Hi there, animation lovers! 👋🏽 Today we’re talking about how the animated world is breaking its gender stereotypes and becoming more inclusive. From gender-fluid characters to women in positions of power, animation is reflecting our diverse world like never before! 🌈🌟 So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the world of animation in this exciting new era! 😎🍿

Gender-fluid characters: Defying the binary 🚻🚫

In recent years, more and more animated characters are defying the traditional gender binary. Characters are no longer limited by the traditional proportions, characteristics and behaviours that assign a gender to them. For example, Steven Universe’s character Stevonnie, is a non-binary character that embodies both masculine and feminine energies into one harmonious soul 💜. This reinforces the idea that gender is a social construct, and a spectrum, not a biological fact. A screenshot of Stevonnie, the animated character that embodies both masculine and feminine energies.

Women in power: Leading the way 🙅🏽‍♀️👸🏽

In the past, female characters in animation were often reduced to damsel-in-distress stereotypes, with minimal agency and power. However, in recent years, women in animation are demanding positions of power and leadership. Examples of such commanding female characters are Moana, Elsa, and Princess Bubblegum.

Moana, a young Polynesian warrior princess, takes on the daunting task of traveling the ocean and saving her people from a devastating curse 💪. Elsa, from Frozen, is the fearless Queen who saves her kingdom with her magical powers ❄️. Princess Bubblegum, from Adventure Time, is a brilliant scientist and ruler of the Candy Kingdom 👩🏻‍🔬. These characters break the gender stereotype that women must be passive and weak, and it sends a powerful message to young viewers - that women can be leaders, warriors and scientists. A screenshot of Moana, the young Polynesian warrior princess, surrounded by the ocean waves.

Diversity: Reflecting the real world 🌍👥

In the past, animation was criticized for its lack of diversity. However, recent years have seen a change in animation, with creators opting for more inclusive casting. Characters now reflect a diverse range of races, cultures, religions, orientations, and backgrounds.

For instance, the animated children’s show Doc McStuffins features a young black girl named Doc who has the ability to talk to and heal stuffed animals 🐻🤕. Doc’s race is celebrated unapologetically in the show, and this has made it easier for children of different races to see themselves in animation. The show weaves in culture and race to promote inclusivity and encouragement for young children of colour to pursue their dreams without letting societal stereotypes hold them back. A screenshot of Doc McStuffins holding a stethoscope, surrounded by stuffed animals and toys in her doctor's office

Subverting stereotypes: Embracing the unexpected 🤯❗️

Gender and animation stereotypes have been so ingrained that many creators are now using animation to subvert them. These subverted stereotypes can range from benign repositioning to incredibly provocative visual commentary.

For example, the animated show She-Ra and the Princesses of Power may have started as a remake of a popular 1980s show, but it’s become so much more. In this newer iteration, the main character - She-Ra - is no longer a thin, busty, commercialized blonde; instead, she is still strong and powerful but with a totally different body type. This is an example of how animation creators are actively dissolving the traditional beauty stereotype that thin and busty bodies are the only way for female heroes to look. A screenshot of the new She-Ra, with a slim but powerful body type, holding her sword and ready for battle.

Conclusion 👩🏽‍💻👨🏻‍💻

As we wrap up, it’s clear to see that animation is no longer culminating in stereotypes and traditional ideas of what characters should look and act like. In creators’ efforts to be more inclusive, employers and directors are now creating animations that just don’t entertain but educate, too. 😊 They aim to get children, the main viewership of animation shows, interested in more than just the surface values presented by the cartoon. Children are shown that they have a full range of characters to explore, who represent cultures, genders, and backgrounds from all around the world.

It’s amazing to see how far animation has come and what it can do in the future, and we can only hope that as more people talk about it and create content that pushes the boundaries like some of the shows listed earlier, it will be even more inclusive. 💜 A compilation of every animated show and character mentioned in this article, standing together in one colourful screenshot.

Thank you for reading! What is your favorite character from animated film or tv show breaking gender stereotypes? Let us know in the comments below! 🎥🙌🏽