Thebest cartoon girl duoshave ensured that generations of young women fell in love with animation as a medium. What’s more, pairings of female characters also account for some of the most iconic presences in cartoons and animation of all time. While male duos and boy-girl teams in cartoons are common, the world of animation is surprisingly light on pairs of female characters. Girls in cartoons tend to come in trios, groups, or on their own. However, this only ensures that the very best cartoon girl duos stand out.
Whetherit’s classic characters from showslikeThe FlintstonesorScooby-Dooor pairs of heroines from animated movies from powerhouses like Disney or Pixar, each of the best cartoon girl duos brings something unique. They share a range of dynamics, with some being best friends, others sisters, with mother-daughter duos also being present too (and even some granddaughter-grandmother teams). One thing they all have in common, however, is that they’re incredibly memorable, whether that’s due to them being laugh-out-loud hilarious, sharing a heartwarming (or heartbreaking) relationship, or a mixture of the two.
50Scardelita & Adelita
The Book Of Life (2014)
2014’sThe Book Of Lifefrom director Jorge R. Guiterrez is oftencompared to Disney’sCocodue to being released at a similar time and both having plots focusing on characters heading to the Mexican Land of the Dead. However,The Book Of Lifehas its own strong sense of identity. This partly comes from the characters being much more outlandish, as is the case with its contribution to the many great female cartoon character duos out there - the twins Scardelita and Adelita.
The deceased cousins of hero Manolo, Scardelita (Sandra Equihua) and Adelita (Anjelah Johnson) are twin sisters who died protecting Emiliano Zapata during the Mexican Revolution between 1910 and 1920.Always bickering even when fighting villains, Scardelita and Adelita are as hilarious as they are thrilling to watch, and easily among the best characters from the Land of the Dead inThe Book Of Life -and would likely make great subjects for their own spin-off, too.
The Book of Life
Cast
In the Mexican town of San Angel, two young men are competing for the affection of their childhood friend Maria — but Xibalba, the mythical ruler of the Land of the Forgotten, interferes in their affairs in an attempt to win a bet with his wife.
49The Ugly Stepsisters
Cinderella (1950)
When it comes to classic animated movies, the Ugly Stepsisters inDisney’s 1950 movieCinderellaare perhaps the quintessential example of memorable cartoon girl duos. Never really being shown separately, the Ugly Stepsisters (named Drizella and Anastasia) exist as pure comic relief, and it’s a role they play incredibly well.
While they make life difficult for Cinderella and are antagonists, the Ugly Stepsisters inCinderellaremain an iconic pair of female characters. Everything from their character design to the vocal performances of Rhoda Williams and Lucille Bliss stands out when rewatchingCinderella,andoutside perhaps the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella’s loyal mice companions the Ugly Stepsisters are perhaps the most memorable characters in the movie.
Cinderella
Cinderella is a classic animated Disney film that follows a young woman oppressed by her stepfamily. With the assistance of her fairy godmother and loyal animal companions, she transforms her dreams into reality by attending the royal ball, setting the stage for an iconic fairy-tale conclusion.
48Veronica & Trixie
The Fairly OddParents (2001-2016)
Nickelodeon’sThe Fairly OddParentswas one of the most successful animated shows put out by the network, running from 2001 to 2016 (and with revival spinoffs likeThe Faily OddParents: A New Wish). While they weren’t major characters on the show, high school cheerleaders Veronica and Trixie still rank as an incredibly memorable cartoon girl duo.
While many examples of pairs of female characters stand out because of the emotional dynamic of their relationship, for Trixie and Veronica being memorable is entirely due to the humor in their appearances. Trixie is the most popular girl in school, with Veronica being her best friend.While Trixie is constantly rebuffing Timmy Tuner’s affections, Veronica is secretly in love with him (though treats him with contempt whenever Trixie is around), making for a hilarious secret love triangle.
The Fairly OddParents
Nickelodeon’s Fairly OddParents, conceived by Danny Phantom creator Butch Hartman, revolves around teenage boy Timmy Turner’s adventures with his fairy godparents Cosmo and Wanda, his friendship with classmates AJ and Chester, and his attempts to escape his mean babysitter Vicky and his cruel teacher Denzel Crocker. It aired from 2001 to 2017 with 10 seasons and 172 episodes.
47Barbara Gordon & Harleen Quinzel
DC Super Hero Girls (2019-Present)
The 2019 TV showDC Super Hero Girlsis an animated reimagining of the DC Comics universe specifically designed to bring in new female fans among younger viewers. The show repositions more-or-less every female DC character into either a team of heroes or villains, and, of course, there are plenty of memorable pairings as the show focuses on their lives both with and without capes.
However, of all theDC Super Hero Girlscharacters, it’s the on-again-off-again friendship between Barbara Gordon and Harleen Quinzel, AKA Batgirl and Harley Quinn which stands out as among the best cartoon girl duos.Despite being on opposite ends of the moral spectrum, neither Barbara nor Harleen can ignore the fact that they enjoy one another’s company, which leads to some surprisingly tender moments when Barbara’s presence causes Harleen to question her villainous ways.
DC Super Hero Girls
DC Super Hero Girls follows Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, and other iconic characters as they navigate the challenges of high school at Super Hero High. The story highlights friendship and empowerment, focusing on the adventures and growth of these young superheroes as they manage their extraordinary abilities.
46Peggy & Luanne
King Of The Hill (1997-2009)
Played by Kathy Najimy andthe late Brittany Murphyin Mike Judge’s animated sitcomKing of the Hill,Peggy and Luanne are a rare example of a memorable cartoon girl duo that share an aunt-niece relationship. However, since Luanne lives with Peggy (much to Husband Hank’s chagrin), the pair inevitably find themselves sharing something of a mother-daughter bond.
However, due to Peggy’s soft-spoken nature and Luanne’s ditzy naivety about the world, the pair often find themselves having some truly hilarious conversations. Moments like Peggy trying to gently get Luanne to understand that her trailer tipping over doesn’t mean it stops existing, for example, are some of the most priceless inKing of the Hill.While they may not be as iconic or widely recognized as some other female cartoon duos, they’re still incredibly worthy of consideration.
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an animated series centered around Hank Hill, a propane salesman in Texas. The show explores Hank’s life with his confident wife Peggy, son Bobby, and niece Luanne, as they navigate challenges to Hank’s conservative values involving family and his beer-drinking neighbors.
45Hayley & Francine
Seth MacFarlane’sAmerican Dadspent a lot of time in the shadow ofFamily Guy,but over the years has gained a solid following in its own right thanks to its unique characters. Among them are the mother-daughter duo of Francine and Hayley Smith, and the pair share one of the strangest parent-child bonds in any animated family.
However, the odd relationship Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane) and Francine (Wendy Schaal) have is also what cements them as one of the best cartoon girl duos. Whenever the two interact or share an episode, it quickly becomes apparent that Francine was even more of a rebel in her youth than the already rebellious Hayley.Francine can’t let old habits stay hidden when she spends too long with her daughter, and the results are inevitably hilarious.
44Laurel & Corey
Onward (2020)
Laurel and Corey inOnwardare truly unique among the best cartoon girl duos. They’re both middle-aged career women who form a friendship over the course of the movie, and by the end of it conquer their fears together and save the day. Laurel Lightfoot (Julia Lousi-Dreyfus) is the mom of Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt). When her sons go on a dangerous voyage to discover magic and reconnect with their dead father, she makes it her mission to save them.
Along the way she meets Corey (Octavia Spencer). Corey is a manticore who now owns a bar, but she was once a fearsome warrior. She ends up tagging along with Laurel on her quest, and the two quickly spark up a connection.The scenes with Laurel and Corey are the perfect mix of humorous and action-filled, and this pair of female animated characters are easily the highlight ofOnward.
Onward
Pixar’s Onward takes place in a land filled with mythical creatures. It concerns the story of brothers Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt), who learn that their long-lost father had unlocked the ancient power of magic, something long rendered obsolete by technological advances. The brothers learn they have just 24 hours to resurrect their father and set off on a magical quest across the land to reunite their family.
43Ami & Yumi
HiHi Puffy AmiYumi (2004-2006)
The 2004-2006 showHi Hi Puffy AmiYumiwas among the most bizarre series ever put out by Cartoon Network, and was filled to the brim with the metal music and anime obsession of 2000s pre-teen and young teen culture. Nominated for three Annie Awards,Hi Hi Puffy Ami-Yumifocused on an animated version of the real-life Japenese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi.
In the show, Yumi and Ami tour the globe, though many of the stories are focused on Japan. The mismatched personalities of the cheerful and outgoing Ami and gruff and edgy Yumi make their friendship all the more endearing, as is the case with many paired female cartoon characters.While the show is niche, for fans (even casual ones) it’s hard to deny that Amy and Yumi are among the best cartoon girl duos.
42Mei & Ming
Turning Red (2021)
2021’sTurning Redwasn’t the success story Disney or Pixar hoped due to the Covid-19 Pandemic leading to a direct-to-Disney+ release. However, its central characters Mei (Roslie Chiang) and Ming (Sandra Oh) are one of the best cartoon girl duos to appear in a modern animated movie, especially when it comes to mother-daughter pairings. Their relationship is centralto the plot ofTurning Red,and the deep exploration of their emotions regarding one another also makes them incredibly relatable characters.
It’s this that makes 13-year-old Mei and her mother, Ming, so memorable as characters (perhaps even more memorable than the plot ofTurning Reditself). Most viewers, especially those that are mothers, daughters, or both can relate to the complexity of their relationship.The hilarity and heartwarming moments as they attempt to reach an understanding with one another are the standout scenes inTurning Red,and the pair remain one of the most authentic-seeming parent-child characters Disney or Pixar have created.
Turning Red
When 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian Mei Lee transforms into a giant red panda, she discovers that she has inherited her family curse. Triggered by any strong emotion, Mei’s ability tests her strength of character and her reserve, as well as prompting a previously undiscovered rebellious streak. Torn between accepting the changes she’s going through and obeying her parents, Mei must navigate her responsibilities to her friends, her family, and herself.
41Sophie & The Witch Of The Wastes
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
2004’sHowl’s Moving Castlefrom director Hayao Miyazaki is one of themost successful Studio Ghiblimovies so far, and also has one of their most memorable female character duos. Loosely based on the Dianna Wynne Jones novel of the same name,Howl’s Moving Castlefollows the adventures of young hat-maker Sophie as she finds herself traveling (and falling in love with) the wizard Howl.
However, Sophie doesn’t find her way to Howl until after she’s cursed to become an old woman by the movie’s antagonist, the Witch of the Wastes. While initially foes, their dynamic changes in the second half of the film when the Witch loses most of her powers and also becomes an elderly woman.The two then form an unlikely companionship filled with many adorable moments that feel like authentic interactions between two friends in the twilight years of their lives.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows Sophie, a young milliner transformed into an elderly woman by a witch’s curse. She becomes involved with the enigmatic wizard Howl, who is resisting participation in a war for the king, as she searches for a way to break the spell.
