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Ever wondered what cartoon characters in real life would look like? Yes, they’re fictional sketches, which means we’ll never know their human looks in our world. But what if cartoon characters were real? 

The subject of cartoon characters IRL is fascinating, so Bored Panda’s pro member Hidreley delved into experimenting with AI-generated cartoon characters. That’s what digital art is about—blurring the lines between fantasy and reality on screen!

Surprisingly, some cartoon characters as humans look even better than the originals. See if your favorite cartoon characters are on this list, and scroll further to witness 23 pictures of real-life cartoon characters!

Note: The original article was written by Hidrėlėy and later edited and updated by the Bored Panda team. 

More info: Instagram

Hidreley did all the work on AI-generated cartoon characters by himself: “I’ve done some similar posts by other authors here on Bored Panda. I wanted to try something out myself, and so I dove into the world of AI. This time, I challenged myself to try to do one on the theme of cartoon characters. For this project, I used Photoshop and three mobile applications, FaceApp, Gradient, and Remini.

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    #2

    Eric

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Eric character from the cartoon

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    #3

    Carl Fredricksen

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Carl Fredricksen character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The nose reminds me of Robin Williams’

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    The Simpsons were the most challenging when making realistic cartoon characters. “In terms of how they all turned out, I’m more and more pleased with the results with each post I make. I really liked how Moe Szyzlak, Ned Flanders, and Milhouse Van Houten turned out because initially, I thought that the Simpsons drawing style would be very hard to emulate on ‘real life’ terms. Still, they are actually very easy to recognize,” Hidreley explains. 

    #4

    Moana

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Moana character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “I am Moana of Moto’nui. You will board my boat, sail across the sea, and restore the heart of Te’fiti.”

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    “This post inadvertently brought back some good memories from my childhood. Like every kid in my generation, I loved watching cartoons. I really loved the Simpsons and Hanna Barbera classics, and I can safely say that they’ve made a huge impact on my life,” adds Hidreley. 

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    #6

    Tinkerbell

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Tinkerbell character from the cartoon

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    #7

    Pocahontas

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Pocahontas character from the cartoon

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    “I’ve been exploring the world of artificial intelligence recently, and I can tell you, it’s a world without limits! With the rise of AI-assisted art generation, there are virtually (no pun intended) no boundaries for digital art; you just have to be creative and know how to guide the blind hand of the machine,” explains Hidreley. 

    #8

    Jasmine

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Jasmine character from the cartoon

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    #9

    Ned Flanders

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Ned Flanders character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His glasses kinda look drawn onto his face if you look closely

    Lukyan Terdal
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ned’s a cartoon. His glasses ARE drawn onto his face.

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    Hannah Hudson-Lee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If Nick Offerman and Rob Lowe had a love-child...

    goth mouse (they them)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    mhm definitely.........but am i the only one that is bothered by his glasses

    Gaya Knust
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Resembles Mike Wozniak, only that I find Mike adorable

    Allen Lavine
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like someone who would sell you a Bible

    Vicky Z
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A bit of Steve Carrell and Rick moranis

    Blaise Meloche
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not bad. Missing the half sideburns and hair could be a little higher and combed back.

    jameth
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Robin Williams in Night at the Museum

    Neil Evans
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should do this AI thing to every Simpsons Character!

    Enoch Babs
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like Jake Spragels lol. Yeehaw

    Sharky Meg
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why does it look like a mix of Andy Samberg and Nick Offerman?

    Marcie Lightwood
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a friend who looked exactly like this 25 years ago.

    Stefan Korth
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    fun fact: there is actually a real life version of Ned, as he was based on a neighbour Groening had - Dean Sherman, who happens to be a preacher and author... I expected his image here, from back in the 90s...

    Meg Headrick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg this looks like my friend's dad 😂

    Rachel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wanna talk about Jesus?

    Hunter Sosebee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Feels like I'm wearin' nothin' at all!- Ned Flanders

    Nahkaparturi X
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is clearly a serial killer

    SixStringGuitarPlayer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know why but he reminds me Ron Swanson.

    Arne Timmer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ferris Bueller's High school headmaster

    James Carmichael
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like the guy from Super Troopers

    Braceface
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aaallll aboard the polar Express , try to argue against the resemblance YOU CANT

    Christie Schmitz
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah, that looks like the teacher from Stranger Things lol

    Pam Ives
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Part Ed Helms, part Nick Kroll.

    Piggy_ PenYT
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lowkey looks like a fancier Donut Operator

    Essex Forker
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like a guy named Lewis I used to work with

    Nirmiti
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like someone from The Office.

    Mylfy Gamer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always saw Flanders with brown eyes. Why are so the whites blue eyed?

    Paul Cowan
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too young. Flanders is supposedly in his sixties,

    Margaret Coleman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    idk why but at first I thought this was just an image of Ron Swanson. Don't see it anymore tho

    Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Definitely has that Dahmer mugshot vibe.

    Tree Spirit
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't picture him with blue eyes

    HELLO, IT IS ME
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like Tobey Maguire with a mustache.

    ThePanInPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hens love roosters! Geese love ganders! Everyone else loves Neeeeeed Flanders!

    Zōwie
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If Nick Offerman and Andy Samberg had a baby.

    Dan Boyle
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Randy Havens as Mr. Clarke from Stranger Things.

    Kristina Cowan
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gary Goldman!! That's who he reminded me of.

    Nugget
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a thick a** moustache

    alyssa broughton
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like the Green River killer...

    steven pavelish
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well darn! That looks splendiferous!

    clive apps
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    vaguely looks like Freddy Mercury

    Gypsy Lee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ned’s rocking the porno stash like Ron Swanson.

    Sarah DiSalvo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg it looks like an age progression of Thoughty2 on YouTube 😆

    Sarah DiSalvo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg, it looks like an age progression of Thoughty2 on YouTube haha

    MaggieWest
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a cross between Jim Varney and Greg Kinnear.

    Mayrene Chester
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't know why but I always see zach galifianakis' character in Keeping up with the Joneses

    Indra Servo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Go to church at day, helping Batman at night

    Scourge McCloud
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoa. If Simpsons was live action, I'd definitely would have a crush on him.

    Sasha
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone saying they don't look wrong ;-;

    GoddessOdd
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe if the glasses were rounder and the mustache larger.

    Sally R
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ned looks like he has Thyroid Eye Disorder in his cartoon version!

    Luis Hernandez Dauajare
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like the former governor of my province...

    Mike Oravec
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can see Riley from LinusTechTips

    Riley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He kind of looks like Jim Carrey with a mustache and glasses.

    JOHANNA MUELLER
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    he looks like the brother from napolean dynamite

    China Nolan
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ned cute, but I bet that mustache is hiding herpes sores.

    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And Harry Potter and all his wizard friends went to hell for practicing magic!

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    At some point, we’ve all wondered if cartoon characters were real. Were they inspired by celebrities or real-life events? Hidreley explains that he’s also intrigued by this concept: 

    “I don't want to tease anything too early, but currently, I’m working hard on a project where I’m trying to show what some prematurely deceased celebrities would have looked like if they were still alive. I hope it will turn out great, and I’ll be able to share this with you soon!”

    #10

    Milhouse

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Milhouse character from the cartoon

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    Kristina Meyer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like a guy I went to elementary School with (except the haircolor). His Name was Sten.

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    #11

    Rapunzel

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Rapunzel character from the cartoon

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    Robin Woordes
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so perfect that the right eyebrow frustrates me too much

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    #12

    Aladdin

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Aladdin character from the cartoon

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    #13

    Anna

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Anna character from the cartoon

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    #14

    Peter Pan

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Peter Pan character from the cartoon

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    #15

    Olive Oyl

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Olive Oyl character from the cartoon

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    Julieandthephatones
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what is this app slash website?? does anyone know?!

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    #16

    Lady Tremaine

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Lady Tremaine character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wrong hair. Her butt hair has always been very important to me

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    #17

    Handsome Hans

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    #18

    Kristoff

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Kristoff character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He kinda looks like some kind of 2000’s Disney Channel character from a show that takes place in a summer camp

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    #19

    Elsa

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Elsa character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ummmm excuse me sir where is her braid ??

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    #20

    Isabela Madrigal

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Isabela Madrigal character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WELCOME TO THE FAMILY MADRIGAL! THE HOME OF THE FAMILY MADEIGAL! WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE ARE fAnTaStIcAl AnD mAgIcAl!

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    #21

    John Smith

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of John Smith character from the cartoon

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    Rachel Walsh
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like he would say "bruh" a lot

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    #22

    Show White

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Show White character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    …did you know she’s 14 in that movie?…

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    #23

    Bart Simpson

    ai recreation of appearance in real life of Bart Simpson character from the cartoon

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    Orange Is Aging
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AI was having trouble with the eyes..

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