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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.

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
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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. 

“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. 

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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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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!”

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#10

Milhouse

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

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Kristina Meyer
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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#16

Lady Tremaine

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

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Orange Is Aging
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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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#18

Kristoff

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

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Orange Is Aging
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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#20

Isabela Madrigal

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

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Orange Is Aging
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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#23

Bart Simpson

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

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bellamyjohn avatar
positivlywolf avatar
I'm positivly a wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course, but only for you you adorable little demon *casually grabs the holy water and checks to make sure its not watching me*

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Rhia Corvalis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone remember Spike from Buffy...? I swear this looks more like a kid version of that character instead lol

madonnaborromeo_1 avatar
Madonna Borromeo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t think all that is acne! But he definitely has two different color eyes!

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Joe
Community Member
1 year ago

the eyes and the chin tho-

sharonbillups avatar
Sharon Billups
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You did an awesome job picking everyone of them you did. Totally awesome. Great job!! So amazed at all of them. Congrats 😇🌹

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Stephen Guyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trouble with the eyes the pimples the hair. Not good at all missed the mark totally

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Catherine Stevens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PROBLEMS: 1. eyes. they are weirding me out yo. 2. no spiky hair. this is the number one thing he should have. 3. freckles. Bart doesn't have freckles. 4. ear. only one ear? also, its way too pointy. like an elf. 5. nose. the nose is huuuge!! ok those are all the horrible problems. also i dont watch Simpsons anyway sooo

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Buzz Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the only one I can't quite get behind. The others were fantastic.

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GadgetGirl
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Creepy fish eyes. Not kidding. https://www.google.com/search?q=fish+eye&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=isvxn&sxsrf=APq-WBufbNnaeJCQqFk0mwkz_2ccnczFlA:1643409978879&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjIg4ugw9X1AhWVEIgKHWvdAOsQ_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=353&bih=581&dpr=3.06#imgrc=p0ri0MYp2HFawM

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Polly Manson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um Bart doesn’t have freckles moles blemishes or whatever is flecked all over this dudes face

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Nate
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone's mother drank and smoked meth A LOT during pregnancy!!

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Nate
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone's mother drank and smoked meth at the same time

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no
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That.. That seems like that is the kid next door...

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Lissanie Scott
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely off on Snow White! Not white enough or pretty enough to be the fairest of them all! Unless everyone else is ugly.

dc1 avatar
DC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew that guy. We went to smoke behind the gym a few times in 6th grade, but I never knew in which class he was ... actually, he wasn't even at our school, but unattended his to ... do something ... months into the smoking habit, I realized that, and some more weeks into, the police started bringing him to school most days, so he was there only like 3...4 times a week, haha ... never knew his name, or any other about him but that he was a notorious and known unattender at some other school somewhere in the same town (of 500k + inhabitants, so ... quite some choice there...).

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Mandi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk why everyone thinks they have to criticize and critique everything they see. If you dont like something keep scrolling. Don't be an a$$hole. Great job! I sure don't see anyone else doing what you did any better!😉

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Susanne Haick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only Snow White and Bart here are not so good, but every one else, FANTASTIC!

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Susanne Haick
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1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Zoe MacLaren
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...am I the only one here who actually thinks this one is decent?

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CheeseGod04
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like the annoying short kid in my school. His name is josh

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Sarah Abrams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They missed the mark on most of the minorities...but AI actually does have issues with non white people...so good job?

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Brandon Cook
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah that's Bart's twin Hugo, he wasn't doing too well https://www.google.com/search?q=Bart%27s+twin+Hugo&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjunpD07qP5AhVGEGIAHS21D2YQ_AUoA3oECAIQBQ&biw=1664&bih=957&dpr=1.5#imgrc=Q4vqucX5MbhccM

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Sharon Billups
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang, nailed this one. Lol. He could play Bart's part lol. Wow, unbelievable just so amazed 👍

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Taryn Wallace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is his hair like... pay off his skull? Like is the top of his head spikey OR does his skill stop right after his eyes and is completely flat?

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Horse With No Name
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All in all, you did a fantastic job. Now, get together with someone who is making realistic looking androids and take orders. I would like to order a few models. lol!

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Gerald Martin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, trouble with the eyes is obvious. The don't look as though they're focused on the same object. But that's a small problem. All in all, these interpretations are astounding. In fact, just on the verge of being eerily truthful interpretations. (And if I may add....The outside of the right eye is pushed back too far and it's upper eyelid is wrong.) But KUDOS for your courage in tackling this project.

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Tuttifrutti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he doesn't look like Bart but looks like he CAN be a Bart. If that makes sense

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

Actually, I would have gone with Malcolm in the Middle, the look and personality.

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IsAbElLa yOuR bOyFriEnD's hErE
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he looks like the kid who would make fart noises in class and when you ask him to stop he say no

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sebastian nye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bang Bang bart Maybe, but that's not the face of a 10 year old

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Annie Yang
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm genuinely impressed. I would have had no idea how he'd look at all.

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Kari Cline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Orange, I think the eyes and the hair are the only thing they got right. He has more Square cheekbones and there needs to be a severe overbite with a nearly non-existent chin

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Mira Heiman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

uhh his hair be giving me major zack morris from saved by the bell vibes

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J&L J
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As if Disney Princesses weren’t arousing enough already! Somebody had to go and do this. I’m going to hell.

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