The world of wisest cartoon characters fulfill the role of a teacher, mentor, or father figure in the story, taking in the protagonist under their wing to gently guide them to a better tomorrow. Though their methods may be unorthodox, these characters provide profound lessons to their mentees, with some of their advice being good enough to absorb for real life.
The best animated mentors in TV can come from a variety of different sources. Though primarily aimed at children, Western animation can occasionally bridge the gap with adults by including life lessons from characters whose wisdom can't be denied. Of course, the longest-running anime series have long provided similar mentor figures in an animated format that have become a genuine inspiration to those familiar with them in their personal lives.
10 Heimerdinger
Arcane
Despite being relatively new to the animated TV scene, Heimerdinger has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best and brightest mentor figures around in the medium. As a Yordle, a short, fuzzy mythical being with a tendency to take on exaggerated characteristics of the place they settle in, Heimerdinger embodies the steampunk city of Piltover's cutting edge spirit of innovation.
Arcane has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A gifted inventor and city council member, Heimerdinger acts as a valuable positive influence for technically-minded characters like Jayce, Viktor, and Ekko. At first, Heimerdinger's long life may seem to give him an inflated sense of caution when it comes to new ideas, but it's worth mentioning that the Wild Rune disaster in Arcane season 2 essentially proved his qualms with Hextech eerily correct.
Arcane
- Release Date
- 2021 - 2024
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Christian Linke
Cast
Jinx
WHERE TO WATCH
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
- Directors
- Barth Maunoury, Marietta Ren, Christelle Abgrall
- Seasons
- 2
Not only that, but he doesn't share the same weakness for political strife and division that his peers in Piltover's leadership do, eagerly taking on two Zaun-born proteges and even sacrificing himself for one. Thought he hasn't been around long, Heimerdinger will surely stand the test of time as a highly-regarded animated mentor.
9 Uncle Iroh
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Perhaps the single most iconic and well-written mentor figure in all of animation history, Uncle Iroh has become the gold standard by which many similar characters are measured. Once a fearsome general of the Fire Nation known as "The Dragon of the West", Iroh fell to a place of great revilement after his military failures and the loss of his son cost him the throne.
It's hard to beat Uncle Iroh as an animated mentor figure.
As an outcast, Iroh provides his nephew, fellow Fire Nation misfit Prince Zuko, with enduring wisdom garnered from his years of travel. Uncle Iroh provides fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender with both golden life advice and fascinating insights into Eastern philosophy, making sense of the most tumultuous situations through his gifted words.
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Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Release Date
- 2005 - 2008-00-00
- Showrunner
- Michael Dante DiMartino
- Directors
- Dave Filoni
Cast
Mako
WHERE TO WATCH
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure series that appeared on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices from Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bit to unite the nations together and bring peace.
- Seasons
- 3
In his quest for humility, Iroh becomes the sole positive influence on Zuko's life, gradually changing him from a bloodthirsty military tyrant desperate for his family's approval to a peaceful, self-assured hero who helps take his father down. It's hard to beat Uncle Iroh as an animated mentor figure.
8 Eda Clawthorne
The Owl House
Evoking the same magic and wonder of the Harry Potter series in an animated format, The Owl House is a cozy, heartwarming series held aloft by its timeless intrigue and representation. Among the The Owl House, Eda Clawthorne stands out as a particular fan favorite for a good reason.
By her reputation, Eda doesn't seem like she'd make for the best mentor figure, known as a hermit and criminal whose only care in life is protecting her demon companion and the Owl House itself. However, Eda soon proves to be an incredibly positive influence in Luz's life, quickly growing attached to her young witch-in-training as she shows her the ropes of magic.
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The Owl House
- Release Date
- 2020 - 2022
Cast
-
Sarah-Nicole Robles
Wendie Malick
WHERE TO WATCH
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that follows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. There, she befriends a rebellious witch named Eda and a tiny warrior named King. Determined to become a witch herself, Luz embarks on various adventures while learning about magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Created by Dana Terrace, the series debuted in 2020 on Disney Channel.
- Seasons
- 3
Penetrating her tough exterior, Eda ends up going to great lengths to protect Luz, showing her mettle as both a mentor and mother figure. Even if her approach to teaching magical spells may be chaotic and even unstable at times, Eda is a relentlessly lovable and worthy teacher for The Owl House's protagonist.
7 Izumi Curtis
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
If it wasn't for the tutelage of Izumi Curtis, Edward Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood fame might never have safely learned the arcane secrets of alchemy. In a world that stresses the law of equivalent exchange, it makes sense that such a heavy emphasis would be placed on the effective transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next, especially when it comes to the intricate magic system of Fullmetal Alchemist.
Luckily, Edward Elric has a fantastic teacher to give him the strength he needs to continue his journey. Izumi likely sees herself in the young reckless Ed, having caused no small amount of chaos in her own time as a hungry student of alchemy.
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Release Date
- 2009 - 2010
Cast
-
Maxey WhiteheadAlphonse Elric
Vic MignognaEdward Elric
WHERE TO WATCH
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed transmutation. The series explores themes of sacrifice, the consequences of ambition, and the quest for truth in a richly developed world.
- Seasons
- 1
The wisdom to recognize one's own mistakes in a young pupil and take them under one's wing to prevent the same tragedies is the mark of a great teacher, and even though Izumi's methods may be strict, she truly has pure-hearted interests driving her actions at her core. She's also quite humble, playing down her own impressive alchemy skills by describing herself as a mere homemaker.
6 Alfred Pennyworth
The Batman
Like Batman himself, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler and father figure has gone through many iterations over the years, with each version of Alfred putting its own spin on the aged wisdom of the British mentor. The many animated Batman shows are no exception, with Batman: The Animated Series serving up a particularly witty former special agent Alfred with a dry sense of humor and a stiff upper lip.
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However, it's the 2004 series The Batman in which Alfred truly excels as not just Batman's sidekick or servant, but his trusted advisor and mentor. The Batman explores Alfred's close emotional bond with Bruce far more than most Batman incarnations, examining just how integral of a role in his life Alfred played following the traumatic deaths of his parents.
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The Batman
- Release Date
- 2004 - 2008-00-00
- Network
- The CW
- Directors
- Brandon Vietti, Seung Eun Kim, Anthony Chun, Sam Liu, Christopher Berkeley
Cast
-
rino romanoSmoke (voice)
Ming-Na WenVirginia / Georgia (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Acclaimed DC animated season The Batman sees billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Rino Romano) pull on the famous cowl and cape as Gotham's iconic protector. Set primarily during Batman's early years, he operates more in the shadows as a vigilante, and facing off against new versions of legendary DC villains like The Joker, Penguin, Clayface, and Mr Freeze.
- Seasons
- 5
Alfred sometimes even gets his own licks in during the show's action, but is always there to patch up Batman's wounds and remind him of his inner strength and fortitude. Seeing a slightly more vulnerable Batman that perhaps leans on Alfred a good deal more, at least in the first season, makes for a compelling mentor relationship between the two.
5 Piccolo
Dragonball Z
Despite not being a human, Piccolo might just be the best father figure in all of Dragonball Z history. Once an alien slug monster who invaded the Earth, Piccolo made friends with his former enemies, becoming a trusted and valuable Z fighter as time went on. Though he isn't as powerful as Saiyans like Goku and Vegeta, Piccolo is a wise fighter with an arguably higher battle IQ, often providing sage advice.
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Dragon Ball Z
- Release Date
- 1989 - 1996
- Network
- Fuji TV
- Directors
- Daisuke Nishio, Shigeyasu Yamauchi, Osamu Kasai
Cast
-
Kazuyuki SogabeToma (voice)
-
Kozo ShioyaToteppo (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, who lives a peaceful life with his family until the arrival of Raditz, a mysterious warrior claiming to be Goku's brother. This revelation unveils their true heritage as Saiyans, a formidable warrior race known for conquering planets.
- Seasons
- 9
When Goku and Chi-Chi have their first son, Gohan, Piccolo ends up inhabiting the role of a close father figure and trainer to the boy. Piccolo goes on to act as a trainer and even father figure to the Z Fighter's children as their actual fathers frequently become preoccupied with saving the universe, even becoming a favorite babysitter of Gohan's infant son, Pan.
There are many fans who grew up on Piccolo's fatherly advice, stern but never unkind, always helping his young charges to be stronger and more determined in the face of adversity. For his fearsome appearance and gruff demeanor, Piccolo is as good of a mentor figure as anyone could ever ask for.
4 Jake The Dog
Adventure Time
Though not the most conventional of mentor figures, Jake the Dog has unearthed many a shining nugget of wisdom during his presence across Adventure Time. An anthropomorphic talking dog, Jake takes close care of his young adopted human brother, Finn, living together in a tree house and going on various adventures.
Jake's impressive magical powers have given him something of a carefree, go-with-the-flow attitude, but that doesn't stop him from being an important positive influence in Finn's tumultuous teen years. Even if he doesn't take things as seriously as he should and is downright lazy at times, Jake gives Finn a lot of prescient advice.
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Adventure Time
- Release Date
- 2010 - 2018-00-00
- Network
- Cartoon Network
- Showrunner
- Pendleton Ward
Cast
Tom Kenny-
Hynden Walch
WHERE TO WATCH
Adventure Time is a science fiction/fantasy animation from Cartoon Network. Adventure Time follows Finn (Jeremy Shada) and his dog Jake (John DiMaggio) as they go on adventures in the near future. The series was created by Pendleton Ward and ran for a total of 10 seasons on the network. Adventure Time was critically acclaimed while it was on the air and managed to pull in younger audiences, as well as adults.
- Directors
- Pendleton Ward
- Seasons
- 10
From iconic lines like "Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something!" to important guidance on romance, Jake is always there to pick Finn up when he falls, put a smile on his face, and nudge him in the right direction. It's no wonder the two chose to be together again in their heartwarming reunion in Adventure Time: Distant Lands.
3 Reigen Arataka
Mob Psycho 100
On the surface, Reigen Arataka from Mob Psycho 100 may seem like a poor mentor indeed. A con artist posing as a powerful psychic despite not actually having any real powers, few anime characters have truly mastered the art of gaslighting like Reigen, taking advantage of his protege, the titular Mob, whose actual psychic powers are some of the most powerful the series has ever seen.
Reigen teaches Mob valuable personal lessons about standing up for himself, managing a business, and navigating the complex social dynamics of grade school.
However, beneath all the deceit, Reigen has a clear noble heart when it comes to Mob, and demonstrates as much with his actions and advice. Reigen teaches Mob valuable personal lessons about standing up for himself, managing a business, and navigating the complex social dynamics of grade school.
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Mob Psycho 100
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2022
- Directors
- Yuzuru Tachikawa, Takahiro Hasui
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
Cast
-
Kyle McCarley
WHERE TO WATCH
Mob Psycho 100 is an animated fantasy action series based on a webcomic from author One. The story surrounds a powerful psychic boy named Shigeo, nicknamed Mob, who only seeks to gain the affection of his school crush. Striving to hone his craft, he seeks help from a self-proclaimed psychic named Arataka Reigen, a con artist. Exploiting Mob for his business, the two together to exorcise demons - but Mob's power is slowly growing, and when it peaks, no one may be able to stop it.
- Seasons
- 3
He also serves as a fascinating foil to Mob, having none of Mob's actual supernatural powers but overflowing with hilariously impeccable charisma, whereas Mob struggles with basic social interaction. In the end, even if their relationship turns sour, Reigen helps Mob grow and accept himself in a natural way despite all the deception inherent to his character.
2 Master Splinter
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
One of the most archetypal teacher characters in cartoon history, Master Splinter earns his reputation across Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A human who becomes mutated with rat DNA (Or a rat who becomes mutated with human DNA, depending on the version), Splinter takes four turtles with a similar predicament under his wing, raising them as their father and sensei.
In every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Splinter is a steadfast mentor and anchor to the four turtles, whose clashing personalities often rely on him to be the emotional glue. Splinter is an excellent teacher to the turtles right down to the weapons he gives them - Raphael's temper is held back by his dulled sai, and Michaelangelo is taught to focus with technical nunchucks.
- Created by
- Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird
- Cast
- Cam Clarke, Rob Paulsen, Barry Gordon, Townsend Coleman, Sean Astin, Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon
- TV Show(s)
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- First Film
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- Latest Film
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
- Films
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is a multi-media franchise that began with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s comics in the 1980s. Throughout the years, their comic books expanded to movies, TV shows, video games, and toys. Most notably, the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ran for nearly a decade and has become a nostalgic staple of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Several other movies have featured the four anthropomorphic turtle brothers (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael), including the trilogy of live-action films in the ‘90s and the more recent movies Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
Donatello's reliance on technology is evened by his simple staff, and Leonardo's leadership abilities are honed on the edge of his lethal katanas. It's no wonder that Splinter's wisdom has become so highly valued by generations of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans.
1 All Might
My Hero Academia
A ferociously popular anime in the last ten years, My Hero Academia is so compelling in large part due to the relationship between All Might and Izuku Midoriya. At the start of the series, All Might is the most powerful hero in the world, known far and wide for his reassuring smile, incredible levels of power, and pure-hearted motivations.
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But upon meeting Izuku, he reveals the secret of his waning ability to fight crime, and decides to on his incredible power to the young quirkless lad as a successor, beginning his long road to becoming the next great hero. There's a lot that makes All Might so likable as a teacher and a mentor.
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In My Hero Academia, some humans have superpowers called quirks. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is not one of them. Deku has always idolized heroes like the number one hero, All Might, and since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a hero. However, his lack of a quirk has always held him back, but a chance encounter with All Might after discovering a classmate in danger sets Deku on the path to becoming a true hero. My Hero Academia centers around Deku and a class of heroes-in-training at UA. This school shapes young quirk s into future heroes through fake rescue missions, combat training, and other hero-tempering tasks. With young Deku inheriting the "One-For-All" quirk, he will learn what it means to be a true hero while facing off with dastardly supervillains.
- Seasons
- 7
For all his power, All Might is incredibly kind, always aware of just how far to push his new mentee to succeed and itting when he's wrong, even going as far as to beg Izuku's mother for forgiveness at times. By the time he officially retires from hero work, All Might has already proven himself as one of the best animated mentors in TV history, let alone in anime.
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