It’s no surprise that the media loves portraying characters as part of a couple. Love is a universal human emotion, and humans are social creatures, so it makes sense that we like to see couples going through trials and tribulations in our favourite stories. Television has proven to be a good medium to view couples, as each episode brings new trials and tribulations that mirror the struggles of everyday people.
The world of animation is an interesting one to view couples, as the nature of animation allows for more exaggerated scenarios and characters. This means that the writers and actors can go wild, resulting in some unforgettable duos.
12
Cosmo and Wanda
‘The Fairly OddParents’ (2001–2017)
When a child’s life is full of nothing but misery, they are assigned a fairy godparent who can grant their wishes, provided they fall within da rules and the child does not reveal their secret. In the case of Timmy Turner, he got two: the married couple, Cosmo and Wanda. This doesn’t really give Timmy much of an advantage, however, because, in their own words, they’re “two halves of a whole idiot.”
As befitting The Fairly OddParents‘ sitcom-style approach, Cosmo and Wanda fit into the typical stereotypes of dumb husband and more competent but nagging wife. Wanda tends to see how bad the consequences of Timmy’s wishes will get, but is often ignored, while Cosmo’s childish mind and lack of attention span have caused mass destruction for humans and fairies alike. Still, when given the option to break up or pursue other partners, the two always choose to stick together, showing the depth of their love.
11
Robin and Starfire
‘Teen Titans’ (2003–2006)
Teen Titans is one of the most beloved superhero shows thanks to its good mix of comedic and dramatic storytelling and its stellar characters brought to life by a phenomenal voice cast. Two of the best examples are Scott Menville as the team leader, Robin, and Hynden Walch as the heart, Starfire. With their teammates Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy, they protect Jump City from all manner of supervillains and navigate the complexities of teenage emotions.
Robin and Starfire go through many of the usual teenage clichés, such as jealousy and difficulty with commitment, but when they work, they really work. This is due to the two of them standing as equals: Robin might be the team leader, but Starfire is never afraid to speak her mind when she feels it’s needed, and is more than capable of holding her own in battle. Her compassionate side also helps pull Robin out of one of his many obsessive spirals.
Teen Titans
- Release Date
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2003 – 2006-00-00
- Network
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Cartoon Network
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Greg Cipes
Beast Boy (voice)
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-
-
Scott Menville
Cyborg (voice)
10
Aang and Katara
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2007)
Avatar: The Last Airbender dominated kids’ media in the 2000s and remains one of the greatest animated shows. Set in a world where people can control the four elements, it follows Aang, the Avatar, and is the only person who can control all four elements at once. With the aid of siblings Katara and Sokka, he travels the world to find masters to teach him so he can bring an end to a hundred-year war.
Katara and Aang initially started as good friends, with Katara’s more matronly skills balancing Aang’s wild and fun-loving personality. Over time, the tolls of the war began to weigh heavily on them, forcing both to mature and come to terms with their inner demons. This time also sees them see one another in a new light, and though the show dragged its feet before making anything official, they did eventually settle down together.
9
Princess Bubblegum and Marceline
‘Adventure Time’ (2010–2017)
Adventure Time restored Cartoon Network during the 2010s and delighted audiences thanks to its inventive stories, emotional themes, and unforgettable characters. Two of them are Princess Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom and Marceline the Vampire Queen. Initially introduced as friends of Finn the Human with contrasting personalities, the two are revealed to have a long history of ups and downs before officially settling down by the show’s end.
These two are an interesting case of two characters with plenty of pride trying to make things work. Bubblegum is the kind of person who needs everything to go her way and rarely, if ever, changes her frame of mind, while Marceline is a wild spirit who loves to have fun and do mischief. Yet as the show goes on, the two find common ground and patch things up, forming a relationship that paved the way for future queer couples in animation.
8
Peter and Lois Griffin
‘Family Guy’ (1999–)
Family Guy is mostly known for its mean-spirited humor and cutaway gags, but the relationship between its main couple, Peter and Lois, had rather romantic origins. Peter loved his future wife so much that, when her father offered him one million dollars to never see her again, he refused. This won her affection and, years later, the two would have three children and live in the city of Quahog.
The Griffins’ relationship in the modern day is far more rocky. Peter has the empathy of a child and often ignores or doesn’t understand the needs and wants of his family, while Lois is an entitled narcissist who abuses others both physically and emotionally. Yet this is also what makes watching them so fascinating: you can’t help but wonder what next terrible thing will befall this family, or if some of that love from the earlier seasons will creep back up.
Family Guy
- Release Date
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January 31, 1999
- Network
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FOX
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Alex Borstein
Lois Griffin / Tricia Takanawa / Loretta Brown / Barbara Pewterschmidt (voice)
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7
The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch
‘The Venture Bros.’ (2004–2018)
In a world where supervillainy is a way of life, none are more committed to this role than The Mighty Monarch. Originally known as Malcolm, he developed a pure, seething hatred for Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture, and dedicated his life to tormenting him. This attracted the attention of a deep-voiced woman named Sheila, who fell in love with him and eventually became his wife and partner in villainy.
The relationship between the Monarch and his wife is complex, passionate, and full of mutual support. While Sheila would prefer to see Monarch do more with himself than just pursue Rusty 24/7, she is there to help pick him up after each loss, and even does what she can to help him get back at Rusty when the villainous guild they’re a part of denies Monarch the right to arch him. Monarch likewise supports her when she rises through the ranks of the guild, and when they do have problems, they tend to talk them out.
The Venture Bros.
- Release Date
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2004 – 2018-00-00
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
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Doc Hammer
- Writers
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Doc Hammer
6
Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela
‘Futurama’ (1999–)
Futurama has delighted audiences with its hilarious take on science fiction tropes, parodying everything from The Twilight Zone to Star Trek. Yet at its core, the show is about the protagonist Phillip J. Fry’s struggle to adapt to the world of the 31st century. He also tries to win the heart of his cycloptic co-worker, Turanga Leela.
Fry and Leela’s relationship built over multiple seasons, transforming from a one-sided crush to mutual affection as Leela saw how romantic and mature Fry could be. Of course, most days he’s still a lovable doofus knowledgeable in old pop culture, which Leela balances thanks to her no-nonsense attitude and physical prowess. They really capture the feel of two people growing together and finding a way to make things work, despite their flaws and shortcomings.
Futurama
- Release Date
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March 28, 1999
- Network
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Comedy Central
5
Bob and Linda Belcher
‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011–)
An unfortunate cliché that has developed in adult animated shows is that it’s hard to tell if the main couple actually loves one another, given how awful they tend to act. However, one show that bucks this trend is Bob’s Burgers. Its couple, Bob and Linda, met by chance at a bar and now run a struggling burger joint with their three children as one big, weird, wacky family.
Bob and Linda are perhaps the most ride-or-die couple in animation. Even when they get on one another’s nerves, they’re completely committed to standing beside the other and facing whatever new, wild thing is thrown into their life. Plus, they commit some of the most romantic and unhinged gestures of love in animation, with absolutely no shame about how silly they might appear while doing so.
4
Fred and Wilma Flintstone
‘The Flintstones’ (1960–1966)
Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera were pioneers who found a way to bring animation to television. One of their most famous creations is The Flintstones, the first animated show to air in prime time, which took The Honeymooners and added a prehistoric setting, along with plenty of sharply written jokes. The titular family initially consisted of blue-collar worker Fred Flintstone and his wife, Wilma, who met while working at the same hotel as their friends and neighbors, Barney and Betty Rubble.
Fred and Wilma are a textbook example of the animated sitcom couple, and with only a few exceptions, they can’t be beat. This is because, unlike future examples, Fred isn’t a man-child or an idiot: trouble instead comes from his attempts to get rich quickly or giving in to his temper. Wilma perfectly balances him with her own strong will and firm, level-headed approach to problems, and the two never miss a chance to show their love, even amidst marital spats.
The Flintstones
- Release Date
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1960 – 1966-00-00
- Network
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ABC
- Showrunner
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William Hanna
- Directors
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William Hanna
3
Homer and Marge Simpson
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–)
Originating as a short on The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons has become a pillar of popular culture thanks to its hilarious comedy and memorable characters. The parents of the titular family, Homer and Marge, started dating in high school and continued their relationship after graduating. When Marge became pregnant, the two got married, and Homer got a job at the Springfield Power Plant to support his growing family.
Homer and Marge have been through it all, from financial troubles and the disapproval of Marge’s family to Homer’s idiocy bringing all sorts of trouble. Yet for all his faults, Homer loves Marge more than anything, and repeatedly makes sacrifices for his own happiness to provide her and their kids with a better life. Even when he makes her angry, Marge never abandons Homer and is always there to support him through his troubles and act as the mature rock in their relationship.
The Simpsons
- Release Date
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December 17, 1989
- Network
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FOX
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Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)
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Julie Kavner
Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)
