There’s no debating it – turtles are the best animal. Forget dogs and cats – it’s all about turtles. I may be biased, but I grew up with a turtle named Coconut and I’ve shed tears watching documentaries about baby sea turtles. When I visit the aquarium, I make a beeline for the turtles – even if it means pushing small children out of the way.

There are few things that can match the pop-culture cachet of turtles. They’ve been represented in movies and TV shows in a variety of shapes and sizes over the years, and I’ve ranked them all below for your reading pleasure. From the small and speedy to the large and lumbering, these are the top 10 turtle cartoon characters in pop culture.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Come on, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were always going to be the ultimate turtle property. With their comics, cartoons, live-action movies, and toys, they’ve got it all covered. Plus, they were trained in the ninja arts by Master Splinter, so they know how to fight against Shredder, the Foot Clan, and the alien Krang. And when they’re not doing all that, they’re just relaxing, eating pizza, and being totally radical!

Since the mid-80s, TMNT has been an institution. Its success has led to several imitations, such as Biker Mice From Mars and Street Sharks. However, these imitations lack what TMNT has: a spark of true creativity…and turtles.

2. Squirtle

Squirtle is the original water type Pokemon, and he is distinguished by his simple yet appealing design. He also happens to be the starter Pokemon who gains the most from evolving. While Wartortle is a bit awkward during his teenage phase, he eventually evolves into the powerful and commanding Blastoise.

Although Squirtle was tough to start with, he was still a great pokemon. When Ash and his friends first meet him, he’s leading a Squirtle gang and robbing travelers. This turtle has a lot of attitude!

3. Oogway

Oogway is a character in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Oogway is one of the best Turtle Cartoon Characters of all time. He is an elderly tortoise and the former master of the Jade Palace. He is a wise, kind, and patient teacher, who is always looking out for the best interests of his students. He is also a powerful martial artist, and is not to be underestimated.

4. Gamera

How does a turtle get off its back if it falls over? If it’s a prehistoric dino-turtle, it can simply retract into its shell and take off like a flying saucer! Gamera, sometimes known as the Friend of All Children or the Guardian of the Universe, was Daiei Film’s answer to Toho’s Godzilla. Gamera is best known for his jet-propelled flight, but he is also capable of spitting fireballs.
What started as a cheap imitation of other, more popular franchises quickly became a massive force in its own right. With tons of sequels and reboots, Gamera’s early outings might seem silly to some viewers. However, his newer movies are actually some of the best respected films in the entire genre. If you’re a fan of movies like this, then Gamera is definitely worth checking out.

5. Filburt

You go down the list, you wash your hands. What’s next on the list? Filburt Shellbach from Rocko’s Modern Life. He’s the high-anxiety friend who’s always jumping from job to job. He’s easily nauseated, can’t eat sugar without going on a rampage, and is probably the most relatable turtle on this list. We’ve all been there, obsessively deciding which potato chips to eat and in what order. Who hasn’t?

Many of us grew up with Filburt as the neurotic cynic. But he’s also a character who’s grown a lot over time. He started out as a single turtle living by himself in a trailer, but he’s now a loving husband and father of four. That’s pretty good progress for a wacky cartoon from the Ren & Stimpy era!

6. Franklin

Hey, it’s Franklin! Is a famous children’s book series that is turned into a TV show. Franklin follows the titular fox through the extraordinary adventures of growing up. Think of a more woodland version of Arthur with more clothes.

One of the things that makes Franklin special is that his stories are so slice-of-life. In one episode he’s trying to get out of playing golf with his dad and in another he’s learning the hard truth behind the “finders-keepers” rule. These are normal conflicts kids face every day, but what makes Franklin special is that he’s a turtle with a bandana and a very chill theme song.

7. Koopa Troopa

If you want to save a princess, you’ll need to break some shells. Koopa Troopas are some of the most iconic enemies in Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise, appearing early on in the first game. They come in a variety of colors and types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I really like the Paratroopas with angel wings. They’re my favorite!

Koopa Troopas are one of the most iconic enemies in the Mario series, appearing in nearly every game. They’re also playable in some spin-off titles like Mario Kart and Mario Party. Even though they’re cute and seem harmless, they’re still bad guys. Be careful when stomping on them, as their shells can sometimes bounce back and hurt you.

8. Crush And Squirt

You couldn’t turn on Nickelodeon without seeing Crush the sea turtle in the lead up to the release of Finding Nemo in 2003. Crush and his son Squirt are surfer dudes who cruise along the East Australian Current.

Not only do they help Marlin find his son, but they give him an example of a father-son relationship based on independence and trust. Plus, Squirt is really absolutely adorable.

9. Cecil Turtle

In the world of Looney Tunes characters, Cecil is probably not the first one who comes to mind. This small-statured turtle only made three appearances in the classic cartoons, but has had a few cameos in more recent years.

But Cecil has one big claim to fame: he’s one of the only characters to have successfully outwitted Bugs Bunny. In a race for $10, Cecil called up his identical cousins to help him cheat the rabbit out of the win. That’s right, he’s no slow-minded tortoise. Cecil’s a full-on con artist! Every time he appears, he’s got some crafty trick up his sleeve to keep himself one step ahead.

10. Morla The Ancient One

The ancient tortoise Morla is the last on our list, appearing in 1984’s The NeverEnding Story. When the magical world of Fantasia is threatened by the Nothing, our hero Atreyu’s first stop is to visit Morla. Morla has the greatest knowledge of Fantasia’s history and inner workings because she has lived the longest and seen it all.

Morla is a major downer and a tad rude to boot, which is why she hits the bottom of the list. She lives alone under the mud, talking to herself and complaining about how nothing matters. And when Atreyu tries to stop the Nothing, her solution is simply to tell him to “give up.” She discourages him so much that he nearly drowns in the Swamps of Sadness before the first act ends.

Definitely not the person you want to go to if you need a good pep talk. Still, Morla leaves a lasting impression, even if it’s a depressing one.

Conclusion

Turtles are amazing creatures, both in real life and in turtle cartoon characters. The next time you need a dose of cuteness, relaxation, or adrenaline, look no further than these incredible creatures.
Related FAQs

What are the best movies about turtles?

The best movies about turtles are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. These movies are action-packed, funny, and full of adventure. If you’re looking for a feel-good turtle movie, then the turtles in Finding Nemo are sure to put a smile on your face.

What are the best TV shows about turtles?

The best TV show about turtles is probably the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. This show was hugely popular in the 1980s and 90s, and introduced many kids to the Turtle world. The show is funny, action-packed, and full of life lessons.

What are the best toys for turtle fans?

If you’re looking for the best turtle toys, then the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the way to go. These toys are well-made, detailed, and perfect for Turtle fans of all ages.

What are the best books about turtles?

The best book about turtles is probably The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This classic book is perfect for young kids, and teaches them about the life cycle of a caterpillar in a fun and engaging way.

Cute Turtle Names

Here below we are listed some of the best cute turtle names that you can give to your pet turtle:-
1.Coconut
2.Buttercup
3.Oriana
4.Goji
5.Fawn
6.Truffles
7.Coco
8.Plum
9.Smiles
10.Jet
11.Aurelia
12.Hazel
13.Mango
14.Wobbles
15.Esme
16.Pea
17.Amber
18.Grapefruit
19.Flippers
20.Chartreuse
21.Hunter