Some cartoon characters are calm and collected. Others are… well, not. Whether it’s because of annoying sidekicks, incompetent co-workers, or just a deeply wired short fuse, some toons are known for their explosive tempers. They’re the ones who yell, break things, and occasionally threaten world-ending destruction over spilled coffee.
Here’s a rundown of ten cartoon characters who need a vacation, a deep breath, or a serious anger management course.
1. Yosemite Sam – Looney Tunes
The original hothead. Yosemite Sam doesn’t just get mad—he erupts. This pint-sized outlaw is all guns, growls, and geysers of smoke pouring from his ears. He’s constantly on edge and always looking for a reason to fire off his pistols, usually in the general direction of Bugs Bunny. The man can’t go three minutes without losing it, and that’s exactly why he’s iconic.
2. Donald Duck – Disney
Donald Duck is a walking temper tantrum in a sailor shirt. Whether it’s his nephews getting into trouble, Daisy pushing his buttons, or just his general bad luck, Donald’s always one stubbed toe away from a total meltdown. His voice alone sounds like a tantrum in progress, and the fact that he somehow hasn’t burst a blood vessel on screen is honestly amazing.
3. Benson – Regular Show
If your job involved managing Mordecai and Rigby, you’d probably have rage issues too. Benson, the ever-frustrated gumball machine boss, spends most of his screen time shouting, fuming, and threatening to fire people. His patience is paper-thin, and his outbursts are legendary—he’s basically a human (well, candy) volcano with a clipboard.
4. Squidward Tentacles – SpongeBob SquarePants
Squidward isn’t angry at the world. Just at SpongeBob. And Patrick. And noise. And fun. And existing in general. His slow burn of resentment is one of the great undercurrents of the show. While other characters blow up and cool off, Squidward seethes. Decades of crushed dreams, clarinet failures, and SpongeBob’s eternal optimism have taken their toll. His rage isn’t random—it’s a lifestyle.
5. Eva – Total Drama Island
Eva was eliminated early in Total Drama Island, and honestly? No one was surprised. She’s pure rage in a sports bra, with a hair-trigger temper and zero tolerance for drama—which is unfortunate, given the show’s title. She flexed, yelled, and scared most of her teammates into submission before they quietly booted her off the island. Respect.
6. Anger – Inside Out
They didn’t even give him a real name—just called him Anger. Fitting. As the literal embodiment of rage inside Riley’s mind, Anger is basically a fire hydrant of fury. Whether he’s yelling at dinner choices or lighting his head on fire (literally), he proves that even cartoon emotions can lose control. He might be short, but his fuse is even shorter.
7. Ren Hoëk – The Ren & Stimpy Show
Ren isn’t just angry—he’s terrifying. This psychotic chihuahua regularly goes off the rails, often threatening (and attempting) to harm his best friend Stimpy. His voice, facial expressions, and violent outbursts were wild even by ‘90s cartoon standards. Watching him seethe is both hilarious and deeply unsettling, which is probably why people still remember him decades later.
8. Lucy Van Pelt – Peanuts
Don’t let the innocent setting fool you. Lucy is a tiny tyrant. She insults Charlie Brown, yells at Linus, and frequently uses physical force to make her point—especially during football season. She’s loud, bossy, and constantly mad at someone. Even her moments of kindness come with a side of gritted teeth. She’s the original “I’m not yelling—I’m just passionate!”
9. Nicole Watterson – The Amazing World of Gumball
Nicole is the overworked, underappreciated matriarch of the Watterson family—and she’s had it. While she genuinely loves her family, her temper can snap in an instant, especially when Gumball and Darwin are being… well, themselves. Her explosions are both hilarious and oddly relatable, especially to any parent who’s tried to keep it together while stepping on a LEGO.
10. Bender – Futurama
Bender’s not angry all the time—he’s just permanently on the edge. He’s a drinking, swearing, chaos-loving robot with no moral compass and a lot of repressed emotion. He yells, he breaks things, and he occasionally tries to kill all humans. And honestly, that’s just another Tuesday for Bender. His anger might be less predictable than others on this list, but when it flares up, it’s unforgettable.
Cartoon anger is rarely subtle—and thank goodness for that. These characters wear their fury like a badge of honor, whether it’s through loud outbursts, snide remarks, or just barely-contained murderous intent. While they might not be role models for emotional regulation, they’ve certainly kept things entertaining.
