Many people hesitate to get cartoon tattoos because they see them as childish; however, a carefully selected cartoon tattoo can hold great personal significance for the wearer. These tattoos can represent deeper meanings that are highly personal, and can depict an important part of the wearer’s personality.
For some, cartoon tattoos represent an important event or memory. A person may hold a cherished memory of watching a particular cartoon with a loved one as a child, or may remember a cartoon as a welcome break from the pressures of childhood. Others may relate to certain traits of a particular cartoon character. For example, many people see the Tasmanian Devil as a symbol of strength, energy, and unpredictibility.
Anime characters have gained immense popularity as subjects for cartoon tattoos in recent years. The bold lines and sweeping curves used to draw these characters translate well to tattoo art. Also, these characters tend to be quite colorful, so they can be used to create a tattoo that catches the eye, and can be immediately recognized. Anime characters are also often used in conjunction with kanji, as well as other symbols of Japanese culture.
One of the most appealing aspects of cartoon tattoos is that they can be made as large or as small as the wearer prefers. Small, simple tattoos can be placed on the ankle, shoulder, or bicep, making it easy to cover up when the need arises; conversely, cartoon characters, particularly anime characters, can be incorporated into designs that cover the entire back or chest. Cartoon characters have even been used in full tattoo sleeves.
When choosing a cartoon tattoo, it is important to select a character that has personal significance. While choosing a character based on cuteness or trendiness will likely produce future regret, selecting a character that is personally important will not.