World Cartoonist Day 2025: History, Significance, And Top 10 Global Animation Artists
World Cartoonist Day 2025: Cartoonists have been an integral part of society for decades, shaping how people around the world view current events, as well as political and social issues. To honour the legacy of renowned cartoonists who have left an indelible mark on the industry, World Cartoonist Day is observed annually on May 5. The day celebrates the art of cartooning and the creative minds behind iconic works that have served as a constant source of entertainment and commentary for over a century.
On this day, let's explore the history, significance, quotes, celebrations and 10 globally acclaimed animation artists:
World Cartoonist Day: History
In 1943, a group of cartoonists including Gus Edson, Clarence D. Russell, Otto Soglow and Bob Dunn performed cartoon shows in hospitals to uplift the spirits of soldiers during World War II. Given the positive response, the group began performing at various hospitals and military bases.
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Later, cartoonist Russell proposed the idea of establishing a club to preserve their camaraderie beyond the war. This led to the formation of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) in 1946.
Spearheaded by co-chairpersons Polly Keener and Ken Alvine of the National Cartoonists Day Committee, the celebration of National Cartoonists Day began in 1999. They drew inspiration from Richard Outcault's full-colour drawings of the cartoon Hogan's Alley, which debuted on May 5, 1895, in the Sunday edition of the New York World.
Later renamed The Yellow Kid, this iconic character became the first commercially successful cartoon and went on to appear on postcards, cigarette packets, billboards and other advertisements.
World Cartoonist Day: Significance
The day celebrates the art of cartooning and its contributions to society. World Cartoonist Day recognises the hard work and dedication of cartoonists who use their talent to make people laugh, think, and sometimes even inspire social change. The day also honours the legacy of famous cartoonists such as Charles Schulz, Walt Disney, and Dr. Seuss, and celebrates the power of cartoons and the creative minds behind them.
World Cartoonist Day: Quotes
'Cartooning is preaching. And I think we have a right to do some preaching. I hate shallow humor. I hate shallow religious humour, I hate shallow sports humour, I hate shallowness of any kind." ― Charles M. Schulz
'Grown-ups' could learn a lesson from watching cartoons." ― James Jean-Pierre
'Cartoons are a great medium for demonstrating just how absurd something is, without ever having to say it directly." ― Jen Sorensen
'Cartoons have always been an enjoyment to me… a relaxation… I get my ideas from everyday events." ― Matthew Ashford
'Cartoons make kids happy, and that's a great feeling." ― Zelda Williams
'I think it's best to know about lots of different things besides comics. I don't think you can become a cartoonist if you look at nothing but cartoons." – Akira Toriyama
'I never saw myself so much as an actor. I wanted to be a cartoonist like Charles M. Schulz and create my own world and be able to have a studio at home and not commute and be able to be with my family." – Mark Hamill
'People still think of me as a cartoonist, but the only thing I lift a pen or pencil for these days is to sign a contract, a check, or an autograph." – Walt Disney
'I don't think of myself as an illustrator. I think of myself as a cartoonist. I write the story with pictures – I don't illustrate the story with the pictures." – Chris Ware
'If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That's enough." – Shel Silverstein
World Cartoonist Day: Celebrations
People around the world celebrate the day by sharing or viewing their favourite cartoons. They also engage with social media posts about the day and attend events or workshops related to animation and cartooning. You can also create a National Cartoonist Day poster and share it on social media to raise awareness about the day and honour the cartoonists.
World Cartoonist Day: 10 Globally Acclaimed Animation Artists
Walt Disney: The list of acclaimed animation artists is incomplete without Walter Elias Disney. He is the world's most renowned animator, cartoonist, entrepreneur and pioneering showrunner of animated cartoon films. His iconic creations include Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and others. His exceptional visual storytelling and character development techniques revolutionised the animation industry. He also introduced the 12 Animation Principles to animators at Disney during the 1930s.
Hayao Miyazaki: Also known as Japan's master animator, Hayao Miyazaki has worn multiple hats throughout his illustrious career. From animator and screenwriter to producer and manga artist, Miyazaki has always stood out with his focus on social issues, environmentalism and family. He has been vocal about the need for artistry and creative expression in animation and character design. His works offer a glimpse into an outstanding deployment of emotional storytelling and the art of attention to detail.
Tim Burton: Tim Burton, an American filmmaker, animator and creative artist, is another well-known personality in the world of animation and filmmaking. He developed the distinctive 'Burtonesque' style, which focused on using appealing textures, overlays and other elements, thus producing animated works such as Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. Besides animation, his film production skills, characterised by dark themes, are also widely recognised.
Glen Keane: Next on the list of the world's best animation artists is Glen Keane, an Academy Award-winner. He was a cartoon animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios for around 38 years. He brought to life iconic characters in films such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, the Beast and Tarzan. Glen's technique involved integrating exaggeration into his characters' poses and movements, resulting in performances that resonate deeply with audiences.
Chuck Jones: Chuck Jones, associated with Warner Bros. Animation, is celebrated for his contributions to the iconic Looney Tunes series. He created memorable characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and the Road Runner during the golden age of animation. If you've ever watched these cartoons, you'll know how brilliantly Jones demonstrated the power of comic timing, exaggerated expressions, and dynamic poses.
John Lasseter: He is the creative American genius behind some of your all-time favourite animated films. John Lasseter, the former Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Studios, played a major role in creating iconic animated works such as the Toy Story franchise, Cars, A Bug's Life and more. His contributions to computer-generated imagery and 3D animation paved the way for the animation industry to flourish. He also served as Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2006 to 2018, overseeing projects such as Tangled, Moana and others.
Akira Toriyama: It wouldn't be wrong to say that his contribution to the anime industry was both huge and revolutionary. Japanese animation artist Akira Toriyama was the creative mind behind the much-loved animated series Dragon Ball. In addition, his work on Dr. Slump also received widespread acclaim. His artistic abilities were widely discussed across the animation world, thanks to his ultra-expressive storylines, memorable characters and dynamic action sequences.
Tex Avery: Tex Avery was an American animator, voice actor and cartoonist whose career spanned nearly 30 years. He had brief stints at Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera, and was widely regarded as a genius in executing slapstick comedy — a fast-paced, action-based humour style where characters are often portrayed in exaggerated actions and comical situations. Among the characters he developed or co-developed are Droopy Dog, Bugs Bunny and others.
Matt Groening: Matt Groening is the cartoonist behind the sharp, satirical plot of the famous American animated sitcom The Simpsons. Often regarded as one of the most successful cartoonists, he was also the creator of the iconic TV show Futurama. His expertise spans writing witty scripts, and creating cheeky and satirical narrative that reflects real-life situations through animated characters.
Stephen Hillenburg: Another American animator, Stephen Hillenburg, created one of the most beloved children's animated series — SpongeBob SquarePants. His characters and the underwater setting of the show were inspired by his degree in marine biology and his fascination with ocean life. He created characters rooted in slapstick comedy and humorous dialogue, creating a world that has brought joy and laughter to audiences around the globe.
First Published:
May 05, 2025, 07:00 IST
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