Bugs Bunny is My Honey

When I close my eyes and imagine the perfect date, this is what comes to mind.

He’s progressive and versatile, funny, and incredibly charming. He understands my needs and matches my sarcasm. He has big ears, so he listens. Oh, and he makes carrots look delicious—perfect for my terrible eyesight.

If Bugs Bunny is who you imagined, you’re both super weird and absolutely valid.

Growing up, I didn’t have many friends at school and relied on cartoons to escape or get through the day. Thankfully, my parents steered me toward classic animation instead of those nightmarish, uncanny 3D YouTube videos that scream CoComelon. Looney Tunes was one of the first shows I watched, and Bugs Bunny quickly became one of my favourites. He taught me that bullies will always exist, but you have the power to rise above them—or better yet, mock, belittle, and make them regret ever crossing you.

Bugs Bunny was created in 1940 by Warner Bros, meaning he’s now over 80 years old! But time doesn’t really exist in the cartoon world—after all, I’ve never seen them celebrate a birthday or die from getting hit by a bazooka. Bugs was the work of a team of animators, primarily Tex Avery, Bob Givens, and Mel Blanc. He has appeared in over 160 short films, and his humour still holds up today. Watch any of his classic works, and you’ll see his brand of sarcasm remains timeless. And he remained timeless up till my teen years when I was supposed to look at boys a certain way.

I didn’t develop my first crush until I was about 15. I wasn’t interested in actual humans until I realized I was supposed to be. People were gross, they smelled bad, and they didn’t make me laugh. Bugs Bunny was a two-dimensional fantasy I could never meet but somehow personally knew. He felt like a best friend who didn’t even realize it. He's from Brooklyn, so his accent is naturally a catch. Not to mention his extensive résumé—he dabbles in music, sports, and even in drag. His distinctive gray-and-white fur, expressive face, and effortless charm made him instantly recognizable. Plus, at 4 feet tall, he’s my official short king.

And let’s talk about financial security—Bugs could definitely support my unhealthy shopping habits. He’s one of the richest cartoon characters ever. An editor once explained why Bugs consistently holds top billing: “His stock has never gone down… Bugs is the best example of the smart-aleck American comic. He’s not just a great cartoon character; he’s a great comedian. He was written well. He was drawn beautifully. He has thrilled and made generations laugh.”

Beyond always getting the last word, Bugs escapes every convoluted situation unscathed—never a hair out of place, always smiling, forever optimistic. After spending a better part of my life studying various philosophical traditions, I’ve yet to find a better embodiment of transcendent wisdom than Bugs Bunny. Dubbed the Buddha of Burbank, he’s taught me everything I need to know about resilience, confidence, and keeping my peace. As a woman in my 20s obsessed with my mental well-being, he's a dream come true.

Life is unpredictable and rarely goes as planned, but Bugs knows how to trust his instincts. He seizes every moment as an adventure. He keeps his head screwed on, asks for directions, and, when in doubt, makes that left turn at Albuquerque. Bugs doesn’t take on other people’s problems—if he’s not bothered, it’s not his problem. And if someone tries to make it his problem, well… “You know, of course, this means war.” What happens next? He walks away with a song in his heart and a smile on his face.

Not only will he take you on adventures, but Bugs is also effortlessly cool, marching to his own beat, and surfing his own wave. He doesn’t worry about failure—he stays true to himself, his passions, and his commitment to life. Every day is filled with laughter, joy, and celebration. He doesn’t wait for the party to come to him—Bugs is the party. He understands that happiness is a choice, and he makes that choice every moment of every day, inviting everyone to join him.

Bugs also practices unconditional acceptance—he doesn’t care if his friends are from the same planet or not. Now that’s inclusivity at its finest. He throws himself into every challenge, leaving no room for regrets. If life is a baseball game, Bugs is the ball.

Bugs’ greatest skill? He adapts. He shifts from trickster to hero depending on the situation, keeping every episode fresh and engaging. Take the Rhapsody Rabbit episode, where he literally shoots a guy for coughing during his piano performance. Completely valid—if you’re sick, don’t go to a live concert. But on the other hand, if Bugs makes a friend, he’ll stand up for them like a protective older brother.

Even today, Looney Tunes remains widely loved. Bugs Bunny’s longevity is no accident—he's enmeshed with contemporary culture, spoofed in movies and music, and stayed relevant with new audiences. As someone who immersed myself in pop culture and music while growing up, I really resonated with that (not that I was unique, I just didn’t socialize enough to realize others felt the same way).

I mean, hell, he even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not even Brad Pitt has that, and he’s real.

I grew up expecting cartoon characters to be wholesome, always wrapping up episodes with neat little bows of moral lessons, kindness and obedience. As the youngest child, I was not that kid. I was loud, selfish, boisterous, and obsessed with pranking people. School didn’t reward me, my grades only led to my parents’ disappointment, and my best coping mechanism was making people laugh.

That’s why I connected to Bugs so deeply. Warner Bros. created a character with the wit, cleverness, and laid-back attitude I admired. He handled chaos with an effortless shrug, unlike my classmates, who crumbled after one bad grade. I wanted to be studious and disciplined like the people around me, but Bugs taught me I was clever in my own way.

I always believed that you should be the person you want to date– in order to be the best version of you. Bugs Bunny wasn’t just a cartoon character to me—he was a life coach, a role model, and, let’s be real, the original blueprint for charm. As a 6-year-old who was told that real boys had cooties, he set the bar high. And honestly? I’m still looking for that same wit, confidence, and effortlessly cool in a real-life partner - minus the buck teeth.