or Simba, it’s a no-brainer. Because again, these two are an extremely attractive couple. For lions.
And also people.
This is a given. We’ve already established that Godzilla is a sexy muther*@!er, and if you don’t remember why, then I would like to direct you to my previous article.
Now, the controversy. Is Godzilla an animal or not? He’s definitely Kaiju-shaped, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an animal. I may be stretching the definition of “animal” here, but Godzilla is a strange case. He is a fictional creature, but all-in-all he’s just a giant prehistoric lizard powered up by atomic bombs. I think he counts.
And, let’s face it: how could I leave this babe off the list?
Lola. Bunny.
Space Jam was a seminal moment in the ’90s. It introduced the rest of the world to basketball because, let’s face it, nobody except for the US actually cared about the bouncy ball sport. However, it also introduced THE WORLD to Lola Bunny. She’s the first Looney Tune I’ve ever seen make Bugs Bunny nervous, and for good reason.
Lola is the Tunes’ secret weapon on court, probably the MVP of the game aside from Michael Jordan himself. She’s a lean, not-so-mean basketball machine. However, you know that it’s not just b-ball ability that lures you in…
There’s a reason there are millions of Lola Bunny cosplayers out there. She’s hot. There, I said it. She’s hot.
I am aware I may be alone in this one, but, hey, Gadget was a gorram catch. Both Chip AND Dale knew it (plus Zipper the housefly, who somehow ends up marrying Gadget and having horrific hybrid children in the film), and so did I. Gadget was a cute mouse inventor and engineer. In a lot of ways, she was the gateway to many people’s crush on Kaylee in Firefly. She’s smart, kind, has great hair, and she was always getting the boys out of trouble.
Hell, I named my cat Gadget as a child as a tribute to one of the best gals around. I was obsessed…but I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little freaked out by her choice to marry a housefly. Pretty gross.
He’s cheeky, smart, athletic, a hot-shot with a bow and arrow, and he’s a stone-cold fox. Because he’s a fox. It’s Robin Hood from Disney’s Robin Hood. Not to mention that he’s just got a good heart. Robin steals from the rich and gives to the poor; being a charitable chap is his whole schtick.
Robin Hood has that bad boy vibe. Like, he’s an actual criminal, wanted by the King himself for transgressions against the crown. He’s pretty damn cool, so there’s no wonder hundreds of people fell in love with him when they were young. But has time made any of his green flags turn red? I don’t think so. Robin is as schmexy as he ever was.
Luckily, they didn’t give him a Nottingham accent, because that would have greatly decreased his attractiveness.
Ahhh, Jenny. Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. Were you the only reason I was obsessed with Bucky O’Hare as a kid? Probably not. I mean, there was that cool as f*ck four-armed gunner, Deadeye Duck, and there was Bruce the Beserker Baboon. It was an awesome show. But I’d be lying if Jenny didn’t have something to do with it. Bucky’s first mate has long pink hair, is a crack shot, and has psychic powers she keeps secret from the members of her crew.
Mysterious? Check. Alternative look? Check. Cat? Sure, why not. Attractive? Damn freaking straight. Jenny was one of my first real crushes on screen, and you can see why!
I’m not gonna lie, I did raise my eyebrows when this suggestion came from a fellow contributor (who shall remain nameless). Like, he’s a real-ass animal and not anthropomorphised like in most of the other entries on this list. But, the more I think about it, the more I can kind of understand it.
Wishbone is an intellectual. He reads classics but doesn’t condescend you if you don’t. He shares his passion for stories in engaging ways, and he’s not afraid of dressing up to highlight his point. You know this guy won’t turn his nose up at doing couples costumes for Halloween. Wishbone is a scholarly gentleman, but he’s also down-to-earth and kind, always trying to help people.
If Wishbone were a person, I’m sure there’d be a line down the street for him.
Rouge the Bat first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2, but her debut on the small screen came courtesy of Sonic X. Often appearing as part of Team Dark alongside Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge was conceived as the sort of Catwoman in Sonic lore. She’s a jewel thief who straddles the line between good and ambiguous, the perfect partner for someone like Shadow.
You can see that Rouge is designed to be an attractive member of the Sonic crew. She has pink hearts all over her clothing and long eyelashes with mascara. There’s no wonder there was clamour for her to make her big-screen appearance in Sonic 3, but alas, it didn’t happen.
I wonder if she’ll make it in Sonic 4, where a brand new set of kids will fall in love with her.
Brandy here.
Yes, this one is my crush. What can I say? Justin is the heroic Captain of the Guards for the rats of Nimh, and he later becomes their leader after he helps Mrs. Brisby save her family and home. Justin is charming and intelligent, but also doesn’t take himself too seriously. Justin constantly pesters Mr. Ages but will protect his friends by any means necessary. He is noble, generous, and handsome. The perfect knight in shining armor for any girl to get her crush on!
Peter Strauss voices Justin, and that is part of his charm – that voice. Excuse me while I go swoon yet again.
This was a friend’s suggestion, but you know what? I get it. Bandit is a terrific husband and, most of all, an amazing father to Bluey and Bingo, the two main characters of Bluey. Honestly, this guy makes a mockery of the majority of dads out there. Hell, I’d even say Bluey is a kids’ show for parents to learn how to play with their kids more effectively. Bandit is just the man! He’s cool, caring, and sympathetic. We can all learn to be a little more Bandit in our lives.
However, Bluey was first released in 2018, which means that she definitely didn’t have a crush on him until she was in her thirties. I guess we can use interpretation for the word “younger” just this once. Let’s face it: Bandit is worth it.
Who are some of your favorites? Did we miss any? Comment below with any heinous omissions, and we may do a follow-up article…
