Top Cat, SpongeBob, Pikachu, Tweety, The Simpsons... very different in terms of stories and styles, but they all have two details in common: They are animated, and yellow. The dominance of this color is not a mere whim; there is a solid reason for its adoption. Interpretations range from classical color theory to the psychological and cultural meaning of each, but at the end of the day, the keyword is none other than "contrast".
The most successful characters are those we can recognize instantly, and if we explore the territory of animation, we will find plenty of examples. If I say "Minion", you know what I'm talking about. The same happens when saying "Pikachu" and "Homer Simpson". The enormous popularity of these characters combined with their high level of exposure makes incorrect identification almost impossible; however, there is something more: their color.
The presence of yellow on screen is notable. Yellow is supposed to have positive meanings like fun, kindness, and spontaneity, while its negative side associates it with cowardice, greed, and envy. If the characters themselves are not yellow, then there is something in their design that is. The big question... is why.
Yellow Animated Characters
Multiple sources indicate that yellow is the most visible color in the entire spectrum. From there we see it in warning signs (natural and artificial), buses, taxis... the list goes on. If something must capture our attention immediately, the most likely thing is that its color is yellow. Therefore, betting on yellow for the main color of animated characters is a very good decision... but that's not all. We also need to review color theory and color wheels.
According to the traditional RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) color model used in the visual arts, the opposite color of yellow is purple. In contrast, the RGB and CMYK models present blue as the opposite of yellow. These opposite and complementary colors stand out even more when used in the same image.
If we look for specific cases, I think we cannot avoid mentioning The Simpsons. With the exception of Lisa and the animals, the whole family has "something of blue" that serves as contrast to their yellow skin. The same happens in SpongeBob, with a yellow body and the sea background always leaning towards blue. In summary, the goal is to make the characters stand out. If you are going to animate your own project, with the yellow-blue combo you cannot go wrong.
