People Are Bothered by How Animators Have Exaggerated Female Animal Characters

Most of us love watching animated movies and often end up binge-watching over a bowl of popcorn. We easily fall in love with their characters and may even reach the point of imitating them.

But have you noticed something about them, especially regarding the female animal characters? You probably have, but you may have set those observations aside as you focused on the entire story.

Movie watchers have noticed that animators have specific ways of defining or distinguishing gender among animal characters. Viewers can see the differences between male and female animal characters.

While the males generally look normal, the females, on the other hand, are often depicted with attractive curves, wide hips, pouty lips, wavy lashes, and a distinct bump in their chest area.

Twitter user @slimyhipster has pointed out how these animators have sexualized the characters. In the real world, all animals look the same, and there is no other way to establish a distinction in animation.

By following these animation standards, animators can set female animal cartoon characters apart from their male counterparts. Interesting, isn't it?

Check out these photos to see what this user means and to view examples of those animal characters from some of our favorite movies.

Male vs. female bird = normal vs. sexy bird.

slimyhipster

Women cartoon characters are given exaggerated features like eyelashes and breasts.

slimyhipster

As the thread has resurfaced, users were quick to provide some examples.

tmkeesey

The exaggeration of the exaggerated: a female chicken.

polarisu

This overly sexualized lady goose from Balto III: Wings of Change.

ufopossum

Here come the male and female students of Seton Academy.

angeloratac2002

The most disturbing female duck character you've probably ever seen.

dimentiorules

Male and female deer from the movie Open Season.

worm_rights

Even the movie Ice Age portrayed its female characters similarly to others.

strawbrybunny

Here's Angelina Jolie’s character in Shark Tale.

marrongum

Lipstick at the end of this female toucan's beak, bedroom eyes, and breasts.

TicoFactory

But Otis from Barnyard has udders.

IsItWine30Yet

What about Angel from Lilo & Stitch?

Beyond_Cake

Henri vs. the lady pigeons from An American Tail.

Sorathewonder

Pink beak and breasts for Gloria from Happy Feet.

jackaboi_art

Ellie vs. Peaches from Ice Age.

GluffOfficial

Some find the female animated designs not problematic at all.

RoonKolos

One even wanted the female versions to be more colorful and prettier.

LgTeknii

Female bunnies have dewlaps, except for the makeup.

Pickledsuicune

Perhaps these are the only non-exaggerated female cartoon characters.

edenmist_

The geese from The Aristocats have colored hats in comparison.

JinMegamiTensei

The male fish seemed to be balding in Finding Dory.

LgTeknii

Feminine features give viewers a visual signal.

accioharo

Kitty Softpaws' design was great in Puss in Boots.

Miraread_tweets

These characters from Kung Fu Panda are just normal.

namseokuwu

Tigress and Viper from Kung Fu Panda.

sir_scandalous

Many have cracked jokes along the way.

igmrevaporation

Equality is being portrayed here.

Wolfie_2323

These people are emphasizing mammals.

tristanoscars

Birds aren't even mammals.

MiloZimbenMusic

When studios plan out the male vs. female look.

Neon_woof

Masculine vs. feminine.

Andrea60723281

This, though, is a greater sage-grouse.

murderparrot997

Talking about one's experience.

LouarnRanger

If not for this user who pointed all these out, perhaps many would not have noticed that female characters have been presented in this way.

For decades, we have accepted these cartoon characters. Never did we imagine them as overly sexist.

There are many ways to present female versions of animal cartoon characters, which animators perhaps need to explore further. However, there are rules and standards in animation that those in the industry follow.

What about you? What's your take on this issue?