Fellows in Yellow

By Amanda

While we can't seem to see an end to the stream of blue and green characters that are introduced or rebooted these days, the colour yellow certainly has had its fair share of characters. The bright and sunshiny colour is used in a variety of characters from good to evil. Firstly, the bright colour highlights a character and makes them stand out to the viewing audience. Having at least one yellow character in a show, game or movie is great eye catching trick that many companies have used to attract an audience. (I just realised how racist this post sounds. Oh gosh. I'm sorry.) Secondly, the colour is also a mellow tone that is calming and elicits a cheerful response, as a result it is not uncommon for many children's characters to be dressed in yellow. As you've probably guessed by now, this week is all about the colour yellow! Today we'll be listing legendary yellow characters. These characters can be from movies, tv shows, games or musicals. As long as they're a recognisable yellow character they fit the list. With that said, let me know if I've missed any characters you expected to see on this list.

Tweety Bird

Source: http://www.comicvine.com/tweety-bird/4005-21104/

So recently I found out that people don't seem to know that Tweety Bird is a canary. I always thought it was common knowledge. I mean, there are only so many small yellow birds that people keep as pets. But anyway… Who can forget this lovable cute canary! You can't help but smile as the adorable little creature calls out "I taught I taw a puddy tat!" And laugh at his antics and adventures as he avoids Sylvester the cat. A random fact that I found out when I got older was that Tweety is actually a male.

Wolverine

Source: http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/25083/20140616/hugh-jackman-wolverine-costume.htm

Wolverine is a fictional Marvel superhero who is commonly associated with the X-men franchise. The original identity of the man behind the mask is James Howlette however after a series of incidences resulting in memory loss for one, majority of the other characters refer to him as Logan. Wolverine is a mutant with a healing ability, heightened animalistic senses and enhanced physical abilities. He is also known for his iconic adamantium claws that can slice through anything and anyone (with a few small exceptions). Wolverine is complex guy but he is definitely not dressed in yellow for his cheery and sunshiny charisma.

Magic School Bus

Source: http://terraraptor.deviantart.com/art/Prelude-Captain-Planet-VS-The-Magic-School-Bus-514204319

Who didn't want to ride on the magic school bus when they were a kid? School would have been so much cooler if we went on an excursion as often as Miss Frizzle's class did. The show made taught kids science in a fun and unique way. It covered a range of topics from physics and gravity to disease and digestion. Riding in this bus was every kids dream. I mean, it wasn't just a bus, it could turn into a plane, a submarine, it even turned into a freaking planet in one episode! Definitely one of the coolest buses out there.

Big Bird

Source: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Radar

Big bird is a gigantic yellow feathered primrose bird from Sesame Street. The bird stands at 8 feet and 2 inches tall and lives in a massive birds nest next to the 123 Sesame Street sign. In 2000, Bid Bird was names a Living Legend by the US library of congress, so the big yellow bird has definitely earned his spot on our iconic yellow characters list.

The Simpsons

Source: http://comicbook.com/2015/01/04/judd-apatow-wrote-next-weeks-episode-of-the-simpsons/

The iconic yellow skinned family (oh gosh, I sound racist again). The Simpsons is an animated television series that has been running since 1989 and is still going strong. The show currently holds the title of longest running American animated program, longest running American sitcom and longest running American scripted primetime television series. It's not just the Simpsons family that have yellow skin, everyone else in Springfield does too! Well except for Apu. (Who's being racist now.) The whole show is a haven for yellow characters.

Professor Zoom

Source: http://www.blastr.com/2015-4-1/flashs-latest-addition-opens-about-shocking-reverse-flash-reveal

The reverse flash. Yellow is not exactly the opposite colour of red (it's actually green). While The Flash's costume is a vibrant red with a few yellow highlights, the reverse of that naturally has to be Professor Zooms bright yellow get up. Bright yellow spandex may not seem like the most intimidating outfit for a villain to wear, but hey, it worked for Wolverine.

Pikachu

Source: http://youtubepoop.wikia.com/wiki/Pikachu

An electric mouse type pokemon that has been popular for generations. He first appeared in 1996 and has since then become one of the most recognised pokemon due to his central roll in the Pokemon Anime series. He appears a range of media types from movies to tv shows, video games, and even trading cards.

Madeline

Source: http://blog.studyabroadusac.com/in-the-words-of-madeline-poo-poo/

"In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines"

Madeline lived in a boarding house in France with her colleagues. Whenever the group of girls went out they always wore their bright yellow coats and their bright yellow hat. These outfits along with their distinct formation of two lines, became the signature of the show.

Pac-Man

Source: http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/03/30/pacman-piercing-is-retro-awesome-2822322?lt_source=external,manual

Pac-Man is the Japanese arcade game that became an icon of 80s pop culture. Players control a yellow Pac-Man around a maze with the aim of eating all the pac-dots and avoiding the four ghosts that roam the maze.  The game was initially designed to be never ending as you move up from stage to stage however a software bug has made it impossible for players to complete the 256th level.

Spongebob Squarepants

Source: http://imgzz.info/2015/09/spongebob-2.html

Definitely one of the most iconic yellow characters since the late 90s. The show follows the adventures and tale of a cheerful yellow sponge and his friends in Bikini Bottom. The animation became the highest rated series to ever air on Nickelodeon and generated $8 billion of merchandising revenue for Nick. No matter what age group you are, there's no doubt that you have, at one point or other, heard of the friendly yellow sponge. With only just over 15 years on air, the character has had an extreme growth in popularity. Don't believe me? He even had a new species of mushroom named after him!

April O'Neil

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2319480/Megan-Fox-sips-coconut-water-hits-set-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-movie-time.html

April is a close friend of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles known for her stylish bright yellow jumpsuit.

Winnie the Pooh

Source: http://turtlepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh

Pooh Bear is the lovable yellow teddy bear of Christopher Robin. The cuddly character was first introduce in 1926 and has touched the hearts of many generations since. Currently, there is even a live action film in the works that is said to centre around an adult Christopher Robin.

Minion

Source: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/minions/57938/main

Something about Gru's comical yellow Henchman captured the attention of billions of people around the world. Combined with the popularity of Pharell William's hit song Happy, Minions merchandise spread to every single nook and cranny. There isn't a single product that hasn't escaped getting at least one of these yellow henchmen plastered on it.