The series characters starting with the letter B form a dense catalog that spans genres, broadcast eras, and narrative formats. We have selected ten figures whose writing, dramatic arc, or cultural impact justify a deeper look beyond a simple alphabetical mention.
1. Batman (Bruce Wayne) – DC Comics
Batman is the most adapted fictional character starting with B in the history of television. From Adam West’s campy serial to Kevin Conroy’s animated versions, and then to live-action adaptations with Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson, each television and cinematic iteration redefines Gotham’s vigilante. His first appearance dates back to Detective Comics #27 in 1939, but it was the animated series of the 1990s that set the narrative standard for adult comic adaptations.
Bruce Wayne’s interest in the series lies in his dual identity exploited as a dramatic engine. Where cinema compresses this tension into two hours, a serial format allows for an exploration of the psychology of the traumatized billionaire over several seasons. The series Gotham, focused on his formative years, pushed this principle to make Batman an absent character in his own narrative for most of the broadcast.
Among the series characters starting with b to discover, Batman remains the one whose impact on popular culture is the broadest, from comics to video games, including animated and live-action series.
2. Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)
Bart Simpson embodies the prototype of the disruptive child in animated fiction. Created by Matt Groening, he serves both as a comedic springboard and a critical mirror of the average American family. His influence on adult animated series is direct: without Bart, the satirical tone of later series would not have found the same audience.
What distinguishes Bart from other child characters is his deliberate stagnation. Unlike the heroes of serialized shows, he does not age and learns no lasting lessons from his misadventures. This circular writing has become a model for animated sitcoms.
3. Benedict Bridgerton (Bridgerton)
Benedict Bridgerton has transitioned from a secondary character to a central protagonist with season 4 of the Netflix series. Long confined to the role of the artistic and free-spirited brother, he now benefits from a complete romantic arc that renews interest in the family saga.
The series has been renewed for seasons 5 and 6, confirming that the Bridgerton universe will continue to explore its B characters well beyond what Julia Quinn’s novels offered. Benedict’s case also illustrates Netflix’s ability to transform a supporting role into a seasonal draw.
4. Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)
Bugs Bunny transcends the realm of children’s cartoons. His rhetoric, calm in the face of adversity, and ability to turn any situation to his advantage make him a narrative archetype echoed in dozens of later series. In terms of writing, Bugs is a trickster in the mythological sense of the term.
His transition to television has spanned several decades without losing relevance. Each new iteration (The Looney Tunes Show, Looney Tunes Cartoons) adjusts the tone without betraying the core of the character, which is rare for such an old franchise.
5. Bulma (Dragon Ball)
Bulma is the first character the viewer meets in Dragon Ball. A scientist and inventor, she initiates the plot by searching for the Dragon Balls. Her role evolves from an active protagonist to a strategic pillar of the universe, wife of Vegeta and mother of Trunks.
In the anime landscape, Bulma represents a rare case of a female character whose technical skills surpass those of most fighters. She designs time machines, radars, and spaceships, making her a discreet yet constant narrative engine.
6. Belle (Beauty and the Beast – Disney)
Belle stands out from classic Disney princesses due to her intellectual appetite. She is the first Disney female character whose main motivation is neither marriage nor rescue, but curiosity. Her adaptation into an animated series in the 1990s expanded this aspect by multiplying episodes centered around problem-solving.
Belle’s legacy in recent series is reflected in the construction of female characters who are readers, researchers, or creators, an archetype that has become standard in contemporary animation.
7. Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit – Tolkien)
Bilbo Baggins is the hobbit who made fantasy accessible to the general public. His television and film adaptation is based on a simple principle: an ordinary character thrown into a world that overwhelms him. This template has been reproduced in dozens of fantasy series since.
Tolkien’s Bilbo works because he rejects conventional heroism. He negotiates, dodges, and uses cunning. This narrative approach has directly influenced how contemporary series build their reluctant protagonists.
8. Bowser (Super Mario)
Bowser is the main antagonist of the Mario franchise, but his appearances in animated series and recent films have given him an unexpected comedic depth. The Super Mario Bros. movie transformed King Koopa into a lovable character capable of singing about his romantic woes.
As a recurring villain, Bowser illustrates a principle of serial writing:
- A predictable antagonist in his goals (kidnapping Peach, conquering the kingdom) but surprising in his methods
- An ability to generate empathy despite his status as a villain
- A tonal plasticity that allows him to shift from a menacing register to a burlesque one without breaking coherence
9. Boruto Uzumaki (Boruto)
Boruto carries the narrative weight of being Naruto’s son, one of the most popular characters in anime history. His arc revolves around rejecting his paternal legacy, a classic trope but executed with a slow progression that distinguishes the series from its predecessor.
The series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has divided audiences, but the character himself gains complexity as the plot darkens. He transitions from an arrogant prodigy to a teenager faced with moral choices that Naruto never had to confront at his age.
10. Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
Ben 10 is based on a clear concept: a boy finds an alien watch that allows him to transform into ten alien creatures. This pitch has generated several series, each aging the character and complicating the stakes.
- Original Ben 10: child adventure, discovering powers
- Ben 10: Alien Force: adolescence, responsibility, new aliens
- Ben 10: Ultimate Alien: political consequences of transformations
The strength of Ben Tennyson lies in this rare progression in Western animation. The character literally grows up with his audience, a writing choice that explains the franchise’s longevity.
These ten characters cover very different registers, from the dark vigilante to the child hero, from the genius scientist to the animated trickster. Their commonality remains a writing strong enough to survive several decades of adaptations and reinventions.
